Posts by GrreatTeacher

19

Religion in the USA and Elsewhere

by Joe Grundy in

trying to follow media reports in the us and elsewhere, a question occurred to me.. in the uk, religious beliefs are largely irrelevant to most people.

even those who claim adherence seem to do so in a fairly vague way and it doesn't seem to make much difference.. in the us (it seems to me) it's a much bigger issue.

the evangelical christian movement seems quite powerful politically in various iterations ("family values" etc.

GrreatTeacher

Some folks do not believe that 'freedom of religion' extends to freedom "from" religion in the US.

However, there is the concept of separation of church and state so, for example, at public/state schools we cannot really talk about religion, especially personal faith. The exception might be a religious studies class in high school. In fact, some elementary schools have banned the religious parts of holidays to the point where Santa decorations are okay, but nativity decorations are not. I can talk about Santa, reindeer, Elf on the Shelf and their ilk, but no baby Jesus. We can have Hanukkah lights and dreidel, but no stories of the Maccabees.

So, it's complicated. And weird.

27

Just a thought

by moley in

just a hypothetical question.

if the society was right and armageddon came a knocking would you want to live in a society run by the org and bully elders.. would rather die at armageddon.

i would.

GrreatTeacher

It's a question I asked myself right before I left. I had absolutely no faith that the miserable life of a pre-Armageddon witness would suddenly turn into rainbows and unicorns. The folks in New York were never going to give up their free labor. Life would be just as tedious after the big A. Except now it would be forever.

No thank you!

64

HYMNS you will never hear at the Kingdom Hall

by Vanderhoven7 in

do you have examples of hymns you will never hear in kingdom halls in any country.. here are a few of my favorites:.

https://youtu.be/cjivdc-_njs.

https://youtu.be/7gfvl0ef-be .

GrreatTeacher

Beautiful. I love the way the music plays up and down the scale and then builds to an ecstatic high note. It's a classic for good reason. It's an excellent and moving piece of music.

31

Bill Cosby Gets Sentence Of 3 to 10 Years!

by minimus in

jw
friends

wow!

i thought he might get less than 2 years incarceration..

GrreatTeacher

Wow. The radio talk this morning was expecting less than 2 years or even house arrest. They also predicted he would ask to postpone his sentence pending appeal. Huh. I guess he got exactly what he deserved. Kudos to the woman who came forward and was willing to testify. It was just one, right? Will there be any other charges filed against him?

64

HYMNS you will never hear at the Kingdom Hall

by Vanderhoven7 in

do you have examples of hymns you will never hear in kingdom halls in any country.. here are a few of my favorites:.

https://youtu.be/cjivdc-_njs.

https://youtu.be/7gfvl0ef-be .

GrreatTeacher

Had a heart stopping moment in the middle of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Thought I saw Tony Morris! But on second look, this guy looked a little slimmer.

I am not a believer in the slightest, but there is something moving about hearing traditional Christmas hymns in big old churches. They were really designed for good acoustics. Sometimes I go with my MIL for Christmas Eve service and I get goosebumps hearing Silent Night. I even sing along.

113

EU Court Ruling Against WT on Data-Protection

by cofty in

today's london times reports on the july ruling of the eu court that forces the organisation country to comply with data protection.. the action originated in finland but the ruling will affect every eu country.

the cult tried unsuccessfully to argue that the notes taken by jws in the door-to-door work were personal and not accessed by the congregation.

the court ruled that they are acting under the auspices of the congregation and therefore they must comply with data-protection laws.. keeping lists of do-not-calls also falls under this ruling.. why does the cult always feel that it is above the law?.

GrreatTeacher

"Awoke" magazine. Free to good home. Check the porch full of troll food and straw.

30

I sent off my application to study Palaeobiology (MSc) at Bristol uni and ...

by LoveUniHateExams in

jw
friends

... they've accepted me!

finance is already sorted - they're waiting for me to give them my new student number so that they can start paying me.

just need to formally accept bristol's offer and sort out accommodation.. accommodation should be ok - i've been told priority is given to new students, plus i'm enrolling onto a program for a real degree as a postgraduate - i won't be studying gender studies or some crap like that.

GrreatTeacher

Ouch. Sorry about that. I remember you telling the story about your Dad's inheritance.

Reminder to all making their will: if you want your grandchildren to have part of your estate, name them in the will directly!

113

EU Court Ruling Against WT on Data-Protection

by cofty in

today's london times reports on the july ruling of the eu court that forces the organisation country to comply with data protection.. the action originated in finland but the ruling will affect every eu country.

the cult tried unsuccessfully to argue that the notes taken by jws in the door-to-door work were personal and not accessed by the congregation.

the court ruled that they are acting under the auspices of the congregation and therefore they must comply with data-protection laws.. keeping lists of do-not-calls also falls under this ruling.. why does the cult always feel that it is above the law?.

GrreatTeacher

Free broken arrow. Does not hit intended target. I realize I am going to have trouble getting rid of this, so I'll throw in free troll food and a bale of straw.

113

EU Court Ruling Against WT on Data-Protection

by cofty in

today's london times reports on the july ruling of the eu court that forces the organisation country to comply with data protection.. the action originated in finland but the ruling will affect every eu country.

the cult tried unsuccessfully to argue that the notes taken by jws in the door-to-door work were personal and not accessed by the congregation.

the court ruled that they are acting under the auspices of the congregation and therefore they must comply with data-protection laws.. keeping lists of do-not-calls also falls under this ruling.. why does the cult always feel that it is above the law?.

GrreatTeacher

Free bale of straw. Still fresh. I have no use for it. My donkey died. If you know someone in need of some straw, it can be picked up on my front porch. Sitting next to troll food. Thx.

113

EU Court Ruling Against WT on Data-Protection

by cofty in

today's london times reports on the july ruling of the eu court that forces the organisation country to comply with data protection.. the action originated in finland but the ruling will affect every eu country.

the cult tried unsuccessfully to argue that the notes taken by jws in the door-to-door work were personal and not accessed by the congregation.

the court ruled that they are acting under the auspices of the congregation and therefore they must comply with data-protection laws.. keeping lists of do-not-calls also falls under this ruling.. why does the cult always feel that it is above the law?.

GrreatTeacher

Free bag of troll food. Just purchased and before expiration date. However, I've found it to be useless. Whenever I feed the trolls they come back. Free to pick up from my front porch. Daylight pick ups only, please.