Posts by peacefulpete

35

Christmas, yes or no ?

by jhine in

i have just started to steep the mincemeat for my mince pies in dark rum .

christmas is a big deal in my family and circle of friends.

however among ex jws it's a bit different or so l understand.

We host a fairly large international Xmas. It's a highlight of our year. If the ice is good, I clear an ice rink with lights around it, bond fire where we burn last years tree. We feature the traditions of a different county every year. (almost blew myself up with Mexican fireworks last year) It means a lot to see friends and catch up. Everyone has a stocking that usually has trivial trinkets and candy. It takes effort but last year when my health was so uncertain I needed a little Norman Rockwell escape. It meant so much to have everyone come like every other year.

People are the reason for the season.

If you don't now have a group to celebrate with, reach out to a workmate or distant family, you'd be surprised how good it feels to be welcomed.

28

An interesting Observation of some Bibles

by Blotty in

first of all, hi, i go by blotty on this website :) i am someone who has a passion for the bible and like to get a as balanced view as i can from the trinitarian and the jw (or unitarian) side - even though i come off as leaning towards one or the other at times, in my opinion they both have merits in certain cases..if this is in the wrong section i apologise - this is just something i found interesting.iv seen online a lot that say the watchtower and tract society "invented" the link between proverbs 8:22 - 30 and jesus (the word).

yet interestingly some "mainstream" "trinitarian- aimed" translations are cross referencing the following:source:https://www.biblegateway.comprov 8:22 cr rev 3:14niv, gnt,esv, nasb, nasb1995, nasbre, cevprov 8:30 cr john 1:1,2 esv nasbprov 8:30 cr john 1:3esvnasb1995nasb(this list is by no means complete)if this is simply wisdom, why is it referenced with jesus (or the word)?.

peacefulpete

deleted

13

Living your life according to the bible

by TTWSYF in

i have heard it said [numerous times] that jws live their life according to the bible.. i have also heard [numerous times] that jws have restored the correct christian practice following the great apostasy [?which is a different topic].

my question is 'is there any proof anywhere in history where jewish or christian people lived their life according to the scriptures?".

ttwsyf.

peacefulpete

The problem is that many have and do live according to the Bible. Bloodshed and tribalism is the theme of the Bible. There are probably about 20 ethical verses worthy of considering, most of those were equally well said by many others.

Religions that foster the better natures of people are to be commended, but their message is not the message of "the Bible" but merely proof texted from the Bible.

88

New method to absolutely date Fall of Jerusalem.

by waton in

for what it is worth to those interested.

1914.. tel-aviv university.

"biblical military campaigns reconstructed using geomagnetic field data.

peacefulpete

All matters historical are questions of what does the best evidence suggest. Historians must accept a measure of uncertainty, but always seek an improved understanding, like all the sciences.

The WT arrived at it's conclusions not through best evidence but of necessity to shoehorn the dates to fit their doctrine. Tellingly when error was realized they changed the dates not the doctrine.

Debates about long dead empires and kings will never "prove" or "disprove" what is accepted on faith.

13

Songs that help recovery

by peacefulpete in

jw
friends

are there songs that seem to speak to you?

maybe especially when leaving the church and losing friends and family.

i still pause when i hear hennly's heart of the matter.

peacefulpete

Are there songs that seem to speak to you? Maybe especially when leaving the church and losing friends and family. I still pause when I hear Hennly's Heart of the Matter. Great lyrics that apply in many circumstances but always feel appropriate.

....I'm learning to live without you now

But I miss you sometimes
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I knew, I'm learning again
I've been trying to get down to the Heart of the Matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

These times are so uncertain
There's a yearning undefined
And people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive in such a graceless age
The trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness
They're the very things we kill, I guess
Pride and competition cannot fill these empty arms
And the work I put between us,
You know it doesn't keep me warm

I'm learning to live without you now
But I miss you, baby
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I figured out, I have to learn again
I've been trying to get down to the heart of the matter
But everything changes
And my friends seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

There are people in your life who've come and gone
They let you down, you know they hurt your pride
You better put it all behind you, baby, 'cause life goes on
You keep carrying that anger, it'll eat you up inside, baby

I've been trying to get down to the Heart of the Matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me

28

An interesting Observation of some Bibles

by Blotty in

first of all, hi, i go by blotty on this website :) i am someone who has a passion for the bible and like to get a as balanced view as i can from the trinitarian and the jw (or unitarian) side - even though i come off as leaning towards one or the other at times, in my opinion they both have merits in certain cases..if this is in the wrong section i apologise - this is just something i found interesting.iv seen online a lot that say the watchtower and tract society "invented" the link between proverbs 8:22 - 30 and jesus (the word).

yet interestingly some "mainstream" "trinitarian- aimed" translations are cross referencing the following:source:https://www.biblegateway.comprov 8:22 cr rev 3:14niv, gnt,esv, nasb, nasb1995, nasbre, cevprov 8:30 cr john 1:1,2 esv nasbprov 8:30 cr john 1:3esvnasb1995nasb(this list is by no means complete)if this is simply wisdom, why is it referenced with jesus (or the word)?.

peacefulpete

Jhine...it's another case of circular reasoning. Since we believe Jesus alone can do this or that and Michael does this and that, they must be same character. The texts themselves do not suggest it. It also ignores Jewish angelology from the period.

52

List of Things We Were NOT Allowed To Do as JW's

by Sea Breeze in

jw
friends

here's my list of jw no-no's as i recall: .

1. no giving or accepting valentine candy for students.

2. no going to home coming football games.

peacefulpete

Do real research and share what you learn with others.

31

Hobbies

by peacefulpete in

jw
friends

i think it's been a while since this was asked.

tell us your hobbies, interests, pastimes, whatever you find enjoyable as a diversion from work and school.

i am lucky enough to live in a small cabin on a lake, i enjoy rowing my old boat and fishing, i play with car projects, and we travel as much as we can.

peacefulpete

I thought of myself as an artist when I was young, haven't done anything in decades. Kinda afraid to pick up a pencil and try, hate to destroy my illusion.

31

Hobbies

by peacefulpete in

jw
friends

i think it's been a while since this was asked.

tell us your hobbies, interests, pastimes, whatever you find enjoyable as a diversion from work and school.

i am lucky enough to live in a small cabin on a lake, i enjoy rowing my old boat and fishing, i play with car projects, and we travel as much as we can.

peacefulpete

titch...sorry didn't renew it. Wife has a handheld radio at work to listen in if needed in an emergency. Preppers are folks convinced society is about to collapse and they prepare (prep) by hoarding guns, ammo and food. They might also booby-trap their property, at least these did.

28

An interesting Observation of some Bibles

by Blotty in

first of all, hi, i go by blotty on this website :) i am someone who has a passion for the bible and like to get a as balanced view as i can from the trinitarian and the jw (or unitarian) side - even though i come off as leaning towards one or the other at times, in my opinion they both have merits in certain cases..if this is in the wrong section i apologise - this is just something i found interesting.iv seen online a lot that say the watchtower and tract society "invented" the link between proverbs 8:22 - 30 and jesus (the word).

yet interestingly some "mainstream" "trinitarian- aimed" translations are cross referencing the following:source:https://www.biblegateway.comprov 8:22 cr rev 3:14niv, gnt,esv, nasb, nasb1995, nasbre, cevprov 8:30 cr john 1:1,2 esv nasbprov 8:30 cr john 1:3esvnasb1995nasb(this list is by no means complete)if this is simply wisdom, why is it referenced with jesus (or the word)?.

peacefulpete

https://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Projects/Reln91/Gender/Gnosticism.htm

Wisdom as an hypostasis of God was a flourishing concept in late Judaism and early Christianity. In recent comments I've mentioned how similar concepts such as the "Logos" certainly inspired a formal Trinitarian doctrine in later years.