Posts by THE GLADIATOR

Who is that pathetic, tired looking Gladiator wearing that ridiculous Galea? He seems to be holding what looks like a large toothpick - and he is holding his Scutum all wrong.

Habet, hoc habet (he has had it)

47

Calling all atheists, agnostics, believers, and seekers! A must hear.....

by journey-on in

jw
friends

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229.

the above website was posted by zensim on the thread about indigo children.

the site has nothing to do.

THE GLADIATOR

Journey-on

You asked for our thoughts.

The idea behind some forms of meditation is that we close down the left side of the brain and listen to the right. This is preferable to a brain tumour to remind us that we live in two worlds.

Spiritual people talk of spiritual and physical dimensions and all these things seem to share a common theme.

Please don't tell Terry that I mentioned meditation. He takes off whenever someone uses this word!

TG

(Edited due to poor right brain function)

47

Calling all atheists, agnostics, believers, and seekers! A must hear.....

by journey-on in

jw
friends

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229.

the above website was posted by zensim on the thread about indigo children.

the site has nothing to do.

THE GLADIATOR

Journey on

Thanks for sharing that - !8 minutes long and time well spent.

It made me realize how much my Westernised mind suppresses my right hemisphere.

I found it very moving.

TG

168

Athiest or Agnostic?

by real one in

jw
friends

how can one be considered an athiest?

athiest means you believe god does not exist.

agnostic means you don't know if god really exist.

THE GLADIATOR

So what do you do with Romans 1?

Polite suggestions only!

Saint Paul is talking here about His concept of a God. The Romans at that time had many Gods of their own that they, in part, shared with the Greeks. As neither of them believed in each others Gods - what label were they to attach to themselves?

Saint Paul was always a believer. He spent the first part of his life believing that it was Gods will to kill Christians. Then he changed his mind and became a Christian. Who is to say that his first belief wasn’t the one his God wanted him to have and that he was deceived by the Devil? After all, wasn't it was the Jews - God's chosen people - who had Christ put to death?

His belief was subjective to his interpretation of his experiences. It is easy to say, ’I am a believer.’ But a believer in what? This is why labels fail in subjects that have no solid boundaries.

No one really knows with absolute certainty what is behind, what going on in the universe. Only, a bigot, a zealot or a fool would claim that they know the truth with certainty. Even believers admit that faith is required.

We are all just stumbling in the dark, trying to find certainty, in the hope that it will help us avoid our demise.

168

Athiest or Agnostic?

by real one in

jw
friends

how can one be considered an athiest?

athiest means you believe god does not exist.

agnostic means you don't know if god really exist.

THE GLADIATOR

People who are simply non religious are sometimes labeled as Atheists. To not have a religion or any interest in religion is different to not believing in a God.

Then again if there is an intelligent force at work in the universe does it take the form of a Deity? I for example do not consider that existence of a deity as described in holy books and scriptures is realistic or accurate. I have no time for organised, commercialized religion.

This does not mean that I have ruled out the possibility that the universe is permeated by a coordinated intelligence.

Such an intelligence does not have to have a plan or fixed moral rules, but could operate by a very different kind of process to the one that goes on in our heads, that we choose to label as intelligence. So before we enquire into one's belief in God we have to define God.

This idea of believer versus non-believer is very primitive. We all have opinions that are subject to change and growth. They do not need to be categorized and labeled as anti or pro Deity.

17

how do you change your perspective?

by wings in

jw
friends

several months ago i was at an all time low.

i didn't know how to interact with life.

stuck in a big hole under a big rock.

THE GLADIATOR

Wings

The kind that help you to realize your place in the events going on around you, and remind you of how fleeting life can be. How you don't have it so bad. Historical movies about times much tougher than these.

Ah! You have been watching Gladiator movies. Life is easier now but I miss the lions, the tigers and the cheers from the crowd.

If you need cheering up - hug a Gladiator. Better still hug The Gladiator.

Per aspera ad astra!
(Through difficulties to the stars!)

13

Possible Gods

by DT in

jw
friends

i'm just trying to fill a logical hole.

many people conclude that the existence of life or the structure of the universe demands that there be a god.

i don't really agree with this, but i can sympathise with that viewpoint.

THE GLADIATOR

It seems that most nations were, for thousands of years, happy to have many gods for their many different purposes.

Abraham then declared that there was only one true god and all the others were suddenly redundant. He patented a monopoly on the god industry.

Anyone who challenged his monopoly was to be put to death. The one god fits all theme was continued by Christ who reaffirmed the death penalty for rednecks. Wherever the jealous and vengeful god Jehovah appeared, he melted out punishment and death.

He seemed to suffer from low self esteem and needed to be exclusively worshiped. He kept declaring that he alone was the most high. An admission in itself that he thought there were other gods. In the end this sicko arranged to have his only beloved son tortured to death.

In Rome I had many minor and major gods and even emperors were made gods. They were much nicer and happy to share the glory around a bit. Anyone found worshiping the Bible god was used as cat food.

All things were done in a friendly - dis ducibus. (Under the direction of the gods)

TG

41

The letter of changing the book study

by JWRESEARCH in

i had a second and a third chance to read the famous letter.. here a few details.

it starts by saying we are in the last days and those who oppose are making things more difficult.

adds that the gb wants to follow the 1st century example (not to add more burden) and quotes acts 15:5,28. mention the raise of gas price (and the dificulties of some families) and suggest to use the free night to family study.

THE GLADIATOR

'And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.'

Hebrews 10: 24,25 New World Translation

Do they no longer read their own Bible?

Mind you, It is strange that these words are almost 2000 years old and the end is still drawing near. The people who took them seriously are long dead. So it didn't do them much good.

cineri gloria sera venit
(Fame to the dead comes too late)

TG

3

Pat Condell Video

by imissmaine in

jw
friends

i'm not sure if many of you are familiar with pat condell.

he can be pretty controversial and interesting, depending on the subject.

i see that he has been mentioned a few times in the past on this site, but nothing overly in-depth.. i was curious to see what people think about his latest video: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5df_1209122305.

THE GLADIATOR

The incomparable Pat Condell.

I have watched all Pat Condells videos and been in touch with him. He speaks more sense than just about any one I know - including myself.

He is a true Gladiator. Thanks for posting this link.

TG