Posts by RAF

148

the Daily-Dedicate-a-Song-to-a-Special-Someone Thread

by Crumpet in

jw
friends

rather than hijack another thread and inspired by fullofdoubtnow and dedpoets music for the wedding thread i thought i would start a little "dedications" thread - this isn't the sort of dedication symbolised by dunking though!.

(i expect to see ggbg and ofg here forthwith for some romantic dedications).. i'd like to dedicate the following to someone special - "bodies - by drowning pool" .

they probably wont see this, but the thought that counts!.

RAF

This lyrics caught me since the first time I've heard it ... And the music is just right for it (native/idian spirit floating in the air)
... so here it is ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkaY_lc_2UM
ENIGMA - "Return To Innocence"
That's not the beginning of the end
That's the return to yourself
The return to innocence
Love - Devotion
Feeling - Emotion
Love - Devotion
Feeling - Emotion
Don't be afraid to be weak
Don't be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The return to innocenceIf you want, then start to laughIf you must, then start to cryBe yourself don't hide
Just believe in destinyDon't care what people say
Just follow your own way
Don't give up and use the chance
To return to innocenceThat's not the beginning of the end
That's the return to yourself
The return to innocence
Don't care what people say
Follow just your own way Follow just your own way
Don't give up, don't give up
To return, to return to innocence.
If you want then laugh
If you must then cry
Be yourself don't hide
Just believe in destiny.

14

How far have you come?

by done4good in

jw
friends

the recent thread on veterans made me think of this.

for me, i can now say i am proudly patriotic, hell, i even think being "proud" is a good thing.

these are things that would have seen reprehensible to me as a witness, and even a short while after i left.

RAF

Patriotisme / Religion ... hum doesn't it lead to the same things somehow? = subjective attachement; which often leads to many kinds of wars nor divisions related to frontlines, cultures and races ... Seems very close to me again.

44

Love And Marriage Was The Watchtowers Way An Advantage?

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

love and marriage was the watchtowers way an advantage?the thought of one man and woman bonded through matrimony was always appealing.

the society used to stress chaperons, however, i think in todays day and age.

however, did the societys way prove helpful in certain respects?.

RAF

Jellcat8224
just silly, not to mention irresponsible!
to resume in my opinion in a few words to qualify the whole WTBS Matter !
When rules takes over love ... and that's biblical statement too (since loving God is equivalent to loving your brothers) ... you have exactly the reverse than what Christ want lead us.
It's not the right rules which lead to love it's love which lead to the right rules in the right time ... it's not a detail ...
Love have a lot to do with respect (like : allowing the other one to be free or not ready = not ready to get married or of course not wanting the cake and eat it and so on).
Also it's not God which lead to love someone, it's just our heart from pure love nor needs and if only about the later the WTBS policies becomes even more develish (because it's disturbing their followers understanding on and from their real needs)
sammielee24
The Watchtower's way is detrimental to personal growth
Yep in so many aspects (including no education but there one) / and matters ...
Love the Watchtower before all others
That's what they ask indirectly (in God's name by policies) and Oh that's idolatry !!!
So no the WTBS is playing game on other peoples lives with there silly and irresponsible advices which they won't take responsability for (the follower will be the one who didn't understand of course ... but somehow it's true).

47

Why does being right = being arrogant?

by AlmostAtheist in

jw
friends

what is it about a person's believing they are "right" that leads them to being arrogant?

you've surely noticed that the more sure a person is that he's right, the more likely he is to treat those that disagree with him with disrespect.

it's hard to see how a person can disagree with something that you know is right.

RAF

CD

that can escalate their anger to mammoth levels

... LOL ... I may steal this line from you in the future !!

47

Why does being right = being arrogant?

by AlmostAtheist in

jw
friends

what is it about a person's believing they are "right" that leads them to being arrogant?

you've surely noticed that the more sure a person is that he's right, the more likely he is to treat those that disagree with him with disrespect.

it's hard to see how a person can disagree with something that you know is right.

RAF

Maybe this is off topic but (if tired only read what’s written in red)
If for instance faith doesn't only mean believing (in a God) but adhering to something which would be beneficial for everybody ... even if we do have a different view on how there is still a base: respect and balance (also any balance need to be weighted before – there is a big part of research since we are all different in this exercice) ... we all know that at some point ... isn't that (God) everything (to me) talking to us somehow already?
Even if my belief is deeper than, that for lots of reasons (I've finally only want to talk and express myself about it on the most open way just because of our civilisation state = too much people have been hurt by religions in being or not religious ; also too much things by religious leaders and zealots have been stated in a very illogical way - when things (even religious statements) can be taken spiritually in a so open minded way (which make a real BIG difference in the result of the understanding).
Anyway being open minded is anti-dictatorial even for ourselves ... What is good in closing doors (to anything or anyone) Do we know about tomorrow?
Again : No proof = no proof / not enough proof = not enough proof / a non argument is not an argument and an argument is not the entire truth it's only at first a logical statement but it does not always answer the real question, also sometimes the real answer is not always answered by what is asking a specific question / wrong question = wrong answer) ...
For most things reaching the beginning of an answer is much deeper than that (a different culture can lead to such a big difference in the understanding and the way of dealing with something ...).
I mean people like ex JW that any find smart today, was as smart yesterday, where was the difference? Think about it ... (They were and maybe are still stucked - not open minded enough - and when they went wrong just for instance about love and respect of others it had probably something to do with the fact that they had lost there sense of balance and the absolute idea of being right in having the truth (in following a direct but in fact indirect personal agenda in staying closed minded).
We know that even scientists (which are supposed to go by proofs) have been able to be so wrong in lots of statements. When a name replace an argument there is no real argument only a belief (And I feel like too much people do forget about that even when discussing atheism versus theism which is quiet paradoxal).
So much to think about … Staying open minded is the only way to allow ourselves to progress. it's a literal difference in between conservatism and liberalism (when we need a balance in this matter in economy for instance just to make sure to not throwing away anything to replacing it by something which might not be satisfying on the long run - I mean we need to test things) we absolutely need to be totally open to catch whatever information which can lead to the most effective answer or solution.
Also what is a personal business stays a personal business, there is no reason to any of us to laugh about it or even reject it (it's just not our business).

84

Sincere Question to Anyone who Believes in God

by Big Tex in

lately it's occurred to me that one day i will die.

being raised in a cult that teaches you, you will live forever without dying will warp perspectives.

and i've been working hard on coming to terms with that realization, and it's becoming more and more okay.

RAF

Since I'm scared to forget one name ... I'm not going to put any ... MEN !!! WOW ... I've really EAT most of the answers I've read here ... INSPIRING !!! It feels good ...
Big Tex : Sorry you are still dealing with your old demons I hope your soul will find inner peace (for yourself and those who needs you to be happy).
Oooh ... since I've cut it to past it (cause I fell so close to what he said)
Axeman ...
Why am I a christian I sometimes ask myself and to be perfectly honest the reasons reduce to ... Jesus Brilliant untamed tender creative slippery irreducible paradoxically humble - Jesus stands up to scrutiny. He is who I want my God to be'
Wow ... I like the way you've put it !!!
Is this thread INSPIRED OR WHAT ??? Humm I wonder

19

The Question Of ReligionThe Question of Atheism

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

the question of religionthe question of atheism recently, i posted some thoughts and questions about atheism and after having .

read some of the individual thoughts on that thread it is understandable why some.

individuals on both sides feel the way they do.

RAF

Also knowing ourselves have probably a lot to do with all this ...

13

Watchtower Site (edited by me)

by KW13 in

jw
friends

.

click thumbail to increase size.

RAF

... ...

18

The THIRD DIMENSION of Understanding

by Terry in

jw
friends

what could be more separate?

what could be more distinctively unalike than a cricle .

a triangle...

RAF

broaden the circle

... LOL ... since the cirle is flat and cone is still limited ... well ...

19

The Question Of ReligionThe Question of Atheism

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

the question of religionthe question of atheism recently, i posted some thoughts and questions about atheism and after having .

read some of the individual thoughts on that thread it is understandable why some.

individuals on both sides feel the way they do.

RAF

There was a time (it's still a way to do it) people needed to personified God to have an approach on it ... but can God be seen as a person and act like a person? (no real answer here but what if it is everything?) an individual as a creator or intelligent material/essence as God there is a big difference here but somehow they can both have a spirit (by themself or through everything)... you can see it the way you want and just say ... Cool I'm a part of this ... I mean, we all belong to it anyway even dust.
To me religion (= politic = division) have fucked up the spiritual view that we can have on it (every politic have a purpose - and that's something we can enquire for real on it) ... when spirituality is about to evoluate with and toward all (to me) from the level we are at with as much balance/justice as possible.
As human being (maybe a stage trough the whole) we can learn from the past (before us from a wide range of means) and have a wider view on the world (it just have to be the right one = out of propaganda = politic/religion to divide and rule) so that we can learn from "everything" in not forgetting what is the most important (= PEACE).
Also for instance I see animals as examples of what to do and what to not do, it's a natural living encyclopaedia about behaviours and technics since always for us human. We also do not only learn from our personal experiences (we can see and understand what is harmful and what is not – we are able to have a sense of measure – means a balance related to facts on the short and long run regardin to how we do evoluate – when animals can have an instinctive sense of balance but related to their community or way of living – and if we are limited to the same kind of balance we are animals).
The other real big difference with animals might be that we do not have the same level of spirit/consciousness (which is related to the fact that we know more at some point from the past till now). So we are not supposed to act like malicious animals just for survival purpose in only thinking about us, our close relatives and community but taking into consideration the futur (since we are able to improve our lives but moreover our spirit to be really satisfied – also we can please ourselves in being bad to others our ourselves but that’s forgetting the fact that our spirit can change and that we can regret it badly).
The entire world is talking … and some books are talking about spirituality, the higher one relatively to there cultural and spiritual level … The light goes brighter in fact little by little …
We human are able to improve everything (even animals lives), but we are also able to destroy everything (even this planet and fucked up other people spirits like religions did and still do) and only one fool would be enough to get there, so of course that’s a big responsibility for everyone – because we can create fools (in mass) that’s when we really understand that spirituality/consciousness (through the whole and not only regarding to ourself) have it’s importance.
Now more and more people goes out with weapons and shoot hoever they feel like for free (like we say here) it could be me, it could be you ...
Believers like Atheistes do have the same responsability ... learning from the past