Posts by JamesThomas

30

Religion---your personal view

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

going from one religion to another

as a former jehovah's witness have you been enticed to consider another religion perhaps, seeking to find "the truth" ?

this is a dilemma that certain individuals.

JamesThomas

In answer to your question, once I knew Watchtower was full of lies I decided to research the BIble. I discovered the Bible is full of fables, that the gospels weren't written by those given credit for them, that nothing was written down about Jesus until around 40 years after his death (if he existed) and that there is no historical evidence for Jesus' existence

Exactly what I found. Hard to accept, (even still), but reality.

It takes great courage to see the truth that our gods are false; and that is just the beginning. What we seek is the purity of truth. Truth is the actuality of the present which remains when all that is false, all that can be removed, is removed.

Religion is simply thought. There is no reality to it outside the imaginations of the mind. Which does not mean that the mind can not present fantastic images that appear real to convince us. But visits by our favorite deity are only temporary phenomena. What is true always? What is present when all phenomenal experience is absent? What remains when the universe isn't? When all phenomenal beliefs of reality and "self" are quiescent, what are you, really? Resting just beneath all the story and drama, what is true, right here, right now?

j

31

If you heard this headline on the news, would you be frightened?

by free2beme in

jw
friends

"visitors from outer space reveal themselves, and make contact".

now, i realize this is something seen on those supermarket tabloids all the times.

what i am saying, is what if it was true and the networks had it on, cnn, foxnews, msnbc, etc.

JamesThomas

Watch this (each part is one hour)

Part One

Part Two

j

14

who really controlls this country

by jaguarbass in

jw
friends

.

check out this george carlin video.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=935607276.

JamesThomas

126

But what if they're right............still the Truth?

by ScoobySnax in

this will probably apply to few here, but to me it'll always be that way.

it's the what if syndrome maybe, but it's always there.

i still think that as a core belief system the jw's have it right, even if their delivery isn't always right.

JamesThomas

Scoob:

...Truth/Jehovah whatever you want to call it...I can and will not rubbish it

Scoob, it is simply your beliefs that are causing you problems. It seems you embrace so tightly the diminutive biblical concept of the divine, that you can not see what is infinitely greater than that. So, you fear that you will some how dishonor God by not being a member of it's favorite little group or belief system.

Certainly the true Source of an INFINITE universe, must be greater still. With this in mind, how is accrediting a limited tribal man-god for this endless expression of life and universe, not rubbishing it? How is belittling and shrinking the boundless and endless Source and Sustenance of all life and existence down to a desert war deity, not disparaging or dishonoring? Are you in fact doing what you said early you would not do? Little wonder you have a problem.

The only separation from the Divine that exists is an illusion within the tiny confines of your little doggy mind. Your true Source is not so small as to be absent, no matter what the tribal "holy" book you cherish says. If I were you I would bury the damn book with your next bone. I would make a decision right now to no longer accept anything which belittled or minimized the Divine. Then, you may start seeing in a different way.

j

126

But what if they're right............still the Truth?

by ScoobySnax in

this will probably apply to few here, but to me it'll always be that way.

it's the what if syndrome maybe, but it's always there.

i still think that as a core belief system the jw's have it right, even if their delivery isn't always right.

JamesThomas

Any one who believes that the moronic and finite tribal-deity that is found within the pages of the Bible is the true Source of an INFINITE universe, sows his own seeds of fear and dread.

j

7

Is god really a good leader?

by LtCmd.Lore in

now that i feel free to think about whatever i want i have been questioning everything.

so here are my thoughts on whether or not god, at leasy the one described in the bible, is fit to command.

we don't have very many examples of him ruling over large groups, but here are the main three i can think of.

JamesThomas

LTC, it's all fake. So, now what?

Monkey, thanks for the key to encryption.

j

24

Materialism and those with "spiritual experiences"

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

more and more i find myself coming to a materialist view of the world.

i don't believe in afterlife, ghosts, angels, auras, astrology, revelations and the like.

so what am i to make of people who claim to have spiritual experiences?

JamesThomas

Is there another possibility that allows for the integrity both of materialism and of persons claiming such experiences?

May I suggest that the actual difference between someone who believes that: "all that truly exists is the material world around us", and those who claim "spiritual experiences", is no difference at all. They are both instances of placing ultimate significance and reality on what is phenomenally experienced.

What comes before all experience, be it "material" or "spiritual"? What silently witnesses all thought and phenomenal display? What does all the drama happen within? What unites everyone and everything? Who/what are you -- truly and purely -- at the core?

j

38

OK, Let's think this out

by purplesofa in

jw
friends

let's say.......there is no god, the bible is not inspired by god........ but.

what is written is being played out.. is what is written being played out?.

why don't we change the future?.

JamesThomas

You're saying we should write ourselves new self-fulfilling prophecy?

You go first.

j

46

2006 DC Pics see you again if not, then surely in paradise, ...

by moomanchu in

it was a place, where paradise already existed.... is it just me or are jw,s getting crazier?.

check out this site.

http://www.raphaelbick.de/bilder/temp/frankfurt2006/.

JamesThomas

I have seen people happy, but not like these. I have seen people smile, but never like these.

Such all-consuming joy, such plentiful happiness, as they wait in eager anticipation for their tribal deity to slaughter thousands of millions of men, women and children so that they can covet the land.

It has been said, that the darkest of all evil is so blind, that it thinks it is love.

As beautiful as it looks, this is insanity!

j

7

Does God have a name...assuming he exists?

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

if god has a name is that name jehovah?

having studied the bible for many years along with.

individuals on this discussion board, often times it.

JamesThomas

Did anyone on this discussion board ever think about whether or not God exists?

God? Does it seem wise to consider a finite god of human emotions and actions found within the pages of the Bible to be responsible for an infinite universe? Why behold an unending expression of life and existence, and then accredit a small definable and nameable deity as it's Source?

Perhaps the first step towards an answer, is to thoroughly examine and investigate who/what is seeking God.

Know thyself.

j