Posts by Xanthippe

58

IC 2014 talk: "A Century of Kingdom Rule Contrasted With a Century of Satans Rule"

by AnnOMaly in

a discussion of this talk on friday morning deserves its own thread.

as i said elsewhere, it was a remarkable one.

the speaker was manfred vencebi (google him - he's a bethel bigwig) and some of his remarks are real gems.

Xanthippe

Yes, people live longer today, but what is the point of having a longer lifespan and better health when, in most cases, people use those extra years and that extra energy to draw away from God and from our Creator? People use the extra health to offend God with their conduct....now they can reach to their 80s and 90s and now they have 20, 30 or 40 years more to offend Jehovah, to engage in conduct that makes him sad. Is thatprogress?"

We live 50 years longer than we did 150 years ago with comparatively wonderful health thanks to medicine and nutrition. People have so much leisure to pursue things that make them happy but all to no avail because if they don't slave for Watchtower they are making God sad.

The psychological manipulation is scary particularly for children growing up in this religion. You may feel healthy and what you do makes you happy but it's all wrong, wrong, wrong because a made-up person who you cannot even see is being hurt by all this vitality and joy.

And what can we say about the relief work we do to help people when they are victims of wars and disasters?" [Nothing at all. He leaves the question hanging.]

Of course he left it hanging everyone knows they do nothing.

70

Question for Atheists.. Did you gain a Greater Sense of Morality and Happiness?

by objectivetruth in

i've heard some view points that state, atheists are generally more moral & caring for fellow humans, than are theists.. i'd like to hear some personal stories of life changes and quality of life after you became atheist.

i have a simple theory that may explain this.. i'll explain my theory if you'd like, after a few responses, as i really am interested in the personal changes that you experienced.. thank you very much, and i look forward to your stories..

Xanthippe

As regards the golden rule, it's logical to treat other people well if you want to get the best out of them. Children learn this in nursery school. The problems start when a religious code of conduct tells you to keep on treating people well when they repay your kindness with cruelty. This completely screws everything up.

57

I am Back on JWN and out of hospital

by KateWild in

jw
friends

hey everyone,.

thanks qcf and nugget for starting threads.

thanks cofty for wondering where i was.

Xanthippe

I'm really glad you're home Sam. Have a fantastic holiday

28

6th Sense.

by quellycatface in

jw
friends

do you believe it exists?.

when you get "a hunch", do you ignore or listen to it?

?.

Xanthippe

When I was learning to drive my instructor was crazy. She insisted that I try not to stop at all at roundabouts because they were there to keep the traffic moving she said, unlike junctions. So when we got to a roundabout she would be waving her arms about saying 'flow, flow' for me to keep going.

One day I got to a small roundabout in a small town and as I approached it looked completely clear but I stopped and it was as if I could not move. She was starting with her 'flow' stuff and still I could not move when a huge lorry flashed in front of us without even slowing down. The driver shot straight through the roundabout without even a glance to the right.

We sat there stunned and she said, well I suppose the driver is the one whose instincts are working when you're on the road. If I hadn't stopped that lorry would have ploughed straight into her side of the car. Eventually I found another instructor and passed my test!

24

April 23, 1933 - the most significant date of all.

by Focus in

jw
friends

april 23, 1933 - the most significant date of all.

every single one of you will, of course, know the significance of this momentous date in the history of god's people and their "inspired", ark-like organization.. do you know what was the significance of that critical date?.

do not expect the earthly media to provide you with a clue.

Xanthippe

Your birthday.

71

Kate Wild

by quellycatface in

jw
friends

i've been given permission to post news of our friend.. kate hasn't been very well.

not well at all.

i think much of it has been a delayed reaction to her df'ing, the general fallout when leaving the wtbs and family issues.. i just wanted to give you guys the heads up and give you a chance to show how much we care about her.. thanks for listening..

Xanthippe

Hope you feel better soon Sam. We miss you x

52

Bible's mention of physical beauty- why?

by Magnum in

for years, as i've read through the bible, i've wondered why bible writers were concerned about physical beauty (see references below)?

i realize it's human nature to be interested in beauty, but why did they see fit to record in the so-called "word of god" the fact that some of the people they wrote about were beautiful?

looks are not supposed to matter according to jw doctrine (and probably the doctrine of many christian-professing sects).

Xanthippe

Magnum, the NT is about a group of people who believed in one of the Jewish Messiahs, the one that was crucified by the Romans. Perhaps they all were, we don't know do we. So after the fact they had to explain why their leader died. Enter the Ransom Sacrifice doctrine. He was meant to die, he did not fail.

Aligned with that goes the idea that we are all sinful, missing the mark. Falling short of the glory of god. No more super heroes. No more Davids, Samsons, Solomons. Just weak people who need a saviour. I prefer pagan religions to this sad story of the fall I must say.

52

Bible's mention of physical beauty- why?

by Magnum in

for years, as i've read through the bible, i've wondered why bible writers were concerned about physical beauty (see references below)?

i realize it's human nature to be interested in beauty, but why did they see fit to record in the so-called "word of god" the fact that some of the people they wrote about were beautiful?

looks are not supposed to matter according to jw doctrine (and probably the doctrine of many christian-professing sects).

Xanthippe

Homer is full of beautiful women and strong men. Paris and Helen. Achilles and Hector. Odysseus. Even the godesses are beautiful. White-armed Hera and Hera of the flashing eyes. Who wants to read about ugly people?

Mythology is all about super heroes.

There is a school of thought that the NT is influenced by Paul's classical education. They say Plato saw physical reality as just a shadow of the spiritual but I am not so sure. Plato's Academy included a gymnasium for athletes to train, usually naked. Plato valued physical fitness and does not seem to me to be sexually repressed. Some scholars think he was gay. Where the sexual repression in the NT and the lack of description of physical beauty comes from is quite a puzzle. Certainly much of it does seem to be from Paul.

52

Bible's mention of physical beauty- why?

by Magnum in

for years, as i've read through the bible, i've wondered why bible writers were concerned about physical beauty (see references below)?

i realize it's human nature to be interested in beauty, but why did they see fit to record in the so-called "word of god" the fact that some of the people they wrote about were beautiful?

looks are not supposed to matter according to jw doctrine (and probably the doctrine of many christian-professing sects).

Xanthippe

Xanthippe- Your smug contempt is creepy...

Why go to a religious based forum and spew vile

and hatred against God and the Bible?

Wow! Vile and hatred eh? Projection. I don't hate you.

52

Bible's mention of physical beauty- why?

by Magnum in

for years, as i've read through the bible, i've wondered why bible writers were concerned about physical beauty (see references below)?

i realize it's human nature to be interested in beauty, but why did they see fit to record in the so-called "word of god" the fact that some of the people they wrote about were beautiful?

looks are not supposed to matter according to jw doctrine (and probably the doctrine of many christian-professing sects).

Xanthippe

Women were allowed time off

from their duties while on their period and had a special

designated building or seperate place they went to

to hang out with other women each month at this time.

Is this in Leviticus or in your imagination?

What about the two turtledoves she had to offer as a sacrifice, one as a sin offering so that the priest could make an atonement for her before God because of her unclean period? I suppose in your mind that is eating chocolate and cuddling up with a hot water bottle.