JamesThomas

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Posts by JamesThomas

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  39

  It is that simple!!

  by Rooster in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  john 20:30-31

  30 to be sure, jesus performed many other signs also before the disciples, which are not written down in this scroll.

  31 but these have been written down that you may believe that jesus is the christ the son of god, and that, because of believing, you may have life by means of his name.

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  JamesThomas

  Again I'd like to add that this is not about demeaning people (it can easily look like that). Rather it's about pointing towards what is INFINITE; and if infinite, then present. Present not as an entity or thing separate, but rather as all Presence/Being/Existence. In other words, what you really are when all that is believed to be "you" and "other" is seen through.

  Understandably, Infinity cast a shadow over all else; especially our cherished little gods and spiritual entities; of which we can be mighty protective....and it may be wise to be protective as godlets are as fragile as tiny opalescent tea cups, as delicate as a wisp of smoke or thought...for all they are is an idea.

  A moment will come when all is let go, and there is clearly seen what needs no protection or coddling, for there is nothing other to harm it. Nothing left outside to breech it or attack. The battle is over. No walls remain. It is seen what you truly are, and what all IS.

  

  j
• 
  39

  It is that simple!!

  by Rooster in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  john 20:30-31

  30 to be sure, jesus performed many other signs also before the disciples, which are not written down in this scroll.

  31 but these have been written down that you may believe that jesus is the christ the son of god, and that, because of believing, you may have life by means of his name.

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  JamesThomas

  our motives to love is not only and solely based on command. Along with the command God has SHOWN, DEMONSTRATED it to us even at great cost to himself. So love is caused not only by command but by motivation and desire and appreciation for the one who loved us FIRST.

  Agapa, if I can not accept your god, how will he show and demonstrate his love to me?

  I can not dwell within an INFINITE expression of life and universe, and yet give credit to a limited source. It's that simple.

  j
• 
  39

  It is that simple!!

  by Rooster in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  john 20:30-31

  30 to be sure, jesus performed many other signs also before the disciples, which are not written down in this scroll.

  31 but these have been written down that you may believe that jesus is the christ the son of god, and that, because of believing, you may have life by means of his name.

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  JamesThomas

  Love our neighbor as ourselves.

  Roo, I have no problem with that. It seems natural to treat others as we desire to be treated. However this side-steps the menacing dynamics with the scripture I quoted.

  Your mention of loving our neighbor brings up the same problems though. Can we honestly, sincerely and truly love, because we are commanded to? and not only commanded to, but have the dynamics of greed for reward, and/or fear of punishment added? Genuine love, is not something we do via command like a dog doing tricks. But this is what the Bible seems to be reducing it to. "Love me. Love others; or...". This, is insane and corrupts the beauty of love.

  Another thing the Bible does is place supreme emphasis on a deity, an object separate and apart from us. In this act of placing a bright star above us, it subtracts and dims the divinity in the background, which is all the rest of the universe. Being focused on a tiny bright fragment or image in our mind (beliefs), is not conducive to acute awareness of the infinite-divinity in and around us. It is the actual awareness of that which has no beginning and no end, that embraces all in a oneness where true love and understanding thrives.

  My point is, that it is not necessary to reduce the Divine down to a deity or person. It's not necessary to concentrate or circumscribe our Source, because a book tells us to. The problem is is that we too freely create and addictively cherish within our minds a god that is just another object, piece or fragment within phenomena. Instead discover what ALL phenomena exist within. What is the closest most intimate reality of being and existing?

  j
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  7

  Another free energy claim

  by Elsewhere in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  http://www.steorn.net/en/technology.aspx?p=5

  the energy project

  in 2003 steorn undertook a project to develop more efficient micro generators.

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  JamesThomas

  That would break all known laws of the universe

  Not necessarily.

  If I light a match and set a wad of paper on fire, I get more energy back than I put in, because I tapped into the stored energy within the paper. This same principle could be happing here. But rather than tapping into paper, they are somehow tapping into the vacuum energy which is HUGE and everywhere. Or not.

  j
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  35

  Will You React With Prejudice?

  by Jamaican JW in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  will you react with prejudice when faced with "absolute truth?

  sometimes, an irrefutable "truth" can be spoken.

  and yet, this statement or fact of "truth" can be glossed over or dismissed or not recognized by the community at large, because of preconceived ideas taught us and engrained in us, from our previous upbringing or training.

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  JamesThomas

  Welcome, JJW.

  Are words the absolute truth? Are words about a tree, a tree? Are words about food, food? Are words about you, the actual and real truth of you? So why, would words contain any truth about God?

  Thanks for the words.

  j
• 
  39

  It is that simple!!

  by Rooster in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  john 20:30-31

  30 to be sure, jesus performed many other signs also before the disciples, which are not written down in this scroll.

  31 but these have been written down that you may believe that jesus is the christ the son of god, and that, because of believing, you may have life by means of his name.

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  JamesThomas

  Shazard:

  God in Christ died for ALL not for some men.

  If ALL, honestly and truly means ALL, if there are no conditions or stipulations, then what's the problem with not accepting Jesus? It becomes a moot point, doesn't it?

  Perhaps, the problem is this, Shazzard and Ross:

  John 3: 36: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

  It seems childishly simple as to what this means: Believe in me, accept me, or you're very screwed. Imagine a firefighter entering a burning building and before he helps anyone to safty he demands to be honored as their mighty savior. It doesn't happen; all that can be saved are saved because all that matters is bringing the unfortunate to safety. There's no self-serving need for ego boost or self aggrandizement; as found in the needy and limited Bible god.

  So, is man, in some ways, more psychologically healthy and morally sound than God? Or is it that the Bible god is an extremely limited and diminutive concept? My bet is on the latter, that it is our miserly interpretations and anthropomorphic images which are lacking. Certainly, the true Source of an INFINITE universe is vastly more than the familiar little man-gods described within the pages of a book. This does not mean we are not free to embrace a shrunken idea of god which we can hold in our minds and cherish. However, the cost of such may be it blinds us to what is infinitely more. It may numb us to That which truly unites us one and all, rather than divide us and motivate enmity.

  Please know that I am not attempting to offend or belittle anyone here; it is our beliefs which I find lacking and harmful. We are not our beliefs.

  j
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  13

  Are there any "socket puppets" on this site?

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sock_puppet_%28internet%29

  slim

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  JamesThomas

  Is a "socket puppet", an electric variety?
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  31

  It seems.......

  by agapa37 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  that despite my sincere efforts of sincerity and honesty that most who interacted with me were rather uptight and rude.

  i really dont understand it.

  forgive my babbling.

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  JamesThomas

  Jehovahs-witnesss discussion forum.co EVERYONE welcome! I have felt nothing but unwelcomed!

  Welcome, agapa.

  It's not that you are unwelcome, it's just that many here do not believe as you do is all; and there is little patronizing here. At first, understandably, this can be a bit disconcerting.

  As has been mentioned, please don't take it personally. Be patient with us. You just got here and the water may seem too hot, but after awhile it gets comfortably warm and cozy. This is a great group of people who honestly and openly say what they believe and feel, and who will be here for you if you really need them.

  Glad you joined us. We need more Christians to save us. No, really.

  j
• 
  39

  It is that simple!!

  by Rooster in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  john 20:30-31

  30 to be sure, jesus performed many other signs also before the disciples, which are not written down in this scroll.

  31 but these have been written down that you may believe that jesus is the christ the son of god, and that, because of believing, you may have life by means of his name.

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  JamesThomas

  Rooster:

  "YOU are mistaken, because YOU know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God;

  No, I am not mistaken. It is unquestionably, undeniably and unequivocally clear within my heart of hearts that I can not honestly, truly and sincerely accept and worship a concept of a god that is in many ways less than most people; just because a "holy" book tells me to. There are many people who have given their life to save strangers, and many more who will (you may be one); yet, your idea of God is so morally small and limited as to demand payment of acceptance and honor before it acts. Do you think, Rooster, that it is more likely God who is truly so limited and inadequate, or mans religious beliefs which are lacking?

  Rooster, it may help to stop eating the menu, and instead feast upon the food (we're having chicken). Take your head out of your Bible and step into the reality of life in and around you, and discover the unending Source of your own (and all) being and existence

  j
• 
  39

  It is that simple!!

  by Rooster in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  john 20:30-31

  30 to be sure, jesus performed many other signs also before the disciples, which are not written down in this scroll.

  31 but these have been written down that you may believe that jesus is the christ the son of god, and that, because of believing, you may have life by means of his name.

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  JamesThomas

  Yes, it's simple for me.

  "believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that, because of believing... YOU may have life by means of his name. "

  This simple statement implies what? What if I don't believe, then what? If I don't have "life", as stated above, then it must be the other thing -- death.

  Personally, I can not honestly and with a true heart, honor and believe in a deity that will kill me if I do not. I can not honor, worship and believe in a god with morals lower than my own. It's simple. I just can't do it.

  j