Marvin Shilmer

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Posts by Marvin Shilmer

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  17

  Watchtower's deception regarding blood transfusions

  by Rufus T. Firefly in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  you also ask why one can be dis-fellowshipped for taking a blood transfusion but not for taking blood fractions.

  while both may affect the life of an individual, the expression "life-sustaining" in connection with blood transfusions is synonymous with the idea of taking in food for nourishment.

  in this regard both whole blood and major components of it carry nutrients, oxygen, and other nourishment to the body.

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  Marvin Shilmer

  This will allow them to undo the policy without actually undoing it.

  I think your assessment is correct. I don't think Watchtower is worried about potential civil lawsuits or criminal prosecution related to its position on blood.

  I've often read ex-JWs opine that Watchtower would end its blood taboo were it not for fear of lawsuits. Yet to this day I've yet to see anyone express a legal argument supporting such an opinion. The position Watchtower holds is a religious one which essentially means it can relax it to allow blood transfusion in a heartbeat without fear of serious civil lawsuits.

  My view is that Watchtower has resisted relaxing its religious position to allow blood transfusion in order to protect its religious viability rather than its legal position. The fallout would be enormous were Watchtower to suddenly change its blood taboo to allow wholesale transfusion of blood. On the other hand, Watchtower in effect does let JWs make wholesale use of the donor blood supply but it's done so with such convolution that JWs use massively from the blood supply yet think they abstain from blood. (See: Over 96% Accept 99%! )
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  17

  Watchtower's deception regarding blood transfusions

  by Rufus T. Firefly in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  you also ask why one can be dis-fellowshipped for taking a blood transfusion but not for taking blood fractions.

  while both may affect the life of an individual, the expression "life-sustaining" in connection with blood transfusions is synonymous with the idea of taking in food for nourishment.

  in this regard both whole blood and major components of it carry nutrients, oxygen, and other nourishment to the body.

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  Marvin Shilmer

  Is that because you have the benefit of looking back and not having to look at as tragic outcome?

  Many times I've witnessed individuals express non-regret for previously holding a moral position against accepting transfusion of blood. In each case the sentiment was expressed on grounds of morality, meaning they held no regret for once holding a position they now know is errant because at the time they honestly held the position.

  I've also witnessed individuals express non-regret because they believe in their particular case it led to a better standard of care.
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  17

  Watchtower's deception regarding blood transfusions

  by Rufus T. Firefly in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  you also ask why one can be dis-fellowshipped for taking a blood transfusion but not for taking blood fractions.

  while both may affect the life of an individual, the expression "life-sustaining" in connection with blood transfusions is synonymous with the idea of taking in food for nourishment.

  in this regard both whole blood and major components of it carry nutrients, oxygen, and other nourishment to the body.

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• 

  Marvin Shilmer

  The thing that continues to stir me on this subject is the utter contempt Watchtower officials demonstrate toward its own membership when they ask learned and precise questions. The disrespect for factual information accompanied with questions leaves me speechless. The religion's leadership has no moral or ethical compass.
• 
  17

  Watchtower's deception regarding blood transfusions

  by Rufus T. Firefly in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  you also ask why one can be dis-fellowshipped for taking a blood transfusion but not for taking blood fractions.

  while both may affect the life of an individual, the expression "life-sustaining" in connection with blood transfusions is synonymous with the idea of taking in food for nourishment.

  in this regard both whole blood and major components of it carry nutrients, oxygen, and other nourishment to the body.

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  Marvin Shilmer

  "There is something now called a "letter of understanding" ...it was used ..."

  Here: Letter of Understanding
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  13

  How JW act at hotels with free breakfast

  by whathehadas in

  1. social
  2. humour

  lmao.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st21dimagms.

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  Marvin Shilmer

  This is not a JW phenomena. I see it regularly at higher end hotels when they book rooms with weekend rates well below the standard business-day rates. The staff knows what's coming based on one thing: the going room rate. I use the occasion to enjoy watching families enjoy themselves on their own terms. They may not act like I would, but they're having a good time.
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  30

  50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" -- WHAT???

  by Marvin Shilmer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  take a look at the linked ap photograph and tell me what you think:.

  - miss black u.s., miss black georgia and miss black teen .

  what would the likes of al sharpton say if the hallowed event this weekend at the edmund pettus bridge in selma, alabama had been attended by a miss white u.s., miss white georgia and miss white teen?

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  Marvin Shilmer

  "What I wrote is an opinion based on the names Black culture feels comfortable with and their reasons and circumstances for groups that self identify with their culture. When they have no need to stress who they are we will be in a better place.......... until then we can respect the great things black culture has accomplished. And we can lament the problems."

  I appreciate and much respect your contribution to the discussion. That said, it's not the name or names used in this instance that I find counterproductive. It's the use of skin color. A nation that would not judge by the color of skin but by the content of character is not a nation that would have a Miss [name a color of skin] character contest. If we want society to experience the dream it has to be brought to reality. We cannot walk alone.
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  30

  50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" -- WHAT???

  by Marvin Shilmer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  take a look at the linked ap photograph and tell me what you think:.

  - miss black u.s., miss black georgia and miss black teen .

  what would the likes of al sharpton say if the hallowed event this weekend at the edmund pettus bridge in selma, alabama had been attended by a miss white u.s., miss white georgia and miss white teen?

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• 

  Marvin Shilmer

  A person does not have to be black to attend a historically black college or university. Same with black churches, and the Negro Baseball League too for that matter. Hence I don't know how any of these add to the subject.

  "It took until 1983 for a black women to become Miss America since then a total of 8 black women have won the crown."

  How many years will it take before a white women can win the Ms. Black US pageant?

  "There are a couple of Asian American Beauty Pageants."

  I can understand that, and I could understand a Ms. African American pageant too. Neither of those is (or would be) based on the color of a person's skin.

  "In Congress we also have the Congressional Black Caucus as well as a foundation called the Congressional White Caucus."

  I find the idea of a Congressional [name a Color] Caucus very offensive, not to mention counterproductive. In response to request by a non-black member of congress to be a member of the Congressional Black Caucus a CBC member reportedly said, "Primarily, we are concerned with the needs and concerns of the black population, and we will not allow white America to infringe on those objectives."

  That's not the dream, either. An important part of the dream is, "The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone."
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  30

  50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" -- WHAT???

  by Marvin Shilmer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  take a look at the linked ap photograph and tell me what you think:.

  - miss black u.s., miss black georgia and miss black teen .

  what would the likes of al sharpton say if the hallowed event this weekend at the edmund pettus bridge in selma, alabama had been attended by a miss white u.s., miss white georgia and miss white teen?

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  Marvin Shilmer

  "...had there been a miss white whatever in attendance everybody would have been up in arms."

  My best guess is that is what would have happened.
  

  "Maybe a better question Marvin Shilmer, is, why do you care?"

  I care about the dream.
  

  "Marvin, I think you are taking the MLK quote a little too literally."

  Too literally? A character contest labeled Ms. [name a color] is essentially a sign that says "For [name a color] only," which is a notion contrary to the dream.
  

  "Why would you have a white pageant? White standards of beauty are already considered the standard. A black pageant celebrates the acceptance of black beauty standards as beautiful as well."

  I can't think of any more or less reason to have a white character contest than a black character contest. Honestly I can't think of any reason to have a character contest designate for [name a color].
  
  
  
• 
  30

  50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" -- WHAT???

  by Marvin Shilmer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  take a look at the linked ap photograph and tell me what you think:.

  - miss black u.s., miss black georgia and miss black teen .

  what would the likes of al sharpton say if the hallowed event this weekend at the edmund pettus bridge in selma, alabama had been attended by a miss white u.s., miss white georgia and miss white teen?

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  Marvin Shilmer

  "I'm not really sure how the MLK quote above is relevant to a beauty pageant."

  A nation that would not judge by the color of skin but by the content of character is not a nation that would have a Miss [name a color of skin] character contest.

  "Sounds like you're fishing for ..."

  The only thing I'm fishing for is responsible dialogue.
• 
  30

  50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" -- WHAT???

  by Marvin Shilmer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  take a look at the linked ap photograph and tell me what you think:.

  - miss black u.s., miss black georgia and miss black teen .

  what would the likes of al sharpton say if the hallowed event this weekend at the edmund pettus bridge in selma, alabama had been attended by a miss white u.s., miss white georgia and miss white teen?

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  Marvin Shilmer

  "Why would a Ms. White anything be relevant?"

  Someone somewhere once said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."