OnTheWayOut - It is a privilege to have a cyber doctor on JWN, let others avail themselves of the opportunity my presence offers, It will definitely help the healing process.
mankkeli
JoinedPosts by mankkeli
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64
Confused...
by raxxxx in.
hiya and... i do not really know where to begin... currently a jw... slightly starting to fade... got a girlfriend baptised... i am baptised also... my head is a mess... i do not know what to believe anymore... never really fully trusted elders as it comes to 'leading the flock'... got burned a few times with their ... decisions etc.
read a few articles in here about their alleged false beliefs... do not really know what to do... wondered if any of you felt like that at any point... when something that you trusted and followed most of your life... does not seem to be what you thought it was... .
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64
Confused...
by raxxxx in.
hiya and... i do not really know where to begin... currently a jw... slightly starting to fade... got a girlfriend baptised... i am baptised also... my head is a mess... i do not know what to believe anymore... never really fully trusted elders as it comes to 'leading the flock'... got burned a few times with their ... decisions etc.
read a few articles in here about their alleged false beliefs... do not really know what to do... wondered if any of you felt like that at any point... when something that you trusted and followed most of your life... does not seem to be what you thought it was... .
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mankkeli
Use your senses and take things easy, refuse the tendencies of making rash decisions, anticipate the journey ahead of you and examine the lives of those who have walked along similar path, while you do this, try to visualize the consequences of any decision you will be making from now and steadily weight all options discreetly. Should incase you will be needing help, Send me a PM.
Take care, Check your PM.
Mankkeli (Cyber Doctor)
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56
Effects of the Evolution Theory
by mankkeli ineffects of the evolution theory.
in the early 19th century, religion and science enjoyed a fairly amicable relationship.
just two years before the origin of species was published, biologist and harvard professor louis agassiz wrote that the living world shows premeditation, wisdom, greatness and that a major purpose of natural history was to analyze the thoughts of the creator of the universe.. agassiz viewpoint was not uncommon.
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mankkeli
Effects of the Evolution Theory
IN THE early 19th century, religion and science enjoyed a fairly amicable relationship. Just two years before The Origin of Species was published, biologist and Harvard professor Louis Agassiz wrote that the living world shows “premeditation, wisdom, greatness” and that a major purpose of natural history was to analyze “the thoughts of the Creator of the Universe.”
Agassiz’ viewpoint was not uncommon. Many people viewed science and religion as compatible. Discoveries of science were often perceived as evidence of a Grand Creator. But a subtle rift was developing between religion and science.
Skepticism Takes Root
Charles Lyell’s Principles of Geology, the first volume of which appeared in 1830, cast doubt on the Bible’s creation account. Lyell claimed that the creation could not possibly have occurred in six literal days. Physicist Fred Hoyle wrote: “Lyell’s books were largely responsible for convincing the world at large that the Bible could be wrong, at any rate in some respects, a hitherto unthinkable thought.”
A foundation was thus laid for skepticism. In the minds of many, science and the Bible could no longer be harmonized. Faced with a choice, many opted for science. “Lyell’s work had thrown the early chapters of the Old Testament into doubt,” Fred Hoyle wrote, “and Darwin’s book was there to replace it.”
The Origin of Species came at an opportune time for those who did not want to accept the Bible as the Word of God. A romance had already blossomed between man and science. An infatuated public was wooed by the promises and accomplishments of science. Like a gallant suitor, science showered man with innovative gifts—the telescope, the microscope, and the steam engine and later, electricity, the telephone, and the automobile. Technology had already fostered an industrial revolution that was providing the common man with unprecedented material advantages.
In contrast, religion was perceived as a roadblock to progress. Some felt that it held people in a stupor, unable to keep up with the rapid advances of science. Atheists began to proclaim their views loudly and boldly. Indeed, as Richard Dawkins wrote, “Darwin made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist.” Science was becoming mankind’s new hope for salvation.
At first, religious leaders opposed the theory of evolution. But as the decades passed, the clergy in general yielded to popular opinion, accepting a blend of evolution and creation. A 1938 New York Times headline announced: “Church of England Report Upholds Evolutionary Idea of the Creation.” The report, by a commission under the Archbishop of York, stated: “No objection to a theory of evolution can be drawn from the two creation narratives in Genesis I and II, since it is generally agreed among educated Christians that these are mythological in origin and that their value for us is symbolic rather than historical.” The archbishop’s commission concluded: “You can think what you like and still be Christian.”
For many, such attempts to reconcile the Bible with evolution only diluted the Bible’s credibility. It resulted in widespread skepticism of the Bible, and this still exists today, even among some religious leaders. Typical are the comments of an Episcopal bishop in Canada who asserted that the Bible was written in a prescientific age and therefore reflected prejudice and ignorance. He said that the Bible contained “historic errors” and “blatant exaggerations” regarding Jesus’ birth and resurrection.
Thus, many, including members of the clergy, have been quick to discredit the Bible. But where has such skepticism led? What alternative hope has been offered? With weakened faith in the Bible, some have looked to philosophy and politics.
Effects on Philosophy and Politics
The Origin of Species offered a fresh outlook on human behavior. Why does one nation succeed in conquering another nation? Why does one race prevail over another race? The Origin of Species, with its emphasis on natural selection and survival of the fittest, gave explanations that stirred the leading philosophers of the 19th century.
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) and Karl Marx (1818-1883) were philosophers who had a profound effect on politics. Both were fascinated by evolution. “Darwin’s book is important,” said Marx, “and serves me as a natural scientific basis for the class struggle in history.” Historian Will Durant called Nietzsche a “child of Darwin.” The book Philosophy—An Outline-History summarized one of Nietzsche’s beliefs: “The strong, brave, domineering, proud, fit best the society that is to be.”
Darwin believed—and wrote in a letter to a friend—that in the future “an endless number of the lower races will have been eliminated by the higher civilized races throughout the world.” He used as a precedent the European conquest of others and chalked this up to “the struggle for existence.”
The powerful were quick to latch on to such statements. H. G. Wells wrote in The Outline of History: “Prevalent peoples at the close of the nineteenth century believed that they prevailed by virtue of the Struggle for Existence, in which the strong and cunning get the better of the weak and confiding. And they believed further that they had to be strong, energetic, ruthless, ‘practical,’ egotistical.”
Thus, “survival of the fittest” took on philosophical, social, and political overtones, often to an absurd extent. “To some war became ‘a biological necessity,’” said the book Milestones of History. And this book noted that during the next century, “Darwinian ideas formed an integral part of Hitler’s doctrine of racial superiority.”
Of course, neither Darwin, Marx, nor Nietzsche lived to see how their ideas would be applied—or misapplied. Indeed, they expected that the struggle for existence would improve man’s lot in life. Darwin wrote in The Origin of Species that “all corporeal and mental endowments will tend to progress towards perfection.” Twentieth-century priest and biologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin agreed with this, theorizing that eventually there would occur an ‘evolution of the minds of the entire human race; everyone would harmoniously work toward one goal.’
Degradation, Not Improvement
Do you see such improvement occurring? The book Clinging to a Myth commented on De Chardin’s optimism: “De Chardin must have been quite oblivious of the history of human bloodshed and of racist systems such as apartheid in South Africa. He sounds like a man who is not living in this world.” Rather than progress toward unity, humanity in this century has experienced racial and national division on an unprecedented scale.
The hope held out in The Origin of Species, that man would progress toward perfection, or at least improvement, is very much unfulfilled. And that hope keeps receding with time, for since the general acceptance of evolution, the human family all too often has descended into barbarism. Consider: More than 100 million people have been killed in the wars of this century, some 50 million in World War II alone. Also consider the recent ethnic slaughter in such places as Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.
Is this to say that there were no wars and brutalities in past centuries? No, there certainly were. But the acceptance of the theory of evolution, this brutal struggle-for-existence mind-set, this survival-of-the-fittest idea, has not served to improve man’s lot. So while evolution cannot be blamed for all of man’s ills, it has helped push the human family into ever greater hatred, crime, violence, immorality, and degradation. Since it is widely accepted that humans descended from beasts, it is not surprising that more and more people act like beasts.
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48
Lurkers to any of mankkeli's treads did you notice that he never answered my brain from thinking? question on how not to use my
by life is to short inlurkers i clearly asked mankkeli how to stop my brain from thinking.
really jehovah came to earth and saw a man who had a horrible marriage, and was involved with the spirit world and jehovah said to himself "there's a man who i can work with to do my will?
to keep believing that i could live forever.
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mankkeli
OUTLAW - I don't blame you, your mental capability is far too limited to fathom the ideology behind this perspective but If you cant comprehend it, it is not a crime.
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Lurkers to any of mankkeli's treads did you notice that he never answered my brain from thinking? question on how not to use my
by life is to short inlurkers i clearly asked mankkeli how to stop my brain from thinking.
really jehovah came to earth and saw a man who had a horrible marriage, and was involved with the spirit world and jehovah said to himself "there's a man who i can work with to do my will?
to keep believing that i could live forever.
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mankkeli
00DAD - That is the balance I'm talking about. It may be difficult to comprehend such kind of lifestyle, but it is the best way to keep all your acquaintances intact and thats exactly what I'm recommending to all who are contemplating an exit. If you had done that you could have kept the relationship with your two children intact and moved on just well.
I'm still that elder everyone in the congregation wants to discuss their personal problems with and that brother with the most encouraging comments at the meetings. Although, It may be difficult in the beginning, to balance two different lifestyles, but after coming to view religion in general as one big "social club", It became so easy for me to go along with the programs mechanically. OODAD, Try it and see how wonderful it can really be. (I couldnt afford to to abandon my family because I want to prove that the JWs are wrong).
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48
Lurkers to any of mankkeli's treads did you notice that he never answered my brain from thinking? question on how not to use my
by life is to short inlurkers i clearly asked mankkeli how to stop my brain from thinking.
really jehovah came to earth and saw a man who had a horrible marriage, and was involved with the spirit world and jehovah said to himself "there's a man who i can work with to do my will?
to keep believing that i could live forever.
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mankkeli
OUTLAW - If you dont believe it, thats fine, it only reflect how denigrated you are mentally, It is not your fault, the fault is simon's who has hosted you. Scattered fellow.
NewChapter - Be careful with your choice of words, If you dont want to feel emotionally afflicted. You have really been very rude with your comments lately. Useless thing.
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48
Lurkers to any of mankkeli's treads did you notice that he never answered my brain from thinking? question on how not to use my
by life is to short inlurkers i clearly asked mankkeli how to stop my brain from thinking.
really jehovah came to earth and saw a man who had a horrible marriage, and was involved with the spirit world and jehovah said to himself "there's a man who i can work with to do my will?
to keep believing that i could live forever.
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mankkeli
OUTLAW - I'm hanging out everywhere, While being active here, I'm equally active with spiritual matters both in the congregation, in the circuit and temporary assistance at the branch office. Even, the last apostafest in Stockhom was arranged by me. This may be difficult for you and million others to fathom but that is exactly how the perfectly act of love is demonstrated. Maintainng proper balance in life is what many have lost out and that is what I completely represent. Learn from it.
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48
Lurkers to any of mankkeli's treads did you notice that he never answered my brain from thinking? question on how not to use my
by life is to short inlurkers i clearly asked mankkeli how to stop my brain from thinking.
really jehovah came to earth and saw a man who had a horrible marriage, and was involved with the spirit world and jehovah said to himself "there's a man who i can work with to do my will?
to keep believing that i could live forever.
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mankkeli
OUTLAW - Dont be confused, I am not the typical JW you have ever met in your whole life, I am very balance. Actively involved in promoting kingdom interest while actively supporting those who have been demonised by the organisation. All in all, I am a model JW, the kind many would like to imitate.
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48
Lurkers to any of mankkeli's treads did you notice that he never answered my brain from thinking? question on how not to use my
by life is to short inlurkers i clearly asked mankkeli how to stop my brain from thinking.
really jehovah came to earth and saw a man who had a horrible marriage, and was involved with the spirit world and jehovah said to himself "there's a man who i can work with to do my will?
to keep believing that i could live forever.
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mankkeli
Lifeistooshort- Please will you take things easy and calm down, as your username points out, "lifeistooshort". Agreeably, Life is really too short to be spent on looking for reasons to justify our irrational behaviour. Deep down my heart, I wept profusely reading all you went through, But note this, the reasons for those difficulties were not because you were one of Jehovah's witnesses, it wasnt because you were encouraged at the meetings to spend your time in this never-to-be-repeated assignment, it wasnt because the Jehovah's witnesses are under some kind of constant pressure, No!. It was just part of the hurdles we have to face as tenants of this mysterious life. Either you are in the organisation or not you wouldnt have escaped depression neither would you have escaped panic attacks, being a witnesses would rather better empower you to face those challenges more smootly.
Now you asked a question that I would like to address, "How could you have shut your brain from thinking". Although, it is not possible to pretend not knowing what you already knew, but reasoning on the following sound logic could have helped you:
1) Remembering that spiritual activites(The JW style) are necessary but not obligatory. They are mandatory for keeping God close to our hearts constantly but not a prerequisite to pleasing God. If you had reported only 15mins every month, you could still remain an active publisher in good standing.
2) In our local branch office here, we have received numerous reports from pioneers in the circuit who are currently experiencing "severe burn out" and had to quit temporarily. They were not scolded neither were they castigated, No!. The were even sent a personal letter from the branch to remind them of the need to keep the spirit and encourage new ones, Some of their experiences were even used on the circuit assembly programs to encourage other brothers and sisters. That being said, the fact that you had to deal with multiple complications all at the same time may seem frustrating to you but you need to remember that these problems are all tests of our faith. We are at war with the chief adversary of God and we need to fight the battle to the finish. We have so many tools at our disposal only if we are willing to utilise them.
3) I have said this before and I will repeat it again, Nowadays, Jehovah has not promised to do any miracle for us neither does He shield us from personal attacks, all He promised us is strenght to endure if we are determined to remain faithful.
4) Instead of coming on JWN to check out shady and scandalous information, you could have waited on Jehovah and see him intervene in your behalf.
Please note this, Ray was my very good friend before He died, I even stayed by him through out the period of his spiritual onslaught, I am constantly using his experience to remind lurkers that our beloved Ray Franz didnt take rash decisions even while the tsunami was approaching, Rather, He maintained his tranquility until He could no longer help himself. So, WHy should anyone think He or She would confidently spit on the organisation and not expect to inhale the harzadous air?. Lurkers must view all current challeges and disturbing thoughts as part of their spiriual growth not as a medium to bully Jehovahs's wife(His earthly organisation).
Once again, my heart goes out to you. Take care
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mankkeli How do you stop your brain from thinking if you did stay?
by life is to short ini have not read all of your posts as the pages have went on for so long, (and as you have pointed out it shows how many people have viewed them thus you are must be right.
) your thought from what i have read is to just stay and shut your mind off.
go out in service and stay to keep the peace to keep your family.
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mankkeli
zoiks - You are welcome, I'm always happy to bring smiles on people's faces