Hello!
I doubt anyone remembers me, but I used to be around these boards I bit. I think my last post was in the summer of 2004. As a refresher, my husband is an inactive JW. We've been married for two and a half years now, and we're living hundreds of miles from where he grew up and attended meetings. His, so far, is a successful story of fading: we've been left alone by dubs, he still has a good relationship with his family, and we're both in graduate programs and enjoying life as we see fit. :)
I guess I wandered back here because I got an e-mail a couple of days ago from an old acquaintance of mine who is also a Witness ... wanting to catch up with me and, truly, dig for dirt. Find out what horrible worldly things we've been doing. But there's not really much dirt to give. Contrary to the Witnesses' belief that everyone who leaves becomes a miserable drug user or something, we've actually been quite happy and successful. Imagine that. The "worldly wife" has not ruined my hubby's life. Anyway, I sent a nice e-mail in reply telling this person about what we've been doing, the traveling we've done, our scholarships to good grad programs, and generally how things have been going. I also mentioned the volunteer work we do (at a local AIDS organization). Yeah, I knew how that would be received. It's something we feel strongly about and it's very rewarding work. Well. I got a very critical e-mail back about how we should go volunteer for a "worthy" group, not one that caters to those who are, basically, getting what they deserve.
WELL. She got a scathing, but politely worded, reply to that, explaining that we think everyone has dignity and deserves care, and that we don't think it's our place to judge people or cast them out because of one mistake. We've all made mistakes, I said, and we all take risks every day -- but we think life is not about thinking we're better than anyone, but helping those who need a hand or an ear to listen. I even cited some Bible verses ... because even though I'm not religious, I think that if Jesus were here, he wouldn't be at an Assembly with the Witnesses; he'd be out there actually doing something good for the world. Not ignoring the world.
The lack of love for people outside their faith is what has always irritated me about JWs. But I guess when you believe everyone else is evil/ignorant/selfish ... there's not much motivation to do something good for the sake of doing something good (not preaching).
Hmm .. I got way off topic there. But I'll leave it. That's basically the only interaction we've had with Witnesses outside of my husband's very wonderful family (I adore them; they have always embraced me and respected our lives. If all Witnesses were like them ... things would just be better all around). We're keeping our fingers crossed that things will stay as they are ... that his family can have their faith, and we can have our life outside of that faith, and we can all coexist amicably without the organization butting its ugly head in and disfellowshipping him.
Knock on wood.
So, I'm enjoying reading all the posts ... seeing familiar "faces" ... and I hope everyone's been doing well.
Smiles,
SLM
somebodylovesme
JoinedPosts by somebodylovesme
-
18
Back after quite awhile away .. thought I'd say hello and give an update :)
by somebodylovesme ini doubt anyone remembers me, but i used to be around these boards i bit.
i think my last post was in the summer of 2004. as a refresher, my husband is an inactive jw.
we've been married for two and a half years now, and we're living hundreds of miles from where he grew up and attended meetings.
-
-
somebodylovesme
-
11
June 2004 Kingdom Ministry, anyone?
by drwtsn32 incould someone tell me the title for an article out of this km?
no reason in particular...
-
-
somebodylovesme
All right! I'm holding you to that!
SLM
easily excited by such insidious plots -
11
June 2004 Kingdom Ministry, anyone?
by drwtsn32 incould someone tell me the title for an article out of this km?
no reason in particular...
-
-
somebodylovesme
LOL, okay.
-
11
June 2004 Kingdom Ministry, anyone?
by drwtsn32 incould someone tell me the title for an article out of this km?
no reason in particular...
-
-
somebodylovesme
Now, for old time's sake ... if you're having fun, I want to have fun, too!
Sorry, don't know any titles.
-
4
Lawsuits filed against the Watchtower -- is there a website of decisions?
by somebodylovesme inagain, i am here to draw from the infinite wisdom of this board.
i know there have been several lawsuits filed against the watchtower for several reasons (custody, shunning, blood transfusions, etc) ... i found minimal information on some of these cases, and the search feature on this board hasn't been treating me kindly.
i was wondering if anyone knew of a website that has further information about different types of lawsuits brought against the watchtower.
-
-
somebodylovesme
Thanks. :) I will explore those links!!
-
4
Lawsuits filed against the Watchtower -- is there a website of decisions?
by somebodylovesme inagain, i am here to draw from the infinite wisdom of this board.
i know there have been several lawsuits filed against the watchtower for several reasons (custody, shunning, blood transfusions, etc) ... i found minimal information on some of these cases, and the search feature on this board hasn't been treating me kindly.
i was wondering if anyone knew of a website that has further information about different types of lawsuits brought against the watchtower.
-
-
somebodylovesme
Hi all -
Again, I am here to draw from the infinite wisdom of this board. I know there have been several lawsuits filed against the Watchtower for several reasons (custody, shunning, blood transfusions, etc) ... I found minimal information on some of these cases, and the search feature on this board hasn't been treating me kindly. I was wondering if anyone knew of a website that has further information about different types of lawsuits brought against the Watchtower. My husband thinks he might have a unique case, but I can't post any further information about it at this time. I want to check the precedents, but I'm having a hard time finding the info.
Any help, as always, would be much appreciated.
Peace to all -
SLM
-
23
American Idol final: Diana or Fantasia
by Mulan ini thought both girls sang amazingly last night.
both had one song that wasn't so great, so the contest was a draw for me.
since simon so obviously favors fantasia i voted 3 times for diana.
-
-
somebodylovesme
I voted for Fantasia.... I was a big LaToya fan ... it is criminal that she was not in the finale! But I also fell in "love" with Fantasia the first time she sang "Summertime" ... I honestly did have goosebumps.
I like Diana, too. It is all a matter of preference, as they are both talented and classy young ladies. I like Fantasia's uniqueness - I like that she doesn't sound like everyone on the radio. Her last performance last night ("I Believe") was awesome!
It is too bad that Diana had problems with her last song... I heard that her earpiece malfunctioned and she couldn't hear her own voice. If she wins, she will have earned it! She is amazing for her age!
At this point, they both will have CDs - and I will probably buy both. I do prefer Fantasia, though.
SLM
-
87
What is the difference between Creationism and Intelligent Design?
by somebodylovesme indrawing once again from the infinite wisdom of this board.... i'm having a hard time figuring out the distinction between creationism and intelligent design... is id just creationism with a pronounced christian tie?
thanks in advance.
slm
-
-
somebodylovesme
Well, lookit this - lil' ole me started a debate. My first!
Hope my question didn't upset anyone ... Thank you all for your input. My presentation is tomorrow morning and hopefully I will give a persuasive argument as to why religions should be taught privately - not in the public schools.
Thanks, all!
SLM
-
87
What is the difference between Creationism and Intelligent Design?
by somebodylovesme indrawing once again from the infinite wisdom of this board.... i'm having a hard time figuring out the distinction between creationism and intelligent design... is id just creationism with a pronounced christian tie?
thanks in advance.
slm
-
-
somebodylovesme
It's a distinction without a difference as has already been pointed out.
Doh! Sorry, but your question begged this simple response.
Well, I didn't think there was a distinction -- but when I said that to my professor, he vehemently disagreed with me and said I was uninformed. As I continued researching, I thought I would pose the question here, because I have found that posters are very resourceful and often have links and pages that I can't find alone.
But thank you for your simple response... I generally agree with your statement:
One implies the other. Think about it: Could there be stupid Creation without intelligent design, or stupid design with smart Creation?
in the sense that you can't have "intelligent design" without the "Creator."
SLM
-
87
What is the difference between Creationism and Intelligent Design?
by somebodylovesme indrawing once again from the infinite wisdom of this board.... i'm having a hard time figuring out the distinction between creationism and intelligent design... is id just creationism with a pronounced christian tie?
thanks in advance.
slm
-
-
somebodylovesme
Thanks, Gerard and rem! ::::: reading now :::::