Posts by talesin

41

Does Believing in God Make You Dumb?

by Brokeback Watchtower in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzqaeusdmtk.

http://jdc.jefferson.edu/jmbcimfp/5/.

abstract.

talesin

The bible? Really? ack! Nope, that's no argument. "Faith" is an illusion. There is no 'assured expectation' in religion. What is assured? Nothing that is tangible, and that *is* a certainty.

I agree that Judaism has the most logical approach to belief (at least, that's what I've found from my own research) in that what matters, is who we are now - no worries about the afterlife. Of course, that's very stripped-down and basic, but essentially, that's how my friend, from an Orthodox family, put it.

33

whats so bad about believing people go to heaven?

by sowhatnow in

it occurred to me today, that so often, my mother will make the comment that .

"those false religions teach that everyone is going to heaven when they die, oh sure, .

all you have to do is be a good person, and off you go to heaven.

talesin

I agree with OUTLAW. In my last neighbourhood, I met a fellow cat-lover. An older lady,who belonged to a born-again, Holy Jeebus church (no offense intended, but they are tres fanatical). She was a really nice lady, though, who took me for a drive a few times, and we had tea. I was curious about 'the Rapture' (we don't have a lot of fundies around here), and she enlightened me about their point of view. I answered her queries about the JWS.

We had a nice interaction. She was a kindly, truly 'Christian' soul, and I respected that. She, in turn, respected my wishes, and did not try to convert me.

I never tried to change her POV .. she was old, and ill, and looked forward to 'heaven' (I have NO conception of what that is). I was content to leave her to it. She wasn't shoving her beliefs down my throat, so what would I accomplish? Make an old lady feel bad?

Each situation requires personal judgment, but like I said "each to his own" is how my culture sees it. xx

41

Does Believing in God Make You Dumb?

by Brokeback Watchtower in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzqaeusdmtk.

http://jdc.jefferson.edu/jmbcimfp/5/.

abstract.

talesin

smiddy, agreed.

I do not trust one study - give me more! Research, and you will see, that individual scientists can be bought - by Big Tobacco, Big Pharma, and for egotistical means.

Tesla vs. Edison ........ anyone? Corruption is a fact of life in every profession, including science and academia.

We must use our critical skills, and also see that as life changes, so does science. We must stretch our minds, and realize that possibilities are endless! Let us not be so arrogant to *believe* that current knowledge is the only *correct* knowledge. Only a short time ago, doctors did not know about viruses, string theory was laughed out of the scientific community in the 1950s and 60s, and etc.

Open your mind. : ))

47

Thought control - sexual fantasizing is wrong - May 2016 Watchtower

by Listener in

>>the bible reveals that jehovah issaddened when people pursue a wick-ed course and ‘the inclination of theirthoughts is only bad all the time.’ (readgenesis 6:5, 6.

) from this we can per-ceive that sexual fantasizing is wrongbecause it can lead to serious sin that isforbidden in the scriptures and is out ofharmony with jehovah’s way of think-ing.the disciple james wrote: “the wis-dom from above is first of all pure, thenpeaceable, reasonable, ready to obey,full of mercy and good fruits, impar-tial, not hypocritical.” (jas.

3:17) beingaware of this, we should be moved toreject entertainment that fuels impurethoughts and inclinations.

talesin

Google Images made me do it! : P

47

Thought control - sexual fantasizing is wrong - May 2016 Watchtower

by Listener in

>>the bible reveals that jehovah issaddened when people pursue a wick-ed course and ‘the inclination of theirthoughts is only bad all the time.’ (readgenesis 6:5, 6.

) from this we can per-ceive that sexual fantasizing is wrongbecause it can lead to serious sin that isforbidden in the scriptures and is out ofharmony with jehovah’s way of think-ing.the disciple james wrote: “the wis-dom from above is first of all pure, thenpeaceable, reasonable, ready to obey,full of mercy and good fruits, impar-tial, not hypocritical.” (jas.

3:17) beingaware of this, we should be moved toreject entertainment that fuels impurethoughts and inclinations.

talesin

Having sexual fantasies and both normal and healthy, it would be difficult for a person to have sex if this wasn't the case.
It is natural for even a married person to fantasize about what they did or will do with their partner.

All joking or light comments aside, you are absolutely right.

It's important to discuss these issues. Sexual repression and just plain WEIRD attitudes towards what should be natural and normal sexual relations, is a feature of the Jehovah's Witness cult. xx

47

Thought control - sexual fantasizing is wrong - May 2016 Watchtower

by Listener in

>>the bible reveals that jehovah issaddened when people pursue a wick-ed course and ‘the inclination of theirthoughts is only bad all the time.’ (readgenesis 6:5, 6.

) from this we can per-ceive that sexual fantasizing is wrongbecause it can lead to serious sin that isforbidden in the scriptures and is out ofharmony with jehovah’s way of think-ing.the disciple james wrote: “the wis-dom from above is first of all pure, thenpeaceable, reasonable, ready to obey,full of mercy and good fruits, impar-tial, not hypocritical.” (jas.

3:17) beingaware of this, we should be moved toreject entertainment that fuels impurethoughts and inclinations.

talesin

Sick and twisted! I mean, what's wrong with a little Sean Bean in one's fantasies?

I can't just dream about lions eating grass!

77

Did you KNOW Ray and Cynthia or the legal copyright holder? Only a few maybe had limited contact.

by blondie in

jw
friends

i have known all of them over the last 15 years, talked at length with them, and knew what their wishes were, the copyright holder and spouse spent even more time with them socially and helping them set up their arrangements for when ray and cynthia passed.

i don't believe that anyone else on this board or others was a confidant.

there is no need to prove it to anyone but the copyright office which is satisfied with this.

talesin

Kate, that's great that you did a search, and tested out my thoughts - much appreciated! I think this issue has been stirred, perhaps unwittingly,.and it's good to take a deep breath and look at the facts. xx tal : ))

41

Does Believing in God Make You Dumb?

by Brokeback Watchtower in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzqaeusdmtk.

http://jdc.jefferson.edu/jmbcimfp/5/.

abstract.

talesin

I guess religion could have that potential benefit for people who fear death (ie, not dying and pain, but the concept of an after-life and all that may entail). xx tal

33

whats so bad about believing people go to heaven?

by sowhatnow in

it occurred to me today, that so often, my mother will make the comment that .

"those false religions teach that everyone is going to heaven when they die, oh sure, .

all you have to do is be a good person, and off you go to heaven.

talesin

It's called "compartmentalization," and it is a behavior that the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses encourage and reward. It helps create solidarity within the ranks by inducing an "us-against-them" attitude. Religious cults and political ideologies are best known for this trait.

46

Books I read when I deprogrammed

by OrphanCrow in

jw
friends

blondie suggested someone start a thread with a list of books that are valuable to read when exiting the jws.. i will start.. i left the jws way back in the early 70s and didn't actually deprogram until into the 80s.. one of the first books i read was "the orwellian world of jehovah's witnesses" by gary and heather botting.

canadian exjws from calagary.

an excellent book and one that still resonates with young people today.

talesin

This thread was made to recommend books. It would be nice to stay on topic, and continue any controversy and / or drama on the other thread.