Posts by debator

13

Young People Aren't Interested in Religion

by leavingwt in

the church of england has published a new book called "the faith of generation y".

300 young people, born after 1982 were interviewed.

one of the authors is christopher cocksworth, the bishop of coventry.

debator

This is a sad but predicted thing biblically.

The rivers are drying up.

and religion will become the target for destruction of a now faithless people.

47

Email I sent to mom after huge fight today

by meangirl in

well my mom and i got into a pretty bad argument today over the phone.

it basically came down to the fact that she couldn't handle what i was saying about the organization, etc and all she could come back to me was that i "hated her?

" i guess i just wanted to share and vent a little too....thanks for letting me do so.. .

debator

Hi MMXIV

She was a child and children are bought up under their parents decisions. That is simply a fact of life! but once she became an adult she got that freewill of choice.

You cannot abdicate your responsibility as a parent.

42

Are Atheists open minded? are you?

by cyberjesus in

some people accuse atheists of not being open minded for not believing in the existence of a creator.

but is not believing a sign of close mindedness?

can you believe in god and be open minded?.

debator

Depends what your definition of open-minded is?

Having a strong faith in a particular belief is the sign of someone with conviction in their choices.

For me being wishy-washy and spending your life fence-sitting is just a lack of conviction that is not open-minded.

Open-minded is allowing for new experiences and making decisions on them. Just accepting all directions as options without any kind of opinion is not really experiencing them.

I look deeply at all options available to me and made an informed choice based on knowledge and experience to become a Jehovah's witness. I have commited to that choice now but I can speak knowledgeably about the ones I rejected.

If someone chooses to be an Atheist the same way I respect that.

I am sure that they would agree with me that we make choices and accept the consequences of those choices which is the essence of freewill. We can't then conplain if we are wrong.

So making choices that lead to conviction of opinion is not a sign of lacking openmindness IMO.

47

Email I sent to mom after huge fight today

by meangirl in

well my mom and i got into a pretty bad argument today over the phone.

it basically came down to the fact that she couldn't handle what i was saying about the organization, etc and all she could come back to me was that i "hated her?

" i guess i just wanted to share and vent a little too....thanks for letting me do so.. .

debator

Hi Meangirl

At least you agree a parent will bring up their child in their belief!

I think there are ways around the culture shock from a massive change in lifestyles. While celebrating Birthdays and Christimas is not our culture. What we can do is have lots of parties/gatherings especially with children and people from the congregation building up relationships and having loads of fun doing it. Presents given at any time out of love and encouragement can also be used productively rather than at sets times from the previous culture. Have alternate social activities replacing any lost ones.

Rather than just drag a reluntant child on the ministry, take time to build up there knowledge in jehovah and you may have them wanted to go on the ministry. The family Bible study I think is recognising that we have to take time to answer our childrens questions on God recognising their spiritual need.

Being a witness doesn't mean you stop being a loving parent and it can be done smoothly whatever the child's age.

I agree your mum should have emphasised Jehovah's loving qualities but she is not here to defend herself and so I can only go with your opinion of your mum which seems to be the biggest issue.

It isn't easy but thats because Witnesses are one of the few Christian religions were believing in God is a life choice (In the pattern of early Christians) rather than a hobby that barely intrudes in the rest of your life.

278

Children of 1975

by d in

what was it like to live in the 1950's 1960's and early 70's as a jehovah witness.when they started to push the 1975 date..

debator

The watchtowers do not support your point that this was established doctrine only referencing the 6000 years from Adam and the usual "time of the end" urgency that is in every publication right upto today.

Like I said before we are not afraid to write up established doctrine (inc dates from chronology) They would have shouted it from the watchtowers like they do 1914.

All that has been established and what I have agreed with from the start is an over-enthusiasm of 1975 in the general populous of witnesses.

In the end your argument always fails at the lack of specific mention in watchtowers that 1975 = Armageddon. This whole forum is a awash with ex-JWs condemning us from our publications (going mad with editing wts from the cd rom). You know we have no fear of putting down dates or understandings 1914, or "generation" which recently has undergone a couple of changes in understanding. There is no earthly reason why we would not be specific about 1975 if that is what we wanted people to believe.

To get more converts? wouldn't it be silly do make a date which then fails to get converts who simply leave after the failure?

We simply haven't the history of being afraid of putting down beliefs we have drawn from the Bible.

40

Why do people defend monsters?

by AK - Jeff in

the 'god' of the jw's is a god that will kill billions at armageddon.

the christian 'god' in general is a god that [according to their own holy book] already killed millions in the ot.

this 'god' ordered the slaughter of innocent virgins and children and old men and old women so that his people could take the land.

debator

Godwins law?

That is not a good debating tool! Your opinion of Jehovah is your opinion, it does not reflect other people's.

278

Children of 1975

by d in

what was it like to live in the 1950's 1960's and early 70's as a jehovah witness.when they started to push the 1975 date..

debator

hi black sheep

by the same token is this?

" 29 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me "

278

Children of 1975

by d in

what was it like to live in the 1950's 1960's and early 70's as a jehovah witness.when they started to push the 1975 date..

debator

Hi blacksheep

They may have bought new homes who knows? I'm not into speculation.

Paul and the apostles gave up their homes, I guess they got to enthusiastic too?

Sacrifice of Riches and comfortable living is a Christian norm from the early times.

Mark 10:28-30 (New International Version)

28 Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!"

29 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.

278

Children of 1975

by d in

what was it like to live in the 1950's 1960's and early 70's as a jehovah witness.when they started to push the 1975 date..

debator

Hi William

They don't deny it but neither do they take the blame for something all witnesses were guilty of at that time. The fact that amid all this overwhelming enthusiasm the publications still gave cautionary notes means they managed not to allow enthusiasm of men to rewrite doctrine.

278

Children of 1975

by d in

what was it like to live in the 1950's 1960's and early 70's as a jehovah witness.when they started to push the 1975 date..

debator

Hi black sheep

Yes I did comment on it black sheep. There is absolutely no mention of '75 in it. It is simply quoting the standard line of urgency. huh! I can show you one from last month that says similar words on urgency. Sacrifice for pioneering is a stardard line. I think a recent yearbook commended a couple for giving up life-commitments to become special pioneers were the "need is great".