Posts by GapingMouth

5

Admiring evolution

by GapingMouth in

jw
friends

as a born-in, i was taught to reject evolution right off.

that coupled with not being taught it accurately at school (and for only about an hour) it is only now after breaking free of jws that i have been learning about it.

dawkins has instilled in me an admiration and appreciation for evolution and its elegance.

As a born-in, I was taught to reject evolution right off. That coupled with not being taught it accurately at school (and for only about an hour) it is only now after breaking free of JWs that I have been learning about it. Dawkins has instilled in me an admiration and appreciation for evolution and its elegance. I am genuinely excited when new fossils are found that bridge certain gaps etc. There are countless examples of amazing adaptations and so much variety of life that stems back to a single ancestor etc. So my question is, what example or point about evolution do you like the most? Why? Do you feel as fulfilled as me in this subject?

1

Creationist Evolution

by GapingMouth in

i've been having some small but effective chats with my wife of late.

she is, i hope, starting to think about some things a bit better now regarding the wts.

when i told her of the rule about not hugging in the prayer, she thought it so absurd and thought i was telling lies until she saw it herself.

GapingMouth

Hi all, I've been having some small but effective chats with my wife of late. She is, I hope, starting to think about some things a bit better now regarding the WTS. When I told her of the rule about not hugging in the prayer, she thought it so absurd and thought I was telling lies until she saw it herself. She said she wants to 'talk to the elders about it'. A good step. But onto my point. One of our conversations was about the hippo being the closest living relative to a whale. She agreed, and so I asked her why she agrees if she believes what JWs teach. She said why are they related? I explained about a common ancestor and a branching tree of evolution. I explained how the DNA was similar, like Humans and Chimps, etc. She said to me "Of course their DNA is so similar because God created them in a similar way and to all live in this planet's conditions." So I like to think I understand evolution but I could use help formulating a response. I already did the 'if we evolved from apes, why are there still apes' already, but the phone went before I could answer the point mentioned above. Suggestions? And what do you who accept evolution as fact, as I do, usually come across from JWs specifically trying to disprove it? What are your!,better refined than my, answers?

22

Creationist Evolution

by GapingMouth in

i've been having some small but effective chats with my wife of late.

she is, i hope, starting to think about some things a bit better now regarding the wts.

when i told her of the rule about not hugging in the prayer, she thought it so absurd and thought i was telling lies until she saw it herself.

GapingMouth

Hi all, I've been having some small but effective chats with my wife of late. She is, I hope, starting to think about some things a bit better now regarding the WTS. When I told her of the rule about not hugging in the prayer, she thought it so absurd and thought I was telling lies until she saw it herself. She said she wants to 'talk to the elders about it'. A good step. But onto my point. One of our conversations was about the hippo being the closest living relative to a whale. She agreed, and so I asked her why she agrees if she believes what JWs teach. She said why are they related? I explained about a common ancestor and a branching tree of evolution. I explained how the DNA was similar, like Humans and Chimps, etc. She said to me "Of course their DNA is so similar because God created them in a similar way and to all live in this planet's conditions." So I like to think I understand evolution but I could use help formulating a response. I already did the 'if we evolved from apes, why are there still apes' already, but the phone went before I could answer the point mentioned above. Suggestions? And what do you who accept evolution as fact, as I do, usually come across from JWs specifically trying to disprove it? What are your!,better refined than my, answers?

8

Help with a 'study' please - atheists side.

by GapingMouth in

i was having an email chat with this guy (i dont know him very well) but he wanted a debate on gods existence.

his english is terrible, but can you help me formulate a response please?

he isnt jw, i don't think, but there are some questions here about evolution etc.

GapingMouth

Hi all,

I was having an email chat with this guy (I dont know him very well) but he wanted a debate on Gods existence. His English is terrible, but can you help me formulate a response please? He isnt JW, I don't think, but there are some questions here about evolution etc. For those of you who are religious, perhaps this isn't the thread for you to try to put your views across and agree with him - feel free to comment but I may not respond directly to those. I hope that doesn't sound rude, I just want the atheists answer, as that is the side I will take in our debate. I'm not about to answer with other points about God, right? Thanks for your help folks. His email follows:

to come straght to the point

Let me tell you that ther is a right translation of the original message inspired by god

i do know that people uesd to try to put confusion around saying there must be a controversy about the authenticity and the origin of the Bible

2 thimothy 3 verse 16

the Authors of the Bible especially of the new book(John apostle Paul and so one) are followers of Jesus Christ God manifested in Flesh for the work of Salvation of the whole

world

For the book of Revelation John has a vision on the Isle of Patmos

I do not believe Evolution theory so far what is the last chain between Human and Gorilla?

How come that from fossiles we have Human and after different species how did their supposed evolution being not be compleeted?

who's the Author of the Big Bang

There is merely A Mighty Hand behind all this Creation and the iIntelligence leading it

[think of a sandwich that can be created (edited to make sense - GM)] Well i think this is a small thing if i dare say that needed not a lot of ingeniosity

But for the moon the movement of Clouds su it's more complex

Can evoluiton theory explain the cycle of the birth of a baby form the embryo stage to the human being?

God said that i put my Words before my Name(because there is a Mighty power behind each of them each phrase of the Bible each sentences if only you have faith the smallest one and i am living this experience)

Right from this how can god allowe his words to be counterfait,

Please do you believe in Miracle?

ok do you know the History of Israel

Israel is the Chosen nation of God Jehovahsince early days

Please check it

Israel it the vivid or tangible testimony of the Mighty of God and the Holy scriptures

no nation can defeat them when they got defeated it was due to their disobedience

How can you explain that in Africa people are speaking in tongue as it is written in the Bible?

a tongue from Israel a tongue that is translated by the samr People through the holy Spirit God Himself

34

Are you searching?

by wantstoleave in

when i expressed my doubts about my beliefs to my parents the other day, my mom said that 'no matter what people do, they are always searching for something.

if it's not this religion, which one will you go to?'.

she gave the example that practically since time began, people have been clinging to hope in some form or another, namely religion.

GapingMouth

AGuest

Thanks for your reply.

I was saying, as an atheist, that any God is a delusion, as The God Delusion explains. I respect you believe in God, but my opinion was that you dont need religion or God to be happy - especially as I don't think he exists.

Thanks for sharing with me what you believe.

I am not one to usually resort to name-calling. I apologise sincerely. I was in a bad mood as I broke my ribs and was in pain. I hope you can accept my apology there.

34

Are you searching?

by wantstoleave in

when i expressed my doubts about my beliefs to my parents the other day, my mom said that 'no matter what people do, they are always searching for something.

if it's not this religion, which one will you go to?'.

she gave the example that practically since time began, people have been clinging to hope in some form or another, namely religion.

GapingMouth

And while I am ranting, God dwells in his people?! What the...? So what is God? And if he dwells in his people... What does that even mean!? You see God in people? Even though they all do bad things? And what about, as Sam Harris said in a debate with David Wolpe, Elvis? Using your logic of God dwells in his people, you could say the same for Elvis! All those who believe he is not dead are right afterall because he dwells within them! YAY! Moron.

34

Are you searching?

by wantstoleave in

when i expressed my doubts about my beliefs to my parents the other day, my mom said that 'no matter what people do, they are always searching for something.

if it's not this religion, which one will you go to?'.

she gave the example that practically since time began, people have been clinging to hope in some form or another, namely religion.

GapingMouth

AGuest, I think it is you that misunderstood me. My point was that JWs misuse that scripture!! I have had conversations that went like this: Me: Don't you think that (whatever we were talking about) shows they aren't the true religion? JW: Yes, but where else can I go? Its like the scripture in John where the disciples ask where else or to who else they can go. The WT has sayings of everlasting life... Understand now? I also find it extremely arrogant that people who can not prove God exists supposedly have so much information on how he wants us to live our life. You can't prove God is there but you can say things like "the WTS doesn't know" and then claim YOU DO!? In the words of Jar Jar binks, HOW WUDE! Religion as an organisation or as an individual makes claims no sane person would and I am just supposed to respect it and not scrutinize it as I would anything else? I don't think so!

12

The claws are out!

by wantstoleave in

jw
friends

i just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone on the board.

i haven't been here that long but from the time i've spent here, i feel very comfortable.

i've been on boards before (witness ones) where everyone is so opinionated, heartless and holier than thou....but this one is so different.

GapingMouth

I'll second wantstoleave's comment. I've also found the wealth of information, the emotional support and just friendly posts to be a great help and I know I'll be on these boards for a long time. Thanks to all.

34

Are you searching?

by wantstoleave in

when i expressed my doubts about my beliefs to my parents the other day, my mom said that 'no matter what people do, they are always searching for something.

if it's not this religion, which one will you go to?'.

she gave the example that practically since time began, people have been clinging to hope in some form or another, namely religion.

GapingMouth

I've heard it said many a time - "Where would I/we go?" And they quote the scripture where the disciples tell Jesus the same question, "...you have sayings of everlasting life." As an atheist (and I speak with no intent to offend but with no kidgloves on either as Dawkins put it) I have to ask, why replace one delusion with another? Why stop believing Santa exists but replace it with Unicorns? The JW belief that those without religious truth are without hope is a fallacy, designed to prey on the minds of any who think about leaving. Why can't people find fulfillment and joy in real knowledge of evolution and the wonderfully elegant process of natural selection? It doesn't make it any less amazing to take God out of the picture but the opposite. Saying that all people need to worship something just isn't true. You can, as most atheists are (or at least as most ex JWs will agree) be happy without being in any organised religion at all.

12

How to teach a child?

by GapingMouth in

jw
friends

i have a daughter who is nearly 16 months old, and it won't be long before she starts understanding more and more of the rubbish at the khs my wife takes her to.

she will be very exposed to a lot of creationist junk and i can just imagine her getting brainwashed just as i was a born-in.

luckily i am in a position to reduce that or perhaps counter it completely.

GapingMouth

Well PP, its not always easy but we get on with most other things and we do love each other. Its not so easy to say to family, especially your wife, goodbye and thank you very much. Also, as the point of this thread shows, I have a daughter and if I were not around 1. She would be brainwashed easily 2. I couldn't stand not seeing her every day!