Posts by Searril

340

Calling Cofty and others regarding evolution

by dubstepped in

jw
friends

so i have started down the path of trying to understand evolution, and to get the linear lies that the jws planted in my head out of it.

i bought an audiobook called "evolution: what the fossils say and why it matters" by donald prothero.

i heard it recommended on an atheist podcast that i listened to.

Searril

http://www.doesgodexist.org/

(Disclaimer, I haven't read what's on this page in at least a few years)

A fellow by the name of John Clayton who travels and discusses origins and Christians who believe in evolution. I attended one of his programs locally and then we actually went out to dinner and talked for a few hours.

Again, I don't know what stuff he publishes on this site, but I know in speaking to him personally that I believe he is on the right track. My only real issue was that he wasn't willing to go "far enough" on certain things (local flood vs global flood, vestigial traits in humans, etc). He may not post some of the more difficult to accept things publicly as a lot of older Christians simply can't emotionally handle certain things that are contrary to what they've always been taught, so that's why I say I'm not sure what he does or doesn't post publicly on his site.

Anyway, gotta run for now.

66

Since leaving the JW Organization, who is believing?

by Issa in

jw
friends

i left the jw organization last year during summer.

maybe some of you can relate.

who of you are agnostic or an atheist?

Searril

EDIT: Posted on wrong thread.

340

Calling Cofty and others regarding evolution

by dubstepped in

jw
friends

so i have started down the path of trying to understand evolution, and to get the linear lies that the jws planted in my head out of it.

i bought an audiobook called "evolution: what the fossils say and why it matters" by donald prothero.

i heard it recommended on an atheist podcast that i listened to.

Searril

I'm interested in how you reconcile the two.

I don't believe the creation account in Genesis is to be taken literally. Actually, I believe a great many things in the old Hebrew scriptures were not literal but rather allegorical in nature (many Jews believe the same).

For a time I had considered atheism, but in the end I simply found it to be too irrational. I believe the evidence for evolution is clear, but I find it too irrational to believe that the initial building blocks weren't put into motion by something intelligent.

I have considered the whole "so doesn't that mean that a god would've needed a creator too" thing, and I don't discount the merit of that question at all. If God exists then his nature is outside the scope of what I can readily describe so I can't know if such a question would even pertain to his "form of life" (for lack of a better term). So it's not that I discount the question. It is a very valid question. I simply don't know and I don't know how I could ever possibly know.

340

Calling Cofty and others regarding evolution

by dubstepped in

jw
friends

so i have started down the path of trying to understand evolution, and to get the linear lies that the jws planted in my head out of it.

i bought an audiobook called "evolution: what the fossils say and why it matters" by donald prothero.

i heard it recommended on an atheist podcast that i listened to.

Searril

How far does genetic drift go? If you can accept that the dog, racoon and bear all had a common ancestor, then you've digested a major building block of evolutionary theory.
In response to this, proponents of creation will guffaw and say that these animals are all variations on basically the same theme. They're all four legged, warm blooded carnivores and not really anything, "new."

I just wanted to say that this is not strictly true. While I do agree you will find a large portion of creationists (especially the older ones) who will immediately disregard any of this, there are more creationists than you think who are like me. I am a creationist and a staunch evolutionist. I see nothing about one that precludes the other.

78

Work Christmas functions: Being a Bible Student (unbaptized)

by rulehayl in

jw
friends

hi all,i have been studying with the witnesses for more than 6 months and regularly attend both midweek & weekend meetings, and i am nearly at the end of the "bible teach" book.

my boss is adamant i attend team christmas functions.

she knows about my studying and potential baptism next year, and has suggested that i attend and just not participate in activities like kris kringle.

Searril

I try my best to follow all of Jehovah's rules, but sometimes I just want to quit now because it becomes too overwhelming and difficult.

Matthew 11

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Are you sure exactly whose rules it is you're following?

103

What will you be doing on the evening of the 11th ?

by Phizzy in

mrs phizzy and myself will be eating out, sure in the knowledge we will not have jw's using the same restaurant.. i may have a cigar along with my brandy at the meal's end to celebrate my (our) freedom..

Searril

I do always get a kick out of it when dubs try to pretend like we don't have personal, first hand experience with this religion and don't know EXACTLY how things operate in the Watchtower church.

Fun stuff.

Keep it up, djeggnog. The haughty tone of your posts is sure to be a glaring warning sign to any on the fence who would stumble upon this thread, and that's a very, very good thing.

35

New member + anyone attended/seen the Zone Visit?

by Isambard Crater in

jw
friends

i'm a new member so wanted to say 'hi'.

i live in the u.k, was born in, fell away as an unbaptised publisher, got baptised in my 30s for reasons i'm retrospectively unsure of, and lost my faith about five years ago around the time of the original a.r.c.

now, being unable to leave is making me physically, emotionally and mentally ill.. i have been visiting this forum for a couple of years and wanted to post my first message to see if anyone has attended, heard or watched the zone visit broadcast thing happening this month?

Searril

My husband's not a J.W. but if I successfully fade I would still never be able to get involved in celebrations on his side of the family though.

Why not? I'm just thinking if your husband's side of the family were having a holiday party or something it's not like your parents would be there.

22

I need some serious help

by bulldogg1877 in

jw
friends

i grew up a jw kid until the age of twelve.

since then i have lived a worldly life.

i have enjoyed alot of my life experiences, but i now feel like i am lost.

Searril

bulldogg1877,

I'll state up front that I haven't read the thread yet. There are many people here who mean well and will be eager to give you advice. I find in situations like these it's more beneficial to start simple and look at the basic questions.

What makes you think that joining this religion will give you a chance at a do-over in paradise?

74

This site should be called Anti-Jehovahs-Witnesses Cry-babies

by the-Question in

so, you left because of a bad example(s).. why all the whining?

nothing better to do with your time?.

you at least know far more about the bible than any church-goer?.

Searril

We hope ? will never have to experience what many experienced on this site through the org. But when he does...most likely he or she will change their name from question to something else so none of us will recognize them, because they will have to eat their words by calling folks on here whiners....as I say don't wish it on them...As we know many of us were as smug and judgmental as they are ....but it's just a matter of time..

This person has been on the Topix dub forum for years trolling under a different name. He implies that everyone in his congregation knows he thinks the GB are imbeciles but he's so super special that nobody gives him grief over it.

312

Mass disassociation pact...

by freemindfade in

any takers?

we can pick a date and pull the plug?

lol .

Searril

A mass exodus will be interpreted as a sign that the wheat and the weeds have been fully separated and now they are definitely "the truth" and a spiritual paradise.

You have to think like them. This will help them.