So many great comments. I moved on a long time ago and can't explain why I am still here.
I guess it's because I enjoy your company.
THE GLADIATOR
JoinedPosts by THE GLADIATOR
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44
Thousands of people have come and gone from this site....is this part of the healing process???
by Witness 007 ini see alot of new names here lately and if you look at the log on names here there are thousands who have moved on....every 2 years the posters change.....some vent and leave, others stay on for years.
i guess moving on with your life is a good thing, i think this site helps...any thoughts?.
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Have your prayers EVER been answered?
by nicolaou inhave you ever prayed for something and actually gotten what you asked for?
specific examples would be nice to hear about.. .
nic'.
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THE GLADIATOR
I have wished for things and they become mine.
I have desired and had my desires satisfied.
I have striven to achieve and reached my goals.
I have loved and been loved in return.
I have won and I have lost and played the game of life.
Have my prayers ever been answered? That would be telling!
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The Issue is Not that God WANTS Us to Suffer...
by AGuest indear 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.
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THE GLADIATOR
Such an entertaining discussion! On page 7 - I made the comment: 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. AGuest then claimed that scientists are no better and do the same.
Scientists that do the above are called pseudo scientists. The medical world used to be a chief offender, attempting to heal with magnets, leeches and various guesswork and unproven potions. In scientific terms these are known as the dark ages. Unproven scientific ideas are science fiction.
Modern science now tests all new drugs and they have to pass very strict standard test before they can be sold. Even so mistakes are still made and drugs are withdrawn. Homeopathy is closer to faith healing and has no proven scientific merit. The pills do no harm or good; but with enough faith, the placebo effect can cause healing.
When it comes to faith in a god or gods, we are still in the dark ages. It is still a matter of starting out with an unproven premise and then building on it in a way that fits in with personal beliefs. The catholic church, for example, is still stuck in the dark ages.
The point of my post on page 7, in line with thread topic, was to show that suffering is a natural part of life on earth and always has been. It is not the choice of a creator. Even if such a creator exists, he or she is clearly not all knowing. Faith is a part of life and scientists also have faith in their work. Putting faith in the existence of 'God the creator' who is aware of suffering but chooses not to act, is a specific use of faith. It is not the same as everyday faith and hope in things to do with living in our world.
It is a very personal choice, and though the act of faith in a god or gods is very real, the object of its hope has not yet been proven to exist. That is not to say it never will be proven. But until such proof is found, it remains in the realms science fiction, much like aliens and monsters in outer space. There is so much we do not know about the universe and it is possible that the human race may never know all the answers before the sun burns out and life on earth ends. Such is the way of the universe.
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The Issue is Not that God WANTS Us to Suffer...
by AGuest indear 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.
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THE GLADIATOR
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.
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THE GLADIATOR
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.
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holding hands in prayer thing
by bez in... is this "no holding hands in prayers" law really true???
i have not heard of this before?
when did this happen?
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THE GLADIATOR
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?
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The Issue is Not that God WANTS Us to Suffer...
by AGuest indear 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.
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THE GLADIATOR
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!
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404
The Issue is Not that God WANTS Us to Suffer...
by AGuest indear 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.
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THE GLADIATOR
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.
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How do people that are reinstated overcome the resentment
by troubled mind inwhat 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 ?
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THE GLADIATOR
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.
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Where now?
by bez inits 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... .
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THE GLADIATOR
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.