Posts by doubtfull1799

22

Who holds the Burden Of Proof?

by stuckinarut2 in

when we as former witnesses wake up and choose to leave the society, it is mainly because we value truth and honesty.. the society tries to make out that we are in the wrong.

that we have "left the truth".. but, who really holds the burden of proof?

do we (who leave) need to prove that the society is not the "truth", or does the society need to prove that it is the "truth".. thoughts?.

doubtfull1799

I think the burden of proof should always be on the one making the claim of truth. It is not up to us to falsify it. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence is the Atheist motto, right?
I was thinking of another issue along the same lines - how we always get accused of "leaving Jehovah." Yet is that accurate? Is it not in fact God who is absent? God who is silent? Though I used to convince myself otherwise by a process of confirmation bias, the fact is that God has never done anything for me or answered me when I prayed to Him... it was all a one sided affair. So how can you have left a person who was never even there for you in the first place?

116

What is behind your choice of forum user name?

by stuckinarut2 in

jw
friends

just curious how we all think.. what prompted or influenced your choice of username for this forum?.

there are some really amazing names, and it would be great to hear the stories behind them.... mine was nothing fancy.

i just felt "stuck in a rut too" along with so many others.

doubtfull1799

Mine, of course, is a reference to the date that used to be what 1914 is now - the start of the time of the end or the last days.... the anti-1914 that has been whitewashed from Watchtower history so completely it didn't rate even one mention in the Proclaimers book or the new God's Kingdom Rules book (which does at least acknowledge 1877/88)

It reminds me of the old adage: "Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it."

The most recent Watchtower video that I commented on the other day again assures us that there could not possible be any other century which so perfectly fits the "sign." Yet 1799 reminds us that they thought the same things about the 19th Century. They were just as absolutely convinced (and wrong) as they are now!

36

William Malenfant's appalling hate speech - latest morning worship video

by doubtfull1799 in

so he tries to prove that we are living in the last days without any evidence, but instead a series of unsubstantiated assertions ("never has there been a time with so much lack love and affection").

and uses things that are not even part of the so-called "sign" (abortions, pollution).

then proceeds to ridicule the "ridiculers," stereotype them, and declare they are only fit for destruction!.

doubtfull1799

@steve2 Good point. He refuses to acknowledge how many of the "changes" in this century he is benefitting from.

@Bluesbrother. So true. Anyone who thinks this century is more immoral or violent etc than any other is simply ignorant and needs to study history more...

22

Jehovah's Witnesses act like 'Flirts' with people!

by stuckinarut2 in

we were just musing that jws act in a "flirtatious" manner with people in the community.. they show such "sincere" interest in people when they call.

they seem like such kind, caring and thoughtful people - really interested in their lives and welfare.. people are often quite impressed with the jws manner, and their well dressed presentation.

people (especially vulnerable ones who are going through difficult pressures in life), are drawn in and made to feel special by the witnesses as they call back.. return visits take place.

doubtfull1799

Interesting observation Stuck

22

Witnessing to two JW elders

by Roger Kirkpatrick in

i was approached by two jehovah’s witness elders who handed me a pamphlet advertising the jw .org website.

each man carried a bible and an apple ipad.

they told me that they enjoyed visiting with people about the bible, and asked if i was a bible reader.

doubtfull1799

Well done

2

An early Hellenistic fable in the bible

by HowTheBibleWasCreated in

jps (1917)... the trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive-tree: reign thou over us.

and the trees said unto the vine: come thou, and reign over us.

then said all the trees unto the bramble: come thou, and reign over us.

doubtfull1799

Interesting... My knowledge is a bit lacking in this area. Thanks for sharing, will look into this further. Are there any other examples you know of?

36

William Malenfant's appalling hate speech - latest morning worship video

by doubtfull1799 in

so he tries to prove that we are living in the last days without any evidence, but instead a series of unsubstantiated assertions ("never has there been a time with so much lack love and affection").

and uses things that are not even part of the so-called "sign" (abortions, pollution).

then proceeds to ridicule the "ridiculers," stereotype them, and declare they are only fit for destruction!.

doubtfull1799

Good points @Listener

36

William Malenfant's appalling hate speech - latest morning worship video

by doubtfull1799 in

so he tries to prove that we are living in the last days without any evidence, but instead a series of unsubstantiated assertions ("never has there been a time with so much lack love and affection").

and uses things that are not even part of the so-called "sign" (abortions, pollution).

then proceeds to ridicule the "ridiculers," stereotype them, and declare they are only fit for destruction!.

doubtfull1799

I'm so mad I'm going to ring head office and ask to speak to him in the spirit of Mat 5:23,24 & Matt 18:15 - wonder if they'll put me through? Somehow I don't like my chances of being able to apply those verses.... theoretically it should not be a problem as "all pigs are equal" (as Orwell would say) in this organisation, yet somehow i think it will be a case of "some pigs are more equal than others" and don't have to take phone calls, or be held accountable for what they say if they don't want to.

36

William Malenfant's appalling hate speech - latest morning worship video

by doubtfull1799 in

so he tries to prove that we are living in the last days without any evidence, but instead a series of unsubstantiated assertions ("never has there been a time with so much lack love and affection").

and uses things that are not even part of the so-called "sign" (abortions, pollution).

then proceeds to ridicule the "ridiculers," stereotype them, and declare they are only fit for destruction!.

doubtfull1799

I they really cared about the people who are struggling to accept their assertions that we are living in the last days, wouldn't it have been kind and loving to patiently and thoroughly outline some good, solid, convincing statistical evidence and research showing how wars, earthquakes, famines ect have been significantly increasing in the 20th century and that 2 Tim 2:1-5 is more than a horoscope.

With regard to 2 Tim 3:1-5 the question that is always put to the HH is: "can you see those qualities in people today?" But the more important question that is NEVER asked is this: "has their ever been a period of time in history when people didn't behave like that?" If not, then what possible use is this description as a "sign" to identify a particular time period? Why didn't Paul predict the things William actually mentioned like nuclear bombs, or one billion abortions?

36

William Malenfant's appalling hate speech - latest morning worship video

by doubtfull1799 in

so he tries to prove that we are living in the last days without any evidence, but instead a series of unsubstantiated assertions ("never has there been a time with so much lack love and affection").

and uses things that are not even part of the so-called "sign" (abortions, pollution).

then proceeds to ridicule the "ridiculers," stereotype them, and declare they are only fit for destruction!.

doubtfull1799

So he tries to prove that we are living in the last days without any evidence, but instead a series of unsubstantiated assertions ("never has there been a time with so much lack love and affection"). And uses things that are not even part of the so-called "sign" (abortions, pollution). Then proceeds to ridicule the "ridiculers," stereotype them, and declare they are only fit for destruction!

Instead of addressing the most glaringly obvious reason people don't believe we're living in the last days, i.e, the complete lack of any solid evidence, he goes on to give his own reasons:

1. They are blinded by Satan. (If that is so is it really their fault? Why should they be deserving of destruction? If they've been misled by a more powerful being that does not make them wicked... it puts responsibility on God, if he truly wishes for all to be saved, to "unblind" them).

2. They are victims of "gradualism." Pulling out that old frog illustration like its the first time anyone's heard of it. Implying that people have not made a proper investigation of the facts or history, when the opposite is more likely to be the case. Most people have come to the conclusion that we are not living in the last days because they have made a more thorough investigation of the historical evidence instead of just accepting Watchtower assertions or misleading twisting of statistics.

3. They are haughty, depraved, wicked. His final brilliant argument is to imply that if people have allowed themselves to fall prey to his first two points they must be morally corrupt - the are deserving of destruction and good riddance to them! Or "so be it" in his words.

So in summary, what I got from the video was this: if people are too blind or stupid to see that we are living in the last days, and they have allowed Satan to blind them to the (non-existent) evidence then Psa 92:7 applies to them: They are wicked ones sprouting like weeds and their only reason for existence or worth as humans is to be annihilated.

Nice demonising and hate speech that towards those who don't accept your opinions. The JW leadership are not extremists at all, such tolerant, peace-loving people!