Posts by Xanthippe

38

If we are further away from perfection, why are we more moral?

by stuckinarut2 in

as we know, witnesses teach that adam and eve were perfect and then committed the first act of sin and rebellion.. they in turn were cursed,and we all declined as their offspring.

humans supposedly lived shorter and shorter lives, and became more imperfect and sinful.. the further away in time humans go then, they should be getting worse.

so why is it then that as a society, humans have actually improved in so many ways?.

Xanthippe

The world is a much safer, kinder, more moral and ethical place than it has been for thousands of years. We have human rights, animal rights, gay rights, women and children's rights.

The JWs don't see it like that at all. The world is a dark, wicked place to them full of disgusting sexual practices - people living with and loving who they want to love.

Greed, materialism and selfishness - people going to college, getting good jobs so they can live in a nice house, eat healthy food and travel around this lovely planet.

Ungodliness, puffed up with pride - people reading and studying whatever they want. Realising they don't need a religion to tell them how to be decent people, looking after their fellow humans. Thousands of charities and NGOs supported by millions of people who want to make the world a better place.

JWs just need to take of their dark glasses and see this lovely world that is full of good people trying to make a difference.

147

Scientism - Nothing But a Childish Insult?

by cofty in

it is not uncommon for theists to accuse rational people on this forum of "scientism".. in my opinion it is nothing but a cheap shot from those who know they lack evidence for their beliefs.

if something like "scientism" actually does exist then i have never encountered it.. here is part of an exchange from another thread - i have brought it here as it was off-topic.... scientism = claim of scientific method being universal and the only valid method of knowledge.

followers of scientism always demand scientific evidence to anything.

Xanthippe

Certainly adopting rigorous methods as far as possible but recognising it's a different kind of knowledge.

Yes in the sense that we don't want to copy most of the experiments of history I would agree.

147

Scientism - Nothing But a Childish Insult?

by cofty in

it is not uncommon for theists to accuse rational people on this forum of "scientism".. in my opinion it is nothing but a cheap shot from those who know they lack evidence for their beliefs.

if something like "scientism" actually does exist then i have never encountered it.. here is part of an exchange from another thread - i have brought it here as it was off-topic.... scientism = claim of scientific method being universal and the only valid method of knowledge.

followers of scientism always demand scientific evidence to anything.

Xanthippe

interested to know if you have actually read any contemporary academic work on history that categorises history as a "science". I would be surprised, but I could certainly have missed something!

My professors didn't use the word science to describe history but they did strongly suggest that historical evidence is now assessed as scientifically as possible. They examine the physical evidence, observe the changes events have wrought on a country and develop theories.

147

Scientism - Nothing But a Childish Insult?

by cofty in

it is not uncommon for theists to accuse rational people on this forum of "scientism".. in my opinion it is nothing but a cheap shot from those who know they lack evidence for their beliefs.

if something like "scientism" actually does exist then i have never encountered it.. here is part of an exchange from another thread - i have brought it here as it was off-topic.... scientism = claim of scientific method being universal and the only valid method of knowledge.

followers of scientism always demand scientific evidence to anything.

Xanthippe

History only happens once. We cannot rerun history and change certain conditions to determine causes

Paleontology and archaeology are sciences.

In science for example a question such as "which substance conducts electricity better"'can be tested and solved.

Until a better conductor is discovered or invented. Super conductors for example.

147

Scientism - Nothing But a Childish Insult?

by cofty in

it is not uncommon for theists to accuse rational people on this forum of "scientism".. in my opinion it is nothing but a cheap shot from those who know they lack evidence for their beliefs.

if something like "scientism" actually does exist then i have never encountered it.. here is part of an exchange from another thread - i have brought it here as it was off-topic.... scientism = claim of scientific method being universal and the only valid method of knowledge.

followers of scientism always demand scientific evidence to anything.

Xanthippe

I explained that there was in the clearest terms possible with examples (such as history)

Actually SBF history is examined using primary sources. A primary source is anything that is extant from the period whether it be an official document, a personal letter, household accounts, a building or even a painting. These are examined and a theory of what happened in that period is developed which does follow the scientific method.

Of course experimentation cannot be carried out to confirm the theory but as new evidence come to light, as new primary sources are found the theory is adjusted. Secondary sources also add adjustments. These are historical accounts written about the period and may have been created not long after the events.

26

Disfellowshipped people are dead people?

by snugglebunny in

jw
friends

skimming though my iphone earlier today i came across a fb post - which i now can't find!.

basically it was a claim that a gb member had stated that associating with a disfellowshipped person was akin to sleeping next to a corpse.. so obviously i'm curious as to whether anyone else has come across this..

Xanthippe

Good god I've not even heard of that horrible punishment let alone heard a 'true Christian' use it in a talk. Do they read books about medieval tortures to find allegories and metaphors for their talks. Revolting! What's wrong with these people!

12

Attending the 2017 Memorial

by Disassociated Lady 2 in

after contemplating whether or not to attend the memorial this year i finally went.

this time last year i had been reinstated and within weeks the elders summoned me to the kh to interrogate me about my past and place of residence.

i was angry with them and lost my temper and stood up to them.

Xanthippe

Sorry I don't remember your story or the background to this but you say you've been disfellowshipped twice by this cult? Why do you want to go back? Your dad's not there anymore.

20

Does God really care about mankind?

by Sour Grapes in

i am dying of cancer.

yesterday i asked my full blown jw wife if she could snap her fingers and make me well would she do so?.

she replied, "yes.

Xanthippe

Sour Grapes this is really shitty for you. Life isn't fair and there isn't a loving God. Wishing you strength and the love of friends and family.

I have said exactly the same thing thing as you posted here, every day their God waits there's more people to destroy and if he knows hearts then why wait.

103

What will you be doing on the evening of the 11th ?

by Phizzy in

mrs phizzy and myself will be eating out, sure in the knowledge we will not have jw's using the same restaurant.. i may have a cigar along with my brandy at the meal's end to celebrate my (our) freedom..

Xanthippe

As is your right, an adult can and does choose whether or not they will accompany someone to a concert, a doctor's visit, to a school play, to a commencement exercise, to a basketball, hockey, baseball or football game, to a night club, to a political campaign event, to a movie or the Grammys. Clearly, not every adult is going to appreciate an invitation from someone to attend the Memorial of Christ's death either and would be content with reading a book.

You know as well as I do that no such right exists within the JW religion djeggnog. If a JW misses the memorial it would be flagged up immediately as a spiritual weakness and could lead to visits from elders. Especially if the person is an elder, MS or pioneer. They may lose their 'privileges' and there may even be the elders visiting asking the loyalty question about who do you recognise as the FDS.There is no such right or adhering to personal boundaries in your religion so stop pretending there is.

17

Memorial - from disgusted to feeling sorry

by UBM101 in

i went with my husband tonight for the first time.

it was pretty appalling how they lied about the 144k and everyone else.

then passing the wine and bread for nothing.

Xanthippe

UBM101, that's the whole motivator in Christianity that I hate. How much are you going to work, give, suffer and bleed for this man who was tortured to death for you?