26 Jan 10
Originally posted by RenarsThe first part was just a parody of Paul, all the rest was true. I guess what you are saying is really true, we are all born into some kind of belief system, inherited perhaps through geography, as in Islamic states or predominately Hindu or Christian states, however if one is not satisfied, one should make a diligent search, dont you think?
that's an interesting thread you have started there, Robbie.. not too sure if you're taking the mickey there though or being serious. I have always wondered (as have other non-believers I'm sure) if, say, you were born in Saudi Arabia, do you think you'd turn out be a Muslim rather a JW ? Surely, when it comes to organised religions geography (as well as edu ...[text shortened]... d different religions and only THEN has settled on one specific, then fair enough I guess..
26 Jan 10
1 edit
Originally posted by whodeyWhat? Where do you get that? If your refering to the 144,000 as being only made up of modern day JW's where have you heard that? Show us something in writing from the Watchtower Society that says that?
Oh, I forgot. JW's simply believe that you cease to be once you die if you are not a JW. Right?
26 Jan 10
Originally posted by robbie carrobieSo you're JW by defualt?
there i was walking along when this blinding light appeared out of the sky, the voice of Charles Russell stated, robbie robbie why are you persecuting me, i said i dunno, but you got a huge beard and big sideburns, he said 'Cool aint they', so anyway after taking copious amounts of LSD and Ganga i got fed up with my life and searching for truths so i ...[text shortened]... wisted and contorted man, with a beautiful loving wife and a family to care for - happy days!
26 Jan 10
Originally posted by duecerhaha, nope, a Jehovahs witness by default would be someone whose parents were Jehovahs Witnesses and who were brought up a Jehovahs Witness, however those in such a position must choose whether it is the right lifestyle for them 🙂
So you're JW by defualt?
27 Jan 10
Originally posted by robbie carrobieAnd there are many that were raised as a Witness but sometime in their life decided it's not for them. But I can honestly say that ones that I grew up with as kids and that decided to go another way, a big percentage left because they either had a problem with authority which would be include from their parents or what they maybe had recieved from the Elders for a wrong they did.
haha, nope, a Jehovahs witness by default would be someone whose parents were Jehovahs Witnesses and who were brought up a Jehovahs Witness, however those in such a position must choose whether it is the right lifestyle for them 🙂
So the 1st thing about authority usually affected the last which was taking correction. We all make mistakes as kids or young adults but when it actually comes down to understanding why correction is needed and accepting it, is usually the reason they left. Not because of the beliefs of the Witnesses but not willing to take correction. And the Bible is full of those type examples.
27 Jan 10
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Originally posted by karoly aczelmmm, greater spiritual understanding? mmm i guess so, for i remember trying to read scripture on my own, it was like a foreign language, i dont know how anyone can do it, the witnesses really tried to help me grasp it. Has it made me more open minded, well one is exposed to all sorts of different beliefs, Hinduism, Paganism, Buddhism, Islam, Atheism, Sikhism, Amadiya Muslims, Zoroastrianism, communism, socialism and loads of other isms, even i met a Satanist once who showed me her tattoo as proof. The best that i can hope for is a mutual understanding. i myself am not very preachy, i dont like it, if people want to talk about paradise with me then that's fine, if not, then ill talk about anything really 🙂
😀😀😀
This is entertaing...
So would either of you consider yourselves to be open-minded,(open-mindedness being a prerequiset for moving into a greater understanding of spiritual matters,imo)?
27 Jan 10
Originally posted by robbie carrobieYes, I think an open mind is absotutely necessay for greater spiritual understanding.
mmm, greater spiritual understanding? mmm i guess so, for i remember trying to read scripture on my own, it was like a foreign language, i dont know how anyone can do it, the witnesses really tried to help me grasp it. Has it made me more open minded, well one is exposed to all sorts of different beliefs, Hinduism, Paganism, Buddhism, Islam, Atheis ...[text shortened]... to talk about paradise with me then that's fine, if not, then ill talk about anything really 🙂
P.S. Zen is not an ism
27 Jan 10
3 edits
Originally posted by karoly aczelyou know Karoly i have not met a lot of really practising Buddhists, once or twice, not more. I remember once this Buddhist dude asked me in, his flat was like a shrine, i thought it was pretty cool, we could not agree on whether there was a creator or not, but it didn't matter to me, i remember giving him a lift in my car to his moms home as it was near my moms home in the suburbs. there was another dude Alan, he was practising meditation techniques to help him in his life, i did not really enquire what the problem was for it was none of my business, though i suspected it was alcohol, we had some great discussions about meditation (the differences between transcendental meditation and meditation in a biblical context) 🙂
Yes, I think an open mind is absotutely necessay for greater spiritual understanding.
P.S. Zen is not an ism
27 Jan 10
I can see RC's point on (for lack of a better term) on main line Christendom and experiences with main line Christendom. However just because this is your experience do you think/assume that Christians are the same as you experienced? I think Christians run the gambit from God fearing to hypocrite.
Manny
27 Jan 10
Originally posted by menace71Is this a general question to the forum Manny?
I can see RC's point on (for lack of a better term) on main line Christendom and experiences with main line Christendom. However just because this is your experience do you think/assume that Christians are the same as you experienced? I think Christians run the gambit from God fearing to hypocrite.
Manny
27 Jan 10
Originally posted by robbie carrobie🙂 Zen is not necessarily related to bhuddism all the time, but thats not neccesarily that relevant-as your post was regards to mine🙂
you know Karoly i have not met a lot of really practising Buddhists, once or twice, not more. I remember once this Buddhist dude asked me in, his flat was like a shrine, i thought it was pretty cool, we could not agree on whether there was a creator or not, but it didn't matter to me, i remember giving him a lift in my car to his moms home as it was ...[text shortened]... on (the differences between transcendental meditation and meditation in a biblical context) 🙂
However, I would like a direct comment on your idea of keeping an open mind as regards to your faith. Cheers!
28 Jan 10
Originally posted by robbie carrobieYeah not worded very well LOL Kinda more towards you. I do appreciate one thing and that is the brotherhood aspect I sense from you and G75 as far as it seems though you live on different continents and all. let me ask you this and give me the best answer /opinion that you can. What happen to a non-JW who fears and Loves God? Loves truth but maybe their theology is a bit (Doggy love those British idioms) off what is there fate?
Is this a general question to the forum Manny?
Manny
28 Jan 10
Originally posted by menace71mmm, please forgive me Manny, in order for me to be as accurate as i can, i need a little specifics, when you say when, do you mean like, at the conclusion of the present system? or at death? or during ones lifetime? to what event are you referring?
Yeah not worded very well LOL Kinda more towards you. I do appreciate one thing and that is the brotherhood aspect I sense from you and G75 as far as it seems though you live on different continents and all. let me ask you this and give me the best answer /opinion that you can. What happen to a non-JW who fears and Loves God? Loves truth but maybe their theology is a bit (Doggy love those British idioms) off what is there fate?
Manny
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28 Jan 10
2 edits
Originally posted by robbie carrobieThanks for the conversion experience. I'm sure you don't let the probes and belittlement of others alter its profundity to you.
there i was walking along when this blinding light appeared out of the sky, the voice of Charles Russell stated, robbie robbie why are you persecuting me, i said i dunno, but you got a huge beard and big sideburns, he said 'Cool aint they', so anyway after taking copious amounts of LSD and Ganga i got fed up with my life and searching for truths so i wisted and contorted man, with a beautiful loving wife and a family to care for - happy days!
I enjoy hearing conversion experiences. They have their analogies in commitments both spiritual and non-spiritual; that experience that is the motivating force for how one rises past a challenge and charges forth in progress. For the spiritual it is how the veil is lifted and they glean new-found meaning in their spiritual journey. For the temporal it is an experience that creates experience in knowing the true nature of the task or journey at hand.
In hearing conversion experiences, we can open ourselves to new possibilities for ourselves. It doesn't mean that one has to believe in spirituality or religion. It is a matter of broadening our awareness to the possibilities that our existence offers.