Posts by talesin

27

For those of us creationists who don't know anything about evolution

by truth doubter in

jw
friends

cofty- perhaps you would like to teach us the "first thing about evolution".. truth doubter .

talesin

Evolution: a primer. This is written as a basic introduction. Especially if you did not learn in school (home schooling being one sometimes-abused JW method), this will speak to the basics (including some elementary science lessons). If you are finding Cofty's series a bit difficult - lots to digest - having an overall look at the basics of evolution may lay a good foundation, and you could enjoy the more detailed terminology and excellent explanations of Cofty's pieces. I also copied the introductory para. and list of topics. Each topic is a direct link, and clickable.

http://ncse.com/evolution/science/evolution-primers

October 17th, 2008
Evolution is a vast subject and there are many books and websites that offer introductions as well as more advanced discussions to its many subtopics and related fields. Our purpose here is to provide answers to questions about evolution that frequently arise in connection with creationism. Some resources here are short, quick answers; others delve into college-level material. See also Kevin Padian's testimony in the Kitzmiller trial for a lively introduction to the science of paleontology.
Deep Time
Defining Evolution
Definitions of Fact, Theory, and Law in Scientific Work
Earliest Evidence of Life
Entropy in Muffins
Evolution and the Origin of Races
Geology of the Cambrian Explosion
How Old is the Earth?
Locations of Oldest Rocks
Species Concepts in Modern Literature
The Age of the Universe — Measuring Cosmic Time
The De-riving Force of Cladogenesis
The Evolution of Biological Complexity
What is Homology?
What is Paleontology?
What is Science?

56

A fresh start

by FormerlySandL in

after the worst introduction i could ever make on the forum i would like to reintroduce myself and make a fresh start on the forum and hopefully over time i will be able to redeem myself.

i have changed my user name which was over dramatic and ridiculous in the cold light of day but for transparency and to show i am not trying to hide anything i have adapted the original name and it now has a more positive feel.

after reading a lot of posts on this forum i am feeling more optimistic about my future.

talesin

Pull up a chair, and set a spell. You'll have lots of support here. Don't let the system get you down. There *is* life after the Watchtower. It only gets better! xx

10

Hello after a long while from the user who used to go by "comatose"

by comatose_no_more in

jw
friends

it's great to see all the familiar posters as i've been reading for the last few hours.

still offering great advice and help.

awesome job.

talesin

e are now 1 year out and we are good co-parents. We are not friends, but we get along and we do everything we can for our daughter. The kiddo handled it amazing. Probably because of how hard we worked on that happening. Single. Enjoying dating some. Enjoying being single for now, but openminded about the future.

I call that "Success". It sounds like you've been through a lot, but come out of it with flying colours. Good for you!

"content"

33

So , how "worldly" did you get?

by greenhornet in

i even hate to use that word worldly tm.. any way i'm probably the worst.. 1 when the jw s come to my door i say i'm not interested .

2 i have gone to many churches and volunteered.. 3 i shredded all my jw books and magazines out in the woods.. 4 had the mormon elders over and studied with them.. 5 tried pot (its legal here).

6 open carry my fire arm every where (legal here also).

talesin

I am a g-dless witch. haha, figure that one out! : P

I love Xmas, and full-on Hallowe'en celebrations. I tell the TRUTH (how un-JW is that?), which is not always convenient. I revel in rock and roll, am sexually free (not irresponsible), and believe we should follow our bliss.

Oh my! I'm selfish, indulge in pagan festivities, and also, brazen. I guess I've become a true worldling.

.

Praise be, to the IPU!

41

Why the Deficit at the Circuit Assembly?

by JT-LadyC in

have you ever wondered why there is always a deficit at the circuit assembly?

did you realize that before the program begins, the circuit is already in the red?

many of the friends thought they were paying for the use of the building and covering the costs of the utilities, etc.

talesin

Interesting that around 6:30, he describes the 'arrangements' for the Book Study contributions. Hmm, 'obviously there was ministerial servants that was borrowin' money', so they instituted a new-to-them, but SOP accounting practice of checks and balances.

He is very kind to use the euphemism "borrowing money". : )

10

Is WT going to be disappointed in their Brooklyn Revenues?

by Slidin Fast in

it seems that the bounty expected from the brooklyn hq sale may not be as bountiful as thought.

how is that going to affect their shaky finances?.

http://nypost.com/2016/02/23/jehovahs-witnesses-selling-watchtower-building-for-220m/.

talesin

They are getting out while the getting's good. WTS did not suffer from the real estate bubble of 2008/2009, but they quickly got into gear and started selling. Real estate speculation has proven to be a worthy investment. Perhaps some of the bad press they've received re: unfulfilled promises to the borough of Brooklyn, has lowered their price, but their ROI is still nothing less than spectacular.

Lest we forget, they paid ZERO property taxes on these valuable investment properties.

62

What Happens To You When You Die?

by minimus in

jw
friends

are our dead loved ones watching over us at all or are they really just gone now?

talesin

I have to say (off-topic, but for the sake of showing that yes, I have an open mind), that in the spirit of intellectual honesty, I do wonder about 'the collective consciousness'. Lots of anecdotal evidence, and it's a valid 'why' question. Do I believe in it? No. It's a possibility, as well as alternate forms of communication (ie, through thoughts). Is there scientific proof? No. There is scientific research being conducted, though, and whether that is our next level of evolution (thought communication) remains to be (seen) proved. xx

62

What Happens To You When You Die?

by minimus in

jw
friends

are our dead loved ones watching over us at all or are they really just gone now?

talesin

My friend was dead from anaphylaxis (sp?), an allergic reaction to Novocaine in the Dentists' office. Luckily, the paramedics got there quickly, and brought him back. He was 15. He saw/heard/felt NOTHING. I've been hit by a car, and in a coma for 2 days (when I was 8) ... nothing, nil, nada.

These "near-death" experiences are easily explained by the chemistry of the brain. Cofty, I like the poem you posted earlier.

161

I am leaving the JW's . I am alone and scared. Advice and help needed please

by scared and lonely in

i am sorry that on my first post i am asking for help and advice but i am at my wits end.

i have been brought up a witness all my life and it is all i know.

i am an ex-elder and pioneer and i don't know anybody outside of the congregation.. i have been unhappy for so long and wanted to leave.

talesin

Agreed, Wing Commander. I did note that he took down the gofundme request (though it was too late to edit his comment) very soon into the thread. Like I said, why not let it go for now, and who knows?

There is another thread showing JWS who are seeking funding for their "pioneer" retirement on gofundme. It's possible to be 30YO, a JW, and naive. Also possible, to freak the f*ck out, after having a lightbulb moment. Perhaps he thought that would be a legit way to ask for help? My other thought, is a plant from the so-called Apostate Army, to highlight some issue or other (I suspect a few posts of that, meant to prompt a response from this large community).

Either way, the proof will be in the pudding; ie, future threads/posts. I think the point has been made, and sincere? Will be back. Troll? Will not.

161

I am leaving the JW's . I am alone and scared. Advice and help needed please

by scared and lonely in

i am sorry that on my first post i am asking for help and advice but i am at my wits end.

i have been brought up a witness all my life and it is all i know.

i am an ex-elder and pioneer and i don't know anybody outside of the congregation.. i have been unhappy for so long and wanted to leave.

talesin

s&l, I have observed and read this thread since you first posted it, and stopped on page 3 or 4.

To your latest post on this page, yes. Read the suggestions, take a deep breath, and make a plan. Read other threads, make some comments, see the kind of support offered, and you will realize "I can do this." When you're ready, start a new thread, asking for any suggestions of help in implementing your new plan. You'll get lots of support, and your unfortunate introduction will be let go.

__________________________________________________________________

There have been some incredibly smart con people who've done harm over the years. In fact, 10 years ago, that second post or link may have been swiftly deleted, because of the ask.

We are lucky to have folks like Nathan Natas to 'growl' a warning. When I left the JWS, I was so naive. Good with money and business, but socially? Not a clue. Is this elder behaviour? I think not. He is a supportive person, an advocate of children and women. He urges independent thinking. Yes, he can be strong in his choice of words. He's more like a *real* big brother, which I never had. Mine was faux.

Let's all take a deep breath, especially you, s&l, and leave this particular drama behind.