Posts by JamesThomas

49

What kind of errors in the Bible?

by TheWonderofYou in

the new testament specialist daniel wallace notes that although there are about 300,000 individual variations of the text of the new testament, this number is very misleading.

most of the differences are completely inconsequential--spelling errors, inverted phrases and the like.

a side by side comparison between the two main text families (the majority text and the modern critical text) shows agreement a full 98% of the time.[18].

JamesThomas

I'm going to say what has already been said: So you have a fairly accurate rendition of original ancient mythological writings which foolishly postulates that a tiny, pernicious, patriarchal, tribal deity is the core cause of all life and existence -- unless you collect comic books -- so what?

How about we all bust out of the bubble of extreme ignorance and fairy-tales and embracing the infinite reality of life for a change. Truly the genuine Source of such marvelous wonder must be far, far beyond our little brains and imaginations to comprehend.

I love jumping spiders. In many ways probably far smarter than me.

52

Try Other Religions

by Sofia Lose in

sometimes i get a strong curiosity to start dabbling into other religions, other faiths, you know?

really different ones such as islam, judaism, hinduism, etc.. has anyone here looked into something else?

has your spirituality been satisfied by any other than christianity?.

JamesThomas

Perhaps what we are seeking in religions (which are nothing but mind-generated stories) is the natural connection we have with all life and universe -- absent of mind generated stories.

86

What are you gonna do when the existence of god is disproved?

by Doltologist in

in 1897, j.j. thomson discovered the electron.

this was the first constituent part of the atom which, for 2,000 years, was thought to be indivisible.

today, we know of 18 elemental particles following the recent discovery of the higgs boson, the so-called god particle.. back in 1897, most people believed in god because there weren't even any theories as to how the universe came into being.

JamesThomas

Perhaps a better question: What Are You Going To Do When Everything You Ever Thought Yourself To Be Is Disproved???

Every thought, idea and belief ever conceived about a tree, is not a tree. Same goes for everything about ourselves.

We constantly focus on the objects of thought, feelings, beliefs, emotions and occurence; and never ever look at what is looking. Who/what are we, really???

What silently observes every and all dynamics that we call our "personal existence"? What?

Hint: the answer can not be written or spoken; but can only be realized and lived.

39

Are Elders experts on the Bible? Are they spirtually qualified men?

by John Aquila in

how many times have elders read their bible in its entirety?

these are the leaders that give counsel to married couples, to teenagers, to single girls and single boys on everything from marriage, education, sex, association, dress, and recreation..

how well do they know their bible?

JamesThomas

Rather than talk about others, do we actually want to embrace what is “Spiritual”?

How about abandoning the Bible and other words and beliefs about what is "real and true", and quietly -- without thought and commentary -- spend time in nature that is inherently real and true. Look, see and feel, can we deeply connect with it?

Perhaps, the TRUTH we seek is not so tiny as to be absent.

60

Are You "Technically" Still A Jehovah's Witness?

by minimus in

jw
friends

even if you don't regard yourself as a practicing jw, some may view you simply as inactive, a lost sheep, etc.. if you were baptized but not disfellowshipped or disassociated, you may still be a jw---right?

your thoughts please..

JamesThomas

My sense is that there are lots of people who visit here on a regular basis who have clearly left the “Jehovah's Witness” religion, but still consider themselves – and perhaps even more so – a true Jehovah's Witness.

To these folks I say: Better to be an atheist, than embrace your heart around the extremely foolish belief that some primitive tribal deity named Yahweh/Jehovah is responsible for all the breathtaking wonder of nature, life and universe!

More sane that you worship a carved wooden doll -- at least there you have some remnant of an actual majestic tree.

Certainly a child can see that the true Source of all existence must be infinity more than the asinine icon found in the pages of the Bible?

Get your head out of your “Holy Scriptures” and take a month long hike in nature and touch bases with reality for a change.

Just say'n.

8

How do you tell when the Governing Body is lying?

by Esse quam videri in

JamesThomas

The JW-GB are no different than most of us.

They are ignorant and numb to the unitive and vibrant reality of life and existence in and around them, and so create a make-believe “reality” out of abstract thoughts and beliefs far removed from what is real.

I suggest we stop looking at others, and look at ourselves.

9

another "real" god to deal with...

by freemindfade in

_morpheus...our gods thor and zeus have competition it looks like.

.

JamesThomas

Was that picture taken on Mars?

7

Why God is an untenable concept

by Half banana in

around three thousand two hundred years ago a tiny tribe of desert pastoralists were called israelites for the first time.

by assuming this name it acknowledged, as was the custom, the name of a god el..

el was a chief sort of god and he had a fabled number of seventy sons including yahweh.

JamesThomas

My point is this: how could it be that a local tribal cult idol becomes the almighty creator god of the universe?

How can we have even the tiniest sense of the immense, mind-boggling complexity and beauty of life and universe, and yet unquestionably attribute it all to a diminutive and primitive tribal deity?

The disconnect there is so great as to make one weep.

16

Better Bible Translation?

by Sofia Lose in

which bible translation is the best, according to biblical scholars, anybody knows?

please chime in.. i plan on getting it and doing comparison with the new world translation.

sl.

JamesThomas

No Bible translation, no words on a page, are better or can come near the exquisite lessons of reality and truth that moments silently alone in nature can teach and share. But use your short time here as you see fit.

130

Atheist Miracles

by Perry in

jw
friends

i reworded a variation of a common critique of atheists to my own liking.

no, i do not hate atheists, i love them!

they keep me from getting bored.

JamesThomas

That's for each one to answer. I think therefore I am. Am I a bag of liquid and solids- yes. But who I am is tied to those abstract thoughts.

Originally you mentioned how Perry was constructing his identity around his rigid beliefs (abstract thoughts), and that you, on the other hand, are somehow too progressively open and adaptable to be fooled by such.

Then you tell me: ... "I think therefore I am. Am I a bag of liquid and solids- yes. But who I am is tied to those abstract thoughts"

So what is the fucking difference between you two???

You both identify with thoughts, and seem to have no clue or awareness of anything more or other.

Yet, there is that in you which must, and does, silently observe all thoughts, beliefs, emotions and occurrences; which is far closer and more intimate than all of them. Do you see???

You see thoughts and feelings, just like a leaf in your hand or any other phenomena. Can you see that?

I'm just asking: Can you see that you see? And if you can see all thoughts, feelings and other phenomena, then what are you? You are not the leaf or the thoughts or the emotions that you see; so what are you?

You are not what the mind says or believes. You are nothing that can be observed. Who are you; really?

I'm just asking.

Note: I mean no personal offense. Just feel that the questions are super important and can be life changing.