Posts by THE GLADIATOR

If there is an invisible consciousness or awareness that pervades the universe, I am certain that it will not resemble the god of anger portrayed in the old testament.' Who needs a friend like that?

157

Share your photo, only if you don't have any problem with it.

by wolfman85 in

jw
friends

i like to share my picture with you and that you share yours with me.

but only if that does not represent any problem to you.

here is mine.

A truce between Atheists and Non-Atheists?

by palmtree67 in

jw
friends

ricky gervais tweeted this 11/14/12 and i totally agree with it:.

"there are good atheists and bad atheists.

there are good believers and bad believers.. no god has ever changed that.".

THE GLADIATOR

Well palmtree67. I must congratulate you on your long, successful thread. It has been entertaining and revealing. Do you think Atheists and believers are any nearer calling a truce?

As I have stated on your thread I don’t think a truce is the answer. Debates or arguments go wherever they go and provide an outlet for individuals to share, vent, learn, observe and whatever else it is they feel a need to do.

If they want to go head to head, so be it. People give as good as they get. This really is the point, we tend to treat posters the way they treat us. So, it’s largely in our own hands how we are individually treated. Sometimes sensitive people get caught in the cross fire but on the whole it works out. After all public forums are not places of refuge.

I also stated that good manners are all that is required. Over the years I have been guilty of being rude and unnecessarily personal to other posters. Hiding behind my gladiator persona, I upset both Christians and Atheists. I thought it didn’t matter. I learned that it does matter and did not enjoy the way I felt afterwards.

Now I try to see each person as an individual with feelings. I have been helped by the kindness of others on this forum to heal and grow after leaving the Jehovah's Witness set up and try to give something back.

82

VOTE TO REVOKE UK CHARITY STATUS OF JW CHARITIES! URGENT!

by Blablaman in

jw
friends

not long left... closes 20/02/2013 @ 08:01am.

vote now!.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/29949 .

THE GLADIATOR

Thanks for notifying us Blablaman

I have added my details to the site and signed the petition.

699

A truce between Atheists and Non-Atheists?

by palmtree67 in

jw
friends

ricky gervais tweeted this 11/14/12 and i totally agree with it:.

"there are good atheists and bad atheists.

there are good believers and bad believers.. no god has ever changed that.".

THE GLADIATOR

"When I need help or want to feel pleasure at life and offer my own contribution to it I focus on all my internal and external links to the world in which I live and whatever encouragement I need comes to me and the contributions I want to make are given to it often perhaps for a future."

soft+gentle Your whole post was v ery well expressed.

15

YOWWW!!

by AGuest in

jw
friends

i feel good!.

(dunna nunna nunna nuh).

i feel nice (dunna nunna nunna nuh).

THE GLADIATOR

WOW! AGuest I don't know what you got up to last night but it seems to have done you good.

452

Faith... and Trust: The Same Things?

by AGuest in

in a discussion with some other dear ones, the question was asked as to what such ones put their faith in.

in response to one comment that"one can't function without faith," another disagreed, stating ones can, that "many do so every day... the ones who have trust" (in things like the sun rising in the east versus the west).

that trust extended to "faith" based "on nature and the natural order of things.

THE GLADIATOR

For what it’s worth, here is my take on this thread that started off as an interesting discussion about faith. Cofty asked some relevant and sensible questions. Lozhasleft objected to the comment by Cofty about ‘ Shelby being the humble slave and servant whose feet are washed by Seraphs.’ From then on the discussion in hand left home.

Qcmbr then expressed his concern about AGuest’s influence over other people on the board in his usual eloquent way. This is something that used to concern me. In fact couple of years ago I voiced my concerns with regard to Tec which led to debate with AGuest and Tec both on and off the board. The upside of this is that I got to know them better and my concern has gone.

I have even pointed out that AGuest’s extravagant posting style could be counterproductive. Whether atheist or believer we all influence other people but in the end, as adults we make their own mind up. People do pick up other peoples way of talking. It’s normal to copy people we admire. I have been influenced more by Cofty and Qcmbr in terms of my world view and beliefs. However my conversations with Christians and their kindness and acceptance of me despite my lack of faith and challenging them, sometimes harshly, has influenced me to want to be a better person.

Their input helps to keep the board balanced like two opposing weights. Without opposing views many of the most outstanding and informative debates would not get off the ground. My defence of Christian’s right to share their beliefs, however bizarre they may seem, has often lost me brownie points among the atheist contingency. Nevertheless I firmly maintain that there is room on the forum for a sharing of all views.

People pour out their pet beliefs and theories and over long periods of time and give people an opportunity to settle on a view that works for them. They are free to adjust their views at any time. Everyone’s contribution to the board is of value. I read far more than I post now as I have nothing profound to share that has not already been said. My personal belief is that a person is defined not by their beliefs but by their actions and compassion towards others.

699

A truce between Atheists and Non-Atheists?

by palmtree67 in

jw
friends

ricky gervais tweeted this 11/14/12 and i totally agree with it:.

"there are good atheists and bad atheists.

there are good believers and bad believers.. no god has ever changed that.".

THE GLADIATOR

The way this thread has developed demonstrates that there are no concrete rules for debate, no truce, no predefined destination. That is how debate should be. Our motive for commenting is the defining quality of our involvement. JW.net has worked very well for many years and will, hopefully continue to be place for people to share and debate differing points of view.

The truth is that we enjoy being challenged, questioned and provoked. Having the opportunity to express our opinions, beliefs and emotion, in a way that some of us were denied for so long. This forum entertains, stimulates and thrives.

Admit it - you all love it here. We feed of each other and with a little more acceptance, applause and respect for each individuals contribution we can continue - here’s to the next ten years.

699

A truce between Atheists and Non-Atheists?

by palmtree67 in

jw
friends

ricky gervais tweeted this 11/14/12 and i totally agree with it:.

"there are good atheists and bad atheists.

there are good believers and bad believers.. no god has ever changed that.".

THE GLADIATOR

palmtree67 “I think we need something more concrete to work on than just "Respect and love everybody."

Q has come up with 4 very practical and concrete ways to have discussions that would eliminate a lot of discord.”

Is there such a thing as concrete ideas when it comes to the nuances of discussion about belief?

The Watchtower Society has tried for over a century to set everything in concrete, yet it has it has an unenviable history of making constant changes.

A well informed mind and good manners may be all that is required.