@philokalia saidI did put the three questions to you, twice. You fell silent. They are still there if you ever want to go back and address them. If not, feel free to jump in next time it comes up.
I remember that when I dug in my feet to deal with the question, you actually were suggesting I to debate KellyJay or Sonship about it.
But if you'd like to put me to the question again, I am open to it.
There's noting to run from.
@fmf saidI think it's impossible to go back and answer them because
I did put the three questions to you, twice. You fell silent. They are still there if you ever want to go back and address them. If not, feel free to jump in next time it comes up.
I. I do not know the location; and,
II. The threads become locked.
III. I do not know the specific question.
Please, ask the question.
You are accusing me of abandoning the position and running away, so, let me make this up some way, or you should perhaps withdraw the accusation. Not that internet debating needs to have these "points of honor" or whatever (lol), but if it is important to the wya that you perceive my presence here, I would like to have a go at it.
@philokalia saidJust jump in next time it comes up.
I think it's impossible to go back and answer them because
I. I do not know the location; and,
II. The threads become locked.
III. I do not know the specific question.
Please, ask the question.
@philokalia saidBe patient. The questions will arise again. When they do, if your interest is genuine, you can address them.
You are accusing me of abandoning the position and running away, so, let me make this up some way, or you should perhaps withdraw the accusation. Not that internet debating needs to have these "points of honor" or whatever (lol), but if it is important to the wya that you perceive my presence here, I would like to have a go at it.
@fmf saidYou say I fell silent...
I did put the three questions to you, twice. You fell silent. They are still there if you ever want to go back and address them. If not, feel free to jump in next time it comes up.
I can't go back and address the question again.
And I do not really want to wait until next time while you keep accusing me of 'falling silent' about something.
So, what's the exact question that needs to be addressed, FMF?
@philokalia saidDon't bother going back, then. Just wait till the subject is discussed again.
You say I fell silent...
I can't go back and address the question again.
@philokalia saidYour speculations and opinions about supernatural things are of no moral consequence to people outside your religion. For people inside your religion, you can let your notions about supernatural things govern your life as you see fit.
However, no mortal has control over metaphysics (or lack thereof) of the universe.
@fmf saidJust to put some whipped cream & a cherry atop of this one:
Your speculations and opinions about supernatural things are of no moral consequence to people outside your religion. For people inside your religion, you can let your notions about supernatural things govern your life as you see fit.
My notions about God and what have you are not relevant to people inside my religion.
The Bible, the Saints, and the clergy are the ones whose opinions matter to them -- my opinion should not matter much at all, and I can only help or facilitate them by quoting, paraphrasing, or behaving as an arrow that points to the authorities on this topic.
Most of my efforts really should be towards quoting the spiritual fathers, and elucidating the positions, and this should all be prefaced with great humility.
@philokalia saidDuring countless discussions in the past? No, of course not.
Oh, OK, so would you agree to stop accusing me of "falling silent" then?
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@philokalia saidYes, they are. They determine how people inside your religion see their lives and how they believe they should live them.
My notions about God and what have you are not relevant to people inside my religion.
@suzianne saidWould you agree that if this were a political choice, 2000 years would be a ridiculously long time ?
Extended vacation?
Perhaps. I would consider it more like well enough time for mankind to make their choice.
A choice which would become tainted were there definitive proof.
Remember... "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."
I always liked that song by Rush.
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@philokalia saidI have been anything but silent on it here for years. I've banged on about it tenaciously. It came twice in just the last 4-5 days, for instance, in posts addressed to KellyJay and [several to] sonship. It was blanked out of course. But unwillingness/inability to answer is part of the dialogue nevertheless.
Because, right now, it seems like what you are doing is falling silent on the topic yourself.
@caissad4 saidWell, we're talking about changing social norms of literally billions of people.
Would you agree that if this were a political choice, 2000 years would be a ridiculously long time ?
I always liked that song by Rush.
And the best tool we have is mere word of mouth. Yeah, true, you can talk about now we have satellites and broadcasting, and can send a message around the world. Well, frankly, all that technology actually removes the personal aspect from the discussion and turns Christianity and 'spreading the Gospel' into a money-making project, which is the exact opposite of what it needs to be.
It's the one-on-one approach that is best-suited to spreading the "Good News". And yeah, that takes a while, and we're being overwhelmed by every new generation getting further away from caring about anyone but themselves.
Well, you may view the choice as merely "political", but it's more than that. It speaks to the very core of "who we are". I understand why you might reject what I believe. It hasn't been nice to you. I get it. But you should also know that people like me believe that supposed Christians who claim that all LGBTQ people are "sinners" and hate them and want to legislate against them do not have the spirit of Christ in them. We're not "suckered in", nor do we subscribe to the supposedly Christian notion that LGBTQ people are somehow unworthy of our love. Christians who claim this are hypocrites. None of them are without sin themselves. They cannot see past the beam in their own eyes. I know many in the LGBTQ community who are Christian themselves, and I don't mean the hypocritical kind of Christian.
the tl;dr bit: Yes, 2000 years is a long time. But wouldn't a loving God give us the time we need as a species to come around? Real Christians are trying. It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it. 😉
@suzianne saidFinally some one here see's this need to go in person to make that personal contact to teach ones about the Bible.
Well, we're talking about changing social norms of literally billions of people.
And the best tool we have is mere word of mouth. Yeah, true, you can talk about now we have satellites and broadcasting, and can send a message around the world. Well, frankly, all that technology actually removes the personal aspect from the discussion and turns Christianity ...[text shortened]... ecies to come around? Real Christians are trying. It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it. 😉
I know you don't like us but I do thank you for your posting of this.
So many get so mad at us for knocking on their doors but we are doing exactly what Jesus said to do no matter what Rajk says. And we will keep it up until Jesus tells us to stop.
In 2018 the JW's world wide spent 2,074,655,497 hours out in the door to door ministry work simply presenting basic discussions mostly on the future and how Jehovah is going to eventually end all wickedness. We are simply sharing that hope for us all to all that want to listen.