Posts by IronGland

39

What New Light Are You Talking About?

by Robdar in

jw
friends

andyman stated in another thread:this got me thinking about the change in the 1914 generation.

i remember how this was a very important point when i was studying back in the late 80's.

it was explained to me over and over that this system would defenitly end before the generation of 1914 passed away.

IronGland

BeelZeDub, here is the exact text of the article I was referring to.

"A Time to Keep Awake"
"Eager to see the end of this evil system, Jehovah's people have at times speculated about the time when the "great tribulation" would break out, even tying this to calculations of what is the lifetime of a generation since 1914. However, we "bring a heart of wisdom in," not by speculating about how many years or days make up a generation, but by thinking about how we "count our days" in bringing joyful praise to Jehovah. (Psalm 90:12) Rather than provide a rule for measuring time, the term "generation" as used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics." (The Watchtower, November 1, 1995, p. 17)

It's also intersting to note the changes to the masthead in the Awake after this article appeared. Pre-November 1995 it stated:

"Most importantly this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away."

Post November 1995 it stated:

"Most importantly this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things."

Its also funny how they refer to "jehovahs people speculating". Prior to 1995 it was not just 'speculation'. It was presented as 'Truth' handed down thru the F&DS.

Edited by - Irongland on 15 November 2002 16:11:39

Edited by - Irongland on 15 November 2002 16:12:25

39

What New Light Are You Talking About?

by Robdar in

jw
friends

andyman stated in another thread:this got me thinking about the change in the 1914 generation.

i remember how this was a very important point when i was studying back in the late 80's.

it was explained to me over and over that this system would defenitly end before the generation of 1914 passed away.

IronGland

I'm sure someone else will post the exact text from the article, but in the oct or nov. '95 Watchtower, they stated something to the effect that "some of the brothers have tried to tie the end of this system with the length of certain generations and we would bring a heart of wisdom into the matter by not speculating, blah blah blah" As with all the other changes, they blame the rank and file for actually believing what they were told. Go figure.

97

Evidence for Evolution?

by LucidSky in

all historical and archeological evidence aside, the biggest evidence that convinced me evolution is factual is speciation (also called "micro-evolution").

this is the transformation of one species into two such that the two can no longer interbreed.

there is no need for historical evidence to prove this -- cases of speciation have actually been observed.

IronGland

Could that be because your research is nonexistant?

103

Keeping it in perspective

by Torn in

i've just joined up to silentlambs.

basically i still consider myself a jw, although i'm no longer active.

i do frequent the odd sunday meeting tho, as i still consider 95% of it to be the truth.

IronGland

'When the spiritual teacher and his disciples began their evening meditation, the cat who lived in the monastery made such noise that it distracted them. So the teacher ordered that the cat be tied up during the evening practice. Years later, when the teacher died, the cat continued to be tied up during the meditation session. And when the cat eventually died, another cat was brought to the monastery and tied up. Centuries later, learned descendants of the spiritual teacher wrote scholarly treatises about the religious significance of tying up a cat for meditation practice.'

10

Definition of a Crackpot

by IronGland in

jw
friends

one who believes that thousands of intelligent, informed, educated, credentialed scientists from a multitude of backgrounds and belief systems, working all over the world, holding tenure at hundreds of major universities, publishing their findings in peer-reviewed journals, and winning awards and research grants from both government and private industry are wrong, but that a single individual with access to a computer and an internet account has miraculously stumbled upon the truth.

.

so...remind you of anyone here?

IronGland

just a friendly jab at some of our 'creation scientists' lol

102

What Was The 1st Thing That Made You Question?

by minimus in

jw
friends

as a youngster raised in the "truth", i had my questions.

but anytime you ask a question that is unanswerable, you are told to just wait on jehovah.

as time passes, i believe that we store up a number of unanswerable questions that forces one to eventually think about everything.

IronGland

The fact that I was 1) not supposed to question the org and 2) I was not even to read any literature critical of JW's made me extremely suspicious. I then became very interested in science and came to the conclusion that God (at least as he is envisioned by fundies) was a delusion.

10

Definition of a Crackpot

by IronGland in

jw
friends

one who believes that thousands of intelligent, informed, educated, credentialed scientists from a multitude of backgrounds and belief systems, working all over the world, holding tenure at hundreds of major universities, publishing their findings in peer-reviewed journals, and winning awards and research grants from both government and private industry are wrong, but that a single individual with access to a computer and an internet account has miraculously stumbled upon the truth.

.

so...remind you of anyone here?

IronGland

One who believes that thousands of intelligent, informed, educated, credentialed scientists from a multitude of backgrounds and belief systems, working all over the world, holding tenure at hundreds of major universities, publishing their findings in peer-reviewed journals, and winning awards and research grants from both government and private industry are wrong, but that a single individual with access to a computer and an Internet account has miraculously stumbled upon the truth.

So...remind you of anyone here?

22

Belief is Absurd

by IronGland in

jw
friends

i am beginning to wonder if there is some kind of physical brain wiring that makes some people more likely to accept religion, even when believing in a certain supernatural paradigm presents numerous absurdities.

christians seem to be able to convince themselves of the following: .

) the god described in the bible is real, yet the god(s) of other religions are not (a variation: other religions are satanic deceptions).

IronGland

I am beginning to wonder if there is some kind of physical brain wiring that makes some people more likely to accept religion, even when believing in a certain supernatural paradigm presents numerous absurdities. Christians seem to be able to convince themselves of the following:

1.) The God described in the Bible is real, yet the god(s) of other religions are not (a variation: other religions are Satanic deceptions)
2.) In order to escape eternal punishment-whether it be fire and brimstone or "separation from God"-a person must do some sort of mental / verbal ritual in which Jesus is invited to guide a person's life, decisions, and offer constant companionship

To me, for whatever reason, the above assertions seem utterly devoid of substance. I have conversed with all shades of Christians from Mormons to Catholics, with Muslims, with Buddhists, and with Hindus. Guess what? The members of all the religions mentioned believe that THEIR religion is the correct one. It drives me nuts when Christians insist that adherents of all other faiths are either mistaken or misguided by Satan. (Other religions make similar statements, but Christians are who I seem to encounter most often.)

In debates I have had with Christians, none of them have been able to give me a satisfactory answer as to why they are so SURE that Christianity is correct. The person I am arguing with generally will resort to saying that they know they are right because they can feel it. While I don't wish to disrespect anyone's feelings, I can't possibly take a strong conviction as tantamount to evidence. If I am to believe staunch Christians, why must I then reject the claims of staunch Jews, Hindus, or Muslims?

I have read numerous apologetics' works, articles, and essays. I have read papers that claim that there is scientific proof of the validity of Christianity, Islam, etc. I don't see how anyone who knows of the existence of other faiths besides their own can apply logical criticism to other religions but not to their own. What I have written probably makes sense to other atheists/agnostics out there, but any Christians who read this are probably thinking that I've got it all wrong, that if I only invited Jesus into my heart and committed myself to serving God's kingdom I'd realize the truth through faith.

Edited by - Irongland on 8 November 2002 19:51:25

50

What Do You Like to Collect

by Kenneson in

jw
friends

over the years i have had several collections, ranging from louisiana bottles, (this collection was stolen); books relating to la.

which i donated to a library; books by or about jws, which i gave to another library; a stamp collection, which is at my sister's house.

my florida related stamps are now on exhibit at the state library of florida.

IronGland

Horse Teeth

28

Is this legal?

by IronGland in

jw
friends

if a former jw decided to put on a suit and tie and go door to door trying to place old wt magazines and books they had laying around, and asking for a small donation, but using the proceeds to buy beer, is that illegal in any way?

i figure they at least owe me a beer.edited by - irongland on 4 november 2002 21:28:23.

IronGland

As Irish as Colorado.