Posts by THE GLADIATOR

I agree with what you say and people should thrash out their cognitive dissonance in fierce debate, if that is what they need to do. If they can't stand the heat they should get out of the cauldron.

Over the years I have had some major ego contests with the hard players on the forum. Now I tend to look behind peoples rhetoric and ask what need it is they have in their lives that debating their faith with tens of thousands of words, fulfills. Is it just an ego thing? Or is it a way of letting out anger and frustration? This applies to those with and without faith.

I also question what need I have that causes me to spend time clashing with people and trying to change their mind. What do we get out of it? Everyone has their reasons and answers and they are all valid in their subjective way.

Perhaps the world has been too kind to me of late and softened me up. Instead of fighting in the arena, maybe I should just be a spectator. I may give up being a gladiator and become Plato or Aristotle and sit in Caesars box stroking my gods.

404

The Issue is Not that God WANTS Us to Suffer...

by AGuest in

jw
friends

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.

THE GLADIATOR

cognizant dissident Some good points.

Now I feel less guilty over my negative remarks about all that is biblical and The Christ. I am still not sure the two have anything to do with each other?

I would be more vocal but I have no actual desire to cause anyone to lose their faith. I just burst out now and then because of the inconsistencies and contradictory nonsense spewn out by some word driven minds.

Most of the Christians on this forum are genuine and kind and that presents me with a problem. I enjoy a good battle but don't like to bully people who mean well.

27

Those silly MORMANS! They believe that they are going rule their own PLANET!

by sabastious in

you ever remember poking fun about other religions with your jw associates?.

i do.. now that i am out i find it funny and very ironic that i made fun of such "absurd" beliefs.. here is a list of the top of my head that i used to believe:.

1. that 144,000 people will taken from the earth at random and appointed a immortal kings and priests in heaven.

THE GLADIATOR

I worked with Mormons for many years. By the way, 'Mormon' is a nick name. They like to be called 'members of the church of Christ and of latter day saints.' Some mouthful, hu! They were squeaky clean; no smoking, coffee or alcohol. You also have to give a tenth of your income to their church.

They encouraged education. They organised a social life for the youths within the church and arranged regular dances and outings, so they could find suitable partners. They were kind principled people who treated me very well.

They were tolerant of my views, as I was a JW at the time. I was also single. They told me that very rich young women in salt lake city were looking for English men to marry. If I wanted they could make an introduction and get me set up. The drawback was I would have to get baptized into their set up and move to the USA. No alcohol for the rest of my life, can you imagine!

I was living away from home on my own and the firms boss was like a father to me. They were tolerant people. I was a pioneer at the time and they had no issue with funding my ministery in direct competition with theirs. I lived in East Grinstead Sussex - the 'Mormon' center in the UK. They have their temple there.

My impression was that they were a much better organization to be a part of than the JW shambles. It's a shame their heads are full of Joseph Smith's nonsense. Still, many of us fill our heads with some kind of nonsense and often our bodies with varies poisons in the name of leisure. They are deluded people but live lives that suggest to me that wholesome delusion can be an advantage.

I was tempted to defect to their set up but did not believe a word of their religion. Also, I am not a herd animal and value my independence too much.

27

can anyone tell me if these words are in the bible?

by bigmac in

i'm hoping to get clarity on a few points, but please, don't think i'm too lazy to do my own research: i do not have a bible in my house.. or the koran.

or the book of mormon.

or a copy of hitchhikers guide to the galaxy (unfortunately ).

THE GLADIATOR

Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go to the meeting, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, and train us in the theocratic ministry school, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from the Watchtower, the word of Jehovah from the kingdom hall.

Isaiah 2:2-4 - The New World Mistranslation of the holy Scriptures

13

Why Did Jesus Suffer?

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

if i want to forgive someone, it's not necessary for me to punish anyone.

it makes absolutely no sense to me, why an almighty, loving god would punish his son, for an offense that someone else committed.

here is what some others to have to say on the topic.

THE GLADIATOR

There is nothing new about sacrificing to a god or gods. Like most of the bible the ideas are taken from mythology and rehashed. "Many religious ceremonies have included sacrifice, the act of giving up something of value and offering it to a deity. Worshipers may make a sacrifice to win the favor of the deity, to give thanks, or to maintain a good relationship with the god. Myths from around the world contain many examples of sacrifices in which animals, humans, and even gods shed blood or die. Sometimes the sacrifice is linked with creation or with the continuation of life on earth." Read more: Sacrifice - Myth Encyclopedia - mythology, god, story, names, ancient, tree, animal, war, Norse, Hindu, world, creation, life, king, people, fire, warrior http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Pr-Sa/Sacrifice.html#ixzz10afH3PdE

62

What silly things have you been counselled on or simply been told off for?

by 3Mozzies in

so what silly things have you been counselled on or simply been told off for?.

back in my early 20's, i had a pair of comfy old jeans that started to tear in about 3 places on the leg.

it was the fashion at the time so not only did they feel great to wear, they also looked 'in', not that i cared for that, but it was a bonus .

THE GLADIATOR

Wearing suede boots on the platform.

60

Had a wicked fall this morning

by Lady Lee in

jw
friends

omg i got up and tripped over some cases i had on the floor.

i landed on my forehead, left knee and left fist.. my glasses moved up and dug into my forehead so i have some pretty interesting marks there.. i have a doctor who lives two doors down from me and he came over and checked me out.. i didn't lose consciousness or have other signs of concussion.

no broken bones.. but i am sore all over.. my doctor friend said if i have any problems to call him.

THE GLADIATOR

Lady Lee

Sorry to hear of your tumble. These cases you triped over were they contraband?

I hope you are on the mend.

11

Conditional love Vs Unconditional love

by highdose in

a thought occured to me today that very rarely in the bible is god shown to have unconditional love.

his whole basis of looking after the israelites was about " do as i say and i will love you, but if you don't i will kill you!".

surely thats as about as conditional as love can get.. then of course there is jesus dying for us.

THE GLADIATOR

Deputy Dog Repentance of sin and faith are gifts from God as well.

Ah! I missed out on those presents.

Must have been because I didn't celebrate Christmas for so many years .

11

Conditional love Vs Unconditional love

by highdose in

a thought occured to me today that very rarely in the bible is god shown to have unconditional love.

his whole basis of looking after the israelites was about " do as i say and i will love you, but if you don't i will kill you!".

surely thats as about as conditional as love can get.. then of course there is jesus dying for us.

THE GLADIATOR

AK - Jeff

Don't know if I fully concur, Gladiator.

Most people don't concur with me Jeff. I have some wacky ideas! My younger brother has not spoken to me for 9 years due to his JW allegiance. I still love him unconditionally but only because he is my brother, which is a condition.

I hope you and your sister can get close again.

Ding

Salvation is an unconditional GIFT from God obtained by repentance of sin and faith in Christ's sacrifice.

Sounds conditional to me.

You see I can't meet those requirements or conditions, so I will have to pass on everlasting life.