arachnia

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Posts by arachnia

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  21

  How Many Pagans?

  by Moridin in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was curious to see how many pagans were on the board and what form you practiced.

  i myself am newer to the pagan scene and am studying witchcraft...something i secretly did when i was a teenage jw.

  any way looking forward to hearing your comments.

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  arachnia

  I describe myself as agnostic with Reconstructionist Pagan leanings. ;) I'm still defining my belief system - it's an ongoing process.

  I like my friend Ceisiwr Serith's take on the word "Pagan." Although the etymology has been attributed to the Latin paganus, "thos of the earth", "country dweller," he takes it a bit further in a way that makes good sense to me.

  "I have read of an etymology that makes more sense to me. The difficulty with the "country dweller" etymology is that at the time when Pagans first were called that the literati were both Pagans and urbanites. It doesn't make sense that Christians would have started calling such people "country dwellers."
  
  The alternate suggestion I have seen is that the word comes from "pagus," "district," and refers to the fact that Pagan religions are connected with particular areas and ethnic groups, as opposed to Christianity which was the "universal" religion. This makes more sense to me, and avoids the question of how a Pagan religion can be adapted to city life. There is no need to worry about that, since "Pagan" wouldn't necessarily, under this etymology, have anything to do with the countryside." ---Ceisiwr Serith

  Cheers,
  ~Trase
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  15

  which winona are you?

  by Incense_and_Peppermints in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  .

  http://www.shokraw.com/winonatest.html

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  arachnia

  
  Which Winona Are You?
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  25

  What JW's say about Erica Rodriguez

  by RR in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  mind you she did not see the dateline report.

  but speaking to her the other day, she related that "erica is a slut.

  " what gave her this impression?

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  arachnia

  Anyone who accuses a four year old of being a slut and causing their own molestation is simply grasping for anything that will allow them to hold onto their beliefs, because those beliefs are being challenged by this event and they have no support structure outside of those beliefs.

  I wonder how many JW women who are saying Erica is a slut would react if they were raped, and subsequently called into a JC and asked what they were wearing, how they were acting, etc., and being told that they were responsible for being attacked because they were wearing the "wrong" thing or were "asking for it." Of course, sadly, some of them would probably allow themselves to be buffaloed into believing just that if they were put in the position, so absolute is their trust in the Borg. How sad to give other imperfect people such power over yourself.

  And Erica, anyone who says you are a slut can get bent. Ignore their idiocy, please.
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  19

  Have any "HALL CLEANING" funny stories??

  by BONEZZ in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i remember our bookstudy groups (in my area) got the chore for a month at a time.

  the bookstudy was at my home with the p.o.

  as the conductor.

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  arachnia

  This isn't so much a cleaning story as it is a maintenance one, it took place in Rochester, MI congregation in about the mid-80's.

  There was some problem prior to the meeting which required one of the elders who was an electrician by trade to investigate up in the ceiling. Because removing a ceiling tile meant opening up to the ductwork, they decided to turn off the AC while he investigated the problem. He stood on a ladder and was peering around up there when a ministerial servant who was kind of a goof decided that the air should be turned on, not realizing the consequences for the elder.

  My brother and I were unable to contain our laughter when the elder started screaming, "GEORGE! Turn off the AC!" His hair was standing straight up, being sucked up by the ductwork. George, oblivious to his role in the elder's coiffure dilemma, finally realized he hadn't done the right thing by flipping the switch and turned beet red.

  One of many times my dear sibling and I were trapped in a perpetual giggle cycle at the KH. ;)
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  10

  Favorite Summer Recipes

  by mpatrick in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  i am looking for some new ideas for summer cooking (preferably on the grill).

  i thought some of you might have some good ideas of marinades, pasta salads or the like...post your favorites...please!!

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  arachnia

  When we grill steaks or chicken, we like these grilled potatoes as a side. It's not an exact science, but here's basically what you'll need for each packet of potatoes:

  Two lengths of aluminum foil about 15" each
  Two small/medium sized potatoes per packet - sliced into about 1/4" slices
  Salt/Pepper to taste
  2 tbs butter per packet - sliced into little cubes
  1 tbs minced garlic per packet
  Several slices of onion per packet
  We like to add a few sprinkles of dill to each packet too but obviously this is optional

  Mix the potato slices and rest of the stuff on top of one of the sheets of foil. Make sure that there is even distribution of the butter all through the slices. Fold the foil into a packet around the potatoes. Take the other piece of foil and wrap it around and seal it all shut so there are no holes. Place packets on the grill on low/medium heat for about 20 minutes. You might have to adjust to your grill. Don't cook them too hot or the potatoes will just burn. :) I find it's helpful to have a fork handy, I just poke through the foil to see if they are done.
  
  You should end up with flavorful potato slices, many of which are almost carmelized. Yum! (at least we think so.) ;)
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  37

  My Favorite Personality Test~~ Myers-Briggs

  by LizardSnot in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just wanted to share the following personality test with all of you: .

  i've found it to be extremely interesting and helpful in my relationships with those of different personality types.

  http://www.davideck.com/links/keirsey1.html.

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  arachnia

  I'm an ENTJ - which is "The Field Marshall", if memory serves - I've taken this test several times over the years. :)

  Edited by - arachnia on 11 June 2002 0:4:46

  Edited by - arachnia on 11 June 2002 0:5:16
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  58

  Current JW Urban Legend about Dateline

  by bboyneko in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  apparantly it has been circulating that barabara anderson was wearing a cross in her interview :) (not true).

  any others been going around?

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  arachnia

  Francois,

  You hit the nail on the head. The Watchtower uses logical fallacies left and right in its indoctrination process, so to see JW's following those same fallacies in their thinking is not really a surprise.

  Anyone interested in learning more about logical fallacies, check out a couple of my favorite sites:

  http://www.datanation.com/fallacies/index.htm
  http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/

  Enjoy!

  Cheers,
  ~arachnia

  "The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."
  -Princess Leia to Governor Tarkin in SW:ANH
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  8

  anyone

  by obiwan in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  anyone around the flint mi area,any meeting places?.

  life's hard enough

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  arachnia

  Well I'm not "near" Flint per se, but I live in Detroit, which is in the general vicinity! ;)

  Cheers,
  ~arachnia

  "The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."
  -Princess Leia to Governor Tarkin in SW:ANH
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  15

  "All of them witches"...

  by Preston in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  "all of them witches" was the name of the book that mia farrow read in in the film "rosemary's baby" which eventually lead her to believe that ruth grodon, ralph bellamy, and several other actors from the 40's and 50's rooming in her apartment were satan-worshippin' wiitches.

  in this day in age i think people who are witches in real life have to live with various stereotypes permeated from movies, t.v.

  shows, and whatnot.

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  arachnia

  Over my years of study I've ran into many misconceptions about "Pagan" "Witch" "Wicca" and so on. About a year ago, I attempted to clarify the basics about Pagan religions/beliefs to a group of moderators I was working with on another discussion forum. The result was an essay on "What does it mean to be Pagan?" It is now archived on my website. I'm not suggesting that it's the end-all, be-all, but I'd like to think it's fairly well-researched and written. (I've had compliments on it from long-time followers of a variety Pagan traditions so something must be alright in it.) ;)

  Anyhow, here is a link to it in case anyone is interested:
  http://www.exjwpagans.org/PaganSynopsis.html

  Cheers,
  ~arachnia

  "The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."
  -Princess Leia to Governor Tarkin in SW:ANH
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  82

  Thank you for the support

  by Erica in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i can't find the words that would express how grateful i am for all the support, not only for all of you to back me on the dateline show but for my trial as well.

  i don't think i would have had the courage to go through the trauma if it wasn't for all your prayers and encouragement.

  dateline was a huge help for many and i know this because i have recieved quite a few calls, one from a current jdub who wants out for the safety of his 16 month old baby, i was so excited that he lifted the veil and saw it for the pure truth that it was.

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  arachnia

  Erica,

  Thank you so much for having the bravery to come forward on several occassions to speak out against the injustices committed against you. You are an inspiration for many. And, congratulations on your baby boy! :D

  As far as the cross, it just goes to show how desperate some people get when they are in denial. They will go after the most ridiculous detail and attempt to use that to discredit the critical truths being spoken against something they believe in, so that they will not have to modify the safety of their programmed thinking. It's truly sad. We can all be incredibly happy we are no longer stuck in that mindtrap. :)

  Once again, thank YOU for all that you have done! :)

  Cheers,
  ~arachnia

  "The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."
  -Princess Leia to Governor Tarkin in SW:ANH