when a person is disfellowshiped by a religion just because he or she doesn't believe it all is very serious.
some disfellowshiped ones have even taken their own lives because they have been made to feel so bad.
it's down in black and white that parents and friends are supposed to shun them, shunning is acting like someone is dead.
Morpheus -
You said-
''i hate the shunning practice ...., but I cannot see it as denial of freedom of religion.''
If one remains a consenter Jdub you get whatever hate they hand out, if you reject their authority, you are free as when you were born.
Their freedom of religious rights does not extend to those who do not consent to it.
when a person is disfellowshiped by a religion just because he or she doesn't believe it all is very serious.
some disfellowshiped ones have even taken their own lives because they have been made to feel so bad.
it's down in black and white that parents and friends are supposed to shun them, shunning is acting like someone is dead.
One eyed joe-
Religion only has power over those who consent to that power - read it again -
Religion only has power over those who consent to that power.
You and I consented to their authority when we were baptised - they had authority to DF or DA us because we were to stupid and ignorant to REJECT their authority before that happened. We deserved what we got , not because we did wrong , but because we lacked the courage to do what was right and REJECT hypocrisy.
when a person is disfellowshiped by a religion just because he or she doesn't believe it all is very serious.
some disfellowshiped ones have even taken their own lives because they have been made to feel so bad.
it's down in black and white that parents and friends are supposed to shun them, shunning is acting like someone is dead.
Democratic, secular governments can neither promote nor curtail religious belief .
Civil courts cannotrule on interpretation, nor the truthfulness of any religions scripture, doctrines or internal practices (including 'judicial' proceedings)
Do the learned men and women of law feel that ecclesial law is superior to moder secular law? - just the opposite.
In full awareness that religious texts and teaching contains anciet myth, scientific ignorance and is founation of truly ridiculous claims and beliefs. democracies give it a free pass simply because it is cultural, popular and often harmonious with their wider civil and social agendas.
Religion is not supported by, but rather tolerated by modern,secular governments
Individuals are born as free persons, and must consent to come under ecclesial law - hence the cults singl minded goal of baptism.
We were baptised in ignorance but can become free through application of secular law- human rights laws for example.
has anybody that left the jw's become a nihilist?
for me i do not have much faith in much of our man made institutions.since in reality all bound to fail at some point in the future.does anybody else feel this way..
Simom17 -
made a statement just above that is worth our time to reflect upon, and ended with the best advice about what to do with our life.
we live in democratic, not theocratic times.. churches no longer imprison, torture or execute.. cults have absolutely no authority over non members.
we don't have to obey.
we don't have to subject our selves.
Rebel 8-
Had some time to surf around the site you linked to. Lots of good stuff there and some good laughs too. Thanks
we live in democratic, not theocratic times.. churches no longer imprison, torture or execute.. cults have absolutely no authority over non members.
we don't have to obey.
we don't have to subject our selves.
Jeannette-
The elders have been '..after you.' from the day you were baptised.
Thousands of people inside the congregations are sick and tired of living their entire spiritual lives in fear of being separated from their families ,and this is the most viable approach yet to JUST SAY NO to ecclesial bullying of mature adults.
After deliverying such a directive, the only question remaining is us asking the elders , ''What don't you understand about Freedom of Religion?''
my parents and i are discussing a quote that was made many years ago.
we know for a fact that it was made.
i have exhausted all of my resources to find it, and so i come here to this fine group to ask you about this quote.. the subject is about money.
Yep -
good old Chucky Russell.
Way back when he was still pumped - having realized there was more money in tax free donations than there ever would be in haberdashery.
christians, should i attend kingdom hall meetings to discreetly "preach" to jws about the real jesus and the lies of the watchtower?.
.
i plan to go undercover and plant seeds into them.. .
Cryto-
You said-
''...I can't emphasize how nice the people are there. They don't seem like mindless, zombie drones. They are very lovable people..''
Please, please just hang around at the hall long enough for them to ascertain that you are never going to become a JW- you'll be discarded and thrown under the first passing bus, the nice people will forget all about you in one heartbeat, and no mention of your name , your faith or your existence will ever come to their lips again.
It's already happened to many on this site, and you absolutely must hang about at the kingdom hall to witness it happen to you.
i was thinking what to get you all for christmas this year to say thanks for all of the great thoughtful posts, for lending a helping hand to those who needed it, defending the community of ex witnesses when necessary and always sharing ideas and questions.. i looked for something that was a 'one size fits all' but also personal enough to put a smile on your faces, to ease your troubles and a gift you could share with others.. on a personal note i being of a more advanced age sometimes wake up with a little cloud over my head.
time is running out on our one precious moment on this planet and it's easy to get a bit 'under the weather especially around the holidays.. so the following may come at a good time......use it well and thoughtfully.. the address tells you what you will find but it doesn't tell you how funny and richly awarding it will prove to be.. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/21/sports/football/at-107-a-buffalo-bills-fan-who-sees-it-all.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=homepage&module=mini-mothion=top-stories-below&wt.nav=top-stories-below.
.
Thanks Giordano,
that was a fun read. The lives of ordinary people-wow.
i don't understand the relevance of the first picture in this weeks study article?!?!.
wt week of december 15-21 "cherish your privilege of working with jehovah".
can someone post the pic?.
If that building were a public hospital needing labour I would help out
Miracles happen in hospitals not in cult headquarters..
