I go along with political economist and author Francis Fukuyama, responsible for The End of History and the Last Man (1992). Interesting read for those that are interested in the subject. In it he explains why he views Western Civilization as the final development in the evolution of mankind’s political aspirations. In man’s “struggle for recognition” [validation, I guess] he has at last reached a juncture called “liberal democracy,” which includes “liberal politics” and “liberal economics.” Although there would be room for nationalism in such a concept, harsh autocracies and dictatorships could not be tolerated. The break-up of the USSR, and more recently, “the Arab Spring” in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Tunisia, are good examples of a natural movement towards some form of “liberal democracy.” Such a “universal and homogenous state,” Fukuyama views as “the end of history.” The “first men” would be engaged in bloody warfare on the battle field, whereas the “last men” would assert themselves in new and unforseen ways in the economic and political arena. The fact that man’s aspirations to self-worth and recognition [validation?] would to a large degree be attained, he has thus arrived as “the last man.”
Posts by Vidqun
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3Validation - a basic human need?
by Fernando ina friend taught me that this is a very important part of interacting with others.
in her sales activities for example she makes it a point to listen carefully, indicate where she understands and agrees, make notes, and openly staple the person's business card to her notes.. should we be seeking to validate others in our lives and on jwn as having an inalienable right to exist, have an opinion even if different from ours, and to freely express that opinion, and to be heard, and to be understood?.
i'd love to read your thoughts and opinions, especially if you are a member of the seemingly large and usually silent audience on jwn..
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Mentality of young CO
by Vidqun inthis time it was the co that came round with a young elder in tow.
from our discussion a few points stand out.
i carefully explained why i believe the gb has comitted spiritual immorality by hobnobbing with the un.
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Vidqun
Thanks for all the input. Yes, I can see why some of you are sceptical, it seems incredible. Of course I have portrayed the discussion from my point of view, so a certain amount of bias would be present. Certainly with the help of JWN I have been able to work it out and assimilate it. It helps to know what's coming and where it's going.
00Dad, he made me think of Hitler and the German people before and during World War II. I saw the documentary of the last days of Hitler in the bunker. He didn’t give a damn about his people. When his army was routed and their defences crumbling, he would still not surrender. He said something like: The German people must be punished for capitulating to the Allies and Russians. Even then the people around him adored him. One fanatic and his wife even poisoned their children and committed suicide, following Hitler to his grave. Misplaced loyalty or stupidity? You be the judge.
Jamie, I agree. I have heard of the term cognitive dissonance, now I have seen it in action. But it is still a shock to the system. This man can see no wrong with the WTS. I told him I have personally spoken to people involved with sexual molestation cases in the Organization. Most of the victims and their families have been stumbled and will never listen to a JW again or put a foot in a KH. Notwithstanding this, they will be executed at Armageddon, according to JW theology. It just doesn’t make sense, especially in the light of Jesus words that it is the one causing the stumbling that is going to be severely punished.
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A JW in an email said I'm a Jezebel and much more. Well, this busy Jezebel needs your input. Thanks.
by AndersonsInfo innew message from website reader: silvio.
their email address is: and their message is:.
hello mrs anderson.
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Vidqun
For a person like that I have a ready answer. Let's leave the judgment to Jehovah (Ps. 75:7). He has appointed his Son as Judge (Matt. 28:18; Acts 10:42). I believe he is capable of doing a good job as Judge. Let's not be presumptuous as to want to usurp his position by casting personal judgements on our fellow man (or woman). And what these forget: God's judgement will start at his own house (1 Pet. 4:17).
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Mentality of young CO
by Vidqun inthis time it was the co that came round with a young elder in tow.
from our discussion a few points stand out.
i carefully explained why i believe the gb has comitted spiritual immorality by hobnobbing with the un.
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Vidqun
Nugget, I agree. I told him before I put my foot in a KH again, I need some clear answers. Then he tried to put words in my mouth by saying: "So, you do not believe that the GB is God's channel to communicate with his people." Had I answered in the affirmative, he would have disfellowshipped me at the next meeting. Luckily I knew it was coming, thanks to the posters of JWN, so I countered: "No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying the GB has been compromised." So I live to fight another day.
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Mentality of young CO
by Vidqun inthis time it was the co that came round with a young elder in tow.
from our discussion a few points stand out.
i carefully explained why i believe the gb has comitted spiritual immorality by hobnobbing with the un.
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Vidqun
Cantleave, I saw the documentary. Thousands of furry creatures diving over a cliff and drowning in the sea below. So whatever the reason of their behaviour, it ended badly. I believe that is what will happen to you if you follow a leader or groups of leaders blindly. Adolf Hitler, Jim Jones, and David Koresh come to mind. As Wiki puts it: This "is a frequently used metaphor in reference to people who go along unquestioningly with popular opinion, with potentially dangerous or fatal consequences." I'll go along with that.
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Mentality of young CO
by Vidqun inthis time it was the co that came round with a young elder in tow.
from our discussion a few points stand out.
i carefully explained why i believe the gb has comitted spiritual immorality by hobnobbing with the un.
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Vidqun
Oh yes, another thing. He told me how proud he was to be called a Jehovah's Witness. I corrected him there. He might do the work, but he was not a Jehovah's Witness at all. Only the anointed ones should be called Jehovah's Witnesses. The scriptures in Isaiah (43:10, 12), which are often quoted, refers to Israel, and by implication to the Israel of God, i.e., spiritual Israel. At best he was assisting them in the witnessing work. I could see this fact rattled him. He mumbled something about technicalities and that it's not important. He asked me about the baptism questions. Even in there it doesn't name one as a Witness, it only associates one with Jehovah's Witnesses, if I remember correctly.
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Mentality of young CO
by Vidqun inthis time it was the co that came round with a young elder in tow.
from our discussion a few points stand out.
i carefully explained why i believe the gb has comitted spiritual immorality by hobnobbing with the un.
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Vidqun
Bubblegum, Caliber? I only give him .22, nothing more. Paul said: "For I bear witness that they have a zeal for God; but not according to accurate knowledge." That about sums it up. He certainly has the zeal. His wife is undergoing Chemotherapy, and he insists on staying on the circuit. I asked her about it once. Like a good wife she said she does it for him. He is so happy when he's on the circuit. Like I said, he has the zeal, but not much love.
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Mentality of young CO
by Vidqun inthis time it was the co that came round with a young elder in tow.
from our discussion a few points stand out.
i carefully explained why i believe the gb has comitted spiritual immorality by hobnobbing with the un.
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Vidqun
Thanks, Heartofaboy, it's lemmings. Nearly sent the Madagascar lemurs over the cliff. Just to add, I have nothing against little lemurs, and I don't wish them to go over a cliff.
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Mentality of young CO
by Vidqun inthis time it was the co that came round with a young elder in tow.
from our discussion a few points stand out.
i carefully explained why i believe the gb has comitted spiritual immorality by hobnobbing with the un.
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Vidqun
This time it was the CO that came round with a young elder in tow. From our discussion a few points stand out. I carefully explained why I believe the GB has comitted spiritual immorality by hobnobbing with the UN. I discussed with them the Israelites' flirtation with surrounding nations (especially Assyria and Egypt, and the dire consequences flowing from those dalliances). They have broken my trust, and I cannot trust them again. In any case, one should not follow earthling man, for when he dies, all his promises go with him into the ground (Ps. 146:3, 4). I mentioned the example of lemurs and blind faith, when overpopulation occurs, their leaders lead them over the cliff into the sea.
From his answers four things stand out: 1) In connection with the lemurs, he said that that explains his loyalty to the GB to a T. If they say he goes over the cliff, he goes over the cliff. 2) In connection with the UN-NGO debacle, the Guardian newspaper and the UN website, he retorted: "How easy it would be for Satan the Devil to put these insinuations in the newspaper and on the UN website. These are Satan's instruments." 3) He also insisted that the GB can do no wrong. I touched on 1975, but he insisted it was not the GB, but the brothers that erred. 4) He insinuated that I lacked humility, after telling him he lives in a dream world.
Conclusion: I know, I know, farting against thunder, flogging a dead horse, etc. The discussion did not benefit the CO, but I benefited from it immensely. It was a reminder from where I came from. Blind faith, never again! I could see the young elder squirming, rifling through his Bible to look for encouraging Scriptures, but finding none. Perhaps the discussion makes him think. The only positive suggestion by the CO is that I write to the Society and take the issue up with them. I will do that, but a fat lot of good that'll do.
PS I hear at the meeting that night he warned the congregation that there is a lot of false propaganda on the Net, and that they should not believe a word. Some have read it and now they have doubts.
Feel free to comment.
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Seeking information re Jer 33:11
by Doug Mason ini am seeking information regarding the rendering of jer 33:11.. the nwt renders the opening of that verse: "in this place that you people will be saying is waste ... ".
whereas the niv renders: "you say about this place, 'it is a desolate place ... '".. which rendering is correct?.
do the mt, lxx and other sources agree?.
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Vidqun
Doug,sorry about the Hebrew and Greek fonts. They don't transfer that well. According to the tenses: Yahweh said (past) of which shall be heard (future) this place of which you are saying (participle)....