Someone usually releases the latest version in December. . .
Mad Sweeney
JoinedPosts by Mad Sweeney
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CD-rom
by Justitia Themis in.
so...i'm still working on my paper for law school regarding jws and the mature minor doctrine, and i am in desperate need of the most recent (or relatively recent) cd-rom so i can document my sources.
if anyone knows of a link or is willing to part with an anctual cd, please, please contact me.
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Victoria, Australia: Report on Oct. 11th hearing involving Steven Unthank
by AndersonsInfo invictoria, australia: report on oct. 11th hearing involving steven unthank.
(this report is from an anonymous xjw who attended the hearing.
i had no plans to turn up to the court hearing as an observer, as in my experience, it can take several hearings and a number of months before any court case gets rolling.
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Mad Sweeney
bttt
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The JWs in the crowd gasped in Australian court..
by koolaid-man inshocking information near the bottom of this report from a watchtower lawyer definding the organization in australian courts.focus on the information under the heading: "the faithful and discreet slave".
quite the shocker... the society's lawyer statesthere is no true physical body of people, but only a theological arrangement.
the jws in the crowd gasped.
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Mad Sweeney
First, the OP in thie thread is an EXACT cut and paste of Barbara's thread. A plagiarism if you will. Oh wait! kool-aid man added an UNDERLINE to "A massive gasp" so I guess he didn't just plagiarise Barbara's post <eye roll>.
Oh, and that thread was just posted on 2 hours ago.
RagingBull, apparently the Magistrates record the audio of these hearings and they are not transcribed (at least not immediately or for public consumption). Oz made a post that the recordings are free to those involved in the case but are $55 per case (and "case" wasn't defined) to anyone not involved.
One would hope that Mr.Unthank would obtain the recordings (for free since he's involved) and some day share their contents with the public. Right now, though, he's in the thick of it so we either have to pony up funds or wait.
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Mad Sweeney
Here's an idea. Earth is more than 2/3 water. Could intelligent life have evolved under the sea just as it has on the land? Could they be sending explorers into the air (UFOs) like we send explorers (submarines) under water?
That's just as likely as thinking an alien lifeform evolved on another planet hundreds or thousands of light years away and developed technology to travel across the galaxy AND chose earth as a destination.
All of these fantasy scenarios are equally likely, or equally unlikely as the case may be.
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Is the Oct 30 WT study a Prelude to a Tithing towards the Soc.
by Quarterback init felt weird discussing this topic this week about this term, "share" of the levites.
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some made comments that alluded to the financial assistance that we are currently doing towards sponsoring the bethels around the world.. i wouldn't be surprised that a new thought comes out soon about that ten percent rule.. .
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Mad Sweeney
Congregations already make "pledges" for monthly contributions to the Borg. It is only a matter of time before they set up some automatic bank draft deductions for the members, too.
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Why on earth would WT use a FEMALE lawyer to defend it in Australia case?
by hamsterbait inhow many of us here find the use of a female to conduct the defence unusual?.
the wt religion is notoriously misogynistic.
anybody with a penis is preferable to do a non menial job.. why the change here?.
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Mad Sweeney
To me, one thing it shows is that they still don't respect the process or the Victorian magistrates. Vin Toole can't be bothered to get off his ass and attend these hearings personally. He sends a female underling.
Another part of this is strategic/psychological. A woman defending the organization instead of protecting the children? For her to do that the children really must not be in any danger, right? No woman would sacrifice child safety for the sake of a corporation would she?
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Is The WTBTS' View Of Homosexuality Softening?
by JW GoneBad inor at least the public may be given the impression that jws and the wtbts are fair minded and do not discriminate against the homosexual lifestyle.
check out this quote from the nov 1, 2011 watchtower (public edition).
the article on page 4 is entitled 'ten questions about sex answered'.. question 8: does god approve of homosexuality?.
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Mad Sweeney
The bible is quite clear about homosexuality right?
Wrong. The common translations into English that many take for granted have come under a decent bit of scrutiny in recent years. It may be that the Bible condemns homosexuality but that conclusion is not clear at the moment. Hit up google.
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Is The WTBTS' View Of Homosexuality Softening?
by JW GoneBad inor at least the public may be given the impression that jws and the wtbts are fair minded and do not discriminate against the homosexual lifestyle.
check out this quote from the nov 1, 2011 watchtower (public edition).
the article on page 4 is entitled 'ten questions about sex answered'.. question 8: does god approve of homosexuality?.
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Mad Sweeney
6/1/2002 Watchtower
Who IstoBlame—YouorYourGenes?
SCIENTISTS are hard at work to try to find genetic causes for alcoholism, homosexuality, promiscuity, violence, other aberrant behavior, and even for death itself. Would it not be a relief to find that we are not responsible for our actions but are merely victims of biology? It is human nature to blame someone or something else for our errors.
If the genes are to blame, scientists hold out the possibility of changing them, eliminating undesirable traits through genetic engineering. The recent success in mapping the entire human genome has given such aspirations new impetus.
This scenario, however, is based on the premise that our genetic endowment is, indeed, the villain responsible for all our sins and errors. Have the scientific detectives found enough evidence to make a case against our genes? Obviously, the answer will profoundly affect how we see ourselves and our future. Before examining the evidence, though, a look at mankind’s origin will prove enlightening.
How ItAllStarted
Most people are familiar with, or at least have heard of, the account about the fall of the first human pair, Adam and Eve, in the garden of Eden. Were they made with some intrinsic defect in the genes right from the start, a sort of design flaw that predisposed them to sin and disobedience?
Their Creator, Jehovah God, whose works are all perfect, proclaimed that his crowning earthly creation was “very good.” (Genesis 1:31; Deuteronomy 32:4) As further evidence of his satisfaction with his work, he gave the first couple his blessing and instructed them to be fruitful, to fill the earth with human creatures, and to take charge of his earthly creation—hardly the actions of someone uncertain of his handiwork.—Genesis 1:28.
Regarding the creation of the first human pair, the Bible tells us: “God proceeded to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) This does not mean that humans were made to resemble God in physical appearance, for “God is a Spirit.” (John 4:24) Rather, it means that human creatures were endowed with godly qualities and a sense of morality, a conscience. (Romans 2:14, 15) They were also free moral agents, capable of weighing a matter and deciding on the action to take.
However, our first parents were not left without guidelines. Rather, they were warned of the consequences of wrongdoing. (Genesis 2:17) So the evidence indicates that when Adam was faced with a moral decision, he chose to do what to him seemed expedient or advantageous at the time. He followed his wife in her wrongdoing instead of considering his relationship with his Creator or the long-term effects of his action. He also tried later to shift the blame to Jehovah, saying that the wife He had provided misled him.—Genesis 3:6, 12; 1 Timothy 2:14.
God’s response to the sin of Adam and Eve is revealing. He did not try to correct some ‘design flaw’ in their genes. Rather, he carried out what he told them would be the consequences of their actions, which led to their eventual death. (Genesis 3:17-19) This early history sheds much light on the nature of human behavior.
The EvidenceAgainstBiology
For a long time, scientists have been tackling the monumental task of finding genetic causes and cures for human pathology and behavior. After ten years of work by six teams of researchers, the gene linked to Huntington’s disease was isolated, although the researchers have no idea how the gene causes the disease. However, reporting on this research, ScientificAmerican quoted Harvard biologist Evan Balaban, who said that it would be “almost infinitely harder to discover genes for behavioral disorders.”
In fact, research attempting to link specific genes to human behavior has been unsuccessful. For instance, in PsychologyToday, a report on efforts to find genetic causes for depression states: “Epidemiologic data on the major mental illnesses make it clear that they can’t be reduced to purely genetic causes.” The report gives an example: “Americans born before 1905 had a 1 percent rate of depression by age 75. Among Americans born a half century later, 6 percent become depressed byage 24!” It thus concludes that only external or social factors can bring about such dramatic changes in such a short time.
What do these and numerous other studies tell us? While genes may play a role in shaping our personalities, there clearly are other influences. A major factor is our environment, which has undergone radical changes in modern times. Concerning what today’s youth are exposed to in popular entertainment, the book BoysWillBeBoys observes that it is unlikely that children will develop sound moral principles when they “grow up watching tens of thousands of hours of TV shows and films in which people are assaulted, shot, stabbed, disemboweled, chopped up, skinned, or dismembered, when children grow up listening to music which glorifies rape, suicide, drugs, alcohol, and bigotry.”
Clearly, Satan, “the ruler of this world,” has shaped an environment that caters to man’s baser desires. And who can deny the powerful influence that such an environment exerts on all of us?—John 12:31; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:9, 12.
The RootofMankind’sTrouble
As we have already seen, mankind’s problems started when the first human pair sinned. The result? While generations of Adam’s offspring are not responsible for Adam’s sin, they nonetheless are all born with sin, imperfection, and death as their inherited lot in life. The Bible explains: “That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.”—Romans 5:12.
Man’s imperfection puts him at a decided disadvantage. But that does not absolve him of all moral responsibility. The Bible shows that those who put faith in Jehovah’s provision for life and conform their lives to God’s standards will have his approval. Out of his loving-kindness, Jehovah made a merciful provision to redeem mankind, to buy back, as it were, what Adam had lost. That provision is the ransom sacrifice of his perfect Son, Jesus Christ, who said: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.”—John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22.
The apostle Paul expressed his deep appreciation for this provision. He exclaimed: “Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death? Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24, 25) Paul knew that if he succumbed to sin out of weakness, he could ask God’s forgiveness on the basis of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
As in the first century, today many who formerly led very bad lives or whose situation seemed hopeless have come to an accurate knowledge of Bible truth, made the necessary changes, and come in line for God’s blessing. The changes they had to make were not easy, and many still have to contend with harmful tendencies. But with God’s help, they are able to maintain integrity and find joy in serving him. (Philippians 4:13) Consider just one example of someone who made drastic changes in order to please God.
An EncouragingExperience
“When I was a young boy in boarding school, I got involved in homosexual practices, although I never thought of myself as being a homosexual. My parents were divorced, and I craved the parental affection that I never received. After finishing school, I did compulsory military service. There was a group of homosexuals in the barracks next to mine. I became envious of their life-style, so I started associating with them. After associating with them for a year, I began to think of myself as a homosexual. ‘This is the way I am,’ I reasoned, ‘and I can do nothing about it.’
“I started learning the lingo and going to gay clubs, where drugs and alcohol were freely available. Although outwardly it all seemed very exciting and appealing, it was actually sickening. Deep down I sensed that this kind of relationship was unnatural and had no future.
“In a small town, I came across a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses while the meeting was on. I went in and listened to the talk, which dealt with future Paradise conditions. Afterward I met some of the Witnesses and was invited to an assembly. I went, and that was a revelation to me—seeing happy families worshiping together. I started to study the Bible with the Witnesses.
“Although it was a struggle for me, I started to apply what I was learning from the Bible. I was able to break free from all my unclean practices. After studying for 14 months, I dedicated my life to Jehovah and was baptized. For the first time in my life, I had real friends. I have been able to help others learn the truth from the Bible, and I now serve as a ministerial servant in the Christian congregation. Jehovah has truly blessed me.”
We AreResponsible
Trying to pin the entire blame for our misconduct on our genes simply does not work. Rather than helping us to solve or overcome our problems, notes PsychologyToday, doing so “may be teaching us a helplessness that is at the root of many of our problems. Instead of reducing the incidence of these problems, this seems to have fueled their growth.”
It is true that we must contend with major adverse forces, including our own sinful tendencies and Satan’s efforts to distract us from obeying God. (1 Peter 5:8) It is also true that our genes may influence us in one way or another. But we are surely not helpless. True Christians have powerful allies—Jehovah, Jesus Christ, God’s holy spirit, his Word the Bible, and the Christian congregation.—1 Timothy 6:11, 12; 1 John 2:1.
Before the nation of Israel entered the Promised Land, Moses reminded the people of their responsibility before God, saying: “I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the malediction; and youmustchoose life in order that you may keep alive, you and your offspring, by loving Jehovah your God, by listening to his voice and by sticking to him.” (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20) Likewise today, each responsible individual is obliged to make a personal decision about serving God and meeting his requirements. The choice is yours.—Galatians 6:7, 8.
[Footnotes]
See Awake! of September 22, 1996, pages 3-8.
See the book KnowledgeThatLeadstoEverlastingLife, pages 62-9, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
[Pictures onpage 9]
Were Adam and Eve predisposed to sin by some defect in their genes?
[Pictures onpage 10]
Should each person accept responsibility for his decisions?
[Credit Line]
Drug user: Godo-Foto
[Picture onpage 11]
Efforts to find genetic causes for human behavior have been unsuccessful
[Picture onpage 12]
Applying what the Bible says can help sincere ones to change
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All Scripture is God-breathed
by sabastious in2 tim 3:10-17 - 10 you, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferingswhat kinds of things happened to me in antioch, iconium and lystra, the persecutions i endured.
yet the lord rescued me from all of them.
12 in fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in christ jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
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Mad Sweeney
I'm not sure I agree that a left brain without a right will go insane. I'm certain that the right brain would go insane without the left.
Then again, perhaps sanity is just another social construct.
I applaud you on your analysis, Sab, but I tend to think the simplest solution is most often the correct one. Those who edited and compiled the book we now call the Bible clearly wanted the message to be that God literally told the Bible writers what to write. So they put those words in the scriptures attributed to both Paul and Peter, the two biggest bigwigs in the historical establishment of the church. It really is that simple.
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TOMORROW on Cult Free Radio! - JWFACTS.COM's Paul Grundy
by Mad Sweeney inyeah man!
how does cfr follow up barbara anderson?
with paul grundy, the creator of jwfacts.com.
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Mad Sweeney
Both these sites carry the mp3 files. The first one is up to date and the second one should be updated today or tomorrow.