Posts by scratchme1010

So I was talking with my daughter the other day and she tells me that she doesn't want me to push my beliefs on her.

I am agnostic. Which isn't a belief. It's a lack of belief. I can't push a belief on her that I don't have. I take a more scientific approach. There could be a god or a superior being that we might call a god. There also could be a bigfoot and a Loch Ness monster. But prove it. The one thing I know is the Bible is not the work of a superior being. Hence, we can't take it as such. So it's got about as much credibility as a John Grisham novel or Harry Potter.
I just don't want her believing in superstitious nonsense, which she seems to want to. When she's sick or in trouble I want her to see a doctor or seek help and not rely on superstitions. Belief in something that's not real isn't going to help her.
I guess all I can do is show her again and again where blind faith is a problem and rationalism is better.
Any advice for parents of teenagers?

Seems like what you state is in fact a believe. You can respect her wishes and explain to her that you are not "pushing" believes in her, but that if she feels like she can't handle a simple conversation about believes or non-believes, she's the one with the issue.

The key here is her accusing you of pushing something simply by expressing what you believe. The same right that she has to accuse you of pushing your believes is the same right that you have to have a simple conversation on the subject. Ask her how are you pushing your believes?

However, make sure that you in fact are not pushing your believes to her. For example, will it be possible to just make a statement about your believes without adding things like "showing her again and again where blind faith is a problem and rationalism is better"? That sounds like the intention of trying to modify behavior around her believes, and that may be what she sees as "pushing". Furthermore, context is important. Is that the only thing you talk about? How often do you bring the subject? Are you as interested in her behavior around other aspects of her life? Look at how you frame that interaction with her when it comes to religious believes as opposed to when you deal with other subjects.

35

Is the Jesus of religion conservative, and the Jesus of the New Testament liberal?

by Fernando in

is the jesus of religion conservative, and the jesus of the new testament liberal?.

your thoughts?.

scratchme1010

Is the Jesus of religion conservative, and the Jesus of the New Testament liberal?

Neither. You cannot compare the society Jesus of Nazareth live in with the society we live in today. And don't forget that today there's this interesting concept named "the rest of the world", who don't see or classify people, groups or events in such way.

29

Jehovah`s Witnesses Boasted They have No Clergy Laity Class ?

by smiddy in

jw
friends

well that`s what was impressed on me to differentiate between the true religion and false religion , when i was converted in 1960 , do they still claim that ?

believing that they still do , i will say this.. what about ,:the governing body who definitely are set apart from the rank and file for their attitude towards the r&f , but also from the attitude of the r&f towards the governing body members.many do seem to idolise gb members by their actions , and the gb members dont seem to discourage that.. and not only for their attitude , how about their life-style , being housed in bethel with all the mod -cons of modern civilization as opposed to a r&f member living in a third world country .does the wt society do anything to make their lifestyle improve ?

{ did jesus have a place to rest his head ?

scratchme1010

Like most-to-a;ll of their claims, they are s joke. Of course, not only do they have a clergy/Laity structure, but their denial of it is what makes it so oppressive.

As others said, try contributing to their believe as an equal and see if you'll last there one second.

8

Looking at this video with Dr. Angel Fierro and I'm cringing.

by Island Man in

i'm cringing because the video is very empty in the way of presenting any credible evidence or logical reasoning for rejecting evolution in preference for creationism.

but it's not the only reason.the video wreaks of propagandistic manipulation.

first, angel gives very stereotypic reasons for why he accepted evolution in the past.

scratchme1010

I don't waste my time watching any JW video. I already know it has nothing I care for.

42

Jehovah's Witnesses post 'anti-gay' 'Harness Your Habits' leaflet in North Devon

by OrphanCrow in

jehovah's witnesses post 'anti-gay' 'harness your habits' leaflet in north devon.

devon and cornwall police have said a leaflet posted through doors in north devon isn't a crime – despite it advising gay people to "control their urges".the leaflet, entitled "how to harness your habits", was distributed in north devon by jehovah's witnesses and contains an article asking "what does the bible say about homosexuality?

"in it, the religious group states that "rejecting homosexuality" is completely different to "rejecting people of a different skin colour" and says their views are the same as people who "view smoking as harmful and even repugnant".it also compares gay people to animals, but says "unlike animals, they can choose not to act on their impulses".the journal was contacted by a reader, who wishes to remain anonymous, who felt "belittled" by the leaflet.

scratchme1010

I am searching for the right way to say someone gay or hetero, someone male or female - doesnt matter - who is basically standing outside the long arm of the law (in this case a judicial committee) because they are not doing anything that can be used as a technicality against them.

If the person is an active (or practicing?) JW, I'm afraid that for that person will have to dodge a lot of bullets. As such, there will be a lot of scrutiny, there will be people who will be in that person's case, there will be people that will spread malicious slandering gossip. It doesn't matter how noble, how well, how perfect you are; once you are labeled a person who has "that problem", there's no way people are not going to see and judge everything you do through that glass.

To give you info about what you're inquiring, abstinent is a good term, non-practicing gay is now (emphasis on now) apparently acceptable too. More important, however, is looking into why on Earth anyone wants to be in a place where they have to explain themselves in those terms? Even when I was a JW I found it ridiculous that I had to explain my personal life to people just for their comfort.

42

Jehovah's Witnesses post 'anti-gay' 'Harness Your Habits' leaflet in North Devon

by OrphanCrow in

jehovah's witnesses post 'anti-gay' 'harness your habits' leaflet in north devon.

devon and cornwall police have said a leaflet posted through doors in north devon isn't a crime – despite it advising gay people to "control their urges".the leaflet, entitled "how to harness your habits", was distributed in north devon by jehovah's witnesses and contains an article asking "what does the bible say about homosexuality?

"in it, the religious group states that "rejecting homosexuality" is completely different to "rejecting people of a different skin colour" and says their views are the same as people who "view smoking as harmful and even repugnant".it also compares gay people to animals, but says "unlike animals, they can choose not to act on their impulses".the journal was contacted by a reader, who wishes to remain anonymous, who felt "belittled" by the leaflet.

scratchme1010

millie210:

I know several people who are non practicing gay people (is that a socially appropriate term? I am not sure?).

LOL! First, to address your question, no, it's not correct to address people's sexual orientation as something that you "practice". I'm quite sure that you don't practice your heterosexuality. Being gay isn't something that you acquire like license to practice a profession.

It is more accurate to refer to those gay people in the congregation as people repressing their sexual orientation (or trying to). Not having sex doesn't make a person gay or straight. It's still the same person, just not having sex.

I laughed, though, because the term "practicing" reminded me of the time when I was once questioned by the elders about me "practicing" homosexuality (they met with me after some brothers of the congregation saw me with my boyfriend having dinner) I said absolutely no. Technically I didn't lie; it was true because I was already a master at being gay, I wasn't practicing.