Very interesting developments.
slimboyfat
JoinedPosts by slimboyfat
-
108
BIG NEWS! Leader of German Watchtower History Archives Resignes and Leaves Branch Office!
by GermanXJW injohannes wrobel, the founder of the watchtower history archives in germany, responsible for the stand firm-video and the stand-firm-exhibitions resigned in november 2008 and left the german branch office.
he was also the responsible person for many of the wt sponsored websites on jw in the 'third reich'!.
there are no further details known yet but this could be big news!.
-
-
-
26
Visual Methodologies and Watchtower Illustrations
by slimboyfat ini have been reading a fascinating book about various strategies for studying the meaning of images: visual methodologies by gillian rose.
various approaches covered include compositional analysis, content analysis, psychoanalysis, semiology and discourse analysis.
it struck me how ripe watchtower imagery would be to such scrutiny, and how subtle trends in ideological emphases may be identified through the visual iconography that may be less apparent in the overt expositions of watcthower written texts.
-
-
slimboyfat
I can't remember what this picture looks like. I wonder if there is a copy online.
-
13
JW claims of having the most accurate translation of bible
by StarTrekAngel inis is true at all?
if so, are there any independent sources who have asserted this claim?
who did the translation?.
-
-
slimboyfat
There are a couple of reasons some JW apologists have made the inflated claim that the NWT is the best translation - over and above the fact that it was produced by "God's organisation" of course.
Textual scholar Ernest Colwell produced a list of textual judgements that indicated a Bible translation that followed the best manuscript evidence. At the time the NWT scored best on this scale.
This led some apologists to claim the NWT was the best translation available. But of course this test is about the textual base of the translation not about the quality of the translation itself.
In terms of translation quality, scholar of early Christianity Jason BeDuhn concluded that the NWT was the best compared with other major translations in a book on Bible translation called "Truth in Translation". But he also disagreed with the NWT's use of the divine name in the NT. Others have criticised BeDuhn for focussing almost exclusively on Christological passages and not other controversial aspects of the NWT.
-
57
How do we know JWs are wrong and how do we convince others JWs are wrong: logic versus persuasion
by slimboyfat inwe like to think we are logical and have good reasons for for our beliefs.
no more so than when it comes to our reasons for rejecting the truth claims of jws.
we reject their version of history, such as the date of the fall of jerusalem, because it doesn't agree with the historical evidence.
-
-
slimboyfat
People follow the crowd. We all look around us for clues as to what's the smart thing to do. And we look to authority as well. None more so than JWs.
That's why I think it might be very interesting if JWs start to decline in numbers. It would send a terribly demoralising signal to JWs. That combined with the loss of authority on the part of the GB might pave the way for a disorderly unwinding of some sort, rather than a gradual decline.
David Voas predicted this outcome.
-
57
How do we know JWs are wrong and how do we convince others JWs are wrong: logic versus persuasion
by slimboyfat inwe like to think we are logical and have good reasons for for our beliefs.
no more so than when it comes to our reasons for rejecting the truth claims of jws.
we reject their version of history, such as the date of the fall of jerusalem, because it doesn't agree with the historical evidence.
-
-
slimboyfat
OutLaw there's a difference between what JWs are supposed to do and what they actually do. The very fact that so many Watchtowers warn against: education, marriage outside, friends outside, joining groups in the community, losing contact with Kingdom Hall when relocating, is telling. If these things were not a problem among JWs they wouldn't need to write about it all the time. They warn against these things because they occur so frequently and because they are likely to draw people away from JWs.
Phizzy I'd be really interested to hear your further reflections on why you the decision to leave despite it appearing to be against your interests.
Not to be rude but my impression of people who believe they have left JWs for purely doctrinal reasons is that they are a bit unreflective, not to say enamoured by an idealised version of themselves and motivations.
-
31
Latest Metal Detecting Find
by cofty innow the harvest is underway up north i can get out for a walk with the metal detector in the evening.
i am lucky to live on a historic rural estate and i have permission from the landowner to detect.. this is a coin that popped up last night.
it was only about 2 inches deep and had been tumbling around in the plough soil for the last 750 years.. it is a silver penny of king henry iii.
-
-
slimboyfat
Do you ever find anything Viking? We want to visit the island over there the Vikings invaded. (I forget the name it had the gospels) I haven't been since I was young and I want to go back again after watching the Vikings TV series.
-
52
People hate God?
by looter init is a pain that certain individuals pride themselves on hating god, who created everything.
like it's understandable that you choose to not believe in him because of your selfishness or thinking skills but to hate him is forcing it a bit.
i'm very thankful that those such as myself have the courage to believe in the lord.
-
-
slimboyfat
God doesn't exist, the bastard - Sartre
-
57
How do we know JWs are wrong and how do we convince others JWs are wrong: logic versus persuasion
by slimboyfat inwe like to think we are logical and have good reasons for for our beliefs.
no more so than when it comes to our reasons for rejecting the truth claims of jws.
we reject their version of history, such as the date of the fall of jerusalem, because it doesn't agree with the historical evidence.
-
-
slimboyfat
Well actually, OutLaw, I would argue otherwise.
My experience and reading indicates to me that JWs tend to leave JWs, not because their beliefs have been refuted, but because the beliefs and practice of being a JW have been displaced by their needs being met elsewhere.
People make new friends, join a new club, meet a new partner, start a new career, move to a new location, or start education. These are the life events that tend to precipitate leaving JWs - other than being forced out.
So if we are really interested in persuading JWs to leave (and I'm not sure we should be, I'm just following the argument through) then the most important thing to do would be to demonstrate how leaving is viable and how others have done it successfully. Logical arguments about doctrine might be intellectually stimulating, not to mention psychologically reinforcing for people who have already left or decided to leave, but don't play much role in the decusion itself.
-
61
Did the flood happen?
by BlackWolf inso we were talking about noah for our family worship tonight and it ended with a little debate between me and my parents about how the flood was possible.
you know, where did the water come from, how did all the animals fit, etc.
of course it led nowhere and my parents came up with some strange theories like that there was "an expanse of water in the sky" and that's where all the water came from.
-
-
slimboyfat
How do you know God didn't use Neptune?
People are so closed minded these days,
-
57
How do we know JWs are wrong and how do we convince others JWs are wrong: logic versus persuasion
by slimboyfat inwe like to think we are logical and have good reasons for for our beliefs.
no more so than when it comes to our reasons for rejecting the truth claims of jws.
we reject their version of history, such as the date of the fall of jerusalem, because it doesn't agree with the historical evidence.
-
-
slimboyfat
Me neither breakfast of champions. I have been reading books about influence and persuasion and it has caused me to reflect that the reasons for me doing things may be more complicated (not to say completely different) than the stories I have told myself about events. In particular the work of Professor Cialdini. We like to think we make rational and logical choices, but the hard evidence(!) shows that social proof and authority are far more important influences on most important decisions most people make.
And I just wonder what implications this has for people who would attempt to persuade or convince JWs that they are wrong. Logic, reasoning and evidence are probably among the least effective tools.