DJS

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Posts by DJS

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  38

  Which Conspiracy Theory Should You Believe?

  by metatron in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  http://www.buzzfeed.com/katieheaney/which-conspiracy-theory-should-you-believe-in.

  it's a quiz to help you pick a conspiracy theory that fits you.

  i ended up with "moon landing was faked" which doesn't exactly apply.. .

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  DJS

  Snare,

  Yes. But considering the number of people who have already read this, the idea of conspiracy theories in general needs to be addressed rationally. Over 240 people have read this OP to this point with only 7 posts to it, which makes it of interest to a lot of people). Lots of nefarious things are done, but light is typically quickly shed on those, at least in the democratic countries. The theories to which I am referring are those identified in the link and the most common: JFK, Roswell, 9/11, etc.

  The life cycle of a typical conspiracy theory is well known: how it comes to life and how life is breathed into it. Bush, Cheney and Rumsfield orchestrated and manipulated the U.S. into Iraq, completely without warrant. I don't view that as conspiracy, simply ego and mismanagement, which is why one of the best government servants of the past 50 years - Colin Powell -left the Bush administration and government service. True conspiracy theories vs. the need for secrecy vs. complete mismanagement (and the subsequent coverup). They are very different things.
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  38

  Which Conspiracy Theory Should You Believe?

  by metatron in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  http://www.buzzfeed.com/katieheaney/which-conspiracy-theory-should-you-believe-in.

  it's a quiz to help you pick a conspiracy theory that fits you.

  i ended up with "moon landing was faked" which doesn't exactly apply.. .

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  DJS

  Love Blade Runner. As to conspiracy theories, I don't belive any of them. Moreover, I believe those who seek out conspiracy theories are arrogant, egotistical and delusional. They are similar to some on this site who have 'special knowledge' of god/jesus which no one else has. I work with 2 such nuts, both of whom are engineers and should know better.

  Richard Clarke, former chief counter terrorism advisor, in his book "Against All Enemies - Inside America's War on Terrorism" addresses the various consipacy theories associated with 9/11 and in general by stating something I have said for dacades. Men simply aren't that bright. They can't create such theories and no one can keep a secret.

  Think about Bush, Rumsfield and Cheney. Really? Mo, Larry and Curley could have done it better. I have worked closely with middle and high ranking government offiicials for many years, from a variety of law enforcement, military, security, homeland security, etc. organizations and this is what I have noticed. Almost all of them are capable and care deeply about America, the world and doing the right thing. They are often placed in positions of oversight or decision making above their abilities and competencies, and they try to make the best decision possible. Or they simply make decisions, in the moment, that are 'right' and 'correct' for that moment. Monday morning arm chair quarterbacking serves no purpose. Are they sometimes influenced by political and other pressures? Of course. They are human.

  None of them have the smarts - and in my experience the inclination - to think of, nurture and protect conspiracies, especially to the degree the conspiracy theorists believe.

  Every conspiracy theory has been de-constructed by experts, line item by line item. But the theorists still believe. Identical to theists.
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  31

  Are my children in danger of being indoctrinated if I let them spend the night with their JW family?

  by Butterflyleia85 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so... i'm writing because i have mixed feelings.

  keeping my kids safe is my goal... until they are old enough to understand and reason on their own.

  my mother gave me the tapes (that i gave her back in december) of combating mind control by steven hassan, saying that she didn't have a tape player... reminded me of three years ago when i gave her crisis of conscience by ray franz and she said it's to big book to read and she's not a reader.

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  DJS

  Snare,

  A better reponse to mine. I considered that, but if Butterfly sets the rules of engagement I don't see these grandparents respecting them. And considering their need to push their JW beliefs, this may be a non-starter. Butterfly????
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  31

  Are my children in danger of being indoctrinated if I let them spend the night with their JW family?

  by Butterflyleia85 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so... i'm writing because i have mixed feelings.

  keeping my kids safe is my goal... until they are old enough to understand and reason on their own.

  my mother gave me the tapes (that i gave her back in december) of combating mind control by steven hassan, saying that she didn't have a tape player... reminded me of three years ago when i gave her crisis of conscience by ray franz and she said it's to big book to read and she's not a reader.

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  DJS

  Ditto to Cofty's suggestion.

  2 types of worship???? Really Catface? Aren't there a few thousand Xtian beliefs alone? And why limit the kid to Xtians? If you are going down that road why not attend Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist churches?

  I suggest allowing them to be chlldren and choose for themselves when they grow up as to whether they want to be religious. Butterfly you don't seem to be driven by theism, just afraid of the Borg's brand of theism. Would some or a lot of grandparents/family respect your views and not try to indoctrinate your kids with JW crap? Yes. Based on the experiences you have related it doesn't appear your family will follow that route. They will likely use the time available to turn your kids into little Dub-bots. Teach your children decency, honesty, kindness, generosity and ethics. Those are the important things and they have nothing to do with religion. And use your Sundays going to the park, hking, to mseums, movies or to the mall with your children. Make memories..
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  30

  Anyone been watchtower conductor

  by Saltheart Foamfollower in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i think there is a good chance i'm going to be asked to be the watchtower conductor.

  on the one hand, i'll find it quite difficult some weeks having to go along with what is written.

  on the other hand, there'll be opportunities to ask controversial questions (within limits).

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  DJS

  TheDog,

  I understand. I got to that point before the Internet and all of its glory and before I completely knew that the Borg was a cult. I just knew I was sick of the control and the nonsensical 'study' articles. The contolling language made me see red. You have the luxury of this site and others and know quite well the Borg is completely crap. To you and those like you who remain in, for whatever reasons, my deep respect. I could never have done it.
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  11

  Huge Rise In US Religious Disaffiliation

  by metatron in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  http://www.technologyreview.com/view/526111/how-the-internet-is-taking-away-americas-religion/.

  an interesting analysis of the view that the internet is killing off religious affiliation.

  at any rate, the trend is there, whatever the cause.. .

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  DJS

  Met,

  Nice article. Nice analysis. I didn't know that the rise of the 'Net correlates so strongly to a decline in religiosity. The world wide web is a powerful tool. Thanks.
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  23

  MAS370 - Was it a Remote Hijacking?

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. social
  2. current

  professor kevin barrett is not exactly the most trusted commentator you could find, but that, of course, just maybe because, there are people who want his views on 9/11 to be ignored.. anyway he's advanced a theory that the missing malaysian airlines plane was remotely hi-jacked.

  in the absence of other evidence, it just maybe what happened.

  to consider whether it did happen, we need to ask why it may have been hijacked?

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  DJS

  BOTR,

  Of course it's in the pipeline. We have military personnel controlling large drones from thousands of miles away. The Global Hawk and the Predator have been conducting surveillance and firing hellfire missiles for a while, and they are doing it remotely. Recently a fighter jet was test flown remotely. So of course the technology could be applied to a 777. But it isn't currently and likely won't be for a while. And when it is the controls will be so encrypted and controlled that a kid with a cell phone, or Achmed in a cave, won't be able to 'capture' it. Be realistic people.
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  30

  Anyone been watchtower conductor

  by Saltheart Foamfollower in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i think there is a good chance i'm going to be asked to be the watchtower conductor.

  on the one hand, i'll find it quite difficult some weeks having to go along with what is written.

  on the other hand, there'll be opportunities to ask controversial questions (within limits).

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  DJS

  I agree with Oubilette. I occasionally conducted the WT and was the shool overseer for several years. I also gave more public talks than the other elders because people thought I was good at it. Once it became apparent to the BOE that I was becoming disillusioned with the Borg's controlling nonsense I think they watched me closely and probably began limiting my availability for public talks, etc. Which was a good thing. I'm transparent. I'm not a good actor. I couldn't contain my revulsion for the Borg's nonsense, and others saw it.

  If you are a good actor, even if you can control your derision for all things Borg, sooner or later someone is going to question your loyalty. They won't likely discuss it with you, but they will discuss you behind your back. These will typically be other elders. You likely won't like the results, and neither will your family and those close to you. These are things, if you are a currently serving elder, you should already know and have experienced or seen at your congregation and others.

  Move along. Quickly and quietly.
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  11

  Seriously? 2,000 years of continuously diverging opinion about "interpretation" isn't enough time to sort it out?

  by suavojr in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the current jw's who are inside (the conscience class) will have to endure another year of jw's pretending to please jesus with their bad imitation of the lords supper.

  2000 years of people who could never be sure they had "the truth.

  " what are the chances it'll come out in the next 2000?.

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  DJS

  Snare and Xanthippe,

  One of the primary reasons theism was so easy for us to accept (in addition to our family/culture) is that the bible's 'chronology' of the creation of Adam, which is a story that we thought fact, leads quite direclty and promptly to Abraham and others who have some historicity behind them. A logical leap, when we were Dubs, is that such a short span - of a few thousand years - for human existence readily explained how and why god communicated with us. We may have questioned it a bit, but the sequential linearity of it all kinda sorta made sense. When we were ignorant.

  Since the Adam/Eve story is nothing but pure BS, one would think that the average ex-JW (yes I'm talking to you Kate) would put 2 and 2 together and realize that humans have been around in essentially our current form for at least 100,000 years and likely much, much longer. Where the eff was god for all those in the far distant past when they needed her? And considering how very very difficult it was to be a human on this inhospitable planet they certainly needed her, from a theist perspective.

  IMHO, to continue to place unquestioning belief in such a deity, based on nothing more than the bible really, is delusional. And absent the bible, sentient beings (some of which are actually members of this site), should demand a lot more about such a god than simply 'believing.' Remove the bible and that is all that is left. Other than their mantras. Which nauseate me.
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  11

  Seriously? 2,000 years of continuously diverging opinion about "interpretation" isn't enough time to sort it out?

  by suavojr in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the current jw's who are inside (the conscience class) will have to endure another year of jw's pretending to please jesus with their bad imitation of the lords supper.

  2000 years of people who could never be sure they had "the truth.

  " what are the chances it'll come out in the next 2000?.

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  DJS

  Snare,

  IMHO this is a better support for evolution!!! To think that an all powerful, knowing god capable of creating the universe and all that is in it is only capable of speaking to his 'most' important creation through a few old men over a thousand or two years and in such a ridiculous, confusing, meaningless manner chock full of riddles as the bible???? I mean really, is this the BEST she can do? And what about all of those poor humans who lived before she had this mish mash written down? Unimportant? Or maybe god really is a guy and he has a double Y chromosome pattern which impacts his ability to communicate.

  ANY theist who would give this seriousl thought for a few minutes would become an atheist (yes Kate I'm talking to you!).