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.
Zid
Another angle on the topic - being a True Believer always begs the question why everyone else cannot see the Truth too? Only so much you can do with an invisible and not so powerful Satan. So nonbelievers cause a bit (or a lot) of strain to True Believers, whereas someone who doesn't have all the answers is also not threatened because there are different opinions out there.
Maybe less strain leads to more happiness?
Retro
the study edition of the watchtower says the elders are appointed by jehovah's holy spirit.
it's confounding the society does not realize that more and more elders, do not accept this claim.
i have racked my brain, wondering how many brothers and sisters actually believe this, fall hook and sinker.
Now I see why DJ has to ramble on so much in his posts. . .
TS wrote
The Bible is very clear, that Jehovah will save, [anoint] men and women, who are not [affiliated] with the Watchtower.
And a very small part of DJ's reply was:
This is also not true. First of all, Jesus is responsible for mankind's salvation, for just as Jesus stated at John 5:26, God has granted to Jesus "to have life in himself," so Jehovah isn't involved in anyone's salvation at all. Secondly, there is no one that has received an anointing or is yet anointed by holy spirit that would not be affiliated with Jehovah's Witnesses.
See the unsupported assertion? (I bolded it) The rest of the dreary waffle is meant to distract from gems like this.
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.
Ziddina,
I really must learn not to post at work!
I've had two rounds of depression in my life and you are correct, it was not the least use for anyone to tell me to decide to be happy. Or to "snap out of it", or all the other versions.
But there is a big difference between deciding to be happy (which I can intermittently do now) and telling someone to do so (which as a work first-aider who often gets the ones with anxiety, depression etc, I would never do).
In most cases, it indicated a very shallow thought process and total lack of empathy for others.. Sorry it sounded like that
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.
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?..
.
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. . .
