I left the JWs and became a Christian, then an agnostic then an atheist. I didn't convert to atheism I simply don't think anyone is in charge from logic and observation. I don't think a firm belief in anything is a good idea. Experience has taught me that when new facts come to light I may change my mind.
Xanthippe
JoinedPosts by Xanthippe
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304
Musings about different types of atheist!
by Seraphim23 ina thought that occurs to me is that if one has the belief that all that is real is only explicable in terms of particles and forces, and that nothing exists that is not one of these, then good and bad doesnt exist either, the same would be true for any concept for that matter.
or perhaps it is only true when reduced to the level of matter and forces, but without the moral force, meaning and purpose that such a materialist only description would entail.
after all, if death is forever, which is materialist view, then what does it matter if a seventy or seven year old enters the grave?
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304
Musings about different types of atheist!
by Seraphim23 ina thought that occurs to me is that if one has the belief that all that is real is only explicable in terms of particles and forces, and that nothing exists that is not one of these, then good and bad doesnt exist either, the same would be true for any concept for that matter.
or perhaps it is only true when reduced to the level of matter and forces, but without the moral force, meaning and purpose that such a materialist only description would entail.
after all, if death is forever, which is materialist view, then what does it matter if a seventy or seven year old enters the grave?
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Xanthippe
If though you are right and good and bad are real and exist, they exist relative to the individuals inner world of the subjective and the ability to share those inner values and world with others who also have that inner subjective
world. - Seraphim
Thinking in terms of absolutes is the hallmark of someone who's never considered various perceptions, states of reality, viewpoints, etc. - Adam
I think you two agree more than you realise.
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304
Musings about different types of atheist!
by Seraphim23 ina thought that occurs to me is that if one has the belief that all that is real is only explicable in terms of particles and forces, and that nothing exists that is not one of these, then good and bad doesnt exist either, the same would be true for any concept for that matter.
or perhaps it is only true when reduced to the level of matter and forces, but without the moral force, meaning and purpose that such a materialist only description would entail.
after all, if death is forever, which is materialist view, then what does it matter if a seventy or seven year old enters the grave?
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Xanthippe
Could you put this into a sentence please I've had a long day at work?
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39
Where Do You NOW Think Wickedness Comes From? The Devil or... ?
by LoisLane looking for Superman ini think wickedness comes from evil people.. there are many people in between the two extremes of, overly good people and overly evil persons.. i do not believe in a devil.. i think he is a concept dreampt up by evil ones to blame bad behavior, as a red herring, on anyone but themselves.. the watchtower makes up attrocious lies, brow beats good people not to better themselves,.
all the while, they are building their own empire.. they say, do not isiolate yourself.
it is not good for you.. but if you don't agree with them and their current teachings, you will be shunned, disfellowshipped.. that can and does, have earth shattering results.. so many things, i was taught as a born in, are now considered apostate teachings.
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Xanthippe
I think one small decision followed by another to deliberately hurt others leads to wicked acts. A way of life is made of one small decision after another.
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Are we alone?
by Xanthippe inthe title of this thread is the title of a chapter in the book by richard dawkins that i'm really enjoying in spite of or perhaps because of it having been written for young people.
i thought i would share a couple of paragraphs on his theories of the kind of bodies aliens on other planets might have :-.
'let's exercise our imaginations a bit more.
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Xanthippe
The title of this thread is the title of a chapter in the book by Richard Dawkins that I'm really enjoying in spite of or perhaps because of it having been written for young people. I thought I would share a couple of paragraphs on his theories of the kind of bodies aliens on other planets might have :-
'Let's exercise our imaginations a bit more. On the planet of our hypothetical aliens, the radiant energy from their star will probably range from radio waves at the long end to X-rays at the short. Why should the aliens limit themselves to the narrow band of frequencies that we call 'light'? Maybe they have radio eyes? Or X-ray eyes?
A good image relies on high resolution. What does that mean? The higher the resolution, the closer two points can be to each other while still being distinguished from each other. Not surprisingly, long wavelengths don't make for good resolution. Light wavelengths are measured in minute fractions of a millimetre and give excellent resolution, but radio wavelengths are measured in metres. So radio waves would be lousy for forming images, although they are very good for communication purposes because they can be modulated. Modulated means changed, extremely rapidly, in a controlled way. So far as is known, no living creature on our planet has evolved a natural system for transmitting, modulating or receiving radio waves: that had to wait for human technology. But perhaps there are aliens on other planets that have evolved radio communication naturally.'
(After speculating about aliens with X-ray vision or that have evolved bodies that can use sonar on planets shrouded in thick fog he says)
'Or, if the aliens have evolved organs that can handle radio waves for communication, they might also evolve true radar to find their way around, and radar does work in fog.'
The Magic of Reality, Richard Dawkins, London 2012, pp 196 - 197
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Dream or Nightmare?
by compound complex ini have reached a frontier dreamt about as a child -- the outer reaches of a vast realm under stars.. though an imaginative and inquisitive lad, my forward-looking mind and open heart could never have conjured up this fabulous, this infinite unreality into which i have been catapulted.
what may appear a distortion of my former reality i tentatively accept as a cosmic tableau that threatens both to fascinate and crush my frail, puny body and spirit.
i am unable to comprehend what i gaze upon with frightened, delicious terror.. my recent escape from lunaria was of sheer necessity: my people have been overtaken by a scorpion race of alien malefactors whose intent toward us was not one of beneficient intervention but that of conquest.
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Xanthippe
That youtube is very funny CoCo! Well my daughter is a vegetarian so perhaps she knows something I don't about the future! I love Scifi by the way, Asimov, Arthur C Clarke, John Wyndham, Ursula K le Guin. Let your mind take flight.
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Dream or Nightmare?
by compound complex ini have reached a frontier dreamt about as a child -- the outer reaches of a vast realm under stars.. though an imaginative and inquisitive lad, my forward-looking mind and open heart could never have conjured up this fabulous, this infinite unreality into which i have been catapulted.
what may appear a distortion of my former reality i tentatively accept as a cosmic tableau that threatens both to fascinate and crush my frail, puny body and spirit.
i am unable to comprehend what i gaze upon with frightened, delicious terror.. my recent escape from lunaria was of sheer necessity: my people have been overtaken by a scorpion race of alien malefactors whose intent toward us was not one of beneficient intervention but that of conquest.
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Xanthippe
Qu'est - ce que c'est CoCo?
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F****** with Missionary Couple - they want me to call back!
by BluePill2 inhow often have witnesses knocked on your door since you left the borg?
how often did they talk to you during street witnessing?
in the past 4 years i have never been visited (live in a new area where nobody knows about my witness past, urban area, highly densed witness communities around).. this week i almost had to force them to preach.
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Xanthippe
Conclusion: pretty lousy preachers these days. The glorious days of quick Bible thumbers and razor sharp arguments are long gone. Sad days ahead
Blue Pill, maybe the people who knew the Bible and had razor sharp minds have all left. Good news.
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What do witnesses say to you that it is a sign of great tribulation coming?
by Iamallcool inwhen i was little, some older brother told me there will be a very important annoucement from bethel.
he said it might be start of the great tribulation.
i got so worried.
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Xanthippe
Interesting Scotoma, yet in 1989 when I left I remember there was a lot of stuff in the news about the UN and the newspapers used the expression 'peace and security' several times - I can't remember what was going on, it was so long ago. When my husband and I mentioned it to brothers and sisters they looked at us pityingly. They seemed to be saying, ' the Watchtower will tell you when it is the sign you don't have to use your brain'.
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What do witnesses say to you that it is a sign of great tribulation coming?
by Iamallcool inwhen i was little, some older brother told me there will be a very important annoucement from bethel.
he said it might be start of the great tribulation.
i got so worried.
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Xanthippe
The big sign now seems to be gay marriage. Was that in Matt. 24? Rhetorical question.