http://news.yahoo.com/norwegians-become-crown-millionaires-oil-saving-landmark-172511178--sector.html.
wow!
what a country!.
"82.5% of the population are registered as Evangelical Lutheran. They are automatically registered at birth, and few bother to be unregistered. However only about 10% go to church and identify themselves as Christian. A 2006 survey found 29% believe in a God or deity, 23% possibly believe in a higher power but are unsure what it is, 23% do not believe in god and 22% have serious doubts.
Depending on the definition of atheism, Norway is between 26 percent and 71 percent atheist."
http://news.yahoo.com/norwegians-become-crown-millionaires-oil-saving-landmark-172511178--sector.html.
wow!
what a country!.
Norway is also predominately atheist.
spinning off from another thread, have jesus' teachings been less than universally helpful to mankind?
how do we measure if a particular philosophy is helpful or harmful?.
i am going to use the "universal morals" listed here.
It's a good thing we have tec here to explain what Jesus REALLY meant. Otherwise we would just have to take what he said at face value.
peace to you!.
this thread is about false things (some) atheists think theists believe.
this is not a thread about false things that atheists think about theists.
"and in the process you cause only good to be done to others....."
Well, THAT is the key, is it not? If someone is preaching something that hurts others, then something needs to be said, would you not agree Nicolaus? I think that's what zound is saying. I'm trying to help someone right now who has been hurt by a cult's teaching about cremation/baby teeth. She can only afford cremation and has made all the arrangements for that. Then this cult told her she can't get resurrected if she's cremated unless she has a tooth. Now she thinks she has to go to a dentist and get a perfectly good tooth extracted!
Now I know she's not being forced to drink poisoned koolaid, but harmful, nonetheless, IMO.
peace to you!.
this thread is about false things (some) atheists think theists believe.
this is not a thread about false things that atheists think about theists.
Tec, it's obvious Band on the run has some issues. Could you not just ignore her? Or perhaps cut her some slack because of them, tolerate it? Show Christian love?
Or is Jesus telling you that you must "return evil for evil" and that you should not "turn the other cheek" in this instance? I ask this because you are always saying it is Jesus that tells you what to post.
Because if this is how your voice is telling you to respond to someone who obviously is in some kind of pain...I would question whether that voice you hear is Jesus or your own.
spinning off from another thread, have jesus' teachings been less than universally helpful to mankind?
how do we measure if a particular philosophy is helpful or harmful?.
i am going to use the "universal morals" listed here.
I find that most of Jesus' advice is rooted in just plain old common sense. I don't find it any more inspiring than the memes and inspirational quotes that people post on their Facebook walls. At least the facebook memes are accompanied by a nice picture of a mountain or waterfall.
i checked the program, i bet many can guess what many of the talks will be, but here are a few titles........ .
"symposium: reject strange teachings" - aka reject truth being exposed about the society and their teachings.
"you must hate your enemy" - aka you must hate the gb's enemy of family and friends who have awaken to their lies and left.
"Reject Strange Teachings"?
Nothing is a stranger teaching than the overlapping generation thing....
i have noticed that there are different reactions to learning the "truth about the truth".
some become quite bitter and angry and become very activist.
others seem to just move on quite easily.. .
Dealing with the residual effects of being a Witness sometimes makes me frustrated, yes.
Occasionally I try to connect with certain relatives that are still IN, but I only do it when I am in a good place emotionally and mentally prepared for the rejection that will come. I look out for me, first.
I don't get angry because I pity those still IN, more than anything. I was born and reared a JW, I know they are not truly happy. They are "skinned and thrown about."
I have experienced terrible things in my life as a Witness, and others here have had it worse, I know. I just believe the saying, "The best revenge is living well."
I really appreciate everyone's replies. Thank you!
i have noticed that there are different reactions to learning the "truth about the truth".
some become quite bitter and angry and become very activist.
others seem to just move on quite easily.. .
Oh, very good point, Phizzy - the angry apostate is very much a WT invention. Perhaps I should have asked how to NOT stay in "victim mode" after leaving.
I keep telling my friend, "The WT may have screwed up the first 45 years of your life. Don't let them screw up the rest."
i have noticed that there are different reactions to learning the "truth about the truth".
some become quite bitter and angry and become very activist.
others seem to just move on quite easily.. .
My friend reads here too, but doesn't post much. She likes the facebook group better. So thank you all for the replies. I know she will read them! I just want her to move past the anger and be happy.
(You know I love you, sister-friend!)
