Synchrony of the Mind (part 1)

[Optimistic]

I'm 15, but to me its just a number.

"A 15 year old? He obviously is a moron and a new comer to the world. He can't possibly know of anything"

Now that I've stereotyped you, how do you feel?
Angry? Mad? Or Happy that I've found a liking to making assumptions to your train of thinking?

I believe the main reason we question anything is because we're limited by our mind (like stereotypes can keep people from seeing the 'truth' in schemes). We're stupid in a sense, because we need stereotypes and to keep a closed mind to be sane. Many find sanity amongst Jehovah, or in Allah. Keeping sane, why do you need to tackle that? Because I'd have a stereotype that your beliefs are wrong. If I attacked your beliefs and threw you into confusion, I could damage your mental state. Wouldn't that be wrong?

This is why I'm going easy with you people. 'You People' - yet another stereotype from me, how do you like 'dem apples?

[You likely believe that George Washington existed, but are you sure? Have you met him, or are you just assuming from a stereotype in your mind to stay sane, so that you wouldn't need to question something that you cannot prove or disprove?]

I think people are mad at how others can stereotype the world. Don't believe me? Think that your beliefs are the centre of the world or that your god(s) is/are elite? Then you've just angered me by stereotyping me silently, by making me feel wrong and that I am an idiot (which as I have said, we all are).

If you're mad that people are stereotyping (or thinking) differently then we/you are, aren't you just mad that people think at all? We like ourselves for stereotyping, but not others.

I study with the Jehovah Witnesses, but I am not one. I believe that the Witnesses are on the most righteous track of all - but the reason that I am not one is simple. I do not want to follow blindly, which is why I read skeptism and footnotes about other religions.

You might think that "witnesses are stupid, short-sighted and incredibly afraid of change." But as soon as I learn to not let other's stereotypes bother me, I will be at peace with myself.

Didn't I just contradict myself? I said that I am trying to seek for flaws in a religion, but that I am trying not to? Humans are an Oxymoron.

As soon as we stop thinking (or dead), we'll be at peace. I will post more, later, if anyone decides to hear out my philosophies.

Now, throw your misery at me.

[P.S. As always, read between the lines to find the true meaning to this post]

[excreationist]

Optimistic:
Your age is how long you have been in the world. It isn't a meaningless number.

[quote]I study with the Jehovah Witnesses, but I am not one. I believe that the Witnesses are on the most righteous track of all - but the reason that I am not one is simple. I do not want to follow blindly, which is why I read skeptism and footnotes about other religions.<hr></blockquote>
So what do you think of this:
http://www.ajwrb.org/smkids.gif
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/paulblizard/deadkidz.html" target="_blank">Youths who put God first</a>
<a href="http://www.macgregorministries.org/jehovahs_witnesses/blood_new_light/blood_new_light.html" target="_blank">More about JW's and blood transfusions</a>
<a href="http://www.ajwrb.org/victims/" target="_blank">Some victims of the JW's stance on blood transfusions</a>

[Optimistic]

[quote]Originally posted by excreationist:
<strong>Optimistic:
Your age is how long you have been in the world. It isn't a meaningless number.


So what do you think of this:
http://www.ajwrb.org/smkids.gif
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/paulblizard/deadkidz.html" target="_blank">Youths who put God first</a>
<a href="http://www.macgregorministries.org/jehovahs_witnesses/blood_new_light/blood_new_light.html" target="_blank">More about JW's and blood transfusions</a>
<a href="http://www.ajwrb.org/victims/" target="_blank">Some victims of the JW's stance on blood transfusions</a></strong><hr></blockquote>

How can you follow Jehovah 'first' without knowing who he is? The reason I study is to figure out who their god is, and even after I've read the bible from alpha to omega...will I ever know who it is?

No, probably not. I think I'm experiencing adolescence depression.

[excreationist]

[quote]Originally posted by Optimistic:
<strong>How can you follow Jehovah 'first' without knowing who he is? The reason I study is to figure out who their god is, and even after I've read the bible from alpha to omega...will I ever know who it is?

No, probably not.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well the JW's that visited me just said you had to call on the name of Jehovah, and even a non-anglo name like "Yahweh" might be ok. I don't think you need to know everything about their god to be resurrected, according to their religion.

[quote]<strong>I think I'm experiencing adolescence depression.</strong><hr></blockquote>
You don't sound very depressed to me.... just a little uncertain.

[Foxhole Atheist]

Optimistic:

“Now, throw your misery at me.”

I think your screen name belies your intent. But, then again, you are 15. From reading your post my impression is that you are still searching and that’s OK. That’s what folks do at 15.

I would suggest that in addition to your studies with the JWs, you just may gain some insight by visiting the II library and archive. Welcome. :)

[Wads4]

[quote]Originally posted by excreationist:
<strong>Optimistic:
Your age is how long you have been in the world. It isn't a meaningless number.


So what do you think of this:
http://www.ajwrb.org/smkids.gif
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/paulblizard/deadkidz.html" target="_blank">Youths who put God first</a>
<a href="http://www.macgregorministries.org/jehovahs_witnesses/blood_new_light/blood_new_light.html" target="_blank">More about JW's and blood transfusions</a>
<a href="http://www.ajwrb.org/victims/" target="_blank">Some victims of the JW's stance on blood transfusions</a></strong><hr></blockquote>

How can you follow Jehovah 'first' without knowing who he is? The reason I study is to figure out who their god is, and even after I've read the bible from alpha to omega...will I ever know who it is?

No, probably not. I think I'm experiencing adolescence depression.

I shouldn't bother-it's all nonsense anyway. Just enjoy life.

[Keith Russell]

I believe the main reason we question anything is because we're limited by our mind (like stereotypes can keep people from seeing the 'truth' in schemes). We're stupid in a sense, because we need stereotypes and to keep a closed mind to be sane.

What, exactly, do you mean by a 'closed mind'? I'm certain I exist, and I'm certain that my thoughts are my own, but beyond that, I'm 'certain' of almost nothing else. I believe what I believe, only to the extent that such beliefs are supported by evidence--but I remain aware ('open') to the possibility that new evidence could radically alter almost all of my beliefs.

Still, I'm also fully aware that it's irrational to alter (or even doubt to any great extent) my beliefs, until such evidence is found.

To that extent, then, my mind is 'closed'.

(But, I don't think that this is what you mean by a 'closed mind'.)

Many find sanity amongst Jehovah, or in Allah.

'Sanity'? That's a legal concept, not a conceptual or philosophical notion.

I would say that many find 'comfort' in a belief in 'God'...

Keeping sane, why do you need to tackle that? Because I'd have a stereotype that your beliefs are wrong. If I attacked your beliefs and threw you into confusion, I could damage your mental state. Wouldn't that be wrong?

I have to question your use of 'damage'. Confusion can be a beneficial thing, if it removes our 'trust' ('closed mindedness') in wrong or insufficiently supported beliefs, allowing us to (hopefully) orient towards correct, or at least more rationally justifiable, beliefs.

This is why I'm going easy with you people.

You don't have to pull your punches, here. We can take it.

You likely believe that George Washington existed, but are you sure? Have you met him, or are you just assuming from a stereotype in your mind to stay sane, so that you wouldn't need to question something that you cannot prove or disprove?

It's not a 'stereotype' in my mind that leads me to accept that George Washington existed.

Nor do I accept that GW existed fully (to the same degree, and for the same reasons, that I accept my own existence, for example).

I believe that GW existed only because there is a great deal of evidence that he existed--and almost no evidence to the contrary. Further, nothing claimed about GW's life and existence contradicts anything that I 'know' (believe based on other, verifiable evidence) about reality.

I think people are mad at how others can stereotype the world. Don't believe me? Think that your beliefs are the centre of the world or that your god(s) is/are elite? Then you've just angered me by stereotyping me silently, by making me feel wrong and that I am an idiot (which as I have said, we all are).

You need to be very careful, here.

There's no reason why should you be 'angered', simply because someone else thinks their beliefs are the 'centre of the world'.

Further, just because someone disagrees with you, is no reason for you to 'feel wrong'. Your beliefs should be based on evidence you've personally observed and verified. Your beliefs should not be based on what other people claim is true or false, fact or fiction.

Last, if you're right--if we're all 'idiots'--then why would you be angry if someone else believes that you are an 'idiot'?

If you're mad that people are stereotyping (or thinking) differently then we/you are, aren't you just mad that people think at all? We like ourselves for stereotyping, but not others.

That's a mighty big 'if'. What if I'm not mad that other people are thinking differently than me? What if, as long as they don't try to limit my own freedom, I don't care at all?

I study with the Jehovah Witnesses, but I am not one. I believe that the Witnesses are on the most righteous track of all - but the reason that I am not one is simple. I do not want to follow blindly, which is why I read skeptism and footnotes about other religions.

Then why do you believe that the JW's 'on the most righteous track of all'?

You might think that "witnesses are stupid, short-sighted and incredibly afraid of change." But as soon as I learn to not let other's stereotypes bother me, I will be at peace with myself.

Life is an active, not a 'peaceful', process. The world is a mighty big place. Don't let your search for 'peace', blind you to the world.

Didn't I just contradict myself? I said that I am trying to seek for flaws in a religion, but that I am trying not to? Humans are an Oxymoron.

A paradox or contradiction, perhaps, but not oxymoronic.

Now that you've identified the contradiction, you still have work to do, in order to correct it...

As soon as we stop thinking (or dead), we'll be at peace.

Again, life is an active process. Never stop...

Keith.

[Sarpedon]

Misery? what misery? My life is pretty good. I'm having some romantic troubles, but not enough to make me miserable.

So you are 15 and thinking. Thats good. More than what I was doing at 15.

And the difference between believing in George Washington and believing in God:

1. George Washington was a military man, a plantation owner, and a politician. God is an omnipotent super-being who supposedly knows everything and is keen on judging us. I've met military men, plantation owners, and politicians. I've never met an omnipotent super being.

2. George Washington had a number of faults. He was a philanderer, a slave owner, a land-fraud, a poor tactician and had false teeth made of wood. God supposedly has no flaws. I've met philanderers, frauds, poor tacticians and people with false teeth. I've never met anyone who is perfect.

3. George Washington supposedly lived at a certain time and in a certain place. People who were alive and writing at the time leave accounts of him. Most of those accounts agree, to a reasonable extent. Accounts of god tend not to agree, and moreover, tend to change according to the time period and culture that is writing them.

4. There is physical evidence of George Washington. His signature is on the Constitution. You can go to his house in Virginia. You can find tombstones of soldiers which declare that such-and-such served in Washingtons army. Where is God's house? Where is god's signature? Where are the people who knew him?

And so forth. Think about this.

[Barefoot Bree]

Did any of you realize that this thread is FOUR years old? RIP, thread.