i am reading buried alive: the terrifying history of our most primal fear, it's really cool
I am reading Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott. I recently read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Both authors are going to be appearing in Marin County in early 2008 and I am planning on attending.
The books are about finding faith (and/or yourself). Although I may not agree with their point of view, I find it interesting to read about it. Never felt I could do that as a JW.
Purza
well it looks like this site is a real melting pot, a broad spectrum of views and beliefs.
for sure there are many disaffected ex jws.
so in as few words as possible, preferably not more than one sentence, how would you describe yourself spiritually?
I am a Deist.
In the paper the other day it defined a deist as "one who believes in God, but not organized religion". I thought that fit me perfectly.
From Dictionary.com:
Deist: The belief, based solely on reason, in a God who created the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation.
Purza
ok, now that this team has gone 16-0, the pressure is going to be turned up an infinite amount of notches.
good luck.
as for the surviving 1972 miami dolphins, guess you have to keep that champagne on ice a little while longer.
I love the Patriots -- especially Tom Brady (a SF Bay Area native).
My daughter got a Brady jersey for Christmas. She is now refusing to take it off.
Would love to see them win it all this year. Go Pats!
Purza
i know this one brother who misses loads of meetings, yet when he talks, he sounds very zealous about preaching and finding interested ones.. i can't quite wrap my mind over this - how can you be zealous for service yet hardly turn up at the hall?.
Sometimes we would go MONTHS without seeing Ted then he would be back and rabid again...
Sounds like someone who is bi-polar or goes through depression with highs and lows.
Purza
isn't life crazy?
i just spent 30 days selling christmas trees.
i set there in the rain and cold playing christmas music helping people buy their tree...blessing each and every person who did.... i looked up into the sky and wondered where i will be 10 years from now.
I am in a much better place now - then I was 10 years ago. I hope that my life continues on its current path as I am very happy where I am right now. However, I wouldn't want to know today where I will be in 10 years. Just want to live and enjoy my life over the next 10 years and beyond.
Purza
i found this an got a kick out of it...
http://crlwk.com/aboutme.aspx
Poor sap is gonna regret putting up that website.
LMAO -- I totally agree!
Purza
sad story at the sf zoo.
a beautiful siberian tiger escapes, kills one man and mauls two others.
then is shot and killed by police.
I visited the SF Zoo last summer and I was not impressed with this zoo.
Believe it or not, the zoo as it is now is awesome -- compared to what it used to be. It was a total dump, but they have made some major renovations over the past 10 years and it has highly improved. That being said, I know it is still not very impressive.
I have been going to this zoo for 35+ years and this is the first time something like this has happened. If it is true and the tiger was being taunted, my heart goes out to the animal as it was only protecting its territory. My heart also goes out to the parents of the 17 year old boy.
I heard on the local SF news this morning that the two men in the hospital are not cooperating with police at this time. Sounds very strange and suspicious to me.
Purza
this is my first christmas following the complete fade, but i have to maintain the fade.. hence, i have been uncomfortable with saying "merry christmas.
" the closest i have .
come this year is "same to you" and "enjoy your holiday.".
I have a hard time saying it. And I also have trouble singing Happy Birthday.
Basically I would say "same to you" or "happy holidays".
That mind control sh*t is hard to over come.
Purza
as you guys are probably aware, the new watchtower for studying has shed new light on the generations issue (ie whoops we got it wrong, we were right before) .
the co's here in aus have been briefed to inform the congregation (either formally or informally) that is is part of the cunning of jehovah .
when jesus parted the non beleiver disciples from the core 12 (or was it 13) he made an outrageous statement and watched the weak walk off - thats exactly what jehovahs organisation has done today .
I am not surprised by their twisted thinking. Anything that will make all the sheep think they have the "truth". Sad.
Purza
iam now as what was announced at a recent meeting that iam "no longer a jehovah's witness" all of my family and friends are witnesses so this will ailenate me from all of my friends and family.
but i feel like i don't want to go back.
i really hate the feeling of isolation and shamefulness while iam sitting in the meeting, what's the point of it all.
Yes, I have been disfellowshipped. In fact it happened when I was 18 and my whole world was wrapped up in the JWs. Going to the meetings were pure torture. My mother saved me a seat in the beginning, but then the elders told her not to do that. It took 11 months for them to reinstate me. And once I was back in, my relationships with my "friends" were NEVER the same. At times I wished I had never gone back.
Some go through the motions to get reinstated and then walk away. I wish I had done that. Instead I jumped back in for 12 years until I faded in my early 30s.
In any event, if you have any friendships with worldly people, please cultivate them now. Try to pull yourself away from the depression of going to meetings to please others. Once you start having more "normal" friendships, it will be easier to pull away.
My heart goes out to you as I know this is very difficult.
Purza
