Is the world getting better?
In which century would you rather have been born, given the choice? The 19th century? Earlier?
defender of truth
JoinedPosts by defender of truth
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Which was the best century to be born in?
by defender of truth inhttp://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-2016-is-the-best-time-to-be-alive-2016-8/#1-there-are-much-fewer-hungry-people-in-the-world-1.
is the world getting better?.
in which century would you rather have been born, given the choice?
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754
Theists, why does God allow suffering..
by The Quiet One in..specifically, the suffering of animals.
you can talk about free will/sin/people choosing to not listen to god etc to explain human suffering being allowed.. but how can you love a god that allows animals, that haven't sinned or chosen to not have anything to do with god, to have their short lives ended in often long, drawn out, painful ways.
i could list stories i've read that would probably make you feel ill, but i'm not looking to shock anyone or start an emotional debate.
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defender of truth
Okay, we've concluded that God doesn't care about animal suffering. What about you?
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Whether you believe humans have a duty to care for animals or not, the fact remains that we are the dominant species on earth at this time.
We do not have the unlimited power to prevent animal suffering that an Almighty God would have.
But we are not powerless.
We can do something.
We must do something, otherwise any claim that we care about animals is baseless, and empty.
Only humans have both the ability and the desire to care for the wonderful animal life that shares this planet with us.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d0/63/e2/d063e23f3f7d34c9a55709638e9c4bae.jpg
We are the only species on earth with the intelligence and the resources to protect animals from suffering.
Realistically, we cannot help them all.
The harshness of the natural world with its diseases and parasites, and the cruelty of some people, makes protecting all animals impossible.
But that is no excuse to do nothing.
Imagine the kind of world we would be living in if the police or emergency services had such an attitude.
"We can't save everybody. There'll always be crime and disasters. Let's give up."
Every life matters.
Every animal has the need to live without cruelty, without being left to starve and die slowly, or of painful diseases.
We can prevent cruelty, treat their illnesses, feed and care for them.
What you can do
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I am not going to promote any of my favourite charities here, or list the ones I have personally helped and supported, as it would not be useful to do so.
If you are moved to support the many good people who are caring for, campaigning for, and rescuing animals in your local area or internationally, a quick google search will allow you to find a group and act.
You can support these selfless and hardworking individuals without even leaving your home, or doing any work if you wish.
Adoption is arguably the best way to help out, as there will always be animals that need a warm home, food and medical care.
Supporting animal rights groups, or organisations that promote humane treatment of animals, is another way we could one day save defenseless creatures from ever having to be locked away in small cages or otherwise mistreated.
There will always be an animal charity in need of donations or items such as food, perhaps even visit one to ask what they are in need of.
Especially in the case of a local charity, volunteers are desperately needed, often there is a handful of people paying the medical bills and spending time and fuel travelling up and down the country, rescuing and caring for creatures who wouldn't be safe, or even alive without them.
I know of one locally that spends all week, every week, rescuing dogs from pounds and taking them into their homes, for example.
Stray dogs are often killed at the pound, unwanted by anyone.
Even if you are somewhat cynical or unsure about large national animal charities, you may feel they do fine work but might not need a few pound a month, a visit or phone call to a local group will soon show you how many smaller groups out there really do need you.
If you can't volunteer to help lighten their load, any support could make the difference between saving an animal or having to turn them away.
In the case of some charities, if donations and volunteers are scarce, euthanasia is sometimes the only remaining option.
If you are unable to do any of these things, or don't want to for some reason, I beg you to please take the best possible care of your own animals.
Whatever your religious beliefs, it is a fact that animals only get life, one chance to experience the joy of living.
They deserve to be free of pain and suffering. Giving them a long and happy life is the best way to show that we care.
ConclusionWhatever way that each of us chooses to show our concern for animal welfare, we are contributing to making another living breathing creature happier and more content; more than it ever could have been if it were left to starve or be killed, in the harsh and dangerous natural world that some attribute to a loving Designer.
"People who accuse us of putting in too much violence, [should see] what we leave on the cutting-room floor."-- David Attenborough, speaking about his nature documentaries
"Wild animals almost never die of old age: starvation, disease, or predators catch up with them long before they get senile... Most animals die in childhood, many never get beyond the egg stage." Richard DawkinsIf the God of the Bible exists, and he knows when a single sparrow falls, then I wonder what he does to ignore the constant death and suffering of all creation at any given point?
If you have any interest in wild animals and what they go through, please see here: https://foundational-research.org/the-importance-of-wild-animal-suffering/
We have established that God, if he exists, does not care for animals as the Watchtower wrongly claims.The Christian God of the Bible, who supposedly sees the death of every sparrow, does not care about animal lives in any way whatsoever.
(*)Extinction of entire species. There is not even a Bible-based hope of resurrection for animals, according to the Watchtower.
(*)Countless deaths at the claws and teeth of carnivorous predators, both throughout modern history and also before Adam was there for anyone to blame it on his sin. www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/animals-vegetarian.php
(*) The endless pain and suffering in nature through disease and starvation.
(*) The Flood account stating the God of the Bible murdered every living breathing animal on the earth (outside the ark)...Genesis 6:17, 7:21-23The Watchtower teaches that God cares for animals.
"The righteous person’s concern for his animals finds precedent in God’s own care for them as part of his creation.—Compare Ex 20:10; De 25:4; 22:4, 6, 7; 11:15; Ps 104:14, 27; Jon 4:11"http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/12000029941: to do the things that are needed to help and protect (a person or animal): look after
2 to feel affection for "https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/care%20for
Natural history, the present natural world, and even the Biblical record show us that the Watchtower's claim is false.
With God clearly out of the picture, with regard to anyone caring for the earth's animals, two questions arise:Who is going to take responsibility to care for the so-called lesser creatures?Who should take responsibility?
(*)Humans can care about animals.We have an inbuilt natural empathy for other living beings, something not often present in animals.
Animals do not always know instinctively how to help themselves.
(*)Humans SHOULD take care of animals. In my opinion, humans can only claim to be a 'superior' species to the animals, if each of us is willing to in any way possible alleviate the suffering of lesser creatures.
Admittedly we all have people that we need to care for and our time and money are finite resources, but we can each do something with regard to animal welfare, no matter how small.
Helping people and helping animals are never mutually exclusive.
Most of us would claim that we care for other living beings regardless of their shape, size or skin colour.
Therefore, if we are to be consistent with our moral values, we must help both people and animals as much as possible.
Most animals cannot express any positive feelings that they may have towards us.
Outside of the mammal species, it seems likely that they do not have any feeling toward us.
They cannot speak our language.Does that make them any less deserving of our protection and care?
"Animals have no voice. They can't ask for help. They can't ask for freedom. They can't ask for protection. Humanity must be their voice."Anthony Douglas Williams
We may say that we like animals.We may even say that we love animals.But what are we going to do to prove that we care about them?https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/47/8f/27/478f27b1de0b2940417a3a35d7365e61.jpg
If we see an opportunity to prevent animal suffering, we must take action.
Can animals thank you for helping them?
It doesn't matter.
Do they experience life in the same way you do?
It doesn't matter.
They are alive.
They need your help.
That is all that matters.
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No updated Watctower's articles on Evolution
by opusdei1972 inas far as i know, the "creation" book is out of print ?, am i right?.
well, i was searching for new watchtower articles trying to debunk, for instance, human evolution.
so, i did my homework, for the first time, so as to read past and updated papers and books on human evolution.
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defender of truth
Weighed and Found Wanting examines the two 2010 Watchtower releases regarding evolution (The Origin of Life - Five Questions Worth Asking and Was Life Created?) and shows how both misrepresent evolution and distort almost every quote included.
The WTS View of Creation and Evolution. An article by Alan Feuerbacher showing how the Watchtower book Life - How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? makes regular use of misquotes to support its stance.
The Awake 2014 March contained an article which managed to misrepresent the Bible, Science and Christians. Alan Feuerbacher highlights the dishonesty and poor logic in Critique of the March 2014 Awake Article "The Untold Story of Creation".
www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/blog/creation-evolution.php
Enjoy :)
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Trey Bundy interview - Questions Surround Jehovah's Witness HQ and Allegations of Sex Abuse
by defender of truth indec 29, 2016. a years-long investigation into allegations of child sex abuse in the jehovah's witness organization has also uncovered a culture of secrecy at its watchtower headquarters in brooklyn.. last summer, donald trump's son-in-law, developer jared kushner, bought the property.
the jehovah's witnesses, meanwhile, have been building a massive compound upstate in warwick, new york, where they plan to relocate.
trey bundy, a reporter for reveal, from the center for investigative reporting, has been investigating the watchtower for two years.
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Do you know someone who is going to the Elders school 2017, in any country?
by defender of truth inan informant in spanish forum, active elder in a congregation in madrid (spain) has posted new info regarding elders school 2017. important changes are to be done for "child" or sexual abuses.
https://abusostj.vbulletin.net/forum/main-forum/audiencias-judiciales/5506-escuela-de-ancianos-2017.
doing a summary:.
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defender of truth
Sp74bb has very kindly agreed to post a link to this thread on the Spanish forum.
If anyone reading this is interested in how widespread this directive could be, and what will be said at the school regarding abuse cases, please can you post a link to this thread on social media/exjw forums of any language?
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Trey Bundy interview - Questions Surround Jehovah's Witness HQ and Allegations of Sex Abuse
by defender of truth indec 29, 2016. a years-long investigation into allegations of child sex abuse in the jehovah's witness organization has also uncovered a culture of secrecy at its watchtower headquarters in brooklyn.. last summer, donald trump's son-in-law, developer jared kushner, bought the property.
the jehovah's witnesses, meanwhile, have been building a massive compound upstate in warwick, new york, where they plan to relocate.
trey bundy, a reporter for reveal, from the center for investigative reporting, has been investigating the watchtower for two years.
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defender of truth
Valerie from Brooklyn from Brooklyn, NY
Nothing stops a victim from reporting any offense to public authorities. This is not the problem of any organization but of the human condition. If victims would report, future victimization could be prevented.
Dec 29, 2016, 12:22 PM
Zart
THE WHOLE ISSUES REVOLVES AROUND CONFIDENTIALLY. Heres a stripped down version on confidentiality and the issues of this situation.
California law and ethics for counselors (i.e. therapist, practitioners, doctors, etc) and how they handle confidentiality of client information, which sort of related to the same standards of clergy, explain that if a client comes to you with infomation saying the are presently hurting a child; then they are mandated to report to CPS. But, if they (the client) reveals that they have hurt someone (i.e. sexually abused, murdered, etc.) then it must not be reported "IF" it was in the past AND there is no ID to the victim nor can the counselor ID a potenial or future victim. That information is confidential and cannot be revealed to authority (i.e. police, cps, etc)
Same rules (in a way) apply to clergy. With the JWs, the priests of the congregation most likely ( i would hope) encourage the family or victim to report to authority, but if the family wants to resolve within the religion, then thats there right. BTW the parents who dont report should be held liable as well as the perpetrator...thats my own opinion. Whatever info is told to the priest must be made confidential.
You people need to brush up on your knowledge of law and the rules of confidentiality and stop trolling. AND Dont be fooled by a journalist writing a very controversial article. Remember folks, the more dramtic the story the more likely you'll read it and view the ads.
Dec 29, 2016, 5:20 PM
Here are two comments on the page that defend the organization (there are some comments that do not, and even a member of SNAP, but these are the ones that we might want to reply to).
www.wnyc.org/story/watchtower-jehovahs-witness-headquarters-brooklyn/
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Trey Bundy interview - Questions Surround Jehovah's Witness HQ and Allegations of Sex Abuse
by defender of truth indec 29, 2016. a years-long investigation into allegations of child sex abuse in the jehovah's witness organization has also uncovered a culture of secrecy at its watchtower headquarters in brooklyn.. last summer, donald trump's son-in-law, developer jared kushner, bought the property.
the jehovah's witnesses, meanwhile, have been building a massive compound upstate in warwick, new york, where they plan to relocate.
trey bundy, a reporter for reveal, from the center for investigative reporting, has been investigating the watchtower for two years.
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defender of truth
Had somebody already posted this?
Strange that nobody's posted..
Anyway, here is his previous interview as well.
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Trey Bundy interview - Questions Surround Jehovah's Witness HQ and Allegations of Sex Abuse
by defender of truth indec 29, 2016. a years-long investigation into allegations of child sex abuse in the jehovah's witness organization has also uncovered a culture of secrecy at its watchtower headquarters in brooklyn.. last summer, donald trump's son-in-law, developer jared kushner, bought the property.
the jehovah's witnesses, meanwhile, have been building a massive compound upstate in warwick, new york, where they plan to relocate.
trey bundy, a reporter for reveal, from the center for investigative reporting, has been investigating the watchtower for two years.
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defender of truth
Dec 29, 2016
A years-long investigation into allegations of child sex abuse in the Jehovah's Witness organization has also uncovered a culture of secrecy at its Watchtower headquarters in Brooklyn.
Last summer, Donald Trump's son-in-law, developer Jared Kushner, bought the property. The Jehovah's Witnesses, meanwhile, have been building a massive compound upstate in Warwick, New York, where they plan to relocate.
Trey Bundy, a reporter for Reveal, from the Center for Investigative Reporting, has been investigating the Watchtower for two years. Watchtower leaders refused to talk to him, but he was able to talk to a former insider about it.
"It's the nerve-center of a multi-billion dollar corporation that has interests in publishing, in real-estate....it's the head of a religion with eight million members, but it's this very secretive place," he said.
Bundy says the Jehovah's Witnesses also have a database that potentially contains the names of thousands of child sex abusers.
In this interview, WNYC's Richard Hake talks with Bundy about his investigation, the Jehovah's Witnesses' vast network in Brooklyn, and why federal authorities haven't stepped in.
www.wnyc.org/story/watchtower-jehovahs-witness-headquarters-brooklyn/
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Do you know someone who is going to the Elders school 2017, in any country?
by defender of truth inan informant in spanish forum, active elder in a congregation in madrid (spain) has posted new info regarding elders school 2017. important changes are to be done for "child" or sexual abuses.
https://abusostj.vbulletin.net/forum/main-forum/audiencias-judiciales/5506-escuela-de-ancianos-2017.
doing a summary:.
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defender of truth
I don't know (can't care less either).
Hello scratchme.
I agree with the rest of what you said, but that first sentence is an unusual response.
I care what instructions that elders are being given, as to how to handle sexual abuse cases.
I suspect these might not be the only changes. Also, unless this can be verified by someone who has been to the school,there may be some inaccuracy. You never know. (Not that I am suggesting I don't believe it, it is covering them legally, as Scratchme said. Which is typical behaviour for this Org. There is nothing there to show concern for the victim..)
I hope that you have never been through a 'elders inquisition' after an attack, or that it has happened a member of your family, but I know how stressful they can be. Putting a form in front of someone to sign after they have been discussing such painful and traumatic things, in order to cover themselves from being sued, is rather callous in my view.
In my view, how these cases are going to be handled is important.
How victims are treated is important.
I want to know if this will be a Worldwide practice. Then we can start to get the word out there..
I wonder what the ARC would think of this?
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Do you know someone who is going to the Elders school 2017, in any country?
by defender of truth inan informant in spanish forum, active elder in a congregation in madrid (spain) has posted new info regarding elders school 2017. important changes are to be done for "child" or sexual abuses.
https://abusostj.vbulletin.net/forum/main-forum/audiencias-judiciales/5506-escuela-de-ancianos-2017.
doing a summary:.
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defender of truth
sp74bb
Hello to all,
An informant in Spanish forum, active elder in a congregation in Madrid (Spain) has posted new info regarding Elders School 2017. Important changes are to be done for "child" or sexual abuses. https://abusostj.vbulletin.net/forum/main-forum/audiencias-judiciales/5506-escuela-de-ancianos-2017
Doing a summary:
- New changes are being check by the lawyers at this moment.
- Changes are held in order to fulfill European laws.
- Once exposed to a sexual abuse, when the judicial committee starts, the ones present must listened and read a statement stating that applying the state law of the country the victims can report to the authorities.
- The victim might be asked to sign a statement according he/she is aware of the possibility to report to the authorities.
- The signed statement or the info that the victim can report to the authorities will be held inside the "Do not destroy" envelope.
Many thanks to sp74bb.
Will these directions be given at all Elder schools in 2017?
If you know of anyone who is attending this school, or you will be yourself, please can you post on this thread?
Just to say that you know someone who is going to the school, and in what country.
We would all really appreciate it if you could report back with any details.
I am wondering if this will be a worldwide action.
(Please bump this to the top occasionally).
