Posts by Bridgette

30

THIS got WT Leaders thrown in Jail

by Tallyman in

jw
friends

how many of you were aware that watchtower leaders were .

charged with, tried and convicted of sedition.

during world war i ?.

Bridgette

Tallyman, you asked: "if some Watchtower Leaders (of whatever rank) were tried and convicted
of harboring/aiding/abetting Pedophiles (the SilentLambs issue)
would you want to see those put in jail?"
Yes, wholeheartedly. One, it is just (not that being jailed for sedition, isn't, but hear me out.) It would be FAR more difficult to wrap themselves in the martyrdom banner with child molestation, than sedition. Simply a matter of public opinion. Anything to do with the harm of children (myself included) and we (Joe and Jane Public) go nuts, and don't want to hear lousy excuses. Even those of the Rank and File (whom the WTS view as merely amaharets--dirt people) would take notice, it would be the straw that broke the camels back for many mothers (and fathers). Now, sedition is so very subjective. I can see the ACLU getting involved, the WTBTS wrapping themselves in the Martyr flag (12 old, decrepid men, going to prison--a basically "harmless" organization--blah blah blah). Not to mention the Rank and File, who has been taught that the government is literally Satan's organization would see this as an attack on their beloved, innocent leaders by Satan and it would positively strengthen their faith. They see NO PROBLEM whatsoever with sedition. They in fact see it as their duty to detract allegiance away from earthly governments. Whereas, shedding light on the pedophile issue would cause a lot of people to see the truth about the trooth.
Your posts are always intriguing, Tallyman.

Bridgette

30

THIS got WT Leaders thrown in Jail

by Tallyman in

jw
friends

how many of you were aware that watchtower leaders were .

charged with, tried and convicted of sedition.

during world war i ?.

Bridgette

Mox, you wrote: "attach a stamp, and drop the book of in the mail and the postmaster will have it sent to the soldiers on the front."
Now, THAT'S interesting!! Not something they tauted when they were retelling that particular part of their history.
Now, to answer the poll, Tallyman: No.
But not for the reasons you might think. This organization, esp. their leaders are collectively paranoid to the point of psychosis. If they are put in jail, can you imagine? Martyrdom is what they crave. It would whip up a little bit of fervor if only for a moment, and feed it for a little while longer. This religious corporation, like any outmoded corporation is dying, as it does not sell a useful product. Let it go of its own natural causes. It goes the way of the dinosaur. Its people tire of empty rhetoric filled with fear mongering, lovelessness, and oppression. The organization, being solely dependant upon these R & F, who grow weary, will die out, or evolve into something totally unrecognizable from what it is today: something useful to the human race.
Pax,
Bridgette,

81

OK, This is what I have to say

by peacepipe in

jw
friends

i need to put my two cents in about this even though i'm reading it a couple days after the last post.. when i think of the death of those i care about i usually have no problem picturing them going to heaven forever: some people just to me seem like there is nowhere else they could be.

those who i've been close to that have died that i'm questionable about them actually going to heaven i feel like in some way as long as there are those of us here to remember them they are still kept alive somehow.

when i really think about my own death i have a panic attack.

Bridgette

Dear Peacepipe,
Thank you! You made my morning! One other item from your post stood out, too:
you wrote: "No one can afford to have any anger in their heart at this point. Love can only start with one to another, in our homes, on our computers and hopefully maybe somehow it will reach to the far ends of the earth and maybe just maybe all will be well. I just don't know"
That is a very wise statement. You are on your journey--it is YOURS, take heart. I agree there is a lot of negativity. People here are just working through their own stuff--try to just dismiss negativity (I KNOW, easier said than done--don't always do it myself).
I agree that there is a growing presence of negativity here on this board. I have started to channel my energies elsewhere. I still have no plans for leaving, this board, there's so many people here I love to read and hear from. But I recognize there are definitely more productive things I can do. I just joined Amnesty International. Anyway, walk your path. It's a wonderful journey.
Love,
Bridgette

43

The Bible advances women's rights

by Rex B13 in

jw
friends

our forum's now chapter likes to slander christian believers over alleged poor treatment of women.

in truth, the bible advanced women's rights in the ancient world, even in a paternalistic society.

here are the results of research into this topic.. num 5.12--the trial of bitter waters (sotah) is a an amazing provision by god for a woman to publicly clear her name (and indict a dysfunctional husband in the process).

Bridgette

Rex,
you wrote,
:anyone who is a believer will face constant critisism
Please don't be paranoid, Rex. I have read and commented favorably on some of your posts, even though I don't agree with everything you say--especially this attempt to excuse the bible's view of women. I simply will not even channel energy to address it. I am not going to change your mind about women, and you will not change my mind.
You run into criticism, when you try to enforce your beliefs on people. You're so terribly afraid of the freethought expressed here by some of the posters. You express over and over again, a fear that those who leave will be swept off into freethought. There's no doubt in my mind that you believe those who think and question freely in such a manner, and ascend past the belief in biblegod will burn in hell. So, I believe you have somewhat good intentions, but believe me, they are misplaced. You must trust me in this. First of all Rex, those who need to follow your path, will. Period. Some still need this very restrictive path. Those who need freethought, would do your movement no good in the longrun. You probably do not understand my words here. I mean you no harm. You are free to believe what you wish. No one's going to try to stop you (accept maybe other fundamentalists, on opposite poles from you like fundamentalist Muslims).
Peace,
Bridgette
"I want you to just let a wave of intolerance wash over you. I want you to let a wave of hatred wash over you. Yes, hate is good... Our goal is a Christian nation. We have a Biblical duty, we are called by God, to conquer this country. We don't want equal time. We don't want pluralism."

-Randall Terry, Founder of Operation Rescue

Quoted in The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana. 8-16-93

5

A comical comparison of religious views.

by Satanus in

a comical comparison of religious views.. .

http://www.gator-web.de/misc1.html.

i don't know how to display the page here.

Bridgette

Dearest Satan,
Duuuuh....I know THAT, silly!!
Haven't you read enough of my posts to know that I assign no belief in the angry, punitive Hebrew male sky-diety much less his arch nemisis, Satan?
Always Happy, (except when some jerk cuts me off in traffic! lol!)
Bridgette

81

OK, This is what I have to say

by peacepipe in

jw
friends

i need to put my two cents in about this even though i'm reading it a couple days after the last post.. when i think of the death of those i care about i usually have no problem picturing them going to heaven forever: some people just to me seem like there is nowhere else they could be.

those who i've been close to that have died that i'm questionable about them actually going to heaven i feel like in some way as long as there are those of us here to remember them they are still kept alive somehow.

when i really think about my own death i have a panic attack.

Bridgette

Dear Peacepipe,
Great to see your post! I sense that you feel a bit confused right now. But believe it or not, you're in a good place: you're asking questions. You're asking the right questions. To me, your post indicates that your ole thinker is alive and kicking, and demanding answers. The good/bad news is, that no one person or philosophy contains them (the answers). Because right now, the human race cannot be blanketed in one reality, esp. that of fundamental religion (i.e., we will never ALL be Muslim, neither will we ALL ever be Christian). Although Jesus taught some really good, enlightened things, Buddha taught some really good, enlightened things, as did Muhammed (believe me, I read ALL these guys, and more, however, just a side note: Buddha did not ever claim to be "the chosen one", nor did he seek to blanket the earth in his morality.) The human race up till now, and I feel for a bit longer is like an orchestra warming up before a beautiful symphony. We are masters at our particular instruments, and you have the wind section (just for kicks, I'll mentally place Christianity there--hehehe--no offense, Christians, but damn, you guys like to talk), you have your percussion section (muslims?) hehehe, etc. We're all banging about, sounding like we'll never congeal into a symphony, but we will. When we learn that the highest thing we can do is love. I like atheists, and humanists because they usually do good deed from their heart--like the difference between a musician in that orchestra who has to follow every note precisely on a piece of sheet music, and a musician who can pick up any instrument and play by ear--it is for the love of the music that true musicians play.
Now, where was I? I'll just sum up to say: you're going in the right directions by asking all these pesky questions. You ask them more of yourself, than anyone else, methinks. Freethought awakens in you, girl! Go with it....
and remember: "Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect." Krishnamurti

Love,
Bridgette

5

A comical comparison of religious views.

by Satanus in

a comical comparison of religious views.. .

http://www.gator-web.de/misc1.html.

i don't know how to display the page here.

Bridgette

Too funny, Satan!! (wow, never thought I'd be saying THAT when I was in the org!!) hahahaha!!
I've got another one for the JW's:
"Now, this may look like shit, smell like shit, and taste like shit, but it's not shit, because it's happening to us and we're god's chosen people. Now, if it were happening to Christendom, then it would be shit, but it's happening to us, so it's not shit. So, put on a happy face, and EAT UP boys and girls!!"

Bridgette

51

Afghan Women under Taliban

by Tina in

jw
friends

for those who might be interested in the plight, public murder,bride-price, of women who live under talibans terroriistic fundamentalism........ warning!

graphic photos.. http://rawa.fancymarketing.net/women.html.

carl sagan on balancing openness to new ideas with skeptical scrutiny..."if you are open to the point of gullibility and have not an ounce of skeptical sense-you cannot distinguish useful ideas from worthless ones.

Bridgette

Path, you wrote: "there are more sane ways of leading nations to see the benefits of human rights and a free society than by violating their citizen's most basic right to life. I don't believe these avenues have been fully exhausted."
Please expound on these ways. I'm not being sarcastic, either. I'm desperate, because I'm having a real moral delimna, here. I am a HUGE proponant of peace. I'm known among my friends as a MAJOR bleeding heart liberal--and most of them are liberals. So, if there are other means that can be employed, I am very interested. I have already begun to channel some of my energies into this cause, and I personally can't see, after reading most of what I've read, liberation coming about without the overthrow of the Taliban, and I don't see the Taliban leaving quietly. But, seriously, if you have any suggestions for a peaceful resolution to the liberation of women in Afghanistan, and an end to terrorism, please share with me. I hate war. I despise killing. I believe it to be one of the last things impeding our evolution as a species; that is our use of violence to solve problems. However, we're not dealing with highly evolved beings, here (the Taliban). It reminds me of the reading I've done on the civil war. The argument from the South regarding slavery is that it would die out of its own volition soon (i.e., SEVERAL generations) as it would become no longer cost effective to run plantations on slave labor with the coming of industrialization. And many historians agree with this. However, this would have meant several more generations of slaves. That was intolerable to the people witnessing and effected by slavery. It became an emergency situation that our leaders saw no other way to solve but by violence. And I'm from the south. Most of that war was fought on the south, where most of the black population lived at that time. It was dangerous, it was bloody, it was hellish....but worth it???? I don't know. There's no easy answers here. I wish there were. Please share more of your insights. I'm tired of war, but I'm sickened by oppression.
pax,
Bridgette

51

Afghan Women under Taliban

by Tina in

jw
friends

for those who might be interested in the plight, public murder,bride-price, of women who live under talibans terroriistic fundamentalism........ warning!

graphic photos.. http://rawa.fancymarketing.net/women.html.

carl sagan on balancing openness to new ideas with skeptical scrutiny..."if you are open to the point of gullibility and have not an ounce of skeptical sense-you cannot distinguish useful ideas from worthless ones.

Bridgette

Tina,
This is offensive to anyone of the human race. This is an OUTRAGE! I am affronted. I am sickened. I am pissed! I had heard whispers here and there on public radio of this, but continued with my complacency. After reading just a small portion of the link you posted, I am awakened out of my complacency. I am a proponent of peace, but I fear that at this time, it must be born of blood and battle (WHERE DO I ENLIST? DO THEY TAKE PREGNANT WOMEN? I'm hormonal and I have a gun you Taliban mo fo's!!HAHAHA!!!) I support whatever means are necessary to overthrow this atrocious, ignorant, inhuman regime.
Thank you for bringing this to light on this forum.
Bridgette (off to start my letter writing campaign!)

21

Greetings from Newbie

by c5 in

my name is cari.

i am fairly new here.

here is my story.. i was "raised in the truth".

Bridgette

Maxine,
Are you new here, too? If so, welcome aboard, to you too! What's your story, if you care to share.
Love,
Bridgette