Posts by The Rebel

38

If we are further away from perfection, why are we more moral?

by stuckinarut2 in

as we know, witnesses teach that adam and eve were perfect and then committed the first act of sin and rebellion.. they in turn were cursed,and we all declined as their offspring.

humans supposedly lived shorter and shorter lives, and became more imperfect and sinful.. the further away in time humans go then, they should be getting worse.

so why is it then that as a society, humans have actually improved in so many ways?.

The Rebel

Well diognessister:- you raise a great point about literature. Speaking for myself I wish my 12 year old son would enjoy reading books..in the last month i have read " Robinson Crusoe, Capture on the Rye, Animal Farm etc " And for me personally I have learnt so much about the humun condition from reading these books.

My son has replied to my encouraging him to read books " Books are boring". And whilst he is so wrong, I am sure he will have a highly successful life in the modern world. My only dissapointment is that I think what my son is learning on the computer misses the humun condition I learn from reading books.

But then again the humun condition shouldn't be found in books, it should be found with how we interact with people. And the way my son has developed with modern technology is far from sub-humun. He is kind, loving, knows his identity and we love each other.

38

If we are further away from perfection, why are we more moral?

by stuckinarut2 in

as we know, witnesses teach that adam and eve were perfect and then committed the first act of sin and rebellion.. they in turn were cursed,and we all declined as their offspring.

humans supposedly lived shorter and shorter lives, and became more imperfect and sinful.. the further away in time humans go then, they should be getting worse.

so why is it then that as a society, humans have actually improved in so many ways?.

The Rebel

The O.P concludes :- So why have we improved as a society even though we are now " so far from perfection?"

Well maybe we have improved as a society? But I believe:-

Humun bevavour is as cruel and evil as it has always been, and by the day millions starve and immorality is rampant. In fact the only pleasure I get from life is my ability to surround myself with meek, kind and compassionate, people. These people are wise enough to avoid the trap of thinking a more comfortable life equates to a more moral life.

However the irony is the average J.W gives up a more moral and comfortable life, to attach themselves to an organisation that is immoral and corrupt to the core.

conclusion:- I think we all agree in our life's we have met kind compassionate people? But i would suggest if these people are really kind and compassionate they don't need an agenda, or religion to be kind and compassionate...these local heroes are few, but worth seeking.

4

A purposeful life can conflict with "truth"

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

that life needs a purpose, in my opinion is why many remain witnesses.. yet it occurs to me, if only witnesses could simplify their life, they would regain their sight, look at themselves and see the " miraculous " organisation and the unforseeable future is not as important as enjoying the spring day of today.

this is why i have simplified my life.

my purpose in life today is simply to play a little football with my son, and appreciate the spring day.. but of this i am sure, today will be a good day, better than the " purposeful" days i spent in the " miraculous " organisation, living on the a hope of an unforseeable future..

The Rebel

That life needs a purpose, in my opinion is why many remain witnesses.

Yet it occurs to me, if only Witnesses could simplify their life, they would regain their sight, look at themselves and see the " miraculous " organisation and the unforseeable future is not as important as enjoying the spring day of today. This is why I have simplified my life. My purpose in life today is simply to play a little football with my son, and appreciate the spring day.

But of this I am sure, today will be a good day, better than the " purposeful" days I spent in the " miraculous " organisation, living on the a hope of an unforseeable future.

147

Scientism - Nothing But a Childish Insult?

by cofty in

it is not uncommon for theists to accuse rational people on this forum of "scientism".. in my opinion it is nothing but a cheap shot from those who know they lack evidence for their beliefs.

if something like "scientism" actually does exist then i have never encountered it.. here is part of an exchange from another thread - i have brought it here as it was off-topic.... scientism = claim of scientific method being universal and the only valid method of knowledge.

followers of scientism always demand scientific evidence to anything.

The Rebel

Well I don't claim any superior knowledge, I also harbor no illusions this thread will make neither Cofty nor John Mann shed their clothing....but the O.P is:-

" Scientism- Nothing But a Childish Insult?

Personally I think if anybody reads this thread, and it's 82 replies, well quite frankly I think your time would have been better spent going to the memorial. Or is that a " Childish insult"

Like all people that have an opinion, i hope we can continue to live in a world where we are not executed for our opinion...however John _Mann, If I moderated on this board I would not be so tolerant.

98

Evolution Deniers - An Endangered Species

by cofty in

evolution explains how everything descended from a common ancestor over millions of years.

creationists only seem to want to talk about what came before that common ancestor.

just for the sake of discussion let's pretend that the following is true.

The Rebel

Independent thinking John. It's even more valuable than posts from the " NCBl or Gallop" itself -)

98

Evolution Deniers - An Endangered Species

by cofty in

evolution explains how everything descended from a common ancestor over millions of years.

creationists only seem to want to talk about what came before that common ancestor.

just for the sake of discussion let's pretend that the following is true.

The Rebel

John Mann " Care to show me where my posts " indicate" a luck of knowledge about science"

C'mon John! if you want to challenge your "knowledge " on science simply visit the appropriate " science" sites. I am sure your comments would be highly respected.

98

Evolution Deniers - An Endangered Species

by cofty in

evolution explains how everything descended from a common ancestor over millions of years.

creationists only seem to want to talk about what came before that common ancestor.

just for the sake of discussion let's pretend that the following is true.

The Rebel

When I knocked on the door as a J.W, then I thought I could answer any question. (How wrong I was)

Confucius, " Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous"

its interesting that written evoltion has evoloved with " 😜👌😖" and " twitter" and lovers of the written word have become an " endangered speech" 🤣😊😄🤣

24

I finally get why people like to shun.

by poopie in

jw
friends

it finally hit me today.

why do religions enjoy shunning.

because many people feel like being close to god makes them special however just being special is not enough for many religious people that shun they must feel extra special how?

The Rebel

In fairness :-

A) I am also a shunner of many of my former friends.

B) I have made my son a shunner by "preventing" his association with kids that I feel are a bad influence on him.

What is the difference?

Well being realistic, I think we should shun people who are not a healthy influence. ( A recent headline in the papers, was of a lady who tried to help an ex junkie, he repaid her by knifing her and her son to death)

However a closer examination of your O.P should " Note" this comment " Why do religious people like shunning?"

A) Many in the organisation are incapable of shunning a friend.

B) I recently experienced shunning from a member of my former congregation. What a message that sent out. It was a very sad statement on the individual, because they know me and I know them, and the shunning was not balanced on rational thinking.

31

Why more highly educated people are less into conspiracy theories

by Mickey mouse in

jw
friends

i've seen discussions here about how jehovah's witnesses seem to be prone to believing conspiracy theories... https://digest.bps.org.uk/2017/04/05/why-more-highly-educated-people-are-less-into-conspiracy-theories/.

this last paragraph seems particularly relevant:.

importantly, van prooijen said his findings help make sense of why education can contribute to “a less paranoid society” even when conspiracy theories are not explicitly challenged.

The Rebel

I believe in U.F.Os.

The reason I believe in U.F.Os is that I have seen them.

But if we look deeper at my statement," I believe in U.F.Os, I have seen them" what have I said that is questionable or makes me appear mad? In my opinion nothing, because a U.F.O is an unidentifiable flying object. However most people would assume I have said that I claimed I have seen a space ship from outer space.

I therefore think conspiracy theories are often because people have a serious question that remains unanswered to their satisfaction on the subject. In this world I am not highly educated, but I like to think I don't suffer fools gladly. I also think it reasonable in a free society to question some of the controversial topics people call " conspiracy theories"

Most often people who promote a " conspiracy theory" have an agenda, book sales, power, ego, but occasionally they have done serious research, and raised important questions that need answering, before the " conspiracy theory" is dismissed.

7

Helping someone to wake up to "the truth about the truth"

by stuckinarut2 in

we all have loved one that we wish we could "wake up" from the society.. of course it is not wise to force them with information, as that could just cause their defences to go up and make them dig their heals in.. this reminded me of an illustration that the society actually used at a convention many years back:.

if we want someone to move out of their dilapidated, run down and dangerous house that they are sentimentally attached to, we cant just grab them and drag them out.

they will object.. but, if we build a brand-new, safe, secure attractive home right next door and allow them to see it be built, their curiosity will be sparked.

The Rebel

I have been very successful helping people wake up to the " truth about the truth" I put my success down to :-

A) knowing my audience.

B) Delivering a message that is appropriate to my audience.

C) Usng the power of the spoken word calmly.

D) Presenting facts.

E) Listning to response.

F) Not trying to win the argument.

G) Repeating A-F when ever the opportunity presents itself.

Its worth mentioning that most who I have awoken to the truth have:-

A) Having had their minds awoken, closed them again.

B) For personal reasons that I won't judge proven themselves " very good actors" and remained inside the organisation.

As an additional point, when people awake independently, I have helped them by being their for them. This is often when we are needed and when the real healing work begins.

I hope the above has not come across as bragging. The truth is I enjoy helping former friends or witness I meet in the street, but it actually takes very little of my time, and if I had a time sheet to report, the hours spent are not impressive.