sorry this is in red.
i do not see a way to change it to black.
this is excerpt from web page by fellow poster here at jwd.
It depends on your perspective really - if you are an athiest I suppose you would argue its the name of one imaginary concept - if you are polytheist then you would argue that it is the name of but one god. If you are monotheist and your beliefs centre around the Hebrew god of the mountains then, yes you could still use that name but in the end, does it really matter?
Gary
i was raised a jw, by an inactive jw mom.
looking back, and reflection on my childhood, causes me to wonder.. i honestly did not miss the holidays, for example.
i never had them, so nothing was taken away in that regard.
AKJ - whilst we all have our own story yours reminded me very much of my own in part and was a fabulous reminder to be thankful for the friends I have made since and my escape from such a socially destructive cult.
Great post!
Gary
PS: I forgot to log out of Sirona's log in sorry for the blank message above.
well its been a while since i really posted on here, so let me give you an update on my life.. firstly; my dad got married and i didnt get an invite, kinda hurt.. secondly; two days after somebody reported me and megan to social services so we had to deal with that when i swear down on my little boys life i and megan havent harmed him in anyway, we wouldnt.
when she was pregant there was a risk he was going to be poorly, i would never put ourselves in a position where we might lose him again.
thirdly; i'm progressing toward being an ex-ex jw, its a big part of me but all i want is my experiences and thoughts to help others without the negativity involved causing me harm.
Sorry to hear of your troubles Karl - if you need a chinwag you know where I am.
Gary
IMO sometimes people need someone in their life to be a little harsh instead of just getting the same ole "poor you" talk that perpetuates and reinforces their reality. But for the record I never told him to "get over it" I suggested something that worked for me and then commented on why I felt he responded so negatively.
I agree that sometimes people do need a harsh word to make them sit up and take notice but usually this person tends to be someone with a certain degree of proximity such as a close friend of member of their family not someone who doesnt know them or knows what they are truly suffering. Whilst you didnt use the words 'get over it' the words you did use were meant in the same spirit and as such this was why it was harsh. I for one do not agree with reinforcing the 'poor me' reality or soft soaping anyone but as a matter of opinion I dont think being harsh was of any benefit. Just my opinion. G
wallow in a pool of self pity and pseudo superiority
Xena, you question what judgement - the above certainly looks like one. From the posts I have read of RC's over the last few weeks he sounds like he is quite depressed so it should be no surprise that his outlook is not as positive as it should be. Its very easy for a person that is not depressed to say in effect 'get over it' or 'think positive' - the reality for the sufferer is much more difficult.
Perhaps instead of casting judgements and stating what could be considered the harsh reality we should be finding ways to be more supportive.
In my experience and with regards to friendships, depression is one of those illnesses that seems to isolate for one reason or another and is often a barrier regardless as to whether or not someone is open to attracting friends. Its only when a person who suffers from depression begins to heal that they often feel that they feel that they can begin to trust again, the healing process is however often a long and difficult road to travel.
Then again you do not have to suffer from depression to lack friends - some seem to be content to have few or no friends (for one reason or another) and some find it more difficult than others. Xena whilst I can see some of the points you have made, I feel you were a little harsh.
Gary
i believe that jehovah's witnesses are a cult and that many of the doctrines of the watchtower.
society are laughable.
when i was an active zealous elder i prayed alot every day.
Excellent question!
I have a different perspective than most on the issue of prayer. I see prayer as a statment of intent or will which when strong enough creates change mentally, physically and spiritually.
Just my thoughts.
Gary
our culturally biassed and contextual image of god is that of a male being, omnipotent, eternal, and existing outside the created world.
sirona introduced me to a new type of god (maybe one without caps, i'm not sure): a divinity who is human-like, framed within the human perspective, subject to suffering, growing and dying, like anything else in the visible universe.. isn't it time to face the fact that our western image of god is nothing more than our perspective on god with all its negative and positive aspects included?
why do we need to prove the existence of our god if it's only the perspective we feel comfortable with?
21 yr old Belgian male seeks mature female, replies blelow!
Meeow! LOL G
so all this talk at the moment about funerals and stuff got me thinking... what kind of an exit party would i like?.
i reckon i would not want anything too formal, but i would want loads of people saying how great i was - i people to notice that i am no longer around, and be sad about it!
i want people to share good memories.
I would be want my remains returned to the earth in the most ecological way possible - that way I am returned to the elements from which I came and part of the eternal process of life, death and rebirth.
Having got the spiritual stuff out the way I would want my funeral to be a celebration of my life where the wearing of black will not be allowed.
Music, dirty beer, and lots of merry making and none of this weeping and wailing bollocks.
In fact it had better be a party that I would sorely regret not being a part of!
Gary /|\
i mean, i know i'm bitter.. normally these days quite strong, not feeling so much so much the last few days though.. what i'd give to do the things i was used to.
going doing the weekly shop with my mum, her popping round for a brew in the morning.. a hug from her, just to to know from the way she communicated with me, that she loved me.
i miss her so much.. and what if i'm wrong?.
Just wanted to say that both Dawn and I's thoughts are with you - and whilst we are not fluff bunny pagans there is a Celtic blessing that comes to mind and I thought I would share it.
Beannacht (Blessing) - John O Donohue
On the day when the weight deadens on your shoulder And you stumble,
May the clay dance to balance you.
And when your eyes freeze behind the grey window
And the ghost of loss gets into you,
May a flock of colours, indigo, red, green and azure blue
Come to awaken in you a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays in the curach of your thought
And a stain of ocean blackens beneath you,
May there come across the waters
A path of yellow moonlight to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of the light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow wind work these words of love around you,
An invisible cloak to mind your life.
Gary & Dawn
)o( /|\
from a piece in a london publication:.
the proportion of men and women getting married is below any level found since figures were first kept nearly 150 years ago.. and the number of weddings held in 2006 was the smallest since 1895, when the population was little more than half its present level.. the evidence that marriage is withering away at an increasing pace was met with a furious response from critics of labour's benefits system, which disregards the status of husbands and wives and pays parents extra to stay single.
the causes of the collapse of marriage range from the rise in the western world of a highly individualistic ethic, to a profound shift in moral and religious attitudes, to the sexual revolution, to the widespread use of abortion and the pill, to changes in law, among other things.
Well hell, like I said, the law favors women.
I disagree and I am sure that there are numerous other academics, lawyers and commentators that would disagree too. The law has never since the history of man favoured women, in fact when you look at womens rights across the board they have had to fight for every semblence of equality there is. I agree that sometimes men do get a raw deal in family issues but largely this is not the case.
Well I am not talking about Genghis Khan spreading his seed across Eurasia centuries ago. I am talking about HERE and NOW. Men and women are not the same, whatever your unrealistic notions are. Our minds and bodies are different. Our reproductive roles are different. As for calling a spade a spade, I call them like I see them, and I think the same about men and their philanderings, as my own post history bears out.
Actually I was talking about here and now as well - it is socially acceptable for a man to go out of a weekend and spread his seed (for want of a better expression) but when a woman does the same she is regarded differently and is treated like a slut. Again I reiterate there is no excuse for promiscuity with any gender (and we appear to agree on this) but the disparity of treatment is disgusting in my view.
Whilst I accept the biological differences this is no reason for women to be treated differently societally.
I take issue with the fact that you appeared by your comments to make the whole breakdown of marriage a gender issue when it isnt about gender or legal rights at all.
All to many here seem to value their own sexual freedom and the right to indulge their animal passions over the duty to care for the results of those sexual unions-both men and women. Our children are the ones who are paying the price.
We appear to agree on the issue of childcare but I do take issue with the assumption that children are not adequately cared for in alternative relationships other than marriage. Regardless as to whether anyone chooses to marry we must all take responsibility for our sexual freedoms and the results of the same. I was born into a single parent family and I am largely successful and responsible - I know a number of other children born to single parents who have also faired well.
Also too, one of my friends has children from another relationship (a marriage) but they share residence equally - his children are well behaved, well mannered and this is despite (again for want of a better expression) custody being shared. Whilst children fair better when they are in stable families (marriage not being a prerequisite) this is not the only way in which children are best cared for.
You gotta be freaking kidding me. So why do people get married?
There are numerous reasons as to why people get married these days but the reasons behind such choices are not a gender issue and there are far more alternatives out there that suit the individuals concerned.
Gary
