Posts by humbled

9

The dishonesty of JWs vs mainstream churches

by Wonderment in

one of the most vexing matters confronting us as christians has to do with the apparent lack of honesty of so-called "christian" teachers on the many issues they frequently talk about.

this should not be shocking to us since scripture tells us that "everyone has sinned.

" (rom.

humbled

Perry, It says Mr. Roboto said there is no certainty about these writings. As for oral traditions l used to grasp at this straw- it was an old man, Polycarp, who had been taught directly from the apostle John. He was martyred. That’s it end of story. It probably would’ve been martyred for not believing in the Trinity if you lived in a little longer. The point is so-called Christian writings are a mixed bag.

At some point whether you’re a believer or not you have to take ownership for what you’re doing independent of writings. If you have to have some authority that you’re acting on you be taking orders from some maniac sometime

69

murders at school

by zeb in

jw
friends

at a school in santa fe in the us.

many people killed and wounded.

.

humbled

I do agree, Simon. It is that screen time supplants the getting out and playing, the rough and tumble —the walking and talking.

And the not having a father? And a lack of respect for authority? It is a tangle of factors—fathers who often were rough , perhaps not emotionally available, often drunk when they came home( there was a lot of drinking that went on) and very authoritarian didn’t model perfect manhood but we still didn’t have mass shootings.

There is something that happens when one parent is home when children get home from school. There may be chores and the children can go out and play ( maybe are kicked outside to play). Video games alone don’t harm s child.

Social Isolation - from father, sister, brother, mother, other —that makes a loner.

69

murders at school

by zeb in

jw
friends

at a school in santa fe in the us.

many people killed and wounded.

.

humbled

Yes, team sports do socialize children. (My post was muddled, sorry) This may be a large factor in these children’s lives.

Children who watch films and play violent video games lose playtime—lose social time . There is nothing like getting out and playing with others. l have noticed since l was a child that after school playing has changed—and videos fill the void. That is certainly one thing that happens to children who must go in doors and wait until an adult returns from work. Social isolation is a factor in these killers.

Isolation with only yourself and a controller in your hand.

edit: just found this short article.

http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/content/kids/art3099.html

69

murders at school

by zeb in

jw
friends

at a school in santa fe in the us.

many people killed and wounded.

.

humbled

In the early days (until the late 1960s) of movies and television there wasn't so much of an obsession with violence, murder and mayhem as it is done these days.—Old Navy

Just kicking this up again. Maybe we can crowd source the question of why US has mass shootings in schools and other countries not so much. Between the English speaking exJWs in all these various countries— maybe some ideas will come forward.

Here is one possible factor: the white Europeans that sailed over to the colonies self-selected for risk and violence.

??
What is different here?

More boys playing soccer across the pond?

What?

Other kids may watch the violence but do they play sports more?

88

British Sociologist Predicts Possible Collapse in Jehovah's Witness Numbers

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

a newly published article by british sociologist david voas argues jehovah's witnesses may be about to experience a collapse in numbers.

contrary to claims by american sociologist rodney stark who predicts strong future growth for jehovah's witnesses, voas shows that jehovah's witnesses' efforts at recruiting new members have become increasingly unsuccessful over the past few decades: the rate of increase has steadily declined, and the number of hours each publisher must preach to produce an extra convert has gone up substantially.

voas suggests a reason for the stagnation may be that there is a natural limit to the number of people in a given population that are susceptible to conversion to sectarian groups like jehovah's witnesses - the 'carrying capacity' of the population, and that the limit has largely been reached.

humbled

The word “collapse” is a very loaded and inexact word - more suited to bee colonies and the longevity of historic buildings than adherents of organised religion.

Thanks for that chuckle, steve2. Some day this pot will boil but l’ll be damned if l will look in old WTyearbooks to audit their accounts.

Ha! Bee colonies..

6

Why we can't vote our way to freedom

by Brokeback Watchtower in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8etv2mzhuy.

humbled

I hear you Brokeback.

Campaign finance reform for a start. Corporations own the candidates.

Individuals who stay won’t be bought can file and run for office but cannot compete without money.

Thanks for the video.

9

The dishonesty of JWs vs mainstream churches

by Wonderment in

one of the most vexing matters confronting us as christians has to do with the apparent lack of honesty of so-called "christian" teachers on the many issues they frequently talk about.

this should not be shocking to us since scripture tells us that "everyone has sinned.

" (rom.

humbled

The fact is that the knowledge we currently have is partial. No one knows everything.

Dear Wonderment,

That statement cuts us loose from the tyranny of religion with its “accurate knowledge”. Bible study is a deep dirty rabbit hole that generations of rabbits have dug. Was there an original excavation? How to know? To follow our own inclinations is all we can do. There can be no leaders. The scripture Matt. 23:10 “Nor are you to be called ‘teacher’, for you have one teacher, the Christ.”

If that scripture is to be believed.

After all the time l have been told contrary things by this one or that of ancient writings and various translations and traditional interpretations l am fed full of the unsolvable. All this telling me what Jesus said? It all begins to dissolve into laughter: Don’t listen to anyone, said the Christ. And how do we know he said this?

Don’t listen to anyone.

43

My Personal Atheist Manifesto?

by dubstepped in

so, i have a guy that is emailing me after listening to my podcast series "this jw life" about my life story before, during, and after being a jw.

this guy happens to be an elder and pioneer serving where the need is greater.

i love this guy.

humbled

Thanks for the response. I do hope you know I’m not hating on this guy. It’s just that there is a problem that staying in a position of power helps create degrees of difficulty for others. And yes he is abused also.

I appreciate your illustration Comparing him to an abused woman with children. There certainly are no-win aspects to the scenario though. Believing there is easy out She may try to shelter and quietly teach a better way but as time goes on the children will grow they will be formed in a conflicted environment. When the day comes that she sees the sons and daughters become dismissive of her for being neither this nor that, perhaps abusive as the father had been, or just sad and confused, daughters angry at her indecisiveness then you wonder.. there will be injury anyway you cut it but... Being honest has its own power. The truth can make you brave. It is messy to be sure, painful too. But it seems to me in both instances there will be pain and a mess ...just one that is deferred.

Not hating on the guy. Nor on the woman.

43

My Personal Atheist Manifesto?

by dubstepped in

so, i have a guy that is emailing me after listening to my podcast series "this jw life" about my life story before, during, and after being a jw.

this guy happens to be an elder and pioneer serving where the need is greater.

i love this guy.

humbled

You have gently rapped my knuckles,Dub. And l will take it with this thought: the fear we lived with about reading anything outside was substantial. I am glad he has mercy on fellow sinners but that is not the same as letting his fellow believers know it is alright to let your mind examine other things.

Of course l want the guy to go on and his openness is rare. But he is a leader and mitigating the serious rot of this religion makes his wearing two-faces more a hypocracy than say, someone like Addison who is suffering a fade that is tearing her/him up. The 2-faced living that is entailed is painful and he/she is trying to be honest, is not in a position of power. Is not leading others astray.

I appreciate your pushback, Dub.

43

My Personal Atheist Manifesto?

by dubstepped in

so, i have a guy that is emailing me after listening to my podcast series "this jw life" about my life story before, during, and after being a jw.

this guy happens to be an elder and pioneer serving where the need is greater.

i love this guy.

humbled

You've been able to pick and choose what aligns with your core values and what doesn't and created this hybrid JW culture for yourself. Obviously it goes against the direction of the faithful slave, and you have worked that out somehow internally to be consistent with who you are. —Dubstepped talking to the liberal elder

You remark here on the fellow ‘s freedom in playing fast and loose with the Truth— thing none of us were allowed to do—hell, l read that they don’t even let others gently fade! Like the messed up way they treat Stuckinarut and Unstuck. Others took the Bible seriously had questions and were shut out. I can’t applaude the guy. l just see him as unprincipled-kind of stealing a ride.

Well, it all comes down to one thing: Either "The Truth" is True, or it is not.
Also, if he REALLY values Truth and Honesty, he wouldn't be able to stay in the Organization!—stuckinarut

This isn’t sour grapes— l just think this liberal elder should lend his Crisis of Conscience to other thoughtful JWs and have a book club of outside readings. Then l would be impressed.