Posts by talesin

35

Lurkers: A truth is either true, or it isn't. There is no in between.

by cappytan in

jw
friends

truth is absolute.

there is no such thing as 2=1 or 1=2.. if one starts out with the equation 2=1, one has already failed.. truth = truth.

you cannot change whether something is truth or not.. when the organization teaches one thing as a truth (ex.

talesin

The danger in absolute thinking is this: current conventional wisdom, or 'truth', may be proven to be wrong. (eg, flat earth, inferiority of races). I think that, purely speaking, it's okay to ask "Can truth ever be absolute?" But as someone said, there is no need to be pedantic (I *so* agree, haha, and not just for this thread). And lest we verge on the edge of a (horror of horrors!) philosophical debate ...

For the sake of argument, with respect to the OP, and with common sense in mind, why not agree that there are certain 'truths' that most people can accept as infallible. EG, the sun will rise, death is a certainty, gods are human constructs, etc.

Let's enjoy a valuable discussion, and refrain from getting bogged down with semantics.

I think, AA, this is a good point.

Truth is absolute in the sense that it does not change depending on who is talking. Opinions do change depending on who is talking.

Truth should not be subjective.

13

Vanilla ISIS & Y'All Qaeda: Oregon Gunmen Mocked On Social Media

by Simon in

i'm crying laughing at some of the hashtags in this article:.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/yall-qaeda-vanilla-isis_568a3421e4b06fa68882bb6d.

if this does one thing, it shows up the craziness of the claim that an armed militia "standing up to the government" has any role in a modern democratic society.

talesin

From the comments:

I was curious too as to why a bird sanctuary? Then I found out they belonged to the AABB Union. The "Amalgamated Association of Bird Brains"! Who'd have guessed, huh?

HAHAHAHA~!

And this ... hmmm...

Generations of ranchers living off our land, then refusing to pay grazing fees, amongst orther laws broke. The Homestead Act, the first welfare program created.

From the Washington Post, a history of this family's war with the feds (interesting, they are morons, oops, I meant to say Mormons).

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/04/15/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-long-fight-between-cliven-bundy-and-the-federal-government/

28

Christian Family Gets 5 Children Taken Away by Gov't for Teaching God Punishes Sin

by GodZoo in

child welfare services in norway have reportedly removed five christian children from their parents' home and placed them into foster care after the parents were accused of radicalizing and indoctrinating their children with christianity.. according to the british-based christian institute, norway's child protection services, known as the barnevernet, seized the three sons and two daughters of ruth and marius bodnariu in mid-november.. .

although the family wasn't quite sure at the time why their children were being taken away from them, their lawyer discovered that the parents were being charged with christian indoctrination.http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-family-gets-5-children-taken-away-by-govt-for-teaching-god-punishes-sin-151693/.

talesin

That's interesting, kaik. Canadians have had quite a few cases of children being 'kept' in (mostly) Arab countries by one parent, while the other is left behind in Canada, fighting for rights to see/communicate with their children. I see that the Toronto Star had an article about this very issue in Norway, in August of this year.

It isn't all that surprising, considering Norway's traditional 'isolationist' culture. I've always been interested in Scandinavia, and Iceland, so have read about this in my literary journeys.

Here's a link to the Star article.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/08/26/norway-accused-of-taking-away-immigrant-children.html

7

Certain lies are acceptable per Watchtower. Where can I find that?

by FatFreek 2005 in

watchtower has defined certain circumstances where it's permissible to withhold certain facts, even telling an untruth.

like some outsider, or enemy, may not be deserving to know certain factual answers.. where can i find such quotations?.

len.

talesin

"The faithful witness does not commit perjury when testifying. His testimony is not tainted with lies. However, this does not mean that he is under obligation to give full information to those who may want to bring harm to Jehovah's people in some way. The patriarchs Abraham and Isaac withheld facts from some who did not worship Jehovah. (Genesis 12:10-19; 20:1-18; 26:1-10) Rahab of Jericho misdirected the king's men. (Joshua 2:1-7) Jesus Christ himself refrained from divulging total information when doing so would have caused needless harm. (John 7:1-10) He said: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, neither throw your pearls before swine." Why not? So that "they may never . . . turn around and rip you open."—Matthew 7:6." Watchtower 2004 Nov 15 p.28

I can't copy and paste, but this blog references June 15, 2009 Watchtower, 'Speak Truth with your Neighbor', para. 6. http://thejehovahswitnesses.org/theocratic-warfare-quotes.php

49

Steven Lett asks for money again

by Gorbatchov in

jw
friends

the 2016 january tv.jw.org broadcasting has a clear message: jw.org needs more money!.

the 2 months of donation increase is not enough: the thousands of projects are not a 2 month project.. so: thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you (heh heh heh) and send us more!

personal conclusion: if i had any doubts that the society is sincere, this openly money grabbing has made my perception complete.

talesin

I was listening to parts of the video; he reminds me of Doctor "Feel". : P

7

Certain lies are acceptable per Watchtower. Where can I find that?

by FatFreek 2005 in

watchtower has defined certain circumstances where it's permissible to withhold certain facts, even telling an untruth.

like some outsider, or enemy, may not be deserving to know certain factual answers.. where can i find such quotations?.

len.

talesin

From this older thread, the OP has some good quotes:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/69113/what-theocratic-warfare

60

Those keenly following umbertoecho ARC Brief Update.

by MightyV8 in

i feel it is comfortable to say,.

yes her arc hearing has come and gone.. yes her hearing was so powerful, her allotted time was tripled!.

yes, information handed over "mind blowing" response from arc.

talesin

We are with you, umberto echo, you know it! xoxoxo

157

What Was The Silliest "Offense" That You Were Counseled For?

by minimus in

jw
friends

when i was a teenager, i was told by an elder that because i smiled a lot and was known for my good sense of humor, that i should come across as "more serious".

so before i was appointed a ms, while in my late teens, i transformed myself into a much more "serious" brother.. were you ever told that you needed to work on something that you knew was stoopid?.

talesin

My mother's friend was counselled for having erect nipples. Even though she wore a heavy bra, she couldn't wear a sweater in the summer, and was already self-conscious. They told her it was immodest and 'distracting' to the poor brothers (boo hoo). This sister pioneered all her life - last time I saw her, she was still (in her 70s or 80s), walking along with her bookbag - she was MORTiFIED, too ashamed to look anyone in the eye. So she put band-aids over them. I kid you not. Me, I was never counseled, being the Pollyanna type. Then one day, after fading, they df'd me, just for spite. *sticks out tongue at JWS*

168

Where to draw the line: how Platonism haunts our discourse and the search for exorcism

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

in the discussion about race i adopted a position i am not entirely comfortable with.

i think there is a sense in which it is useful to distinguish categories of description that can be fruitfully defended (apples and bananas) and those that cannot (caucasian or other racial descriptions for example).

but there is a more fundamental sense in which i believe that everything is socially constructed, every single line you can think of.

talesin

On what basis do you claim the perspective of the spaceman or physicist is superior to the worm?

I see the 'human superiority' stance as the greatest conceit, and trace it back to Genesis. Science has only recently (2014, I believe) officially declared that mammals, pets, have feelings and actually 'think'. Of course, that's had to admit, when we use them for experiments to benefit the 'human race', and torture of livestock is the norm.

"What if" questions are those of the true scientist - forever challenging the status quo. Anyone can be a technician - but to dream .... string theory! Look up the tale of a dreamer, who was recognized posthumously. : )

94

ELDERS, ha ha ha ha....!!!!!

by brandnew in

jw
friends

so as many know....ive been df'd goin on 19 years already.

i drive pops to meetings, and drop him off on saturdays for fs.. well yesterday, the elders ask to speak to me, and tell me that if i plan on returning to jehovah, i had better shave my beard off..

omg!!!!!!