THE GLADIATOR

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Posts by THE GLADIATOR

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  198

  Why It Matters...

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  to the household of god, israel, and those who go with... may you all have peace!.

  well, the predecessor thread really invoked some emotions, didn't it?

  good and bad.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  AGuest Have you ever looked into the vastness of the universe? The most distant known galaxy in the Universe is located an estimated 13 billion light-years away. This only what we know from our perspective. The farthest is unknown to us.

  We are less than ants in real terms. Why would any 'one' responsible for this mind boggling achievement, care one jot how humans pronounce, spell or conjecture the name they attach to the force behind the universe?

  Is it remotely possible that you have overestimated your importance in the scheme of things?
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  185

  Why did God kill children?

  by brotherdan in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  the atheists and bible deniers love to talk about how hateful and murderous god is.

  i suggest the following.

  i believe that the children that were killed in warfare by the israelites were taken to heaven with god.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  PSacramento

  I admire your tireless efforts to explain and come to terms with what can seem inexplicable.

  For what its worth, your generosity, persistence and patience with me, has rekindled my interest in re-examining my spiritual journey.
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  40

  Why do people defend monsters?

  by AK - Jeff in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the 'god' of the jw's is a god that will kill billions at armageddon.

  the christian 'god' in general is a god that [according to their own holy book] already killed millions in the ot.

  this 'god' ordered the slaughter of innocent virgins and children and old men and old women so that his people could take the land.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Thank you VAMPIRE. I have noticed form your posts that you have not arrived at a conclusion yet and wish you well in your search. Congratulations on your 1000th post.
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  40

  Why do people defend monsters?

  by AK - Jeff in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the 'god' of the jw's is a god that will kill billions at armageddon.

  the christian 'god' in general is a god that [according to their own holy book] already killed millions in the ot.

  this 'god' ordered the slaughter of innocent virgins and children and old men and old women so that his people could take the land.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  My above statement is, as it was meant to be, an impersonal generalisation of the search for truth .

  On a more personal note, If there is a supreme intelligence to which we are answerable, I don't think it will be found in any book. There are clues in Zen buddhism, Tao and the Bible. They are just clues, which lead towards a spiritual life. There are also clues in nature which includes the vast galaxies.

  I observe these things with interest. The jury is still out; which means no verdict has been arrived at by me. Due to this there is no guilt or innocence for me to attribute to any monster or God. Jesus has yet to contact me but I am a patient man. Should God ever find me, I have a feeling that she will be most agreeable.
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  40

  Why do people defend monsters?

  by AK - Jeff in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the 'god' of the jw's is a god that will kill billions at armageddon.

  the christian 'god' in general is a god that [according to their own holy book] already killed millions in the ot.

  this 'god' ordered the slaughter of innocent virgins and children and old men and old women so that his people could take the land.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Why do people defend monsters?

  The search for truth has occupied man’s thoughts, shaped his dreams, and been the cause of many struggles throughout history. Eternal life has been seen as the ultimate quest since the beginning of time. Religions of the world have sought to show that this goal can only be achieved through belief in a higher being – a supreme spirit.

  In some cases they fear the monster will turn on them if the fail to support it. Others do not see the god of the bible as a monster but as a god of love. Different cultures demand alegience to the god or gods of their holy book.

  Some people steer their way through life by the application of absolute logic. Most do not. There is a deep emotional desire in us to want to believe we are not alone and that this life is just one phase of an eternal journey. The mind is capable of rationalising away all objections, to hold onto the comfort that belief in an all powerful god can provide.
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  7

  Can you explain

  by bobld in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when the wtbs says;bethel expansion god's blessing,bethel consolidation god's blessing.. judiciary favorable ruling god's blessing,unfavorable ruling god's blessing.. pray for a court ruling (france/russia).if they win god's bless.if the lose god's bless.is it not the same when football/baseball pray for victory.if the win god blessed them,if they lose god bless them.. b.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  The number of members leaving is seen as proof that we are living in the last days as the Bible states that “the love of the greater number will cool off.” When enough replacements join the organization to swell the number again, the Scripture that says, “Jehovah will speed it up in his own time” is quoted to again prove that these are the last days. Witnesses are expert at finding a verse of Scripture to support any belief they hold. In their eyes, to disagree with them is to contradict the Bible and therefore God.
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  55

  Im afraid Jesus is a myth taken from the Egyptian savior Horus

  by foolsparadise in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  any thoughts?

  it is the exact same story as jesus only 3000 years earlier.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Tell that to the muslims killed during the crusades and the witches burned during the inquisition. Christianity has a bloody history.

  It is true that Christianity has a bloody history, full of crusades and killing, as do most mainstream religions. Though not a Christian myself, I am able to separate the acts performed in the name of Christ, from Christians in the present time.

  While not wishing to be an apologist for Christians, a sincere attempt to live by the gentler aspects of Christ's original message can improve peoples lives.
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  17

  Been There, Done That, Please Shut Up!

  by metatron in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i read a ton of posts on this site that basically follow the same form: somebody has an argument with a close relative about the "truth" and long, angry e-mails follow thereafter - or heated phone calls - or face to face conversations - and the kitchen sink gets thrown into the mix.. you name it: child molestation, 1914, false prophecy, everything and anything that comes to mind.. no, no, no!

  unless you are really committed to losing your witless family or friends, don't hit them with both barrels while you are angry and upset about a lifetime of being duped by the 'truth'.. here's a piece of ancient wisdom - and it applies regardless of whether you are a an agnostic or atheist:.

  "i have many things yet to say to you but you are not able to bear them at present" john 16:12. yes, that principle of gradualism still works with people.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  metatron This is excellent advise.

  A few weeks back we had a thread claiming that anyone who knew JWs didn't have 'the truth' and stayed or kept quiet, was a coward and a liar. I disagreed and made my views clear, which were more in line with your tolerant approach.
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  55

  Im afraid Jesus is a myth taken from the Egyptian savior Horus

  by foolsparadise in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  any thoughts?

  it is the exact same story as jesus only 3000 years earlier.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  cognizant dissident The problem is that it only inspires such qualities in people who already possessed them.

  This is true to a degree. People tend to admire or follow people that reflect the qualities they have or desire to possess; or use them as scapegoats to do what we want in their name. Jesus has been used as an excuse for many atrocities during the last 2000 years.

  Now that the crusades are over, modern churches tend to dwell on the more positive aspects of Jesus message. From my own experience I find today's Christians an agreeable bunch who look for the best in people.
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  55

  Im afraid Jesus is a myth taken from the Egyptian savior Horus

  by foolsparadise in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  any thoughts?

  it is the exact same story as jesus only 3000 years earlier.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  There have been many legends and characters symbolising the battle between good and evil; or more accurately positive and negative forces.

  Jesus has always been seen as a positive force and associated with light, as opposed to darkness. At present he is seen as a metaphor for kindness, love and hope. If belief in him inspires such qualities, then a positive purpose is served whether he is myth or real.