Posts by Bugbear

18

El, Baal and JHVH

by Doug Mason in

one of the most important sources that we have for the most ancient stages of the religion of israel are some epic texts about the gods of canaan that were found in an archaeological excavation in a place called ras shamra (ancient ugarit) early in the twentieth century.

these epics reveal a very rich ancient canaanite mythology, especially in the elaborated stories of the gods el and baal and their rivals and consorts.

while, of course, the israelite branch of the canaanite group partly defined itself through the rejection of this mythology, much of the imagery and narrative allusions that we find in the works of the israelite prophets, the psalms, and other biblical poetic texts are best illuminated through comparison with these ancient texts.

Bugbear

Doug

Thank you we need more of the stuff you have brought up, to bash the JW org.

Bugbear

18

The inactive God

by Rattigan350 in

in the creation vs evolution argument:.

the often used illustration of a watch found in the desert.

someone had to make it.. with creation also someone had to make it.

Bugbear

Cofty

Good argument. I have very often found that Religious minds/persons need the comfort of a super “DAD” who is going to take care of everything that fails. I think our brain has its own methods to stand the conditions that “life” brought us, with death, diseases, pestilence, war, tsunamis etc.etc.

Bugbear

33

Are you an "out of the closet" atheist?

by rebel8 in

jw
friends

i'm atheist and not ashamed of it.

however, it is so politically incorrect, especially where i live.

i have a legitimate concern that being out of the closet too much will hurt my career or neighborly relations--i know for a fact it probably would.. i'm really cautious about who i tell.. how about you?

Bugbear

Here in Scandinavia, it almost ”a sin” to declare that you are religious. If you bring up the subject on a job interview, You are regarded as “nuts”. Almost half of the population in Sweden openly declare that they are atheists. No politician would dare saying that they have “a believe” . All religious believes are considerate superstitions.

Bugbear

39

What Made You Finally Wake Up?

by Tenacious in

hello to all.

i've been on this site for a couple of weeks now posting here and there but have not had the opportunity to read about many of the regular members and what led up to their leaving the wt.. i understand that some of you (i'm part of this club) may not be able to disclose many details and i can appreciate that.. i'd love to hear what was it that finally made you renounce what is and hopefully soon to be "was" the wt.. i truly look forward to having good discussions.. thank you to all for your kind participation.. .

Bugbear

Facts made me wake up.....

Bugbear

11

PLEASE don't read this . . . if you have O.C.D. tendencies or are superstitious

by Terry in

what if there were no such things as arabic numerals (0123456789)?.

what if you only had your alphabet?.

you could use letters as numerical values.

Bugbear

Thnks Terry! I mixed the two groups, "long time since examina" of course it was the pythagoreans that lived in suthern Italy. But I do like the ideology of the Epicureas better.

Bugbear

11

PLEASE don't read this . . . if you have O.C.D. tendencies or are superstitious

by Terry in

what if there were no such things as arabic numerals (0123456789)?.

what if you only had your alphabet?.

you could use letters as numerical values.

Bugbear

Thanks Terry for inviting us to accurate knowledge on the Antique ideas that was very dominating at the time when most of the bible was written. I wish I had half of the knowledge that you obviously have. I think that you will find more interesting information about reading on the Epicureans, decedents from the ancient Epicurus, who believed they “had the knowledge”, through numerology. They called it “the secret”, and indeed they were very “secret” about their knowledge. It is very interesting to see hove the bible reflects many of these ancient ideas and that people who doesn´t understand this influence, still are trying to find the “truth” by bible interpreting.

Thanks and LOL

Bugbear

28

We're not dealing with sincere anointed who genuinely believe their teachings but scam artists

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

looking at all the doctrinal teachings over the last five years, it's almost impossible for any person of conscience who originated such doctrine to do a complete u-turn and change it when the passage of time has proved beyond doubt that doctrine is no longer credible.. i say this with reference to the generation of 1914. they were so sure.

it was part of the awake!

masthead for decades that those who saw the events of 1914 would also see the great tribulation.. .

Bugbear

Anyone who claims to have the truth from the Bible or any other religious scripture is either mad or a fraud.

Bugbear

20

What is your GOAL ?

by new hope and happiness in

jw
friends

hi everyone.. i think this is a big question.

but how would you answer it in the simpliest of terms?.

in simple terms my " goals " are :-.

Bugbear

I think that reading some of the scriptures from Epikure (ancient greek philosofer) could give you an answer of what many of us like to do with our lifes in our new freedom.

Bugbear

51

New ExJW here for the first time.

by WideAwake7 in

i am here for the first time ...but have enjoyed reading others experiences that i feel i can relate too.

i used to be an elder for more than 20 years .

i have successfully faded with my wife and children.

Bugbear

Welcome Wide Awake 7.

I´m looking forward to hear your story, which is very similar to mine, except the fact that my wife is still in. Therefore I am still invited to "special occations" like funerals, weddings and others since my wife wants me to go. I am refusing, this not to embarrassing my wife, the funeral party, or the wedding couple. I sometimes have the tendency to answer "the friends" questions in an "arrogant way", this becouse I basicly think they are studpid. And that is not to good on a funeral/wedding party.

Bugbear

44

Find What Your Social Status Was in the Congregation

by Mary in

jw
friends

ever notice how the "happiest people on earth" are also the most class-oriented?

the social structure in the congregation is more complex than the blueprints of a nuclear warhead, but just so that you "remember your place", see if you can find where your niche was/is:.

1. at the top of the social order of things within the congregation is of course, the presiding overseer and his family.

Bugbear

I guess I have been both 1 and 2 moving to 8. I was always dubious, what I was told to say as TM, and the instructions that was given to me when I had a speech at an assembly hall. Sometimes I felt that the CO/BO could see my doubts about some issues. Before I become Nr. 8 I resigned as an elder and did just “symbolic” service. After University and “accurate knowledge” “there was a “burning fire” inside me, and now my old friend doesn’t dare to see me again. If they start to talk the truth and try to help me back, for old times’ sake, I have some few Philosophical questions, that I drop to them and ask them to think them over and give me their personal answer, when they come back. (They never come back.) Here are a few questions I have used:

1./ It is good that the Soc. Ended the theory of HELL, but why do they reinstall that hell in Armageddon again?

2./ How come that humans situations as by far better, of when humanity killed GOD´s one borne son on a cross (or whatever) and humiliated him?

3./ How can you love a father a God that over and over again kills his children, in a flood, with bacteria’s, with violent army’s, a.s.f.?

4./ How can you believe that an ancient book written over 2000 ago, translated, transcripted, translated again, lost, refund, are a “wholly book”, especially when it inherits so many awful stories about punishments, sacrifices?

And on and one I go…. Finally they hold their hands over their ears and rush away never to be seen again.

Bugbear