Posts by rip van winkle

52

Is going from the JWs to another Religion just a "Rebound?"

by braincleaned in

jw
friends

*a rebound is the need to fill a void with something we partly had confort in; whether in romance or faith.... .

i posted the following in another thread, and i welcome your feedback - especially if you disagree with my logic.

"as per one of my notes, my biggest fear is my, our, natural tendency for confirmation bias.

rip van winkle

RVW said:-When a man can create something from nothing- not out of something else already existing, then I would have to reconsider my belief that humans are spiritual beings and of God's existence.---------------

Ksol said-Start reconsidering then:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1997/09/970918045841.htm Yes, KSol. The light-a source that already exists. I stand by my original statement. ----------------------

Ksol-Einstein is the one who is credited with explaining matter (something) can be created from energy, and vice-versa (energy from matter is easier to do, obviously), with his famous E = mc².

Yes, Sol- Einstein's theory used a mathematical equation? From what source does it come from? In 1929,Einstein was asked whether he believed in God. Einstein responded:"I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not with a God who concerns himself with the fate and actions of human beings."

KSol said-NOW, prove to me not only that God exists, but that he created anything (whether matter or energy) from nothing.... Pretty hard to do, as God has to be something himself, right? Is he energy? So, who created the energy that he is made of? Himself?

Your statement disguised as a question is a good one, KSol. "Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities- his external power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" - Ro 1:20 NIV.

How did the Universe come to be? By a spark? The Big Bang? One of life's still unsolved mysteries that has neither been scientifically proven nor disproven.

Ksol said- It's easy to say impossible illogical nonsense, but simply ascribing them to something imaginary is no solution. I appreciate you holding back on your sarcasm and cynism .

Ksol said- BTW, you're assuming that matter and energy need to be created: says who? And KSol you're assuming that it did not.

(Edited- some lines and phrases I did not bold- are in bold)

5

2. Has anyone read The "Road Less Travelled" by Scott Peck, and what did you think?

by dreamgolfer in

jw
friends

rip van winkle

It was a highly recommended book. The book originally published in 1978. I read it the 25th Anniv. Edition.(same book as 1978 with an intro from author M.Scott Peck) I hated it. I found it completely boring. But, I think it had to do with my timing (I started to read it while my mother was dying) and I was not ready to leave the "TRUTH". At this stage I might give it another go-around.

I read another, published in 2009, that I liked entitled "You Unstuck" by Libby Gill that I related to moreso. It 's more of a coaching, with tips and self-evaluation.

And a quick read but also recommended is: "Who Moved My Cheese?" An interesting take on how we can accept life's changes and move forward in the form of a parable.

52

Is going from the JWs to another Religion just a "Rebound?"

by braincleaned in

jw
friends

*a rebound is the need to fill a void with something we partly had confort in; whether in romance or faith.... .

i posted the following in another thread, and i welcome your feedback - especially if you disagree with my logic.

"as per one of my notes, my biggest fear is my, our, natural tendency for confirmation bias.

rip van winkle

"The person that commits to another religion, especially another Christian religion, so soon after leaving the witlesses is going to end up in a bad religion. However, the person that does extensive research on those religions is in a better position to choose something that will work for them. The broader the research, the more likely you are to find the right one or to stay out of it altogether (and avoid problems)."

I agree with the above stated comments of WTWizard. And am doubtful that I would ever take part in any "Organized religion" ever again.

================

I would disagree with KSols line of reasoning against (the existence of God) humans are spiritual beings : Except for the fact that what we know about science can be recreated in the lab ......

.......... some principles are more readily understood by seeing the principles demonstrated before your own eyes. That IS an essential component of science: reproducability of results."

KSol-When a man can create something from nothing- not out of something else already existing, then I would have to reconsider my belief that humans are spiritual beings and of God's existence.

36

Unexpected conversation with a long time JW friend (in good standing)

by OneDayillBeFree in

so tonight after the meeting, this brother whome i've grown up with invited me to eat.

he had come almost an hour late to the meeting and looked kind of down and a bit depressed.

i agreed to go eat.. there was very little talking at first.

rip van winkle

Amazing at how many are becoming disillusioned! And tired.

ODIBF-Just be careful- play your hand close to the vest, as you continue your slow fade. Jw's are tricky with their spiritual warfare.

7

Speak your mind...

by OneDayillBeFree in

that's something most (if not all jw's) rarely get to do.

and it's something i've started embracing for a while.

at the meeting i was talking to some of the younger crowd and they were expressing their sadness about the congregation splitting.

rip van winkle

ODIBF- You did good!!!

254

She refused to Return His Calls After a First Date, Then in Rage, He Rants Out, Very Revealing

by Scott77 in

nb: this is internet re-post lindsay mannering's article.

enjoy reading.

comments (538)|likes (81)if ever there was a reason to hide under the covers with a box of wine and swear off menfor good, this might be it.

rip van winkle

I stopped reading after " In my opinion, leading someone on (i.e., giving mixed signals) is impolite and immature. It's bad to do that"

I was told: "When you see crazy coming, cross the street."

8

Poker is ruled a game of skill - not chance

by Glander in

jw
friends

so it is not straight gambling.

it can be compared to golf buddies betting on the game.. this will have implications for internet games.. if this is the case, why not intenet video games , like car racing, sports, shoot-outs...etc.

but with real betting?.

rip van winkle

Glander, playing cards is not gambling. If you play the game for cookies- no one cares.

It's the wagering of money represented by chips.

I guess if you play with chocolate chip cookies it wouldn't be considered gambling.

If I played with chocolate chip cookies- it would, however, be a gamble! I likes me cookies!!!

19

Getting some more help

by Cagefighter in

i have talked before about what happened to me as a jw.

i was baptized at 12 and two years later i was in a judicial committee for sexual immorality after having an inappropriate relationship with an older woman.. it was handled just like any other kh would have handled it.

after a humiliating interrogation by my elder father in front of my mother, he dropped the dime on me.

rip van winkle

Cagefighter, thank you for sharing your very personal thoughts and feelings about your abuse. It's sometimes a difficult realization, especially when young that your parents are not perfect people. For any child to grow up without a sense of being able to trust the people we love the most, and who are supposed to love us the most , is never easy. I do understand.

And you are right, society does not look at male sexual abuse the same as a female. You were not only physically taken advantage of by an adult woman, but emotionally. You were the child. It doesn't matter if you had sexual feelings-it is still ABUSE and not your fault. And then to be subjected to the questionings by a JC was pouring salt on an open wound.

I'm sorry for the shame you have had to endure for something that you had no control over.

To me, when someone can speak up and not be "The Keeper of Secrets" (the name I called myself for many years), then that's half the battle. You are a courageous person and I admire your candor. I'm sure that your experience and your fight to not to give up will help others.

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other... I wish you all the best.

36

Favorite LAST episode to the ending of series drama or sitcom?

by dreamgolfer in

1) mine, newhart show #2 - when "bob" wakes up and and said he had a dream he was running an inn in new hampshire.

and it is suzzane pleshette next to him.

still can't get it outta my little noggin.

rip van winkle

Mine is yours, dreamgolfer. I immediately thought of Newhart. That was the best and most unexpected ending.So smart and funny.

I was loving Seinfeld's final episode with so many characters from past episodes, but then it just fell flat. Big disappointment.

29

Would you go running back?

by Nambo in

if the tribulations started tomorrow, and all you knew of the bible was what the jws had told you, would you suddenly think, "they said this would happen, and it is, therefore they must be right", and go running back?.

or would you think, "just because eventually biblical prophiesies came to pass that "they" had read you from the bible, doesnt mean they are the chosen religion, because they get all these other doctrines wrong", and know these doctrines well enough to be able to convince yourselves.. .

replies such as "it wont happen cause its a fairy story" wont really help..

rip van winkle

No.