i remember hearing rumblings of a few that had gone "apostate" and feeling absolute dread of the dark world they had stepped into.
i would re-double my studying efforts.
to me, "apostates" had gone over into the "dark side".
I remember being invited in on a call one day and the guy showed us some apostate literature, I wanted to browse it to see what they were saying but the 'sister' whose call it was dragged me out and warned me how dangerous that would have been. Just think I might have 'got it' and broken free years sooner, idiot. I should have followed my gut instinct
Loz x
there is an article today in daily mail one of the largest uk newspapers about the plymouth brethren that should worry every thinking jehovah's witness.. the charities commision in britain is threatening the charitable status of a small offshoot of the aglican church the plymouth brethren .the reason ?
they don't perform enough charitable work for their local community .
at a time where the tax avoidance of large businesses such as google ,ebay,amazon and starbucks is under serious question in britain ,the charities commision's investigation into this little church's charitable status comes as no surprise .the 2006 charities act forced charities, often at high cost, to 'demonstrate' value to society .so far being a christian church automatically exempt you off taxes ,this is not the case anymore .
Compared with the churches here that are operating Free Food Banks for those currently getting severely hit by the austerity measures and unemployment, th WTBS looks very unChristian. No surprise there for us.
Loz x
the portsmouth / southampton xmas meal has been booked.
1st december at the hungry horse, the farmhouse portsmouth burrfields road, portsmouth po3 5hh (same as last year).
arrive anytime after midday.
Damn I'd love to come meet up with you guys but I can't manage this one, sorry. Am on a PGCE this year so time is very tight and it'd mean a long trip for me. Have a wonderful meet up everyone!
Loz x
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And recent rumours suggest a link to the Jimmy Saville scandal. He has no chance.
Loz x
in a discussion with some other dear ones, the question was asked as to what such ones put their faith in.
in response to one comment that"one can't function without faith," another disagreed, stating ones can, that "many do so every day... the ones who have trust" (in things like the sun rising in the east versus the west).
that trust extended to "faith" based "on nature and the natural order of things.
Sab, good post, it actually is becoming insulting to us believers to suggest that any fellowship we share is because of some misguided adoration of AGuest. Suggesting that we are immature enough either intellectually or emotionally to be led into a cult is offensive to say the least. I personally visit the other forum usually about twice a week, if that, in my very busy life. I take or leave or share what I choose. My allegiance is to my heavenly father and always will be, it freed me from the tentacles of the WTBS and keeps me free from any other organised religion at this time, my choice.
Currently it's being suggested that we are mimicking or developing AGuest's style of writing, well, in my case having reread many of my own recent posts I can see no change in my style, and neither can those closest to me away from this forum. It still suffers from the influence of my academic daily life maybe unfortunately, but that's all it does. I rarely indulge in these fights on here, it's far too wearing and mostly fruitless in my opinion, but lately these 'cult' theories are crossing boundaries of respect, that compell me to speak out. The treatment of AGuest has been appalling for as long as I've been on the board, I don't always rush to defend, but sometimes it's so blatant and unfair. And this because she claims to serve her God, shares aspects of her relationship with him, and has interchange with other spiritual members on the board, and dares to jointly start a forum where we can all debate spiritual things in peace, without insults, abuse and ridicule? Or is it because she fights her own corner against the onslaughts very well indeed, frustrating the attempts of so many to bring her down? I wonder.
She is assured that I would speak up for anyone receiving such treatment on here, it's not because she posts on another forum where I engage. There is no evidence whatsoever of any cultish tendencies in any aspect of our fellowship with one another. We are too very well aware of such dangers thank you. It would be similarly offensive to accuse the atheists of the same and equally ridiculous.
Loz x
in a discussion with some other dear ones, the question was asked as to what such ones put their faith in.
in response to one comment that"one can't function without faith," another disagreed, stating ones can, that "many do so every day... the ones who have trust" (in things like the sun rising in the east versus the west).
that trust extended to "faith" based "on nature and the natural order of things.
Ok, I will do Cofty and I'll think on it.
Loz x
in a discussion with some other dear ones, the question was asked as to what such ones put their faith in.
in response to one comment that"one can't function without faith," another disagreed, stating ones can, that "many do so every day... the ones who have trust" (in things like the sun rising in the east versus the west).
that trust extended to "faith" based "on nature and the natural order of things.
I'm actually sad now that the band of atheists have rushed in, not to support the fact that Cofty was causing discord on a believer's thread, not to be objective, not to post on the original topic, but to resurrect more claims against AGuest and the 'other' forum. I give up.
Loz x
in a discussion with some other dear ones, the question was asked as to what such ones put their faith in.
in response to one comment that"one can't function without faith," another disagreed, stating ones can, that "many do so every day... the ones who have trust" (in things like the sun rising in the east versus the west).
that trust extended to "faith" based "on nature and the natural order of things.
I just have to chuckle a little bit at a poster telling us that there are more important things in the world than this discussion---while contributing to that discussion. It is funny. It's a good way to invalidate a lot of things, because there are more important things in the world, yet they are just as engaged as we are.
NC- Yes I am contributing, but I was simply trying to illuminate the idea of perspective. Shelby's style is so minor an issue by comparison. It's certainly not enough to warrant rude and offensive responses. Qcumbr - Thank you for your post. I hear you and appreciate your concerns. This has been discussed previously in detail so I won't attempt to repeat. It's not a cult, it's simply a 'sharing' with folks of similar beliefs. If you believe its all about 'Waiting upon Shelbys revelations" then you have totally misread the forum, or my participation anyway. It really is no big deal at all. But thanks I will bear your points in mind. I mean that sincerely. Loz x
in a discussion with some other dear ones, the question was asked as to what such ones put their faith in.
in response to one comment that"one can't function without faith," another disagreed, stating ones can, that "many do so every day... the ones who have trust" (in things like the sun rising in the east versus the west).
that trust extended to "faith" based "on nature and the natural order of things.
We could be offering a united front for ones trying to escape, for ones battling to recover.
By trying to recruit them to a new form of superstition to replace the one they just escaped from perhaps?
No, not at all, by showing them that there is freedom out here in the world to choose to believe there's a god or to choose to believe there isn't. And that this forum provides a haven for both.
Loz x
ricky gervais tweeted this 11/14/12 and i totally agree with it:.
"there are good atheists and bad atheists.
there are good believers and bad believers.. no god has ever changed that.".
Still you are rushing to defend a comment that was sarcastic and satirical which intended to provoke and aggravate. It had no place in the discussion whatsoever. Condone it if it suits you but don't wrap it up in the pink cotton wool of justification. I won't engage now except for what I've said on the thread itself and here in relation to it. People can see it with their own eyes and make their judgements.
Loz x
