well, it's winter, and it's just a bit more depressing this time of year, and i'm thinking about death.
i wonder, what do atheists believe about death?
do you believe in any way that a 'spirit' lives on?
:I want what no one can give me I guess. Confirmation that I really am a good person in my own right.
You're only half right, confirmation of such is attainable but it comes from you. Like no one can give you honor, no one can give you the confirmation you seek. Of course on the up-side, once achieved, no one can take these things from you either.
Regards,
Julie
after reading the comments from many on the thread "is there a purpose in life" by itsjustme , posted a couple of days ago i am confussed.. i cannot understand how anyone can be content and not believe life has a purpose.. to not be compelled to wonder how all the design around us is just here because who knows why ......totally baffles me.. at this point in my life believe in a creator but have so many unanswered questions.
things do not make sense in the bible.. if i were to come to believe that the bible were a fairytale of myths...i would feel as stupid as i did when finding out the borg was a crock.. i also would be emotionally devastated.. here are some samples of your comments about lifes purpose.
we may have been put here by someone, or we may not have.
Greetings to all;
I just slogged through two pages of this thread so if similar to my thoughts are already on the third, please forgive the repetition.
This whole purpose-of-life thing. So simple yet the simple answer can be hard to swollow. Especially coming from a save-yourself-screw-everyone-else mindset such as Christianity can be.
Ready? Here's your answer:
To contribute to the Greater Good.
Yes, that is why we are here. We are all tiny little specks that make up a big picture. Each a tiny cog in a huge machine. Each cog has it's own individual merits and imperfections yet can make huge contributions to the Greater Good. Not only is it our purpose, it is the only way to achieve the immortality so many covet so deeply their entire lives.
The hardest thing about accepting such an answer is the mistaken notion that we must sacrifice our individuality or persoanl worth to be a part of this grand picture. Nothing could be more wrong. It is our individuality and personal worth that makes us valuable "cogs" in the whole machine to begin with.
Julie, from the Answer klass
well, it's winter, and it's just a bit more depressing this time of year, and i'm thinking about death.
i wonder, what do atheists believe about death?
do you believe in any way that a 'spirit' lives on?
I think the only way to achieve immortality is by what you accomplish while you are here. You can make a difference to one or many and that difference lives on after you.
I enjoy this irony; if you contribute to the greater good for the greater good you will have immortality. You can spend your whole life praying, schlepping books or whatever your god wants and achieve, well, nothing.
In a nutshell, live it like it's all you get. That way, if there's more, you'll have only a pleasant surprise waiting for you.
Regards,
Julie
- http://4heavens.homestead.com/mrandmrsyadirf.html.
- http://4heavens.homestead.com/mrsyadirfandme.html.
- http://4heavens.homestead.com/yadirfsretirementparty.html.
Hey Friday,
While I usually disagree with all you say and sometimes could just smack you upside the head, you look like real nice folks. Your wife looks especially pleasant which I am sure she has needed to be with you for so long. ;-)
Nice pics.
Regrads,
Julie
would silentlambs/billbowen, or some other member of the xjw hierarchy clique, be so kind as to grace us xjw commoners, irregulars, and inactives with the latest info regarding the berry lawsuit?.
i do believe that it was early to mid august when you guys were so kind as to notify the board that the lawsuit was being filed, along with predictions that the berry lawsuit, and the undoubtedly avalanche of similar lawsuits, would bring the wts to its "financial knees".. well, its been over 120 days, and there must have been several pre-trial motions and rulings, including a motion to dismiss by the wts.. would you kindly fill us peons in on the details?.
what other lawsuits have been filed in this interim?
:Would SilentLambs/BillBowen, or some other member of the XJW Hierarchy Clique, be so kind as to grace us xjw commoners, irregulars, and inactives with the latest info regarding the BERRY Lawsuit?
With that approach I'd be surprised if you got any info. If you consider yourself a nobody that's your problem.
Thinking *someone* should have gotten "How to Win Friends and Influence People" for Christmas.
Julie
i cannot remember the exact date of when the "society" once again attempted to fulfill revelation 22:18, 19 (and succeeded) with this teaching (i truthfully do not think of them very often anymore), but i am compelled by the spirit of my father, the holy one of israel, jah of armies, holy spirit, that is in me by means of my lord, his son, jaheshua mischajah, to point out yet another 'error'.. some time ago, the "society" taught a 'change' in the meaning of the words at luke 2:14. to wit, they said (and, thus, so does the nwt), that the true wording is:.
"glory in the heights above to god, and upon earth peace.
peace among men of good will.".
I am curious Shelby,
You claim only some of the bible is inspired and that you are not limited to some book re: your beliefs. Hey that's great I don't get any of my beliefs from any books so I can relate to that. What I do not fully understand is how all of your beliefs seem rooted in the bible and then, of course, your own interpretation of the bible.
So if someone is looking to be a true worshipper/follower of The Lord, what is one to follow if not "God's Word"? I have seen you say we are all capable of "'hearing'" God's messages and we just need to open our "'spiritual'" ears, like you. But then you post info as you are "permitted". That makes me think you "'hear'" stuff all are not privvy to. I've also seen you refer to yourself as a "chosen one", or at least likened yourself to them. Is this something that one attains from "'hearing'" and "'listening'"? I mean if the "'way'" to God isn't the bible, what is then? You seem to think you have it. How do others get to where you feel you have gotten to?
Curiously yours,
Julie
can anyone ask raymond franz what he knows about the un involvement?.
.
kpax
MadA,
You obviously thrive on speaking on matters you don't know anything about. I have never read Franz books, never been a JW and almost never agree with Teejay.
Here I have based my opinions (that teejay is right un what he says here and you are an asshole) on mere reasoning. You know, logic? No bias or emotion involved. Moron.
Teejay,
"Cuts deep" LOL good one. Don't know why but for some reason I kinda like ya. ;-) Good political thoughts elsewhere BTW.
Take care all,
Julie
can anyone ask raymond franz what he knows about the un involvement?.
.
kpax
Greetings Mad Apostate,
You said (among other things):
Teejay's post is an infantile joke.
I have to disagree with you here MA. While I have been witness to some rather heinous posts by Teejay the ones in this thread merit serious consideration and are pretty darned good. He's also pretty swift on the political issues too (which actually ties in nicely with this thread so that makes sense). And if the temptation crosses your mind to consider me a Teejay-groupie (or whatever your fav. term may be), save a little face and forget it. You would be laughed off this board. Of course your words to Hillary Step will probably get you that anyway.....
Julie
a us vs afghani scorecard to date.
by robert fisk@ .
http://www.independent.co.uk/story.jsp?story=111323.
Hi Seeker,
These "opposing viewpoints" would be much more warmly received if Clinton were in office, or any other Dem. See this board, much like the place I live in, is a right-wing-republican stronghold. Any light revealing "shite" on that "side" will be either dismissed or eyed suspiciously.
Julie, who is starting to wonder if we could shed more light on matters if the left had some high-powered hate-mongers like the right
the bible contains accounts of some horrendously voilent happenings.. some more graphic then many modern films.. this disturbs many when they first read those accounts.. heres one that stood out to me when i first read it.. 1 samuel 15:33 "with that samuel went hacking a'gag to pieces before jehovah in gil'gal".
it wasn't enough just to kill him but samuel hacked him to pieces in front of a large crowd of people.. i wouldn't want to get into a tangle with samuel if he got out of the wrong side of bed that morning.
Yes Sleepy,
You're right, there are horrifying acts in the bible. I think the OT is a sort of chronicle of one of many nomadic tribes. What seperates them from the others of their time is their claim their behavior was inspired/ordered by their exclusive god. Nasty business isn't it?
What I don't get is how anyone can read such horror and, with a straight face, say "God is love".
Julie
