this from the latest watchtower article on propaganda:.
"keep in mind that satan does not want you to think clearly or reason things out well.
because propaganda “is likely to be most effective,” says one source, “if peo- ple .
kind of got into it with my jw wife last night for the first time in a long time.. i try to not engage in conversations about doctrinal matters unless she asks me which she did.. anyway, i wont go into details but of course i am "not going to change her mind" and "why is it that you can't see when very smart people can?
" yada yada yada.
you probably can imagine.. it makes me so depressed.
Really feel for you, especially considering how long it has been for you. I'm going through the same thing, but its only been a year, still raw and fresh, currently in a "truce."
pm me if you ever want to talk...
it occurred to me that the bible has recorded jesus as saying at matthew 15:9.
"their worship is in vain, as they teach commands of men as doctrines".
http://biblehub.com/matthew/15-9.htm.
Agree, started a new thread with a good example of this from the latest Watchtower...
this from the latest watchtower question from readers:.
"how a christian chooses to protect him- self, his family, or his possessions is, of course, largely a personal matter, as is his choice of employment.
that said, bible principles reflect god’s wisdom and his love for us.
Absolutely agree Saethydd. Very Pharisaical.
i'll be starting a series "answer this:" with thought-provoking questions for debate.
your arguments for and against are most welcome.. i'll start with this: .
why would an omnibenevolent and omniscient god put us through tests of faith?.
@nowwhat - its little thoughts like that that I'd never thought of myself that I really enjoy coming here for, Thanks for posting. And of course @edenone, thanks for starting the OP, that led to that point being made, a long with many others...
this from the latest watchtower article on propaganda:.
"keep in mind that satan does not want you to think clearly or reason things out well.
because propaganda “is likely to be most effective,” says one source, “if peo- ple .
And this:
"Surely there is ample evidence to show that you can trust the channel that Jehovah has used for nearly a hundred years now to lead us in the way of the truth:
What they are actually saying is, "surely there is evidence, but we just can't find any right now to show you" or "we cannot be bothered to include any evidence in this article because we've run out of space" in our new 16 page long form journalism approach to the Watchtower.
Another way of saying "evidently," their favourite word! For an interesting exercise do a search for that word in the Watchtower library and see how many times they use it - you will be amazed. Especially when you realise that each time they use it they are making an assertion for which they actually have no evidence...
this from the latest watchtower article on propaganda:.
"keep in mind that satan does not want you to think clearly or reason things out well.
because propaganda “is likely to be most effective,” says one source, “if peo- ple .
This from the latest Watchtower article on Propaganda:
"Keep in mind that Satan does not want you to think clearly or reason things out well. Why? Because propaganda “is likely to be most effective,” says one source, “if peo- ple . . . are discouraged from thinking critically.” (Media and Society in the Twentieth Century) So never be content passively or blindly to accept what you hear. "
And then this doublespeak:
"Follow the advice given to the young man Timothy. Stick to the truth you learned, and remember where you learned it. (2 Tim. 3:14, 15) Surely there is ample evidence to show that you can trust the channel that Jehovah has used for nearly a hundred years now to lead us in the way of the truth. "
So in other words, put away your critical thinking and just accept/trust what we tell you!
And then this pearl:
"Do not be “quickly shaken from your reason” when faced with what appear to be damaging attacks by apostates or other such deceivers of the mind—however plausible their charges may seem. "
So even if what apostates say is damaging and plausible, which why are basically admitting it is, ignore it! Don't think critically about it.
this from the latest watchtower question from readers:.
"how a christian chooses to protect him- self, his family, or his possessions is, of course, largely a personal matter, as is his choice of employment.
that said, bible principles reflect god’s wisdom and his love for us.
This from the latest Watchtower Question from Readers:
"How a Christian chooses to protect him- self, his family, or his possessions is, of course, largely a personal matter, as is his choice of employment. That said, Bible principles reflect God’s wisdom and his love for us. Out of regard for those principles, spiritually mature Christians choose not to keep a firearm for protection against other humans. They know that true and lasting secu- rity comes to those who demonstrate trust in God by living in harmony with Bible principles."
The whole article is basically a discussion of principles, but do they leave it to the brothers to make their own decision based on those principles? NO, they proceed to make a LAW: Christians choose not to keep firearms.
atheism = self defeating.
first may we define our terms.
the word atheism comes literally from the greek, alpha the negative and theos [for god], therefore “negative god” or there is no god.
I think you'll find atheists in general (though I can't speak for all, because like all groups there will be differences in individual outlook) don't see themselves as denying the existence of God in an absolute sense as you claim, they merely say they don't have enough evidence at this point in time to accept the existence of one, not that their couldn't possibly be one, or that they wouldn't accept the evidence for one if such evidence came to light.
The term "atheist" is a very loose one and is a generalisation for a broad range of ideas that are subtle different. I don't think people who call themselves athiests would limit themselves or define themselves to fit YOUR particular definition.
hello to you all again.. i just told my father:"be carefull that you do not put the so called spiritual food at the same level, or on the same pedestal, as the bible.
it is clear to me that they are not.
" to me, at the moment, this is self evident.
“Rather than stifling further research, the Bible encourages the search for answers to both scientific and spiritual questions. Job 38:18 certainly does not suggest stifling of inquiry and investigation. On the contrary, the Master Designer here invited a study of his handiwork.” - w07 August 15 p5
Compare this quote with the KM article - classic Watchtower double speak! Thank you George Orwell, what a genius!
