Posts by AllTimeJeff

26

WHEN is a simple question--but, the Bible just can't help us answer

by Terry in

as i mentioned in a previous topic, the use of quantity, numbering, dates, measurements and such in the bible is impossibly wonky for several reaasons.. 1. in hebrew, greek and latin there were no separate number symbols exclusively used for math purposes.

instead, letters of their alphabet did double-duty.

2. superstitious ideas about the "meaning" of numbers was rampant and gematria (looking for hidden mysterious in the inherent "number of "words") preoccupied scriptural writing and studies.. 3. calendar changes throughout history (such as the switch from the julian calendar to the gregorian) were haphazardly begun by different countries at different times.

AllTimeJeff

Damn it!

(I'm in a mood....)

Dough, perhaps you don't realize the good that this board does, or the contributions that Terry has made. His arguments are logical, dispassionate, fully explained, and he comes back to answer questions.

.....while you shamelessly plug your pro Christian website and insist that Terry isn't as smart as you?

Smart is as smart ass as smart does.

Terry, not my point to defend you per se. I for one always admire your posts, and while I am in favor of higher education, having had to deal with many college graduates, I can tell you that the possession of a degree in no way indicates real intelligence.

Keep up the good work Terry. :)

55

Is There Anyone You Truly HATE???

by minimus in

jw
friends

i thought about that question myself and i don't think i really hate anyone.

i guess i could hate bin laden or some nameless evil terrorist but no one comes to mind..

AllTimeJeff

I don't hate people.... except....

Alex Ovechkin

Danny Carcillo

Scott Hartnell.

Thats my hockey list. It isn't football season yet.

45

This year's memorial invite had no black people on the front cover picture.

by african GB Member in

jw
friends

did anyone notice?.

AllTimeJeff

It did in Africa. Trust me.

9

Was Dr. Kevorkian a murderer or a man of mercy?

by DoubleVision in

was dr. kevorkian a murderer or a man of mercy?.

just curios about your thoughts on the subject.. i guess i've been thinking of this lately because of a lot of the brothers and sisters in my area.

seem to be getting far up in years and it's hard to watch them go through all the pain they're .

AllTimeJeff

First of all, the right of a patient in pain from a diagnosed terminal illness when all options have been reasonably exhausted should include a humane way to end their suffering.

It is a personal choice. Watching my mom in pain and fight like hell to live is excrutiating. I have seen similar situations where such people openly asked if they could just end it all. We all have heard the news stories.

Kevorkian, regardless of whether he was the right man or not to lead the charge on the issue, is alright in my book. He wasn't ever looking for people to kill. He was usually approached by terminally ill, suffering people who wanted to end their suffering. They didn't want to suck on a tail pipe of a running car in their garage or shoot themselves in the head. They wanted some dignity to their death. But doctors are not "permitted" to assist in these endeavors.

For those in pain, a medical way to end their suffering should be there as an option. They are sort of halfway there with hospice care. After a certain point, hospice patients are so drugged up to feel no pain that they aren't in their totally right mind either. It isn't a huge leap to the next logical step for certain terminally ill people.

138

What year Did you Stop Attending Meetings - How Long were you a JW ?

by flipper in

jw
friends

i'm trying to compare some statistics and figures on this to share later in the thread to see if more long-time witnesses are exiting- or are newer witnesses exiting after a shorter period of time.

and - are more people exiting in the last 10 to 15 years than before.

so your answers would be helpful in looking into this .

AllTimeJeff

Baptized in 1988 as a 13 year old. Last meeting was 2006.

4

The great crowd! Gathered by Whom? From Where? 2nd part

by wannabe in

{revelation 12:7-17 nwt}.

revelation 12:7-17 nwt}.

" {revelation 7:13-17 nwt}.

AllTimeJeff

I'm sorry, but my bullsh*t meter has redlined since Thursday. Please don't step in any brown patties as you read further.........

27

JW's a RELIGION based on PERFORMANCE! How dangerous is that???

by freewilly01 in

jw
friends

i have come to realize that this religion is based almost solely on performance and that is the most dangerous.. i always felt that as a person or jw (while an active witness)that i was always just as good as my last assignment, comment at the watchtower meeting, feild service report.. this left me with a huge identity crisis in the borgorg......... i really didn't know who the hell i was?.

did any of you feel similair?

.

AllTimeJeff

A person can be wonderful, "Christlike", humble, loving, a genuinely good person, but be below 10 hours, and you are not "exemplary",

A person can be a borderline prick, or even a full blown prick, and if they are consistent with 10 hours or more, or worse yet, actually pioneering, then the sky is the limit for them.

Why do they almost only interview "full time" servants instead of "Christlike" servants at the Assemblies? There it is in a nutshell, its about your time, not your attitude.

Is it dangerous? Yup, esp for those who prefer to be a good person instead of a good producer.

11

is counting how many people are present at a meeting a "privelige"

by looloo in

i know that my daughters abuser was a min servant when he abused girls in the cong then got reprooved when found out , i presume he was then stopped from being a min servant but he never answered at meeting s despite every meeting standing at the back counting people present .

when i started attending meetings i wondered why he never answered but was not too shy to count people every meeting , when i asked my bible study conducter she never really gave a straight answer and looked embaressed .

i thought if you had been accused of abuse you could not have priveliges ..

AllTimeJeff

The leadership creates a great dichotemy by both glorifying (for their convenience) the most menial tasks, such as taking attendence at the meetings. Because of this, any pedophile within their midst should absolutely be barred from doing things like taking attendance, not because its a menial task, but because of how it is viewed within the JW community. Does it matter? In some areas, yes, others, no.

39

Do you atheists resent the believers on here and do you believers resent the atheists?

by Lozhasleft in

jw
friends

i'm wondering how people feel about us exjws either becoming atheists or continuing on with a faith in god?.

do you get angry or frustrated at the opposing view?.

i'm new but i've seen different reactions to both on here...as for me i am happy to live and let live nowadays...its ok with me whatever people want to choose for themselves..... personally i still have enormous faith and love for god....if the jws couldnt destroy it i dont think much else could...?.

AllTimeJeff

I allow for both. At first, I was solidly in the atheist corner on arguements, and you can still tell I side with them in all matters relating to logic and proof. However, I know and see the value that belief in god and higher powers brings, and I don't ignore that. Nor do I think it should be my life's work to intrude in such matters, as long as theists don't intrude in my life and my decisions, lifestyles, and beliefs. (or lack therof)

80

Was You a Bethelite, Elder,CO, DO, GB, Publisher, Missionary,Ministerial Servant or Pioneer class?????

by Scott77 in

when still in the watchtower, i used to be an assistant ministerial servant.

true, there is no such title but its there unofficially for those one step to being a ministerial servant.

been with it for about three years.

AllTimeJeff

You never said how long for each service.

MS from 94-2001, Elder from 01-06 (when I resigned) Gilead Class 119 April - Sept 05 and Missionary in Cameroon Oct 05 - Feb 06.

Regular Pioneer/Full Time Preacher 1994-2006. (same time as my 1st marriage...)