Posts by bigwilly

18

1st Amendment Rights: Freedom Of Speech Question

by minimus in

jw
friends

today i was watching a documentary about a case where 3 people were murdered in a contract killing.

the book hit man by paladin press was used as an instructional guide as to the specifics of planning a murder, the best weapons to use, where a person should stand (3 to 6 feet away from the intended victim) etc.

evidently, this company specializes in books that detail how to dispose of a body, martial art and boxing details to win a fight, espionage and many other topics that most would consider "underground".

bigwilly

Freedom of information. Just because it's out there doesn't mean it's going to happen. It's like the age old racist and antigay propaganda, reading about or associating with these people does not make you one of them. Likewise (as minimus pointed out) reading this material does not equal acting on it. The issue is with the person that acts on it, not those that have something to say on the matter. We all have dark thoughts on occasion, the difference between most people and Tim McVeigh's of the world is acting on it. Sociopaths, murderers etc will do what they do with or without someone publishing a book.

If we're going to ban a book (or books) based on damage caused or lives lost, it should be this one:

50

Should unhealthy foods

by John Doe in

jw
friends

be banned?.

bigwilly

Banned? Yeah, why should individuals be responsible for their own well being. Goverment control is the only way!!!

/sarcasm

14

Raining Cats and Gods

by daniel-p in

jw
friends

im on the west coast (in ca), and it's pouring out here... real early storm... just waiting for the power to go out at work.. anyone else?

.

bigwilly

Cold (45) windy and rainy here in Potland too

11

I am thinking about buying a new car

by asilentone in

jw
friends

i was thinking about getting 2010 toyota corolla, a very quiet car.

.

bigwilly

Just make sure it's a 4-door so you can take it out in service

15

Do you like yourself

by is there help out there in

jw
friends

when you were a jw did you find you did not like your self.

when you left the truth did you find that you liked yourself more and enjoyed life..

bigwilly

It has taken years, but I finally realized that I'm pretty cool

I think alot had to do with constant concern about what others thought (wouldn't want to reflect poorly on the borg ya know) and that seemed to limit the self esteem and confidence I had available. I can't really pin it down to any one experience, but at some point I was able to say "I don't care what other people think, I'm going to be me".

39

Did you get drunk/take drugs as a witness?

by wouldacouldashoulda in

jw
friends

smoked.

got drunk.

taken drugs (non medicinal).

bigwilly

While active I drank once or twice beginning at age 19. After beginning to fade I tried pot and (due to lack of pot) cigarettes. When I was having a cig or smoking a bowl after meetings I decided I was being very hypocritical and stopped attending meetings. Since that time I've added 'shrooms and LSD to the list but nothing more.

45

Who Or What Influenced You The Most To Get Out Of The Religion?

by minimus in

jw
friends

for me, i think it was time and the realization of the idiocy of the beliefs and man made doctrines.

i just couldn't ignore it any longer..

bigwilly

I think it was the treatment of my sisters by the elder body and in particular how I was expected to treat the one that got DF'd. After that and a move to another state I was thoroughly unimpressed with the alleged JW family and began to fade. Once fading, it was only a matter of time before a more objective view of the borg took hold.

27

Do you have many friends since leaving the bOrg?

by AK - Jeff in

jw
friends

i don't have many in my physical sphere.

but the ones i have are good ones.

of course we share no 'history', since i never had a 'worldly' friend until i left at 48.. in my cyberworld [and some would argue the credence of that] i have found many fine souls with which to commiserate, share, grow.

bigwilly

I have many "aquaintances" and persons I enjoy spending time with on occassion. I have very few I would refer to as "close friends" and even fewer that I'd say I could pour my soul out to.

I don't miss the fake friendships and relationships associated with the borg and have come to view most of those former "friendships" as hollow. We had fun and enjoyed each other's company, but these people never exhibited what I'd call "true friendship". I am what I'd call a social loner. I enjoy social engagements and being around people, but absolutely must have my alone time. Truthfully I have little patience for people and can reach my limit of association quickly. Most of the persons I associate with now are for the social aspect and enjoy similar activities and so on, but when situations change and we're not easily thrown together I'm pretty unlikely to go out of my way to keep in touch with most.

58

What's in a name?

by dissed in

jw
friends

its friday, and you know what that means?.

its time for the weekly tradition of sharing what your name means and why you chose it.. there has to be a reason, and it must reveal to us something special about you.. sure this post has probably been run by the forum before, but many of us are new here, and 'by golly, we need to get to know you all better.'.

even if you are using your real name, why and the heck are you using it?

bigwilly

I'm slight of build (6'4" 240#) and my real last name is Williams. That and I love the inuendo

27

Were You Always Feeling Guilty As A Witness?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i think the religion works on guilt.

everyone is made to feel they're not good enough some how or perhaps they practice a "secret sin" and it gnaws at them.

so they decide to pioneer or "do more", recognizing they can never really make up for whatever shortcomings they have.. were you a guilt ridden jw?

bigwilly

Never felt guilty so much as watched. I'm pretty sure I couldn't even fart without everyone knowing for a 60 mile radius. That's alot of why I moved and eventually faded, the backstabbing rumor mill was getting to be too much. I'm sure alot had to do with my paternal unit's status in the cong, but everyone reported everything to him or the elders even though I was 20 years old. Honestly I lived very well within the standards and was a good little dub up until I left. Why put up with constant scrutiny and finger pointing if you're not guilty of any offenses?