Posts by lrkr

11

Tablet Ignites Debate on Messiah and Resurrection

by tsar_robles in

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/world/middleeast/06stone.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

july 6, 2008 tablet ignites debate on messiah and resurrection by ethan bronner jerusalem a three-foot-tall tablet with 87 lines of hebrew that scholars believe dates from the decades just before the birth of jesus is causing a quiet stir in biblical and archaeological circles, especially because it may speak of a messiah who will rise from the dead after three days.

if such a messianic description really is there, it will contribute to a developing re-evaluation of both popular and scholarly views of jesus, since it suggests that the story of his death and resurrection was not unique but part of a recognized jewish tradition at the time.

lrkr

Classic biblical archeology.

Fundamentalists (including JWs) will jump up and down saying that there is now proof that the biblical timelines were correct and that Jews were expecting a messiah and here is more proof that Jesus is the promised one.

The rest of the world will say- "Oh- so being resurrected in 3 days was a typical thing in 1st century religion- so the gospel writers needed to include that reference in order to give the story legitimacy."

Meanwhile- all we really have is a rock with a smudged phrase on it.

2

4th of July- Not just "America's Birthday"

by lrkr in

jw
friends

in my new way looking at things without the borg filter i am extremely impressed by the events of july 4, 1776. .

this was the culmination of a movement that changed the way the world viewed government.

government was no longer a grant by god to the king- but a right granted by the people being governed.

lrkr

In my new way looking at things without the Borg filter I am extremely impressed by the events of July 4, 1776.

This was the culmination of a movement that changed the way the world viewed government. Government was no longer a grant by God to the King- but a right granted by the people being governed. With that declaration- countries around the world started taking back power from their "divinly appointed" kings.

On top of that- a group of citizen, philosophers somehow figured out a way to govern and pass power without killing each other (even though Democrats and Republicans would still like to kill each other some times.)

The 4th of July is an important day for every citizen of the world- it marked a new day- a revolution in the way people thought about government.

That said- I am sick of hearing about the 4th as a reason to honor troops, sell cars, proove your patriotism (compared to your political opponent).

(I will grill some meat and watch fireworks- though!!)

Happy Independence Day!!!

12

WTBS to discontinue charging interest on all future loans!

by tsar_robles in

they just read this letter last night, where the fds stated that they will no longer charge interest on contribution money they lend back to congregations as loans...

i guess they realized they were double dipping... lol

lrkr

Can we get a scan of the letter???

501

Warren Schroeder from Bethel on Freddy, Kline and the apostate books!

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

having problem pasting this...

lrkr

I'll add my voice- this thread is great.

I wasted 8 years at Bethel too, but it wasn't really a waste. Because you meet people who are good people, you see the reality of some people, you loose respect for some of the offices and vices of the org, and you grow.

The people Cabeen, Randy and others talk about were long gone or legends by the time I got there. I always wondered what happened to Lang- I saw his signature on many a memo and wondered what happened. The reality behind some of the gentle, kindly old men who are so revered now is quite incredible. Some of the quotes here of things said by Rusk, Campbell, and others show why, really, they are at the center of the org now. They are being rewarded for their "loyalty"

501

Warren Schroeder from Bethel on Freddy, Kline and the apostate books!

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

having problem pasting this...

lrkr

Can you guys shed some light on the aversion the old-timers (Knorr and Couch???) had to air conditioning. I heard once that the policy was that Bethel will pay for one utility either heat or AC. If you live where its cold- you get heat and have to pay for AC.

So- AC was a great luxury. New buildings would be built with knock-out sleeves for through wall units and no central air!!! Thru wall units were bought and sold until they were well beyond unsanitary. Poor new boys got no AC and just suffered. New York city can be HOT in the summer, especially if you are on one of the upper floors.

Regarding the "drinking before lunch" tradition- I know that was the tradition for special meals. Then one time I was invited up to one of the heavies rooms and I found out that it was more of a daily tradition for some of the heavies.

24

Painfully Long Prayers on the last day of the 3-day Conventions.

by blkblk13 in

anyone else hate this practice?

uve been sitting all day 4 three days @ this place and u just wanna hurry up and finish ur cleaning assignment so u can go out to eat w/ ur friends, but bro.

special speaker from bethel/or do has to give a one man symposium during his prayer recapping every single moment of the past 3 days.. its like they have this formula that they use to determine how long a prayer should be.

lrkr

Reason is- giving the concluding prayer at a DC is evidence that you are damn spiritual. A giant of spiritualtiy. So, giants of spiritualty must drone on and on and on because they are so spiritual. Also, giving a prayer at a DC is a bit of an audition for giving more important parts.

65

The Atheist's Book of Bible Stories

by RunningMan in

over the years, i have posted all of the chapters from my atheist's book of bible stories on this site.. however, since the original posting, many of the chapters have been polished and updated.. the complete book is now available for downloading, if anyone is interested: http://www.sendspace.com/file/qwpjol.

lrkr

The link is not working. But I've been thinking a lot about this lately. We publish books that show in vivid color that the world was destroyed by a flood, but there are not really any childrens books that present the history of the earth and human life as scientists currently understand them.

A whole generation is being taught that every animal was really put into a wooden box and preserved. Our children will be ashamed of us!!!

32

For my Birthday = I will break 10 of Jehovahs Laws in one day! Ideas?

by Witness 007 in

yes, i plan to break the 10 "witness commandments" on my birthday!

any idea's...did i miss any?

i can't think of ten!.

lrkr

PS- Dont smoke the cigar and give blood too close to each other. Not a moral directive, just a little common sense.

PSS- I like to do both. I try to do them on separate days, though.

20

What reaaly works on a poison ivy rash ?

by troubled mind in

jw
friends

all my years of camping , hiking, yard work and gardening and now i get a poison ivy rash .

(one week away from our vacation .

) i am all itchy , scratchy and down right bitchy right now .

lrkr

Give the predisone a day or two- it'll dry you right up. I get a course annually for poison ivy.

22

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 06-22-08 WT Study (MARRIAGE)

by blondie in

jw
friends

marriage and parenthood in this time of the end .

responsible marriage .

hence, those who keep on working hard to preserve their marriage because they want to remain faithful to their wedding vow deserve respect and loving help from the christian congregation.

lrkr

The orgs meddling in family relationships and decisions is one of the most outrageous invasions of privacy about this religion. Telling people that maybe they shouldn't get married or have children so that they can sell magazines for more hours or work at Bethel is ridiculous.