a couple of years ago, a psychologist i know made the off-handed comment that there is conclusive evidence that "atheists are not as happy as the ordinary, average person?
we tossed that subject around for a few minutes and then moved on to something else.
at the time, i didn't think too much about it.
00Dad,
Don't think I agree with those four Stages of Spiritual Growth, but I like the general idea
Not sure I agree with them either Perhaps I should have just said that some people seem to need the security of a religion that provides rules and promises ultimate safety, and others don't.
And Ziddina, yes, there are many factors that can help to make us happy. But that part isn't so complex - unless, perhaps we are really hungry or in pain, we can just decide to be happy.
Retro
a couple of years ago, a psychologist i know made the off-handed comment that there is conclusive evidence that "atheists are not as happy as the ordinary, average person?
we tossed that subject around for a few minutes and then moved on to something else.
at the time, i didn't think too much about it.
Interesting question. I'd say it relates to where a person is at in spiritual development, as in these definitions (I know they've been referenced here before).
Basically if you are at Stage II or thereabouts, and lose confidence in a God that provides all the answers, it would be difficult to live happily. But also if you are at III or more, belonging to a religion with a lot of arbitrary rules would be stifling. But then, if all your family and/or neighbourhood believed this way it would be hard also.
Just my take on a complex issue . . .Retro
for those who still show up at the meetings, how do you manage?.
do you still offer comments and how do you actually muster up the boldness to gave talks and still do all of those craps?..
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Welcome to the forum, a-dam-man!
Now I go to meetings because I fell in love with one of the seats and I want to keep it warm
I'm going to enjoy your posts
Retro
in another thread, someone wrote, about another religion,.
actually i don t care about this religion.
i just don t want it my country.
Tolerance of intolerance isn't tolerance at all, but surrender
We need to distinguish between letting people show intolerance (ie making fools of themselves), and imposing their rules upon others.
in another thread, someone wrote, about another religion,.
actually i don t care about this religion.
i just don t want it my country.
Hi Chariklo, nice to see you posting again!
From your first post:
The Watchtower, par excellence, demonstrates an organisation that. above all, proclaims its ownership of God's truth, and actively tries to hook in people from other religions
I think you're being too kind to the wt by omission. It also targets, insults and misrepresents other religions. I was quite shocked when my jw ladies googled my religion (fine) only to look for "errors".
I want to believe I think all religions have rules that come from a dubious "theocratic" source (yes, mine included ). The rules is where they differ. As with Christianity, Judaism and buddhism, Islam has fanatical, restrictive sects, liberal sects and middle-of the-road ones.
The trouble begins only when we can be convinced that other people should be persuaded or constrained to live by our rules.
ramblings of a tired, worn out, book and magazine "pusher".
i am stuck in limbo, reading the watchtower of february 15, 2012, wondering where i went wrong.
how come i am not the happiest person on earth?
aka "gullible, unquestioning, and at least somewhat uneducated".
this is one of those lines that really helps out when a jw runs into someone who know what they're talking about.. whether it's the bible, or scientific matters, or anything else where someone thy're talking to doesnt' agree with the teachings of "the slave", and has good reasonable points that they are trying to get across.. by telling the flock, and in turn the flock telling themselves that it's because of the persons "heart condition" and not their inability to accept the poor explanations and reasoning required to think like a jw, it insulates them from hearing too many facts that the teaching can't stand up to.. when they (probably unconsciously) sense that they are losing in a discussion, they can always tell themselves that the other person is unreasonable or has that pesky "bad heart"..
Exactly, thinking-1!
Now I can see why the jws who conducted my "bible study" suggested that I pray for a good heart. And there i was thinking my heart was OK!
Another thing that helps to form a good heart condition is feeling depressed, lonely or otherwise needy; looking for an outside solution to problems rather than tackling them. I think jws are trained to hone in on this. . .
i don't usually ask for prayers in here but i'm really down and out.
i have a pinched nerve in my lower back that will not get better.
also, my right foot hurts.
I hope very much that your pain eases soon. Take care.
Welcome, admirmitch!
I'm another non-jw who has had several months of "Bible" "study" ( )
In the end, they'll dismiss you as "bad association" and cling to their beliefs - but hopefully you'll leave them with some niggling doubts.
Good luck!
Retro
someone said atheists are a minority.
i think that is incorrect.
salvation belongs to yhwh.
Jumbo!
But why are more "atheists" - your term - bad news?
