Posts by cappytan

67

My Issue: How To Step Down As A MS Without Getting Noticed

by JW_Rogue in

so that other thread was fun but now i need some help with something.

i was born in the truth most of my family is in.

although they aren't outwardly super spiritual i doubt any of them would ever leave.

cappytan

There is no way to step down or get deleted without setting off alarm bells.

But, stepping down, although will lead to "love bombing" at first, isn't that big of a deal. You'll still be in "good standing" with the congregation.

People will want to know why. You need to start laying the foundation in their minds that you're having anxiety problems.

Then, the night of your next part, tell the brother you're having a panic attack and can't give it.

Once that happens, you could then say, "Brothers, I need to get help for my anxiety. I'm seeing a therapist at the moment and it is helping. But right now, I don't think I can handle the pressure my privileges create. I am stepping down immediately."

174

The Bible is NOT Error-Free

by FusionTheism in

for many christians, the bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from god, where every single word was carefully chosen by god for a reason.

but, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.. since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free?

why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with?

cappytan

In the USA, a person continues free on his way until he is detained. Let's say a peace officer stops a motorist and issues him a summons for not stopping at a stop sign. At the trial, the prosecutor kindly informs the Defendant:" I am sorry Sir, 'one cannot prove a negative,' you are going to have to prove that you did stop at the stop sign. We are very sorry for that. "Further, we do not have to present evidence because the evidence of a negative is by definition a lack of evidence." Funny Stuff.

False equivalency.

But, fallacy aside, technically, the idea that "You can't prove a negative" is false.

I use that term, though, because it is what theists like to throw at skeptics. "You can't prove a negative, so therefore, my argument that God exists is true!"

Let's go back to my Unicorn example. I asked you to prove that Unicorns didn't exist.

You actually CAN prove Unicorns don't exist.

Modus tollens

Premise 1: If unicorns had existed, then there is evidence in the fossil record.

Premise 2: There is no evidence of unicorns in the fossil record.

Conclusion: Therefore, unicorns never existed.

So let's use Modus tollens to prove that YHWH, the God of the bible doesn't exist.

Premise 1: If YHWH of the Bible exists, then there would be geological evidence of a global flood that occurred ~4,000 years ago.

Premise 2: There is no geological evidence of a global flood ~4,000 years ago.

Conclusion: Therefore, YHWH of the Bible does not exist.

I could go on and on, using divine intervention events described in the Bible that there should be evidence for, and equally come to the same conclusion every time.

Would anyone else like to help me out with a few more modus tollens arguments?

48

Candace Conti Case

by truthseekeriam in

jw
friends

filed:.

letter dated june 22, 2015, notifying the court that petitioners, watchtower and fremont congregation have reached a settlement with respondent, conti.. .

click here to request automatic e-mail notifications about this case..

cappytan

But surely her case is about the WT changing their policies? I thought that was what Candace and Irwin Zalkin were fighting for?

Who's to say that the WT isn't going to change some policies? This settlement was just agreed to. If part of the settlement was a relaxing of the hardline "confessional" confidentiality rules, we wouldn't know yet.

And, WT probably wouldn't publicize it. It would likely be a letter to the elders.

Let's not all jump to conclusions here.

48

Candace Conti Case

by truthseekeriam in

jw
friends

filed:.

letter dated june 22, 2015, notifying the court that petitioners, watchtower and fremont congregation have reached a settlement with respondent, conti.. .

click here to request automatic e-mail notifications about this case..

cappytan

Gag order or not, settlement or not, the damage has been done.

I would venture to guess that tens of thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) have left the organization due to the publicity this case has received. My wife is one that woke up after hearing about Candace's case...it was the straw that broke the camel's back for her.

The news stories are out there on the internet already.

The only drawback I can perceive from all of this is that if there in fact is a gag order in place, she can no longer speak out publicly about her experiences and inspire others to do the same.

9

30 most edited regular Wikipedia pages

by biometrics in

jehovah's witnesses topic made it to the list:.

http://i.imgur.com/7m2xgzz.png.

cappytan

Wow! JW's were above LDS? Crazy.

174

The Bible is NOT Error-Free

by FusionTheism in

for many christians, the bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from god, where every single word was carefully chosen by god for a reason.

but, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.. since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free?

why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with?

cappytan

Isn't the whole idea or rule of "burden of proof" equally as much man-made as atheists claim the Bible is?
Why should I follow YOUR man-made rules instead of any other man-made rules?

Let's pretend for the sake of discussion that I believe in Unicorns.

Can you prove me wrong? Can you prove to me that Unicorns don't exist? Of course not! You can't prove a negative. All you can do is point out to me that there is no evidence to show that Unicorns exist.

If I were to continue to insist that they in fact do exist, wouldn't you reasonably ask me to provide evidence for my claim?

6

Hoax, Scam, Bridge, Talking Serpents

by Hold Me-Thrill Me in

jw
friends

hoax, scam, bridge, talking serpents .

most assuredly this scripture was applicable: (2 thessalonians 2:1, 2) .

"however, brothers, respecting the presence of our lord jesus christ and our being gathered together to him, we request of you 2 not to be quickly shaken from your reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of jehovah is here.

cappytan

Frank: I might need some context to understand this post.

30

The Verdict: God is Not Good.

by cappytan in

jw
friends

not sure if this video has been posted before here or not, but it is a powerful scene.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx7irfn2gdi.

i haven't watched the entire movie yet, but from this scene alone, i will be..

cappytan

Not sure if this video has been posted before here or not, but it is a powerful scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx7irFN2gdI

I haven't watched the entire movie yet, but from this scene alone, I will be.

174

The Bible is NOT Error-Free

by FusionTheism in

for many christians, the bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from god, where every single word was carefully chosen by god for a reason.

but, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.. since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free?

why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with?

cappytan

Fisherman: One cannot prove a negative. All that can be done is to report a lack of evidence for the positive.

Either the Bible's being divinely inspired has evidence in favor of it, or it lacks evidence.

If one's position is that it is NOT divinely inspired, they do not have to present evidence. The "evidence" of a negative is by definition a lack of evidence.

Most of us exJW's have read the Bible multiple times and looked for the evidence ourselves.

Your position, unless I am mistaken, is that the Bible is inspired of God.

If so, present the evidence in favor of that assertion.

For something as important and universally impactful as the Bible being the inspired word of God, would you not agree that the evidence must be clear and empirical?

174

The Bible is NOT Error-Free

by FusionTheism in

for many christians, the bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from god, where every single word was carefully chosen by god for a reason.

but, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.. since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free?

why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with?

cappytan

Just because you claim that you have not seen anyone else say it, does not mean that someone else has not, does it?

Oh, so you mean to tell me, that just because someone or something claims something is true, it doesn't mean it's necessarily true? Wow!

Now, take that principle and apply it to the subject of this thread.