I so desire to know more about the people I am listening to, and occasionally talking to. AOL has profiles. Some other web sites have them. I would really like to know more about the people behind the posts. Some I read and think what a dork. Others I read and think, Whow!! Who is this person? Where are they coming from? This is someone who understands. I want to know more about Momie, AlanF, DarkClouds, Norm, MommieDark, Farkel………. I can neither spell them nor name you all, but I want to know you all.
I have felt strong kinship based upon one post only to find later the individual is a borderline fanatic known to everyone but me. There are mostly good people here, maybe a few not so good. There are strong people, weak people, experienced, inexperienced, kind and a few mean, those outside the org and those inside. The web offers us anonymity which makes this possible, but makes relationships slow in developing. As I read a post I wonder, wasn’t this one of those persons I especially related to? Was this a man or woman? Is this person a reserved advocate of religious dogma or a loving person who has survived the dogma? Should I address this person as one who yet appreciates the Bible and God, or should I address this person as one coming from an agnostic or possibly an atheistic perspective.
None of this information is absolutely necessary, and often it is discernable by the immediate comments. But I would like to know more about you all. Maybe I’m a sucker for relationships. Consider
1 Peter 4:8:
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“ 8 Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” NWT.
The Living Bible renders this “continue to show deep love for each other, for love makes up for many of your faults.”
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As a guilt stricken JW still on the inside I need that. I believe familiarity accelerates the bond of love. And love will either help all of us overlook your sins, or help all of you overlook my sins which you have done up to this post.
If there is a profile database in the future I offer my own profile now for the record:
Name: Jst2laws
Approx Age: Past middle age
Sex: Not anymore. Gender, Male.
Background: Baptist until 16, became a JW. Ten years in “full
time work”, 6 at Bethel. Still an “elder” probably
not for long.
Likes: Helping people. Now that mostly entails mitigating
damage within the org.
Dislikes: #1 Cursing. #2 God Damn Hypocrites.
(in ascending order)
Current Status: Attending meetings.
Hobbies: Guilt is subsiding. Perhaps soon I will get a
motorcycle.
Philosophy: You can pick your friends, and you can pick your
nose, BUT YOU CAN’T PICK YOUR FRIENDS NOSE!
Favorite Scripture: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole
heart and with your whole soul and with your
whole mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first
commandment. 39 The second, like it, is
this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments the whole Law
hangs, and the Prophets.” Mat. 22:37-40
Please!! Someone more geeky than me, is there a profile utility in the future??
Jst2laws
PS. I would hate that someone inside got exposed and mistreated as a result of profiles. So if it happens, be careful to stay anonymous. OK!?