The Scotsman

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Posts by The Scotsman

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  55

  Another Scotsman reporting for duty :)

  by cofty in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi all, its time i stopped lurking around here.

  i've been posting at jws for just over a year, i know a few names here and it looks like there is lots of good banter going on.. i am a second generation, born-in who grew up in west-central scotland.

  i pioneered in edinburgh and later married and settled in berwick just south of the border.

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  The Scotsman

  Hello and welcome to the board. Plenty of scots here. I am in the "Glasgow area" - can't be more specific than that.

  I suppose my process out the Borg was similar - started with niggling doubts, and as you say, once that first domino falls thats it.

  I am sorry to hear you have finished with God. The tsunami was definately a faith tester for even the strongest believers. I truly do not fully understand why a loving God could sit back and let it happen - then again I do not understand the complexity of the universe - and yet it is there to be seen by all - my point is - because we do not understand does not mean that God does not exist.

  Its interesting - it was a totally different event that hit me hard - the shooting of the school children in Dunblane Primary School. I was an active JW at the time and I was deeply disturbed by this event - "Where was God"? I asked a few fellow JWs. To this day I still not fully understand why God allows such things. But despite these terrible tragedies I am still willing to give God a chance. To me an Atheistic view is no improvement - some of the greatest atrocities ever committed were under the veil of Atheism.

  Anyway - good to see you here.

  The Scotsman
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  20

  Snow in UK stops meetings!

  by fokyc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  most congregations in this area had no meeting last thursday,.

  they have now cancelled tomorrows meetings .

  perhaps snow is worse than the internet!.

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  The Scotsman

  Some congregations in the Glasgow area have cancelled meetings and ministry.

  It has been sub zero in Glasgow for about 3 weeks - day and night. Lots of snow and ice.

  Bet the rank and file were gutted they had to stay in and watch telly instead.
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  16

  Richard Dawkins forum

  by zoiks in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  are there any posters here who also read and/or post on the forums at richard-dawkins.net?

  it seems as though a large number of xjws post there.

  there are some really good and thought provoking points made, from a slightly different perspective.. just wondering!.

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  The Scotsman

  Alot of good points jaguarbass

  Richard Dawkins is incredibly self centered and arrogant as far as I am concerned - which does not help his cause!

  I also think he gets to much publicity - he is held in almost godlike status by some.

  He will be loving it of course - cha ching - ££££££££££
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  89

  Do Atheists Celebrate Christmas?

  by believingxjw in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  do atheists celebrate christmas, the celebration of christ's birth?.

  if so, why?.

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  The Scotsman

  I suppose your right, but god dammit it's so hard to do when I haven't been in the position of belief in the Deity for so long I forget that people really get offended over slights in their imaginary friend. Anyway I do it in jest I hope you understand.

  I appreciate their was a lot of jest in what you said - no problem.

  imaginary friend

  Now cut out the jokes!!!
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  89

  Do Atheists Celebrate Christmas?

  by believingxjw in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  do atheists celebrate christmas, the celebration of christ's birth?.

  if so, why?.

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  The Scotsman

  frankiespeakin

  I can understand where you are coming from.

  My simple point is just that not everyone has the same beliefs on JWN. (a fairly obvious point - I know!!!)

  I have had my fair share of debates with atheists/evolutionists on this board - but debate/discussion/sharing opinions - is a good thing.

  Just try and show a wee bit of respect for others beliefs - even if you think they are totally barking up the wrong tree entirely.

  I bet you used the direct approach in the ministry!!!!!

  Hope you had a good christmas - may the new year bring us all some happiness.......
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  89

  Do Atheists Celebrate Christmas?

  by believingxjw in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  do atheists celebrate christmas, the celebration of christ's birth?.

  if so, why?.

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  The Scotsman

  Can I just say I have read all of the posts on this subject - interesting stuff - but - "frankiespeakin" - you have not came across well.

  Its ok being an atheist - I have no problem with that.

  Personally I believe in a God but I respect people who don't - each to there own and all that.

  Try and meet people in the middle man.

  The scotsman
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  66

  I don't want to die.

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been conditioned since childhood that i'm going to live forever.

  i'm having a hard time contemplating the fact that i'm going to die.

  i'm so afraid of death that i can't enjoy the life i have now.

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  The Scotsman

  I went through the exact same process - I was overcome by a fear of death.

  Give it time - you will adapt.

  Remind yourself that you are now dealing with the facts of the matter and not the WT lies.

  Also - because the WT had a lot wrong - does not mean that there is no hope.

  I for one have maintained a strong belief in God and that we can face the future with confidence.

  Whatever you decide to believe the key I suppose is this - do not let the future (that has'nt happened yet) take away your joy today. Their is so much to live for.......
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  102

  Come all Ye' Faithful... and tell us how God has answered

  by AK - Jeff in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  prayer.. billions of people have been praying for hundreds of years for peace.

  other billions pray for happiness for mankind.

  not one evidence exists that he hears or that he cares.. can anyone provide solid evidence that god answers prayers.

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  The Scotsman

  ((( Was my prayer answered? Or was it just circumstances/chance/fate/timing/health/doctor competence that held?)))

  You dont know the answer to the question - nobody does - it is a pointless example.

  Prayer is all about faith - does the person believe that praying makes any difference. Obviously millions of people think it does make a difference.

  When it comes to understanding the very essence of God and what God is, we humans just are unable to do it. Can any of us visualise in our mind the sheer size of the universe - No - but its there - its real. Because mere humans struggle to make sense of something does not make it less of a reality.

  Some who have posted here have clearly had honest hearted prayers unanswered - does that mean that all prayers go unanswered?

  I have had many examples related to me over the years of those who have had prayers answered in very specific ways.

  Many of my prayers appear to go unanswered - but not all.....
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  102

  Come all Ye' Faithful... and tell us how God has answered

  by AK - Jeff in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  prayer.. billions of people have been praying for hundreds of years for peace.

  other billions pray for happiness for mankind.

  not one evidence exists that he hears or that he cares.. can anyone provide solid evidence that god answers prayers.

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  The Scotsman

  Come on!!! Let me get this straight.

  You pick 2 days before christmas "an important christian festival for many" to start a debate on how God does not answer prayers?????

  lol :¬)
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  15

  Myth - The Bible claims to be inspired by God

  by gubberningbody in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the bible has 66 books (more if you're catholic, less if you're jewish), and multiple authors.

  some of these authors claimed that some of what they wrote down was inspired by god.

  that's hardly enough for someone to conclude that the bible claims inspiration for all of the words written by the multiple authors who were involved with writing "it" over the centuries.. .

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  The Scotsman

  ((( Myth - the bible claims to be inspired by God.)))

  Tricky one this - no-one can prove this claim is a myth. But also no-one can claim absolutely that the claim is true.

  It boils down to opinion and faith.

  To me passages of the bible seem to demonstrate an intelligence higher than human - the bible is truly unique.