Posts by AhHah

40

I think I get it now

by AhHah in

jw
friends

this is a place to hang out and make small talk.

this is family.

i wrote this tonight for all of you.

Thanks for the encouragement. Unfortunately, I am not sure that most share your sentiments. I did enjoy sharing thoughts with many of you. Perhaps like Path said, most here have already said what they needed to say (and, I believe, are already hearing what they want to hear). I guess I arrived too late.

I have recently received sarcasm and I can't figure out why. I am a very honest and sincere person, as I believe most here are. I feel very hurt. I wasn't expecting that at all.

I don't want to feel like an unwanted guest here.

Best wishes to all.

40

I think I get it now

by AhHah in

jw
friends

this is a place to hang out and make small talk.

this is family.

i wrote this tonight for all of you.

AhHah

Waiting,

Thanks for your reply. I will try to answer your questions.

I certainly do not think that the regular posters on this site are brain-dead. I would never have posted here if I did. Perhaps my reply to 7 gave you that impression? I was referring only to her preference for no posts (dead -- e.g. Path's post) versus uncomfortable, or presumably, controversial posts, such as the survey I posted. I found her reply to that post and my God and Religion post very disappointing and yes, her sarcasm angered me both times. I don't know what I did to deserve that. Others had posted similar thoughts to mine without receiving sarcasm. In my survey post, I had hoped to stimulate more discussion such as the one on Bible Research based on the Jung quote (God and Religion). Since so many participated on that thread, I thought that posters here enjoyed such topics as much as I do. Perhaps that post was just a rogue wave that came out of nowhere and is not typical for this forum?

I do not currently post on H2O or any other boards. I really do NOT like H2O. I did post "Stop Making Sense" on H20 at the same time I posted it here, under the same profile name, AhHah. Got very little response there. I do not want to argue with anyone about their beliefs. I just want to know what other ex-JWs are thinking and share my thoughts without getting competitive. Apparently some prefer not to discuss beliefs. That is OK in my book as long as they don't insult those of us who do.

I don't begin to understand your other questions to me. Why would you ask me if I presume to be an Awakener? Because of my survey post? I very honestly explained my intentions about that post and I enjoyed your reply. You have definitely hurt my feelings here.

I was attracted to this forum by the obvious enjoyment of poetry and deep spiritual topics as well. I also believe that all or most of the regular posters are intelligent and caring people. That is why I felt comfortable enough to introduce myself with my poetry. That is something that I have never done before in my life -- with anyone. The warm replies not only made me feel welcome, but also made me feel comfortable sharing my thoughts about God and religion. Based on the survey so far, it seems that many of us feel very similarly.

However, I no longer feel welcome on this forum. I hope that is because my intentions were misunderstood, even though I honestly and clearly stated them. Perhaps people who are quick to speak up here, like I , are viewed with suspicion, perhaps like the typical H2O poster, which I am not. I am not looking for small talk, however. I need meaningful, honest communication about spiritual matters and getting on with life after coming out of a mind-controlling cult. One way that I cope with that haunting experience is by writing. It is a part of me that is finally just starting to pour out.

I offered that post tonight in a spirit of friendship and appreciation of what I have to come to believe is MOST valued at this forum -- a friendly place to hang out, without making waves. I hope that some of you enjoy it. When I was writing it, tears were flowing. I believe that I am still grieving for myself at times, for a life that I didn't have. I wrote it as a farewell to all of you. You are right Waiting, most of those word pictures are not real for me. But that is the beauty of writing, isn't it? We can create a world just the way we would like to see it. . Perhaps that is the real beauty of this forum as well -- a place to escape with people you trust. I am truly sorry that you did not trust me. I did trust all of you.

40

I think I get it now

by AhHah in

jw
friends

this is a place to hang out and make small talk.

this is family.

i wrote this tonight for all of you.

AhHah

I think I get it now. This is a place to hang out and make small talk. This is family. I wrote this tonight for all of you. Hope you enjoy it.

Gathered 'round the kitchen table on Sunday morning, we read the paper, pour a second cup of coffee. Once in a while somebody mumbles about something they are reading. But talking isn't really necessary. Mozart and Tchaikovsky are easing us into Sunday afternoon as the sun lazily starts to burn through the melancholy but cozy overcast. Even the birds sing a sleepy song. Should probably get out of this old house robe and put on some clothes, but somehow the robe feels just right for now.

Thoughts seem to drift back to those long summers at Grandma's house. Grandma seemed to make everything in the world feel right. I don't think I will ever see a kinder face in the whole world. Tears rise up as I remember. But the tears fade and a gentle smile comes. I see her once again smiling, serving us fresh baked apple pie after lunch. Those sleepy Sunday afternoons seemed to last forever. Grandpa has put some Louis Armstrong on the old hi-fi. "What A Wonderful World" is playing. No one else could ever sing that song like Ol' Satchmo.

A nice breeze is blowing outside now and the graceful old oak trees are calling us to take comfort under their majestic boughs. Auntee has made some fresh lemonade and finger sandwiches. Duke, our old hound, is coming through the thick grass clutching an old chewed-up frisbee. He can't catch it like he used to, but he loves to try. Sure do miss that lovable old dog. I haven't had the heart to get another one. It just wouldn't seem right. When Duke was young we used to run all the way down to the saw mill. Duke would try to catch the tadpoles in the creek. Grandma and Grandpa are gone now, just like old Duke. They made life seem so easy. Sitting on Grandpa's lap on that old porch swing, I knew what a wonderful world this is.

51

How about a survey?

by AhHah in

jw
friends

i thought it might be interesting to post a survey for those who post on this forum.. perhaps it will provide a basis for some additional stimulating discussions on god and religion.. with that in mind, i have posted a survey of 10 yes/no/unsure questions on the bible/research forum.

AhHah

Niiiiih,

That's the beauty of this medium. There is room for everyone, even the living dead. The dead need not respond to the living. They can just moan (with quality) to each other and hide from everything that might make them uncomfortable. The living can explore new ideas and keep growing and living.

Unless, of course, the living begin to get attacked in the "Night of the Living Dead", who seek the "Silence of the Lambs". Then the living may get tired of having the life sucked out of them and move on to a different movie genre altogether, perhaps Science Fiction? [8>]

If you and the rest of the dead want me to go away all you have to do is ask.

BTW, Niiiiih, did you get the Monty Python "Holy Grail" reference ("Niiiiih")? It doesn't have quite the same impact as "Arrrggh" though, does it?

Edited by - AhHah on 28 September 2000 22:40:42

51

How about a survey?

by AhHah in

jw
friends

i thought it might be interesting to post a survey for those who post on this forum.. perhaps it will provide a basis for some additional stimulating discussions on god and religion.. with that in mind, i have posted a survey of 10 yes/no/unsure questions on the bible/research forum.

AhHah

Seven of Niiiih,

You make a couple of excellent points. Your idea to post a survey asking why people visit this site is a good one -- why don't you do it?

What does it say about a person who feels uncomfortable responding to whether or not they believe in God? That they would prefer not to face up to their feelings/doubts .. or, that they may be afraid of what others will think? In my opinion, that is all the more reason for a survey. If many who visit this site feel that way, then when they see the results of the survey (assuming the uncomfortable people respond) wouldn't they feel better knowing that others are unsure just like them? Wouldn't that provide a common basis for future discussion? And doesn't the anonymity offered here mitigate any fear of what others may think?

Of course, like you said, it all depends on what a person wants at the time. Maybe some just want others to validate their sadness, anger, etc. But, like Path posted recently, "It seems kind of dead around here." Based on how few persons actually post on this site, maybe some are ready to move past that and actually begin exploring other ideas. My hope is that a survey may help some to feel more comfortable doing just that.

I, for one, do enjoy reading others' thoughts on matters of God and religion. Perhaps the few of us who feel that way here are a very small minority. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Say, did someone fart?

51

How about a survey?

by AhHah in

jw
friends

i thought it might be interesting to post a survey for those who post on this forum.. perhaps it will provide a basis for some additional stimulating discussions on god and religion.. with that in mind, i have posted a survey of 10 yes/no/unsure questions on the bible/research forum.

AhHah

I'm reserving judgment for a few more days -- let's give it enough time for everyone to read. This forum certainly needs SOMETHING to get people interested in posting!

Criticism takes no effort or thought - kind of like a fart. I noticed that you haven't responded to the survey yet -- why not? What's in that diver's helmet of yours?

89

Do you believe ...

by AhHah in

simply respond to each question with a yes or no answer (or '?

' if unsure):.

before answering, please see my comments on general/main - "how about a survey?"..

AhHah

Hey Zep,

Do you ever watch reruns of Taxi on the tele? What do you think of the Jim Ignatowski character played by Christopher Lloyd? ... What's that you say? Why? Oh, no reason!

SAYYYY! IS THERE AN ECHO IN HERE?

Edited by - AhHah on 28 September 2000 0:47:59

89

Do you believe ...

by AhHah in

simply respond to each question with a yes or no answer (or '?

' if unsure):.

before answering, please see my comments on general/main - "how about a survey?"..

AhHah

Hey Zep,

Do you ever watch reruns of Taxi on the tele? What do you think of the Jim Ignatowski character played by Christopher Lloyd? ... What's that you say? Why? Oh, no reason!

89

Do you believe ...

by AhHah in

simply respond to each question with a yes or no answer (or '?

' if unsure):.

before answering, please see my comments on general/main - "how about a survey?"..

AhHah

I'll count your answer to question #1 as Unsure (unless you edit it yourself). Please see my comments on General/Main "How about a survey?".

51

How about a survey?

by AhHah in

jw
friends

i thought it might be interesting to post a survey for those who post on this forum.. perhaps it will provide a basis for some additional stimulating discussions on god and religion.. with that in mind, i have posted a survey of 10 yes/no/unsure questions on the bible/research forum.

AhHah

Based on the quick responses so far, it seems that many of us are interested in exploring these issues.

As an incentive for all to post their answers, I will compile the total number of answers (Yes/No/Unsure) to each question and post it. We should probably give it at least a week or so, to give everyone interested an opportunity to post their answers.

Who knows, maybe someone will decide to post this survey (or something like it) on other JW forum sites as well. This could prove to be very informative, very revealing, especially if a large number of people respond. Who knows who may be paying attention? I am sure that we could all come up with other surveys, perhaps some that are more narrow in scope - perhaps about a specific doctrine or practice.

I believe that we all really want to know how others feel about such important questions. However, I have noticed that one only gets an occasional glimpse from one or two people now and then, and they are buried deep inside of posts that originally were not related. By limiting a thread to a specific survey, we are all able to more easily find out what others are thinking.

If you have any other ideas for another survey, please first post it on this thread! This could be exciting!

If this really catches on (and I hope that it does) we might be able to talk Simon into creating a new forum that will be limited to surveys only. At that point, we could probably come up with a survey template posting format that would allow more easily compiling the results and save space requirements for answers.

For them to be truly worth everyone's time to respond, please put much thought into the questions and how they are worded, so that everyone has an opportunity for their opinion to be represented in the answers. Also, if you limit the answers to Yes/No/Unsure (or a similar fixed format), then the results of the survey can be compiled and posted. People can feel free to expand if they want to, as long as they first answer with the fixed format response.

Put your thinking caps on! This could be great!

Edited by - AhHah on 27 September 2000 18:39:1