if youre anything like me youve probably been trying to analyze your feelings over the last couple of weeks.it seems like im experiencing an ever-changing array of emotions!.
its starting to come in on me that i had such a false sense of security and naivety .
now when i look at our government i feel like ive been viewing them through the eyes of a child.
FYI - link regarding the possibility that the US provoked the WTC attack????
http://www.guardian.co.uk/wtccrash/story/0,1300,556279,00.html
I do not spend a lot of time thinking about conspiracy theories and cover ups - however, perhaps someone from the UK can comment about the reliability of the "Guardian". This is the first I have ever heard of the publication.
Wheels within wheels.....?
Peace,
Makena
hey all!.
i've been planning a surprise trip to nyc for my boyfriend neil for several months now and i've just told him about it.
(it will be our year anniversary the weekend we go.
Hey BG - Its been over 4 years since I was in NYC, but had a memorable dinner at:
Cite - 120 W 51st St
(212) 956-7100
A little pricey, but we were on the company's dime. Great atmosphere -food, paired with a different glass of wine each course.
Afterwards we went dancing at The Bat, trendy club at the time, 3 dance floors etc. Don't know if its still there.
Touristy thing - have a glass of champagne at the Tavern on the Green, followed by a carriage ride in Central Park?? Russian Tea Room?
If you have already been to the Met, what about the Frick Gallery?
1 E 70th St
(212) 288-0700
I am presuming that all of these places are still accessable.
If that fails I hear they give a great tour at 25 Columbia Heights.
Sorry could not resist!
Have a wonderful trip - this should be one of the safest times in history to fly.
Makena
PS - I enjoy your posts.
three little scriptures that i feel reflect the opposite of all that christians claim biblegod to be.
i merely asked a hard-core defender of the faith to justify these as actions of an all-loving, enlightened supreme being.
here they are along with the "explanations" of them (in a nutshell):.
God may be subtle, but He isn't plain mean. -- Albert Einstein
There is the answer - God is just being a bit subtle. He also views the nations as a film of dust on the scales of his justice. Once in awhile the earth needs a good dusting.
Perhaps He is using the US and its allies to perform some dusting on the worlds terrorists?
Peace everyone!
Makena - who has very few answers these days, but lots of questions - and glad to be finally free to think for myself, research and explore.
thought i'd share this from my guestbook at:.
http://www.freeminds.org/guestlog.htm.
date: .
OMG - I can totally empathize with what this lady went through. My wife and I received similar treatment after the death of our daughter. The pain, anguish, and anger that we experienced was horrible, and we "shared" that with some in the cong, thinking what we said would be in confidence. It wasn't, resulting in a stern warning from the PO and other elders not to disrupt the peace of the congregation, "We do not understand the anger", "be careful brother - lest your wife display a Jezebel influence" - get back in service, continue pioneering, and my favorite, "Oh well, you will see her in the resurrection", that from a CO's wife telling my wife to basically get over it. After just less than a month? Hardly.
I pointed out that this "counsel" was not supported by the "When Someone You Love Dies" brochure, etc. (actually a well written publication). This of course showed a haughty spirit on my part....
All of this happened over three years ago, and with counseling, reading about grief and forgiveness, we are in a much better place as a family - no thanks to the local KH.
My heart goes out to others who have suffered under the harsh treatment of the org's "untrained volunteers". I know - I used to be one, but hopefully wasn't as unfeeling as some are.
I am a new lurker here, (just a few small posts), inactive for 2 years with no plans of ever going back. Someday, I would like to share more, but in the meantime this board reinforces that decision to move on, and its a great source of information and assistance.
Thanks for listening.
Makena
(PS - still tryin' to figure out how to attach a picture!!!! :(
a father of some teenage children had the family rule that they could .
not attend pg-13 or r rated movies.
his three teens wanted to see a particular popular movie that was playing at local theaters.
The father may also have been progressed to Use of Illustrations in the KM School. Bet he got a "G". What a kill joy.
anyone got any good information as to why dubs dont like beards?
in 18 years, i have yet to understand why.
if its brought up tonight by anyone, what should i say?
Having a beard or goatee holds you back from priviledges like running down the aisle with a mic, assisting with literature and mags.
MY ADVICE - KEEP THE BEARD.
Best wishes, Mak ( who looks pretty damn good with a goatee if I may say so ) :)
my observation is that persons who 1) heal/adjust the most rapidly from their jw experience and 2) seem to have the most joy in life are those who read, read, read, in pursuit of what i call nourishment for the spirit.
i've really enjoy the pithy aphorisms you use here, which suggests you've distilled some wisdom from somewhere.
i'm going to ask your help in this thread.
Maximus great topic. Larc thanks for bringing back to mind the Twain book that I have been wanting to read - Christian Science. Read a great review in the American Airlines mag many years ago, and then slipped my mind.
Twain is a favorite of mine. Here is a link to some of his famous pithy sayings on a wide variety of topics: http://www.twainquotes.com/
My wife and I live part of the year in Hawaii. I read Michener's Hawaii many years ago as JW - read it again as an ex and it enjoyed it even more. Exploitation, greed, narrow mindedness = organized religion. Wonderful story. Especially liked the speculation of one of the descendants of the original missionaries on how his forbears could have conceived children in the tiny confines of the ship the sailed on.
Mr. Moe - feel your pain about the exploitation of women. My wife gave me a fictional book to read that told part of the story of the "comfort women" of WWII. Told the story from the perspective of pre-and post WWII family in Hawaii. Sorry can't recall the title at the moment. The unspeakable horror that these women were subjected to made me numb for weeks. Some reparations are being made, but nothing will repay the suffering. Here is a link: http://csf.colorado.edu/bcas/sample/comfdoc.htm
Poisonwood Bible - by Barbara Kingsolver. Tells the story of a Baptist minister who takes his wife, four daughters to the Belgian Congo in 1959. The tragic events are told from the perspective of each of the family. Should be required reading if are thinking of attending Gilead.
Had some serious doubts about "the arrangement" locally, suffered some terrible personal tragedies, and THEN read Ray Franz's books. The candor and honesty just flowed, and helped me remove the rosey colored glasses I had been wearing for 42 years.
Also a science affliction addict. Love Sherry Tepper's books, Katherine Kurtz Deryni novels, and am currently reading the latest on, "King Kelson's Bride".
Makena - newbie, but glad to be here.
i need that url asap.
several jws in chat who want to read it.
it's in my bookmarx,yet it's massive (my list) and i need it now.. thanks, skally
From one who has on many occasions almost got into altercations with assembly parking attendants, I would like to know what you are referring to.
Seriously!
yesterday alanf posted an excellent parody of wt propoganda.
the thread was very interesting and a debate was underway as to whether he was way off base and just saying things out of hatred, or if there is some basis to think it's a possiblity, scary thought.. i have no intention of re-starting or starting a debate at this time (ok who am i and what have i don't to venice, jk hahhaha).
i simply would like to share my insights on the jw attitude toward apostates.. when i was a dedicated jw and had been asked that question by alan, 'would you kill apostates if the wts told you too?
So much for (paraphrased) - "Stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah" prophecy.
Lots of pent-up mob violence mentality?
Making application to the witness protection program as I post this.
*** rbi8 1 timothy 3:1-7 ***.
3 that statement is faithful.. if any man is reaching out for an office of overseer, he is desirous of a fine work.
2 the overseer should therefore be irreprehensible, a husband of one wife, moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach, 3 not a drunken brawler, not a smiter, but reasonable, not belligerent, not a lover of money, 4 a man presiding over his own household in a fine manner, having children in subjection with all seriousness; 5 (if indeed any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he take care of gods congregation?
Good one Brit! Who else would work so hard on all those fascinating Service meeting parts?
Seriously, elders serve a purpose in a man made organization. I have served in the past with many humble, empathetic, self-sacrificing men - but unfortunately they were in the minority per my 40 years of association. Even the best did not always show good judgment, and personal agendas took precedence over Bible principles at times. Discipline meted out has at times destroyed lives - from personal experience. How can "untrained volunteers" really size up difficult situations? When lives are in the balance, can you really trust that in every JC holy spirit is there directing the proceedings?
The question for me for ongoing research involves digging deeper as to what the "elder arrangement" (if any) was really like in the 1st Century? Is it possible really to know how the early congregations functioned? Russell did extensive writing on it, and others have since - lots of arguments for and against the changes that have taken place. How closely does the WTBS pattern itself on that model? What further morphing of that arrangement needs to take place? Is the "negative growth" in so many countries an indication that something is seriously lacking? Do we really need "organized religion"?
Why do people in the Pacific Northwest ask so many questions?
Makena - disallusioned, but searching, and in the meantime enjoying my Saturday mornings a lot more than I used to.
