Posts by zarco

as an elder i would have a hard time putting my heart into writing up a local needs talk that was targeting one or two congregation members, knowing full well they probably wouldn't be there to hear it.. .

zarco

OM - I am giving a local needs talk next weekend the title is "Life is too Short to Drink Bad Wine" - hopefully you can dial in :)

40

"Local Needs" Talks: The people who should really hear them are never there.

by Open mind in

my whole life as a jw i've heard this refrain.

"too bad so-and-so wasn't here for that local needs talk.".

as an elder i would have a hard time putting my heart into writing up a local needs talk that was targeting one or two congregation members, knowing full well they probably wouldn't be there to hear it.. .

zarco

Willy - good point...

An organization that was truly motivated by love and the desire to engaged in "a life-saving work" would be on top of this.

There is really nothing about the JW communication style, actions and policies that conducts a "life-saving work. There are a few Witnesses who actually do good things for others, but the organization as a whole - not a chance.

zarco

82

Any of you folks from the awesome state of Colorado??

by SweetBabyCheezits in

jw
friends

my wife and i are thinking of moving our family to a better place in the us....away from jw family and out of the southern bible belt.

just curious how many of you live around co and, more specifically, near fort collins?

of course, we're open to any city that is less conservative and has awesome summer weather and outdoor activities.

zarco

SBC - Colorado is an excellent place to live. The weather is much better than folks realize. Lots of sunny days. The mountain towns are fun, the front range towns are maybe more appropriate for a family. My favorite city is Durango in the southwest corner of CO. Ft Lewis College is there, a great "foodie" town and the "normal" beautiful outdoors.

PM me as I have a contact or two that may give you the lay of the land with regard to a photography business.

Best,

Zarco

25

How can I convince my parents to vote?

by Sharpie in

hey, first off i didn't know where to post either here or in the poltics section?

but anyways, for the canadians on this board you all know there is the federal ellection in one month.

now i do remember there are a number of articals that say, or rather don't say its not allowed to vote.

zarco

Maybe the error of the WTS and similar is the audacity to convince others of anything.

31

June 15 W/T - "Should Youths Get Baptised?"

by sizemik in

the above mentioned article caught my eye for a couple of reasons .

.. it is obvious to most observers that the children of active jw's provide a potential "large army" and in spite of the attrition rate of jw youths (around 2/3's i believe), it's a resource the borg are keen to maximise.

there tactics appear to be encouraging baptism at an ever younger age.

zarco

Hmmm... Jesus was how old when he got baptized?

83

Are You Going To the Memorial?

by headisspinning in

jw
friends

i can't see myself not attending.

i would feel horrible not to go.

i don't know where i'm going to land and if i had to look back and think i didn't go... well, i would feel awful..

zarco

xyz - that is a powerful post. I am so sorry for the awful behavior you and your son experienced.

Headspinning - I think Sizemilk hit the nail on the head. We are conditioned to think missing a memorial is a big thing. When you get to a better place without some of the emotion and hurt it will be easy to miss the goofed up celebration of something (certainly not anything biblical). For now, I understand how difficult it is to miss. I am missing my first memorial this year and am really happy to be at this place in life. It took me too long to get here.

Best,

zarco

7

Do you miss a place to connect with others?

by zarco in

jw
friends

startfragment.

after fading away a couple of years ago and going through the stages of transition away from the wts anger, disappointment with them and with myself for staying so long and now disgust at their harmful doctrine i no longer think of myself as an ex-witness.. recently i have had a longing to check out other groups.. i recently went to a buddhist meditation but the religious symbols didnt feel right to me.

the people were warm, welcoming and genuinely interested in me.

zarco

OM -

If you fly all of that way, I will provide the steak and wine. It is how we celebrate the memorial now days :)

zarco

7

Do you miss a place to connect with others?

by zarco in

jw
friends

startfragment.

after fading away a couple of years ago and going through the stages of transition away from the wts anger, disappointment with them and with myself for staying so long and now disgust at their harmful doctrine i no longer think of myself as an ex-witness.. recently i have had a longing to check out other groups.. i recently went to a buddhist meditation but the religious symbols didnt feel right to me.

the people were warm, welcoming and genuinely interested in me.

zarco

The place that I go to has a band and they play about 4 songs throughout the service. There is a short reading or two from a philosopher or from a "thinker". Last week the reading was from the writing of an Native American Chief

There is a talk on a current topic. Last week it was about how the way a universalist looks at "sin" is far different than a religious person. If we find ourselves acting in a way contrary to what we aspire to be or to what we hold dear, it is a sin to us. So in this talk it was more about working to be consistent with our deeply held beliefs. For many in the congregation I went to it was being consistent with environmental causes.

There is a short story that involves the children in the congregation. Then the children go with a youth director for activities. Folks from the congregation can share good and bad things that they are experiencing as part of the service. Some talked about their anniversary, others a birth. Still others lost a family member, etc.

The entire service is about 70 minutes.

A state government official came to the church to talk about budget matters. He came during the week, not at the Sunday service.

The indeed like to drink :)

Best,