Posts by Bobcat

41

good old apocalyptic science fiction

by Hortensia in

have you ever read "no blade of grass," "on the beach" or "the satan-bug?

" i have a feeling it wouldn't hurt to reread those old novels.. folks around here argue about gmo foods, for instance, without realizing that one of the main problems with gmo is lack of diversity, dangerous if a disease comes along that kills the main crops of the world.. and people seem to have forgotten that humans could indeed destroy themselves completely, if someone starts a nuclear war.

they always seem to think there could be survivors of an all-out nuclear war.

Bobcat

BTW - what the heck was a "Cobalt Bomb" supposed to be in On The Beach?

I'm relying on memory (sometimes faulty), but if I remember, the On The Beach movie opens up with a brief description of 'what happened.' And then the movie plays out in the time afterward. So if there is a mention of Cobalt Bombs it would probably be in the earlier moments of the movie. I think the storyline has it that the Northern Hemisphere is already poisoned and the radioactivity is slowly circulating southward towards Australia or New Zealand (can't remember which).

The "cobalt bomb" was supposedly designed for long term radiation effects. As the Wiki link shows, they never built any. It was a theoretical design. But I can see now that the movie played on the fears of it. "Alas Babylon" played on the fears of the H-Bomb. The timelines of the movies/books suggest that Hollywood keeps up with the latest threats.

Soviet propaganda went into high gear against the neutron bomb also. And for good reason. But there was always the question of whether it would matter. Each side would view a nuke as a nuke, regardless of the effects. And the first use would open 'pandora's box.'

Its interesting that the idea of 'fail safe' goes into reverse once the war starts. Once it starts, or is about to start, all the safeguards to prevent it come off, and (in the military mindset) it is 'use it or lose it.' "The Day After" movie made some effort to portray that sort of 'war inertia,' with each side escalating, while still talking of ending hostilities.

I wonder if that has changed in recent years. When the earth was divided into two camps, everybody was on one side or the other. It seemed like the prevailing notion was that once nukes were used, it would inevitably escalate. Now they more openly talk of a first use w/o the expected escalation. Maybe they are just fooling themselves.

On another note, the idea of 'nuclear winter' became the expected after effect of a nuclear war sometime in the late 70s or early 80s. Movies made since then seem to feature that, rather than the idea of radiation overdose as in On The Beach.

And since were talking of apocalyptic Books/Films, the book "Triumph" was another one that featured enhanced radiation weapons, used with the idea of poisoning the 'enemy.'

14

A couple of real wild statements made at the meeting Sunday

by Sour Grapes in

from time to time there are things said by the brother giving the public talk or conducting the watchtower that just make my jaw drop.

here are two from sunday.

"we are 98 years into the last days"

Bobcat

To me, the great irony is that the WT itself doesn't correctly understand what Revelation says about Armageddon.

In WT teaching, Armageddon happens well into the great tribulation, after religion has been destroyed.

But in Revelation 16:16-21, the order of events is

v.16 Nations gathered to place called Armageddon

v.17 Last bowl of anger poured out, involving:

Divine statement that "it is finished"

v.18 Thunders, lightnings

Great Earthquake, involving:

v.19 Great City split into three

Cities of nations fall

Babylon handed God's cup of wrath

v.20 Islands and mountains removed

v.21 Great plague of hail

Since v.16 specifically calls Armageddon "a place" (symbolic or otherwise), all of the "events" from verses 17 - 21 happen "at" Armageddon.

41

good old apocalyptic science fiction

by Hortensia in

have you ever read "no blade of grass," "on the beach" or "the satan-bug?

" i have a feeling it wouldn't hurt to reread those old novels.. folks around here argue about gmo foods, for instance, without realizing that one of the main problems with gmo is lack of diversity, dangerous if a disease comes along that kills the main crops of the world.. and people seem to have forgotten that humans could indeed destroy themselves completely, if someone starts a nuclear war.

they always seem to think there could be survivors of an all-out nuclear war.

Bobcat

James Woods:

The pervasiveness of the nuclear fallout and the length of time it persisted are not sustained in reality.

If I remember correctly (and I may not), the story line of the original "On The Beach" involved a war between the US and China using "Cobalt Bombs."

I remember my dad used to talk about such devices. In my day (my heyday), it was the nuetron bomb that caused a stir. Although it was not intended for such longlasting radioactive effects. It was more intended to even the 'playing field' of Western Europe. In the 70s (in my military days), we used to war game against the Soviets expecting a single US brigade to have to go up against 3 armored Warsaw Pact divisions. Everyone quietly expected it to go nuclear within days, if not sooner - if it ever happened.

41

good old apocalyptic science fiction

by Hortensia in

have you ever read "no blade of grass," "on the beach" or "the satan-bug?

" i have a feeling it wouldn't hurt to reread those old novels.. folks around here argue about gmo foods, for instance, without realizing that one of the main problems with gmo is lack of diversity, dangerous if a disease comes along that kills the main crops of the world.. and people seem to have forgotten that humans could indeed destroy themselves completely, if someone starts a nuclear war.

they always seem to think there could be survivors of an all-out nuclear war.

Bobcat

"Earth Abides" (The title is drawn from Eccl 1:4 KJV) Read it as a teenager. Seems like the final chapter was titled, "The Last American."

The drama centers around the San Francisco area

HBO had a remake of "On The Beach" a few years ago. Also saw the original.

"Threads" (BBC Docudrama - Viewable on Youtube.)

Somewhat similar to "The Day After" but from a British perspective.

"Testament" is similar genre.

I read parts of "The Road," but did not see the movie. Thought the relationship between the boy and his father was very moving, well written.

25

Will Quantum Computers Simulate Other Universes? Is Our World a Simulation in Some type of Quantum Computer?

by frankiespeakin in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyh2d4-tzfm&feature=g-vrec.

Bobcat

Aussie Oz:

Ever seen ''the thirteenth floor"?

I saw it. Very interesting movie with an ending not unlike the final scene in the "Men in Black" movie where they back away to show a shot of the entire galaxy and it turns out that the galaxy is just the insides of a marble that an alien is playing with.

The PBS show, "The Facbric of the Cosmos" had some interesting discussion of 'quantum computers' and their theoretical computing power as compared with binary computers.

42

Annual meeting. Greek scholars please help!

by DATA-DOG in

below is a statement from gb member gerrit losch.

notice what is said about the fds.

is this true?

Bobcat

Even tho there might be some possible change in the published WT position from what was reported, I like the fact that alot of info and discussion about the parable itself was gathered into one place. As the saying goes, 'to be forewarned is to be forearmed.'

Additionally, the reports are not just from a single source, and they seem to agree on the major points. I also like the fact that possible weak points and falacious reasoning have been identified. It often takes some multi-person brainstorming to do that.

Also, I don't agree that lack of 'scholarly' status is a bar to discussion of the language aspects of this. That view is not too different from the one that 'the powers that were' used to hold concerning common folk having access to the Bible itself. In fact, many of the 'non-scholarly' comments came from or were learned from 'scholarly' language references that are available to us 'non-scholars.' Information available to common people is the great counterweight to the power that 'scholars' and religious leaders would otherwise have.

42

Annual meeting. Greek scholars please help!

by DATA-DOG in

below is a statement from gb member gerrit losch.

notice what is said about the fds.

is this true?

Bobcat

Leolaia:

Thanks for illustrating that use of the article. Very interesting.

Vidqun:

Good point on the conditional phrasing. In the parable, the F&DS was "faithful and discreet" enough to get the 'promotion,' so to speak, to the food department. His being F&D was what led to the promotion. But that certainly wasn't the end of his performance being judged. If he started mistreating his fellow slaves, like denying them medical treatment, or beating them verbally, like calling them mentally diseased . . .

42

Annual meeting. Greek scholars please help!

by DATA-DOG in

below is a statement from gb member gerrit losch.

notice what is said about the fds.

is this true?

Bobcat

Although I'm no Greek scholar (but I play one on TV), but:

This much is true:

"Mt 24:45-47 and Lu 12, uses the definite article 'ho' with reference to F&DS."

I don't see how the definite article requires this conclusion:

"Therefore is composite and does not apply to individual anointed ones nor to GC."

Rather than the article before "slave," what really directs the meaning is the opening phrase, tis ara estin (Who really is, who then is). Both parables (Lu 12 and Mt 24) begin with this.

Concerning ara (#686), AMG's Greek-English Dictionary says, "As an inferential particle ara means 'therefore,' 'then,' 'now,' 'consequently,' marking a transition to what naturally follows from the words preceding."

Leading up to the parable in Luke 12, Jesus tells his disciples (using plural pronouns) to seek first the kingdom (vv.32-34), and to be hard working slaves who are constantly watching for their master's return (vv.35-40). Peter then asks if Jesus is saying this to them or to all (v.41). Jesus' response is the parable of the F&DS. (Which, if you are familiar with the gospel accounts, it is not uncommon for Jesus to answer a question with a question. Many examples could be cited here.)

The setting in Matthew 24 is just a few weeks later in time. Verses 43, 44 are almost identical with Luke 12:35-40. Again using plural 2nd person pronouns. Then Jesus gives the gist of the parable that he gave in Luke 12.

The material in Luke 12:35-40 and Matthew 24:43, 44 is directed to a plural group. Especially in Luke, though, with Peter's question of who it applies to, the parable of the F&DS uses a singular example, and naturally would help each listener to determine if it applied to him. In a sense, it takes a plural or group discussion and focuses it on the individual.

Also giving meaning to whom the parable applies is the principle Jesus cites at the end of the parable in Luke. Verse 48 says, "Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than the usual of him."

Based on this principle, the application of the parable would seem to be for "everyone to whom much was given," and 'the one whom [the master] puts in charge of much.'

How would any of this context make any sense at all, if Jesus is describing a handful of men some 1900 years in the future?

I will say this also. Whenever the Society quotes the parable, they rarely, if ever, include the context. That practice is most useful if you want to make some implausible application. Context's have a habit of getting in the way.

Hope this helps

Take Care

35

Who or is the parclete in John 14:16,26 15:26 16 7-14

by insearchoftruth4 in

Bobcat

Leolaia: (Greetings)

You have my curiosity up. But your statement is not entirely clear to me. 500 years after Moses predicted the coming "Prophet"? (1446 - 500 = 946?) Or 500 years after Jesus, c.500 AD, Mohammed? (I think I might have answered my own question as I typed this.)

Take Care

35

Who or is the parclete in John 14:16,26 15:26 16 7-14

by insearchoftruth4 in

Bobcat

The questioning and response of John the baptizer in John 1:19-21 provides an interesting look at how the Jews saw things.

First, John confesses he is not the Christ. (v.20, presumably they asked him.) They then ask if he was "Elijah." After denying that, they ask if he was "the Prophet." (v.21) Their questions reveal that they thought "Christ," "Elijah," and "the Prophet" were seperate individuals. Some commentators see a certain progression in the Jews questioning, as if they were moving 'down the ranks,' so to speak.

Acts 3:19-26 applies the coming "Prophet" (from Deut 18:15) to Jesus. (And Jesus himself applied the coming "Elijah" to John.)

Concerning the "Helper" (Paraclete, Advocate, Comforter, Encourager - all possible translations of a word that is "found in a few places" in Greek outside of the Bible according to BDAG), Jesus refers to the coming Holy Spirit as "another (allos) Helper" in 14:16. I imagine that the presence of this 'other Helper,' as a substitute for Jesus after he left, that this was how Jesus could say that he would be 'with his disciples until the conclusion of the age.' (Mt 28:20)

The close relation of Jesus to his Father, and the substitutionary role of the Holy Spirit probably goes a long way in explaining the almost interchangable way God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit are used in the NT in some places.

(In extra-Biblical Greek, BDAG says that paracletos "has for the most part a more general sense: one who appears in another's behalf, mediator, intercessor, helper. p.766, formatting theirs)

I'm not sure if you are getting into the topic of whether the Holy Spirit is a person or not. So I left that alone. I probably have a unique view of that but I don't want your thread to be dragged into an area that you might not have intended.

Hope this is useful some.

Take Care