Posts by NewChapter

159

Believers, do you believe in evolution?

by everchangingworld in

after leaving, i still couldn't wrap my head around evolution (after the years of seing "intelligent design" in everything around me).. there's a series of videos that give a good intro to evolution and critical thinking.

they've probably been posted here before, but, for any new members, these are worth watching.. evolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdddbyilel0.

critical thinking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6olpl5p0fmg.

NewChapter

I don't look at it in the context of up and down, nor the idea that perfection is a target. Even if such a thing could be achieved, it would only be perfection for a moment, because the environment would change, and therefore, the perfection lost.

I think more in terms of adaptation. We may look at extinct species and conclude that better species came along to replace them, but that would not be accurate. In fact, the extinct species at one time was the best equipped to deal with its environment, and the later species may not have survived in the older environment. Adaptation. The species best adapted to the environment will be most successful. If the environment changes, and the species cannot adapt, it will go extinct. It's not a question of better or targets, it simply is what it is.

88

Minimus' Post Gave Me Courage To Finally Post My Questions, New Here

by toweragent in

i have been "lurking" for about four years now.. it was an incredibly weird experience just to look at a site like jwn or freeminds.

he came off very loving.. so, i decided that i would talk to one of my elders about the things i read.

if any of you have time to read this, thank you.

NewChapter

Welcome, Tower. Take your time. You don't have to know today all the answers. You have started asking the questions, and they are big ones, so they will take time to answer. Work on your critical thinking skills. Don't limit yourself to the bible only, but stretch out and read about science and history. Don't accept anything until you have seriously and thoroughly challenged it. Read opposing views. Seriously consider those views. Don't make up your mind before you delve into it, or else everything will be filtered through confirmation bias.

And take your time with any decisions you make regarding the organization. You have some things to lose, and you want to be sure to carefully consider every step. Some people have been able to simply fade, although I think it is more difficult with a die-hard spouse. Yet this is something you do over time and subtly.

Good to have you here.

23

I quit being an Atheist!

by cyberjesus in

i think the term "atheist" was coined to accomodate a "theist" population to understand someone with an opposing viewpoint.. i find it interesting that for many... their life is arranged around their belief in their deity.. that was my case when i was one... .

i think that calling myself an atheist its accepting a defact stand of theism of the world and extends and validates at some degree tha myth.. i am an "atheist" as much as i am an "adarthvarthian".

i never call myself by the second... nor i have to negate the multitude of fantasies and myths that people choose or are trapped in believing... .

NewChapter

I think what makes me ME me is what I do.

'zactly!

For a Christian, it is what they believe that makes them so, even when actions don't align. That's not how an a-unicornist constructs the world.

31

What was the worst thing an "elder" ever did to you ?

by Pitchess Co-Gen in

the worst thing an "elder" ever did to me was in 2008. i was in one congregation, but i wanted to return to my home congregation because i've been reproved there twice ( once private and the last one public ).

when i came into this congregation in 2007 i thought i was going to move up the food chain ( this congregation was full of older people, so i thought i would move up faster ).

but i got into some trouble in the congregation.

NewChapter

Approved my baptism.

23

I quit being an Atheist!

by cyberjesus in

i think the term "atheist" was coined to accomodate a "theist" population to understand someone with an opposing viewpoint.. i find it interesting that for many... their life is arranged around their belief in their deity.. that was my case when i was one... .

i think that calling myself an atheist its accepting a defact stand of theism of the world and extends and validates at some degree tha myth.. i am an "atheist" as much as i am an "adarthvarthian".

i never call myself by the second... nor i have to negate the multitude of fantasies and myths that people choose or are trapped in believing... .

NewChapter

159

Believers, do you believe in evolution?

by everchangingworld in

after leaving, i still couldn't wrap my head around evolution (after the years of seing "intelligent design" in everything around me).. there's a series of videos that give a good intro to evolution and critical thinking.

they've probably been posted here before, but, for any new members, these are worth watching.. evolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdddbyilel0.

critical thinking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6olpl5p0fmg.

NewChapter

hence I state that is my opinion as my opinion.

The way I perceive this is simply that you have worked and reworked your understanding until it fit---but you never seriously considered that it really doesn't fit. I used to so that too--it's excruciating.

23

I quit being an Atheist!

by cyberjesus in

i think the term "atheist" was coined to accomodate a "theist" population to understand someone with an opposing viewpoint.. i find it interesting that for many... their life is arranged around their belief in their deity.. that was my case when i was one... .

i think that calling myself an atheist its accepting a defact stand of theism of the world and extends and validates at some degree tha myth.. i am an "atheist" as much as i am an "adarthvarthian".

i never call myself by the second... nor i have to negate the multitude of fantasies and myths that people choose or are trapped in believing... .

NewChapter

LOL---

I too resent (just a little) being defined by my relationship to a god that I don't believe evidence shows exists. Which is why I use non-atheist to define a person to their relationship to people defined by their relationship to a god they don't believe evidence shows exists.

Now you've gone and f**ked up the narrative---what am I to do? Call them non-nothings? And that brings in the awkwardness of the double negative.

159

Believers, do you believe in evolution?

by everchangingworld in

after leaving, i still couldn't wrap my head around evolution (after the years of seing "intelligent design" in everything around me).. there's a series of videos that give a good intro to evolution and critical thinking.

they've probably been posted here before, but, for any new members, these are worth watching.. evolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdddbyilel0.

critical thinking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6olpl5p0fmg.

NewChapter

I think that humans became human when they got a spirit, Adam and Eve may have been the first but not the only ones.

It is conceivable that while they were the first and as such, were placed in Eden to learn about God, that other humans being born were given a spirit to (oputside of Eden).

Okay, so you've worked this out. Where does this information come from? Is this what you did personally to make it all fit, or is this taught in the bible, if not, what is the source? These are bold statments and should be open to scrutiny at the source.

136

Looking After Widows and Orphans... and Spending One's "Riches"

by AGuest in

jw
friends

to the household of god, israel, and those who go with... may you all have peace!.

from time to time the issue of how to fulfill the "form of worship that is acceptable to god," mentioned by james in his letter, namely, looking after widows and orphans "in their tribulation"... comes up.

given the issue of tithing, the plethora of institutionalized charity choices, and the existence of ones in need, perhaps in our own households and families... but certainly in our towns, countries... and around the world... how does one fulfill this requirement?

NewChapter

LOL! Challengers are naysayers. They bark. Cute.

159

Believers, do you believe in evolution?

by everchangingworld in

after leaving, i still couldn't wrap my head around evolution (after the years of seing "intelligent design" in everything around me).. there's a series of videos that give a good intro to evolution and critical thinking.

they've probably been posted here before, but, for any new members, these are worth watching.. evolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdddbyilel0.

critical thinking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6olpl5p0fmg.

NewChapter

IMO, the spirit, which is granted By God and returns to God.

Okay. So you are saying that at some point in human history, God chose some children and gave them a spirit that their parents did not have. Any humans that existed before that, whether they simply be individuals in the H. sapien line, or other species of humans, were not granted this spirit.

does that sum it up? Only some humans had spirits and hope of eternal life, while living currently with other humans that did not have such?

That would be at least one generation of children that had spirits while their parents did not. Or perhaps you think it was just two individuals---in which case adjust the statment accordingly.

It would seem also, that those given a spirit would only reproduce with others who had a spirit (otherwise, the above situation would continue), even though they were all humans and pretty much looked and acted the same.