Posts by TonusOH

52

Free Will - Does It or Does It Not Exist?

by truth_b_known in

being born-in and raised as one of jehovah's witnesses i remember a common theme or phrases used by the watchtower in its theory of why things are the way they are -.

jehovah created humans.

jehovah created humans as free moral agents.

TonusOH

While I find the issue interesting, it also strikes me as kind of moot. If I do or don't have free will, how could I know? Because if I don't, I still exist and make decisions and take action and live my life. If I am unwittingly following a path that I cannot deviate from, how would I know?

Researchers are learning about the human brain all the time, but it's clear they are just starting to understand it. It does seem as if a lot of who we are is trapped in a subconscious that we have very little (if any) access to. So perhaps free will is an illusion. Again, I can't know this. And would I want to live in a world where we just excuse people's behavior because they are "unable to direct themselves"? No. I don't. I prefer to think that I have some say in who I am and what I become.

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

TonusOH

Mikejw: but there has never been a smoking gun argument or a succinct one line of reasoning why JWs are wrong

Both JW Facts and Alan F's site have a lot of articles explaining how the WTS gets things wrong. There are probably dozens of discussions here with the same info. It's really not difficult to find info on what the WTS has gotten wrong over its history. I wouldn't put Evans at the forefront of providing this info, his efforts were generally on current events and doctrinal changes. Useful to people looking to get out, but not on the same level as the sites I mentioned when it comes to laying the WTS's past bare.

112

Are You Concerned About Inflation?

by Simon in

i saw a statistic the other day that something like 25% of all the debt that the us has incurred since 1776 was created in the last 12 months.

that's because they have printed so much currency and instead of letting that stop them, they are going to continue printing more to go on a spending spree on crazy green-new-deal schemes and union handouts.. does anyone think that this can be anything other than inflationary?

they are effectively stealing the wealth of everyone to then hand money out to people.

TonusOH

There apparently were some big slap fights over that on Twitter.

Good news: inflation did not rise in July. This is actually a good thing!

Bad news: prices are still much higher than they were a year ago. Not so good!

Honest, folks. It's okay to take a balanced view of an issue from time to time. I'm glad gas prices are down so much. I wish a lot of other prices would follow, but I don't expect that to happen. And this bit of good news might end up causing some pain for the Democrats in the near and long term, if the "inflation reduction act" ramps inflation back up, thus giving Republicans a talking point for the next year or two that will resonate with voters.

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

TonusOH

Gee, no one was concerned about him having his child in a YouTube video a year ago. I wonder what might have happened between then and now...

16

2022-08-09-Announcement!

by Atlantis in

jw
friends

2022-08-09-announcement.. click image to enlarge.. .

https://postimg.cc/th27pzyh.

.

TonusOH

"There's no pressure to take part in the door-to-door ministry if you feel you cannot or should not do it. Now, here is a short interview with a brother or sister who isn't a sniveling coward and is not risking death at Armageddon by angering Jehovah with their lack of dedication. Hi, sister Witness! We all admire your willingness to go door-to-door because you're not a Satan-loving monster. How do you find the strength to..."

25

2022-08-10--COVID--HLC--PVG!

by Atlantis in

jw
friends

2022-08-10-covid--hlc--pvg.

click image to enlarge.. .

https://postimg.cc/qvznj5xt.

TonusOH

"We have decided."

That is breathtakingly arrogant. Either they made a decision without 'heavenly guidance' or they're putting themselves on Jehovah's level by including God in the "we."

So, which is it, WTS? Decided this on your own without consulting the Big Guy? Or did you demote Him and now He's just another GB member?

112

Are You Concerned About Inflation?

by Simon in

i saw a statistic the other day that something like 25% of all the debt that the us has incurred since 1776 was created in the last 12 months.

that's because they have printed so much currency and instead of letting that stop them, they are going to continue printing more to go on a spending spree on crazy green-new-deal schemes and union handouts.. does anyone think that this can be anything other than inflationary?

they are effectively stealing the wealth of everyone to then hand money out to people.

TonusOH

That sounds like anytime a politician pats himself on the back for lowering the deficit. "We weren't quite as reckless and irresponsible as we were the last time. We call that progress!"

Okay, it's actually worse. You can't hide the price of goods and services the way you can excess government spending, although we are on the way to making those two problems converge. People hear the President and his supporters make claims like this, but their energy bills are still high. They're paying a lot for gasoline. They're paying a lot for food. They're paying less for police, though. I guess that's where the savings are being realized.

20

Movies that used the term Jehovah Watchtower or Witnesses!

by Witness 007 in

indiana jones 3...we had elders going to this movie.

life of brian stoning people who say jehovah...so funny!

even "supergirl" where someone knocks on the door of the secret hideout and the villain says "if that's those damn jehovahs witnesses again!

TonusOH

LOL Smiddy. For the very short time that he took part in field service, my dad was the opposite. He couldn't get away from either a closed or open door fast enough.

28

JW "new light" immediately reversed/contradicted

by BoogerMan in

september 2022 study watchtower - par.

14 p. 18 - "after all, no one will be allowed to practice vile things in the new world.

the unrighteous must have practiced these vile things before their death.

TonusOH

They don't even have to rebel. God is the giver of life, and life is His to take back if He so chooses. This is how we were always taught. God did not need a reason. Since He is the personification of mercy, the fact that we are alive at all is due to his merciful nature. Most (if not all) Christians will admit that we are not deserving of life, that it is a gift granted us by God.

And that God is also the personification of justice. Which means He would be justified in taking back that which was given undeservedly. Imagine living for an eternity with that particular sword of Damocles hanging over your head.

72

20 Things I Don't Understand about Jehovah's Witnesses

by Vanderhoven7 in

i don’t understand how jehovah’s witnesses can rightly claim:.

that less than 150,000 faithful christians existed prior to the 20th century....when allegedly millions were martyred during the first 3 centuries of the common era alone.

unique ability to interpret scripture...when interpretation of prophecy has been 100% wrong for over 130 years.. .

TonusOH

Fisherman: And they corrected it.

If they've been wrong once, how can you be sure they are not wrong now? Or won't be wrong again in the future? Do you feel that God is responsible for their mistakes, or does he allow them to stumble about in the dark sometimes?