venus

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Posts by venus

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  42

  “Tree of good and bad” means what?

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  if “tree of good and bad” were literal, it would mean adam and eve would know what is “good and bad” only after eating of that tree.

  however, even before eating of it, they would think “it is good for us to eat of this tree” which means they are already endowed knowledge of “good and bad.” that means “tree of good and bad” is symbolic of something.. since religious organizations interpret this differently, each reader has to adopt his own conclusion.

  for me it looks like this: one thinks of good and bad in relation to himself—if something is beneficial for him he would say it is good for him, and bad for him if it is not beneficial.

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  venus

  notalone,

  You brought an excellent point: "The term 'of good and bad' could also mean 'everything'.

  That would mean they were forbidden from doing anything. This is an indication that story was poorly copied from other cultures.
• 
  7

  The Resurrection narrative can make perfect sense if you consider it to be a lie.

  by Island Man in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  there are aspects to the resurrection story that seem unnecessary but make perfect sense if you consider them as patches to shore up the lie of jesus' resurrection.. (1) why did there have to be angels present at jesus' resurrection?

  there is no other resurrection account in the bible that mentions the involvement of angels.. possible explanation: jesus' disciples really did steal jesus' body from the tomb.

  two or three of them ambushed and knocked/drugged unconscious the guards on the scene before stealing the body.

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  venus

  If his resurrection was historical, all the four gospels would have given exactly the same details about it. Mark 16:8 shows the first ones who were told of his resurrection were "Trembling and bewildered" rather than being overjoyed and empowered. Yet John 20:18 gives a totally different picture about the same.

  Mathew 28:15 shows that resurrection account was written many years later.
• 
  42

  “Tree of good and bad” means what?

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  if “tree of good and bad” were literal, it would mean adam and eve would know what is “good and bad” only after eating of that tree.

  however, even before eating of it, they would think “it is good for us to eat of this tree” which means they are already endowed knowledge of “good and bad.” that means “tree of good and bad” is symbolic of something.. since religious organizations interpret this differently, each reader has to adopt his own conclusion.

  for me it looks like this: one thinks of good and bad in relation to himself—if something is beneficial for him he would say it is good for him, and bad for him if it is not beneficial.

  1. 
  2. 
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• 

  venus

  If “Tree of good and bad” were literal, it would mean Adam and Eve would know what is “good and bad” only after eating of that tree. However, even before eating of it, they would think “it is good for us to eat of this tree” which means they are already endowed knowledge of “good and bad.” That means “tree of good and bad” is symbolic of something.

  Since religious organizations interpret this differently, each reader has to adopt his own conclusion. For me it looks like this: One thinks of good and bad in relation to himself—if something is beneficial for him he would say it is good for him, and bad for him if it is not beneficial. This is the characteristic of ego. That means “tree of good and bad” represents ego. Our experience is that the day we start interpreting things and happenings as good and bad our happiness ‘positively dies.’ Hence it would seem God’s command was not to interpret things and happenings as “good and bad.” Such a command is reasonable because good and bad are relative. One may say wheat is good but weed is bad whereas a herbalist may find this so-called weed as precious medicine. Rainy season may be good for certain business people whereas summer season may be good for another business.

  When I stopped interpreting things and happenings as good and bad but started as seeing them as flow of events which are totally neutral, it keeps my happiness in tact.
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  29

  The bizarreness of Genesis 6:2

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  "the sons of the true god began to notice that the daughters of men were beautiful.

  so they began taking as wives all whom they chose.".

  it may be feasible to some to accept the bible's assertion that the first humans were tempted to pursue independence from god, especially since they were created in his image and he is independent from any authority.

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  venus

  Story unwittingly betrays human tendency to blame others (fallen angels in this case) for own mistakes
• 
  29

  The bizarreness of Genesis 6:2

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  "the sons of the true god began to notice that the daughters of men were beautiful.

  so they began taking as wives all whom they chose.".

  it may be feasible to some to accept the bible's assertion that the first humans were tempted to pursue independence from god, especially since they were created in his image and he is independent from any authority.

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  venus

  Great points that argue against divine inspiration!
• 
  10

  Whether Jesus was a historical figure or not matters not

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  when i suffered some loss what jesus said came to my mind: “if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.” (mathew 5:40) principle behind this statement made flash to me: ‘here shirt is only a symbol of material things/comfort.

  if you suffer a loss, have the mind-set that i have no problem even if i suffer some greater loss,’ and my worry immediately disappeared.

  whether jesus was a historical figure or not matters not if what he (supposedly) said happens to be of great practical help..

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  venus

  scratchme1010,

  I was trying to show that apostate can understand the Bible better
• 
  10

  Whether Jesus was a historical figure or not matters not

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  when i suffered some loss what jesus said came to my mind: “if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.” (mathew 5:40) principle behind this statement made flash to me: ‘here shirt is only a symbol of material things/comfort.

  if you suffer a loss, have the mind-set that i have no problem even if i suffer some greater loss,’ and my worry immediately disappeared.

  whether jesus was a historical figure or not matters not if what he (supposedly) said happens to be of great practical help..

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  venus

  When I suffered some loss what Jesus said came to my mind: “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.” (Mathew 5:40) Principle behind this statement made flash to me: ‘Here shirt is only a symbol of material things/comfort. If you suffer a loss, have the mind-set that I have no problem even if I suffer some greater loss,’ and my worry immediately disappeared.

  Whether Jesus was a historical figure or not matters not if what he (supposedly) said happens to be of great practical help.
• 
  5

  Does Anyone Wish Satan Were Real?

  by Rainbow_Troll in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i left the memorial tonight with a renewed antagonism towards all that is good and holy.

  i doubt the existence of satan, but i had to recite two "our father who wert in heaven..." prayers just to feel cleansed of the miasma of sanctity i had just endured for over an hour!.

  it's times like these when i wish that there really were a devil that i could sell my soul to in exchange for his support in corrupting as many christians away from their faith as i possibly can.

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  venus

  Satan was invented by religions with a commercial intent.
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  2

  Pray for all people, especially our leaders? That's what the bible says

  by TTWSYF in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  from 1timothy chapt 2. the first to timothy.

  2 first of all, then, i urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made concerning all sorts of men, 2 concerning kings and all those who are in high positions,*+ so that we may go on leading a calm and quiet life with complete godly devotion and seriousness.+ 3 this is fine and acceptable in the sight of our savior, god,+ 4 whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved+ and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

  5 for there is one god,+ and one mediator+ between god and men,+ a man, christ jesus,+ 6 who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all*+—this is what is to be witnessed to in its own due time.

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  venus

  This is a clear statement that says Rulers are "God's servants" (Romans 13:7), not of Satan as JW teaching says.
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  17

  Memorial - from disgusted to feeling sorry

  by UBM101 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i went with my husband tonight for the first time.

  it was pretty appalling how they lied about the 144k and everyone else.

  then passing the wine and bread for nothing.

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  venus

  When i was just following the crowd, I attended it as others did only to realize later that this is nothing but cannibalism in another form and name.