talesin

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Posts by talesin

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  70

  how do most of you now feel about the military?

  by sowhatnow in

  1. social
  2. family

  was not sure where to post this, but i was curious, how do some of you now feel about the military?

  would any of you let your children enlist, or would you yourselves join any military field?

  how do you feel about the idea of women in the military?

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  talesin

  What annoys me somewhat is that it seems to me that the West, and particularly the USA, is held to a higher standard than other countries are. I'm not sure why, is it the racism of low expectations? Whatever.

  LoveUni - I'm sure you know the concept of "American Exceptionalism". When you claim to be the best country in the world, and the protector of the weak, etc., then you are held to a higher standard by those countries that you constantly look down upon. It's quite simple, really. If the USA is better than everyone else, than be ready to prove it.

  : )
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  70

  When is a theory 'just a theory'?

  by HB in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the titles of cofty's excellent recent posts are all preceeded by the words "evolution is a fact...".

  richard dawkins is encouraging people to use the term 'fact' in relation to evolution, especially when debating with creationists as the word 'theory' is confusing to many, and the latter often takes the discussion off on an often unproductive tangent.

  the following may be of interest, it's from the bbc website - part of a regular series of articles called 'the vocabularist', discussing the origin and meaning of words: .

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  talesin

  If someone chooses to bait Xtians by using the word "fact" instead of "theory", does anybody really care? Stop fueling the flames. Is this a sandbox or an adult support group / discussion forum?

  As far as using 'common vernacular' as an explanation, I say fuddle-duddle! If I am going to TEACH something, I shall use the correct terms. And since when did 'fact' become the common term for 'theory'? That's only an issue HERE because someone chose to make it an issue.

  EDIT.

  From the Urban Dictionary (widely accepted as the best source of the current English common vernacular):
  
  

  TOP DEFINITION

  Theory

  1. In common, everyday language when you have a theory it means you simply have a guess. It doesn't have to be supported by evidence or fact.
  
  2. In the scientific community, an explanation supported by a evidence and is logically sound.

  1. "My theory is that Jane stole the cookie from the cookie jar!" - Jack after he found no cookies in the cookie jar.
  
  2. The theory of Evolution logically explains why life is so diverse, and the evidence that supports it includes fossils, DNA, living specimens, and bacterial research.
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  87

  Did you get " Counseled " about the Music you Listened to While you were a JW ?

  by flipper in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  from the time i was a small boy - i loved rock n' roll music.

  beatles, rolling stones, led zeppelin, hendrix.

  i started getting slighted for the music i listened to as i lay in my bedroom listening on headphones to led zeppelin's song " black dog " at age 14 with my elder dad looking suspiciously at me as i'm rocking out .

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  talesin

  I hope I never get past that age because that would mean I am complacent. I will always rebel against an unjust system (even if only by raising my cane) and maintain my independence (health permitting). xx tal /
• 
  87

  Did you get " Counseled " about the Music you Listened to While you were a JW ?

  by flipper in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  from the time i was a small boy - i loved rock n' roll music.

  beatles, rolling stones, led zeppelin, hendrix.

  i started getting slighted for the music i listened to as i lay in my bedroom listening on headphones to led zeppelin's song " black dog " at age 14 with my elder dad looking suspiciously at me as i'm rocking out .

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  talesin

  No, because I hid my "demonic" albums inside the covers of "harmless" ones. mwah haha, you canNOT and never COULD take the rock and roll away from me. I was meek and a goody-two-shoes, but music and books? I diligently read secret library books under the covers and listened to my beloved music. That is how I survived childhood and adolescence. And that's no joke. xx tal Regards to Mrs. Flipper.

  PS. to JK - that is awesome! You two boys be good now, y'hear? xx
• 
  10

  Watchtower stock market investments

  by stirred but not shaken in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i recently installed youtube on my ipad, as i was prompted to view some videos of a non jw source.

  it was more for entertainment.

  eventually jw related videos showed up and i viewed some and found them interesting.

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  talesin

  Excerpts from that thread, just to 'whet the appetite' of any readers / lurkers.

  The H M Riley Trust is a U.S. trust that has the Watchtower Society as the sole beneficiary. Basically, it is a vehicle to make income for the Watchtower, using assets left by Henrietta Riley. The income generated by the trust is transferred to the Watchtower by means of a "donation". For the year ended April 30, 2002, the trust generated income of $1,740,127 and donated $1,945,645 to the Watchtower. In comparison, for the 2001 year the trust generated $2,939,731 in income, and donated $3,285,050 to the Watchtower. The difference between income and expenditure is made up by realising gains on the assets held.

  
  Figure 3: Extract of investment listing of HM Riley Trust, April 30, 2002
  One name that jumps out from the list above: Philip Morris Companies Inc, one of the world's largest manufacturers of cigarettes and tobacco products. Philipmorris.com states:
  Thus, the trust has made an investment in a cigarette company, with the object of generating income which will be transferred to the Watchtower Society.

  The Philip Morris name has long been associated with high quality tobacco products and globally recognized cigarette brands. Today the name is proudly carried by the leading cigarette manufacturer in the United States,Philip Morris USA, and by Philip Morris International, the world’s leading international cigarette business with products sold in 160 countries worldwide.

  Naughty, naughty! A tobacco company, ayup. :P
• 
  10

  Watchtower stock market investments

  by stirred but not shaken in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i recently installed youtube on my ipad, as i was prompted to view some videos of a non jw source.

  it was more for entertainment.

  eventually jw related videos showed up and i viewed some and found them interesting.

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  talesin

  I've watched some of his videos in the past - he's very good. I just took a peek at the vid you mentioned, and another good one! There are old threads about WT stocks in Rand Corp. and other 'questionable' companies that, for example, have military connections (if the JWS were not such HYPOCRITES).

  Great topic that needs to be 'revisited' for newer members.

  Here's a thread about this Henrietta M. Riley trust, you may find it interesting. xx tal

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/54708/watchtower-cigarette-company
  
• 
  6

  Is a circle round?

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  "christ, not this again!

  there's a serious point to be made here however.

  somebody published a study in the journal of personality and social psychology showing that disagreements about what constitutes a circle depend on your political perspective.

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  talesin

  My mind saw a plotted x-y graph (connect the dots), and definitely not a circle. And also, what JeffT said. I am a fiscally conservative liberal - and much more.

  Don't fence me in! : D

  our view the whole world depends on our perspective.

  
  

  Although I find the question and article akin to something found on Buzzfeed (ie, quiz with a silly / fun instant diagnosis of your age/personality/career/whatever), I agree with your final statement.

  
  

  It still doesn't "depend on our perspective". It depends on having the requirements defined and explicit in the question.

  Simon, hmm. Perhaps you're throwing out the baby with the bathwater. If a person is depressed (fear and/or anger) and negative, their world view will reflect that. A positive attitude, which for me is "shit happens and life is how you deal with it" (works for me), creates a much different world view.
  
  The quiz? Silly stuff. (no offense, SBF) I was hoping it was a fun math thing, showing stuff like a sphere or plane and posing the question. haha, I'm such a geek.

  A person's worldview being affected by their perspective? Food for thought.
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  75

  Witness Punk and Metal Band Names

  by Luther bertrand in

  1. social
  2. humour

  here is what i would name my band(s) let see if you can list some funny ones as well.

  here is my list:.

  local needs.

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  talesin

  Shattered Paradise
• 
  75

  Witness Punk and Metal Band Names

  by Luther bertrand in

  1. social
  2. humour

  here is what i would name my band(s) let see if you can list some funny ones as well.

  here is my list:.

  local needs.

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  talesin

  for the punks, here's a bit of inspiration ........

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s11BuatTuXk
  
• 
  14

  Good idea? Bad idea?

  by Planetsmashers in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  mailing packages with garlic bread enclosed to still in family.

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  talesin

  Okay, I am now officially craving garlic bread, WITH cheese. This is NOT fair, considering that I can't eat bread, BUT i can google a pic of it, and fantasize that I am eating it. But do not forget. It *must* be garlic cheese bread (preferably Parmesan, but mozza will suffice).

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