acquinas had five ways to prove that god existed (summarized).
1. motion.
since things like planets are moving, something must've put them into motion.. 2. the cause of existence.
#1, #3, and #4, are, IMHO, examples of the futility of ontological or metaphysical arguments about the existence of God. There is no such thing as a provable ontology or metaphysic, hence any conclusions derived are totally hypothetical.
#2 is a tautology. The first cause could be the universe itself, matter, etc.
I agree with #5, although I probably wouldn't argue it in the same way that Aquinas would have.
how can anyone with more than a handful of neurons maintain confidence in the watchtower organization?.
as dumbing down of the organization deepens, together with stubborn rejection of compassion and good sense, the .
pressure on capable, half-way sane witnesses is intensifying.
Yes, isn't Jaracz one of those "younger" GB members, by 20 to 30 years?
I think he's in his 70's. That would put him around the middle, I guess, since the GB currently ranges from 50's to 90's.
a witness friend told my husband this:
at the sm recently
the po was giving the congregation a pep talk.
The Society talks out of both sides of its mouth.
Too true, OHD. But I think that the examples you describe are more a matter of competing factions within the WTS. I just don't believe that Ted Jaracz or his crew could ever, no matter what their motives or purpose, write stuff like the Draw Close book. That type of thinking is simply beyond them.
my dad has been an elder for many many years and he is a good man.
he was always there for me even when i got df'd, and after i was reinstated i eventually drifted away and still now he is there for me.
he accepts the fact that i am in a relationship but not married and have two children.
Maybe there's not more that you can or should do.
You can't take someone's safety blanket away from them before they're ready, and it sounds like his association with the JWs is his safety blanket.
The only thing that I can see making a difference is if something affects him personally (whether directly, or through a person or situation he is close to), to the point that he no longer feels that safety. He may be finally moved to make the break with the organization, but it will be a sad day for him, without a doubt.
scenario 1: if you could guarantee that you would not get caught would you steal a million dollars?.
scenario 2: if you could guarantee that you would not get caught would you steal a million dollars from the wtbs?.
scenario 3: if you could guarantee that you would not get caught would you steal a million dollars from a bank?.
No, No, No, No.
The instant I start judging the WTS as not deserving the common protections of civilized society, I lower myself to their level.
how can anyone with more than a handful of neurons maintain confidence in the watchtower organization?.
as dumbing down of the organization deepens, together with stubborn rejection of compassion and good sense, the .
pressure on capable, half-way sane witnesses is intensifying.
waiting, are you going to tell us the poster so we can read his threads? Now I'm curious.
He did say the name. It's maximus. What did you think that meant?
don't you sometimes feel like "coming out" on this board..... as in my name is blah blah and i was in this cong etc etc.
i know some who have done so here.............it's not that i'm embarrassed about giving my details or letting people know here........the only thing that stops me is ...............ahhh f**k it.
jgull.
Believe me, I can't wait 'til I can come out on the board.
this is my last post for a couple of weeks as i'm going on holiday (st ives).
my apologies to those waiting for august's km, it's going to be a bit late!.
anyhow... i was enjoying amazing's recent thread where he picks apart the society's view on masturbation and, like him, realized that female sexuality is seldom discussed.
The writer of that article failed to do his research. Otherwise, he would have noticed the following statement: " Women are not cows." (w51 5/1 278)
hey, folks,.
we're moving next week, and i've been thinking about sending a pro-active do not call letter to the approprate congregation, just so i don't have to mess with them calling.
is there an easy way to find out which congregation's territory my new place is in?
If you don't want to deal with the local congregation at all, you can also call Bethel and they will provide the information. 718-560-5000
as a complement to my justice series it seems only fitting to have judicial stories told from the perspective of those who have had to sit in the "hot seat" and face the watchtower tribunal of the three stooges ... many, maybe most, elders have never had to face a judicial committee.
were this to have been the case, maybe we would not have the horror stories, but rather more tempered justice among jws.. .
before i was an elder, i too faced the trinity of elders ... and sat in the infamous "hot seat" ... for what?
"Mister Whitney, could you join us again in the Library?" .
Now why exactly would they call you 'Mister', if they had decided not to DF you? Was it just a little outburst of cruelty? An attempt to put fear in your heart? That's just sadistic.
