Posts by AllTimeJeff

But if an atheist says to me that he doesn't exist, I lose that argument. The atheist is right. God isn't around. I can believe whatever I want. I can want to believe whatever I want. I can insist that the atheist has an agenda, when all he is doing is pointing out the obvious. Where is god? Where has she been?

This is such an innane way to argue for god. It's like trying to convince someone that a Disney character doesn't exist. "You can't PROVE that Cinderella doesn't exist! So I will choose to believe that Cinderella is real."

I have had this debate before, so I realize you aren't going to change your beliefs. And that is fine. If you want to believe that atheists have beliefs and that this somehow waters down their grasp of the obvious, good luck to you.

243

Let's settle this for once and for all...... is atheism a belief, a non-belief or an anti-belief?

by Quillsky in

jw
friends

my opinion is that atheism is not a belief.

it is a belief in no belief..

AllTimeJeff

That isn't a belief. It is a conclusion based on available facts.

243

Let's settle this for once and for all...... is atheism a belief, a non-belief or an anti-belief?

by Quillsky in

jw
friends

my opinion is that atheism is not a belief.

it is a belief in no belief..

AllTimeJeff

Wow. Lets try this one on.

"God doesn't exist. There is no evidence that he exists. She/He hasn't spoken to anyone at all in a verifiable way, ever"

Prove that statement wrong.

98

Blood Fractions

by alice.in.wonderland in

someone is pressing me about blood fractions on an unrelated thread, so i just moved the topic to an appropriate location.. "the point for me in every thread you touch is your sickening dishonesty and nauseating apologies for the old men in brooklyn who tell you what to do.. they have told you that products made from blood don't use blood, and you are so corrupt and gullible you just accept it.".

i accept any bible-based religion that adheres to the bible as its authority.. the purpose of this magazine, the watchtower, is to honor jehovah god, the supreme ruler of the universe.

just as watchtowers in ancient times enabled a person to observe developments from afar, so this magazine shows us the significance of world events in the light of bible prophecies.

AllTimeJeff

"The issue is respect for life."

Bravo Palmtree. That is it in a nutshell.

Blood and blood medicine saves lives. If JW's can have organ transplants and blood fractions, but not whole blood, that is just absolutely contradictory and nuts.

In the end though, as I will repeat, it doesn't matter what any JW will say to defend the indefensible. What matters is the saving of life whenever it can be done.

243

Let's settle this for once and for all...... is atheism a belief, a non-belief or an anti-belief?

by Quillsky in

jw
friends

my opinion is that atheism is not a belief.

it is a belief in no belief..

AllTimeJeff

To be an atheist one has to believe that the universe is either eternal or came from nothing. There is no evidence for either; therefore, atheism is a belief.

Actually, that isn't true. Sorry.

Athiests with varying ideas have formed conclusions based on available facts, including how much God has had to say in our 20th century for example. Such data leads to conclusions, but those conclusions (i.e. there is no god as theists describe it) is much different then saying all atheists have beliefs and believe the same thing. (i.e. I am an atheist, and as such, must defend the atheists code of conduct, and all believe the same thing)

Labels, they suck. So do attempts to change the conversation on why religion and god have disappointed by demonizing those that point out the obvious.

I promise you, any atheist would be a believer in a second if God simply would show up. Who wouldn't, right?

65

BOE LTR (PDF) Brazen Conduct !!!

by yknot in

i apologize to those in the vincinity of my spad's ladies bathroom....... yes!

oh my gaud!

give it to me baby!

AllTimeJeff

Just a thought on the whole "brazen better reflects the original greek term translated "loose conduct" then....' what, loose conduct?

Brazen was always a code word for elders meaning "Yeah, they meant it. It wasn't weakness, it was a heart condition."

How interesting that they want to use greek terms and translations, something that they frankly suck at, and add their own admitted spin word to it.

"Brazen better reflects.... chosen by the Governing Body."

There it is in a nutshell. They admit to their own spin.

"Loose conduct" is the Governing Body's favorite offense. It can mean anything. They can make it anything. But loose isn't as evil, and its hard to get elder buy in. "Brazen"? Thats a word that can fire up some elders to disfellowship over any kind of crap.

It's all greek to me. But lets not forget, this cult/religion is a mere invention, nothing more. It is no wonder that they will invent new stuff to keep themselves going.

They just make crap up, thats all. This is more of the same.

243

Let's settle this for once and for all...... is atheism a belief, a non-belief or an anti-belief?

by Quillsky in

jw
friends

my opinion is that atheism is not a belief.

it is a belief in no belief..

AllTimeJeff

For those who need labels to view the world, then this matters.

I always find it funny that theists want to make it seem that atheism is a belief system of sorts, almost like a religion. Ergo, they are in no position to critcize organized religion.

That's why the arguement is waged.

Personally, I think atheists are fine and don't practice a religion, or have an organized belief system. They are free to believe whatever they want, since they don't believe in god.

Agnostics are different.

Labels suck. :)

157

Glenn Beck

by will_the_apostate in

do j dubs like glenn beck?

they seem like peas in a pod to me.

AllTimeJeff

People who take Beckkk too seriously deserve exactly how they feel. I realize that any kind of sustained noise is irritating. Typically, I try to remove myself from the noise.

It appears that he talked a lot about god. Not surprising. Since becoming a Mormon, he has "cleaned up his life." Which is good for him. I congratulate him on that.

He is allowed to say that America needs to "get back to god." I am allowed to say that I don't think America is any less god fearing, just a lot more accepting of those who disagree with organized religion.

I disagree with what the man says. To me, he is an idiot. An idiot with a lot to say deserves less of an audience. Why debate about what he says. Like it matters? His schtick is noise. He makes money the more noise he makes. Thus, expect more noise from Glen Beckkk.

Here is how I handled it after watching the news. I wrote a little op piece on this board, and am now watching baseball. Beckkk will always feel the way he does. I ain't changing that. And no one is changing how I feel on matters either. Bummer.

13

E plurubus unum

by AllTimeJeff in

jw
friends

i have been meaning to talk about this for some time.

whatever arguements this causes is up to you.. glen beck, who scheduled his little "return to god" fair with exquisite good taste and timing, said that his rally had nothing to do with politics.

i have no problem with him organizing whatever he wants.

AllTimeJeff

Jeff -- What percentage of voters, in your opinion, disagree with your thoughts, here? Just curious.

Interesting question. Would many people who are tea party members or follow Beck think that the founding fathers meant for this to be a Christian nation? If so, would they care to explain why the founding fathers didn't make it so?

Percentage wise, I dont' think it is any more then a vocal minority. It is impossible to say. I do know that Obama and the Dems won the last election, and it didn't have a whole helluva lot to do with Christianity. It was the economy then, now, and forever.

...which is why I think the whole premise doesn't matter a great deal in the long run.

Hey Dinah. Doing pretty good. Hope all is well with you! :)