dear ones.
rather, it is our adversary who says we will do anything... anything... to avoid it.
a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g. even curse god to his face.
AGuest Your last post was one of the best you have written, in my opinion.
The logic is flawed but it would be churlish of me to spoil your spirited defence of why you live by faith. Coupled with the way you have cleverly made those without faith look limited, it is a worthy retort. You have the makings of a gladiator.
I no longer come on this forum to win debates but to be entertained and hopefully entertain.
I can only say - salute.
Terry - you give the impression that you believe in this god called Jehovah and creation? This is not your usual style.
Personally I don't like to limit myself to one god. I have as many as I can invent and if they don't do my bidding, then I extinguish them. It's an old Roman habit.
... is this "no holding hands in prayers" law really true???
i have not heard of this before?
when did this happen?
Holding hands during prayer sounds very dodgy indeed. The repressed sexual desire among JWs could erupt and they could be overcome with passion and desire for further physical contact.
When I was a JW, even holding hands in the cinema was forbidden! My personal view is that they should all sit on their hands, their own hands that is, not each others. They should concentrate on the awesome reality that they are telepathically talking to Jehovah the most high. Meeting are serious occasions and not meant to be used as an excuse for a love in. What are the current crop of JWs playing at?
dear ones.
rather, it is our adversary who says we will do anything... anything... to avoid it.
a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g. even curse god to his face.
Tammy - Thanks for the welcome I was summoned to Greece by my gods to account for myself. Rhodes/Lindos was good and hot but I prefer southern England where I live.
AK - Jeff I was inspired to write my previous post by your robust denial of all that is unproven. I once had a creature called faith but pulled all its legs off in moment anguish. I have tried many times to stick them back on but they just fall off again. All I need is the right glue!
dear ones.
rather, it is our adversary who says we will do anything... anything... to avoid it.
a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g. even curse god to his face.
This thread is an example of what happens when we start out with an unproven premise and then build on it in a way that fits in with our personal beliefs.
The species that presently inhabit this tiny dot in the universe, that we call earth, are only a small percentage of the species that have lived. Most species are extinct and all creatures eventually die. That's the way it is. Homo sapiens are a very recent species. Suffering has always been a part of life on this planet for all living creatures.
Living on earth involves fighting for survival and competing for limited resources. Plants and animals all do this and there are survivors and losers. It only takes a drought for thousands of animal to die of thirst. Many animals live to eat others or be eaten. Humans have also been busy killing each other for their entire existence. Humans are also at the mercy of nature, though modern science has helped to reduce pain and suffering in many ways.
No one is to blame for the suffering that takes place or praise for the pleasure we experience. We are all part of a living planet which is constantly changing. Life simply is. We are a part of what is. How long the human race will survive depends on how well we adjust to the challenges that we face and control the rate of childbirth. But as a race we have to stop blaming a boogeyman in the sky and Chanel our resources into developing practical solutions.
If believing in a god or gods bring comfort, then the belief serves a useful purpose. But if that belief interferes with our ability to make rational choices, becomes an excuse to harm others, or prevents us from taking responsibility for our individal actions, then it becomes a hindrance to limiting suffering rather than a help.
what if you were df'd for along time ,say over 10 yrs ,and you were totally shunned by family that whole time .
do you ever come to terms with the resentment of how family treated you ?
has anyone here successfully got back in just to gain family ,and then faded or never got active after that ?
Most shunned people, that still believe the JW myth, are so thankful to be accepted back into the fold that they become stronger in 'the truth' than before.
The have had a taste of what it is like to be made to stand outside the classroom in shame and isolation.
Once reinstated they want to stay as close to the center of their peer group as is in-humanly possible. Such is the way of group mentailty and being part of the fold.
its been a long time coming but i kinda think im finally at the point of no return....... right or wrong, i have spoken to my 'friends' about my new feelings and the fact i no longer believe that this is gods chosen people etc etc... and have already been told that if i was to now celebrate my childs birthdays , her 'truth' friends would not be able to come to sleep again and associate with her... (she is 7).
this is despite the fact they are allowed to play with there non witness friends who live down the road....why??
the explanation is that their daughter would perhaps feel it is ok to do this when it is not... i ask why could they not just simply explain it is not our family's belief anymore (as my husband is with me on my decision), and my response is that it would be difficult to do that as we once were witnesses and now are not so it would confuse her daughter and make her think its ok to do these things now... .
Bez - nice to hear from you.
You say '...we once were witnesses and now are not..' Perhaps it would help to realise, looking back, that you were once part of a club that you have left. You were then and remain much more than a witness.
There are other clubs to join or you can just concentrate on being yourself - and that is the easiest thing in the world.
bishop spong, on hell.. .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf6i5vszvqc.
Hell is a state of mind, and a state of mind - is a state of mind.
It really is that simple.
i see quite a bit of inquiry about the generation in matthew 24:34, mark 13:30 and luke 21:32. in every scripture in the gospels, the term generation is referring to a wicked generation except for matthew 24:34, mark 13:30 and luke 21:32. .
then as an answer to him some of the scribes and pharisees said: teacher, we want to see a sign from you.
in reply he said to them: a wicked and adulterous generation keeps on seeking for a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of jonah the prophet.
You say deist and I say theist. Deist, theist, atheist!
Let's call the whole thing off.
i see quite a bit of inquiry about the generation in matthew 24:34, mark 13:30 and luke 21:32. in every scripture in the gospels, the term generation is referring to a wicked generation except for matthew 24:34, mark 13:30 and luke 21:32. .
then as an answer to him some of the scribes and pharisees said: teacher, we want to see a sign from you.
in reply he said to them: a wicked and adulterous generation keeps on seeking for a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of jonah the prophet.
The explanation for the generation in Matthew 24:34 is a pointless waste of time.
However Alice has managed infuse life into this otherwise boring topic with her worldly avatar and engaging banter.
I hope she stays and keeps us on our toes.
