Posts by donuthole

182

It makes no sense whatsoever that a" CREATOR" would only communicate with a minority of the population then put the onus on them to convey this life saving message to the WHOLE wide world

by smiddy in

i now find it idiotic that i could ever beleive the bible to be the inspired word of god.....,throughout the bible "god"has only dealt with a few of his favoured spokespersons to deliver his messages to a minority populace.individuals at first,..... then, patriarchs,nomads,a small nation,ignoring all other nations that had sprung up.......,abandoning his chosen nation,sending his "son"to a small nation, only giving them his pearls of wisdom,much of what was not even recorded for prosperity and remember he never wrote a word,it was left up to other imperfect humans to record what he was supposed to have said,just a smidgen......,again ignoring the bulk of humankind keeping them in ignorance of his plan for universal salvation,leaving it all up to imperfect humans to spread this message of salvation, whom he has already condemned for their sinfullness and disobedience.i just find it so unbeleivable.

in the 6000 years of recorded history only a fraction of the earths population,maybe less than a third have ever heard of the god of the bible, or his so called plan to redeem humankind ,thats millions and millions of people.

( india,arabic,afghanistan,pakistan etc.etc.).

donuthole

In Romans I believe that Paul makes the argument that God does communicate with the entire world and the world will be judged on how it responds. The message is all around and within us, it is just a matter of listening.

The old testament prophets had a message just for their nation. Someone like Jeremiah heard from God and lit a fire demanding social reform to care for the neglected in their society. By not championing the cause of the poor the people turned their back on God.

Jesus message contains elements of the same. It also includes peacemaking, forgiveness, and love.

Maybe god speaks through prophets like Ghandi, Mother Theresa, and John Lennon. "All You Need Is Love," was a hit single and still played on the radio today. Hell, my daughter was introduced to it on a video game.

51

Theists - Please Explain This.......

by AK - Jeff in

and please don't do so with the standard "i don't know the answer - but there surely must be one.

" or some other lame attempt to defend god/bible without a real explanation.. here goes:.

i find it incredibly interesting how hard the mind works to prevent rational thought when it suits it's purpose.

donuthole

" I find it incredibly interesting how hard the mind works to prevent rational thought when it suits it's purpose. It seems capable of any level of cognitive hide and seek, in order to escape rationallity/believe myths to be history."

Very true. In my experience that statement can be applied to any number of beliefs people hold, religious or not.

As to your question, I'll give it a quick shot:

The goal was not specifically to embarass Pharoah, but to show the primacy of the I AM over the gods of Egyptian. Each plague was designed to embarass an egyptian God, just as with the dual between Moses/Aaron and their rods/serpents against that of the magicians of Pharoah's court.

This is probably rooted in history. In Egypt there was a brief cultural war between new monotheism (worship of Aten) as advocated by Pharoah Akhenaten against the traditional pantheon. Moses, an Egyptian prince that needed a translator (Aaron) when talking to Israel, could have been a follower of that monotheism.

754

Theists, why does God allow suffering..

by The Quiet One in

..specifically, the suffering of animals.

you can talk about free will/sin/people choosing to not listen to god etc to explain human suffering being allowed.. but how can you love a god that allows animals, that haven't sinned or chosen to not have anything to do with god, to have their short lives ended in often long, drawn out, painful ways.

i could list stories i've read that would probably make you feel ill, but i'm not looking to shock anyone or start an emotional debate.

donuthole

I don't have an answer to the question, but this thread has generated some food for thought.

The original question presupposes that God has the power to end suffering. I understand that it is a common assumption that if there is a God, such a God would be all powerful. I just wonder if it is necessarily correct.

The other thought I had that was interesting to me was while I personally am apalled at the thought that God would allow suffering in the world, on a personal level I do little about it. I try not to contribute to suffering and would hope that I would stop something from happening in my little world but I don't necessarily go out of my way to end poverty or antyhing like that.

Also as "god", or a higher being to animals, I have no problems with their death to feed and clothe me. Even if would be vegan would I feel remorse for stepping on a bug? Probably not. Would a being higher than humans look at us in the same manner?

36

If I ride my motorcycle across country this summer, can I camp on your lawn?

by UnConfused in

jw
friends

how many of you would allow a decent guy and his dog to toss a little tent in your yard?.

here is my pup, patch, and i riding http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvdxek6pwri.

i hope to ride from the coast of maine to california this june.

donuthole

Alton, Illinois just east across the river from St. Louis, MO.

117

Exclusive interview with a prosecutor, Steven Unthank, February 21, 2012

by AndersonsInfo in

interview with a prosecutor .

background: on july 26, 2011, the entire worldwide religious and corporate hierarchy of jehovahs witnesses was charged in the magistrates court of victoria, australia, with 35 serious criminal breaches of the states mandatory child protection laws (working with children act 2005).

among the legal entities charged were the watch tower bible and tract society of pennsylvania and the governing body of jehovahs witnesses.

donuthole

Six Screens? That is poison to credability. Sensationalist garbage.

63

The 2012 JW Survey is now online!

by cedars in

i'm delighted to announce that the 2012 annual survey has now been launched and is ready to receive your votes!!.

please visit www.jwsurvey.org and give us your votes at the earliest opportunity.

this latest survey is obviously available to all those who voted in last year's survey, as well as to those who have never voted before.. so, what's different?.

donuthole

The question about current beliefs was worded a bit strange:

I am a Christian, and I believe that to be saved one must be "born again"

I don't understand why you chose to narrow it down instead of simply, "I am a Christian"

Good survey. Completed.

12

LAST CALL JWD - Please vote for my JW novel now in the finals!

by donuthole in

jw
friends

with your help my upcoming jw novel happiness: how to find it is one of five finalists in the curiosity quills nanovirtuosos competition.

muchos gracias vast apostate army!

won't you take just 30 seconds help me secure a win?

donuthole

Thank you people!

@slimboyfat

This will be available on Amazon later this year.

12

LAST CALL JWD - Please vote for my JW novel now in the finals!

by donuthole in

jw
friends

with your help my upcoming jw novel happiness: how to find it is one of five finalists in the curiosity quills nanovirtuosos competition.

muchos gracias vast apostate army!

won't you take just 30 seconds help me secure a win?

donuthole

With your help my upcoming JW novel Happiness: How to Find it is one of five finalists in the Curiosity Quills NaNoVirtuosos competition. Muchos gracias vast apostate army! Won't you take just 30 seconds help me secure a win? Voting is easy. Simply follow the link, scroll down past the excerpt to the poll, tick the box next to my novel, and click the vote button.

http://curiosityquills.com/giveaways-contests/nano-virtuosos-competition/happiness-how-to-find-it/

I'm really lagging behind this round making your vote much appreciated. Don't make me go door-to-door begging for votes -- I have PTSD from being a pioneer! :-)

--

If you have previously read the first chapter here on JWD let me know what you think of the revised excerpt. I changed up the tone as an experiment.

I'm looking forward to releasing this novel for free later this year!

38

Court case against the WT in Belgium - NEW For discrimination

by Nick! in

jw
friends

court case against the wt in belgium.

you may recall that sometime ago i posted an information about it.. jacques lejeunes case, ex jw, who had won an appeal against the adverse second level judgment, will be heard for the last time in front of the mons court on october 18th.. this case is emblematic as it is the first time that the violation of human right against the wt will be heard.. jacques is determined to go to the european court of human rights if this last case will end up in favor of the wt.. whoever wants to join me in attending the trial in support of jacques is welcome.. believe that jacques deserves this support.. the case will be heard on october 18th at 2 p.m. and is planned to last 4 hours.

both jacques and the wt have already presented their memorandum which is available online on my website, but in french only.

donuthole

The US has a history of being overly cautious about interfering with religious rights, even when there is abuse.

I believe the best action is here is a public information campaign. The public in the US does not get disfellowshipping and they largely see Jehovah's Witnesses as harmless. Apart from the annoyance of the door-to-door work they are generally held in high esteem in the community.

Objectives:

1.) Inform the public.

2.) Give JW's a "voice" to express how policies like shunning have affected them and their family.

3.) Create a backlash of negativity that might pressure Org to backdown on the policy.

138

Still a hard line on DF family members WTApr15 2012

by Gladring in

the april 2012 wt study article has some of the most strongly worded statements about contact with disfellowshipped family members.. page 12, paragraph 17: -.

good that can come when a family loyally.

upholds jehovahs decree not to associate.

donuthole

The WT is aware of what a tool their shunning arrangement is.

The guy in this example had really no interest in "restoring his relationship with Jehovah", but rather with his family vis-a-vis the organization.