Don't be 'centric or intolerant about either since being so has caused some of
the biggest abominations in history. Making either law of the land is institu-
tionalized 'centric intolerance.
I agree, Glenster!
If the suggestions I gave are agreed to. the analogy with the
freedom of subjective reactions to music beyond the math of the music is a good
one, notably with regard to not wanting harm over differing subjective reactions
or misinformation about the known things. Otherwise, the quoted statement veers
toward requiring mathematical proof for subjective reaction to music/mistaken
claims of proof God is or isn't, which are misinformation.
I see, but couldn't we say that it's easier to prove that music does exist? I also liked this thought from Ricky:
If I came up to you and said, “Why don’t you believe I can fly?” You’d say, “Why would I?” I’d reply, “Because it’s a matter of faith.” If I then said, “Prove I can’t fly. Prove I can’t fly see, see, you can’t prove it can you?” You’d probably either walk away, call security or throw me out of the window and shout, ‘’F—ing fly then you lunatic.”
Even though I've been researching theses things intensely in my process of finding out the TTAT, it's been only 6 months of draining research. And I'm actually having to slow down to, of course, take care of life in general as we all do. I realize this will be a journey that'll take many years, but I'm so happy I've started it. My point is I'm no expert. But I now see many holes in the monotheistic beliefs of post-exilic jews that luckily got upheld and adopted by first-century christians and survived to our day, some which may even derive from similarities found in Mesopotamian mythology.
The harm is done when people take their belief to extremes and allow it to take over their lives.
I agree, Gladiator, ironically I firmly believe now that "religion is a snare and a racket."
It is pitiful to see the way that his fantasy believes have improverised him and robbed him of living a fuller life.
Should I have stood by and watched them waste their lives without expressing my concern? The answer for me is no. If you love someone you reach out and try to help, whatever the cost.
Birds of a feather flock together and fragile truces between people with opposing views seldom last unless one side is prepared to remain silent.
To speak out and challenge or to remain silent? That is the question.
I'm so sorry Gladiator, the way the WT divides and destroys families is criminal. Wow, it's so cool to know you're written books, I'm going to look for them!
I pity many of my friends and family in much the same way. And I can't just stand by doing nothing. I'm 'lucky' that I don't live with my family so I could do this all on my own without external pressure from them. But now the time has come when I have to face them and I simply can't pretend. Hell, I haven't seen the elders in months nor have I talked to anyone from my congregation about this except one friend of mine who agrees there are problems in the organization but still believes it's the truth. Ugh, his cognitive dissonance blocks him from listening to me and from accepting the hard facts on paedophilia and all the other problems in the borg. He has no idea I don't believe in god anymore. Last we talked I had told him I was definitely fading because the borg certainly was not the true religion, and that I was going to stick to Jehovah, Jesus, and the bible. It was when I started inpsecting the bible from a closer range and a more open mind that I got where I am today.
But I hate pretending. I am not going to any JC, and based on experiences from all you here it's all but hopeless to expect any of them to actually listen to any of us. So if I can only make any of them to just think, that'll be great. I feel my family guesses something is not right but since they have issues that they have to resolve with me, they do not take the initiative, and we are already very distant, I hope I can get them to think as well but I don't fear them.
The only thing I'm doing now is making more friends now that I'm out since I was a born in and had few friends outside. But I'm not alone, and my atheist girlfriend has been my bedrock through and through. I really just want to resolve my personal things with my family, reassure them of my love, and bide my time to DA myself. And I'm considering how to do it in the best possible way (the way that would create more ripples and reverberations since I was a 'zealous' pioneer/MS for many years held up as a model and known across circuits).