just to set the scene; i loathe politicians.
i am revulsed by people like trump, clinton, merkel, may and uncle tom cobleigh an' all.. however, i have a question about something that someone said.
i've googled it but couldn't locate.. now, i know you folks will give me a specific answer.....and sorry to bring up that usa election.
The United States of America is not and has never been a democracy. Democracy doesn't work.
The United States of America is a constitutional republic. That is to say, we are ruled by laws that apply to all persons and we elect representatives to make, enforce, and interpret those laws.
https://www.prageru.com/courses/political-science/popular-vote-vs-electoral-college
study article: who is leading god's people today?
start of paragraph 12.. standard version: "the governing body is neither inspired nor infallible.
therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction.".
This is a confession of blood guilt whether they know it or not.
i have indeed made the truth my own, and i am never going back to jehovah's witnesses.
the fact now is that talking about this religion with someone who believes it makes me sort of angry.
it raises my blood pressure.
You and I are in a similar boat. I was never DFed. I faded. Before my fade was complete I was shunned by friends I had for decades.
The only person in the congregation who would speak to me was my father. When he did speak to me, he talked to me like I was a Witness or a Bible study. That hurt.
You cannot reason with them. You are dealing with faith. Faith is belief. Belief is opinion. It is not based on facts.
It hurts, but in the end you got your life back. Over 30 years of my life was wasted in that cult. I still have plenty of time to enjoy life.
i voted today in nyc.
a well organized process.
very busy and most of the people voting were african american.
Yes. I started about a year after I woke up and left the organization. That was about 10 years ago.
just wondering.
for you scotch lovers, i've been partial to singles for a long time, but was recently given a bottle of johnnie walker green.
i think i've fallen in love.
I can only enjoy single malt if it is aged 18 years +.
I recently acquired a taste for Whistle Pig 12 which is a blended rye whiskey. Unfortunately it is around $100.00 a bottle.
for years theologians and historians have researched who the historical person known as jesus was and how much of the biblical account could be verified.
countless books have been written going into great detail.
this has been a controversial subject with some even claiming that jesus never existed.
Correct me if I am wrong, please, but my understanding is the the only writings of Jesus are the gospel accounts. Those same gospel accounts were also written decades after the events they describe took place.
in the 1960`s when i was a new convert , a 20 year old , i devoured the book "jehovahs witnesses in the divine purpose" outlining the early history of the restoration of true christianity in the world.it helped to convince me then that this was indeed the true religion......not that i remember much of the details it contained nowadays .. i understand there was a poor attempt to mimic it with the " proclaimers " book a much sanitized version of the early history of the jw religion.
what reputable organization in the world ,secular ,religious or otherwise ,doctors their own early history/ beginnings unless they have something to hide or are ashamed of.. how many jw`s today would know that they were formed as the " international bible students association" in the late 1800`s , or that their first president of that association was none other than w.h.conley ,and not c.t.russell.. does it even matter ?
does anybody really care ?.
i've been chatting to the jws the past couple of weeks.the last time they called they showed me a video about a scientist who claimed that she had once been an atheist, but after studying with the jws she had changed her mind and now believed in an intelligent creator.
what had convinced her was the process that activates the functioning of the lungs just after a baby has been born.after we had watched the video, the jws said that there are many people who believe that creation indicates an intelligent designer.in reply i asked them what they thought about the 'unintelligent' aspects of creation and i went into a few examples.at first they tried to write things off to imperfection due to adamic sin, but as the conversation went on they slowly realised that arguing 'imperfection' wasn't an adequate explanation for the points i was making.to cut a long story short, i ended up sending them a video via email where professor dawkins comments on an autopsy that highlights the impracticality of the laryngeal nerve in giraffes.i also sent them evidence of vestigial limbs in whales and a short article about biological atavism.in addition, i sent them an article that coincidentally was on the bbc news a few days ago about a boy in india who had a 7 inch vestigial tail removed.
here is the article i sent them:-http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3823461/the-teenager-7-inch-tail-18-year-old-finally-growth-removed-painful-sit-sleep.htmli'm really looking forward to seeing what they will come back with.
I thought about starting a thread on a related topic. Here is a question to present:
Old age, sickness, and death are allegedly linked to Adamic sin. Without the original sin, no human would grow old, get sick, or die. It is because of imperfection.
The plant and animal kingdom were created prior to humans. Animals grow old, get sick, are born with abnormalities, and die. Same with plants. Why? What sin did the plant and animal kingdom commit?
this is the one thing that i have struggled with since leaving the organization.
i recognize the need and value of belonging somewhere, being a part of something, showing up weekly to a community where me and my husband and children are loved and utilized and incorporated and cared for.
a place where are my kids qualities are nurtured and encouraged , and then reigned in and developed when needed.
Secular clubs are one thing, but their are secular groups that have a specific goal in mind. That usually makes people like minded enough.
I always felt more accepted in groups outside the organization, but that is because my entire adult life while in the organization I was secretly being shunned and had no clue.
Right after high school I joined a local chapter of an international Star Trek club. We did a lot of charitable work. We volunteered to work at Star Trek conventions. We had parties and BBQs. It was great.
I'm highly active in local and statewide groups that advocate for my chosen profession. This involves charitable work and other enjoyable activities.
i have far too many to name, but ill start with obscene music, gambling and cussing like a sailor.
all the while preaching to "worldly people" about their impending death at armageddon.
thoughts?.
I guess being the question is the "biggest hypocrisy" I've seen -
1) For decades the Watchtower put down the catholic church over the issue of child abuse by the clergy only to find out that it is just as prevalent in the organization.
2) Condemning holidays and practices that originate in "false" or non-christian religion and yet still practicing others - wedding rings and wearing a white wedding dress originates from religious beliefs outside the christian faith. These practices originated from the idea of protecting the bride from evil spirits. I guess Kingdom Halls are a haven for evil spirits. Especially at Witness weddings.
