Posts by Abaddon

46

Is Change Possible for Homosexuals?

by nicolaou in

i don't know, you'd think we'd be used to reading crap like this but it still gets my goat.. nic' .

*** w74 8/15 p. 487 is change possible for homosexuals?

thinking transformed.

Abaddon

Carmel

I have a question for Tetra and others that see evolution as the most likely explanation for life as we know it....How is homosexuality's continued existence explained? If it is genetically determined, how is the allel or group of allels selected for when the end result in such behavior does not result in succeeding generations? It would have to be a "linked" characteristic that was so strong that it was "carried" baggage, so to speak! Even at that, it would have to have a genotypic expression that is selected for by the bearing of offspring with that same genotype.
Suggests that maybe it is not genetic...or ??

Great question and well put.

Current bets are on the genetic component for male homosexuality being on the X chromosome. This would mean a man would never, ever 'get' homosexuality from another man, as a man's X chromosome HAS to be from his mother. I can dig some stuff out for detail if you'd like, but am going out to a party after work and need to get out the office.

Thus if genetic transfer of sexual inclination is carried by the female, the male's sexuality cannot prevent further transmission. Think how a male haemophiliac can NEVER transfer his genetic condition to a male child, as it's on his X chromosome, but WILL transfer it to a female child - although she has another X chromosome so will probably have one working copy (females who develop hemophilia are very rare)

If the gene/s have a reproductive or other survival benefit for the mother, or for any female who carries them, then they will survive under the laws of natural selection. Whether a man also gets the same benefit or any benefit as a woman gets from the gene/s IN ADDITION to a homosexual inclination is still unknown.

The seeming illogicality of a gay man being gay because he got the gayness genetically is totally logical.

Of course, one cannot ignore that having kids and sexuality are not linked. Millions of men who would have been openly gay if they grew up in a society where this was possible got married and had kids. Millions of women who would have been openly gay if they grew up in a society where this was possible got married and had kids. Even now, gay couples (like one I know) prove sexuality and having kids are separate things by having kids without having sex with someone they are not sexually attracted to; just as a woman whose husband is infertile can have children by someone she is not sexually attracted to. There are species (terns, macaques) that form homosexual pair-bonds or single-sex groups that are sexually active, but they STILL have offspring.

I hope that's clear, I can give more details and references when I have more time if you so wish.

49

Debunking Dawkins

by Shining One in

a reformed response to: .

is science a religion?, by richard dawkins, the humanist, jan./feb.

the faith of science .

Abaddon

AH, but Derek, we don't have faith so we haven't already decided what we believe, and thus cannot interpret facts to fit what we've already decided we believe before examining the facts, and are thus wrong.

LOL... how can any one believe that tripe? I wonder if Shiny realises if faith without works is useless, then faith without facts is useless to. Just as works establish one truely believes what one professes, so too do facts show ones beliefs are reasonable.

The Boreans didn't tell Paul to bugger off, they'd already decided they were right. Nope, they checked the facts as they existed at the time. Pity old Shiny isn't as good a Christian as he thinks he is... he never has explained how he could claim (as he has) that he educated himself in evolution when he continually shows he can't even define evolution... one could be charitable and say he was just being vain and boastful, but I prefer the term liar, as it does seem far more an accurate description of someone making false claims about their education. Either way, it is funny to be preached at by someone who has issues with personal honesty.

49

Debunking Dawkins

by Shining One in

a reformed response to: .

is science a religion?, by richard dawkins, the humanist, jan./feb.

the faith of science .

Abaddon

Dan

Spot on; it really makes you wonder;

Does he think people fall for his evasion and deceptive tactics? He must have a very low opinion of other people to think they don't notice how he runs when he can't deal with a thread anymore - even ones he starts!
Is he so removed from reason he can't see it and genuinely believes he is right?
Is he so desperately insecure and doubtful (he'd deny this of course, but that cognitive dissonance for you) that he'll clutch at any article that contains comforting platitudes even if they use reasoning a grade-school student could point to the flaws in?

I'm just glad that there are enough people here who will point out his foolishness and deny him what he so obviously seeks; credulous victims who will fall for the rubbish he spouts.

And of course, the 'rubbish' isn't god. There are plenty of sensible ways of believing in god that don't require one to swallow absurdities, but Rex would seek to make HIS way the only way on HIS SAY SO. What an empty vessel... still, his sheer ineptitude and arrogance are wonderful tools to illustrate the emptiness of his philosophy.

49

Debunking Dawkins

by Shining One in

a reformed response to: .

is science a religion?, by richard dawkins, the humanist, jan./feb.

the faith of science .

Abaddon

Ennui

Instead of viewing faith as belief that is not based upon evidence, we view faith as that which is a pre-condition for gaining any other knowledge; faith itself is not irrational or unscientific, but that which must be in order to gain other knowledge through science and logic.

That one made my fingers flex over my keyboard, but I couldn't do better than satanus, that was classy.

I suppose the fact old Shiny doesn't see what my cat just pointed out whilst reading over my shoulder is a clear indication (as if we need one) we have no more chance of even leading Rex to water than of my cat teaching a mouse Greek. But that doesn't stop my cat having fun playing with the mouse.

Of course, Rex's... errr... argument?... is "if you do not have faith you won't interpret the facts the right way, you do not agree with me because your interpretation of the facts is flawed as you have no faith."

Or, "I know I am right so whatever the facts are I am right."

I'm saying "Because you can't see you are simply deifying your own opinion, you will never see reason as you lack it".

But I know who I think is right...

You post links to information and that is fine,

Which shows you talk rot, but which you do not respond to.

yet, when you don't like the message from soneone else

Who has been established by their own actions to talk rot, and not even try to defend their rot if they can't Google a jaded and miserable attempt at a rebuttal.

you whine and cry.

That you talk rot. Quand erat demonstradum. I suppose we should just be quiet when you spray you nonsense about? This is a place for people recovering from being in a cult - people with their defenses down who could fall for your erroneous twaddle. They might need a little time to see the awful gaps in your little world and how full of cultic, toxic thinking it is. To not point out you're talking nonsense again would be putting them at risk - besides, it can be fun.

You are being duped by the elitist snobs of the intellectual world.

You don't have a chip on your shoulder - you have a sack of spuds. You can't even bother to respond to a scientific argument against some claim of yours yet you sneer. Why so resentful?

They are only in power for now, for this 'time and season' but their power is passing away. Many people have intelligent questions for the theories that we have been taught as 'science'

And when we answer them, you ignore the fact the question has been satisfactorily answered or stop responding. We are not stupid Rex. Argument gets too difficult to Google, bye-bye Rex. It's a pattern. Is that meant to be Christlike or something? Failing to respond to weakness or error in your argument?

56

Poll: Is DEFD an apostate?

by wanderlustguy in

jw
friends

i vote yes.

Abaddon

Yes, by the definiton Defd would use he is.

8

Those Crazy Scientologists

by DevonMcBride in

jw
friends

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/crop-of-circles-a-signpost-for-scientology/2005/12/02/1133422108779.html

crop of circles a signpost for scientology

all religions have their sacred texts but scientology goes to great lengths to ensure l.ron hubbard's wise words are not lost, writes richard leiby.

Abaddon

They obviously learnt from the Mormons. They "lost" their holy book... yeah, pull the other one it's got ~~Qcmbr~~ bells on it...

40

I think I'll take a few days off to DA....

by AuldSoul in

jw
friends

since i'm da'ing this week, i think i'd better make myself scarce around here.

my nerves are in a knot and i'm not in the most rational frame of mind to be posting in good judgement.

wish me luck!

Abaddon

All the best

20

Is this not clearly anti-Christianity?

by Nathan Natas in

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13475163,00.html

anger over crucifix ban

updated: 16:51, tuesday december 06, 2005. a row has broken out after a teenager was banned from wearing a crucifix at a school where sikhs can carry ceremonial daggers.. sam morris, 16, was reportedly sent home from sinfin community school, derby, after she refused to remove a gold cross on a necklace.. she was told wearing a crucifix was not compulsory for christians, so the necklace breached dress codes.. other pupils are allowed to wear kirpan daggers and metal bracelets, as they are classed as religious symbols, said the daily express.. gcse student sam missed two days of study before her mother debra saunders, 37, allowed her to return to school without the necklace.. christian and conservative mp ann widdecombe insisted a crucifix was not costume jewellery.. she said: "to persecute a young girl like this for her religious beliefs, whatever they are, is unacceptable.".

Abaddon

I'm getting in touch with my outer Dutchness...

I've just read The Strange Case of the Dog in the Moonlight, a murder mystery writen from the POV of an autistic teenager... he has a thing about colours too. Mark you, I never used to eat anything purple, so who am I to speak?

Hope it is not too cold up there...

20

Is this not clearly anti-Christianity?

by Nathan Natas in

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13475163,00.html

anger over crucifix ban

updated: 16:51, tuesday december 06, 2005. a row has broken out after a teenager was banned from wearing a crucifix at a school where sikhs can carry ceremonial daggers.. sam morris, 16, was reportedly sent home from sinfin community school, derby, after she refused to remove a gold cross on a necklace.. she was told wearing a crucifix was not compulsory for christians, so the necklace breached dress codes.. other pupils are allowed to wear kirpan daggers and metal bracelets, as they are classed as religious symbols, said the daily express.. gcse student sam missed two days of study before her mother debra saunders, 37, allowed her to return to school without the necklace.. christian and conservative mp ann widdecombe insisted a crucifix was not costume jewellery.. she said: "to persecute a young girl like this for her religious beliefs, whatever they are, is unacceptable.".

Abaddon

Ross

Even a ging-er in a skirt could hurt someone with a Sgian Dubh!

(runs and hides)

(voice from behind rock)

... but a cerimonial seikh knife is like a bad paper knife, if memory serves fit, at least as far as sharpness goes.

The ruling is stupid though. As stupid as the girl ('A' student and well behaved) who was excluded for having a nose piercing... oh I did have fun calling up the headmaster of that school...

It's stupid on several different levels; apparently the head is qualified to judge what is and what is not required for each faith. Wow, clever... I suppose because Gator-Aide with Cyanide is required for Jonesites, they ALL have to have one in their lunch box.... and of course there could be no difference between different flavours of Christianity...

42

For sweetscholar: Is there proof that the Bible is inspired by God?

by seattleniceguy in

hello sweetscholar, .

as promised, here is the thread where we can discuss biblical inspiration.

in your post to me on the other thread, you made three main points: .

Abaddon

EL_DON

I was an apostate, which is why I am changing my wicked worldly ways.

Ah, so posting on a website crawling with apostates, contrary to all guidance by the Fetid Deoderant Salve, in a way that would get you disfellowshipped if you already weren't is your idea of change?

Don't get me wrong, I'd sooner have you stay than go, as here you'll learn something, but you must be kidding yourself if THIS is "changing your ways".

I have been away from the congregation since I was a teenager. After leaving I would openly speak out against the truth as many of you do now and I beg Jehovah God for his mercy and forgiveness because I was wrong and I am sorry to have spoken blasphemy. It is now that I am trying to find my way back to the light.

And what were you wrong about? Be specific, tell us what were the reaons (you now see as wrong) for you leaving.

Over the years, my bad associations DID spoil useful habits.

Yeah, meetings, I know, three days a week and they let anyone attend, but what can you do...

I am preparing myself to say my goodbyes to many people and things of the world that I always loved.

Why?

It is not easy but I am ready and growing stronger. The teachings were ignored

Yes, but most of us here ignore the teachings because we can prove quite satisfacorily to someone free of preprogramed toxic thought-patterns that the JW's are somewhere between the Mormons and Scientologists as regards being able to prove their beliefs, and still have time to cook a threecourse meal. How do you want t? Scriptual proof? Scientific proof? Logical proof? Ethical proof?

and no matter how many material possesions have come into my hands or how much success I have had, there was emptiness without Jehovah in my life.

Of course you felt like that. That';s how you are programmed to feel, and unless you replace the programming with good wholsome knowledeg you will feel broken. Just like an expelled Moonie or Mormon feels. Their feelings of distress at being seperated have nothing to do with them being expelled from the definative 'truth' though. And neither do YOUR feelings of guilt.

I can't go back and change things.

Correct. Why are you trying to?

I am far from perfect. I have sinned (and I mean SINNED) but that doesnt mean its too late to repent and be forgiven. He is a merciful God who has blessed me with so many gifts. And even if I didn't make it to paradise at least I would be serving our lord Jehovah God and not Satan.

See how screwed up being in a cult makes you?

I plan on rejoining the Creston Congregation in NYC that I left long ago.

I would be doing you a favour if I sent the BOE a record of this... not that I would; but I WOULD be doing you a favour if I did.

There are still some hypocrates in the congregation but that is just the state of our imperfect world and they are found in all congregations and all religious denominations.

Ah, so you are going back to an organisation that is indistinguishable from other religions. Smart move!

Some congregation members think of me as a worldly, liberal, cigarette smoking, vain, openly gay former witness and I am still in recovery. I'm sure that I will be shunned by some but I am going to put one foot in front of the other and march right into that kingdom Hall (hopefully with my mother who has stopped attending meetings). Naturally there will be gossip and whispering, but talk is cheap and I've dealt with bigger monsters before.

You will be shunned by every "good" Witness. Look, you're gay. I'm not. For you to be straight would be as un-natural and kinky as me being gay. Nothing wrong with being either straight or gay as long as you are true to yourself and don't hurt others.

If homosexuality is normally determined by predetermined biological factors, what kind of sick god would not know some of his creation turned out gay through "no fault of their own" and punish them for it?

Think about what you do carefully, you're setting yourself up for decades of misery.