Posts by tenyearsafter

304

Musings about different types of atheist!

by Seraphim23 in

jw
friends

a thought that occurs to me is that if one has the belief that all that is real is only explicable in terms of particles and forces, and that nothing exists that is not one of these, then good and bad doesnt exist either, the same would be true for any concept for that matter.

or perhaps it is only true when reduced to the level of matter and forces, but without the moral force, meaning and purpose that such a materialist only description would entail.

after all, if death is forever, which is materialist view, then what does it matter if a seventy or seven year old enters the grave?

tenyearsafter

Seraphim...though I am not an atheist, I do believe that everyone not only has the right, but should explore their belief systems. We have all come out of a system that EVERY morality or belief decision was made for us...no ifs, ands or buts. I think healthy discussion is vital for all of us to find our "place" in life. The one thing all of us need to avoid, atheist or believer, is to not fall back in to that "I am right and you are wrong" mindset that we escaped from in the first place. I often disagree with what Cofty and Adamah have to say, but I appreciate the intelligent and well thought out manner in which they present their positions. I doubt that I will ever be an atheist, but I do like to hear why former believers have turned that corner to atheism.

I don't think you are a troll, but this is a public forum that provides for comments and responses to musings posted. We can't become offended with other posters, providing their posts are civil, because they challenge us or disagree with what we have written.

My two cents...

TYA

27

Kirk Cameron Unstoppable tonight at theaters , live from Liberty University

by Violia in

http://unstoppablethemovie.com/.

it airs live at liberty university tonight at 8 pm est and will be shown in theaters tonight and in oct, one day.

i hope to see this at one of those times or perhaps it will be available on line after that.

tenyearsafter

He is banana guy's associate (or used to be at Way of the Master)...banana guy is Ray Comfort.

97

Did Jesus really exist?

by slimboyfat in

i had been wondering over the past few years whether there really was a historical jesus at all, until a few months ago when i read bart ehrman's latest book "did jesus exist?

" initially i was persuaded by his argument that the nt contains multiple sources that testify to jesus' existence.

but more recently i have been reading the christ myth position of richard carrier and his responses to ehrman.

tenyearsafter

Regardless of which side of this discussion you land on, I find it very interesting that the Jesus being discussed is one of the only characters from that or any other time, that has persisted in being believed in as "real" and that this account continues to pass from generation to generation. I know that there are many discussions of similar "Christ stories" in other ancient cultures, but I personally can't speak to them (nor do I think the vast majority of people would know of them). I remember Leolaia doing an indepth piece on this subject, but I can't find the link at this time.

I guess the point of this is, how could such a mythical figure continue to exist to such an extent if he never existed? I know people continue to believe in Santa Claus, but that is a much newer "myth"...and I doubt anyone would be willing to die for their belief in Santa. I believe that Jesus was a real person, if based on nothing else but his "staying power"!

62

Discussion w/ Wife: I Welcome Your Suggestions

by breakfast of champions in

so these last few wts have definitely eroded my wife's faith in the org.

she is definitely seeing the bs, and i even overheard her talking openly about it to a family member.

good for her!.

tenyearsafter

Preaching work should be measured by fruitfulness...it might be of interest that many of the mega-churches, who do baptisms weekly, have up to 100 new baptisms each week. Their method of preaching is multi-pronged, and doesn't soley rely on door knocking, though many incorporate that as part of their outreach. Compare this to the paltry annual JW DC baptisms in double digits. It might be food for thought...is Satan's spirit, empowering Babylon the Great, more influential than the holy spirit directing the JW preaching work?

21

How did I get here? From Bible student to baby missionary

by Faithful Witness in

jw
friends

my name is valerie.

i thought i would add my story to the archives, in case anyone else can relate.. i am a homeschooling mom of 2 young children, ages 7 & 5. i was "saved" (overused expression) when i was a child, attended awana until middle school, and then led a basic, worldy life as a "good person.".

one day, during a short separation from my husband, the doorbell rang.

tenyearsafter

If my recollection is correct (it has been 20+ years since I went to a meeting!), the parables in Matthew were accepted as just that...parables. That is, with the exception of the F&DS parable which is accepted as literal and applying to the GB. I might just ask him why that particular parable out of all of the parables, is accepted as literal? What makes it different? That is pretty benign, and he will have no answer to it...might make him think.

23

The long road of the VW Bus coming to an end

by designs in

i didn't even realize the vw bus was still in production but vw in brazil still produces the iconic bus, production will end in december.. many of us had vw buses, surf wagons et al, i had a 1959 'camper' special we would take on surfing trips to baja california and camp on the beaches down by san quentin.. i took my 'magic bus ride' with four jw buddies just before my arrest over the vietnam draft.

we rode up the california coast to big sur.

with the side door open and feet hanging out we traveled the coastal route from los angeles through santa barbara, pismo beach, san simeon, big sur and monterey ending in san francisco where i hopped a flight back to los angeles for my arraignment.. enjoy-.

tenyearsafter

LOL Rub a Dub...isn't that the truth!! Most VW buses have seen more weed than a Grateful Dead concert!

62

What kind of scandal would cause most JW to leave the "truth"?

by Iamallcool in

jw
friends

tenyearsafter

Nothing

25

How do I get them to stop houding me?

by lostinthought in

jw
friends

i stopped attending all meetings this summer.

i prefer not to be dfed or to da myself.

i just want to be inactive.

tenyearsafter

Or tell them you are having serious mental health issues and that you are trying to sort things out...JW's typically shy away from people "like that"!

62

Discussion w/ Wife: I Welcome Your Suggestions

by breakfast of champions in

so these last few wts have definitely eroded my wife's faith in the org.

she is definitely seeing the bs, and i even overheard her talking openly about it to a family member.

good for her!.

tenyearsafter

The preaching part is also done by Mormons, certain Evangelical Christians among a number of groups...you might ask her if D2D is the only true form of preaching. What about the numerous religions that use mass media to spread the word...or missionaries doing medical or humanitarian work while spreading the Gospel? D2D is just one way to preach...and a rather ineffective one at that these days.

As to going to war, there are many religions that refuse military service...Quakers, Mennonites, Seventh Day Adventists, Christadelphians and Unitarian Universalists come to mind immediately. The "refusing to go to war" claim is one of the weaker arguments for the "rightness" of the WTS.

It sounds like she is starting to see TTATT, so be patient and help her come to her own conclusions...good luck!

12

My new priority

by cantleave in

jw
friends

.

tenyearsafter

Here, here Cantleave!