Mephis:
The Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls?
It may be. Unfortunately I can't find it anywhere.
with some 30,000 different christian denominations, how would one know which one was for real?
some folks think jesus did start a church, others think no.
Mephis:
The Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls?
It may be. Unfortunately I can't find it anywhere.
in the discussion about race i adopted a position i am not entirely comfortable with.
i think there is a sense in which it is useful to distinguish categories of description that can be fruitfully defended (apples and bananas) and those that cannot (caucasian or other racial descriptions for example).
but there is a more fundamental sense in which i believe that everything is socially constructed, every single line you can think of.
I read through this whole thread and frankly, I enjoyed it despite not being a fan of philosophy as a whole. I thoroughly enjoyed SBF's use of language and I do absolutely understand his point. However as a pragmatist, I see philosophy as a useful toy that can be used as a tool at times in the way a child's toy may be a toy but also a tool for teaching the child. When an adult has already learned all it can from that toy it ceases to be a tool and is only a toy. Of course you could try to hammer a nail in with the toy but it would not be an ideal tool for the job particularly when you know there is a hammer available to you - science being that hammer.
Just thought I'd add a little more gibberish to the thread 😉
the majority of members who tend to join this forum have been hurt possibly even traumatized sometimes to the point of wanting to end their lives.
upon joining the forum, new members are welcomed with open arms, welcome messages start pouring in, "likes" are freely given, a false sense of security is promoted where a member is free to speak his mind without having to worry about the wt gestapo.
again, similar to how potential converts are welcomed and "love bombed" upon entering a kh for the first time.
with some 30,000 different christian denominations, how would one know which one was for real?
some folks think jesus did start a church, others think no.
I saw a documentary a while back concerning suspected followers/believers of the Nazarene's teachings who escaped into some mountains or some such assumption. They had unearthed some sort of large dwelling and not far away a cave with scrolls in it which somehow suggested they were written by a sect dedicated to the Nazarene long before the concept of "Christianity". Unfortunately it didn't interest me enough that I payed much attention to it.
If I recall correctly it was on the History channel. I'll try to locate it and post a link here when I have the time.
long time lurker here.
i'm a fifth gen born-in baptized jw.
to say i've been struggling with doubts is an understatement.
the majority of members who tend to join this forum have been hurt possibly even traumatized sometimes to the point of wanting to end their lives.
upon joining the forum, new members are welcomed with open arms, welcome messages start pouring in, "likes" are freely given, a false sense of security is promoted where a member is free to speak his mind without having to worry about the wt gestapo.
again, similar to how potential converts are welcomed and "love bombed" upon entering a kh for the first time.
a few years after i quit the meetings my mum needed her medical directive signed and witnessed and she asked if i'd do it.
i was surprised to say the least!.
i think she was just angling to include me and maybe find some lever to get me involved again.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jehovahs-witness-pervert-who-sexual-7081892.
jehovah's witness pervert who got sexual kicks from strangling children jailed despite cover-up by congregation .
18:16, 28 dec 2015 .
He should be locked for life. Wouldn't be surprised if he kills someone when out.
Completely agree. This sick bastard has all the hallmarks of a potential serial killer. Many serial killers were released from jail prior to actually killing someone only to become fully fledged serial killers later.
i remember going out with other jws after the memorial.. small gatherings.. picnics at some local landmark.. the feeling of closeness, camaraderie, friendship with like minded people you could trust.. haven't experienced it since i left.. really miss that..
Frank Ward:
Atheists can't possibly offer the same closeness and trust which Christianity offers.
What a crock of shit. What makes you an authority on atheists and their social lives? Athiest can be found in any and all social settings like any other person and you wouldn't know one if you saw one unless you're obsessed with them and ask every person you meet whether or not they happen to be one, which wouldn't surprise me.
Get a clue, you sound like a complete fool.
my name is eric hendrickson.
i have been on a journey led by the holy spirit which has brought to this point that has allowed for me to open the seventh seal and understand god's master plan.
i am the lion from the lost tribe of judah who has come to the world and be the messiah king.