Doofdaddy -- I always enjoy reading your words; you affirm / teach me every time.
tal
Since exiting the Witnesses have you Become More " Spiritual " ? - Not ........
by flipper 54 Replies latest jw friends
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FlyingHighNow
I don't think of myself as a Christian, though I do love the Episcopal Church. My views of God or Great Spirit do not fit into a strict Christian mold. When I left the org, I found more comfort in the native spirituality, which doesn't clash with my Anglican upbringing. My paternal grandmother had a full native blood father. I noticed that the Lakota quote did not mention any specific religion. When did he live?
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FlyingHighNow
At first glance, this quote from John Lennon can seem tongue in cheek or silly. But John was a deep thinker and there is much wisdom here:
"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here-and-now?" - John Lennon
Many in the far east say that life is an illusion. We all know how that can be. There was a time when many of us were to varying degrees convinced that the WTB&TS had the truth. But it was an illusion.
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jaguarbass
I was born in as a witness. When I was a witness, I always asked questions that had no answer.
Now that I have been free for 29 years, I still ask questions that have no answer.
And I still find a degree of comfort in self delusion.
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talesin
Johnny also said,,, "I don't believe in the Bible,,, I don't believe in religion .... I just believe ... in me ... in Yoko and me."
He was a man of many deep thoughts.
tal
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FlyingHighNow
To Tal: I'd have to say that I am in agreement with John partially. Some organized religion takes it over the top. There is good in some of it. I'm not one who takes the Bible as God's word to earthlings.
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AwareBeing
Ways in which my wife and I are more spiritual in our post Watchtower lives:
We have less hypocrites as associates,
more spiritual books than when we had a W. B. & T. S. library,
pray more,
don't have the pressure to be pretentious and can think more about GOD,
pay better attention to our grown children's family needs,
I have an accredited diploma instead of W. T. elementary elders training school,
that's all I'll say for now, except...
Right back in your face's; proud, false G. B.!
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flipper
FLYING HIGH NOW- It may be that within the Pueblo Indians 90 % of them DID become Catholic, that doesn't mean EVERY single Indian tribe became such. Running Hawk was a Lakota or of the Sioux indian tribe which experienced bitter persecution and destruction from the American government from the political, military, AND religious element. If you've never read " Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee " I highly recommend it as it really reveals what ACTUALLY happened to the Native Americans in the loss of their religious, political, and social freedoms in the 1800's. It was not pretty. They didn't NEED the White man's religion , and most had it forced onto them after being rounded up like cattle to reservations far away from their tribes homelands. They were NOT allowed to live on their lands anymore , so it was either give in and capitulate to American powers - or die or be killed. I'd say that's a pretty good way to make 90 % of converts. And no, I haven't taken the Pueblo tour, sounds interesting though.
TALESIN- I'm sure Running Hawk was talking in a negative way about religions that had tried to push their ways onto him, yes. I agree with you, I feel at one with the earth as well, I feel more spirituality in the mountains, forest, and engaging with animals than with humans, really. The flight of hawks, eagles, seeing deer, fish, the moon, sunrises, sunsets - are some of the things that make me feel a sense of spirituality. I'm glad you find Wicca and druidism interesting. I've heard some cool things abouit Wicca in a good way
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flipper
TALESIN & FLYING HIGH NOW- I'm a HUGE John Lennon fan. Many of my thoughts on religion & politics go along with his views . ( You've probably noticed ).
JAGUARBASS- I agree with you. I've been out of the JW's for over 8 years, and I have questions as well about life, but I really don't worry about it. I think we all learn soluions as we go along. I'm a " stop and smell the roses " kind of guy instead of being preoccupied with the future. I live in the here and now.
AWAREBEING- That's great that you have friends who aren't hypocrites ! Awesome. I enjoy that aspect of being an EX-JW too. More reliable friendships I have now. That's great you got an acreditted diploma ! Very cool. I'm glad that you have more time for your family and adult children. I think aLL of us gained more time after exiting the Witnesses. A great benefit of freedom ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper
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FlyingHighNow
FLYING HIGH NOW- It may be that within the Pueblo Indians 90 % of them DID become Catholic, that doesn't mean EVERY single Indian tribe became such.
I shared with you about the Taos Pueblo Indians because I felt it's important to remember than not all Indian tribes have the same feelings on religion as the Lakota. Yes, some of them do, but not all do. I'm puzzled about why you would think I showed you one tribe and would assume "EVERY single Indian Tribe" agreed. I have read parts of Wounded Knee. White man wanted Indian's land and resources, across the continenent. That was the big spoil. Men and women have always used any effective means to control others. Fear is very effective. People want us to believe God is something to be feared. If we believe that, we can be controlled.