i have posted this topic before and achieved some good replies from it.
i'm just reposting to see if anyone has any further takes on this matter.
here is my original post:.
Yadirf,
Just because something happens by coincidence does not make it insignificant.
Penacillin(sp?) was discovered by coincidence and yet it was very significant in its purpose(to humans).
Good and bad need each other.
The existance of a God is a real coincidence. -om
my mate is flying this weekend to minneapolis for an interview.
it seems very likely that it will result in a wonderful career opportunity for him.
my job is pretty portable, and there's no question that i'll go with him if he accepts.. what's minneapolis/st.
Gopher is from Minn/St. Paul too. Its a really, really nice city. Has a lot going on all the time. Most people are impressed by it. What do you like to do?
to me, one of the most pathetic and lamest of all watchtower teachings is the fantasy that satan and the demons rule the world.
the witnesses are terrified of these demons getting into their minds through everything from wearing old clothes bought at the thrift store to smoking cigarettes (remember all drugs give demons easy access to your mind.).
they would have you believe that each country on earth is controlled by really big mean and tough demons (hey demons cant be nice you know) and they are actively controlling the minds of the political leaders in a global chess game because they have nothing better to do.. i was wondering then if anyone can show me a single itsy bitsy tiny amount of evidence to show any credible physical evidence or logical/metaphysical reasoning to back the jw ideological boogey men.
Yea the entire demon thing is nuts. I have noticed that many witnesses have had "demon experience" but with my "worldly" friends, they never think or talk about such nonsense.
I think that all in all, its just easy to blame Satan for bad and give God credit for the good. Its certainly easier than accepting or assigning rsposibilty for our own actions.
When it comes to proving demon activity, facts are a bitch.
om
we on this forum understand that the watchtower society will not hesitate to lie to the public in order to put its best foot forward.
many of us know that the society's media website, http://www.jw-media.org contains quite a bit of misleading information, such as on the shunning issue.
under the link to "their beliefs" -> "frequently asked questions" ( http://www.jw-media.org/beliefs/beliefsfaq.htm ) they ask the question, "do you believe that you are the only ones who will be saved?
This is becoming a huge point of contention in my marriage. How can I remain married to a person who beleives that I cannot serve God without actively associating with the 'true' Christian congregation.
My spouse really hates discussing this because she has to admit that I am not worthy of life(by her belief). My point to her is that if I am not even worthy of living how can I be worthy of a relationship with her as a husband or as a father to our son.
We are really having a hard time. We are to the point where we can't even really be together. Is there a middleground here? I dont see any. Help. -om
david wheeler read about the impending auction: two pieces from the willamette meteorite, a 151/2-ton rock considered sacred by an indian tribe but ensconced in a new york museum for decades, were to be sold off.
he thought maybe he could offer a little healing.
wheeler, an oregon chiropractor, paid $3,375 for a thumbnail-sized chip of the colossal meteorite and is donating it to the tribe.
Simply stated, the Indians were/are unable to compete for resources with European intruders. If they really respect higher powers then they should be worshipping the people who were powerful enough to take the rock from them. The bottom line is that Indians killed and robbed each other all the time for scarce resources.
well, a couple of nights ago i was kind of ashamed of myself.
let me explain.. i have a new job.
as a model scout.
Not to change the subject here but I was thinking that the Jdubs could probably double their membership if they showed up at your door early on Sat mornings with warm Krispy Cremes and Hot Starbucks coffee. Just think how quickly their image would change. I think when I become president of the U.S.A. im gonna make this into law.
And another thing...in my America Im gonna set weight limits for people who are allowed to wear spandex. OM
It took a Dr. to figure this out?
i wanted to put this out to this community in general, although i know that there are no easy answers.. growing up a jw, it is difficult to not be somewhat socially retarded.
your social circle is prescribed, and widening out beyond the small group of the congregation is frowned on.
even 'excessive' association wiht neighboring congregations is frowned on.. the biggest challenge i have encountered as an ex-jw is this: how do you find quality people to befriend and associate with?.
Take a night class at your local universtiy in a subject that interests you(religion, philosophy, sociology). I guarantee will at the very least, you can get networked in through the professor with quality people who are interested in things you are. om
while i have you on the phone, elder c and i want to come by on a shepherding visit with you and your family.
brother amazing, we just want to visit with you and your family anyway.
the jc with brother k was over.
You seriously need to market this as a movie. om
it amazeses me just how many people have stopped going to meetings or get disfellowshiped yet still believe it is the truth and live under a burden of guilt for many years.. should we not be targeting these ones as they one day in a low emotional state will probably drift back to their "mother org"?.
i know of many people who left the truth even for more than 20 years and then went back.. they in all that time never looked at or came across any information to help them.. one of my friends went out of the truth over 10 years ago( he was not baptised), he then started studying about 2 years ago , got baptised a then within a year left again because he realised it was wrong.yet in all that time before he never came across any info to show it wasn't the truth and now has to go through all the hassle of leaving after being baptised.. so is there a way to target those who have left or been disfellowshipped?.
maybe a web site focusing on them?.
I have several friends who still go to meetings or who are dfd who still beleive the WTS is the "truth". Several of these people lead real rock star lifestyles. I mean they would make your average "wordly" person blush with some of the stuff they do. How they reconcile the guilt, I am not sure. The mind is indeed amazing.
om
