Liza wrote:"However I also have my own doubts:
-I do not think that humans have been here a mere 6,000 years. I think for example that Noah's flood may have happened 10-18,000 years ago and have triggered the ice age.
Mad writes: That IS the problem, Liza- all want to believe what they WANT to believe. Are the dates that far in the past of any REAL importance- when all we can do is GUESS?
-During a convention when I was about eight years old, I heard about a brother whose mother was sick in the hospital. He and his wife prayed to Jehovah God, and later on his mother got better. Is this a miracle? If so then the congregation has stated before that miracles would no longer happen and any such "miracles" are works of demons and Satan to misguide people from the truth. But Jehovah may have just given his mother the strength to get better.
Mad writes: Again, does man's opinion really matter?
-I think that, just the way that children can make up wild fantasies and superstions, pagan cults and belifs may not have been entirely inspired by satan. Though they may have been perpetuated by satan to stray the practitioners from the truth. Rather such beliefs were formed by people searching for explanations and spirituality.
Mad writes: True! Your point??????
-Sometimes my faith in a creation is sometimes blurred when I see the similarities between monkeys and humans. For one I may be a girl but I am also quite hairy. My cousin has a pet monkey and when I went to visit him I almost viewed the monkey as not just looking but behaving very human like.
Mad writes: I'm convinced! Ever occur to you that a designer's "style" will be seen in all his/her creations? See any monkeys with human intelligence? Hmmmmm! There are, on the other hand, many humans with the intelligence of monkeys....maybe you HAVE something there!
-The greek words may be misinterpreted or "lost in translation"
Mad writes: Not as lost as you may fear! Maybe with some minor meanings- but the major meanings are easy to understand to Greek Scholars!
-I think that my secular experiences by themselves have made me a better person. And that suffering can indeed improve some and thier outlook in life. Though many people have been reforned by becoming Jehovah's Witnesses, so have people in mainstream churches and even spiritual organizations like Kabbalah.
Mad writes: We all learn from WHATEVER we go thru, but the Kabbalah? Just QUESTION their beliefs- and the endless holes will appear!
-If I keep fearing Jehovah all the time, I don't think I will be happy. I have been told that Satan wants us to see God as a totalitarian dictator, but isn't the congregation's constant injection of fear just this?
Mad writes: The "Fear of Jehovah" the Bible says- is NOT the "Friday the 13th" Movie Fear of Horrified Dread, Liza- but the same loving fear you have of hurting and/or discouraging your mother!
-The congregation says that homosexuality is unatural. But then why do animals do it too? But then again animals don't always mate for life either.
Mad writes: Unnatural desires flourish everywhere! The design of the different bodies- and the result of their unions reveals what is truly "natural"!
-I have heard rumors about a "cult of Mithras". That the story of Jesus was inspired by a greek sun god named Mirthras who also raised the dead, healed the sick, and "walked on water" like the sun, and was "the light of the world". But some say that it was many years after Jesus and was inspired by Jesus instead of the other way around. The Jehovah's Witness publication of "Mankind's search for God" says that "Why would people risk their lives and stand firm against something false?" in response to this speculation.
Mad writes: Met any Mithranites lately?
-What defines a marriage? Isn't a commited relationship enough? Doesn't legally married mean getting a marraige licesce from of all organizations...the GOVERNEMENT?
Mad writes: The bond & the commitment defines a marriage- the license is merely a public statement- feared only by those that have no good intentions- or fearing their MATE may have none!
-Why can't I love Jehovah my own way? I want to become a psycology researcher\fiction writer\illustrator when I grow odler and get out of college. But I think my work will promote love toward God and his wisdom.
Mad writes: No reason you CAN'T...unless you need others to think FOR you!
Agape,
the Mad Brother!