Posts by soft+gentle

68

I wish there were more JW's resisting the extreme elements within the religion

by Hermano in

jw
friends

i wish there were more jw's resisting the extreme elements within the religion.

i beleive there are many who know some of the things they hear and read are whack, but stay because they think it's still the group god has chosen.

but there are ways to voice your opinion without being too vocal or disassociating:.

soft+gentle

good points Hermano. And I know witnesses who are resisting in ways you have mentioned. It is very said to see families blacklisted (in the sense that privileges are witheld from them) because of going to university but it is truly wonderful when they finish their education. Young people are resisting getting baptized early and then not getting baptized at all.

We don't clap when talks are disgraceful and believe me they often are. I also tell everyone who asks that I am enjoying my education.

Imo the society has had its golden age and its silver age is ending too. the silver age is the age of resistance to empire building in most cultures. I believe that the WTS is entering its bronze age - the spiritual food is lacklustre and unappetising, most elders are sick and elderly

17

What do you hope to accomplish with your life?

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

given we are not going to live forever, none of us knows when our time is up, and meaning isn't handed to us on a plate?

how do we go about inscribing our lives with meaning within unknown constraints of time and resources?.

have you got a strategy?

soft+gentle

when I am in the park I see lots of benches dedicated to those who have passed away. Some have lived a long life and some have lived a very short life. A few messages say how much so and so enjoyed this spot or this park. From this I have sort of developed the habit of imaging my life from the point of view of those who have passed this way and those who will in the future enjoying the things I enjoy and facing the challenges I face.

I do hope hope to continue to accomplish, fight and develop what I have - my gifts that is using these to change what I can - but I recognise that in common with those who have gone before and those who wil come after me, that there are things I cannot change and towards these I want to maintain as much grace as I can because putting up resistance saps energy and is futile.

2

These Would Be Jokes If They Weren't True

by OldGenerationDude in

[if !supportlists]1. christians are the worst example to follow if you want to be a christian.. [if !supportlists]2.

[endif]a jewish truth: when we poke fun at ourselves, it a joke.

or as mel brooks put it: drama is when i get a paper cut.

soft+gentle

OGD

this isn't a joke but it is true - You are not going to win any popularity contests on JWN

btw I like 3 and 4

21

Cedars - Re: Richard Dawkins Is Agnostic? Thread

by binadub in

jw
friends

cedars:.

your original thread got too far off track so i decided to refresh it for my question.. i'm wondering what you think about anthony flew (rip).

incidently to james_woods (if you read this thread):.

soft+gentle

Hi binadub

it seems that the strong anthropic principle was implicated in his change of mind towards deism. This principle is based on the huge number of cosmological coincidences that are needed for life to exist on earth.

M-theory (the multi universe theory), some scientists believe, provides an argument against the strong anthropic principle. But M-theory is still contentious (though exciting) and scientists have different opinions about it. Same goes for the anthropic principle - it too is contentious. Cosmology is still in its infancy

21

Cedars - Re: Richard Dawkins Is Agnostic? Thread

by binadub in

jw
friends

cedars:.

your original thread got too far off track so i decided to refresh it for my question.. i'm wondering what you think about anthony flew (rip).

incidently to james_woods (if you read this thread):.

soft+gentle

hi binadub - I think you are correct about Darwin at least

imo Charles Darwin and Einstein were more agnostic than atheist. Darwin's research was propelled by seeking non theological explanations for life and its orgins, it is true - this quest motivated his studies but he is reported as saying that he was agnostic and that he hated anti religious controversy. Einstein tended to use the idea of God metamorphically recognising the need for an intelligence to fill the gaps - no gaping senseless void for him. Both have been reported as praying. they are both quite far from the Neo Atheism which developed after 9/11. this movement is often described as religious and cultic in its zeal to demonise religion, religious people. My mission is to articulate a space for those like me (xjw wife and mother of JWs) who value freedom and want to avoid going from one cult to another.

edit: okay finished for today - off to work

107

Please someone, explain scientifically how an omnipotent,omniscience,omnipresent,almighty GOD came from nothing

by smiddy in

only scientific responses needed smiddy

soft+gentle

I can say definitely that I came out of the watchtower with a huge intolerance towards ambiguity and I prefer to see this as simply a mistake in my thinking after years of indoctrination than as a definition of myself as a person. This applies to those whom I love who are trapped inside too(that they are making mistakes in their thinking) but it is also their responsibiltiy to pick up on cues when they are ready to confront reality.

edit: fhn

25

My fellow apostates: Please be careful when talking to other apostates online

by Joliette in

jw
friends

i had a fellow ex-jehovah's witness (who's a male by the way, he has a youtube channel) who sent me a message on facebook saturday morning that was very sexual in nature.

please be careful when added certain people on facebook, just an heads up.

also be careful with credit card info, giving certain private also.

soft+gentle

there are vulnerabilities with being on the net and then there are also susceptible xjws - this may be because of variety of factors - a desire to be accepted, eargerness to be grown up and experienced.

170

Simple answer, please! Scientifically explain the origin of life coming from nothing!

by Silent_Scream in

scientific method asserts nothing living can come from something non-living.

science is observable, science is reproducible.

a living thing coming from non-living matter has never been observed nor reproduced.. therefore, it takes faith in an unknown process to believe that that's exactly what happened in the beginning, with no evidence!.

soft+gentle

silent-scream - bottom line your question cannot be answered. no one knows how something living comes from non-living matter. And yes it does take faith - One can look at oneself in the mirror and know that one exists but it takes faith to believe that life came from non living matter whether it be through God or via chemical reaction.

edit: but i do have lots of respect and appreciation for science and technology I hasten to add

83

I'm Happy to be Back

by snowbird in

jw
friends

i've been in the vale of deep shadows, but am feeling more and more like myself.. i'm grateful to my doctors and modern medicine.. sylvia.

soft+gentle

sylvia, welcome back

39

Deep breath, and...

by AGuest in

jw
friends

jumping [back] in... for a sec.... greetings to you all, the household of god, israel... those who go with... and all others here!

the greatest of love and peace to you all!.

i'm just sticking my head in to say (because several have asked and it's not fair of me to make them have to answer for me, so):.

soft+gentle

aguest, its great to hear from you