fulltimestudent

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Posts by fulltimestudent

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  9

  A Scientific American discussion of current thinking on a biological basis for same sex preferences

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the scientific american web-site has the above article, dated april 25, 2017. its entitled, "cross-cultural evidence for the genetics of homosexuality - mexico's third gender sheds light on the biological correlates of sexual orientation.".

  here's the link to the article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cross-cultural-evidence-for-the-genetics-of-homosexuality/?wt.mc=sa_facebook-share.

  and the first few paragraphs .... the reasons behind why people are gay, straight, or bisexual have long been a source of public fascination.

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  fulltimestudent

  I liked this response by a gay student to an 'Ex-gay (christian) counselor.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDipt48sVyo
• 
  9

  A Scientific American discussion of current thinking on a biological basis for same sex preferences

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the scientific american web-site has the above article, dated april 25, 2017. its entitled, "cross-cultural evidence for the genetics of homosexuality - mexico's third gender sheds light on the biological correlates of sexual orientation.".

  here's the link to the article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cross-cultural-evidence-for-the-genetics-of-homosexuality/?wt.mc=sa_facebook-share.

  and the first few paragraphs .... the reasons behind why people are gay, straight, or bisexual have long been a source of public fascination.

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  fulltimestudent

  LoveUniHateExams : Interesting article.
  But homosexual people do not form a third gender - gay men are still men and lesbians are still women. Transgender people do not form a third gender, either - they are merely transitioning from one gender to the other.

  Basically I agree, most of the gay males I've met are male (in fact, some are SUPER masculine. But some effeminate* guys are surely NOT easily definable, even though they do not identify as trangender.

  But is 'gender' identical to biological sex? Is the 'gender' of an effeminate* male identical to his XY genetic identity?

  A study course I enrolled in at Sydney U insisted that 'gender' is an act, not a fact.

  Think for a moment:

  

  Reference: http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2016/gender-lines-science-transgender-identity/

  And ...

  Quote: Earlier this month, the Medical University of Vienna issued a press release announcing that “the very personal gender identity of every human being is reflected and verifiable in the cross-links between brain regions,” with distinctions specifically in what’s known as brain “white matter.”

  
  Translation: We now have some proof of a neurological distinction between gender identity and biological sex. Says the report:
  “While the biological gender is usually manifested in the physical appearance, the individual gender identity is not immediately discernible and primarily established in the psyche of a human being.” ..."

  
  Reference: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ravishly/neuroscience-proves-what-_b_6494820.html

  * apologies for using effeminate - I think its been rendered offensive, but I cant quickly think of an alternative word
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  25

  Does the Average R&F JW understand what grace is in Christianity ?

  by smiddy in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i`m showing my ignorance here , not being an active member of any church before joining jw`s as a 19 yr old ,whenever i was ever confronted with the question of "grace" i was always at a loss to give an effective answer from a jw point of view.. was it just me ?

  or did anybody else have a similar experience ?.

  (ps , i dont think i ever heard the expression " grace" in a religious sense in all my 33 years in the borg.studying the wt.).

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  fulltimestudent

  Haha - I love discussions about charis, because it is unlikely that any christian, from any denomination understands how the word was used in early Greece.

  But first let's get the biblical studies rubbish out of the way.

  The Biblehub website has an extract from Strong's concordance on its web-site:

  charis: grace, kindness

  Original Word: χάρις, ιτος, ἡ
  Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
  Transliteration: charis
  Phonetic Spelling: (khar'-ece)
  Short Definition: grace, favor, kindness
  Definition: (a) grace, as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ, (b) favor, (c) gratitude, thanks, (d) a favor, kindness.

  (Reference: http://biblehub.com/greek/5485.htm )

  Translating from one language is always difficult, because there are seldom precise matches for words in different languages.

  So you notice above that Strong's gives 3 words, "grace, favor, kindness" as suitable English words when translating charis. So the arguments about 'grace' versus Freddy's 'undeserved kindness,' are rather stupid, merely arguments about words. A lot of the statements about 'grace' by people advocating an American Protestant approach to the Bible are merely stating a development of the original text. Hence we can infer, that neither grace nor undeserved kindness has any particular claim to correctness of truthiness. Anyone who claims otherwise has not understood the word itself

  So let's look at how charis may have been used in ancient Greece, for this we will see that 'favour' will come into play.

  James Davidson is a Greek Scholar,and an academic at the UK's Warwick University. (His biography is at: )https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/staff/jamesdavidson/ ).

  Davidson is also the author of a book he called, " The Greeks and Greek Love: A Radical Appraisal of Homosexuality in Ancient Greece."

  And, in a momenr, you will see why I like discussing charis. Its mainly because the ancient Greek usage of these words was often in the context of their penchant for romantic affairs with other males, particularly handsome young ones (and, usually not children in spite of ignorant and stupid allegations that the ancient Greeks were pedophiles).

  Homosexuality was cultural in ancient Greece. There were no moral objections for two men enjoying some sexual activity together. And all words the Bible uses like agape (which makes a mockery of the JW claim that agape is the highest form of love) and charis, were regularly used in conversations about love, sex and winning the heart of an attractive young man.

  So now think of all the things a man may say to a sweet young girl, whose heart he wants to win. And then think of two men in a similar situation (for that's what you're faced with in cultures such as ancient Greece and Rome and Persia, and in Japan, and China, from ancient times to modern times). So In Davidson's book Ch 2, entitled "Grace, Sex and Favours' he talks first about the mysteries of charis - grace. The promoters of 'grace' may note with dislike, Davidson's comments on the church, when he says,

  "But Greek charis is alien to a hierachical, institutionalised, rules-and regulations religion like Christianity, ..."

  Of course, charis does have a religious connection, in Greek religious myth, three goddesses presided over the realm of charis - they were called the Charites. But discussing them moves away from the shocking usage of charis as a favour that I wanted to present.

  I cannot appreciate all that Davidson says about the word, for I am not a Greek scholar, but I do appreciate the insights he gives to this ancient (pre-christian) culture.

  So some six centuries before Jesus taught anything, a writer says (in archaic Greece, of course),

  "Young man, since the goddess gave you such charis himeroessa (charm), and all, the young men are obsessed with the loveliness of your form ... don't forget my charis himeroessa (charm), knowing as you do that Eros is a hard thing for a man to bear,"

  This missive is not only about outward charis that each bore, but a request for an exchange of charis.

  Later Davidson states,

  "Strange though it may be to us, the amorous and sexual exchanges between members of the same sex might be seen as the very epitome of the noblest form of charis ... Sexual charis stands for a particular construction of sex as part of a gracious exchange ..."

  So here is a different aspect of the word charis, when the young man, the love target of another man, the one doing the chasing, if you like. When the young man finally agrees to sex, he is exercising charis,

  I hope that by now all of us have a better understanding of how people may have viewed the word charis in biblical times,
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
• 
  16

  Has China Already Become the Equal of the USA - superseding the Knorr/Franz March of World Powers?

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would personally say, this was going to happen, but not quite yet.

  but then i noticed this recently published story in the south china morning post (a newspaper once owned by rupert murdoch, but now owned by jack ma, one of china's richest men).. quote:.

  how china has become america’s equal, as showcased at a harvard forumauthor: robert delaneyon the campus of harvard business school this past weekend there was little doubt among corporate leaders and investors gathered for an annual conference that china had arrived as an equal to the united states.keynote speeches, panel discussions and a business pitch competition at the 20th annual harvard china forum convened under the theme “sharing the road ahead” in english.. and, i got to thinking about donald trump's reversal of all the things he said he was going to do to china in his campaign speeches, and the reality now that he acts as president of the usa.

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  fulltimestudent

  Bobcat : Incidentally, China just launched their second carrier. Apparently they intend to give the US a run for its money, especially where Chinese interests prevail. ... I think Russia and China foresee a super Eurasian economic block that effectively isolates the US, both militarily and economically.

  In the Anglosphere, there is a continual emphasis on possible enemies. I spend 3-4 hours every day reading (English) Chinese and Asian news sources. I see nothing that really says the China wants a war with the west. But, I do see a problem with emanating from the USA. Between 10 and 15 tears ago, there was a TV series about a USA Navy carrier formation, in which the captain of the carrier maintained that his ship was a spear pointed at the heart of China. Some have also used that term to describe the heavily armed island of Guam.

  And, when we come to more recent times and the hassles over Chinese influence in the south China sea, do many journalists stop to ask about the function of the American base on Okinawa, which is also heavily fortified.

  An American battle fleet was first sent to the western Pacific after the end of the Chinese civil war. Even though the American General commanding American forces in China thought that Chiang Kai Shek (Jiang Jieshi was useless (and, had been impressed by the Communist forces in the North, Truman made a decision to back (somewhat discreetly) the Kuomindang (Nationalist) administration after their defeat and escape to Taiwan (traditionally part of China for at least 400 years). The above American fleet was to prevent a mainland invasion of Taiwan.

  Obama ( for whatever real reasons) decided to stage a 'pivot' to East Asia and sent the second battle fleet to the area. The Chinese (obviously) have been concerned about America's real intentions, After all, in its history the USA has invaded other countries many times to serve their own interests. That's why China is spending money on a military build-up. Why should they invade any other nation? The Chinese government knows there are better ways to influence events and nations, and that I think is what Bobcat is referring to, when he wrote:

  I think Russia and China foresee a super Eurasian economic block that effectively isolates the US, both militarily and economically. They are building both the infrastructure and defensive capability to make that a reality within the next couple of decades.

  The OBOR (one belt and one road) is a Chinese attempt to build a trade bloc, joining east Asia to Europe, they will provide development to all Asian and European nations that want to join. I see no effort to exclude the USA, but if America wants in, it will be as an equal and not as the boss.
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  16

  Has China Already Become the Equal of the USA - superseding the Knorr/Franz March of World Powers?

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would personally say, this was going to happen, but not quite yet.

  but then i noticed this recently published story in the south china morning post (a newspaper once owned by rupert murdoch, but now owned by jack ma, one of china's richest men).. quote:.

  how china has become america’s equal, as showcased at a harvard forumauthor: robert delaneyon the campus of harvard business school this past weekend there was little doubt among corporate leaders and investors gathered for an annual conference that china had arrived as an equal to the united states.keynote speeches, panel discussions and a business pitch competition at the 20th annual harvard china forum convened under the theme “sharing the road ahead” in english.. and, i got to thinking about donald trump's reversal of all the things he said he was going to do to china in his campaign speeches, and the reality now that he acts as president of the usa.

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  fulltimestudent

  Sir82: The WTS has claimed that the "seven world powers" were only seven because those were the ones who had a direct impact on "Jehovah's people".
  It's why they can get away without mentioning, for example, 17th century Spain or 13th century Mongolia as "world powers" - while those were indeed "world powers" at the time, there were no organized "Jehovah's people" for them to boss around.

  Smile!!! I do recall that caveat, that dear old Freddy placed on his interpretation of these scriptural texts. So let's look first at the of whether there were an 'organised people' in all the ages between the first century and the 20th C ? If there were not, is this not a direct contradiction of Matthew 28:19, 20? In that supposedly inspired statement we have Jesus saying:

  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV)

  When I was young (in age and the 'truth') I recall the understanding that before 1914-1919 a faithful Christian would have been able to serve god faithfully in any church ( but after 1919 YHWH/JESUS would lead such a person to their 'selected' organisation). I've never seen that thought in print, but also no alternative view of pre-1914 faithfulness.

  Obviously in light of the above text, Jesus (if he is who he claimed to be) expected to have faithful followers on earth until the end of the age. So, it is arguable the Mongolian world Empire could have impact on God's people, The 'christians' in Vienna obviously thought so, when they found Mongolian hordes at their gates (as a possible mythical statement). Other Christians however, may have been part of the Mongolian empire, as it is known that many Nestorian christians, lived under the Mongolians, and even served in that empire? Why did Freddy F. choose to ignore that empire? Clearly because to count the Mongolian Empire would stuff up his attempt at interpretation.

  And it may be noted that the christian Byzantine Empire (aka the Eastern Roman Empire) even formed an alliance with the Mongols. And, one branch formed the ruling elite of early Russia. Quite clearly, just as influential in history as the British empire, why should they not be included in any march of world powers, if YHWH exists and can see history in advance?

  Long before that of course, the Roman Empire had to face an invasion of Steppe nomads, that we know as the Huns. Interestingly, the Huns are thought to be identical to the Xiongnu who formed an confederate Empire to the north of China. They fought the nascent Chinese (if that term has any real meaning prior to the Qin dynasty) and their likely descendants often invaded northern China and formed alternate dynasties. Likely they formed various Korean Kingdoms and quite possibly may have had an influence on Japan. They and their allies brought an end to the Western Roman Empire and some scholarship argues that they formed the elite groups that took over the Frankish and Germanic kingdoms, that came to form modern Germany and France, Quite possibly Freddy knew little of the the great influence that the Huns exercised in history. And again we should ask, why would the influential Huns be excluded from any march of world powers.

  But their inclusion would surely stuff up Freddy's concept, just as the political development of Chinese influence is now doing.

  So what's left of all the evidence we used to teach to people to 'prove' that we were living in the final generation.

  Like all christians, the JWs have no concept of scholarship.
  
  
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  16

  Has China Already Become the Equal of the USA - superseding the Knorr/Franz March of World Powers?

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would personally say, this was going to happen, but not quite yet.

  but then i noticed this recently published story in the south china morning post (a newspaper once owned by rupert murdoch, but now owned by jack ma, one of china's richest men).. quote:.

  how china has become america’s equal, as showcased at a harvard forumauthor: robert delaneyon the campus of harvard business school this past weekend there was little doubt among corporate leaders and investors gathered for an annual conference that china had arrived as an equal to the united states.keynote speeches, panel discussions and a business pitch competition at the 20th annual harvard china forum convened under the theme “sharing the road ahead” in english.. and, i got to thinking about donald trump's reversal of all the things he said he was going to do to china in his campaign speeches, and the reality now that he acts as president of the usa.

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  fulltimestudent

  I would personally say, this was going to happen, but not quite yet.

  But then I noticed this recently published story in the South China Morning Post (a newspaper once owned by Rupert Murdoch, but now owned by Jack Ma, one of China's richest men).

  Quote:
  

  How China has become America’s equal, as showcased at a Harvard forum
  Author: Robert Delaney
  On the campus of Harvard Business School this past weekend there was little doubt among corporate leaders and investors gathered for an annual conference that China had arrived as an equal to the United States.
  Keynote speeches, panel discussions and a business pitch competition at the 20th annual Harvard China Forum convened under the theme “Sharing the Road Ahead” in English.

  And, I got to thinking about Donald Trump's reversal of all the things he said he was going to do to China in his campaign speeches, and the reality now that he acts as President of the USA. As President, what information did he become privy to? Information that apparently made him think twice about his previous statements.

  So just like that history is made. NO war marked the transition. And also just like that, you can toss out the door another JW, prophecy.

  Web-link: http://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/2090387/how-china-has-become-americas-equal-showcased-harvard-forum
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  9

  A Scientific American discussion of current thinking on a biological basis for same sex preferences

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the scientific american web-site has the above article, dated april 25, 2017. its entitled, "cross-cultural evidence for the genetics of homosexuality - mexico's third gender sheds light on the biological correlates of sexual orientation.".

  here's the link to the article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cross-cultural-evidence-for-the-genetics-of-homosexuality/?wt.mc=sa_facebook-share.

  and the first few paragraphs .... the reasons behind why people are gay, straight, or bisexual have long been a source of public fascination.

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  fulltimestudent

  The Scientific American web-site has the above article, dated April 25, 2017. Its entitled, "Cross-Cultural Evidence for the Genetics of Homosexuality - Mexico's third gender sheds light on the biological correlates of sexual orientation."

  Here's the link to the article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cross-cultural-evidence-for-the-genetics-of-homosexuality/?wt.mc=SA_Facebook-Share

  And the first few paragraphs ...

  The reasons behind why people are gay, straight, or bisexual have long been a source of public fascination. Indeed, research on the topic of sexual orientation offers a powerful window into understanding human sexuality. The Archives of Sexual Behavior recently published a special edition devoted to research in this area, titled “The Puzzle of Sexual Orientation.” One study, conducted by scientists at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, offers compelling, cross-cultural evidence that common genetic factors underlie same-sex, sexual preference in men.
  In southern Mexico, individuals who are biologically male and sexually attracted to men are known as muxes. They are recognized as a third gender: Muxe nguiiu tend to be masculine in their appearance and behavior, while muxe gunaa are feminine. In Western cultures, they would be considered gay men and transgender women, respectively.
  Several correlates of male androphilia — biological males who are sexually attracted to men — have been shown across different cultures, which is suggestive of a common biological foundation among them. For example, the fraternal birth order effect—the phenomenon whereby male androphilia is predicted by having a higher number of biological older brothers—is evident in both Western and Samoan cultures.
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  4

  The whole world is not comprised of western anglosphere people

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  couldn't help thinking the above when reading something about china today,.

  it was about a chinese boy band (a pop group organised and trained straight out of the same manual that turns out successful kpop (south korean) boy bands.

  the chinese one is called tfboys, and they have zoomed in popularity.

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  fulltimestudent

  dropoffyourkeylee : LOL, I watched the video. Now I want one of those red scarfs

  Should not be difficult to find one David. Go to Alibaba (the enormous China based web market) and look for 'young pioneer' supplies. (Havn't tried, but it may work - lots of other countries (Cuba is one) had similar groups. All these youth groups area bit like the western scouting movement, who also wore a similar scarf.
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  10

  The Tribe of Dan was NOT a genuine tribe of Israel

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the claim that dan was not a genuine tribe is not new, but as the haaretz article explains there is newer archaeological evidence to suggest that the contemporary claims about the tribe of dan have some merit.. so check out the haaretz claims at: http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/archaeology/1.756385.

  but there are wider implications in the story.

  if this particular group of people did not travel from egypt (as god's word of truth also claims) then they must have lived in canaan all the time.. then consider that palestine (canaan) was for so long part of the egyptian empire, and we begin to see that most of story about the origins of the israelites is mythical..

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  fulltimestudent

  David_jay: The real truth is that this is what Christians tell people these stories mean. More likely than not, we who are Jews are merely the people of the Fertile Crescent, the very Canaanites we claimed to have "conquered." But I can say that a million times and people will still believe the Christian interpretation over the Jewish one.

  May I ask a question, David. If that is so, are the contemporary Palestinians (and possibly some others) descendants of ethnic "Jewish" people who at some point converted to Islam?
• 
  4

  The whole world is not comprised of western anglosphere people

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  couldn't help thinking the above when reading something about china today,.

  it was about a chinese boy band (a pop group organised and trained straight out of the same manual that turns out successful kpop (south korean) boy bands.

  the chinese one is called tfboys, and they have zoomed in popularity.

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  fulltimestudent

  Then (and more topical considering the opinions some have about Islam) note this report on Kuwait, as told by the ABC ( a government owned Media group in Australia).

  The heading chosen by the editors is:

  Kuwait is rich and advanced, but with a contradiction at its heart

  What is the contradiction? Essentially that it does not want to be western. Does that mean that it is regressive?

  As the author notes:

  So wealthy the government can charge zero taxes and provide free education and healthcare for all. (The National Assembly is currently debating the introduction of a 5 per cent GST-style consumption tax, and a flat 15 per cent income tax to compensate for an oil price that is just a third of what it was eight years ago.)
  Its generosity extends to beyond its borders, with a foreign aid budget that represents 8 per cent of GDP (26 times more generous than Australia's).
  Following instructions in the scriptures of Islam, Kuwaiti families also donate the equivalent of 2.5 per cent of their gross savings and assets to local charities every year.

  And then says:

  There's no question Kuwait is an advanced country but it's not Western and has no aspiration to be so.

  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-20/modern-kuwait-assumptions-emma-alberici/8452616

  As more and more Asian nations become propserous, we seem to be entering a world system where many of the concepts that the West (and particularly the Anglosphere) values, will not be the norm in these Asian nations.