A religion with nothing to Celebrate

by eyeslice 92 Replies latest jw friends

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  willyloman

  Wow, this thread is a keeper and should be given the widest possible circulation.

  Here's just one of several things I enjoyed (so far):

  good point about the prison - and too bad Lifers are afraid to leave - like the Shawshank movie

  This made me think about my favorite movie, the Shawshank Redemption, and why it resonates with my whole family. This comment made me realize that the movie is really ABOUT witness life. Tim Robbins' character 'Andy' is the 'brother' who got out, and Morgan Freeman's 'Red' is the lifer who, after some time went by, finally decided to join him. The cons left in prison, who talk over their meals about Robbins' character and how much they miss him, are those who WANT to get out but cannot (for various reasons). The cons all see how corrupt the system is that enslaves them, but they are bound by their distrust and fear of the outside world and so they are resigned to sit patiently and wait for future events that are beyond their control. 'Andy' is the guy who takes the bull by the horns and makes his own destiny.
• 

  M.J.

  Actually, there's a wide variety of things written on a JW calendar.

  Yeah like all those pagan-god names for the days of the week.

  Actually my wife has that worthless calendar up and I'm always complaining that I can never tell when I have a day off work from the darn thing.

  I definitely agree with the souless singing comments! Man, I couldn't believe how dull, rigid and robotically sinister my first KH meeting seemed...kind of reminded me of that old Star Trek episode where everyone on a planet was under control of a central computer.
• 

  Navigator

  MJ-Apparently you are not "of the body". lol
• 

  lonelysheep

  When I first started studying, I was not told until later that holidays, heck nothing was celebrated. Me being in the post-traumatic state I was in just believed everything and held it to truth immediately.

  Since I'd always had crappy b-days and christmas's, it didn't bother me to give them up. Now that I have kids (4 and 2), I see how much they're missing out on normal childhood activities I grew up with. Not to mention my husband (not religious) who has purposely kept all holiday-anything out of our home because of me studying. I thought to myself, "how long could he possibly continue to not take part in any traditions on account of me, while he believed otherwise?"

  Halloween was the icing on the cake. It used to be my favorite holiday and really I hated giving it up. Never again, though!
• 

  XQsThaiPoes

  I still say you guys are sorta right but sorta off a bit. THe casino thing was great tho, and so was the "speacial magazine day" was great.

  But notice muslims, budhist, muslims, jews, hindus, communist (atheist), and "christians". Will all pull holidays out their collective butts to get them simple excuse to predictably and anually celebrate something. The watchtower in its 120 year history could not even make up dates so JWs to celebrate. I mean 0ct 1 (gentile times declared early by CTR) would be an awesome jw holiday. Even with out decorations or gifts we in jw fashion could at least get a speacial talk. Nope we got nothing and they tell us to work holidays so we can rotate fridays for the assemblies.

  We are just too Jaded and cynical to understand um... the concept that life means something now instead of after you die.

  And why in hell do JWs celibrate thanks giving? We are already invited to a small thanks giving party. I notice JW thanks givings are weird too. Instead of inviting the family from around the country to fly over. We invite local people from the hall.
• 

  inquirer

  XQsThaiPoes
  
  Jedi Master
  
  I still say you guys are sorta right but sorta off a bit. THe casino thing was great tho, and so was the "speacial magazine day" was great.
  
  But notice muslims, budhist, muslims, jews, hindus, communist (atheist), and "christians". Will all pull holidays out their collective butts to get them simple excuse to predictably and anually celebrate something. The watchtower in its 120 year history could not even make up dates so JWs to celebrate. I mean 0ct 1 (gentile times declared early by CTR) would be an awesome jw holiday. Even with out decorations or gifts we in jw fashion could at least get a speacial talk. Nope we got nothing and they tell us to work holidays so we can rotate fridays for the assemblies.
  
  We are just too Jaded and cynical to understand um... the concept that life means something now instead of after you die.
  
  And why in hell do JWs celibrate thanks giving? We are already invited to a small thanks giving party. I notice JW thanks givings are weird too. Instead of inviting the family from around the country to fly over. We invite local people from the hall.
  
  
  _____________
  
  
  My goodness! What a great idea they should celebrate - The Gentile Times! WOW! Thanks for posting that for us!
  
  But hey! I'll put an end to you with all these celebration thoughts! ;)
• 

  truth_about_the_truth

  I've heard this one before, "We are so blessed because we dont have to waste money and worry about buying gifts at christmas. What a hassle."
• 

  upside/down

  Twenty long loyalty filled years and I'm still waiting to recieve ONE GIFT WRAPPED PRESENT for no reason at all from my Dub bro's that "don't need a holiday, but can give at any time".

  I actually think that the Dubs have a private "celebration" five times a week that we're overlooking... When the meeting FINALLY ends! I know I've given thanks on many an occasion for THAT.

  So if the WTS was a country what would the "culture" be? Very Puritan-esque I'd imagine. You remember the Puritans, the guys that taught all pleasure was bad, even an orgasm! God they were so much better than those filthy ass pagans! (Sound familiar?)

  u/d
• 

  GetBusyLiving

  'Shawshank Redemption' is my favorite movie too! Can you tell?
  
  
  :It is like the fat goth chick of religion.
  That basicly sums it all up.
  
  
  I remember them saying that "we celebrate every day" and "we don't need a reason to celebrate, we can do it anytime". But we never did. All I got was picked on in school and made to feel like a little freak for most of my pre-teen years. I know that there are people that have it much worse in the world and its what helps me to not feel sorry for myself. But I just know that when I have kids, things are going to be much different for them. It's all I can do to not grow bitter and hate that stupid cult with a passion.
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  LUKEWARM

  Great thread!