rem...very nice posting. Steven Pinker has written a book entitled, The Blank Slate, The Modern Denial of Human Nature. It discusses the neurobiological obstacles to objective appraisal of realities that counter our evolved mental systems. Scientific thinking is new to the human species and requires application of "unnatural" cultivated logic. Also there's the social resistance to advancments in evolutionary psychology and neuroscience because many unconsciousy fear errosion of values in our society will result from linking biology to our behavior. He's very readable and timley.
peacefulpete
JoinedPosts by peacefulpete
-
108
Paranormal Experiences
by mattnoel inhas anyone ever had any experiences with ghosts or that of the paranormal world ?.
we think that we have a ghost in our house, nothing major just does little things at times, was just wondering if anyone has ever had anything happen to them ?
or if you dont believe in ghosts, how do you explain what happens to people ?.
-
-
-
21
Are Christians religions all cults?
by SpiceItUp ini was just reading something on a thread that tiggered this question.
have you even been involved in a converstation with a christian fanatic?
i have a few times and have been told a few times that i am going to go to hell because i don't believe in the bible and don't except god/jesus (at least their version) into my heart.. i know that having that fear as a basis for beliefs is a sign of cultish behavior.
-
-
peacefulpete
introspection tells jokes?
-
108
Paranormal Experiences
by mattnoel inhas anyone ever had any experiences with ghosts or that of the paranormal world ?.
we think that we have a ghost in our house, nothing major just does little things at times, was just wondering if anyone has ever had anything happen to them ?
or if you dont believe in ghosts, how do you explain what happens to people ?.
-
-
peacefulpete
There is a million dollar reward offered by the Amazing Randi (a paranormal debunker) for anyone who can prove a supernatural contact! Noone in 5 years has attempted to claim the money.
-
21
Are Christians religions all cults?
by SpiceItUp ini was just reading something on a thread that tiggered this question.
have you even been involved in a converstation with a christian fanatic?
i have a few times and have been told a few times that i am going to go to hell because i don't believe in the bible and don't except god/jesus (at least their version) into my heart.. i know that having that fear as a basis for beliefs is a sign of cultish behavior.
-
-
peacefulpete
Do you venerate or worship a man? (eg Jesus) If so you are a cult member. Do you make decisions based upon the thoughts and direction of a man rather than analyse the matter from many perspectives? If so, you are a cult member. Christian means "a follower of Christ". Assuming onto oneself the name "Christian" rather than coining a new one to describe your position, implies a desire to imitate those who have preceeded you as a Christian. Many who call themselves Christian denounce/ignore the apocalypic and elitist aspects of Christianity but find value in selected passages as they equally do other works of "wisdom" the world has preserved, these by misappying the word "Christian" to themselves may not be open to the label "cult member". Ironically, these might more properly be called, "worldly". Just my thoughts.
-
1
Are Jw's The only ones who can save us?
by liquidsky ini tried posting a link yesterday to this discussion on www.purelanguage.net.
anyway, its under study hall and titled "why urgent to preach the warning news.." in case you want to read it.. a jw's bible study asked if everyones survival depended solely on whether or not jehovahs witnesses could preach to them in time.
(before the big a) some of the comments made me want to gag.
-
-
peacefulpete
Liquid sky...I posted this some time ago but it seems to fit here as well. At Romans 2:14-16 the author declares that those"not under law" will be judged according to their obeying their conscience! The WT society loves to use verse 15 and apply it wrongly and negatively. They define the phrase "accused or even excused" as the voice in their head, but verse 16 makes very clear that this accusing and excusing is by God not the persons's own mind. Back in the 70's there was an Awake article on the conscience that properly set the context as referring to a judgement by God but the article only stressed the accused part not considering that some non-JWs may be "excused" at Amagedon. The article is apparently no longer in the WT cd. I had a printout that was found 8 years ago or so using the cd then in use, it could not be found using the newest version. Now I have moved on in my life away from this type of apocalyptic doomsaying but this might be a good discussion for those still under it's spell.
-
11
Prophecy that Really isn't Prophetic
by metatron inin my final years as a witness , i began to have doubts about all the watchtower's claimed prophecies.. .
example: rev.
11 "god will bring to ruin those who ruin the earth".
-
-
peacefulpete
It's not even completely accurate to say "coincidence" as the "prophecies" were "discerned" after the "fullfillment". Even the 1914 date was not a "coincidence" as WW1 was not predicted, Armagedon was. In fact the war began in 1913 it escalated in 1914-15. The WT explanation is that Satan KNEW the date and began the war early to distract the world from the invisible coming of Jesus. As if a person needed to be distracted to not see an invisible event. These are clever reinterpretations of misapplications of misunderstandings of mistranslated misguided mythic propaganda.
-
2
Attn. Scientology bought anticult web site.
by peacefulpete inthis is not new to any who have read steve hassan's book releasing the bonds but i feel it is worth posting.
the cult awareness network (can) was the largest cult exit and recovery organization.
it was erroneously sued by various cults as desiring to deprive freedom of religion, the costs put the organization into bankruptcy.
-
-
peacefulpete
This is not new to any who have read Steve Hassan's book Releasing the bonds but I feel it is worth posting. The Cult Awareness Network (CAN) was the largest cult exit and recovery organization. It was erroneously sued by various cults as desiring to deprive freedom of religion, the costs put the organization into bankruptcy. The organization's name, phone number and PO box were auctioned off. Guess who bought it? A member of the Church of Scientology. The site has since then disguised this fact and has been actively misrepresenting the facts about cults and mind control. Even denying that mind control exists! They attack as ungodly and unscholarly those leading the field in cult recovery psychology. The "cult-instilled phobia of anti-religious deprogrammers are reinforced". (to quote the book.) Those interested in researching what cults are and how to leave need to be careful of this and other websites that are in fact operated by cults offering disinformation. I recommend the AFF (American Family Foundation)but there are others equally qualified to offer help. The AFF is sponsored by a Jewish organization but the site operates on it's own terms, and most the doctors that post are not Jewish and have independent practices. In my opinion it is an example of a religion doing some good with it's assets.
-
21
Are Christians religions all cults?
by SpiceItUp ini was just reading something on a thread that tiggered this question.
have you even been involved in a converstation with a christian fanatic?
i have a few times and have been told a few times that i am going to go to hell because i don't believe in the bible and don't except god/jesus (at least their version) into my heart.. i know that having that fear as a basis for beliefs is a sign of cultish behavior.
-
-
peacefulpete
I dont know why this text is highlighted.
-
21
Are Christians religions all cults?
by SpiceItUp ini was just reading something on a thread that tiggered this question.
have you even been involved in a converstation with a christian fanatic?
i have a few times and have been told a few times that i am going to go to hell because i don't believe in the bible and don't except god/jesus (at least their version) into my heart.. i know that having that fear as a basis for beliefs is a sign of cultish behavior.
-
-
peacefulpete
Christianity was at it's inception a cult by any definition. A jesus cult. Today the word has been associated with only the very worst type of cults(Jim Jones type)and so the definition has become blurred. The AFF (American Family Foundation) has offered the alternative term "high control goup". The groups so identified use specific techniques of recruiment and thought control. This is an interesting study. Go to their site and read the articles dealing with identifying Cults and high control groups.
-
24
Quit School / Encouraged not to go to college/ unit
by shamus inhow many of you quit school b/c of the religion?
another question - how many of you did not go on to college / uni b/c of the religion?.
do you regret it?.
-
-
peacefulpete
I declined scholarships my councelor applied for in my behalf. I had cleaned toilets and dug graves for 20 years to support my pioneering. I am now considering going back to school but of course finaces are a problem. It pains me to see my nephews who are very bright boys have their opportunities squandered away with "home Schooling" and no hope of college. Of course I can not even express my concern as they have shut us out.