I remember when I discovered the Bible was bullshit. That was a real time-saver.
SweetBabyCheezits
JoinedPosts by SweetBabyCheezits
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224
When Was Ancient Jerusalem Destroyed? Why It Matters - What the Evidence Shows
by wannabefree inobviously 607 is a problem, watchower coming out full forces on this one in the latest public edition.. http://download.jw.org/files/media_magazines/wp_e_20111001.pdf.
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SweetBabyCheezits
I see what you did there, Sizemik. Kudos! was a tiny candy bar.
I tout myself as being a pretty tough SOB. I've taken many an ass-whoopin just... sitting down.
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In two sentences: What I learned during my exit from the Watchtower
by SweetBabyCheezits in[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>normal</w:view> <w:zoom>0</w:zoom> <w:trackmoves /> <w:trackformatting /> <w:punctuationkerning /> <w:validateagainstschemas /> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:saveifxmlinvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:ignoremixedcontent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext> <w:donotpromoteqf /> <w:lidthemeother>en-us</w:lidthemeother> <w:lidthemeasian>x-none</w:lidthemeasian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>x-none</w:lidthemecomplexscript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables /> <w:snaptogridincell /> <w:wraptextwithpunct /> <w:useasianbreakrules /> <w:dontgrowautofit /> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark /> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp /> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables /> <w:dontvertalignintxbx /> <w:word11kerningpairs /> <w:cachedcolbalance /> </w:compatibility> <w:browserlevel>microsoftinternetexplorer4</w:browserlevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont m:val="cambria math" /> <m:brkbin m:val="before" /> <m:brkbinsub m:val="--" /> <m:smallfrac m:val="off" /> <m:dispdef /> <m:lmargin m:val="0" /> <m:rmargin m:val="0" /> <m:defjc m:val="centergroup" /> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440" /> <m:intlim m:val="subsup" /> <m:narylim m:val="undovr" /> </m:mathpr></w:worddocument> </xml><!
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SweetBabyCheezits
Those who chose to remain could use the above sentences to back up their decision to stay.
I beg to differ. The JW faith is the antithesis of critical thinking, not by my word or yours, but by definition. Contrast "spiritual integrity" (a factor in faith) with "intellectual integrity" (a factor in critical thinking). Which one of those would a JW give priority?
These are two different realms of thought. And while a JW may try to argue that he is a "critical thinker," the proof is in the pudding. He will not actively try to break down his own faith but, instead, seeks to protect it.
Science thrives on scrutiny. Faith and religion do not. Unwavering loyalty is a defining characteristic of JW faith, among others. So I don't know how a JW could legitimately use those two sentences in the OP to justify a decision to stay.
A delusional person shouldn't be allowed to redefine words and terms to suit his or her fancy. We're talking about a set of skills that is in not defined by the WTBTS but by educators outside of their society.
Either way, I won't avoid terms that a JW might misrepresent because of his own ignorance. When I talk about truth, I don't mean The [proprietary] Truth.
For them to genuinely believe they're using critical thinking would just mean they're ignorant of all that CT entails. And if they remained willfully ignorant instead of researching it, the point is demonstrated even further.
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In two sentences: What I learned during my exit from the Watchtower
by SweetBabyCheezits in[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>normal</w:view> <w:zoom>0</w:zoom> <w:trackmoves /> <w:trackformatting /> <w:punctuationkerning /> <w:validateagainstschemas /> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:saveifxmlinvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:ignoremixedcontent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext> <w:donotpromoteqf /> <w:lidthemeother>en-us</w:lidthemeother> <w:lidthemeasian>x-none</w:lidthemeasian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>x-none</w:lidthemecomplexscript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables /> <w:snaptogridincell /> <w:wraptextwithpunct /> <w:useasianbreakrules /> <w:dontgrowautofit /> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark /> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp /> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables /> <w:dontvertalignintxbx /> <w:word11kerningpairs /> <w:cachedcolbalance /> </w:compatibility> <w:browserlevel>microsoftinternetexplorer4</w:browserlevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont m:val="cambria math" /> <m:brkbin m:val="before" /> <m:brkbinsub m:val="--" /> <m:smallfrac m:val="off" /> <m:dispdef /> <m:lmargin m:val="0" /> <m:rmargin m:val="0" /> <m:defjc m:val="centergroup" /> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440" /> <m:intlim m:val="subsup" /> <m:narylim m:val="undovr" /> </m:mathpr></w:worddocument> </xml><!
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SweetBabyCheezits
Nugget & Paul: Excellent adages.
SAB: The Witnesses have buzz terms called "Accurate Knowledge", "Thinking Ability" and "Discernment." Those who chose to remain could use the above sentences to back up their decision to stay.
The dubs in my life always seemed to equate the term critical thinking with independent thinking - a no-no for "True Christians". In fact, every time I've mentioned "critical thinking" to a JW family member, he or she acted like I broke a 10 second stink-biscuit.
NO.
YOU.
DIDANT.
Recently I had my JW brother tell me that if 'he kept talking to me, I might cause him to start using critical thinking, too.' GASP! Why would he say that if he didn't perceive it as being a negative thing?
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In two sentences: What I learned during my exit from the Watchtower
by SweetBabyCheezits in[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>normal</w:view> <w:zoom>0</w:zoom> <w:trackmoves /> <w:trackformatting /> <w:punctuationkerning /> <w:validateagainstschemas /> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:saveifxmlinvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:ignoremixedcontent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext> <w:donotpromoteqf /> <w:lidthemeother>en-us</w:lidthemeother> <w:lidthemeasian>x-none</w:lidthemeasian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>x-none</w:lidthemecomplexscript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables /> <w:snaptogridincell /> <w:wraptextwithpunct /> <w:useasianbreakrules /> <w:dontgrowautofit /> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark /> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp /> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables /> <w:dontvertalignintxbx /> <w:word11kerningpairs /> <w:cachedcolbalance /> </w:compatibility> <w:browserlevel>microsoftinternetexplorer4</w:browserlevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont m:val="cambria math" /> <m:brkbin m:val="before" /> <m:brkbinsub m:val="--" /> <m:smallfrac m:val="off" /> <m:dispdef /> <m:lmargin m:val="0" /> <m:rmargin m:val="0" /> <m:defjc m:val="centergroup" /> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440" /> <m:intlim m:val="subsup" /> <m:narylim m:val="undovr" /> </m:mathpr></w:worddocument> </xml><!
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SweetBabyCheezits
Shack, my boy, salmonella aside, that was the best half-baked thought-nugget I've enjoyed this year. Kudos to you and your Starbucks coffee and foot-shaped WM calculator! I lol'd in my pants because it's funny... and it's funny because it's true.
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In two sentences: What I learned during my exit from the Watchtower
by SweetBabyCheezits in[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>normal</w:view> <w:zoom>0</w:zoom> <w:trackmoves /> <w:trackformatting /> <w:punctuationkerning /> <w:validateagainstschemas /> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:saveifxmlinvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:ignoremixedcontent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext> <w:donotpromoteqf /> <w:lidthemeother>en-us</w:lidthemeother> <w:lidthemeasian>x-none</w:lidthemeasian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>x-none</w:lidthemecomplexscript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables /> <w:snaptogridincell /> <w:wraptextwithpunct /> <w:useasianbreakrules /> <w:dontgrowautofit /> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark /> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp /> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables /> <w:dontvertalignintxbx /> <w:word11kerningpairs /> <w:cachedcolbalance /> </w:compatibility> <w:browserlevel>microsoftinternetexplorer4</w:browserlevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont m:val="cambria math" /> <m:brkbin m:val="before" /> <m:brkbinsub m:val="--" /> <m:smallfrac m:val="off" /> <m:dispdef /> <m:lmargin m:val="0" /> <m:rmargin m:val="0" /> <m:defjc m:val="centergroup" /> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440" /> <m:intlim m:val="subsup" /> <m:narylim m:val="undovr" /> </m:mathpr></w:worddocument> </xml><!
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SweetBabyCheezits
LWT, concise as usual. I'll learn how to do that someday.
Undercover, are you a solipsist?
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Why Do JW's Ignore the Preaching That Jesus Commanded?
by Perry inanother topic in the friends section was about a convention talk titled "who are preaching the good news of the kingdom"?
it brought several thoughts to mind.. of course it is only jehovah's witnesses doing that because most everything they do is in disobedience to jesus.
yes, jesus did talk to the jews about the kingdom.
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SweetBabyCheezits
Dear jesus.
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In two sentences: What I learned during my exit from the Watchtower
by SweetBabyCheezits in[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>normal</w:view> <w:zoom>0</w:zoom> <w:trackmoves /> <w:trackformatting /> <w:punctuationkerning /> <w:validateagainstschemas /> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:saveifxmlinvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:ignoremixedcontent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext> <w:donotpromoteqf /> <w:lidthemeother>en-us</w:lidthemeother> <w:lidthemeasian>x-none</w:lidthemeasian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>x-none</w:lidthemecomplexscript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables /> <w:snaptogridincell /> <w:wraptextwithpunct /> <w:useasianbreakrules /> <w:dontgrowautofit /> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark /> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp /> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables /> <w:dontvertalignintxbx /> <w:word11kerningpairs /> <w:cachedcolbalance /> </w:compatibility> <w:browserlevel>microsoftinternetexplorer4</w:browserlevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont m:val="cambria math" /> <m:brkbin m:val="before" /> <m:brkbinsub m:val="--" /> <m:smallfrac m:val="off" /> <m:dispdef /> <m:lmargin m:val="0" /> <m:rmargin m:val="0" /> <m:defjc m:val="centergroup" /> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440" /> <m:intlim m:val="subsup" /> <m:narylim m:val="undovr" /> </m:mathpr></w:worddocument> </xml><!
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SweetBabyCheezits
Obligatory "Bueller?" post....
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Why Won't They Carbon Date This?
by Perry in"for the first time in human history a dinosaur fossil is presenting us with the opportunity to see what a living dinosaur looked like.
in 2001 a field research team unearthed the worlds most complete dinosaur fossil, a brachylophosaurus nicknamed leonardo.
this incredible dinosaur has all of its skin covering its body, missing only a bit on the head and tail.
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SweetBabyCheezits
I can show you many pictures, ancient or medieval, that seem to prove the existance of.... people with huge penises...
How did you get these pictures? Those images were hidden securely under My Documents/Self-portraits/Nothing to see here.
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At what point in time did you lose your confidence in yourself?
by sabastious inthat's what the watchtower wants out of you!
your confidence in yourself.. one can be confident about one's profession, or what have you, and still lack ultimate confidence in one's self.. fairly recently i had a personal revelation and felt a connection with something greater than me.
as i headed out my driveway, after the morning it happened, to work i felt an overwhelming urge to call an elder in my old congregation.
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SweetBabyCheezits
At what point in time did you lose your confidence in yourself?
I'd say when I wet the bed at 17. Do you know how hard it is to recover from something like that?
Serious answer: Nice post. You're right, the WT strategically removes self-confidence and replaces it with WTBTS-confidence to develop WTBTS reliance.
When I realized six years ago that the WT was not supported by a divine being and that I was responsible for my decisions, I was forced to develop some confidence. Granted, I still don't like to put too much trust in my "gut feelings" but I certainly have more confidence in my own ability to reason and make decisions than I have in the WT heads.