Gollum

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Posts by Gollum

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  35

  Apostates!

  by sinis in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  thought this was extremely funny and pathetic:.

  http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=messageboard.viewthread&entryid=9944510&categoryid=0&issticky=0&groupid=100816827&mytoken=061cb8aa-0f86-4704-94f04bd494eaf4e0414927109.

  well technically anyone in a religion other than our own is an apostate.

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  Gollum

  Oh MY God!

  I went to that site and discovered a relative of mine was posting. The shame, the shame, the shame. I do take some comfort that it was one of the more articulate, moderate posts.

  Granted, the bar for that is set pretty low.
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  26

  JDubs at the mall and other inventive ways to put in "time"

  by limbogirl in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  has anyone else seen the jdubs at the shopping mall ??

  they sit at a table with all of their wares displayed hoping to lure people away from pottery barn and macy's.

  i did a double take when i saw this and then had to stand back and observe for about 20 minutes -- what i observed is that no one stops at the table except what appear to be fellow jdubs.

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  Gollum

  There's some bro that stands there at the Seattle Ferry terminal holding the magazines while the commuters stroll past. I've never seen anyone who wasn't a witness talk to him. The beggers (right next to him) get far more response from people going by.
  Though I haven't seen him as much recently, used to be there everyday. He actually looks a little familer, I'm sure I'd seen him back in the day when I was still in the org.
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  27

  It's snowing in Seattle!!

  by Mulan in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  very unusual for december 1, but it is really coming down.

  i have to pick up my granddaughter after school at 3 and it's almost noon now.

  i hope it doesn't stick much.

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  Gollum

  Princess,
  Still alive. Still trying to keep the biz going. That's an ugly time, let me tell you.
  
  It is pretty from the ferry, but I just will be anticipating my wet,cold ass when I get into the rowboat to go across the harbor!
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  27

  It's snowing in Seattle!!

  by Mulan in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  very unusual for december 1, but it is really coming down.

  i have to pick up my granddaughter after school at 3 and it's almost noon now.

  i hope it doesn't stick much.

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  Gollum

  It always slows down my commute when they have to throw the chains on the ferries to get across the sound!
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  10

  Penn Jillette gives a great essay on Atheism

  by Gollum in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  npr has revived an old radio thing from the 50's called "this i believe".

  the one yesterday had penn jillette (kind of my hero anyway) getting around there requirement for a positive assertion of faith, by saying he positivily believes there is no god.. anyway, it's now become my favorite essay.

  here's the link with the text and a link to the audio.

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  Gollum

  NPR has revived an old radio thing from the 50's called "This I Believe". The one yesterday had Penn Jillette (kind of my hero anyway) getting around there requirement for a positive assertion of faith, by saying he positivily believes there is no God.

  Anyway, it's now become my favorite essay. Here's the link with the text and a link to the audio. Athiests will love it, and everybody else will hate it.
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  27

  Elders School Part 3: Your talks kinda blow, brothers...

  by sir82 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in the interest of completeness, i will post this part of my notes as well, even though it was not as controversial as other parts.

  more controversial and/or ridiculous astatements to follow in later postings.

  talk 9: preparing talks for the congregation - brothr local elder

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  Gollum

  Brother Gollum, you are missing the point. "Extemporaneously" here means "considered, planned, premeditated, prepared, rehearsed." You are getting the literal sense of the word confused with its figurative. The figurative sense means the exact opposite of the literal (of course, ).

  AuldSoul

  AuldSoul,

  Thank you!!! I finally understand how the org could say witnesses were the "happiest" and "most free" people on earth. It's the figurative meaning, of course. How could I be so foolish?

  Gollm
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  27

  Elders School Part 3: Your talks kinda blow, brothers...

  by sir82 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in the interest of completeness, i will post this part of my notes as well, even though it was not as controversial as other parts.

  more controversial and/or ridiculous astatements to follow in later postings.

  talk 9: preparing talks for the congregation - brothr local elder

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  Gollum

  Oh, I like this one.

  Don't change the order of the subsections, or their timing. Think up good illustrations. Remember, it is a talk designed for the public (as if any attend!). Speak extemporaneously.

  So, let me get this straight. I'm supposed to not change the order or timing (which is pretty precise, as I recall), in other words, parrot the script exactly, but i'm supposed to speak extemporaneously. Sums up the general mental confusion of the organization perfectly.
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  6

  The Rapture of the Nerds

  by Gollum in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i recently read kurzweils new book the singularity is near.

  this book proposes that by about 2045 the singularity will occur.

  what is the singularity, you ask?

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  Gollum

  Speaking of meds, frogleg, uhmm, you might want to check your cabinet?

  I’m happy that you’ve sequenced my dna and have reached all of the appropriate conclusions about what makes me tick.

  Also, what makes you think I’m peddling religion? I’m talking about an interesting book. I talk about a lot of interesting books. Doesn’t mean I agree with all of them. If you really had sequenced my “DNA” you’d know what my opinion of religion is. Or possibly you could look at my icon.

  As far as the rest of your “points” I think the philosophical issue concerning what you would do with a greatly enhanced lifespan is valid. I could definitely see the possibility that one might reach the point where life no longer holds much interest. And it certainly would change a person's perspective on things.

  In regards to the possibilities of the technology reaching this point, it doesn’t seem like that’s an issue you have any interest in discussing.
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  6

  The Rapture of the Nerds

  by Gollum in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i recently read kurzweils new book the singularity is near.

  this book proposes that by about 2045 the singularity will occur.

  what is the singularity, you ask?

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  Gollum

  I recently read Kurzweil’s new book “The Singularity is Near.”

  This book proposes that by about 2045 the Singularity will occur. What is the Singularity, you ask?

  Well bucko, it’s the concept that by about that time various technologies will have reached the knee of the exponential growth curve and start changing life so drastically that it’s almost impossible to envision. Things like vastly enhanced IQ’s, virtual immortality, dogs living in sin with cats, etc, etc.

  While at first blush it seems pretty unlikely, he lays out a compelling case. However, I wonder if I’m more susceptible to this concept due to my being raised a Witness. After all, virtual immortality was supposed to be my birthright.

  If you are interested, some of the book is excerpted on the website;

  http://www.singularity.com/index.html
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  8

  Just a posting machine

  by Gollum in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well, after almost 3 years on the board i finally made junior member.

  whooo!!!

  one post on average every 10 days.

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  Gollum

  Odrade,

  I wanted to make it, but work and cash flow issues (car in the shop) stopped that from happening.

  Hope you all had a great time.

  And you are right, us strong silent types have to stick together.