Posts by RAF

46

DOES FORGIVENESS MAKE ANY SENSE?

by Terry in

what you reward you tend to get more of.. what you punish tends to atrophy.. the balance between a good act and a bad one consists of the consequences.. society has found many ways to treat bad behavior.

the worst being imprisonment and execution (if not torture) for high crimes.. but, there is a core philosophy among altruists and christians of a certain stripe who advocate forgiveness.. so, we ask the question : does forgiveness make any sense?.

when we do harm we cause an effect.. the effect injures others or their property.. to restore what is harmed a system of justice has developed to deal with administering the pressure toward restoration (when possible).. fines, community service, reparation for damages all constitute that restoration process.. insurance companies act as brokers in the case of "accidental" causes and effects and their remedy.. but, in the realm of religion the principle of forgiveness rears its ugly head!.

RAF

it has to be based on justice ?

But who said for instance in the bible that it haven't to be based on justice ? ... Justice for ourselve actually as a victime (like not putting any energy in hating someone and also alow you to be more objective about a situation = what is important and what is not ?) ... That's a way to lead to inner balance ...

It have a spiritual meaning ... You are talking as if the same action always gives you the same reaction (which is not true) it all depends on so many things/circumpstances (who/when/why/ ...) ... So it is not because you forgive someone that he/she automatically is going to do the same or bader ... Sur he can ... but nobody says that you have to stay in anybody's hand to be hurted ... and who knows he/she could grow up (at the end) but this doesn't really depends on the victime.

So as most people said here about forgiveness (to me) the biblical educativ sens of forgiveness is more about balance actually (in the most global sens) it doesn't mean you won't have to pay a bill (since everybody concerned have to deal with consequences) forgiveness in this process is not for nor against the offender but for victime (a way for him/her to keep the control of his/her energy = his/her balance).

26

The Wedding.............

by whyamihere in

jw
friends

as some of you know i am a wedding florist(side job) - just a few pictures of what i do.

this is what i have been doing for the past couple months(planning part).

this wedding took me a little over 35 hours to complete.

RAF

Now that's another nice job !!! (florist) !!! Cool

43

My Parting Shot

by Warlock in

jw
friends

for those of you here who think you know so much, read: "the black swan" by nassim nicholas taleb.

then, you will see how much you really don't know.. for those of you here who think you don't know much, read: "the black swan" by nassim nicholas taleb.. then, you will see how much you really do know.. i love all of you, either way, but that was my parting shot.

i've been here for almost a year and i must move on.. warlock .

RAF

Oh no ... I'll miss you for sure !!!
always appreciated to read you, and your specific way to participate (often short but really talking ...)
Since you can come back whenever you want I hope you'll do ...

10

As a witness, how would you have handled this scripture?

by NotaNess in

jw
friends

philippeans 1:15-18 (nwt).

if someone you were witnessing to at a door or on the street presented you with this scripture, and told you that paul supported even false intensions about christ, in fact he rejoiced in it.

in other words if witnesses have issues with "false religion" or some church leaders(on tv) out there acting like big supporters of the gospel, but they're really in it for the money, how would you handle that paerson saying that paul rejoiced in it?

RAF

I don't think that they really understand that they have to preach Christ (in being a disciple = a follower spiritually which have something to do with acts and why those acts) - and acting is not about going to door, showing love should be enough
This scripture talks about tolerance in knowing that most of the time if we do not know ourselves enough, we don't really know why we are doing some things (what we are today might not be what we will be tomorrow, anyway).

But the message is still as clear (Christ talks about love/charity which include forgiveness/understanding).
JW's are a bit handicaped in the understanding because they have to hear about JEHOVAH and it's supposed organisation, way more than Christ / When CHRIST IS THE KEY to understanding.

10

Tired of cliques, are you?

by DazedAndConfused in

jw
friends

are you tired of feeling out of sinc (sp) ?

i am.. explain how you feel out of the loop..

RAF

Cliques = division (you like it or not - you are victime of it or not) if you are victime of it there is no reason to really care for yourself (the need to belong to the point to create, encouragie or enter into cliques have something to with slavery).
so don't worry be happy.

2

Strong nor Valuable

by RAF in

jw
friends

strong nor lets say : strong-valuable relationship.

to really get into this subject i have to put superficial relationships aside because if superficiality has its place in life (when we are bored), i guess it is still superficial (to call a cat a cat).

whish doesnt mean that a superficial relationship cant become a strong nor valuable one but it takes time nor specific natural ways or opportunity (good or bad for one or the other if not both) to get there, in being based on something effective (= a real connection) or something quiet embarrassing (= a need) because it is not really effective in friendship in fact.

RAF

More than being there is the appreciation for being there.
DSK I like the way you've put it short ...
It seems that what works in valuable friendship/relationship is actually the hability to be honnest in showing real concerne about what is really valuable on a global scale it's like somehow it is not really about "you" and "me" it's about being satisfied by what is essential
(not sure I'm clear here, my thinking is not over about this, but I was thinking about that while going to buy cigs wondering if on a day off the store would be oppen and still wonder why I'm leaning to this statement) ...but might elaborate when I'll find a more clear explanation if this statement is still calling me to think about it.

35

Getting Married

by KW13 in

jw
friends

i've waited to mention this yet because certain dates needed confirming but just to let you all know i am getting married next month with megan!.

we may appear to be too young but you must understand .

1) we do love each other and we don't want to wait.

RAF

Well ... best wishes ... !!!

2

Strong nor Valuable

by RAF in

jw
friends

strong nor lets say : strong-valuable relationship.

to really get into this subject i have to put superficial relationships aside because if superficiality has its place in life (when we are bored), i guess it is still superficial (to call a cat a cat).

whish doesnt mean that a superficial relationship cant become a strong nor valuable one but it takes time nor specific natural ways or opportunity (good or bad for one or the other if not both) to get there, in being based on something effective (= a real connection) or something quiet embarrassing (= a need) because it is not really effective in friendship in fact.

RAF

Strong nor Lets say : Strong-Valuable Relationship
To really get into this subject I have to put superficial relationships aside because if superficiality has its place in life (when we are bored), I guess it is still superficial (to call a cat a cat). Whish doesn’t mean that a superficial relationship can’t become a strong nor valuable one but it takes time nor specific natural ways or opportunity (good or bad for one or the other if not both) to get there, in being based on something effective (= a real connection) or something quiet embarrassing (= a need) because it is not really effective in friendship in fact. (also strong and valuable doesn't mean the same - and valuable seems more well ... valuable)
It’s funny because while writing I didn’t know I would already get a straight satisfying answer to me, about effectiveness of friendship from what it is based on (based on whatever need = biased / based on a real connection = true) but we still have to considered the need of connection as a need (the real connection being something not limited to needs but the ability to commune by intimate, heightened sensitivity and receptivity without needing the other one to share the same thing – whatever it is – time / entertainments / friends / paths / ways etc …). I guess it have more to do with liberty than understanding. For instance (as examples among others) :
To me a real friend is the one which wouldn’t care losing me because he/she tells me the truth about what he thinks about me (even if it’s bad) because I guess that the reason why he/she would do that wouldn’t be to hurt me, but to help me to be aware of it and taking care.
A false friend might say amen to whatever I say and do and let me sink into my stupidity or selfishness, just because he “needs” or think it is the way he/she will get my attention or reinforce the connection (so does he/she taking care of a friend or does he/she works to get something for him/herself at first?).
So tell me about what you think about it yourself and for once lets forget about : a real friend is someone who is there when you are in need
Because of course it makes sense when its possible and even more when deserved but un unknown can do that for us for free - and just that - before to disappear for whatever reason. So to me it is not really a characteristic of a “valuable friend” but at first a characteristic of a “charitable human ” one. Also this statement is biased because who we are (as too needy or too independent people whether it’s psychological nor material) to the point that people don’t really know when we are really in need or give you a chance to realised make you understand that you have to be more balanced. So whatever we might think about why someone did or did not help might be misunderstood.
Any though / history or other/different view about the subject?

36

Why would God...

by Crooked Lumpy Vessel in

put us on this planet...giving us life with all its beauty.

flowers, children, relationships, clouds, trees, kittens...then.

tell us we are imperfect human beings and that there are invisible evil forces and demonic influences that are much greater and stronger than we are trying to sway us in the wrong direction.

RAF

As long as we need to put the blame on only one thing (IT) and expecting the same IT to arrange everything ... We might forget that we have free will and feel confortable not taking our responsabilities to grow up and really understand that everything is very complex in one sense and very simple in an other. and since we are at least able to understand what is simple we should begin our thinking from what is simple.
Simple : Good as bad are contagious (if there was nobody to applaude and promote greedy/selfish/egocentric/bad spirited with all there bad faith to look good, would there be any who wants to be like that?) but no wonder why a lot wants to copy or envie them (who is to blame? Who can help? Thoses questions becomes complex because everybody will have a reason to react or not the right or the wrong way regarding to someone or something else = their actual needs regarding to there whole experience but in fact ourselves)
Complex : Do a creator/God have to be humanlike ? When the answer seems to be simple, since IT is not supposed to be human (it stil doesn't make the answer that simple) but it allows to not comparare what is not comparable.

23

Which sex do you think has it easier in our culture?

by new boy in

jw
friends

and....................have you ever wished you were of the opposite sex?

RAF

I guess like another one said (in this thread) depends on who you are but regarding to what you want/satisfies you and where you are ... all together (means your abilities - choices - temper - mentality regarding to how far you can act and gain from them where you are).
In a western society I wouldn't mind being either one