Posts by DJS

71

Trying to overcome my homophobia.

by Julia Orwell in

jw
friends

i had a music album by a gay guy before i was a jw and had no problem listening to it.

it's good music.

some of the lyrics are what you might call 'gay', that is there's some talk about boyfriends, gay bars, and queens and the intolerance the artist encountered as a gay man.

DJS

All I can say is out with the old and in with the new. Will and Grace was my favorite show; damned funny and well written. The sooner the mindset regarding the LGBT community changes from whatever it is/was to acceptance (and we can finally quit talking about it) the better. The younger generation has this one right. T-Rex is extinct for a reason. I'm proud that Americans have changed a LOT on this subject but more change is needed.

I'm looking forward to the day when we don't discuss the gender, race or sexual preference of our: teachers, presidents, mayors, clerics. Because we simply don't care.

71

Trying to overcome my homophobia.

by Julia Orwell in

jw
friends

i had a music album by a gay guy before i was a jw and had no problem listening to it.

it's good music.

some of the lyrics are what you might call 'gay', that is there's some talk about boyfriends, gay bars, and queens and the intolerance the artist encountered as a gay man.

DJS

In the same survey, 100% (ok I'm exaggertaing a little) of straight women also get turned on by girl on girl. It's called normal.

71

Trying to overcome my homophobia.

by Julia Orwell in

jw
friends

i had a music album by a gay guy before i was a jw and had no problem listening to it.

it's good music.

some of the lyrics are what you might call 'gay', that is there's some talk about boyfriends, gay bars, and queens and the intolerance the artist encountered as a gay man.

DJS

Julia,

I wonder. Do you have children? When I was an elder in WT land, I remember taking a look at my two beautiful amazing children and thinking to myself that if either turned out to be gay there wasn't a chance in hell I was going to eliminate them from my life. That was a defining moment in my life and one of the reasons I began my exit from JW land and Christianity. It didn't take me long.

I have lots of gay and bi sexual friends, and I don't give it any thought really. The type of person they are is all I care about. Actually bi girls are kinda sorta a requirement for me. ;=)

51

Categories of Former Jehovah's Witnesses

by neverendingjourney in

jw
friends

i was never disfellowshipped, but it's been about 10 years since i was an active jw.

i've made an occasional meeting or half-day at an assembly here or there, strictly at the behest of family (maybe once a year), but i'm completely disconnected.

more importantly, mentally i'm 100% free.. we all have a tendency to project our views and beliefs onto others, and tending to believe that other former jws share our views is no different.

DJS

I suppose one could develop a lot of different categories, all of them having some relevance. The one thing I have noticed, which is also the one thing that keeps me from participating very much on this forum, is it seems like (too many IMHO) many ex JWs get stuck. The topics on this forum are a good example. Most of them have something to do with the WT, current teachings, scriptural 'meanings,' former teachings, etc., etc., etc. It would seem to me that upon exiting the WT a healthy individual would need a fairly short amount of time to put all of this (to me it is BS) behind them and move on. Perhaps they do and what I am seeing is the small group on its way to better things.

I lurked this site for a long time, but in the interim I was living life. Once I put the JW experience behind me the last thing I wanted to do was discuss scripture, JW teachings, etc. Ever. I still have a loathing for it; there is so much more to life. And some it seems want to recreate a new JWesque paradigm. Some proselytize, and the theist/non-theist discussions (I use the term loosely) are circular conversations which result in the same arguments and words being used. The theists, again IMHO, are entrenched. The reasons many JWs want/see/desire/need to recreate some version of the WT or Christianity escapes me.

So it would seem to me that HOW one arrived here (and by here I mean not only this forum but this post JW place in their lives) is not as relevant as WHY so many seem stuck and unable to move forward. The ONLY reason I finally signed up to participate is that I believed I could help others, lurkers and those recently out, to see that there is life post JW. Very full, fun, exciting mind blowing LIFE. Any help understanding would be appreciated, but please don't discuss imaginary friends in high or low places.

223

Ancient Confession Found: 'We Invented Jesus Christ'

by Watchtower-Free in

http://uk.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11201273.htm.

ancient confession found: 'we invented jesus christ'biblical scholars will be appearing at the 'covert messiah' conference at conway hall in london on the 19th of october to present this controversial discovery to the british public.

london (prweb uk) 8 october 2013. american biblical scholar joseph atwill will be appearing before the british public for the first time in london on the 19th of october to present a controversial new discovery: ancient confessions recently uncovered now prove, according to atwill, that the new testament was written by first-century roman aristocrats and that they fabricated the entire story of jesus christ.

DJS

Standy for Pure Worship,

Ditto not even being close. I couldn't give a rip about this guy's book; I've studied this topic for years, even when I was a Dub. Years ago in my under-grad I took a classs on the search for the historical jesus. It was taught by a man with a PhD who was also a Methodist minister. Even he diidn't believe the bibliical account. Non-theists look for facts and a body of evidence, we don't salivate at one person's opinion. And you seem to grossly underestimate the time, study and meditation non-theists have given this topic before they became non-theists.

223

Ancient Confession Found: 'We Invented Jesus Christ'

by Watchtower-Free in

http://uk.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11201273.htm.

ancient confession found: 'we invented jesus christ'biblical scholars will be appearing at the 'covert messiah' conference at conway hall in london on the 19th of october to present this controversial discovery to the british public.

london (prweb uk) 8 october 2013. american biblical scholar joseph atwill will be appearing before the british public for the first time in london on the 19th of october to present a controversial new discovery: ancient confessions recently uncovered now prove, according to atwill, that the new testament was written by first-century roman aristocrats and that they fabricated the entire story of jesus christ.

DJS

Nonsense Tammy and the Amen Corner. All it says about me is that I can be a smart-ass. Why don't you all search on all of the topics I comment on. They are few and far between. I don't interject into EVERY conversation my non-theism as many do re: their theism, adding nothing to the topic other than some narcissistic self stroking. So your rebuttal is tepid. I keep my opinions to myself on the vast majority of the topics on this forum because: a. they are theist or scriptural and I loathe such; or b. I know very little about the topic. It's called humility. And respect. And Tammy has made it clear; Neither I nor anyone else can tell her what she can post on. Or anything else for that matter. I sitll think the drinking game is spot on. Droning on and on and interjecting mindlessly on every topic the same song is arrogant and disrespectful. So try again Amen Corner.

223

Ancient Confession Found: 'We Invented Jesus Christ'

by Watchtower-Free in

http://uk.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11201273.htm.

ancient confession found: 'we invented jesus christ'biblical scholars will be appearing at the 'covert messiah' conference at conway hall in london on the 19th of october to present this controversial discovery to the british public.

london (prweb uk) 8 october 2013. american biblical scholar joseph atwill will be appearing before the british public for the first time in london on the 19th of october to present a controversial new discovery: ancient confessions recently uncovered now prove, according to atwill, that the new testament was written by first-century roman aristocrats and that they fabricated the entire story of jesus christ.

DJS

Reverend Tammy,

It doesn't matter what facts, evidence or emperical data is presented on this site, you are going to believe what you believe. And that is fine. But your entry into these discussions is simply one more comment that I don't have to read but that lengthens my stay by requiring me to scan through screen clutter and chaff before i get to the analytical intelligence nuggets. Ithink I will start a drinking game where I will take a shot each time Cofty follows one of your posts with a comment about your imaginary creatures. Hey Team. Anyone wannna join me?

I don't know a thing about this book but wouldn't dis it without learning more about it. You make a habit out of such. Back, back, back to the cave (of course that will only require turning around and taking one very small step).

19

If God knows how we are wired, Why punish people for being gay?

by suavojr in

i just finished reading this story on yahoo, two comments stick out and cannot comprehend why can't we just show true love and stop beign hurtful to our flesh and blood.

so yes, if god made us and knows how we are wired how can god kill a person for beign gay when they did not choose to be gay?

why the more religious a person is, the more fanatical?.

DJS

The biggest problem with this post, and the biased, prejudiced and hate filled beliefs and feelings about the topic is because the argument starts with a false premise. From the definition: A false premise is an incorrect proposition that forms the basis of an argument or syllogism . Since the premise (proposition, or assumption) is not correct, the conclusion drawn may be in error. However, the logical validity of an argument is a function of its internal consistency, not the truth value of its premises.

"If god knows . . . " is a false premise. By believing in this imaginary creature and supposedly the only avenue of guidance form her, the bible, everything then is forced into the god concept (the false premise). Instead of viewing gays, for example, as normal and acceptable, becaue of the false premise from which the argument begins, gays are somehow evil, wicked, doomed for destruction. They can't be right and they can't have been born this way. It has to be a choice. 'cause god . . .

Wake up theists. Use your gray matter. Leave the cave. Climb the evolutionary ladder up and away from the lower primates. Be all you can be and maximize your DNA.

19

If God knows how we are wired, Why punish people for being gay?

by suavojr in

i just finished reading this story on yahoo, two comments stick out and cannot comprehend why can't we just show true love and stop beign hurtful to our flesh and blood.

so yes, if god made us and knows how we are wired how can god kill a person for beign gay when they did not choose to be gay?

why the more religious a person is, the more fanatical?.

DJS

OBSERVE. That's all it really takes. Years ago when I was very young, and long before gays or lesbians could even possibly come out or even speak of such things, I noticed that a number of my classmates were probably gay/lesbian. I knew all of the Judeo/Christian teachings about the topic, but I couldn't resolve the god thing when it came to simply oberving my classmates, all of whom were and still are very good people, who didn't particularly seem like 'everyone else.' None of them acted on it at the time that I know of because it simply wasn't accepted.

I observed the same thing with my children's classmates, young children (pre-teens) who fit this same description. All of them, to my knowledge, openly are gay/lesbian NOW.

It is difficult for me to believe that everyone on this board and every lurker doesn't have identical experiences. Remove god from the equation and it all becomes very clear. People are people. One's sexual preference hasn't a wit to do with anything about whether or not they are an ethical, decent, kind, loving, considerate person. That's all I care about.

19

If God knows how we are wired, Why punish people for being gay?

by suavojr in

i just finished reading this story on yahoo, two comments stick out and cannot comprehend why can't we just show true love and stop beign hurtful to our flesh and blood.

so yes, if god made us and knows how we are wired how can god kill a person for beign gay when they did not choose to be gay?

why the more religious a person is, the more fanatical?.

DJS

I suppoose Yadda that you are a world renown expert on the topic? Even if it is learned, and the real science suggests that it isn't, WTF difference does it make. What consenting adults do is of no concern to me so long as they aren't harming anyone.