Posts by Oubliette

magazine) devised a 'new' calendar that he proposed was far superior to the pagan calendars that have been used in human history.he wrote a three part series for the golden age (i am not sure if these were actually published) that laid out his justifications for how this new calendar was more accurate and of course, was right in line with the divine plan.

the calendar was published in the 1935 yearbook, but the watchtower magazine later published a retraction to the calendar.

Oubliette

The proposed name changes for the days of the week and months all sounds rather Orwellian. Not surprising.

104

Farewell

by EdenOne in

"don't be dismayed by good-byes.

a farewell is necessary before you can meet again.

and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.

Oubliette

The Rebel: I would therefore like to take this opportunity to apologise to Oubliette for not adhering to my above words and allowing friction to develop between us.

No worries.

I'm glad you took some time to reflect. It's important for all of us to recognize the difference between discussion and debate on content and personal attacks.

I forget who said it recently, but I loved this advice:

Don't take it personally, and
Don't make it personal

-

Oubliette

372

On respect for the belief of others. Sorry for the long post

by StarTrekAngel in

i am inclined to start this thread in response to some comments made in other threads.

i have been coming around these forum for quite some time now so whatever you find in here is not just related to something someone may have said this week.

it can go months back as well.. i have seen many who claim to respect the belief of others but when it comes down to applying it into practice, things take a whole different tune.

Oubliette

Viviane: It is. However, no one did that.

Actually, The Rebel quoted me as writing, "It's a common marketing maxim that 'perception is reality'" and completely missed the point, which was the exact opposite of the direction s/he ran with it.

I think that's the first time I've ever disagreed with you, Viv!

59

Cooperate Members of the Watchtower Society

by James Jack in

a older sister in miami florida has told me that the special pioneer couple who got their walking papers last week said they are also voting members of the watchtower society.

also his stock share is valued at $800,000!.

i did some research and spoke to some longtime witnesses and found out that there are 500 voting members of the society and they are also called shareholders.. has anyone ever of someone selling his share?.

Oubliette

Who would buy them?

44

We talk a lot about conditional friends on here

by cappytan in

jw
friends

so, when people post about being shunned by their friends, i've heard several posters say things like, "their friendship is conditional.

real friendships aren't conditional.".

i'm sorry, but that just isn't really true.. if you and i were friends, there are conditions.

Oubliette

SparrowDown: Personally, I enjoy loud, passionate debates about nothing with close friends over beer and pizza.

Does wine and pasta count?

44

We talk a lot about conditional friends on here

by cappytan in

jw
friends

so, when people post about being shunned by their friends, i've heard several posters say things like, "their friendship is conditional.

real friendships aren't conditional.".

i'm sorry, but that just isn't really true.. if you and i were friends, there are conditions.

Oubliette

CappyTan: like EdenOne acknowledged, the idea of a so-called "unconditional friendship" even for non-JW's is more idealistic than realistic

Just as it is with pretty much everythng JWs believe: it's all fantasy.

372

On respect for the belief of others. Sorry for the long post

by StarTrekAngel in

i am inclined to start this thread in response to some comments made in other threads.

i have been coming around these forum for quite some time now so whatever you find in here is not just related to something someone may have said this week.

it can go months back as well.. i have seen many who claim to respect the belief of others but when it comes down to applying it into practice, things take a whole different tune.

Oubliette

Truthseeker, thanks for sharing that, proving that some of our greatest influences can come from unexpected places.

Could you elaborate on how he influenced you? I'd love to hear more.

372

On respect for the belief of others. Sorry for the long post

by StarTrekAngel in

i am inclined to start this thread in response to some comments made in other threads.

i have been coming around these forum for quite some time now so whatever you find in here is not just related to something someone may have said this week.

it can go months back as well.. i have seen many who claim to respect the belief of others but when it comes down to applying it into practice, things take a whole different tune.

Oubliette

It's a common marketing maxim that "perception is reality." It doesn't take a great deal of thought to realize the unreality of that statement. And yet in a very real way it is true for nearly all of us.

As Einstein opined, "“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”

In the article, "6 Steps To Untangle Reality And Perception," Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Jack Grabon, explains: "Perception is the lens through which we view reality: ourselves, others and the world around us. However, the lens often gets confused with what is being viewed through it." We all filter and then interpret all the data that comes into our brain: first, through our various senses input devices each with their own particular limitations, and then secondly through our mind with its own cognitive strengths and limitations whether physical or due to our education and experience or lack thereof. And of course we cannot ignore the multiple biases and prejudices which we no doubt have, many of which we are sadly unaware.

Last year I spent a unit with one of my science classes focusing on the physical limitations of our senses. We explored and measured what we can and cannot perceive. We also learned about how these senses lie to us; not only do we not see a great deal of what exists to be seen, but our brains lie to us and "see things" that are not there. (An example of this is how our brain fills in the "blind spot" in each of our eyes by "guessing" what is there.)

After doing this for most of our senses, my students were beginning to wonder if they could trust anything. This is where a scientific approach to understanding reality comes to our rescue, at least partially.

By becoming aware of what we do and can know, by understanding that we have preconceptions, misconceptions and biases that influence our thinking, we begin to realize the importance of having evidence that is objective and verifiable in creating our understanding of ourselves and the world in which we live.

It then follows that we should begin to seek ways to independently verify what we know and what we think we know. This leads to a more rational worldview, one free of religious beliefs, superstitions and myths.

In my class I had several young JWs. Two of them told me after they graduated that those lectures helped them to have confidence in their questions and doubts about their religion of origin and to become independent thinkers.