Posts by DJS

105

Is my clinging on to a belief in a Creator doing me any harm?

by KateWild in

i use the word clinging, as i feel that is what i am doing.

as far as my knowledge of science, namely chemistry is concerned, i am satisfied there is evidence of a creator.

i am happy to believe this.

DJS

You are on a Pink Floyd sojourn. Another brick in the wall (of your theism) is removed with each passing week/month you post on this site. Been there done that. It can be scary thinking the wall and its foundation will be entirely removed. I predict it will and you will wonder why the fuss.

Losing my religion was a lot like the scene in Forest Gump where he has taken up running (popular in the '70s America) and has become somewhat of a national inspiration to others. One day, while running in the desert along an open highway with barren landscape (and a lot of Gumpians following him) he just stops in his tracks and says: "I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now.' Voice over: "And just like that, my runnin' days were over."

105

Is my clinging on to a belief in a Creator doing me any harm?

by KateWild in

i use the word clinging, as i feel that is what i am doing.

as far as my knowledge of science, namely chemistry is concerned, i am satisfied there is evidence of a creator.

i am happy to believe this.

DJS

Yes. yes. Yes.

"Due to the fact we all experience consequences to some extent when we leave, we are still involved with WT and gradually learning new things is probably the wisest way to learn."

105

Is my clinging on to a belief in a Creator doing me any harm?

by KateWild in

i use the word clinging, as i feel that is what i am doing.

as far as my knowledge of science, namely chemistry is concerned, i am satisfied there is evidence of a creator.

i am happy to believe this.

DJS

Kate,

One of my best friends (he was one of my profs in my master's program) is Jewish who keeps kosher. And an atheist. His jewishness is based on his deep respect for his people, culture, traditions and struggles. I learned a lot from him about the Jewish faith and even more about his culture. He is very smart (two PhDs) and both his sons have been Navy Seals (U.S.); one still is. They have an achievement culture which would serve all of us well. It's very similar to my current GF (Hindu tiger mom!). Failure is NOT an option. Neither of them believe in Jesus or a god as we think of it, but they are two of the most ethical decent people Ive known.

105

Is my clinging on to a belief in a Creator doing me any harm?

by KateWild in

i use the word clinging, as i feel that is what i am doing.

as far as my knowledge of science, namely chemistry is concerned, i am satisfied there is evidence of a creator.

i am happy to believe this.

DJS

Kate, that sounds like a very normal progession. I spent years researching relgiion, taking relgion classes as electives, thinking about my theism and its roots, going to various churches and temples and speaking with friends who had much different views (Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, etc.). But only in a learning mode; my Dub days left me with no desire to ever proselytize again. Ever.

105

Is my clinging on to a belief in a Creator doing me any harm?

by KateWild in

i use the word clinging, as i feel that is what i am doing.

as far as my knowledge of science, namely chemistry is concerned, i am satisfied there is evidence of a creator.

i am happy to believe this.

DJS

Kate,

I can't think of any personal harm that would befall you if you left your theism behind. It took me, as I have stated before, many many years to leave my theism (I didn't have the Internet in all of its present glory when I was on my sojourn - if I had it wouldn't have taken as long). And as I have stated before, I like myself so much better now than I did when I was a Dub/theist. And it isn't even close. I am more tolerant and understanding, less judgmental and I do not waste any of my precious limited mental and emotional resources worrying about such, which gives me more energy to do other things.

My son almost died in my arms a few years after exiting the Borg. While waiting on the medical ambulance I remember holding him and telling him how much I loved him and I simply wasn't ready for him to not be with me. It was several days afterward that it dawned on my at no time did i ask, pray or think of asking or praying to any god. I knew then that the circle was complete. I have developed many very close relationships since exiting the Borg; I have many friends and remain stupid crazy close to my two kids (both hate the Borg as much as I).

I went back to college and have completed two degrees and am working on a third. My professional career has sky-rocketed. It isn't likely any of that would be the way it is had I stayed in the cult.

Not to worry, Kate.

219

An important difference between atheists and true believers

by Hortensia in

true believers, whether christian, muslim or whatever, want to convert you, they want you to believe what they do, and they're willing to go to extremes to make it happen.

atheists don't really care what you believe, and don't go out of their way to convert someone.. http://ow.ly/vn1jz an example of what believers in power do to suppress any difference in thought.

http://ow.ly/vraeo an example of why believers want to suppress different ideas (because they can't win in a fair fight, that's why).

DJS

Viola,

You see things much differently than I. The only area of possible agreement I would have with you, Ap and the others is whether atheists attempt to hijack clearly theist posts. Ap was given a homework assignment and couldn't find any recent examples; there are probably some. Hopefully these will be few and far between and become even fewer as the discourse about it continues. As I have stated before, most theists respect non-theist dicussions as well; some do not. so let's call that a wash, even-steven and learn from and respect one another.

I don't post a lot, and you may be referring to me as an 'aggressive' atheist. I do not think of myself in that manner and do not act in that manner on this site. But I do call out stupid, ignorant, irrational, reactionary devoid-of-facts posts on a routine basis. And I will continue to do so, as should everyone else on this site. But I almost exclusively limit by aggressiveness to supporting gays, for example, and the areas where I am an expert.

This site is already dominated by theist, JW specific posts and commentary. If it reflected that more than it does, it isn't likely the atheists would be here (I wouldn't). And without the atheists among us this site would be dull and bland while high school graduates talked about scripture and all things Borgian (just like the Kingdom Hall we all left).

63

What are your turn offs in a guy or girl?

by Iamallcool in

jw
friends

one of them is nose rings/piercings.

.

DJS

Men who have too high expectations? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Well I'm the only one here so you must be talkin' to me. (Robert DeNiro in Taxi Driver).

And if you are Kate, I resemble that remark.

But whoever 'she' is gets the exact same things in return that I 'expect.'

219

An important difference between atheists and true believers

by Hortensia in

true believers, whether christian, muslim or whatever, want to convert you, they want you to believe what they do, and they're willing to go to extremes to make it happen.

atheists don't really care what you believe, and don't go out of their way to convert someone.. http://ow.ly/vn1jz an example of what believers in power do to suppress any difference in thought.

http://ow.ly/vraeo an example of why believers want to suppress different ideas (because they can't win in a fair fight, that's why).

DJS

LR and Fink,

Excellent comments. Thanks.

63

What are your turn offs in a guy or girl?

by Iamallcool in

jw
friends

one of them is nose rings/piercings.

.

DJS

Geesh. I have a long list. Lack of intelligence. Closed minded. Religious. Prejudiced/Bigoted/Homophobic/Racist/Etc.. Inability to resolve conflice rationally. Holding on to things and continually bringing them up. Not taking care of themselves physically (weight, etc.). Lack of self control with food, alcohol. Drug use. Lack of emotional control. Inconsiderate of others. Selfish. A sense of entitlement (hot girls - not welfare mentality - but that too). Lazy/lack of industriousness. I could go on. Maybe that explains why I've been single for 20 years!!!!!!

219

An important difference between atheists and true believers

by Hortensia in

true believers, whether christian, muslim or whatever, want to convert you, they want you to believe what they do, and they're willing to go to extremes to make it happen.

atheists don't really care what you believe, and don't go out of their way to convert someone.. http://ow.ly/vn1jz an example of what believers in power do to suppress any difference in thought.

http://ow.ly/vraeo an example of why believers want to suppress different ideas (because they can't win in a fair fight, that's why).

DJS

Hortensia, No you aren't an obnoxious atheist. I'm an obnoxious atheist!!! I agree; Cofty makes himself a lightning rod. He seems to thrive on it. I can read and re-read the posts where theists go off on him and for the life of me can't usually understand why. He and Viviane have a unique ability to stay on target in an argument with a BS laser pointed directly at BS arguments. I think that probably irritates a lot of irrational people. I simpy back away from the fray when I see that the counter argument is irrational and the counter arguer is entrenched. But I do occasionallly call them chimps. All apologies. To the chimps.