Posts by FreedomFrog

28

I bought a cross.

by lostlantern in

i will consider this my first act of spiritual freedom.

i bought myself a celtic cross, i will admit i picked one out that i hope isn't recognizable to my parents.

i know it is pathetic to be 31 and still afraid of what they think but i am not ready to lose them.

FreedomFrog

That's a great cross but it's a shame what this cult has done, for someone to feel uncomfortable in wearing openly the cross while among family members. It goes to show the extremism and isolationism of cultic groups.

Well, I'm probably gonna step on someone’s "toes", but the "extremism and isolationism" extends to not only JW's...it's also non-JW..At least around here it is. If it's not the "traditional" Christian cross, then it's deemed "demonized". And it's frustrating because it's viewed that way because some crazy group of activists would "steal" the symbols.

I wish I could feel "free" like sunspot. But right now, I don't think even the rest of the world is ready to have an open mind. Until then, I'll be in the "broom" closet along with Brigid.

28

I bought a cross.

by lostlantern in

i will consider this my first act of spiritual freedom.

i bought myself a celtic cross, i will admit i picked one out that i hope isn't recognizable to my parents.

i know it is pathetic to be 31 and still afraid of what they think but i am not ready to lose them.

FreedomFrog

No matter what you get, you might offend someone, somewhere, sometime.

I agree...if it "looks" weird...then it must be evil from the standpoint of most people, especially JW's. It's frustrating because even with non-JW's, I have worn several different pendants, only to get "you must be a worshipper of satan" comments. My cherished pendants I wear under my shirt because they are meaningful for me...and if anyone tries to get "nosey", I'd knock their hand away. Though, I'm a bit more braver now since I've been out for 2 years, I'm still not brave enough to bring my pentacle out of "hiding".

28

I bought a cross.

by lostlantern in

i will consider this my first act of spiritual freedom.

i bought myself a celtic cross, i will admit i picked one out that i hope isn't recognizable to my parents.

i know it is pathetic to be 31 and still afraid of what they think but i am not ready to lose them.

FreedomFrog

Just a thought, have you thought about wearing it, but under you shirt? I wear a Pentacle which is also so misunderstood. But it's a religious symbol that means our "life" (fire, earth, water, air and spirit). I finally had to start wearing it under my shirt.

28

I bought a cross.

by lostlantern in

i will consider this my first act of spiritual freedom.

i bought myself a celtic cross, i will admit i picked one out that i hope isn't recognizable to my parents.

i know it is pathetic to be 31 and still afraid of what they think but i am not ready to lose them.

FreedomFrog

FYI, this is an ODIN's CROSS.
It is used by many white supremacists to show love for Jesus and love for Nordic, Aryan roots. An adapted form of this cross is used by the KKK, as well as many skinhead adherants.
I'm not condemning, just informing.
The cross by itself isn't necessarily a symbol of racism, but if coupled with other "celtic" things (such as runes), it could easily be construed as symbolic of white pride

Ok, I have to disagree with you. Yes, it's an Odin's Cross...also known as the "Solar-Cross". But many wear it for a spiritual, non-violent reasons. It's a spiritual symbol throughout the world. And it's been around for many years. It represents the solar calendar, which with that cross it's showing only the solstices. Each "point" represents each season or "solstice". Sometimes it will also show the equinoxes, but that one doesn't. Indians would wear this as a "compass". Here's a link that will explain what the cross means.

http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefssolar.htm

156

For NICE PEOPLE only!

by BlessedStar in

jw
friends

it seems as though many people come to this board and leave in a short space of time.. it's a pity.. there are people on this board who are very nice and polite even when discussing various views.

this leads to understanding and concern.

i would like to meet you people.. please post in here.. i term nice as being kind, not cursing, love for god almighty, thrives on the right things in life, not hurting other's feelings, etc.. blessed star

FreedomFrog

Well I think you and your hubby are nice.
That's one for you.
Josie

Awww, thanks Josie, I think you're nice too.

156

For NICE PEOPLE only!

by BlessedStar in

jw
friends

it seems as though many people come to this board and leave in a short space of time.. it's a pity.. there are people on this board who are very nice and polite even when discussing various views.

this leads to understanding and concern.

i would like to meet you people.. please post in here.. i term nice as being kind, not cursing, love for god almighty, thrives on the right things in life, not hurting other's feelings, etc.. blessed star

FreedomFrog

1. Legolas
2. AlmostAthiest (Dave)
3. Frannie Bannanie
4. Blindersoff
5. Imustbreakaway
6. FinallyFree -- (could have been)

Ok, you can add me to that list since you put my hubby (AA) on there. Because he has more patience than I do. What a very strange view you have for "nice".

Anyway, I'm fine thank you, and how are you?...(from a "not nice" person)

FF

40

Relationship with God

by dozy in

jw
friends

just a general question , really.. i'm an active witness who is questioning & researching - unsure of any conclusions yet.

i've spoken to a couple of former apostates who have been reinstated as to why they returned (as i know that very few do) and the summary of their conclusions is given below.

i would appreciate your comments.. ...essentially they had a strong relationship with god and felt that this was the paramount purpose in life.

FreedomFrog

The average "born again" or church-going Christian is very vague about the Father. My experience is backed up by numerous conversations , both in the door-to-door ministry , chats with workmates and debates with several church ministers.

IMHO, they may be giving you "vague" answers to your questions because they are afraid to get into a "debate". Or at least that was the view my neighbors and friends have told me when talking with them. Most of the ones I've come across have strong feelings about their Creator that they worship. But then again, it may be just where we live.

46

What are your biggest pet pieves...

by DigitalFokus in

jw
friends

what sends shivers down your spine like the good ole "nails on a chaulkboard"?

things people do, say or don't do or say.

basically what really pisses you off.. df.

FreedomFrog

People who loves to play their music so damn loud that it vibrates in my living space...my house of refuge...MY home. Grrrrrrrrrrrr

It's been happening for almost a month now. We have some party people that lives behind our house. Well, they think it's cool to have it blastin' all the time and at really late hours. I've try to put up with it because of wanting to be that "good" neighbor. But just a couple of nights it became too much and Dave went to ask them to turn it down, it was so loud that they couldn't hear cause it was so ridiculously loud. We ended up calling the police on them.

I would love to invent some kind of "zapper" and zap their stupid speakers when they become so oblivious to other peoples feelings. I don't really mind a "party" once in a while. Just those parties that start up around 7pm and go on until 1am. every single freakin' night. Ok, I'm done "ranting". LOL

FF (Gina)

40

Relationship with God

by dozy in

jw
friends

just a general question , really.. i'm an active witness who is questioning & researching - unsure of any conclusions yet.

i've spoken to a couple of former apostates who have been reinstated as to why they returned (as i know that very few do) and the summary of their conclusions is given below.

i would appreciate your comments.. ...essentially they had a strong relationship with god and felt that this was the paramount purpose in life.

FreedomFrog

Although some had "found Jesus" , none of them had maintained any relationship with the Creator and many even had atheistic and / or agnostic feelings.

Hmmm, are you basing this on just their viewpoint? Many that I know of have actually became closer with their "Creator". And that "true" closeness.

I've read a few of your disassociation letters which often include phrases like "I still love Jehovah" and equivalent. Have any of you managed to maintain a strong relationship with the Creator (whom you may or may not still call Jehovah , Yahweh or similar) externally from Jehovah's witnesses. If so , how?

In answering your question:

For me, I went the Eclectic Pagan with Native American beliefs. When I was a JW for close to 30 years, I tried hard to have that connection and prayed for hours through tears for that closeness but it never came. The relationship was a "fake" feeling. Partly because I felt it was a "one-way". I went to other Religions in search of that "close relationship" that everyone talked about, but the same, I couldn't "feel" the closeness with the Creator. Once I started down my path as a Pagan, I started to feel that "warmth" feeling. In my belief system I can do a "shamanistic journey" ritual if I want a one on one "chat" with my Higher Power/s. Rituals and journeys are basically "prayer" in my belief. But with more of an action instead of just bowing and talking to what feels like empty air for me.

8

Ghostbusters like scene in downtown LA

by Pleasuredome in

jw
friends

.

does anyone here know anything about this strange black gue that has been appearing in downtown la?.

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_3529716

FreedomFrog

Hmmm, interesting article WG...I'm gonna have to do some history look-up today. I'm really curious now. (like I don't have enough to study up on)

FF