Posts by scratchme1010

2

History of "salvation"

by Doug Mason in

slowly, ever so slowly, i continue to investigate the history of the judaeo/christian ideas of "salvation" (soteriology).

i have been working on my study for more than a year and it will take me a few more months to prepare the drafts of the remaining chapters.. my investigations have shown me that people have held -- and continue to hold -- a range of expectations, explanations, and opinions concerning a future existence and how that was provided, how it will be attained, and what will be experienced.

this research has confirmed for me that religion is supernatural superstition exploited by a few in order to manipulate and manage the masses.

scratchme1010

This research has confirmed for me that religion is supernatural superstition exploited by a few in order to manipulate and manage the masses.

When said like this, it does sound harsh. I agree, and I also agree that some people do need hope, and explanation for what they fear, comfort, structure, a place to belong and a sense of community. Personally I always make a distinction between what a given religion teaches and what it does for their people. They can worship Mr. Potato Head for what I care, for as long as they bring some goodness to their people.

The control of the masses is a separate effect. There are well intended, welcoming religious groups that look to serve their people, not exploit it. They may not be as visible, but they are. I've myself have come to learn that.

Question: is there any reason why you seem to be studying mostly Judeo-Christian religions? I think that you may get a better sense of what religion in general serves to people if you expand the denominations (just curious, not criticizing).

3

question if your a Jw are you also free moral agent?

by poopie in

jw
friends

i am asking that question because recent watchtowers tell adherents to not talk email or text a df person how does that jibe with being free moral agent able to make a personal choice?.

scratchme1010

question if your a Jw are you also free moral agent?

If you are a JW you are not free anything.

8

2nd Pedo In My Old Congregation Has Been Discovered

by pale.emperor in

i learned today that a "brother" from my former congregation has been arrested.. the rumor mill was in overdrive (you know how the jws are), my ex-wife and a pimo member filed me in just an hour ago.

both gave 95% the exact details so i take it as legit.... when i used to do sound desk there was a brother in his late 40s/early 50s who for some reason always had a tan and always sat at the back of the hall.

he was a loner, i used to feel sorry for him so would make small talk while i was setting up the sound desk and he was sitting there.

scratchme1010

The girl is in bits terribly ashamed and has told her grandparents that he buys her things and they share secrets.

Thanks for sharing, It saddens me that this kinds of things turn more about the pedophile than the victim. I hope the girl is ok and gets the help that she needs.

10

Faithleaks-Did you guys see this?

by carla in

the story mentions they may come after jw's-.

http://www.sltrib.com/religion/local/2017/11/07/memo-to-all-religions-mormonleaks-may-be-coming-after-you-with-new-faithleaks-site/?hl=1&noredirect=1.

scratchme1010

FaithLeaks is rooted on the premise that “increased transparency results in fewer untruths, less corruption and less abuse in any organization,”

First thing that comes to mind was "And?" Corruption in churches and religion in general is one of the many problems I have with any organized religious organizations.

However, I know that I'm not the only human in the planet, so I also know that others can benefit from feeling comfort by having less transparency in their faith leadership. At the end of the day, it's hard for people who do care about religion to be betrayed by the people they are supposed to trust the most.

14

Is "fornication" still used by Witnesses?

by careful in

in 2013 the revised nwt came out and changed the old edition's "fornication" and its related words "fornicating," "fornicator" etc.

in all their roughly 70 occurrences.

has the word completely dropped from usage in the witness world?

scratchme1010

Is "fornication" still used by Witnesses?

Some JW women are still getting pregnant, so yes.

Seriously now. I think that the word is falling into obsolescence. Who else do you hear using that word other than religious weirdos, I mean, people?

Just a guess. Personally I don't follow what the WT does or doesn't.

83

True or False did the Watchtower Corporation create false doctrines intentionally to enhance the proliferation of their own publications ?

by Finkelstein in

much as been revealed over the years to the date setting doctrines made by the wts.

such as ( 1874, 1914, 1925 , 1975 this generation, the last days, the end times etc.... which were not created by other christian based faiths.. as to critically examine why might reveal a hidden agenda to all these date setting proclamations.. the point in question is did the wts and its leaders intentionally manipulate or exploit the preaching of the gospel to enhance the proliferation of their own printed publications ?.

i would say convincingly yes, no question.

scratchme1010

True or False did the Watchtower Corporation create false doctrines intentionally to enhance the proliferation of their own publications ?

True.

12

no pictures of Kingdom Hall remodels???

by Lynnie in

i'm following an old friend on instagram who's an uber elder and he does lots of work on kh's and has gone to warwick on his own dime to help with the construction.

on his instagram post he says " i can't post pictures of the kh remodel but i can post pics of jack daniels that i had afterwards" or some such.

why aren't they allowed to take pics of remodels?

scratchme1010

Why aren't they allowed to take pics of remodels?

I'd be asking why is he ok with posting pictures of him drinking Jack Daniels.

10

chapter 39 New Boy 50 years a Watchtower Slave

by new boy in

jw
friends

chapter 39. i’m glad i don’t believe the way you do!.

your whole life becomes a blur.

weeks turn into months.

scratchme1010

Thanks for sharing. The issue with their position regarding people's mental health was part of my awakening. Try returning to a meeting, just to look around at the behavior of people, and this time look at it from a mental health perspective. You will be creeped out!

25

Can you be disfellowshiped for reading other religious materials?

by paradisebeauty in

i am having a conversation with a jw and they say you can not be disfellowshiped for this.

is this true?

i thought you can be disfellowshiped for this.

scratchme1010

Do you know where can I find this information? Or proof of this?

As much as they claim that they are united in the exact same way of thinking, the reality is that many elders do whatever they feel like doing. There's no difference between the WT organization and any other organization. It's just politics, just like everywhere else. Hence, that depends on what side of the bed the elders wake up the day that they hear of it.

14

What does the society fill about psychiatrist?.

by new boy in

jw
friends

please help .

more research for my book .

scratchme1010

More research for my book

I'm not sure if the accounts of people alone can help your research. Something that may help is looking for references to depression and the most common mental health problems in their literature. At best you will find some phony statistics, maybe some stupid story about somebody who was depressed and not it's not because of finding their so-called truth.

That can give you a feel of what their position is regarding seeking help from a mental health professional.

Other than that, maybe people with specific experiences.