Posts by done4good

43

Why Rational People Buy Into Conspiracy Theories?

by adjusted knowledge in

jw
friends

my wife is taking a literature course at a local college.

this was her final topic of the semester: why rational people buy into conspiracy theories?i automatically thought of this site and of jws.

the jws i knew, were the kind of people that would believe in conspiracy theories, and i noticed a small following on this site.. the article that was referenced for this course was: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/magazine/why-rational-people-buy-into-conspiracy-theories.html?_r=0.

done4good

It takes a certain level of intelligence and an ability to realize that more than one element is involved in producing any outcome. It also takes a certain level of patience and willingness to realize we do not understand everything, much less directly control everything, and that a certain degree of stochastic processes assist in determining any outcome. Conspiracy theorists tend to look for overly simplistic, causative reasons for particular outcomes. This type of thinking is almost always wrong, as the universe is not that simple.

Unfortunately, our culture enables, encourages and rewards this type of thinking. We often hear about the merits of the KISS principle, for example. What we almost never hear, is the other side of what is required for "keeping it simple", to actually work. Answers need to be complete enough to explain all possible observed aspects of any outcome. If they are too simple, facts either get ignored or purposely left out due to cognitive biases. Conspiracy theories always lack explanation for at least some parts of any outcome.

d4g

45

Liquidation sale of RBC assets

by Darkknight757 in

got this very interesting email last night and i thought i'd share it.. this is from the local rbc.. "in harmony with our new ldc form we have been asked by the branch to liquidate all current assets of used tools and materials once owned by the rbc.

you are invited to visit the equipment trailers to acquire items being liquidated by the rbc asset team, these items will be offered on a first come bases with voluntary donation.

if you see any item you like please be in position to take it with you at that time, after you return to your congregation then you will make a donation of cash or check in the congregation contribution box designated for the support of the worldwide work.

done4good

This just in...the new LDC is so full of Jehovah's holy spirit, that kingdom halls will build themselves!

d4g

24

Are Jehovah’s Winesses “Fundamentalists” and “Fanatics”?

by EdenOne in

recently ive posted on fb a meme where a two pairs of hands held open a bible and the quram side by side.

then i wrote on it:.

(faith + fundamentalism) x (hate + propaganda) = legitimation of intolerance and violence.

done4good

Of course, having a conversation like that with a JW will yield little more than a convoluted, rationalized response. A believer is incapable of applying logic in the same manner to their beliefs, as they do in other areas of their lives. Intelligence and critical thinking are compartmentalized.

Yes, JWs are both fundamentalist, (as they choose to take much of their particular ancient writings literally), which only could follow that they are fanatical. They very idea of taking such ancient writings literally whole or in part, is fanatical in of itself.

JWs don't have to kill to be fanatics. They believe their god will do that for them, which is just as evil by proxy.

d4g

22

Blondie's Highlights from 11-15-2015 WT (FAITH)

by blondie in

blondies highlights from the 11-15-2015 wt study (september 15, 2015)(faith).

excellent general website: www.jwfacts.com .

wt publications http://www.a2z.org/wtarchive/archive.htm (old).

done4good

blondie-The important thing to them is the CARROT, everlasting life on a paradise earth in good health surrounded by your loved ones. Nothing gets in the way of that, they will endure just about anything for that promise.

Thank you, Blondie for putting up with reading this stuff weekly...I know I could not.

As far as the above is concerned, I wonder how much of this really is just fear, not hope. Most JWs that live "normal" lives I think care less about some future world that they deep down know does not exist. That thinking is mostly reserved for those that have nothing to begin with, (which of course, is why WT tries very hard to keep people uneducated and in a desperate state). However for the "normal" majority, I believe they are simply too fearful of what might happen if they open their eyes.

d4g

121

No more printing of WT and Awake in my country.. Shit just got real

by cognitivedizzy in

jw
friends

guys .

a letter was just read in out kh stating that all printing of wt and awake is ceased for the coming year and we will just place tracts on fs, countries which were cared by our branch will be cared by other countries...along with this they read the new fs form and stuff about reporting links of videos wtf..lol.

i can't tell which country perhaps that will give away a lot, any one with a similar information.

done4good

committeechariman-Just a note here. WTBTS could easily form another kind of legal entity to allow them to operate in India, they just will have to pay taxes on income. Instead of viewing this as a cost of preaching the good news, they folded. Gives some insight into the real motivations IMO.

Their business model does not support taxation. Taxation is 100% anathema to their ability to finance themselves. Remember what they did in 1990, with the so-called donation arrangement. Ironically, that "donation" arrangement is the very reason they are now having a host of other financial issues, however was initially done to avoid taxable status, which likely would have bankrupted them much shorter term.

d4g

129

Silent And Sweet Rebellion Going On Within JW Organization!

by lsw1961 in

after 1975, the vast majority remained as though nothing has happened.

but some left the organization.

however, there arose a third category who did not leave the organization, but brought a new view into their heart: jws are right in their core cause (gods kingdom as the solution to mankinds problems) but may or may not be right in their supplementary teachings, hence are not bothered about changes happening in this unimportant area..

done4good

lsw1961 - But here are many people like me still enjoying the countless benefits of JW system by being right in its midst supporting its good contributions, yet not being part of its evils. This is a great feat of balancing act which you people can be envious of (which you prove yourself by desparately accusing me for the sake of accusing—saying I am campaigning for some organization other than JWs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stop being such an evasive coward and answer my question...Or get lost!

Would you give the same pass to Christendom on its evils? I patiently await your qualified answer. (Although I expect none).

d4g

129

Silent And Sweet Rebellion Going On Within JW Organization!

by lsw1961 in

after 1975, the vast majority remained as though nothing has happened.

but some left the organization.

however, there arose a third category who did not leave the organization, but brought a new view into their heart: jws are right in their core cause (gods kingdom as the solution to mankinds problems) but may or may not be right in their supplementary teachings, hence are not bothered about changes happening in this unimportant area..

done4good

lsw1961 :
Peace is our nature, hence we do not want to disturb the peace of the organization, hence we stick to the org--supporting all its goods, and ignoring all its evils.

So you would ignore Christendom's evils as well?

d4g

24

Humans are not wired to want the truth

by rebel8 in

jw
friends

that's what i suspect.. perhaps some of us retrained our brains to not surrender to a natural urge to believe the simplest, most drama-laden spins on facts.. examples (at least i think this is the truth!):.

the clock.

the son of muslim activists makes a device that, on purpose, looks like a bomb.

done4good

Great post, rebel8. Absolutely. I would only refine it just a bit and state that the degree to which someone is not accepting of truth, is the degree to which they are committed to a particular belief. The question really becomes why are they committed as such? I certainly have my own theories on that, but it goes off-topic.

Overall that hardwired nature of acceptance of things that are untrue has much to do with survival, even if to modern humans and society as a whole, it does far more harm than good. The broader concepts of dissonance theory have quite a bit to say about this, from an evolutionary perspective, both biologically and socially. For example, an animal in the woods that hears what it believes to be a predator, decides to run for cover. That animal does not reason that the potential predator may be nothing more than than the wind ruffling some branches. It makes a decision and commits itself, (even if it means running into a real predator in its efforts to escape).

Humans inherited this fight or flight mentality from our ancestors, and do not always reason when making commitments. If someone commits themselves to a particular belief, the degree to which they have a vested interest in that commitment, is the degree to which they will not accept reasoned discourse with respect to what is real. Their delusion, be it fear driven or otherwise, becomes very real to them, just as that animal trying to escape from what it perceived to be a dangerous threat. Reason does not always prevail, and evolution to a degree, has almost ensured it will not.

d4g

54

Does the W.T have financial problems are are they just rebranding?

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

it is evident that the w.t has recently re-branded itself, and has become fairly modern in its marketing techniques.

so the organisation is in that respect forward thinking, and the former way of doing things has past.. .

but this rebranding has been done by marketing experts, who maybe realise progress is progress, and that with modernisation many bethelites " even as free volunteers" are possibly no longer required.

done4good

OrphanCrow - The WTS will do whatever is necessary in order to hold onto their precious tax exempt status.

Probably closest to the truth. Losing that status would not be sustainable for their business model, (they didn't go to a "donation" arrangement willingly in 1990 either. They had to). Any reinvestment profits for capital use, or even having enough cash flow to cover operating expenses would be erased by taxation. It's simple math. Most non/not for profits, (if all is good), run somewhere in the 2-6% reinvestment profit range. Capital gains all by itself at 15%, (in the US), would kill them off. Add real estate taxes, personal property taxes, etc., and they would would go out of business overnight.

Religion is a business, make no mistake. That business only works when tax-free.

d4g

54

Does the W.T have financial problems are are they just rebranding?

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

it is evident that the w.t has recently re-branded itself, and has become fairly modern in its marketing techniques.

so the organisation is in that respect forward thinking, and the former way of doing things has past.. .

but this rebranding has been done by marketing experts, who maybe realise progress is progress, and that with modernisation many bethelites " even as free volunteers" are possibly no longer required.

done4good

It is difficult to say to what degree, (since they are not obligated to open their books in most countries), but they are having troubles for sure. Authoritarian organizations like the WT do not willingly expose their weaknesses, unless they are in a desperate situation. Either they are in immediate financial trouble, or are anticipating imminent trouble.

Something is very, very broken in WT land. I would love to know what it is.

d4g