Posted by mntzion [mntzion] on November 30, 1999 at 03:43:42 {JEfy6n1mcIi1Us5iQnLw9dahiI6DLo}:
If one looks closely at the shift in fundamental philosophy toward the physical world from Jesus/Apostles' teachings to that of Muhammed, one can see the early roots of the "age of science" being introduced. Tracing back several centuries we find that humanity abandoned the idea that the physical world was not worthy of our close examination to becoming the focus of intensive and extensive analysis. The idea that the world is not "evil" fueled the testing of theories based on whether or not they were "true" as apposed to if they were "attractive" hence moving away from myth-making into model making.
Ultimately, this fundamental shift in the Koran gave rise to all kinds of advancements in many diciplines. We know enjoy hundreds if not thousands of material benefits that would never have been discovered had the paradigm of Christianity been followed.
If this analysis is true, and I support that it is, then most of the advances in materialism, which you and I would never want to give up, are, by JW definition, of "pagan origin". I could provide a list if needed, but just to make my point, it need not be a tree or wedding ring that one choses to use in a ceremony or celebration to be treading on the "benefits" of paganism.
I use the term as a witness would, but do not consider it pagan in any respect.
How many things of the material world, including the paper the WTBTS uses to print on, plus the ink, are the "true brothers" willing to forgoe to keep there lives free of "paganism"?
mntzion who loves his material and metaphysical inheritance...