Interesting points about the evolution of words.
Yeah, if you go by the primary dictionary definition of "cult", it fits every religion on earth.
Popular usage will change that though, IMO.
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Open mind
JoinedPosts by Open mind
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2
"Cult" and "Atheist"
by brotherdan ini've been doing some research on the history of christianity.
i'm trying to get an unbiased history, so i have obtained an audio college course taught by a non-christian.
i know that both christians and non-christians have their biases, but i'm trying to get a balanced picture of what the early church taught and believed.. one of the first things that i've noticed is the difference between the words that we use today and what they used then.
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Bethel Rules
by brotherdan inthis was brought up just in passing on another thread.
but i wanted to see if there are any bethelites or ex bethelites that remember some of the crazy rules we had to follow when we were there..
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Open mind
If you're going to go running in anything resembling normal running gear (i.e. shorts & running shoes) make sure you're back in the front door of Bethel before 6:30 a.m. (or was it 6:00?)
Something like that. Can't have the Canaanite residents of Brooklyn Heights seeing Bethelite legs.
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Bethel Rules
by brotherdan inthis was brought up just in passing on another thread.
but i wanted to see if there are any bethelites or ex bethelites that remember some of the crazy rules we had to follow when we were there..
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Open mind
When getting drunk prior to the Gilead Graduation luncheon, make sure you don't stumble to the table or breathe directly on anyone.
(I was never a Bethelite, but I saw plenty of semi-inebriated Bethelites at the pre-Gilead Grad lunch when I visited.)
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A Short Introduction............
by Night Owl ini am a former ms and have been active and inactive since i stepped down about 20 years ago.
i am currently inactive.
i may attend a meeting or two a month, sometimes none.. i have no feelings of animosity towards the organization, or anyone in it.
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Open mind
Sounds healthy to me.
Welcome to the board!
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New elders' manual - a few more details
by sir82 inper a recent boe letter:.
-- new manual will be softcover.
-- elders can keep their old elder manual if they choose.
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Open mind
Really makes me wish I hadn't stepped aside.
Not!!!!
Thanks for the info though.
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SALT documentary
by purplesofa ini watched this documentary on pbs over the weekend, it's pretty awesome if you can watch.. purps.
synopsisin his search for somewhere i could point my camera into pure space, award-winning photographer murray fredericks began making annual solo camping trips to remote lake eyre and its salt flats in south australia.
these trips have yielded remarkable photos of a boundless, desolate yet beautiful environment where sky, water and land merge.
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Open mind
Looks VERY cool purps!
Thanks for sharing it.
p.s. I couldn't help but notice he's riding a Pugsley. Wish I had the extra $ for one of those.
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Ran over my dog today
by BurnTheShips inshe was chasing my car up the road.
i didn't notice her.
she is gone.. bts.
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Open mind
Very sorry to hear that Burns.
You have my deepest sympathies.
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144,000 Kings & Priests? Absurd!
by Farkel inthe whole dub notion of a heavenly ruling class made up of printing corporation elites hand-picked by the creator himself, started with the quasi-calvinistic elitest founder of the printing corporation, namely, chuck russell.
russell was convinced he was somehow "special" and chosen at birth to do great things.
now jesus felt the same way, but chuck russell wasn't no jesus.
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Open mind
Great post Doug!
I know it was a side point but I really liked this bit:
"One of the most pathetic things about human existence is the fact that every lousy human being on this planet is always looking for ways to feel superior over some other human being or beings. Stupid people think smart people are jerks and smart people think stupid people are idiots. Ugly people think pretty people are too vain, and pretty people think ugly people are deformed. On and on it goes. "
Excellent food for thought.
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Cleaning the KH toilets - short amusing story
by Little Imp injust thought i would post something on a lighter note.. it was our group's turn to clean the kh following the sunday meeting.
an elder asked my husband to "look at the toilets", hubby went into the toilets came straight back out, said to the elder "they're still there, bye".
he then grabbed my hand and rushed me out the kh.. i think the elder was too gobsmacked to speak.. hubby said that they want obedience and to follow instructions accurately and he maintains that is exactly what he did!!.
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Open mind
Too bad your camera phone wasn't ready to roll.
Oh well, the mental image I've got is probably just as good.
Thanks for the laugh.
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Local Congregation Greed
by pr0ner inmy dad told me a few weeks ago about a interesting situation in his hall.
ends up an older women died and had given her home to the kingdom hall.
well they decided to sell her home.
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Open mind
What do you think it's true market value in today's economy is? More importantly, what does a qualified appraiser say? For example if the market value is $100,000, then that's what the family should pay if they really want it. This is all assuming there's no evidence of financial foul play which is the subject of another recent thread.
If a person wants to leave their house to the JWs, Scientology or The Moonies, that's their legal right provided they're legally competent to make that decision and aren't acting under coersion. If the local JWs are trying to get fair market value for the house, that's not greed, IMO. If they're trying to get more than fair market value, well then they get the twofer of: greedy and dumb.
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