Posts by TonusOH

196

would you be more happy not knowing what you now know?

by ExBethelitenowPIMA in

a good question is would you be more happy not knowing what you now know?.

were you more happy pimi?

are all the pimis more happy than the the pimos or the pomos?.

TonusOH

ExB: I’m just questioning

Asking questions is not always synonymous with seeking answers. Some people prefer to keep asking questions when they don't like the answers.

I cannot convince you how an automobile engine works, because I don't know enough about them. But there is no shortage of people who can explain the concepts, so that I have no excuse for assuming that it runs on some form of magical energy. The people who know, all agree on the concepts and the science behind them.

In the same vein, I can't convince you of how strong or accurate the theory of evolution is, because I don't know enough about it. But the people who do know appear to have no doubt and can explain it, as evidenced by the endless scientific papers, and books, and easily-accessible videos on the subject from scientists (and biologists in particular). If you're only seeking the outliers, the people who make claims but don't have the science to back it up, then you're not seeking answers, you only want to ask questions.

20

Unbelief and Salvation

by lriddle80 in

hebrews 6:4-8. for it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the holy spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of god and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the son of god to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

7 for land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from god.

8 but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.. but then i read articles that say that you cannot lose your salvation and that this scripture isn't talking about that.. but then 2 timothy says.

TonusOH

I am much more comfortable with an indifferent god who sees this universe as an experiment, than the ones described in many religious texts. Gods that are powerful enough to fashion magnificent and massive universes, yet are deeply concerned with making sure that the beings on one tiny speck blindly recognize their greatness, on pain of eternal torment... that sounds like one very disturbed individual. Not the sort of person I'd want hovering over me, ready to judge me for eternity.

I would more urgently need to be saved from such a creature.

196

would you be more happy not knowing what you now know?

by ExBethelitenowPIMA in

a good question is would you be more happy not knowing what you now know?.

were you more happy pimi?

are all the pimis more happy than the the pimos or the pomos?.

TonusOH

Good to see you back, pete.

36

My defense speech before the judicial committee

by Disfellowshipped-Brother in

dear brothers!.

we have gathered here because, according to your claims, i have apostatized, and as elders, it is your duty to maintain the purity of the flock.

it seems now that someone has contaminated it, apparently.

TonusOH

The person in question has the right to such a defense, even if the court rejects it and hands down an adverse judgment. "You are wrong, I did not assault that person" is a defense. "You are wrong, I did not commit apostasy" is a defense. If the person in question actually is a criminal or an apostate, that would make it a poor defense. But it is, nonetheless, an attempt to defend oneself from an accusation.

36

My defense speech before the judicial committee

by Disfellowshipped-Brother in

dear brothers!.

we have gathered here because, according to your claims, i have apostatized, and as elders, it is your duty to maintain the purity of the flock.

it seems now that someone has contaminated it, apparently.

TonusOH

Listener, I would consider it a defense, in that the OP is responding to an accusation and explaining himself. I do think it is valid to defend yourself by claiming that your accusers have it wrong and that their accusation is misguided, even if you plan to walk away afterwards.

63

How Do You Know You Are In The Wrong Religion?

by Vanderhoven7 in

i believe this list which many of us worked on needs to see the light of day again...and added to if possible.. you know you are in the wrong religion:1. when the all important question is not: "do you believe in the lord jesus christ?"....but....

"do you believe in the "faithful and discreet slave" appointed in brooklyn in 1919?"2.

when you will be refused baptism if: a. you don't believe jerusalem was destroyed in 607 bc (whereas all non-jw scholars, all encyclopedias and all history books say this event took place in 587 bc.)b.

TonusOH

Rattigan350: The two witness rule was given by God because it is needed.

Was it, though? If you had god, you wouldn't need a second witness.

18

How did you pass the time when the Kingdom Hall meetings became boring and repetitive/

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

another boring and repetitive ''watchtower study.

'' all the articles are about the ''faithful and discreet slave.''.

for whatever reason, you tolerate this for years.

TonusOH

As a child, I mostly just say there and tried not to get my mother's attention. If she even thought we weren't paying rapt attention, we might end up with a trip to the bathroom for a short but very unpleasant beating. And then one at home, because that's how some people deal with the anger they feel at themselves.

As I got older, I think I spent a lot of time day-dreaming, because so few speakers knew how to keep an audience's attention. They just followed the script and droned on. I think many of them just wanted to survive the five or ten minutes they were assigned. It could really be a gloomy atmosphere during the meetings. Before and after? Everyone got to chat with friends and enjoy each other's company for a few minutes, and that was nice.

36

My defense speech before the judicial committee

by Disfellowshipped-Brother in

dear brothers!.

we have gathered here because, according to your claims, i have apostatized, and as elders, it is your duty to maintain the purity of the flock.

it seems now that someone has contaminated it, apparently.

TonusOH

DFB: I wasn't able to deliver this defense speech in full, as I wasn't given the time

My impression was that they would have stopped you before you even began. Typically, they prefer to manage the judicial committee in a very direct and organized manner, where they control the pace and the content. In other words, they would ask questions and you would give answers. A speech of any kind would be stopped with a request that you give a short, concise explanation of your side.

The last thing the WTS wants is for people to use a JC to create even a sliver of doubt in the minds of any attending elders. They want for you to grovel to them or challenge them, with either approach making their job easier. Gray areas make them very nervous.

6

dailly text 6/26

by pokertopia in

become imitators of me.—1 cor.

11:1.. when paul said this, did he ask us to imitate his preach activities?

it is not a new verse that starts anew, but a verse that ends the previous chapter, so what paul says to imitate is shown in the previous chapter.

TonusOH

Imitate Paul? So... travel a lot and write letters? Not the worst way to spend your time!

42

God and Unicorns

by Sea Breeze in

atheist scientists now agree that "elasmotherium sibiricu" lived with humans.

all they had to do was read their bible to know that.

job 39:9 “will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?”.

TonusOH

That's not a horn, that's a dunce cap!