Blondie, what a magnificently simple and intelligent question. Met, what do we do? (Blondie, Met just wants to see his arch-nemeses fail, I'm not so sure he actually has any solutions).
Posts by DJS
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25Do you think US Dollar will collapse on July 1st?
by Iamallcool inif you do not know what i am talking about, google about it.
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25
Do you think US Dollar will collapse on July 1st?
by Iamallcool inif you do not know what i am talking about, google about it.
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DJS
So much bullshit, so little time (or desire) to dispel it. The US is continuing to dig itself out of a recession, as is much of the W world. A weak dollar is typically a better tool for coming out of a recession, as it makes US made goods more affordable abroad and increases exports, helping the economy - especially since domestic demand is weak during a recession. A strong dollar, desired over time, is good for consumers and travelers but makes US goods more expensive, hurting exports. The Chinese WANT a strong dollar so that there is a strong market for Chinese made goods, which is why the Chinese have been accused of manipulating its currency, a 'strategy' that has historically been shown to work in the short term but typically has undesirable consequences over the long term. The US is pressuring the Chinese to end currency manipulation. Good luck with that. The Chinese are trying to establish a thriving, sustainable world class economy that includes as many of the 1.6 billion Chinese before any economic chickens come home to roost. Can't blame them. Good luck with that.
Our resident conspiracy theorist/internationally acclaimed economist is right again, about 10 percent worth. The US is in grave trouble, huh? Perhaps. I'm not an economic prognoisticator like Met. Many economists believe there is a tri-fecta of entrenched problems in the US: a. the growing disparity between the haves and have nots, as more of the wealth is controlled by fewer people; b. more individuals on some type of government assistance; and c. the shrinking middle class. both in numbers and in real purchasing power. Lots of politicians and economists are working on it as we speak of this matter. Will they 'fix' the problems? I don't know. Met does.
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9
Hope -And A Conspiracy Confirmed
by metatron inhttp://www.businessinsider.com/buttonwood-one-dollar-one-vote-2014-5.
just because the 'truth" is nonsense doesn't mean i don't hope for a better world.. .
in recent years, there have been a lot of people on the fringes complaining that the western world in particular is ruled by an unaccountable elite.
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DJS
Met,
Here we go again. We have to stop meeting like this. "Idea being exposed?" "Overthrowing, stopping"? "Things are accelerating?" Geesh man, at least by your mentioning the Illuminati and other conspiracy theories we clearly know where your head is planted on this.
Rich and poweful people have always ruled the world. Why? Because they can. Humans aren't much different than other primates, where the biggest, baddest chimp, ape, etc. ruled over the others. And got all the girls and stuff. Did you know that some geneticists suggest that Genghis Khan is the ancestrai 'father' to 1 in 200 men? It wasn't because he was a ladies' man. He conquered much of the world during his life, and his military reign was noted for extreme brutality and genocide. He slaughtered his enemies (at least the guys). As a result he was able to get most of the money and any girl he wanted.
That's just one example. The oligarchs have been around a long time. The US limited their power a bit in the early 20th Century, but because of math - and simply because they can - they will always regroup, get richer and more powerful and use that as influence to control things. This isn't a conspiracy, Met; they do it because they can. Economic downturns (recessions, depressions, wars, etc.) typically leave rich people richer afterwards.
There was an article a few weeks ago that suggested a "maximum wage" is necessary to help address the types of things you seem to be trying to say. N. European countries have established living wages and tried to address the wage disparity in other ways. Minimum wage increases iin the US s a part of that mentality. But none of this has anything to do with conspriacies. It has evolutionary roots; we try to re-distribute wealth, level the playing field and bring about economic equality/justice because as humans we are trying to separate ourselves from our primate cousins and evolve as a society to be inclusive. These notions are relatively new to humankind; the vast majority of our history humans weren't much different than the rest of the animal kingdom. The fittest survived. And if they didn't give a rip about the rest, they typically had the power and resources to eliminate them.
Geesh man. We gots to stop meeting like this.
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36
Any ideas for my return visit?
by KateWild ini had a really fun day today.
i went to town on first call to witness to the jws on the trolley outside the main train station in the city.
i had prepared two different presentations depending on whether or not the jws knew me.. if they knew me i planned to tell them how unjust my last jc was and that i didn't believe jehovah cared about me or anyone, and if they didin't know me i would just question them about their disfellowshipping policy.
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DJS
KateWild,
These exercises may be cathartic for you; if so, I'm not going to disparage your activities. But your chances of clearing your name or reaching the Borgians in any meaningful manner are slim to none (I think you know that). Raw emotion can be a useful tool if directed in a useful manner. Not to criticize (you are one of my faves), but this reads like a LadyGagy song "Bad Romance." The Borg will view you as wanting back in and angry at Jah rather than trying to clear your name. Their 'solution' for you is to wear sackcloth and ashes, go to all of their boring-ass meetings (arriving late), sit in the back and shuffle off immediately after the song for whatever amount of time they feel will show them your 'repentence.' The more you press the issue the more they become entrenched and convinced that you are the problem, not the elders or the borganization. Walk away Renee. Be happy, cheerful and get your damn job back!!!!
You know all of this.
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58
Bible Atrocities
by Trapped in JW land ini really can't wrap my head around how people can still consider god loving with such atrocious biblical accounts such as, 1 samuel 15, (god ordering the slaughter of amelikite baby's and children) 2nd kings 2, forgot the verses (god sending bears to maul 42 children) and many others.have you ever asked a witness or anyone elsewhat they think about these accounts?
what was their response?
i'd love to ask one, but unfortunately i'm still physically in the cult and i wouldn't want to raise any suspicions.
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DJS
Cofty,
Brilliant summation. I''m just now getting around to reading it (work travel). When you take away the 'god-spin' from these accounts, they are what they are: genocide, murder, infanticide, slaughter. These are criminal actions; 'spinning' it does not change that, and those continuing to do so are dulusional, trapped in a failed belief sustem and mindset. Thanks for making it clear. And as you know ColdSteel isn't the only one.
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171
New to The Jehovahs Witness Faith and need some help
by jnjburkett inhello there i am new to the faith and have been studying for about a month.
i am very excited and hungry for the truth and have not missed a meeting or study since the memorial.
we do about 2 bible studies a week.
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DJS
jnjburkett,
Your initial experience with JWs appears to be with nice people, and there are many nice people in the org. However, these nice people will absolutely NOT be your friend, or even speak with you, if you become baptised and at any time thereafter break one of their rules and become DFed or 'marked.' Also, if you ever move around to different areas, you will find a much different attitude about some of the things you mention. If you do begin disagreeing with anything, remember to keep it to yourself, as you will be marked, JWs will stop associating with you and if you receive the scarlet letter (A -for apostate or D for disfellowshipped), none of them will have anything to do with you for the rest of your life unless you 'repent' to the JW ways.
I would tell anyone inquiring about the Watchtower the same thing: run, as far away from it and as fast as you can. There are many very nice people in it, but the org. is full of darkness, control and hatred. You will likely one day come to this realization.
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171
New to The Jehovahs Witness Faith and need some help
by jnjburkett inhello there i am new to the faith and have been studying for about a month.
i am very excited and hungry for the truth and have not missed a meeting or study since the memorial.
we do about 2 bible studies a week.
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DJS
Jnjburkett,
I agree with ConfusedandAlone. You seem to have made your mind up. Keeping it closed to what is actually the truth about the JWs will not serve you well, and you will live to regret it. Like others on this site, I was in the org. for several decades, serving as an elder before exiting 20 years ago. Since that time I have had no contact with the family members remaining in the org. That is the way it is, and if that appeals to you by all means continue your association with them.
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84
One thing about this site that bothers me
by keyser soze inthe constant references to 'window washers' as something derogatory.. i understand the context of it-that most jws are uneducated, and unqualified to do much more.
but sometimes the references seem snobbish, almost mean-spirited.
one poster, on another thread, essentially referred to window washers as 'losers'.
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DJS
Keyser,
Well stated. Any work worth doing has dignity and honor. Having said, that the anecdotal 'evidence' about successful J-dubs notwithstanding, JWs are the least educated of religions in the US and are also at the bottom of household income. Any angst associated with those numbers should be directed at the Dark Lords in the Death Star and not with the rank and file.
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I promise to stop after this one, one more rant...
by wanderlustguy inis not talking about the planet or why we are alive, but why are you reading this?
why have you sought out this place?
only you know those answers, and i definitely don?t know anything about anyone, but here is the answer for me.
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DJS
In the 20 years out of the Borg I have never tried to change anyone's theism. I never think nor speak of religion. This site allows all of us to pontificate a bit about our views. I'm glad theism works for you, but it hasn't done much for mankind for thousands of years except create divisiveness, wars, genocide, hatred and separation. It was a trap for me and millions like me. I have special angst towards anyone coming on an ex-Dub site and preaching. In the late '90s I very briefly participated in an ex-JW forum (xJW.com - Ros). I was not an atheist at the time and was likely not even agnostic. However, one of the primary contributors to the forum contributed to my atheism. He was a very well known ex-JW, having served at high levels and accomplished more than a bit upon his exit. He was also an obnoxious narcissist who essentially thought he was the replacement for the GB.
I won't mention his name, but his initials were James Penton (Hi Jim, I've seen you post on this site - I hope all is well and thanks for contributing to my atheism. Have you joined us? Come on in the water's fine!). Even at that time, freshly out of the Borg and questioning everything but still believing in Jah, his arrogance and proseletyzing with 'special knowledge' was irritating beyond description. I quit partiicpating after a few weeks.
So my angst towards ex-Dubs preaching is historic and long-lived. I would prefer ex-Dubs live life, go to college, travel, explore, inquire, question, and continue doing the right thing for no other reason than it is the right thing. And stop worrying about some make believe creature in the sky with a carrot and stick. She doesn't exist.
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I promise to stop after this one, one more rant...
by wanderlustguy inis not talking about the planet or why we are alive, but why are you reading this?
why have you sought out this place?
only you know those answers, and i definitely don?t know anything about anyone, but here is the answer for me.
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DJS
If there weren’t any atheists on this site, you and those like you would be here doing exactly the same thing, which is narcissistically showing off your special knowledge. I can’t imagine anyone requiring such after exiting the Borg. They need something entirely new. A new way of thinking and analyzing to ensure they never get trapped in a religion, or by any other entity or person attempting to control them. All you and those like you do is keep the trapped, trapped.
That is what Cofty, Viviane, myself and others continue to say. Religion is and will continue to be the problem. It will never be the solution. Only by people doing the right thing for no other reason than it is the right thing will humans evolve. And as so many posts have made clear on this site, the more religious a state, region or nation is, the more dysfunctional it is. Religion and a belief in god have failed miserably for thousands of years. There will never be a time when religion gets it right. And there will always be yet another new sage who has special knowledge, requiring all to listen to them. Religion was invented by men for a variety of reasons. Rational and analytical thinking will dispel the notion that it is needed.
You think linearly. I would encourage you to start thinking in a different manner. If there was a god, I would imagine she would have more confidence in and appreciation for an atheist who did the right thing for no other reason than it was the right thing (and not because of any reward) than she would a theist who did the right thing only because of some expected reward. And yet such a simple clear thought is anathema to theists. If someone can’t do the right thing without my holding a stick or a carrot over the head I don’t want the losers on my team. Be gone with you.
The belief that the bible holds the answers or is in some manner inspired is the foundation on which all of a X-tian theist’s bricks stand. Remove the bricks one by one and the foundation will be exposed for what it is. It will then be easy to dig it up and throw it away. You will like the results, and you will wonder why you allowed the wall to be built in the first place.