Posts by sizemik

239

The Great Debate: "Has Science Refuted Religion?

by dark angle in

just want to share this amazing debate!

caltech cosmologist and physicist sean carroll teams up with skeptic magazine publisher and science historian michael shermer in this epic debate with noted conservative author and king's college president dinesh d'souza and mit physicist ian hutchinson as they go head-to-head over one of the most controversial issues of our age.

as science pushes deeper into territory once the province of religion, with questions such as why there is something rather than nothing?, where did the universe come from?, how did life arise?, what was the origin of morality?, and others, inevitable conflicts arise over the best approach to answer them.

sizemik

If we think we have had sufficient academic instruction to speak as we do, to judge like a Jehovah’s Witness and demonize the beliefs and convictions of others like a Jehovah’s Witness does, then guess what? If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck… Oldsomething

Aw Jeez . . . not that old chestnut again. Hehe . . . the "cofty" principle I believe.

Oldsomething . . . lighten up dude . . . "demonize"? . . . seriously? . . . I haven't used that word since my JW years.

NEWSFLASH fella . . . this is a discussion board. Things get discussed. Not all views are the same. Opinions are offered freely and and sometimes passionately. Doesn't sound much like JW's at all really does it?

"demonise" . . . you're kidding right?

164

Medical Marijuana, Your opinion please?

by Greybeard in

jw
friends

do any of you use medical marijuana?

i go to aa and there are a few who believe medical marijuana is an "outside issue" and they are ok with it.

i don't know... alcohol doesn't work for me but if it did, i would use it... i wish i could find a "new drug" that works lol.

sizemik

Do you believe pot is addictive or not?

Somewhat false dichotomy . . .

I don't believe it includes all the elements of addiction for everybody . . . perhaps for a few. I've known some heavy users in the past who gave it a rest . . . and none have experienced discomfort or withdrawal. That's not to say addiction isn't possible. After all people get addicted to behaviours, food, and sex as well it seems.

On the other hand . . . anybody who habitually (daily) uses more than moderate amounts of alcohol will become seriously addicted and experience withdrawal.

To say "pot is addictive" is a bigger generalisation than to say it isn't, IMO. But both are probably wrong as a generalisation. Don't blame the drug . . . people are the variable. Like all drugs . . . some work for some . . . others don't.

164

Medical Marijuana, Your opinion please?

by Greybeard in

jw
friends

do any of you use medical marijuana?

i go to aa and there are a few who believe medical marijuana is an "outside issue" and they are ok with it.

i don't know... alcohol doesn't work for me but if it did, i would use it... i wish i could find a "new drug" that works lol.

sizemik

But to say it's not addictive is bull. I've lived it.

To be fair . . . the comparison was being made to alcohol . . . and is therefore valid.

It's also physically damaging. Drawing hot smoke in to the lungs is causing damage.

That's the delivery method . . . not the drug.

164

Medical Marijuana, Your opinion please?

by Greybeard in

jw
friends

do any of you use medical marijuana?

i go to aa and there are a few who believe medical marijuana is an "outside issue" and they are ok with it.

i don't know... alcohol doesn't work for me but if it did, i would use it... i wish i could find a "new drug" that works lol.

sizemik

Yes beks . . . explain yourself please . . . the singular bovine reference is quite inadequate in this instance.

25

Thanks and farewell...

by Alfred in

jw
friends

hello all..... a few months ago my wife expressed serious concerns about the time i had spent over the past couple of years reading old watchtower literature (printed circa 1880 through the late 30s) and the time spent on this site and several others.

she is very grateful that i was very persistent in trying to convince her that this is just a mind-control cult run by clueless men who simply make things up as they go along.

it wasnt easy, but im thankful that i was able to wake her up thanks to many of you.

sizemik

Farewell Alfred . . . your posts frequently made me think, even if I didn't concur.

JWN serves a great many purposes for a great many people . . . but it's not everything. When there seems little purpose anymore then moving on is the natural thing. It seems it's left you with pleasant memories.

All the best to you and those with you.

239

The Great Debate: "Has Science Refuted Religion?

by dark angle in

just want to share this amazing debate!

caltech cosmologist and physicist sean carroll teams up with skeptic magazine publisher and science historian michael shermer in this epic debate with noted conservative author and king's college president dinesh d'souza and mit physicist ian hutchinson as they go head-to-head over one of the most controversial issues of our age.

as science pushes deeper into territory once the province of religion, with questions such as why there is something rather than nothing?, where did the universe come from?, how did life arise?, what was the origin of morality?, and others, inevitable conflicts arise over the best approach to answer them.

sizemik

IF . . .

Science = the scientific method.

Religion = all manifestations of organised religion past and present.

. . . then I believe it has to a more than reasonable degree.

The reasons religion is so vehemently defended is precisely as Terry posted . . . fear borne from death awareness. Even the most articulate of religious defenders seem to consider the existence of their God as the "default position" ie; "science can't disprove it so it must be true" This trumping using the percieved status quo as the default position is unbelievably childlike reasoning for adults . . . which underscores the power of the fear.

Let's be honest . . . if Noah didn't build an ark in a global flood . . . then Jesus wasn't the son of God, didn't walk on water, and didn't come back from the dead. These things are scientifically (method) impossible, and need more than heresay before they can be touted as fact and foistered on others.

164

Medical Marijuana, Your opinion please?

by Greybeard in

jw
friends

do any of you use medical marijuana?

i go to aa and there are a few who believe medical marijuana is an "outside issue" and they are ok with it.

i don't know... alcohol doesn't work for me but if it did, i would use it... i wish i could find a "new drug" that works lol.

sizemik

I grew up with the notion and still maintain the notion that illegal drugs are not good for you.

Being "good for you" is relative. I doubt there is a "legal" pharmaceutical that is 100% "good for you". All have side-effects, some of which can be extremely harmful. But they are utilised simply because their absence would cause greater harm. Thalidomide was legal . . . and touted as good for you. Wonderful cure for morning sickness . . . shame about the side-effects. I've been legally prescribed drugs that have almost killed me.

Legality is a poor way of establishing what is harmful and what is not . . . it may be time to drop the notion.

MJ is illegal in NZ . . . no medical concessions. I won't bore you with my state of health . . . but I grow my own and use it on a regular basis . . . as do my wife and 2 of my 3 grown children (the other doesn't like the effect). The medical benefits are manifest, and I also enjoy the narcotic effect . . . without feeling guilty about it.

I don't drive while heavily influenced and don't drink alcohol. All my family are responsible users. If people wan't to be dangerous and irresponsible . . . it doesn't matter how they gas their tank.

I would say that the pharmaceutical companies have a large stake in this . . . it's too easy to supply yourself, and is too good as a medicine.

Trust Uncle Carl . . . not the Govt.

82