look...i am not an atheist.
even so, i have never had one prayer answered my entire life.
the only thing that would even come close was learning ttatt.
I like to make distinctions between things I know and things I believe. I.e. I know the world is not flat, I believe that god has answered some of my prayers.
Edit: Vanderhoven, even though I'm not sure why you placed your hand on that lady's head I appreciate you opening yourself up here.
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how can i cut down without going teetotal?
i love the taste of wine, i'm not fussed with other drinks but just need to rein in it a bit.. going wine-free tonight and tomorrow, as i'm out socially.. i also need to shift a few pounds.. thank you, everyone..
I use alcohol as a crutch to alleviate my social anxiety, I don't keep any around the house to prevent this from becoming an even unhealthier problem...
another poster saw a flash of ...disgust.... from a loved-one, and pondered the implications.
good catch.
disgust is an interesting emotion and it is linked to all sorts of behavior.
My Mum, former Catholic turned JW likes to talk up the demonic influences her family has suffered as a result of their membership in the Church to try to win me back to the JWs. Last time I had dinner with my family my Dad asked for someone to say a prayer, I volunteered and received an expression of disgust in response, assumingly because my prayers are sinful.
Mormons are quite effective at using the emotion of disgust to discourage their members from drinking coffee and alcohol, I have heard.
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).
I do wonder if regional differences play a role here. Outside of contexts that are designed to prompt religious discussion (I.e. This forum, the JW preaching work) I think the only person who ever made a serious attempt to change my mind on religion was an American Mormon. I think perhaps British people are quite reserved in this respect, and I can believe Hortensia's experiences are different to my own.
hello, you read it here first!.
governing body of jehovah's witnesses.
to all congregations.
My Dad was pushed off as an elder because he wasn't doing enough for the Congregation (he'd stepped down from giving talks) by the Co. I think most would have let him off with this so it could be quite arbitrary.
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how can i cut down without going teetotal?
i love the taste of wine, i'm not fussed with other drinks but just need to rein in it a bit.. going wine-free tonight and tomorrow, as i'm out socially.. i also need to shift a few pounds.. thank you, everyone..
Reduce your access to it by getting rid of all/most of the bottles you might have around the house and buying less when you go grocery shopping.
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).
I'm sure Hitchens never said he wanted to see religion banned though his hatred of religion did prompt him to support violence as a useful tool to oppose it I.e support for Iraq war and torture.
The same is true of Sam Harris, however in fairness Dawkins has always been far, far better on this issue.
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).
Who is Julian? Is he a member here?
from the snarky apologist.
https://ia600305.us.archive.org/7/items/responsetowhatdoesthebiblereallyteach/response_to_what_does_the_bible_really_teach.pdf.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nntsobk6jee .
That response said Charles T Russell was never baptised as an adult, does anyone know if that's true?
as many may be aware.
i don't like the man.
but i have chosen to review the first chapter of his book.. chapter 1... only a theory?.
I believe Jesus is a real, living person. I don't think this belief automatically makes me deserving of respect, or that it's wrong for anyone to express disagreement with me. I refuse to accept however that this makes me a potentially abusive parent, partially responsible for Westboro Baptist Church homophobia and abortion clinic bombing, or deserving of contempt in public.
When I was in school some people mocked me for being a JW, even though I no longer believe pretty much everything I did back then, I still wouldn't wish that treatment on anyone, not even Dawkins.
