Posts by Razziel

134

Christians Please Explain

by AK - Jeff in

since leaving all organized religion, all superstition, all acceptance of deity, i have a terrible time truly understanding 'religious' thought.. i really do.. how is it possible for thinking people to just accept, without proof, all they accept?

this morning i overheard a conversation between two christians in a coffee shop.

they say to me 'dad, what's wrong with just being a nice, good person?

Razziel

AK-Jeff,

"Religionists" can't answer your question, but Terry Goodkind did a pretty good job of answering it in his fantasy novels!

Wizard's First Rule

People are stupid, they will believe something because they want it to be true; or they're afraid it might be true.

Given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe its true, or because they're afraid it might be true. Peoples' heads are full of knowledge, facts and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool. (Wizard's First Rule, Chapter 36, Page 397)

Wizard's Sixth Rule

The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason.

The first law of reason is this: what exists, exists; what is, is; and from this irreducible bedrock principle, all knowledge is built. It is the foundation from which life is embraced.

Thinking is a choice. Wishes and whims are not facts nor are they a means to discover them. Reason is our only way of grasping reality; it is our basic tool of survival. We are free to evade the effort of thinking, to reject reason, but we are not free to avoid the penalty of the abyss that we refuse to see. Faith and feelings are the darkness to reason's light. In rejecting reason, refusing to think, one embraces death. (Faith of the Fallen, Chapter 41, Pages 459-460)

Wizard's Seventh Rule

Life is the future, not the past.

The past can teach us, through experience, how to accomplish things in the future, comfort us with cherished memories, and provide the foundation of what has already been accomplished. But only the future holds life. To live in the past is to embrace what is dead. To live life to its fullest, each day must be created anew. As rational, thinking beings, we must use our intellect, not a blind devotion to what has come before, to make rational choices. (Pillars of Creation, Chapter 60, Page 549)

Wizard's Ninth Rule

A contradiction can not exist in reality. Not in part, nor in whole.

To believe in a contradiction is to abdicate your belief in the existence of the world around you and the nature of the things in it, to instead embrace any random impulse that strikes your fancy - to imagine something is real simply because you wish it were. A thing is what it is, it is itself. There can be no contradictions.

Faith is a device of self-delusion, a sleight of hand done with words and emotions founded on any irrational notion that can be dreamed up. Faith is the attempt to coerce truth to surrender to whim. In simple terms, it is trying to breathe life into a lie by trying to outshine reality with the beauty of wishes. Faith is the refuge of fools, the ignorant, and the deluded, not of thinking, rational men.

In reality, contradictions cannot exist. To believe in them you must abandon the most important thing you possess: your rational mind. The wager for such a bargain is your life. In such an exchange, you always lose what you have at stake. (Chainfire, Chapter 48, Page 489)

30

Now what do I do?

by outsmartthesystem in

jw
friends

for those of you that know my plight....i need to know your opinion.

summary - i developed a piss poor, combative, rebellious attitude toward the society many years ago.

my wife saw it and hated it.

Razziel

I would be cautious because she said "she's put herself out there for you" and based one what you said, she put herself at bat in front of the Elders and CO. That's not easy to do unless she really loves you and believes in you. Based on the information you provided, it seems she believes you are sincere, and really loves you.

Normally, I'd say to lay it all out there, but just based off your post, I think she's got a real shot at seeing the truth if you are patient. You've already been an "unbelieving mate" for several years and she's still defending you...

Having a meeting with the Elders is problematic. Your are going to lose with them regardless of how well formulated your arguments are, and regardless of whatever assurances they gave her, they are lying and will still DF you if they don't like what they hear. You could possibly gain with your wife when she sees they have no answer for your doubts. Or she could side with them and cut you off completely.

You're in the position that you almost have to meet with them. If that is what you decide, you need to keep the discussion on your predetermined talking points. Don't let them dissemble, and above all, don't raise your voice or get angry in any way. Let her see that you have honest questions they cannot answer.

(I just read Sinis reply) I'm inclined to go with his advice. Since you've already been "opposed" for several years and based on what you said, it seems your wife loves you perhaps more (or at least equally) than she loves the organization. If you're patient, and she really is truth-seeking you might be able to win her "without a word", just off your actions as a good husband.

Tough call, and I wish you luck.

27

Do we have the right to judge god?

by mankkeli in

do we have the right to judge god?.

this is an important question.

non-believers often become and remain non-believers because they judge that god is incomprehensible or malevolent, and therefore of dubious existence in the form believers claim.

Razziel

(Sorry if I'm off topic from the original post.)

N.drew Nobody talks about guilt, but I think it is a base emotion that motivates a lot of our life decisions, and we disguise it by rationalization. It arises from the thought that someone "cares" for us, or has "done" something for us, giving us a feeling of obligation and responsibility towards that person or entity. If we have feelings or actions that go against that emotion of obligation and responsibility, we feel guilty for it, even if we are in the right. It directly conflicts with self-interest.

For example,

My parents gave me life. If it wasn't for JW's, they would never have met, and I would never have been born. Anytime I say or do something they would not approve of, they do something I do not approve of, or I regret the years of service they've given to the WTS, I feel a prick of guilt because I know without the WTS, I would never have been born. It doesn't matter if I'm right and my parents are wrong, I still feel guilty.

I have a job opportunity with another company that would advance my career. I feel obligated to my current supervisor and job, because they gave me a chance when nobody else would, without which I wouldn't have the opportunity to advance my career with the new position. I have no grievance with them, and when I think of leaving I'm pricked with guilt because of feelings of obligation for the opportunities they've given me.

I could expand examples to situations of fidelity between husband and wife, or relationships with friends, or religion, but it comes down to the same emotions of guilt and self-interest. I have the perceived feeling of obligation to someone or something for such and such reason, and I feel guilty when my actions contradict with that obligation. Or conversely because of self-interest, I am afraid of losing something; friends, a job, a mate, etc., and I don't want to do something that will jeopardize that. Or because of self-interest, I don't let anything come between me and my goal.

Some people are able to disconnect their emotions of self-interest or guilt, but most of us fall somewhere in between. Eventually, we typically end up doing what we really want, but guilt and self-interest keep us indecisive much longer than is necessary and causes us missed opportunities and heartache while we make up our minds.

I don't expect to see much guilt displayed on a message board. The internet is great because you can let your inner personality and ego out. I'm sure (and know because I've met several) that most internet personas have little in common with reality. The internet is one of the few places you can display the personality you really want to be, not how your real life requires you to be.

6

My generation

by d in

how do you feel about my generation.

we are no longer apathic.

my generation can make a difference in this world.

Razziel

Every generation thinks they are different. It's not true, but it's a good thing in that it is a catalyst for change. Yes it's easier because we live in an era of easy communication and social networks. But that actually makes the movements of the past much more impressive if you think about it. They didn't have the social networking and ease of organization that we do now.

27

Do we have the right to judge god?

by mankkeli in

do we have the right to judge god?.

this is an important question.

non-believers often become and remain non-believers because they judge that god is incomprehensible or malevolent, and therefore of dubious existence in the form believers claim.

Razziel

Why do we not have the right to judge or question God? Because he's our progenitor? Do we not have the right to judge our parents either for the same reasons? Do not let a sense of obligation for those responsible for your existence, be they ancestors or God, turn into feelings of guilt when you disagree with their actions or motivations.

Guilt is a powerful force; Authority figures (Parents, God, etc.) would often not have power over us if it were not for the feeling of guilt at questioning them. Choose your own path.

29

HOW DO YOU CONTINUE?

by angel.face in

jw
friends

lately i've been finding it more and more difficult to keep up a front.. .

before i learned the tatt i was the mover and shaker of our family.

i would study with the kids.

Razziel

Tricky road. If you go slow, you might get your husband out, and you might not. I would love if there were a comparison of people who have been out a couple of years and those that have been out 10+ years.

In my personal experience, the longer I've been gone, the more I wish I had stopped the facade even faster than I did. Human nature is to be afraid of the unknown, and I was no different, so I took it slow. We know where we'd like to be in life, and we know we aren't at that point now, but we're afraid of what happens between point A and point B. Now I wish I had just been done with it and let the chips fall where they may. I'm not saying let yourself be drawn into a conflagration where you let it all out and get DF'd for apostacy. You don't owe anyone an explanation. I just wish I had stopped altogether and moved on faster. It is actually quite amazing how fast you can go from model Elder/MS/Pioneer, etc. to out of sight out of mind. One of the bright points of JW conditional love is that once you stop, very few will even care that you left, which makes leaving relatively fast (within a few months) all the more easier.

Time is precious. We've already spent enough in futile devotion to a fringe religion. My guess is that 20 years from now, you'll wish you had stopped pretending as quickly as possible. Just don't let yourself get drawn into saying something that can get yourself DF'd. No need to burn your bridges unless that's something you decide personally you want to do.

13

Iranian Plot against Saudi Arabia, Israel Embassies in Washington DC

by designs in

news came that the fbi has broken up a plot to bomb the embassies of the saudi and israel governments in washington dc.

fbi director, robert mueller, showed a direct link to the government of iran and opium smuggling with mexican drug cartels.

undercover dea agents were involved in the operation to foil the plot..

Razziel

The US has become too predictable. We debate and give a measured and predictable response to everything. Countries like Iran know just how far they can push our buttons without any millitary consequences. Occasionally you have to overreact and order airstrikes for things like this, just so you can remain unpredictable and keep the enemy off balance and a little afraid of conspiring against you.

36

Cold Fusion Update

by metatron in

jw
friends

http://coldfusionnow.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/first-commercial-cold-fusion-reactor-tested-in-bologna/.

i continue to think that this device has survived too much examination to be completely fake.

the remaining question is how efficient is it?.

Razziel

BTS, yes there are other fusion techs, but that's changing the subject. I am referring only to the cold fusion device described in the OP.

36

Cold Fusion Update

by metatron in

jw
friends

http://coldfusionnow.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/first-commercial-cold-fusion-reactor-tested-in-bologna/.

i continue to think that this device has survived too much examination to be completely fake.

the remaining question is how efficient is it?.

Razziel

I'm sorry Bohm, I have to disagree. It doesn't matter what the process is, it's cold water in, hot water out. The process that raises the temperature is irrelevant to theoretical efficiency and it's still governed by elementary thermodynamics. A nuclear power plant uses fission to provide superheated steam (through heat exchangers), but it is still governed by basic thermodynamic efficiency. The process doesn't matter, all that matters is that heat transfer takes place.

36

Cold Fusion Update

by metatron in

jw
friends

http://coldfusionnow.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/first-commercial-cold-fusion-reactor-tested-in-bologna/.

i continue to think that this device has survived too much examination to be completely fake.

the remaining question is how efficient is it?.

Razziel

Bohm,

I'll hit the points in reverse order.

The efficiency is defined according to the specific thermodynamic cycle used. (Rankine, Brayton, Sterling, Otto, Diesel, vapor-compression, etc.) However, the efficiency is always less than the Carnot efficiency (1-Tc/Th) which is the theoretical maximum efficiency of a heat cycle. It is irrelevent the type of fuel, the type of reaction, be it chemical, combustion, or nuclear, it is still a thermodynamic cycle to extract useful energy.

That is one of the beauties of thermodynamics. Without knowing anything about the process used, you can learn how much energy you can possibly get out of the thermal system based on input and output temperatures alone. This is a great solution check when analyzing a system. If the thermal efficiency of your system comes out greater than the carnot efficiency, you immediately know you calculated something incorrectly.

The closest analogy I can think of is analyzing a complex electronic circuit with Norton and Thevinin equivalents.

I won't get into too much detail about state changes, however the additional energy added is fully accounted for by the enthalpy values in a standard steam table or enthalpy-entropy chart. Basically you use constant temperatue at the given pressure and the change in entropy as the steam changes from saturated liquid to saturated vapor to superheated steam (dry steam) and find the new value of enthalpy using the thermodynamic relations. The efficiency is the ratio of enthalpies of the cycle input and the cycle output. There are all sorts of ways to increase the efficiency; superheating, regenerative heating, feedwater heaters, combined cycles, etc, but the thermal efficiency of the system is always less than the Carnot efficiency.

For the second point, since I haven't really seen what "self-sustained" mode is, who knows. Perhaps after initially heating his water source, the temperature change through the reactor is enough to offset heat loss from conduction out of the system. The system is obviously not abiabatic. He can dump the fluid back in his source tank and keep it at the original temperature. That would be self-sustaining until his reactants ran out.

Finally, I know it seems counter-intuitive because there are so many other variables involved, but in a heat cycle such as this, temperature difference between input and ouput tells you the maximum efficiency possible.