Faith is largely an emotional choice, based on feelings, and supported by cultural lore and religion-based power structures. You can't argue with that And, imho, you shouldn't. It's a lose-lose proposition, and the old adage is true 'you get more flies with honey, than you do with vinegar'. Present facts when appropriate, and let people come to their own reality.
Until someone is emotionally ready to consider the evidence, arguing with them is as productive as 'talking to a wall'.
talesin
JoinedPosts by talesin
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Why Do Intelligent People Believe in God?
by cantleave inone of the most common thing thrown at atheists is - lots of intelligent people believe in god.
this darkmatter 2525's video is an excellent explanation as to why very logical people possess religious belief systems.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y201qzddzbg.
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talesin
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Why the Deficit at the Circuit Assembly?
by JT-LadyC inhave 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.
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talesin
I remember not long ago, one of the ex- or serving elders on the DB, said that they *always* announce a deficit on Sunday, because many of the R&F wait to give their contribution as they are leaving. This is not meant to take away from the huge import of the OP. It just emphasizes how cleverly they manipulate their charges.
To the OP, thank you for sharing this, very enlightening. I feel at once, angry, sad, and a bit queasy.
"The Truth (tm)"
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Why the Deficit at the Circuit Assembly?
by JT-LadyC inhave 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.
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talesin
JT-LadyC , I just realized, Lady Cee, that I watched some of your vids on youtube on the same channel, *just yesterday*. They are great, and I wondered if JT is the one I was privileged to see here, years ago. Coolest car EVER, for an avatar, and his words were wise. No matter. : )
All the best to you, Lady. You are a true role model. Intelligence & class is a winning combination.
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All JWs need to watch this great documentary...it may give them pause for thought.
by deanxxx ini know how hard it is to awaken people still inside the cult bubble.
there are many reasons for this, chief among them the unwillingness to read or watch anything critical of their religion.
on the other hand, jws love few things more than hearing bad stuff about other faith groups.
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talesin
Good stuff! I have a busy morning, but will spend the next couple of days resting, so will watch those two docs.
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I love the CBC, glad you're a fan, too. Marketplace is a fav, and of course, the Doc Zone and The Passionate Eye. There *is* good TV (though I don't own one) to be found, and I like the British and Australian public channels as well. The only show I really miss is Jeopardy. Yes, I'm a nerd. : P
Thanks for the heads-up, and Happy Friday.
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All JWs need to watch this great documentary...it may give them pause for thought.
by deanxxx ini know how hard it is to awaken people still inside the cult bubble.
there are many reasons for this, chief among them the unwillingness to read or watch anything critical of their religion.
on the other hand, jws love few things more than hearing bad stuff about other faith groups.
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talesin
I see it is on Putlocker, so I shall watch it on the w/end. Bookmarked, and thanks!
Will check out Spotlight as well - is it new? I always have to check, I've watched as many as I could find. The CBC archives has some good stuff. xx
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Your feelings for the former travelling overseers
by Hecce induring our wt life we met a good number of friends involved in the circuit and district work.
i am sure that we share the same experience and that we remember fondly some that we caring, loving and generally interested in the brothers.
at the same time we might remember others that were arrogant, selfish, abusive and oppressive.
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talesin
I can only go with my gut as a child/teen, but the name Grant Suiter (sp?) makes me kinda nauseous. THen there was Levi. *shivers* There was a Wally Drury, either he or his brother was a CO or DO at one time, he seemed a good person. Owned a large cleaning business, and employed some of us by contract - well paid. I was making about $20 / hour (by contract, but I was a good and fast worker) as a young teen - a small piece of a large contract he had, which was an hour after school, then in the evenings once school was no longer part of my life, and gave me some economic freedom, after my educational freedom was taken away.
They weren't all bad people, but I would hazard to guess that the 'middle management' has grown more harsh and bitter since the early 1970s. After all, $h*t rolls downhill, and before it reaches the congo, it splats all over the COs and DOs. Pathetic, but it's their choice. *shrugs* I really feel bad for anyone who is staying in for family, children; it's a hard row to hoe, and I understand why. Chin up, you have lots of support here. xx
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We want to be Catholics too!!!
by pbrow inhttps://www.revealnews.org/blog/jehovahs-fight-law-requiring-child-sex-abuse-be-reported-to-police/.
pretty pathetic... as usual .
pbrow.
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talesin
3 Cheers for Reveal, CIR, and Trey Bundy!
But as for the Tower,
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.A Reveal investigation last year found that since 1989, Jehovah’s Witnesses leaders have instructed elders in the U.S. not to report child abuse by members of their congregations.
The Watchtower currently is facing more than a dozen lawsuits brought by alleged child abuse victims in the U.S. The Delaware case is a rare instance in which a state agency is suing a religious organization over its handling of child abuse. -
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For those of us creationists who don't know anything about evolution
by truth doubter incofty- perhaps you would like to teach us the "first thing about evolution".. truth doubter .
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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
- 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?
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A fresh start
by FormerlySandL inafter 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.
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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
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Hello after a long while from the user who used to go by "comatose"
by comatose_no_more init'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.
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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"