Posts by rocketman

21

The Golden Rule, proof that a higher intelligence did NOT write the Bible

by jws in

jw
friends

the golden rule, matthew 7:12:.

so in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets.. .

a whle back i had a management course.

rocketman

In the context of both NT quotes (Matt 7:12, Luke 6:31) Jesus is talking about giving to others, rather than witholding something unpleasant. As the Wikipedia article quoted above states, it's a positive form of the idea rather than the negative.

As far as treating others they way they would want to be treated, that's a worthwhile endeavor, but to me it doesn't really go beyond Jesus's words, simply because I think Jesus is stating something about giving in general. So in essence, the rule is a general one, and if a person wants to discern what others might want or how they want to be treated, that's all well and good, but I don't see how it makes the concept superior or the Golden Rule inferior.

28

The best explanation of Matthew 24 and 'This Generation', that I've read so far

by Island Man in

http://meletivivlon.com/2014/04/02/this-generation-a-new-premise/.

rocketman

There's liitle doubt that the first-century Christians thought the second coming would take place during their lifetime, their "generation".

If one applies Jesus' words only to the first-century, the generation is basically wrapped up quite neatly, spanning from 33 to 70 AD, a nice, neat 37 years.

But there's that nagging little problem - no return by Jesus in 70 AD or any time shortly thereafter. No rapture, no meeting Christ "in the air".

If we apply the "generation" to a later time than that, we're back to all the problems that the WTS has faced all these years - trying to figure out when it applies.

But as I stated earlier, I think the linked article from that Boreans site is the best guess in view of the fact that no other post- 70 AD applications have succeeded.

28

The best explanation of Matthew 24 and 'This Generation', that I've read so far

by Island Man in

http://meletivivlon.com/2014/04/02/this-generation-a-new-premise/.

rocketman

Actually, I tend to agree with the assessment in the article, namely, that Jesus was referring to only the last part of the prophecy and that's the generation he was talking about - the one that sees 'the sign of the Son of Man' appear in heaven as related in verses 29-31.

In fact, I think the Society should have (and possibly still will in the future) applied 'this generation' to the generation that witnesses and lives during the Great Tribulation.

28

When a Jehovah's Witness asks "When are you coming back to the Truth"

by Watchtower-Free in

apostate & ex-jehovalarious meme collection.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/jwmeme/.

rocketman

Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

According to that, Jesus is the truth.

No mention of any human individual or organization in that verse.

43

Critique of Mar 2014 Awake on Creation by Alan Feuerbacher

by jwfacts in

alan feuerbacher has written a tremendous critique of the march 2014 awake!, which contains a grossly dishonest discussion on creation.

the pdf file can be downloaded from awake_march_2014_creation_critique.pdf.

it highlights watchtower use of poor and contradictory reasoning..

rocketman

Just finished the article, and it's an excellent critique of the March 2014 WT article.

43

Critique of Mar 2014 Awake on Creation by Alan Feuerbacher

by jwfacts in

alan feuerbacher has written a tremendous critique of the march 2014 awake!, which contains a grossly dishonest discussion on creation.

the pdf file can be downloaded from awake_march_2014_creation_critique.pdf.

it highlights watchtower use of poor and contradictory reasoning..

rocketman

Oubliette asked: "Who is Alan Feuerbacher? What are his credentials?"

As Blondie suggests, give him a Googling. But I will tell you also that his articles were instrumental in the early years of my exit from the Witness religion, and those articles, as well his posts to the board, were a big reason why I frequented JWN (then JWD) back in the early 2000s.

24

Do any ex JW' s/ God believer's, Agnostics or Atheists believe in Karma? And WHY?

by rip van winkle in

just reading a thread and the mention of karma popped up.

( it happens, lol).

a lot of people believe in karma: what goes around comes around.. some months ago, while on another exjw site, karma was mentioned and i thought it a little odd, as they are atheist.

rocketman

As an agnostic, I don't believe in Karma. That's not to say that there isn't some 'payback', some 'what-goes-around' and 'repaing what you sow'. But I think that while examples of it are related by people, there are many instances where it never happens.

We hear stories of it happening, of someone getting their just due, and yes, we think it's true. But I think it's random. It happens to some, but not to others. We just happen to hear about the cases in which it did happen.

15

Why the "worldly" thought of heaven is more comforting than Paradise

by kneehighmiah in

jw
friends

one of the worst and best things about waking up is realizing that despite what you've been taught as a child, you are going to die one day.

that was easy for me to handle, as i've had near death medical emerigencies.

the hardest part is the thought of losing your parents.

rocketman

I was at a Lutheran funeral some years ago, and the words of Paul made much more sense and impact when considered from that persepective.

20

The Christian versus the Agnostic

by Separation of Powers in

i think by most accounts, my previous posts have testified to my moving towards an agnostic stance.

i just don't know and i can't believe for belief's sake.

i came across a quote i thought quite timely in my journey.. .

rocketman

Atheists and Christians will disagree, but no one knows for sure. In effect, we're all Agnostics.

33

Special Assembly Day - tepid applause

by sir82 in

jw
friends

just got back from a recent sad.. after most talks, the applause was, at most, tepid.. it was striking in its tepidity, if that is possible (and if that is a word).. affter most talks, applause lasted literally no more than 5 seconds.

its volume was scarcely above a whisper.. it wasn't acoustics - the bethel speaker was technically a polished speaker (although presenting the same old boring info), and his talks generated noticeably louder applause.

but even still - that applause was maybe 10 seconds, and about normal-conversation level.. but local speakers - the applause was not much more loud than the hum coming from your refrigerator.. there were 1300+ people there.. it was just so weird - my previous large-group experience was at the agm, where people were nearly apoplectic & drooling with delight over their new "silver bibles" (which very few have read, i'd wager).. these guys were just "zombified".. speaking of bibles - bethel dude called it a "platinum bible".

rocketman

I've been at assemblies at which one person was baptized. So let's do the math:

You said 1300 were there. Now let's allow for an average hours/month per publisher of 5, despite the fact that they encourage 10 hours per month. We'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say 5.

1300 x 5 = 6,500

Now, since there are two assemblies per year (plus the convention) and it takes around six months to study with someone to the point where they become a Witness (assuming this person was found door-to-door and was not born-in), we mulitply the 6,500 by 6:

6,500 x 6 =39,000

So that's 39,000 hours of Field Service to produce one JW. Not very efficient.

If the person was born-in and just took forever to get baptized, then those 39,000 hour produced 0 JWs.