Gopher

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Posts by Gopher

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  49

  does the idea of aging get easier with time?

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends
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  Gopher

  I grew up JW, believing I would never die. I never came to terms with my mortality until about one year after I parted ways with the JW's.

  I reckon most people learn about and accept their mortality when they are younger. The JW's delay that maturation process.

  I read about a study last year that people between 60-70 years old are actually happier and more satisfied than younger adults. Why is that? Maybe they've come to a point in their life when they really know who they are, and don't fuss about little annoyances and concentrate on enjoying the "big picture" (if that makes any sense).
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  17

  GOD------------the ANTI-Concept!

  by Terry in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  telling you what something is not is the opposite of identification.. .

  god is:.

  1.someone the human mind cannot grasp.. 2.not human.

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  Gopher

  God is accepted in our society almost without any thought. "There has to be a God, look at our bodies, look at the organization of the atom", etc. , etc.

  And yet anytime a logical challenge is raised, such as "If everything has a cause, then who caused God", the God-believer will shrug it off, and the God-promoter will invent a magical solution such as "God exists infinitely, and outside he boundaries of time". How can they say such magical reasoning really answers any question?

  The "box of crackers" reasoning could also apply to Santa Claus. I can't find him - does that mean he really exists?
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  14

  I don't get this! Does anyone?

  by wannabe in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i thought that jehovah had his worshippers on this earth today!.

  why does the prophecy of zephania make it look there'll be no survivors ar armageddon?

  doesn't that sound very strange to anyone?

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  Gopher

  That Watchtower rendering of "earth" where other translations say "land" in the Hebrew scriptures is a double-edged sword. They try to use Psalms 37:29 as if the whole earth were the realm of the promise. But that same translation appears to wipe out everybody on earth in Zephaniah.

  So if you're ever discussing Psalms 37:29 with a JW who insists it means earth, then just show them Zeph. 1:18. Case closed - it has to mean "land" not "earth".
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  12

  If we evolved..why in big sudden steps and not gradually?

  by cyberjesus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  ok so if we adapted and evolved then we would have a lot of evidence of our predecessors right?

  and not only a couple of hard to identify skeletons, why havent we found hundreds of bones, bones or remains of tribes of our predecessors?

  why such big steps in evolution and not gradaully evolving steps?

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  Gopher

  The circumstances of earth's geology and other factors make preservation of fossils relatively rare. Scientists acknowledge that of the specimens they have found, the evidence is consistent with the evolution model which has been repeatedly "tested" through observations and comparisons of paleontologists around the world.

  The other thing I'll say (slightly off-topic, don't know if you've raised it yet) is that accepting the science of evolution does not necessarily make one an atheist. Many open-minded theists accept the science and say that in their mind, a divine power "got the ball rolling" on the process- created the "stuff" that evolved. To them a divine power who programmed the capacity for evolution into the creation is more intriguing than one who made each one specially. (Of course the Hebrew Bible claims each one was created specially by YHWH, but I'm going off topic here.)
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  14

  I don't get this! Does anyone?

  by wannabe in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i thought that jehovah had his worshippers on this earth today!.

  why does the prophecy of zephania make it look there'll be no survivors ar armageddon?

  doesn't that sound very strange to anyone?

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  Gopher

  That scripture does put a little fly in the "ointment" for the Watchtower when they say people will survive through Armageddon right on into a paradise new earth!

  I think some more orthodox Christians would say that this terrifying destruction on earth happens after the good people are safely raptured. After the destruction, the good people would be returned to a cleansed earth to start earthly society over again, sorta like Noah getting out of the ark.

  Caveat about my second paragraph: I haven't studied rapture theology closely, so I could be somewhat wrong. Also the Noah story was a fable meant to teach a lesson.
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  20

  New arrangement for hand-drying at district conventions - KM February 2010

  by Gopher in

  1. social
  2. humour

  new arrangement for hand-drying at district conventions.

  in our efforts to simplify arrangements and reduce costs, the society is pleased to announce a new arrangement that will take effect at the annual district conventions starting with the keep on the watch even longer convention in the summer of 2010. the society needs to carefully allocate its resources so that the worldwide work can continue to grow and that the society can defend itself from legal challenges instigated by our opposers.. effective this summer, the number of paper towels allowed per visit in the restrooms at convention sites will be reduced from one to zero.

  we do not think our dear brothers and sisters will notice the difference.

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  Gopher

  We all know that the faithful and discreet slave must use its assets wisely, and we must follow their fine example whether at conventions or in daily life. SPIRITUAL things are what we live for. It is more important to give a starving person hope for the future (in the form of spiritual food) than it is to provide the temporary needs. We must take the long-term view of things.

  At our conventions, the spiritual food provided is unlike anything you'll get anywhere else, that is for sure. Such gatherings allow us to focus on spiritual rather than material things.
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  20

  New arrangement for hand-drying at district conventions - KM February 2010

  by Gopher in

  1. social
  2. humour

  new arrangement for hand-drying at district conventions.

  in our efforts to simplify arrangements and reduce costs, the society is pleased to announce a new arrangement that will take effect at the annual district conventions starting with the keep on the watch even longer convention in the summer of 2010. the society needs to carefully allocate its resources so that the worldwide work can continue to grow and that the society can defend itself from legal challenges instigated by our opposers.. effective this summer, the number of paper towels allowed per visit in the restrooms at convention sites will be reduced from one to zero.

  we do not think our dear brothers and sisters will notice the difference.

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  Gopher

  Shamus -- Why let a little inconvenience prevent you from partaking of the spiritual banquet. Just leave the banquet crumbs on your hands -- don't bother washing!

  Open Mind -- I am happy to share the latest gems of wisdom dripping out of the hindquarters, I mean headquarters.

  Mary -- Keep your place. Unfortunately you do not have the proper "equipment" on your body to be an attendant in the men's room.

  Elder Schmelder -- As long as you use the hotels on the approved list that was pinned to your Kingdom Hall announcement board, you are free to use all the worldly hotel's assets on which you can get your grubby hands. By the way, be sure to wear your convention badge at the hotel except when you're sleeping!
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  20

  New arrangement for hand-drying at district conventions - KM February 2010

  by Gopher in

  1. social
  2. humour

  new arrangement for hand-drying at district conventions.

  in our efforts to simplify arrangements and reduce costs, the society is pleased to announce a new arrangement that will take effect at the annual district conventions starting with the keep on the watch even longer convention in the summer of 2010. the society needs to carefully allocate its resources so that the worldwide work can continue to grow and that the society can defend itself from legal challenges instigated by our opposers.. effective this summer, the number of paper towels allowed per visit in the restrooms at convention sites will be reduced from one to zero.

  we do not think our dear brothers and sisters will notice the difference.

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  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Gopher

  New Arrangement for Hand-Drying at District Conventions

  In our efforts to simplify arrangements and reduce costs, the Society is pleased to announce a new arrangement that will take effect at the annual district conventions starting with the “Keep On the Watch Even Longer” convention in the summer of 2010. The Society needs to carefully allocate its resources so that the worldwide work can continue to grow and that the Society can defend itself from legal challenges instigated by our opposers.

  Effective this summer, the number of paper towels allowed per visit in the restrooms at convention sites will be reduced from one to zero. We do not think our dear brothers and sisters will notice the difference. Toilet paper will continue to be supplied at this time. However we will instruct the attendants to ensure that toilet paper is not used to dry hands but is used only for its intended purpose. The conventioneers are encouraged to bring their own hand towels to the convention, and keep them in a neat bag. Please do not let such bags block the aisles as any resulting accident could bring heavy responsibility, possibly bloodguilt upon you.

  We appreciate your support of these theocratic arrangements. (1 Cor. 14: 33) We look forward to sharing with you in the fine spiritual feast at the upcoming “Keep On the Watch Even Longer” convention.
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  10

  Thoughts on Dr. Charles Stanley (InTouch Ministries)?

  by Mr. Monday Night in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ...i heard him use gods name, jehovah, many times on his programs (i'm not sure on his books...i havent read any of them).. imo- i think he's one of the best preachers out there.... if you dont know him , check him out on www.intouch.org.

  ciao,.

  mmn.

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  Gopher

  After I parted ways with the JW's, I considered "replacing" them with another form of religion. The only TV preacher that even came close to impressing me favorably was Charles Stanley. I liked the general positiveness of his message. From what I remember, it didn't seem like he adhered to the prosperity theology which is thinly veiled greed.

  However I heard Stanley say one day that you've got to follow this certain way, or else there would be a price to pay. It caused a clenching feeling and made me realize that all organized religions have a man (or a group of people) who tell you what their idea of God is, how he should be served, and "you'd better listen or else", etc. I decided that during my first 39 years of life (as a JW) I'd been preached to, and preached to others, much more than a person should have in one lifetime.
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  8

  MINNESOTA VIKINGS !!!

  by elder-schmelder in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it is not easy to be a mn vikings fan !!.

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  Gopher

  I'm a true Vikings fan, been with them on the roller-coaster ride since 1970. You're right, it isn't easy.

  However it was easy watching them whip up on the NY Giants 44-7. It was easy to get dreams of Brett Favre beating the Packers and the Saints and leading the purple to the Super Bowl, so that the Vikings can again lose one of those big games (this time to the San Diego Chargers).