Oubliette
JoinedPosts by Oubliette
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25
"The Calendar of Jehovah God" - a historical tidbit
by OrphanCrow inin 1935, clayton woodworth (editor of the golden age - later the awake!
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.
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Oubliette
The proposed name changes for the days of the week and months all sounds rather Orwellian. Not surprising. -
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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
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Oubliette
- Don't take it personally, and
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372
On respect for the belief of others. Sorry for the long post
by StarTrekAngel ini 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.
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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!
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59
Cooperate Members of the Watchtower Society
by James Jack ina 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?.
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Oubliette
Who would buy them? -
44
We talk a lot about conditional friends on here
by cappytan inso, 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.
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Oubliette
SparrowDown: Personally, I enjoy loud, passionate debates about nothing with close friends over beer and pizza.
Does wine and pasta count?
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44
We talk a lot about conditional friends on here
by cappytan inso, 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.
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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.
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372
On respect for the belief of others. Sorry for the long post
by StarTrekAngel ini 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.
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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.
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372
On respect for the belief of others. Sorry for the long post
by StarTrekAngel ini 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.
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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.
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372
On respect for the belief of others. Sorry for the long post
by StarTrekAngel ini 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.
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Oubliette
Xanthippe: Oubliette they are not suicidal. ... What I'm saying is it's a long journey, people find their own way. We don't have to save them.
Right. I did not intend that expression to be taken literally. Perhaps my metaphor was overly dramatic.
I totally agree with you about it being a journey and it having to take its own course and its own time. Not only do we not have to save them, ultimately we cannot. Everyone must make this journey for themselves, although we are not alone.
My comments of course were in the context of discussions here on the forum or perhaps similar ones in our personal life.
When we are dialoguing with someone and they are only reacting/responding emotionally, what are some useful strategies to redirect their thinking, feeling and emotions.
I am focusing on the short-term, immediate interaction although with a long-term view in mind.
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44
We talk a lot about conditional friends on here
by cappytan inso, 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.
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Oubliette
Simon: A real friend would at least hear you out. So many of us discovered our "friends" wouldn't even do that.
Yes, and that helps define the difference between real friends and the artificial ones inside of a religious cult.
Worse than that of course is that those same false beliefs can sever familial relationships. It would be bad enough if the beliefs were true, but as they are not it is tragic.