Posts by JamesThomas

64

OK

by Andy C in

jw
friends

you believe in god or not?

why?

What is "god" and why believe? Often there is an natural awe at the infinite beauty and wonder of life and universe which stimulates a desire to honor it's Source. Generally it seems we lazily accept ideas passed down to us; ideas or mental concepts of a deity or entity, a shard of existence which we then worship. Belief is only thought and mental images combined with, and intensified by, emotions. We come to place great significance on our cherished mental illusions and identify with them so strongly that to lose them, is to lose ourselves. Lost in thought, beliefs and scripture (other peoples beliefs) we lose sight of the reality which started it all: the awe stimulated by the present moment of existence within an infinite expression of beauty and wonder. I stopped believing in any definable, limited, circumscribable deity or god; and so relinquished the Bible and all teachings which presents diminutive concepts of a god. Belief is not needed when attention is placed on the still, yet vibrant presence of being and existing. The moment is endlessly too rich to require beliefs in gods, or beliefs in a "me" who is isolated and separate from the boundless and true Source and Sustenance of all. j

54

How do I have everlasting life?

by soulfinder in

here is a scripture that explains just that.. john 5:39-40.

39you are searching the scriptures, because you think that by means of them you will have everlasting life; and these are the very ones that bear witness about me.. 40and yet you do not want to come to me that you may have life.. jesus clearly explains that it is not through the scriptures that we have everlasting life.

it is only by going to him..

JamesThomas

acadian:

You have to realize what your dealing with here Soulfinder...
1 Corinthians 3:14, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

If the "natural man" is someone with the sense and intelligence not to accredit some tribesman's murderous and archaic god of war, and his offspring, for the unimaginable wonders of an infinite universe, then this scripture only emphasises the bibles copious nonsense? Either that, or it's actually referring to you and others who worship as "the most significant and high": anthropomorphic characters and images chiseled in the tiny dark corners of the carnal mind. Like they say: if a tricycle created and worshipped a god, it would have three wheels. j

54

How do I have everlasting life?

by soulfinder in

here is a scripture that explains just that.. john 5:39-40.

39you are searching the scriptures, because you think that by means of them you will have everlasting life; and these are the very ones that bear witness about me.. 40and yet you do not want to come to me that you may have life.. jesus clearly explains that it is not through the scriptures that we have everlasting life.

it is only by going to him..

JamesThomas

Soulfinder,

I am pointing to what is INFINITE as the true Source of all existence, and you, as if you have ears but can not hear, continue to only acknowledge a tiny image that someone past down to you.

I am saying God is always more than any and all beliefs. You are saying God is less. Which one has a fragrance more sweet?

It may be wise to ask yourself why you tenaciously argue for a lesser god and find no merit in hearing of what is INFINITE?

This is the disease of religion and it's deities, it shrinks the Divine into a limited thing or entity that you have, and others don't. Leave religion and find what unites everyone and everything. What resides pure and still at the core of our most immediate and intimate sense of being and existing? What is the actual Life of all life?

j

54

How do I have everlasting life?

by soulfinder in

here is a scripture that explains just that.. john 5:39-40.

39you are searching the scriptures, because you think that by means of them you will have everlasting life; and these are the very ones that bear witness about me.. 40and yet you do not want to come to me that you may have life.. jesus clearly explains that it is not through the scriptures that we have everlasting life.

it is only by going to him..

JamesThomas

Actually, I considered myself a Christian most of my adult life and thought of Jesus as my lord and master. I've been there.

Ask allah to reveal Himself to you, then ask buddah, then ask any other god you can think of. When you are done with those guys, ask Jesus and see what happens. If there are other gods, surely they'll answer. If it's all untrue, Jesus won't either. If you look at it logically, you have nothing to lose save time. But if you don't, there is still the issue of paying for everything wroung you have ever done, the consequences of which may vary. You may lose out on knowing your creator. You may even be condemned to hell.

I know longer reduce God to a deity, personage, or circumscribable fragment somewhere within the universe. I give it no name.

If god condemns me to hell, because I refuse to belittle and shrink it to some anthropomorphic personage, then god is a fool, and I guess I deserve to burn as I could never ever worship a fool.

j

54

How do I have everlasting life?

by soulfinder in

here is a scripture that explains just that.. john 5:39-40.

39you are searching the scriptures, because you think that by means of them you will have everlasting life; and these are the very ones that bear witness about me.. 40and yet you do not want to come to me that you may have life.. jesus clearly explains that it is not through the scriptures that we have everlasting life.

it is only by going to him..

JamesThomas

Soulfinder, thank you for your reply.

Congratulations for cleaning up your life; but that does not explain why your idea of god is in some ways less than normal people who give without any need for acceptance or acknowledgment. In fact they may do so anonymously without anyone knowing where the help came from. Jesus needs acceptance before he gives you reward (your "everlasting life"). Such a need, proves he is incomplete and lacking. Not pure and divine.

What is whole and complete already? What includes everyone and everything, no matter of beliefs or lack of them? What is truly without beginning and without end? As long as we attribute conditions and limits to God, as the Bible does, then we give significance to small creatures of the mind, and find ourselves arguing for a lesser god, rather than striving to awaken to the boundless vastness which all gods and things reside within.

Your idea of god may have indeed been a benefit for you. Just don't fool yourself into thinking your idea of god is the end of it. Question your god and hold his ass to the fire. Demand to know, not what he is, but what you really are.......because if the true God has no beginning and no end, then what does that ultimately and presently, make you?

j

57

Its Time To Post!

by lurker in

jw
friends

hello all: i have been lurking around this site for over two years.

due to a recent post of someone claiming to be an elder (which has been removed) i have been motivated to post.

i have been around this site for well over two years and have read most of your posts carefully.

JamesThomas

Warm welcome Lurker.

Hope you don't wait two years for your next post.

j

54

How do I have everlasting life?

by soulfinder in

here is a scripture that explains just that.. john 5:39-40.

39you are searching the scriptures, because you think that by means of them you will have everlasting life; and these are the very ones that bear witness about me.. 40and yet you do not want to come to me that you may have life.. jesus clearly explains that it is not through the scriptures that we have everlasting life.

it is only by going to him..

JamesThomas

Soulfinder, avidbiblereader, and return visitor, perhaps you can explain something to me.

If I am in peril, the average human being will come to my aid, perhaps even risking their life. Yet, you brag about a deity who requires payment of acceptance and faith before he acts. Thankfully, fire fighters are not so restrictive, conditional and morally inferior.

Please tell me, how am I -- without painfully placing my head somewhere -- to seriously and intelligently worship as "the most high and mighty", that which is less christ-like, than most people?

The true Source of an infinite universe can not be the limited, restrictive and narrow creature you and your "holy" bible make it out to be. That you choose a lesser god, so be it. Just don't think the rest of us are fools because we are not so inclined.

That said, that you desire to celebrate that which is greater than yourself, is a honorable thing. It is making God into some thing less than yourself, that is foolish. Just because millions blindly do, doesn't mean you have to.

j

18

I think I'm screwing myself

by nonamegiven in

get your mind out of the gutter, not screwing myself that way haha.. for those that don't know, i'm df'd, trying to get reinstated so i can get family/friends back in my life than fade away faster than the only good radio station you can tune in on a long road trip.

basically, i can't keep my mouth shut.

my mom and i were talking the other day.

JamesThomas

In other words: Yes, you're screwing yourself.

18

I think I'm screwing myself

by nonamegiven in

get your mind out of the gutter, not screwing myself that way haha.. for those that don't know, i'm df'd, trying to get reinstated so i can get family/friends back in my life than fade away faster than the only good radio station you can tune in on a long road trip.

basically, i can't keep my mouth shut.

my mom and i were talking the other day.

JamesThomas

Dear nameless one, in my opinion, there has to come a time when we stand on inner integrity and honesty. If others are repulsed by that, then so be it. It's their problem.

Living a lie will destroy you. Better to be honest and genuine. Most certainly, new friends will enter into your life who love and appreciate you for your truthfulness and trustworthiness.

j

30

YouTube video: On Shunning

by seattleniceguy in

jw
friends

i'm starting to get the hang of this video thing.

i'm really happy with this video on the practice of shunning, as experienced by me on both sides of the fence.

i'm not angry - i'm just letting the facts be known.

JamesThomas

Excellent witness!

j