Posts by XU

22

Why are there so few atheists in the USA?

by moshe in

i read a poll today that said atheists numbered 26% in israel.

russia and europe were about the same percentage, too.

the united states had the fewest at only 1% who identified as atheists.

XU

Can anyone else read this? Well, I don't really declare myself an atheist, because I don't really see how what I believe really matters in the big scheme of things, which runs quite contrary to the belief that Christians have, so maybe I am one. But anyhoo, I have been studying US history this quarter and guess who never thought history was relevant? me in my dub dream. So, now I actually pay attention. I think we are a product of our conditioning and we were founded by native killing manifest destiny fulfilling god loving puritans. Also, look at the president of the US. Many Christians have felt more confident to let their beliefs hang out because it is popular and cool right now. This country has felt it was better than communism because "In Go(l)d We Trust". One nation under god. These things were added to our national identity because the founding fathers didn't really want all that religion trouble in the government. Please poly-sci fanatics, don't blast my amateur blog, I am just starting to think about this stuff. So, when life is uncertain, in times of war, economic depression, media frenzies, people like to think someone is looking out for them. If we realize it's all up to us, we get a little freaked out. Some of us realize the exciting potential, most of us are like,"Oh hell no." So, maybe we are just not ready to make that evolutionary leap into the potential we really possess. And atheists aren't going to run around with God is Dead t-shirts because anyone can be a terrorist these days, what with no more habeus corpus.

14

For believers: Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?

by lovelylil in

while thinking about this bible verse today taken from matthew 18, i began seeing a correlation to our time and the trend among christian churches.

there are several that i am sure we can name that make claims such as "we are the only true church" or "we are the only true christians" or even that "no one can see the truth unless they are in contact with our church to teach it".

and these ones judge others by placing everyone outside their group in "spiritual darkness".. isn't this the same thing as jesus' early disciples asking "who is the greatest in the kingdom?

XU

I heard this one illustration. Churches are like a bunch of people standing in the fog. They all say, "Hey, it's totally clear right by me! Look at all those other fools - they are in the fog." They all have a similar perspective. Maybe people think there is only one way and defend whatever they are invested in.

16

need help

by jem12 in

i was raised in the truth but was not baptized.my wife is and enjoys going out in service but i have found out from her twin sister that while i was away in alberta working she was cheating with a brother from her hall.after coming back and finding out about this and her telling me her sister is lying i found photos of them at dinners bowling and so forth, also i found nude photos of her and after me talking with her and her lying about them that her sister took the photos the truth finally came out it was a man she met from her work that took them,this is a christen women who fears jehovah why would a person with such strong love for her religon do this.after me finding these things out she kicked me out of our house.... please help me find an answer.. because deep down i still love her..

XU

It doesn't sound like she loves you. It doesn't sound like you love you. It sounds like you deserve love and compassion more than she does right now. What do you think you should do?

49

What are you now ?

by moomanchu in

jw
friends

curious as to what exwitnesses have become or believe.

i haven't joined any religous group and do not attend any services.

(have visited a church's service)

XU

oooo- 9000 posts! Wow. I don't really believe much that i can specifically say. Not a believer in any god. Not against believers of god so much anymore. I am starting to investigate zen buddism. Trying to be aware of the present moment - life.

16

Possibly overdone topic - panda world

by XU in

jw
friends

what did you think you would be doing in the paradise?

like after all the garbage was picked up and the 2nd dead were buried?

i thought i would get a house with a creek running through it and play with animals.

XU

Yeah, the whole thing didn't really make any sense. My fantasies were all created before the age of 10. My parents got really tired of me asking about what it was going to be like, population, marriage, transportation, meetings, etc. I wonder if that's something we have in common. Like it all just didn't really jive with our brains. But I wonder, whose brains can live with it? The "cognitive dissonance" great crowd? It seems like if it really is worth living and dying for, it has to be pretty real to us. Were we destined to break free? Thanks for the posts.

23

if he knows all

by abuttercup in

i have often wondered..... they say jehovah is the begining and the end, and that he can read every heart.

if so, did he not know eve would eat the fruit and then adam would follow?

did he not know satan would try to pull his weight?

XU

ha ha i think it's "rocks exist". I was just being a smartass. That was a question we used to say when we were oh so funny dub kids.

23

if he knows all

by abuttercup in

i have often wondered..... they say jehovah is the begining and the end, and that he can read every heart.

if so, did he not know eve would eat the fruit and then adam would follow?

did he not know satan would try to pull his weight?

XU

can he create a rock too heavy for him to pick up?

41

Dealing with the Different Personality Types on this Board

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

dealing with the different personality types on this board dealing with the multiple personalities in the kingdom hall.

or life in general can prove to be quite challenging at .

times.. having been a lurker before making the commitment to.

XU

I like everyone here (except thread killers!) Hubert! so lame. wait, what does this make me?

15

The Territories we were Banned from Preaching

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

the territories we were banned from preaching after an interesting phone call yesterday with an ex-jehovah's.

witness, it was mentioned during the course of the conversation.

that the watchtower society had placed restrictions on certain.

XU

Well, the military bases were off limits (air force/army right next to each other) unless you were crafty enough to score a visitor's pass from some military spouse and discreetly do a few houses until the MP were called.

35

Why is it considered so wrong to be anti-religious or aggressively atheist?

by nicolaou in

i'm not talking about the simple belief that there is no god and that religion is a brake on the development of humanity but the aggressive and vocal campaign to convince others of such?.

what's wrong with that?

why do believers feel so offended when i try to reason with them on the invalidity of their faith and the abusive nature of religious institutions?

XU

Are you talking about everyone in general or people on this forum? I think people here are tired of having someone yell at them about them not being correct or right. We all did the same thing to territories of decent christians and atheists alike. "What you believe is bunk! Millions now living will never die!" Maybe some of us don't want you or anyone else to say to us that we shouldn't believe what we choose to believe because we can't prove it. Who cares? I mean, I know you do. But you want to help people, and you should know that you can't really help someone until they are ready. Also, look at this country's history. Everyone assumes Christianity is correct. Of course it's going to raise everyone's hackles. Expecially with the Christian Coalition at the helm and jesus fish bumper stickers everywhere you look. sorry, i don't know if you are in the US, but that's reality here for the time being. Just a basic understanding of human nature and our defenses would allow you to understand the reaction you get from people.