THE GLADIATOR

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Posts by THE GLADIATOR

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  43

  Mass defection possible?

  by stuckinamovement in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there are many of us who are trapped within the religion and are looking at leaving.

  i was wondering..... if there was an organized and well publicized effort to leave the organization en-masse on a certain date yet to be determined, how many do you think would participate?.

  one person leaves the org and it creates a small ripple.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Mass defection? Not a chance! Surprising as it is, many people enjoy being a Jehovah’s Witnesses.

  The Attraction

  The desire to worship or please a god is only one of the many reasons why people involve themselves with Jehovah’s Witnesses. We all have certain needs, which must be met in order for our lives to be fulfilled. For life to have meaning we must have a purpose. We set ourselves goals intellectually, spiritually, physically and emotionally. When we find ourselves lacking in stimulation in these areas we can suffer from depression. To be a Jehovah’s Witness means more than just belonging to a religion, it is a whole way of life and a community within itself. It can offer friendship, security and purpose. It can appeal to those who are looking for reassurance and guidance in their lives. It claims to have an answer for every question you could ask; questions about the past, the future, what is good or bad, right or wrong. It can give meaning to living in a world, which at times seems to have gone astray.

  It is not only religious people who become involved, in fact their resistance can often be greater than those who profess no faith. As towns get larger and more impersonal, there lingers in many people a desire to belong to a close-knit village type of community to which they can contribute their personality. The need to belong and to feel needed is very human. To some, leading others and being looked up to is also important.

  Jehovah’s Witnesses, led by the Watchtower Society, initially appear to offer the security that is so missed in modern society today. To live among people who share the same purpose, goals and prejudices and share the same idea of what is right and wrong can be an attractive proposition. To the average working man or woman looking for answers or direction in life or an elderly person who has little to look forward to, the offer of a helping hand by a friendly person offering to explain the purpose of life can be the first step to involvement with an organization which could alter their entire life.

  Taken from the book Opening the Door to Jehovah's Witnesses by Trevor Willis. www.lulu.com
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  197

  What is "truth" - COULD Einstein Have Been Wrong?

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  may you all have peace!.

  just came across this article:.

  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44629271/ns/technology_and_science-science/?gt1=43001.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Tec/Tammy, as always I appreciate your reasoned reply and politeness. Although you share many of Shelby ’s beliefs you do not appear to have the same passive aggressive agenda. Nor do you actively seek to wind up those who are drawn into debate with you.

  What people choose to believe does not concern me but their motive for prolific posting and an endless capacity for argument does. I said that I have come to the conclusion that AGuest is feeding off people on this forum. If people are happy to allow her to do that, it is their prerogative. For vulnerable people that may not be aware, I felt it proper to share my opinion. If people disagree that’s fine, it is just my opinion. They are welcome to give me a verbal slap.

  If someone presents evidence we examine that evidence. If the evidence is based on subjective mystical personal experience then at some point it is inevitable that the examination of that evidence will become personal, ad hominem . Questioning the evidence will involve examination of a person who claims to be a channel to a spirit world.

  Originally, I joined this board under my real name, Trevor to come to terms with leaving the Jehovah's Witness setup. As time passed I sought to help others who have shared the same disappointment and sense of loss. My agenda has not changed but I have allowed myself to be distracted from my quest. This is something I will seek to correct.

  All the best - Trevor
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  197

  What is "truth" - COULD Einstein Have Been Wrong?

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  may you all have peace!.

  just came across this article:.

  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44629271/ns/technology_and_science-science/?gt1=43001.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  AGuest - Reading trough this thread and others, I have come to the conclusion that you are feeding off the people on this forum. Not just those who don’t believe in Christianity but also those who do. The posts get longer and more aggressive, with thousands of words and no substance or evidence to back the rhetoric.

  I have allowed myself to be drawn into this trap. My feeble attempts to reason have been met with subterfuge, misdirection and duplicity. I salute you but see through your game. My apologies to Tec who supports you and seeks to see the best in everyone.
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  197

  What is "truth" - COULD Einstein Have Been Wrong?

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  may you all have peace!.

  just came across this article:.

  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44629271/ns/technology_and_science-science/?gt1=43001.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Please remind us of just one thing that you have reported from you conversations with God that is of value to the world.

  Science is not perfect but it is real, sincere and shares all it discovers along with the evidence it has to offer. It does not claim to know everything and will always be seeking to improve while searching in the dark.

  With such an abundance of light that shining on you directly from God I am disappointed that you cannot offer something more to a forum filled with people who seek just one present of the divine revelation that you claim to be blessed with.
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  197

  What is "truth" - COULD Einstein Have Been Wrong?

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  may you all have peace!.

  just came across this article:.

  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44629271/ns/technology_and_science-science/?gt1=43001.

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  THE GLADIATOR
• 
  197

  What is "truth" - COULD Einstein Have Been Wrong?

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  may you all have peace!.

  just came across this article:.

  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44629271/ns/technology_and_science-science/?gt1=43001.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Thank you for replying to my solitary post Tec, AGuest & Twitch.

  This is a vast and deep subject that has been explained very well by Qcmbr. Also the recent debate, in which Bohm explained scientific endeavour so clearly, is still fresh in my mind.

  AGuest: My comments, therefore, are as to what we believe to be TRUE... versus what may actually BE... true.

  This is a true statement. The difficult that I, along with many others on this forum have, arises when someone claims to base their belief on personal conversations with a spirit that is responsible for creating the world. All discussion about what truth is ends for such a person. They have received truth from the only perfect source and never again need to search, explore, question, prove or wonder. They have only to ask their invisible friend and all will be revealed. Such a person has a personal connection with truth and access to the greatest truth about the universe.

  The rest of us have to take the slow road and read with interest each new discovery that scientist make in the hope that we can move slightly closer to truth. Or read the pages of the Bible in the hope of finding a few clues.

  Why waste time debating with us? Just share with us some detail of the priceless truth that has been revealed to you AGuest. So far you have offered nothing new or anything of real interest. For that reason I can be forgiven for remaining sceptical until you reveal something that mere scientific men and women have so far failed to uncover without Divine help.

  As I have said before, I envy your belief but am unable to follow where you go.
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  197

  What is "truth" - COULD Einstein Have Been Wrong?

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  may you all have peace!.

  just came across this article:.

  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44629271/ns/technology_and_science-science/?gt1=43001.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  AGuest has made many posts over the months that seek to discredit science. The idea seems to be that If the argument for belief in scientific theories can be weakened, then the argument for belief in religious theories can be strengthened, by t ipping the balance.

  Interesting stuff, but to make this an even playing field we have to ask where the source of information came from. If a scientist declared a new understanding based on a voice that he or she believed to belong to an invisible being with whom a friendship had been made, more evidence would be required before the scientists personal belief could be taken seriously or accepted as of value in establishing truth.
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  26

  How do you know when the Governing Body speaks for itself, and when it is supposed to speak for Jehovah?

  by dgp in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in the catholic church, the pope is considered "infallible" when he speaks ex cathedra.

  that is to say, he is not infallible when he speaks about things that don't have to do with religion.

  for example, he may say whatever he pleases about economics, but no one will hold that catholic economists will have sinned against god if they consider that the pope is wrong.. the important point here is that the pope is thought to be infallible only when he speaks about matters strictly related to the church.. the wikipedia has this:.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  MeanMrMustard in the UK the benchmark for mustard is - Colman's English Mustard.

  You show promise but need to turn the heat up if you are hoping to cut the mustard!
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  26

  How do you know when the Governing Body speaks for itself, and when it is supposed to speak for Jehovah?

  by dgp in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in the catholic church, the pope is considered "infallible" when he speaks ex cathedra.

  that is to say, he is not infallible when he speaks about things that don't have to do with religion.

  for example, he may say whatever he pleases about economics, but no one will hold that catholic economists will have sinned against god if they consider that the pope is wrong.. the important point here is that the pope is thought to be infallible only when he speaks about matters strictly related to the church.. the wikipedia has this:.

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  THE GLADIATOR
• 
  26

  How do you know when the Governing Body speaks for itself, and when it is supposed to speak for Jehovah?

  by dgp in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in the catholic church, the pope is considered "infallible" when he speaks ex cathedra.

  that is to say, he is not infallible when he speaks about things that don't have to do with religion.

  for example, he may say whatever he pleases about economics, but no one will hold that catholic economists will have sinned against god if they consider that the pope is wrong.. the important point here is that the pope is thought to be infallible only when he speaks about matters strictly related to the church.. the wikipedia has this:.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  The Governing Body always speaks for itself because Jehovah does not exist.This is the appeal of having an organization to follow, it is at least real and tangible, producing endless books and Watchtowers to read for guidence.

  Ok! They are full of nonsence but the members would rather have an illusion of certainty than face the reality of uncertainty.