Posts by Derrick

103

The "Tree" of WHAT?

by Farkel in

jw
friends

the account of adam and eve as a literal event is so full of logical contradictions that it is mind-boggling.

it only takes a minimum of scrutiny to discover that fact, too.. there is something god did not want adam and eve to know.

he didnt want them to know the difference between good and evil.

Derrick

If that’s true, then God is in a “place” that has three dimensions.
Actually, He is in a place that has unlimited dimensions. WE... are limited to three... for now.

Hello, Shelby. This raises some interesting paradoxes. According to the laws of physics on multidimensional spacetime there exists "parallel universes" containing every possible pathway for events. In universe 1 in which we exist now, for example, events transpired on Earth historically exactly as recorded in Genesis. In universe 2 where we simultaneously exist according to physicists, events transpired in Eden differently, with Adam and Eve obeying God, refusing to listen to Satan, and Satan getting destroyed. In universe 3 where we also simultaneously exist according to physicists, Satan thinks through his actions and decides it unwise to rebel. In all the infinite permutations of these timelines there exists for lack of a better term an 'omnipotent' God simultaneously observing and responding to events moving forward in time as they unfold.

I have been involved in extremely detailed and lengthy discussions on these very issues. Someone suggested in one of those discussions that in the final omega, when all possibilities have been played out, God has the power to decide which parallel universes are esconsed for all of eternity. Such as the dimension where not only do Adam and Eve make the right choice, but the angel that we know as "Satan" chose not to embrace evil. God's decisions in this regard result in a perfect and ideal reality. God causes all other universes with less than favorable results cease to exist. The one who proposed this argument in a discussion on the subject pointed out that such an outcome does not violate any presently known laws of physics on spacetime.

Shelby, you said that God is in a place that has unlimited dimensions whereas we are limited to three at least for now. I was wondering if my remarks in this post based on a recent discussion with friends on the paradoxes of present spacetime theories by physicists, from Einstein to Hawking to Penrose and other scientific geniuses, have given you a glimpse into the depths of your comment that you were unprepared to consider? My belief is that the truth is out there, and that truth is not neatly packaged into the human paradigm of reasoning.

It would be fascinating to hear your response.

Derrick

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

-- William Blake (Auguries of Innocence)

25

Jehovah Witness Pastors Has A Sheep ...Arrested

by D wiltshire in

jw
friends

jehovah witness pastors has a sheep in their care arrested.. hi my name is david wiltshire and i have suffered horribly from the hand of my pastors.

because i know longer believe the jehovahs witnesses are the only true religion i was disfellowshipped from all jehovahs witnesses i cant even come over their houses any more, they refuse to return my greetings.. the worst torture that they have put on me is that my little grand daughter, who i used to give horsy back rides to cant even be allowed so visit with me for fear both she and her parents could be disfellowshipped.

the watchpower teaches that you cant fellowship with disfellowshipped persons, so they are good jehovah witnesses and obey the watchpower.. some say the jehovah witness religion is a mind control cult.

Derrick

Derrick, if we are not that far away from you maybe some day we will meet.

You never know. Do you work in the high tech industry? Also, are you right near some of the Hollywood studios that have backlots on Charleston Road in Mountain View and that general area? I was given a tour one time, of one of the studios and backlots where they filmed portions of Terminator 2: Judgment Day. (As I recall Silicon Graphics worked on the award winning special effects and its facilities are in the general area. I went to that giant cinemaplex of theaters directly across the street from Silicon Graphics main lobby on T2's opening day, which I had advanced tickets for.)

It's a real tough place in northern California for JWs especially in the Silicon Valley area (which spans from San Francisco down the peninsula to San Jose and is expanding towards Morgan Hill with the proposed city-sized Cisco complex near there). Mountain View and Sunnyvale have been quite popular meccas for the high technology companies such as Adobe and Intel. Since I got into the real estate market in the mid-1990's before hyperinflation kicked in, I've seen houses start to approach the levels one would expect in Tokyo and other inflationary markets, due to a fundamental shortage. That's what makes this inflation different, and why I loosely use the word "hyperinflation".

It's really fascinating being in the midst of these fast times in technology and internet communications, and I'm so thankful that I went against the "wise counsel" of the elders to graduate from high school with honors. I was eventually forgiven for this trespass but again tested their patience when I decided not to become a fulltime Pioneer but get a degree in the computer sciences and business communications instead! I literally got called on the carpet when a sister overheard me telling a brother that I graduated (and he got called on the carpet for congratulating me using some odd line of reasoning). I was never a smart ass however, always treating them instinctively like I treated managers in corporations (LOL!), doing this unconsciously. Ironically the elders liked that respect, as I discovered many of them are similar to the Scribes and Pharisees who love being treated as your Superiors! Well, I was guilty of massaging those humongous egos without even realizing, I think because I was a Witness since my mid-teens and always viewed them like my father. And you needed to treat dear old Dad respectfully or watch out! ;-)

I really sense that you'll do well. I did a search and read your original posts on this site back in June of 2001, the ordeal you went through, and really commend you for maintaining your sanity. Just remember that their bad behavior is no more God's fault than the poor behavior of the clergy class in general (of which the elders have proven themselves to be part of). They will receive what the rest of the clergy will receive, whether it's the majority who abuse their authority over the flock, or the few who really make themselves true servants of God -- each will receive his reward whether it's good or bad, I believe. By the way, I did a search on "Pickering" next to "Jehovah" (I think that's the right name) over www.yahoo.com and amazingly that name is as common as "Smith" amongst JWs! What is it about that name that it's so widespread? (Other than your getting shafted by a member of the J.C. with that name? Maybe it's a sign from God as one brother in my congregation would always say about unusual coincidences, LOL.) ;-)

Derrick

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

-- William Blake (Auguries of Innocence)

25

Jehovah Witness Pastors Has A Sheep ...Arrested

by D wiltshire in

jw
friends

jehovah witness pastors has a sheep in their care arrested.. hi my name is david wiltshire and i have suffered horribly from the hand of my pastors.

because i know longer believe the jehovahs witnesses are the only true religion i was disfellowshipped from all jehovahs witnesses i cant even come over their houses any more, they refuse to return my greetings.. the worst torture that they have put on me is that my little grand daughter, who i used to give horsy back rides to cant even be allowed so visit with me for fear both she and her parents could be disfellowshipped.

the watchpower teaches that you cant fellowship with disfellowshipped persons, so they are good jehovah witnesses and obey the watchpower.. some say the jehovah witness religion is a mind control cult.

Derrick

I'm shocked to hear about something like this happening so nearby. There's a lot of "angry" JWs in our district because the economy is so out of control with borderline hyperinflation in housing and other costs of living. Elders in the district are stressed to the breaking point because unless you have a bachelors degree or higher in the computer sciences area and have worked your way up into the stratosphere on wages, you're basically screwed (especially if you have a family to support, although even childless married couples and singles are totally stressed financially). I'm just thankful to have gone against the elders' better judgment and gotten my bachelors, a "personal matter" and "conscience matter" that got me called on the carpet a few years ago after graduation - lol!

I guess my point is that this outrageous treatment of yourself by someone you basically describe as an overweight slob who is disgracing the name of God publicly, is not the least surprising. "By their fruits you will recognize them," as Jesus said. At least you recognize this man as a religious hypocrite.

I suggest that based on what this man did to you publicly, you follow through on filing criminal assault charges and perhaps you can add he filed false police charges to deprive you of worshiping in a public place. Remember that Kingdom Halls, like any other churches, are exempt from taxes because they (supposedly) for the public good! Then after the criminal matters are resolved, dependent on the outcome, consider filing a personal lawsuit against him and sue him for everything he's got.

I suspect the elders in that congregation will disfellowship the man, but who knows? Parts of the organization seem to have become worldly to where the elders have a JW version of the world's "old boy's network" amongst them! Hopefully this is not the case in your congregation.

Sitting in the front row, you have a lot of witnesses (pun intended) to testify on your behalf.

Derrick

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

-- William Blake (Auguries of Innocence)

1

Troll Busters: Learn from the `SerialTroll'

by Derrick in

jw
friends

perhaps you have an online reputation as the meanest badassed troll buster west of the mississippi?

even you can learn from the (-drum roll-) `serial troll' !.

trolls who hijack topics are despised creatures who have been categorized by experts in the field of trollology.

Derrick

Perhaps you have an online reputation as the meanest badassed Troll Buster west of the Mississippi? Even you can learn from the (-drum roll-) `Serial Troll' !

Trolls who hijack topics are despised creatures who have been categorized by experts in the field of Trollology. There's the "Vaguely Related Troll" who is the most successful in hijacking really good and meaningful topics. This category of troll is identifiable by their use of the following modus operandi:

"Start out with a comment about the article. Have a definite opinion of it. Then, after a little while, disintegrate into randomness. All roads eventually can lead to cheese (yum), Natalie Portman, cannibalism, toasters, squirrels, futons, you name it. All it takes is a little bit of creativity. Oh, and feel free to use other trolls' motifs. Open source and all that."

However, the `Serial Troll' really steals the show:

"Write a story. Keep expanding it. It doesn't matter what article you post it under, so long as it's high up. If you want people to recognize you, pick a couple themes or symbols, and carry them on throughout the story. Other alternatives include back linking or including the entire story, but adding more each time. Be funny if you want. Or if you don't feel like being funny, just be really weird. Someone will react."

Unfortunately Trolls get old real fast, like the flash in the pan; or like the one night stand who often, on the second encounter, stops giving good Troll. This is when the moderators step in to kick the trolls out of the proverbial bed. The Troll How To guide advises such trolls: "Finally, when all else fails and your troll gets moderated down to (-1, Troll) within ten seconds of you posting it, the only honourable thing to do is to accuse the moderators of smoking the cheap $3 crack (again) and give up."

Trolls come in all shapes and sizes.

The "right-wing troll" - described as "Always popular, the right-wing maniac (RWM) is a God-fearing, gun-toting, flag-waving American, and proud of it. They don't care about the rest of the world, unless it's to "prove" that America is better than everything else, and they cannot stand liberal whining over civil rights. They hate the moral decay of America and want it to revert into a nation of heterosexual, Christian whites like it was meant to be. Woe betide anyone that dares to suggest otherwise."

The "Religion troll" - civilized posters are forewarned "There are two ways to approach this kind of maniac. The harder to pull off is the militant atheist, but this is quite common amongst /. posters and you would have to be very offensive to get this to work. Of course with religion trolls, the argument can go on for ever once it's started... The more common approach is the Christian fundamentalist. They are ignorant, intolerant and bigoted in the extreme. For them the Bible is the inerrant word of God revealed to man - it contains no flaws and no contradictions. Thus they are strict Creationists - mentions of evolution or cosmology will set them off on vitriolic rants. Flaming denunciations of anyone daring to contradict the "Word of God" are the way to go, and any kind of proof can always be ignored by appealing to "secular humanist brainwashing". And let's not forget, the USA is the greatest nation on Earth because it has the righteous power of Jesus Christ behind it."

Finally, there are "Expert trolls" and "Offtopic trolls" - the latter "like any other, come in almost as many colours as an iMac, but generally not as cute. But then again, a good offtopic "troll" can affect more people than a repulsive little gumdrop on your desk, because you need to have someone SEE your desk before they can react. Simple? Moreso than even my overblown prose could indicate."

To learn about the former kind, and get a complete education on trolling that will earn you equivalent credits at some irreputable institutions to a BST (Bachelor of Science in Trolling) or MBATC (Master of Business Administration in Trolling Communications), follow this link:

http://www.geocities.com/spiralxuk/old/howto.html

Have fun, Simon, you'll get a lot of encouragement to continue troll busting.

:)

Derrick

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

-- William Blake (Auguries of Innocence)

4

When JWs subdue Earth

by Derrick in

jw
friends

yhwh has a chosen people on earth today, regardless of whether those 6+ million souls under the auspices of the watchtower society are the same jehovah's witnesses referred to in isaiah 43:12, "i have declared, and i have saved, and i have showed; and there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith jehovah, and i am god.".

the question is, are you one of god's chosen people?

it may very well be that those referenced in isaiah 43:12 are not all inclusively jehovah's witnesses.. suppose they are scattered throughout the entire world "out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues" (rev.

Derrick

YHWH has a chosen people on Earth today, regardless of whether those 6+ million souls under the auspices of the Watchtower Society are the same Jehovah's Witnesses referred to in Isaiah 43:12, "I have declared, and I have saved, and I have showed; and there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God."

The question is, are you one of God's chosen people? It may very well be that those referenced in Isaiah 43:12 are not all inclusively Jehovah's Witnesses.

Suppose they are scattered throughout the entire world "out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues" (Rev. 7:9) and not limited to the 6+ million people affiliated with the Watchtower Society?

The book of Revelation in chapter 7, verse 9, rules out an "organization" of people as the authentic Jehovah's Witnesses based on a simple litmus test: Ask the Governing Body how many baptized Jehovah's Witnesses exist on Earth today? If they don't give you an EXACT NUMBER (which their central computer calculates based on the number of baptism filings required from each congregation worldwide) then they will surely state a "ballpark" figure of approximately six million people.

In sharp contrast, Revelation 7:9 refers to "a great multitude, which no man could number" -- in other words nobody is able to offer you any figure at all! Not a million or a billion souls or somewhere between; the true figure when the end of this system finally arrives could turn out to be 10; or 1,000; or 10,000,000,000. Revelation 7:9 puts an end to any speculation about exact or approximate numbers of true Jehovah's Witnesses (as identified in Isaiah 43:12).

When asked about the number of true Jehovah's Witnesses who will survive the war of Armageddon, the Watchtower Society doesn't humbly respond to the tune of "Dunno. There's no way we can tell based on Revelation 7:9. A whole lot of religions besides ours could be amongst the survivors for all we know." Therefore the Watchtower Society unwittingly rules itself out as being the true Jehovah's Witnesses spoken about in the book of Isaiah. Rather, it is just another mainstream Christian denomination that may consist of a number of true Jehovah's Witnesses, just as many other religions (and not necessarily Christian religions) may also contain true Jehovah's Witnesses.

Revelation 7:9 does go on to state about the demographic makeup of this unknown-numbered great crowd of Armageddon survivors that they are "out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues."

Not only are they from every continent of Earth, but they are from "all tribes". In ancient times various "tribes" would hold a wide divergence of beliefs as we see today. The religious tribes today from Christendom to all the other religious tribes outside of Christianity all believe in God. Each religion is filled with multitudes of good hearted people whose belief in God and love for a Creator of all things, inculcated since childhood and often retractable, has placed them on many roads all leading to the same place. That place is the One and Only, True God, whom the Bible identities as YHWH and other religions identify under different Names.

Rather than forcing billions of people who are Hindu and Buddist and other religions inculcated for generations to change from intractable beliefs by forcing them to accept the interpretation of a publishing corporation as "the truth," millions of angels are now in the process of harvesting this planet to find the meek who are heirs to the Kingdom of God.

The True God is in the process of examining souls to gather this "great crowd" to survive. Survive what? A worldwide destruction that will be unparalleled since the dawn of human history. There is no hurry. Jehovah has patiently waited for two of His "days" or millenniums, and so what's another few more of His days if it means the salvation of those in countries such as China and India, to name but two of many?

Derrick

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

-- William Blake (Auguries of Innocence)

62

Farkel is a liar and a cheat!

by seven006 in

jw
friends

i have absolutely had it with farkel's lies and (try new kiddy bathroom bubbles only $3.95 per bottle) his childish attempts to discredit those who still believe in god.

he is relentless in his (now the one pound tub of the famous amway laundry detergent only 19.95) efforts to shove atheism down our throats.

i personally am offended by (new amway energy bars in four tasty flavors, box of 12 only $6.95) his blatantly cynical attitude and slamming dialog.. i think his account should be (summers coming, try amway car wax and make your old car look new)!

Derrick

Simon I ask you delete everyone's account but mine and Bibleman's. Forthwith.

Someone tried that over on H2O with, er, rather tragic consequences. ;-)

Farkel, Farkel, Farkel, what can be done to fully restitute your former AAA reputation so painstakingly earned over so many years, yet so cruelly damaged by one seven006 in the click of a reply?

Derrick

27

Can You Believe this crap?

by Farkel in

when caught red handed with 10 years of signed documents where your leaders swore to uphold and promote the interests of the very organization you have vilified as satan's instrument, you now say, "i don't see that as a sin.

because you were caught?

also, if the proof is only "supposed," then where's a solid rebuttal to that proof without the ad hominems and red herrings?.

Derrick

Of course, this is a total red herring, and a big, fat lie. We already know that the WTS did not need to become and NGO in order to have access to all materials in the various UN libraries.

In all fairness Farkel suppose at the time they did not know they did not need to become and NGO in order to have access to all materials in the various UN libraries?

Derrick

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

-- William Blake (Auguries of Innocence)

25

If a nuke hits Washington, will your life change?

by Mindchild in

jw
friends

as you may or may not know, the bush administration has set up a shadow government in the usa, with its memebers already securely located in underground bunkers and now we are learning that washington dc is being surrounded radiation and gamma ray detectors which would tip off the delta forces on standby that a nuclear weapon had been brought into the area.

the government concedes that they do expect a possible nuclear strike by terrorists.. while it may not come from ben ladin, there are other countries who appear to have made more progress in securing nuclear weapons by either buying them illegally or making their own.

the really bad news is that they also have much more of an incentive now to use them against the usa as our government has launched a war against their countries (i.e.

Derrick

I picked up some interesting tidbits in various news reports:

1. This sub-surface "shadow government" is a complete government deep beneath the earth that is replete with full Congress, FEMA, CIA and other elements operating in tandem to the above-surface government in D.C.

2. Detonation of an above-surface nuclear device in the D.C. area would trigger a seamless switch to the duplicate government operating beneath a radiation proof shield.

3. In a worse-case scenario of nuclear devices detonated at the United Nations and capitals of other nations, the "shadow government" is capable of governing joint nations.

Could a rapid escalation of these events lead to a one-world-government solution provided, not by the United Nations, but by this new "shadow government"? It will be interesting to watch as events unfold in this unprecedented time in human history.

I haven't really had the time to delve into the possible parallels in the advent of a "shadow government" from within one of the world's greatest superpowers to prophecies in the book of Revelation, Ezekiel, etcetera. However, I wouldn't doubt that those following world events are desperately trying to piece together these latest developments in light of Biblical prophecies that were foretold thousands of years ago.

Armageddon itself is likely not on the immediate horizon, however, because specific signs that indicate its approach are just not evident. Even the Watchtower Society is backing off on its doom and gloom predictions that earned its trademark "real soon" slogan. ;-)

Derrick

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

-- William Blake (Auguries of Innocence)

21

Sister Who died Refusing Blood

by silentlambs in

jw
friends

i normally do not comment on this type of subject, yet i have just been informed there may be child abuse involved for her two children at the hands of a fellow jw.

i will investigate to find the facts, yet if this were true this family has lost much in the "spiritual paradise.

" when i have more information i will clarify.

Derrick

Hi Silentlambs, this is truly a tragedy but she did what she believed in her heart was right. In my late teens as a JW, I signed a form in the emergency room of a Catholic hospital I had been taken to by ambulance after I was struck by a car in the crosswalk of a major intersection. Why did I sign that form?

Because at the time I sincerely believed the Watchtower Society's interpretation of Acts and other scriptures on blood -- and thus believed this is what Jehovah wanted and a "test" from God of my love and integrity for Him -- I signed the form without hesitation. I knew without a shadow of doubt that when I awakened from the "big sleep" of death that I would find myself in a fully restored paradise earth, reunited with everyone I have ever loved.

Would I sign it knowing what I do now? No. Jehovah has revealed the error in the Watchtower's Biblical interpretations about the necessity to abstain from blood. I have come to know that blood is symbolic of life, and thus, denying a dying person blood is -- perhaps unwittingly -- showing disregard for what blood represents: LIFE.

Would I sign it not knowing what I do know, if I had it to do all over again? Yes. The will of God is paramount to all other considerations in life. Contrary to those who take life for granted and are ingrateful to God, I'm coming to know Him more and more each day.

Like the scripture says, God is love, and I'm thankful that Jehovah is revealing the truth about His views on blood to the Watchtower Society through outside channels (as evidenced by sites dedicated to the truth such as Lee Elder's http://www.ajwrb.org/ and other excellent sites run by JW reformists).

Derrick

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

-- William Blake (Auguries of Innocence)

4

Spooks! and other Urban Legends

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

#36 letter from home.

spooks.

dear randy,.

Derrick

Two words come to mind in reading that letter: that's crazy. The "dog ate my TMS study notes" is a more credible type of excuse that this! :)

Derrick

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

-- William Blake (Auguries of Innocence)