Thanks, dedpoet, for your congenial approach and welcome, though it seems that we all have to earn it. Tough, weather-beaten, ragtag bunch — if I do say so myself. It's either facing conflicting viewpoints, or a competitive world. This seems more interesting.
I've been the self-destructing type. Hopefully, interaction with live folks will change that. I'm regular as clockwork at the KH, actually. It's been that way, and increasingly so for years. Sing my heart out, say amen to the prayers, and take notes in enforced silence the rest of the time with a 4-color pen. Lots of research in the Hebrew and Greek using Strong's Concordance and lots of versions in my own personal library and online, including several other-language translations. Mostly solitary for the last few years. Now I guess I'm ready to stand again, though I didn't stand right when I did it before.
All the things I thought didn't line up have pretty well all gradually inched forward. When a person worships a God who lives forever, what's a few years of waiting here or there. These last few years I've suffered the effects of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, so I've appreciated the gradual increase in awareness of those around in the KH, less perfume, no tobacco use by the JWs themselves. It's all helped.
What you say is so true: Each of us needs to choose our own path, and we are all entitled to respect for the choice we make. When a person's done most of his own upbringing, it's hard to know how to give respect a lot of the time; but when we see it shown, it means a lot. Then there's the matter of understanding about consequences, which I've still got a lot to learn about.
I try to look beyond the WTS to what Jehovah must be saying. We're each in our own space, with so many voices around. I believe the Mormons are right when they say that the Bible can be believed when it is translated correctly. We're all works in progress, with a few good points of understanding, and others that need some work. If we don't show love among ourselves who we can at least read comments from, how do we show love for those we can't. All of us need to breathe, and eat, and exercise, and experience nourishing love. All that depends on Jehovah helping us — with rain, with sunshine, with support from those we know and those we don't. Just think of all the hands we don't know about that helped bring such a simple thing as a banana to our table. We're all dependent on Jehovah and interdependent on other humans.
And Jesus' half-brother James did mention the fountain that can't be both bitter and sweet at the same time, so why should we? It all boils down to love of God and neighbor. Sometimes love warns, sometimes it laughs, sometimes it just talks or listens. And, hopefully discussions like this help bring out the best in all of us. There is a season, Turn, Turn, Turn, ...
