Frenchy, you queried: "No emotions?". Yes, there was one emotion that prompted me to start this thread: sadness. Deep sadness. It has completed its mission, though. People looked at their own humanity. I've seen active JW's admit to their humanness and their love, and their willingness to do whatever it took to help and comfort others no matter what.
If you will read my initial post on this thread (page one, top) you will see that I was basically imploring anybody with fellow feeling who was a Jehovah's Witness, to speak up after taking a hard look at what had been written and reported on as being heard in the active, good standing witness community.
I'm sorry if the statements bothered you. I honestly, and concisely reported on what I'd heard different denominations say about the tragedy. I contrasted them with things I'd "heard" the witnesses say. Up to that point, I'd not heard one word of sympathy or compassion directed towards anyone BUT fellow witnesses by other witnesses. NOT ONE. not one.....I knew not every individual witness was like this--in fact I still hold that if they could be more of the individuals they are SANS the DOGMA, the witnesses, at their core are good, loving people. It's the dogmatic teaching of untold genocide and the collective persona that dictates, if you are not with us you are against GOD that prompts such calloused unfeeling responses. What I did with this post is remind EVERYONE that they are human. They are part of the human family. You can't beat out, legislate out, brainwash out a person's humanness forever. Frenchy, I'm truly sorry if the words and actions of your own people unsettle you. I realize that it's the collective talking and not the individuals. Now, please, if there's feeling left in you for your fellow man, stop trying to defend these calloused remarks...there's work to do, roll up your sleeves and help us clean up, bind wounds, heal, rebuild---or step aside, and try to stop convincing people that this organizaation in anyway reflects so called christian love.
Peace,
Bridgette
Bridgette
JoinedPosts by Bridgette
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66
What I heard the JW's say in light of this tragedy
by Bridgette inokay, i know (or want to believe) that not all jehovah's witnesses are this calloused.
at least i hope not.
there are some good, caring people, but here are some stark contrasts i've observed today that remind me of how glad i am that i'm not part of such an overall unloving group of people.
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Bridgette
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93
"Mire of atheism..."
by Julie in:i welcome those of your quality of character and refusal to sink into the mire of atheism or deep cynicism, .
i found these words to be so interesting.
i have seen posts (albeit few) that discuss the bible and whether or not it is of god.
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Bridgette
Alan F,
"I do not see how this find proves evolution as far as one living species turning or evolving
into another." is one of the latest missives from Scorpion. Please see my one and only previous post on this thread (i.e., why I do not try to reason with religionists). This is NOT a slight to religionists--some people desperately NEED religion (and society needs them to have religion, if you know what I mean). It truly is, like you said trying to convince a terrorist not to kill Americans. It's two different lines of thought: one based on scientific method, the other built on emotions and ideology. It's like trying to explain to a two year old how the internet works. Unless there is prior knowledge and the ability to grasp certain concepts, it's useless.
I in no way intend for this to denegrate anyone's beliefs. I have my own (I just don't peddle them). Everyone is entitled to believe as they wish.
Love,
B. -
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Society's Press Release about the tragedy
by Esmeralda inchasson posted this in another thread, and i think it should be brought to the forefront.
thank you, chasson for showing us all this link.. typical society response to tragedy.
so three people got out and got to brooklyn.
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Bridgette
Now, I don't want to disparage your posts, and I welcome you aboard, but just a simple reminder: Do you remember 1986? It was internationally DECLARED the year of "Peace & Security".
It's called a soundbyte, lovey. Who really knows? I decided a long time ago (and the prevailing attitude of JW's that I've witnessed here in the past 2 days have reiterated) that I really do not wish to live in a "paradise" with such unloving people...forever, and ever, and ever........Peace,
B. -
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Bridgette
I looked and can't find what's wrong. I DID notice, however, that it was one of the more "tame" pics of Armageddon that I've ever seen in the lit. I remember being terrorized as a child of the pictures of people scrambling in horror, fire balls falling from the sky, etc. No wonder I was terrified of their god. In fact, I was SO scared for SO long, as a child, that by the time I was a teenager, I had no more fear left inside me. It's like I'd totally burnt out on fear.
So anyway...what's wrong with the picture? (other than the whole ideaology of a loving god killing everyone but witnesses?)
B. -
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Society's Press Release about the tragedy
by Esmeralda inchasson posted this in another thread, and i think it should be brought to the forefront.
thank you, chasson for showing us all this link.. typical society response to tragedy.
so three people got out and got to brooklyn.
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Bridgette
Okay, just a side point: In my day (not SOOO long ago--well, just a little), Witnesses were not allowed to be firefighters or paramedics. Has something changed? Were they in good standing? NY telecom, help me out here.
Curious,
B. -
66
What I heard the JW's say in light of this tragedy
by Bridgette inokay, i know (or want to believe) that not all jehovah's witnesses are this calloused.
at least i hope not.
there are some good, caring people, but here are some stark contrasts i've observed today that remind me of how glad i am that i'm not part of such an overall unloving group of people.
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Bridgette
Seeker 4
I initiated this thread in order to put a human face on individuals--especially Jehovah's Witnesses. I had actually hoped more would speak up with compassionate voices.
I am heartened when I hear of ones like your wife (why, she reminds me a lot of myself when I was in). I know she is not the only one. They are not the majority---yet....but it's a start. You can't bowl over people's individuality forever with a wall of dogma. Most are lured in to the ORG because they are loving people desperate to see change in the world. That love and innocence gets manipulated after a while...but in most it's still there. I very much believe that humans very much want to love one another at their very core and in the end it will prevail over any manmade dogma or prejudice.
Blessings,
B. -
66
What I heard the JW's say in light of this tragedy
by Bridgette inokay, i know (or want to believe) that not all jehovah's witnesses are this calloused.
at least i hope not.
there are some good, caring people, but here are some stark contrasts i've observed today that remind me of how glad i am that i'm not part of such an overall unloving group of people.
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Bridgette
Kent,
I visited your site and read the threads. Hard to read. It's like blood lust, but I doubt many even recognize it as such, because fo the DEEP indoctrination (what did St. Paul write about those "deeply entrenched things"?).
It's like what the poster (JT, I believe) wrote about regarding the situation of blacks in the American South. The whites dehumanized blacks, so it was easy to watch them die, even gloat over it! I beleive that's what JW's are taught in a way: to hate anyone who's not one of them, or at least view them as less than human. I saw so much of that in the ORG. But I saw good people too: those who clung to their humanity and individuality. Like myself, who was absolutely sickened at the thought of Armageddon and people dying. My dad was DF'd and I couldn't even stomach the thought that he and millions of others would die. THEN, a brother brought out from the platform that it would NOT be a pleasant death, it would be agonizing (quoting some scripture in Zechariah about eyeballs rotting out of the head). Blood lust. Lack of love. No thanks.
Love,
Bridgette -
66
What I heard the JW's say in light of this tragedy
by Bridgette inokay, i know (or want to believe) that not all jehovah's witnesses are this calloused.
at least i hope not.
there are some good, caring people, but here are some stark contrasts i've observed today that remind me of how glad i am that i'm not part of such an overall unloving group of people.
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Bridgette
JT, DIM, Prince Charmant,
Thank you for helping to put a human face on a few. I was hoping in SOME way that this post would illicit that from SOMEWHERE. That a voice, no matter how faint from WITHIN the organization would say: "I care", "I hurt", "I FEEL for my fellow humans (not JUST humans who are JW's)" sans the WT dogma. Unfortunately, I know from my experience (over 20 years in the ORG) that these faint voices are few and far between, but it's a start--and I'm hopeful. Thank you. I hope just for a moment, JW's everywhere will connect with the human race again. I hope we all will.
I feel a lot of hope this morning. I know we will rebuild, we have shown tremendous human compassion. We have reconnected with our humanity. Not JW, not exJW, not Muslim, not Christian, not Atheist, not Pagan, just human.
Love and PEACE to all,
Bridgette -
66
What I heard the JW's say in light of this tragedy
by Bridgette inokay, i know (or want to believe) that not all jehovah's witnesses are this calloused.
at least i hope not.
there are some good, caring people, but here are some stark contrasts i've observed today that remind me of how glad i am that i'm not part of such an overall unloving group of people.
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Bridgette
Okay, I know (or want to believe) that not all Jehovah's Witnesses are this calloused. At least I hope not. There are some good, caring people, but here are some stark contrasts I've observed today that remind me of how glad I am that I'm not part of such an overall UNLOVING group of people. IF Christ WERE right, and one could recognize his chosen ones by their fruits, well......
This is what I heard a Catholic priest say regarding the tragedy today:
"May God have mercy on us, and all who were involved in this great tragedy. Let's pray for those who are going through this."
What I "heard" of a JW saying:
"Our brothers worldwide deal with this kind of problem every day!"—rep from Bethel. Good point, but CALLOUSED & devoid of emotion, and PEOPLE worldwide deal with this daily—not just JW’s.
What I heard a B'Hai person say today:
"I pray for everyone who's affected by this....I'm worried about all of the caregivers, too" (she also expressed concern that people of middle eastern descent would suffer undue repurcussions.
What I heard a JW say:
“the fun begins when the terrorists are identified and recompense is sought by the United States.. oh, and not to mention the ramifications in the global markets....
yep, like i said folks...."welcome to the GT.....and the finale is the Big A"..”—Chipster, JWD poster, defender of JW faith, speculating on the expected “fun” of a global economic crash as an aftermath of this tragedy.
What I heard a pagan say:
“Grieving for the souls lost today, and for all who are suffering because of Religious Fanatacism”—Silver Leaf—JWD poster and gentle Pagan.
What I heard a JW say:
“It is definitely going to get interesting when and if the markets open; and just think, we haven't even gotten into my favorite month of October yet. See ya! / You Know” JWD poster and defender of JW faith, expressing confidence (and revelry) that this tragic event will serve some purpose of his.
What a Catholic nun said to me:
"Isn't this terrible? Do you have family there? May the lord be with us."
a Jehovah's Witness elder said, “yes, this doesn't worry us, we know the end is coming.” --Where's the love?
And finally countless people stood in lines for up to 4 hours to donate blood for a tragedy hundreds of miles away. Many donate money, open churches to harbor people stranded in the nations many airports. ALL those I came in contact with expressed deep sadness, hopefulness, compassion.
While sadly, countless quotes off of WOL (a board for good witnesses) ran along the lines of “praise Jehovah” “I rejoice in Jehovah”……..
Please tell me there's SOME who are not so calloused, or just thinking of themselves. Then again, it's nice to be reminded that yes, I made the RIGHT DECISION by leaving this organization. Because, even IF they were right (and I in NO WAY BELIEVE THEY ARE) I would never want to live in eternity in such a "paradise" full of self serving, unfeeling, uncaring, blood thirsty individuals.Love,
Bridgette -
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Pinch ME Please I Must be Dreaming!
by Cassiline ini woke up this morning as you all did to this chaos that has enveloped our country, for those of you outside our country i am sure you were just as shocked.
nothing as devistating has happened during my lifetime.
although for some of you in countrys where terriosm is an everyday occurence i now can see the horror and heartache you must deal with on a daily basis.
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Bridgette
One of my first thoughts, also, was that this was an inside job (i.e., Timothy McVeighish). I, too am concerned for all those of middle eastern descent who live peaceably here. I hope no one else gets hurt.
I did not see the dancing in the streets of Palestine, but heard about it. Just like here in America, there are good and bad, there are greedy and generous, fanatic and level headed. I know the good people of the globe are mourning with the rest of the human family.
What this has done for me, is make me far more sensitive to the tragedies going on daily around the globe.
We're a family. And I hurt.
Love,
B.