Thoughts on resurrection, memorial, etc

lrkr

This year I came to the realization that the JW Memorial is primarily about death, sin, and compliance. Easter is a celebration of resurrection, rebirth and life. Just like we have come to expect from the borg- take a positive, uplifting celebration and highlight the dark aspects of it. And use it as a tool to encourage compliance.

I have come to a place where I am not sure I believe that someone like the Jesus described in the most popular 4 gospels really existed, much less was resurrected. But it hits me that people have been thinking about resurrection, rebirth, etc at this time of the year for many thousands of years. Maybe this is just the reaction of an agricultural society to the natural phenomenon of the the changing of the seasons- but whatever the reason- it is a well engrained habit. Part of human's social DNA.

I am thinking about resurrection this year. Not the literal type, but more as a symbol. Its the time of the year to shake off the winter doldrums and reinvent yourself. I plan to do this- by reinvigorating my business, by renovating my house, and by continuing my efforts to be more involved with my community.

What are your thoughts about resurrection and/or memorial? Did you go to church today? Or the memorial yesterday?? Some day I want to go to a real Easter church service- just to experience it. If you are a christian- what are your thoughts on Easter?? If you are an athiest/agnostic, etc- what are your thoughts???

startingover

Very insightful post. Very well worded, especially terming it a tool for compliance. I would say you are right on about where all this stuff originated, and it is inspiring for me to consider this a time to reinvent, reinvigorate, and renovate.

I sat last night while my wife was attending comtemplating the rigamarole they go though to make sure everyone there gets to touch the glass and plate. Last one I attended they had all the guys passing sit down in the front row after everyone else passed it so they could get it passed to them. And they scoff at other religions for their ceremonies, what a joke.

nomoreguilt

No, no church, no memorial, no more guilt, that's me. I have become a realist in life. I need proof of most anything these days. Like you, I no longer BELIEVE in a biblical man named jesus. Historical evidence of such is not available. The jesus, god's son, or god in man's form does not resemble the father that was claimed to be. The father, jehovah was a god of wrath. The god son, or jesus , was depicted as a person preaching love and forgivesness. I saw no resemblance to the father at all. The scriptures say that "If you have seen me, you have seen my father also." I see no family resemblance. My take.

NMG

choosing life

If there was one word I would use to describe the memorial it would be "dead". They spend all their time talking about the death of Jesus. Very little to none is spent on the resurrection. Then they spend the rest of the time talking about why those present can't share in the celebration that Christ initiated. They wind up with why don't we do more, meetings, field service,etc.

I come away from the memorial with the feeling of condemnation and the whole process certainly has no sense of celebration. Looking at people's faces, they seem so blank. Even the music is pitiful, no inspiration there. So, yes, dead is the best decription.

I have been to sunrise services outside at a church where the regeneration of the spring is compared to the resurrection of Christ. The sermon is about the hope this provides for all mankind. The hymns are beautiful. You go away inspired and feeling better about life. Never do they tell their members they shouldn't partake or that they are lazy and need to do more.

Just my experiences.

kwr

You're forgeting about Good Friday that is dark and gloomy.

real one

check out my post, The Lamb

lrkr

Thanks for reading and responding...I was thinking that this topic would be Dead On Arrival but I'm happy to see your input.

Since I was raised a faithful dubbie, I'm doing a lot of new things this year- hid some candy eggs for my kid and the neighbor kids, cooking a lamb leg for a meal with the neighbors, posting on JWD while listening to Sultans of Swing.....

Choosing life- That is exactly why I want to try a church service once. Not because I believe, but because the hymns, the light coming through the stained glass after a long winter, a little bit of incomprensible latin to make you feel mysterious- Maybe I'm romanticizing it since I've never done it....

NMG- I agree. No guilt. Just trying to take back and understand my heritage. I totally understand the anger and bitterness that many on this board feel at this time of year. "This most guilt trippy nights" as someone on this board said recently

Starting Over- It may be easier for me because my wife scoffs at least as much as I do (maybe more), but I think that there is some value in reconnecting to social habits that have been ingrained in us for thousands of years.

kwr- Yes, Good Friday is all about the death of Jesus. And in general Christianity has a bit of twisted, blood thirsty logic to it. But most people don't dwell on that- they just try and take the day off (maybe leave early from work.) I'm just trying to extract the positive.

Honesty

This year I came to the realization that the JW Memorial is primarily about death, sin, and compliance. lrkr

I have renamed the JW Memorial...

Black Sabbath

lrkr

Black Sabbath-

Twisted- but true

Narkissos

Yesterday as I was looking for something else I came across this thread I started around this time two years ago: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/111359/1.ashx

Thoughts on resurrection, memorial, etc

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