Caleb:
"They would rather argue over issues to ignore the fact that they aren't doing anything. "
I am doing something to help prevent suffering of animals.
Now then, this is an excellent point:
"The only convictions that need to be changed are the ones that tell you that beliefs are more important than actions and that we need to alter other people's minds instead of doing something to make the world a better place."
I could not agree more (in principle).
Jehovah's Witnesses are just one religious group that promote and spread such harmful and life-wasting convictions, that someone's charitable works and care for defenseless creatures are irrelevant if they don't share the same religious beliefs.
Atheists and agnostics can discuss their beliefs with anyone, without fear of offending an imaginary deity, or being slaughtered at Armageddon.
Jehovah's Witnesses cannot even discuss how their loving God can care for his creation and yet allow animal suffering. Not without fear of Jehovah and his coming judgement. There is always a thought stopping response like "who am I/who are you to question God"..
This thread is here to help people to think about the God they are devoting their lives to, and the God they would die for, or cut off all interaction with their loved ones for.
Is it logical to believe in the construct of a loving God that has allowed animals to suffer, and go extinct even, for billions of years.. Take a look at the evidence.
More to the point, is it logical or sensible to shun family and friends or die for this loving, personal theistic God, who surely does not exist?
People whose lives, and even close family relationships, revolve around their religious beliefs, need to be given the chance to at least take a look at this issue.
Freedom of mind, freedom to think and act as you want to, and freedom from religious doctrines that control so many of mankind..
That is my dream.
Then the whole of mankind can focus on the really worthwhile goals of, as you said, making the world a better place and working to prevent suffering.
Millions of JW's, and their children, will never even have the mental freedom to change the world for the better, or dedicate themselves to worthwhile charitable works.
Threads like this one are here to help people think, to perhaps encourage some towards freedom from religion, or at least freedom of mind.
I'm sorry if you feel that the thread was a waste of time.
