Atheists: When Will You Finally See The Light?

[goodlife]

(John 12:42, 43)

[goodlife]

Keep up the good work chrisgel,hope you read what you find because you might see the light.

[chrisgel]

Yes and you might answer a direct question.
But I'll not hold my breath.

[naomi24]

Goodlife, //most operations can be performed successfully without blood.//

Most? What about the rest?

//"Clearly, Jesus would not get involved with the political and military structures of his day."//

He wasn’t averse to having a few swords handy – in fact it was one of his requirements. We know that because the bible tells us so.

[Kiki-frog]

goodlife, I don't think we've spoken before, but I follow these threads with interest. One thing that puzzles me is your apparent presumption that an atheist will be swayed by biblical quotations.

This isn't a micky-take, by the way, but a genuine question. Is the idea that there is some inherent power in the words that will make the atheist change his/her mind? If so, why do you think it doesn't appear to be working?

[boingo]

AH and Naomi, my thoughts entirely. Anyone who follows/preaches/shouts about how great their chosen religion is and puts it above their loved ones should be ashamed of themselves.

[chrisgel]

Goodlife - Oh look. I did as you suggested and guess what I found.

John 12:40
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

It must be gods fault that I don't believe.
Explain please.

[2sp_]

I'm more interested in knowing when we will all learn not to preach to others, forcing our opinions and beliefs on those who have different views.

Live and let live.

[ludwig]

// One thing that puzzles me is your apparent presumption that an atheist will be swayed by biblical quotations. //

Don't look for any logic or sense here kiki. Your question is likely to be answered by a quotation itself.

[boingo]

2sp, I agree. Until someone needs a blood transfusion. ; )

[goodlife]

andy-hughes@ I am beginning to think you are not with it!!
You have the website – read it! You will find all the information and experiences.

We all have a brain, we all have the same opportunities. Even surgeons are now seeing that bloodless surgery is more healthful. People who do not have blood recover quicker, and have a shorter convalescence period than those who do.

Before you say it, - I know from personal experience. Also I know many who have had extremely dangerous and major operations without blood (brain, heart & cancer) and are still around to tell the tale.
Maybe, one day, surgeons will refuse to do blood transfusions – what will you do then?

[2sp_]

I had to be given blood after my youngest daughter was born by emergency C-Section.

Without that blood I could have died.

Seems quite simple to me.

[andy-hughes]

goodlife - "Maybe, one day, surgeons will refuse to do blood transfusions – what will you do then?"

What I do now - which is trust that someone who has spent half a decade in training, knows a lot more about what surgery needs than I do, or you do, or you imagine your God does.

"andy-hughes@ I am beginning to think you are not with it!!"

I'll take that as a compliment - thank you!

[andy-hughes]

2sp_ - "I'm more interested in knowing when we will all learn not to preach to others, forcing our opinions and beliefs on those who have different views."

You have hit on the fundamental difference between atheists and JW's - the former accept that other people have faith, and they don't, the latter accept that other people have faith, but the wrong one, or no faith, which is wrong also.

Guess who has the happier life?

[boingo]

2sp. I have a blood disorder (which probably won't go down too well with JW) so I've had over 60 iron infusions and have had blood after two emergency C sections. Like you, I would never have contemplated refusing blood if it meant my baby was at risk of dying.
AH, I would much rather be labelled as not with it than heartless.

[andy-hughes]

boingo - me too!

It would appear that in GL's vision of the world, you are one of those lgithweights who simply can't hack it without 'faith' to see you through, in which case it would be better if 'the Lord took you unto his own ...' and all that, which is a quaint religious phrase for saying you've died!

I am happy to be 'not with it' - if 'it's is GL's version of the world - he appears be lacking in even the most basic social skills such as the courtesy to answer questions put to him, and speaking for himself and not in cut-and-pastes the whole time.

Like I said - I know what has the happier life.

[boingo]

AH, I was never Christened. My Mum and Dad were but chose not to have my sister and I Christened. Over the years, I went to school with, worked with and met people from all walks of life and very different religions. I have taken bits and pieces from all. My children haven't been Christened and have R.E. at school, which is much more diverse than when I was at school. It is entirely up to them which god they chose to follow, or not at all, which is where my eldest (14) is at the moment.

[andy-hughes]

boingo - that's it then, 'they' have no use for you at all!!!!

[boingo]

choose to follow.

[boingo]

Thank God for that! ; )

[2sp_]

From my own personal experiences of JWs...

My 90 year old granny converted to JW about 45 years ago. Like a good little follower, she "went on the work" banging on doors and preaching to anyone that would listen. She missed out on all family Christmases, birthdays and church weddings and funerals.

All because her "religion" refuse to accept other beliefs.

Now that she is too old to knock on doors, she has been dropped like a hot brick by her congregation. No one phones or visits her.

I'm really sad for her. She has invested so much of her life into the JWs and now they have abandoned her.

On the plus side, she went to an old folks Christmas party at the weekend and met some lovely people.