Hell does not exist?
You should have grown up where I did!
Posts by trevor
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17Hell Does Not Exist
by megs inaccording to spong, not only does hell not exist, but neither does the divinity of christ, a theistic god, miracles, the redemptive property of jesus' death on the cross, his resurrection, his ascension, and many other things besides.
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bts.
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133
Is there a Christian message without the element of fear/perceived threat?
by nvrgnbk inso many christians highlight love and mercy as the main point of their religion.. that's undeniably appealing.. but is it true to christianity?.
in the end, isn't the belief all about escaping god's violent wrath?
aren't those that are unable to accept the system's contradictions and absurdities promised suffering and eventual destruction as punishment for their disbelief?.
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trevor
This subject has been thrashed out so many times. No one can be sure exactly what Christianity is until those embracing Christianity can decide among themselves whether or not they accept the Bible as the Word of God. When questioned they are as slippery as eels.
Until there is a consensus we will have a fragmented religion that argues more about what Christianity is than outsiders do.
Personally I no longer give a flying fig-leaf what people believe or do as long as it gets them through the night and they don't want me to do it with them.
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trevor
jookbeard
Yes it was Alan Stokes, a big man, thanks for reminding me. Our connection was that we both grew up in the same Luton congregation and I knew his mother.
He used to rent a small attic room from an elderly sister, which he kept as a bolt hole. He invited me back there for a drink after delivering a spell binding finale at a circuit assembly. I thought it was sad to see such a talented man with so little to show for his efforts. He talked about how hard he found the constant travelling. I remember him with great fondness.
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trevor
Wow this is a trip down memory lane!
I too remember Albert Broad, Jim Buckingham and John Blaney.
Also John Andrews, Ron Drage and Alan Stoats.
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129
I Received The Holy Spirit!
by Maddie ini want to share with you all a most wonderful experience i have just had.
i have been going to a christian church called the vineyard.
they have a live band and lots of singing goes on there.
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trevor
Maddie
I am also pleased that you have found relief from your emotional pain. What you have experienced is known to psychotherapists as an ab-reaction. Reading a little about it on Google may help you avoid the pain returning.
Thank you to all those who have faith and are happy for me.
Those who are happy for you despite not sharing your faith are demonstrating unconditional empathy which is of no less value.
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39
do you feel posting on JWD helps or hinders your recovery?
by burningbridges insometimes i wonder if posting on this site helps me "recover" from the trauma that the witnesses put me through, and have no doubt it does at times.
no where else is there such a support team of individuals who know personally what you've been through and how you feel.
but at the same time, i often wonder if coming on here causes me to obsess in a way, preventing me from "moving on" with my life.
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trevor
MsMcDucket: Some said that people are seeking attention.
Yes it was me:
Nevertheless I take you point about trying to support others through a forum and unfortunately I am coming to the conclusion that it may be a waste of time because most people seem to want attention more than support.
I take on board your comments and there are people here who are genuinely looking for support. When I first came, I was looking for support. There were some wonderful people here who offered me that support but no longer post as they have moved on.
I am no longer here looking for support but offer it when I can. Perhaps I am wrong or looking for attention myself. We are always the last to see ourselves as others do.
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82
Do you find yourself kinda thinking conspiricy theorist are maybe correct?
by IreallydidwalkoutofaKH ini don't know if it is me or if it is becauce i was taught so much false teachings growing up, or maybe that the watch tower publications are about a 10th grade level and when i read a thoughtful article i want to believe it.
but boy, television media seems to present the public with truths the same way the watchtower presents its truth.
with 10 minute sound bites, never getting to deep and really not explaining very well the history of some of the subjects.just a thought!
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trevor
As with most things there is seldom a black or white answer. Governments do have hidden agendas that are not shared with the world at large. None Dare Call It Conspiracy by Gary Allen 1971 was a superb book which I read about 30 yeras ago.
While caution is a good thing, what has to be guarded against is starting to believe that everything that happens is a conspiracy. Elvis lives and probably shares a new york apartment with Jesus. Neil Armstrong never walked on the moon. There is a cover up of flying saucers. People are abducted by aliens every day but the government are covering it up. And so on.
Paranoia means being suspicious without reason or a disturbed thought process characterized by excessive anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion. ( yes I did Google that) Once we start to believe that everything is a conspiracy we are delusional.
Every body hates me, people are staring at me, my life is not worth living, my partner is plotting to kill me. I alone know the truth and everyone else is going to die. These are other delusional states and a sign of low self esteem. Unfortunately living by a set of delusional beliefs is a common trait of humans.
Hey! That's how we all got be on this board.
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42
Anyone see Criss Angel walk on water last night on A&E?
by sweetstuff inok, i'm not a person who takes what i see on tv as "real" but that was pretty darn mind blowing.
the guy walked on the hoover dam lake, people were coming into the water, checking out the water underneath him to make sure he wasn't walking on something and it appeared he was not.
holy crap, i watched in complete disbelieve yet thinking, how could you pull that off as an illusion?
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trevor
Derren Brown the English illusionist is a great favorite of mine. I have a number of his DVDs and his recent book, 'Tricks of the mind.'
He carries out seances, messages from the dead, readings, mind readings, past-life regression and all the other hokum pokum that is passed of as of 'the spirit world.' He is so good that the psychics believe he is real and better than them.
Yet he is adamant that it is all an illusion. He often explains how he creates these illusions. Education at its best.
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36
Cigars
by besty in...and so to the end of a great evening with new friends and a familiar lover.. my feet are up and the sounds of socal stillness punctuated by occasional dreams departing from lax.. is there more to life than friends, lovers, brandy and hand rolled cuban companions?.
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trevor
Have never been a smoker but I do enjoy a good cigar in the open air on a hot day.
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39
do you feel posting on JWD helps or hinders your recovery?
by burningbridges insometimes i wonder if posting on this site helps me "recover" from the trauma that the witnesses put me through, and have no doubt it does at times.
no where else is there such a support team of individuals who know personally what you've been through and how you feel.
but at the same time, i often wonder if coming on here causes me to obsess in a way, preventing me from "moving on" with my life.
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trevor
A person wishing to hear that their life is a failure due to their being a JW and not due to the fact that they might be lazy good-for-nothings for example, is much more likely to feel 'supported' by those who shred the Jehovah's Witnesses, than those who might tell them to get some excercise, get some education and get moving.
Spot on Hillary
Many people cannot bear to be told the truth about themselves. The more hostile or angry the response to a comment, the more likely it is to be true. People want to have their ears tickled. To see through the persona they present on this forum is the unforgivable sin.
However there are many genuine people here who are trying to work their way through depression and loss and over the last 7 years I have tried to offer genuine support and help. But If I get the feeling that someone is not genuine I ignore them. Nevertheless I take you point about trying to support others through a forum and unfortunately I am coming to the conclusion that it may be a waste of time because most people seem to want attention more than support.