cofty

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Posts by cofty

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  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

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  cofty

  Thank you for a useful on-topic conversation Memphis

  Refreshing change!
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

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  cofty

  explain the Angel babies pre-Flood. It's not a slam dunk like you think

  Yes it might be a very good objection to WT theology. I am not arguing that they are rational or in any way correct. Everything they believe is irrational and frequently self-contradictory.

  I am making a very simple assertion. According to WT theology the obstacle to making new life in the lab is theological - Pneuma

  Exactly the same reason doctors will never perform a resurrection.
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

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  cofty

  Once somebody dies only god can restore that force. Scientists can never conduct a resurrection unless god sends that life force back into that person.

  The hurdle to resurrection is theological not technical - just like making life in the lab.
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

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  2. 
  3. 
• 

  cofty

  You said - 'Spirit' is just another way of saying 'alive'.

  JW Org says - “Spirit” thus refers to an invisible force (the spark of life) that animates all living creatures.... Similarly, the spirit is the force that brings our body to life. Also, like electricity, the spirit has no feeling and cannot think. It is an impersonal force.
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

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  3. 
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  cofty

  He doesn't literally have to give it to make something alive.

  The quotes I gave you above say otherwise.
  
  
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  cofty

  'Spirit' is just another way of saying 'alive'.

  “Spirit” thus refers to an invisible force (the spark of life) that animates all living creatures.... Similarly, the spirit is the force that brings our body to life. Also, like electricity, the spirit has no feeling and cannot think. It is an impersonal force.

  “The dust [of his body] returns to the earth, just as it was, and the spirit returns to the true God who gave it.” Eccl.12:7

  the life-force returns to where it came from—God

  With you is the source of life; By your light we can see light. Ps.36:9

  “the body without spirit [pneuʹma] is dead.” - Jas.2:26

  So if science made all the complex parts of a cell as the brochure suggests it would be lifeless without pneuma (the spark of life) from god.

  The brochure is typical WT double-speak. Nowhere does it say science might succeed in making a LIVING cell.
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

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  3. 
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  cofty

  It's whether or not the means of transmission is an issue should scientists one day create life.

  In JW world, if science produces life from rocks the cell would have spirit. Where would that have come from?
  
  
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  44

  Canadian Appeal Court decision made the news: Judges can overturn unfair church edicts

  by AndersonsInfo in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  http://news.nationalpost.com/news/religion/alberta-appeal-court-rules-judges-can-overturn-unfair-church-edicts.

  the other day, this court decision was posted on jwn along with a link to the court document, but few expected the media to pick up the story.

  so to all involved, i understand it was a surprise to see the story in print.

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  cofty

  Thank you for the information. It has potential to be very significant. Elders will be hung out to dry by the organisation again.

  Why would anybody be an elder now?
• 
  405

  Origin of Life

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in recent years significant progress has been made in solving the question of how life originated on our planet.. how do you think theists will respond when it finally happens?

  as a former christian i know my reaction would have been something like "well that just goes to show that it takes intelligent life to make life", but for two reasons that defense doesn't work.. firstly it would prove that life is not an ethereal force that originates with god.

  there is no 'ghost in the machine', no elan vital.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  cofty

  The WT says that scientists may one day create living cells from non-living matter.

  No it doesn't.

  I will pick it up in a new thread. You have succeeded in trashing this one.

  See this page for a complete refutation of you nonsense...
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  24

  To all former Elders – what are your thoughts

  by Tallon in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  if you were part of a judicial committee, and knowing what you know now, what was it like for you to sit on jc’s?

  how did you feel if someone was reproved or df’d?

  were you ever on a jc and you disagreed with someone being reproved or df’d and were overruled – how did you feel?

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  cofty

  the scripture that said, do not judge or else you will be judged...I think something like that....or the one where the same measure you judge someone you will be judged with the same measure...How did you all handle those scriptures, in good conscience...did you ever feel that those scriptures about judging, would ever apply to you ? How did you rationalize that in your hearts and minds?

  Hi Tor. I think it is a matter of context. Once the early church was established a hierarchy of deacons and elders were appointed. Among the elders' duties was the task of judging "wrongdoers".

  It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. - 1Cor.5:12 (NLT)
  

  A lot of elders I knew viewed themselves as police of congregation. I always thought of myself as being like a brother who had responsibility to look out for the others. Elders who think that way often end up butting heads with the legalistic sort.