Posts by GromitSK

I don't think it has much to do with race. Some of the businesses trashed are asian-owned apparently. I suspect it is partly to do with the way the Police have handled this but that doesn't account for the looting, robbery and criminal damage to local businesses and residences. This is not an affluent area. I suspect some of it is as per cantleave's observation - some understandable element fanned by those oportunists looking to stir up trouble. Like most of these situations I expect it will be a small number of people turning a vallid protest into an excuse for mayhem and ruining the lives and businesses of many law-abiding innocent local inhabitants.

8

Deos God Have An Organisation?

by TimothyT in

i have just read the article 'does god have an organization' from page 13 of the watchtower, 1 june 2011.. yesterday, two elders popped round to leave it with my dad who has not been to the meetings now in some time.

i decided it would be interesting to eavesdrop into their little conversation as a section of it was about me.

they encouraged him (and in extension me) to return to the meetings and to continue our fellowship with the brothers as jw's.

GromitSK

Why the hell would an almighty, all-knowing, omni-present God need any kind of organisation?

33

What's The Worst Thing About Being A Witness?

by minimus in

jw
friends

for me, a jehovah's witness does not have a real life!

jw's are like trained soldiers.

they could be fervent or lax or happy or unhappy in their role but they are trained to drone on like stepford wives.. what an utter waste of an existence being a jehovah's witness!.

GromitSK

Perhaps the worst thing is spending so much time and energy in activities that are utterly pointless.

83

I'm scared sometimes that the WTBTS might be right about everything.

by Chemical Emotions in

i wake up thinking: what if my boyfriend and i die a terrifying death during armageddon?

with no hope of any life afterwards?.

do any of you ever feel that way?.

GromitSK

@punkofnice I agree.

@ OP: However I would say that to ease your concerns you really need to consider doing some of your own research (if you're not already) otherwise you risk simply being buffeted around by other people's opinions, including religious maniacs like the former frequent-poster who shall remain nameless.

The trouble with simply listening to other's opinions is that if they have done more research and sound more confident, it can be very difficult not to be pursuaded by what is known as an argument from authority. It is dangerous to you to accept this this type of argument For example, you might say "much of what "Fred Bloggs" has said is true. "Fred Bloggs" is now saying XYZ - so XYZ is, or probably is true. It is a logical nonsense of course, but without a least a little personal research it may be hard to dispute (or confirm - after all Fred may be correct).

Without this, it seems to me you would be placing your trust in "Fred Bloggs" and your belief relies on him being correct and telling the truth. This is how some of us ended up getting involved with Jehovah's Witnesses in the first place.

83

I'm scared sometimes that the WTBTS might be right about everything.

by Chemical Emotions in

i wake up thinking: what if my boyfriend and i die a terrifying death during armageddon?

with no hope of any life afterwards?.

do any of you ever feel that way?.

GromitSK

My advice would be to start from scratch if you can. What I mean is try not to assume that things you believe in are necessarily true, even if you are convinced they are, but ask yourself why you believe them.

Maybe even write your thinking down, or try to imagine how you would convince someone who didn't understand your beliefs, why you hold them. As you do that, you will make a number of assumptions - for example "I believe the Bible is literally true", these assumptions may lead to error if they are incorrect. If it is possible, try to identify these assumptions (you may need a hand with this). This process may lead you to a more objective view of the things you know for a fact to be true, and things you believe to be true, and perhaps more importantly, why you believe them.

I don't think this is an easy process and it is easier if you have a friend or confidante who can be neutral and objective and not try to influence your thinking with their own beliefs. Maybe it is part of human nature to cling to certainty in life (and death), however it is dangerous IMHO to adopt a set of beliefs without really understanding why, or to be led to them gradually and seduced by a religious organisation - speaking from painful experience!

There is a great deal of information freely available now. Don't rush. Take time to do your research and ask questions. Don't be bullied into fear by religious zealots (or atheistic ones lol).

83

I'm scared sometimes that the WTBTS might be right about everything.

by Chemical Emotions in

i wake up thinking: what if my boyfriend and i die a terrifying death during armageddon?

with no hope of any life afterwards?.

do any of you ever feel that way?.

GromitSK

My observation would be that knowledge is power. It isn't necessary to do much research to see that WTBS is an organisation which is at least as full of holes as every other religion. The more you know, the more you will realise that if there is some 'truth' out there, Jehovah's Witnesses do not have it (and neither does anyone else as far as I can see so far).

You would think if there was a God-sponsored organisation out there, he would make it a bit more obvious wouldn't you? I wouldn't accept suggestions that "well Israel wasn't perfect, and neither were the Apostles" as that requires one to accept that both were what is claimed for them - which is a rather circular argument.

For what it is worth, my advise would be read around the subject. Ask questions of those who have been involved. Understand the history of the organisation and do not surrender your own powers of reasoning to anyone... and keep doing it :)

136

Life after death

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

everyone has different views about life after death and whether or not it is a possibility.. as jehovah's witnesses, we were always taught that there is no life after death, that this is the only life we have now and that the wages of sin is death.. .

what are your views on life after death?.

.

GromitSK

For those who might be interested in considering some of the evidence I would suggest "Is there an afterlife" by David Fontana. I found "voices in the dark" by Leslie Flint most interesting, and "50 years a medium" by Estelle Roberts is available free on line and worth a look for those with an interest. I am not really interesting in debating on here but if anyone is interested in more info, send me a private message.

58

I was an Idiot.

by NomadSoul in

jw
friends

not too many threads like these but i thought this forum could use one.

not going to use the inexperience or ignorance excuse.

nor am i going to excuse that i was a born in.. plain and simple: i was an idiot for believing in the jehovah witness religion.. okay, no cat pictures.. .

GromitSK

I was an idiot too :)