Posts by trevor

175

Does the Christian message fall apart without a literal interpretation of Genesis?

by nicolaou in

.

what's the point of jesus if adam & eve did not 'fall' and condemn us all to sin?.

trevor

The Christian message has for two thousand years been based on the biblical foundation of Genesis, which means beginning. Without Genesis the whole house of cards has no table to stand on. A god that, created man perfectly, followed by sin, Noah’s flood, atonement and redemption, without the authority that Genesis gives them, all become part of a badly written novel. Without Genesis there is no need for Christ. We do not even have a talking snake for comfort on a cold night.

Best scrap the whole mess that is called a bible and rely on our imagination to invent a talking spirit that can guide us and provide the basis for a new religion. One which cashes in on the Christian foundation, while at the same time dismissing the beliefs of millions of previous Christians who kept and died for ‘the faith,’ as was. Christianity has ceased to have a unique message but is just an additional but judgemental branch of Buddhism, Taoism and humanitarian philosophy. Nothing wrong with any of them but why the need for so many badges?

24

Adam was by himself for 35 1/2 years and counting....

by dozy in

according to jw bible chronology , adam was created some 6000 years before 1975 & as armageddon hasn't arrived yet , he has been alone for all the equivalent years since then (despite the wtbts claiming that adam was only on his own for just a few weeks or months.).

luckily as a perfect man , he had no sexual desires.... .

adam felt no desires of sex.

trevor

Nearly 36 years alone watching all the other animals with mates, hard at it.

No wonder Adam bit Eve's apple as soon as he met her!

20

An argument against atheism: It's hopeless

by simon17 in

i hear this critique against atheism a lot.

that its simply a hopeless way to live one's life.

believers give this argument, not passionately, but almost desicively, as if clearly a outlook they don't want for life is a wrong outlook.. is there anything you can do to reason with such ones?

trevor

Unable to understand the world they lived in, ancient man invented the concept of 'gods'. This became known as theism. Our modern world has moved on and largely rejects the idea of a personal god or gods. This does not mean we have all the answers, just that whatever intelligence or un-manifest potential the universe contains, it has to be explained in a more rational and feasible manner.

Atheists have dismissed the idea of a personal god but many keep an open mind about matters that we have insufficient knowledge of, at present. Our individual human lives can seem a little hopeless and may seem pointless but we are part of something much bigger. Not so much a plan as an unfolding event spanning billions of years, possibly eternity.

As JuanMiguel explained in his excellent posts - We have to think outside the box. Unfortunately belief in a personal god has become a box.

106

I'm Starting To Understand Atheist and Evolution

by Philadelphia Ponos in

for many years i was sincerely perplexed when someone told me they believed in the evolution theory or were an atheist.

i never understood how someone could ignore all the evidence for intelligent design and overlook all the holes in the evolution theory.

for example, the human biology clock is synced with the rotation of the earth, the earth is the perfect distance away from the sun to sustain life, the earth has an ozone layer to protect us from the sun's radiation, the earth naturally produces fruits and vegetables to be used for food, our bodies produce enzymes to break down the fruits and vegetables so it can nourish us, the earth produces water and oxygen, etc.

trevor

Philadelphia Ponos Many Christians believe in evolution while holding on to belief in a god as described in the bible. Other people want to believe in a god but are unable to find evidence of such a being.

That is not to say that intelligence is not at work throughout the universe. But the idea of a personal god that is in charge of the universe and yet talks to humans, does not add up.

Perhaps a more thorough study of evolution will help you to see the part it plays in the development of the world.

10

CNN Question "Is Libya a war"

by Was New Boy in

jw
friends

what bull shit.

of course it isn't a war.

they would need to get an approval for that!.

trevor

If any nation attacked the USA and destroyed their air-force, then tanks and wheapon stocks, killing both soldiers and civilians, I wonder whether the President would consider the country to be at war?

50

What proof is there that Jesus chose the Bible Students in 1919?

by VM44 in

what proof is there that jesus inspected all the religions or the earth in 1919 and then chose the bible students?.

just because the watchtower says in its literature that they were chosen is not proof!.

trevor

What proof is there that Jesus chose the Bible Students in 1919?

What is the proof that Jesus was anymore than a Jewish carpenter born out of wedlock, with a penchant for sandals and fish?

35

Why does God permit suffering? Don't let others answer this question for you

by sabastious in

jw
friends

wasn't the answer to this question wrapped up in a neat little package when you were young?

it was easily explainable and it made you feel so warm inside that you knew that god felt passionately bad about the suffering and that it was going to stop.. there is so much pain in this world.

people are starving, people are being torchered by others who have lost their minds, there is endless suffering on this planet.

trevor

Suffering is inherent in having a body. It’s not possible to feel physical pleasure without at times feeling pain. The difference between pain and pleasure is a fine line. We do our best to maximise our sensual pleasure and minimise our pain.

Birth and death are natural in this world. There is no magical or miraculous wand that can be waved by a god that will change reality. The proof of this is that it hasn’t happened.

If humans survive for another three billion years, which is unlikely, the aging sun will heat up before it dies and humans will be toast. The universe makes no promises and owes us nothing - it just is.

The wonder is that we are witnessing life on this stunningly beautiful planet, hanging in space. I wouldn’t have missed this moment for the world.

65

Do people generally like you?

by Terry in

jw
friends

in person, people tend to love me.

i'm told how likeable i am.. on discussion boards i have unlikeable qualities which infuriate others.. .

are you likeable in person and likeable on boards?

trevor

Terry asked what happened to little toe?

He got married and left the board. Presumably he has his hands full!

65

Do people generally like you?

by Terry in

jw
friends

in person, people tend to love me.

i'm told how likeable i am.. on discussion boards i have unlikeable qualities which infuriate others.. .

are you likeable in person and likeable on boards?

trevor

Terry, Over many years on the board you have made a huge and valuable contribution. I like your straight forward no nonsense approach to topics. I get the impression you are much the same in real life.

You are an outstanding example of how a board like this can be used to educate and benefit. I hope you never change.

We all go through changes over the years and at times I have allowed the bitterness I have felt to affect my judgement when debating with people. I like to think I have moved on and try to remember that I am dealing with real people and treat them the same as I would away from the board.

45

Is Satan actually a liar?

by Scooby-Doo in

you positively will not die.

for god knows that in the very day of your eating from it your eyes are bound to be opened and you are bound to be like god, knowing good and bad.".

did satan actually lie to eve?

trevor

Satan is the most truthful person in the whole bible fairytale. He is more noble than most of my friends - and a lot more useful to know when I need a favour. I have always found it best to know people in low places. As for the tyrant that ruled Eden - he needs help!