Fleur

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Posts by Fleur

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  19

  A "Sobering" idea for New Years: to benefit Asian Tsunami Victims/Survivors

  by Fleur in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just had a rare moment of clarity and i wanted to share this idea with you all.

  i plan to pass it along to everyone i know, hoping that it might, just might, catch on.

  i am proposing a totally painless way for people to reach into their hearts, and wallets, to help those so desperate for aid following this weekend's tragedy in asia.

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  Fleur

  i'm happy to say that the idea is catching on through friends of friends...and i hope that regardless of the decision people make as to whether or not they still want to toast the new year with champagne that they realize they can give something, even just a dollar, to the relief efforts. Simon, in response to your comment, you are right that we are among the luckiest people in the world. my husband read the other day that if you have these few things; a) a roof over your head, b) clothes on your back, c)food to eat and d) ANY amount of money left over, no matter how little, that you are in the top 8% income bracket on the planet. i think people lose sight of that sometimes in our culture of mass-consumption and materialism in the western world.

  thanks to everyone who has considered this simple idea that could provide funds that would accomplish a lot.

  essie
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  69

  I'm not a Buddhist, but...............PART 2

  by Dansk in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as i can't post to the original thread started by nicolaou, i'm doing so here:.

  hi fleur,but the part that really, well, frankly creeped me out for lack of a better term, is that he left his wife and child, then starved himself nearly to death before he realized that this wasn't the way to go, and he lived as a homeless person, begging food as he went on his path to enlightenment.

  that's a rather simplified version of events.

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  Fleur

  Hi there Dansk,

  Wow, imagine you going to all the trouble to start a thread just to reply to me! I really appreciate it. I appreciate you setting me straight on so many things...I know what I read was the 'beginners' simplified version, maybe perhaps it could be called "Buddhism for Dummies" LOL.

  This comment that you made to Swan really appeals to me:

  One doesn't have to believe in God to be a Buddhist - but one can also believe in him if one wants to. I guess it all depends on one's perception of God. I believe in spirit but not an Almighty Creator. When we die we go to another bardo (plain of "existence") to await rebirth, which could be back to earth, in higher spiritual realms or, sadly, even lower realms. All these realms are impermanent and, providing one is well aware of what to expect at death, can determine which realm to enter. Read about the bardos in the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying.

  I haven't had my coffee yet so I have to let your post sink in, and read and re-read (will print out) but I want you to know that your insight and wisdom is much appreciated; and very welcomed. I look forward to discussing this! I'll be back in a bit with more thoughts.

  love and thanks,

  essie
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  35

  Happy Anniversary Mulan and Dave...um...mom and dad...

  by Princess in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  42 years today!.

  love you,.

  rachel

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  Fleur

  What a sweet picture...what a wonderful milestone! Congratulations to a favorite couple of mine...much love to both of you on this special occaision!

  *mwah!*

  love

  essie
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  55

  Mario Utopian Reformist isn't responding to phone calls. Pls help find him.

  by hubert in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  does anyone here know how i can find mario?

  he is not responding to my phone calls.

  the last i heard from him was wednesday night, around 6 p.m. or so, dec.22, 04. .

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  Fleur

  Hubert, no apology necessary! Thank you for the update, I am glad that Mario was visiting someone...big hugs to you for being such a caring friend and also to Mario...think of you every single day...

  hugs

  essie
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  61

  Should the Christian faith be rationally defended?

  by Narkissos in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in the pretty miscellaneous "global flood" thread there were a couple of exchanges on the value of "apologetics" per se.

  i think this subject is worth a thread of its own.

  i will here recall some statements in the aforementioned thread:.

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  Fleur

  Wow, Rochelle, I remember when you used to post about being a Pagan after JW...I didn't know that you'd become a Christian now. I'm curious, was there any particular thing that caused you to make that change? One event that converted you or was it something of a slow metamorphosis?

  This is a great quote, I am going to write this down and put it on my fridge:

  To defend anything is always to discredit it.

  Even though the author was referring to Christianity here, I believe that can be applied to anything you really truly believe in; even if it means disbelief in the god of the bible or of a higher power in any form.

  essie
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  75

  I'm afraid there are only 2 ways of being a true believin' Christian

  by Zep in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  the first way is to be completely ignorant.to ignore the fact that the bible is a hopelessly flawed man made document, and all other reasoned argument and evidence that points to the non existence of the christian god.

  this strategy basically involves living inside mental cocoon and closing your eyes to any alternative views.

  the best way to employ this tactic is to perform a whole lot repetitive and ritualistic action; a whole lot of head bowing and praying etc... etc....you know the drill!.

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  Fleur

  I am a Christian because Christ is the example of someone I would like to be every day of my life. I believe he was the Son of God. I believe he gave up everything for my good. I believe my life is lived more successfully because of the two tenants he taught. Christians that get up in arms over detailed doctrine are wasting their breath. When did Christ ever argue about drinking or dancing or any of that other stuff? He didn't. It's immaterial. THE POINT IS LOVE. It truly is that simple. Humans make it complicated by adding all the other crap.

  Andi, I think that is one of the best descriptions of why a person believes in Christianity I've ever read. It gets to the point without taking aim at anyone else's beliefs (or lack thereof). Great post!

  hugs

  essie

  (not a Christian but most of my friends are...)
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  112

  I'm not a Buddhist, but...............

  by nicolaou in

  1. jw
  2. friends
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  Fleur
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  112

  I'm not a Buddhist, but...............

  by nicolaou in

  1. jw
  2. friends
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  Fleur
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  19

  A "Sobering" idea for New Years: to benefit Asian Tsunami Victims/Survivors

  by Fleur in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just had a rare moment of clarity and i wanted to share this idea with you all.

  i plan to pass it along to everyone i know, hoping that it might, just might, catch on.

  i am proposing a totally painless way for people to reach into their hearts, and wallets, to help those so desperate for aid following this weekend's tragedy in asia.

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  Fleur

  Realistically, it will do nothing... but it doesnt take away from the heartfelt sentiment behind the gesture. I didnt mean to offend you.

  Hi again,

  I'm not offended, Flower. In fact I expected similiar responses. I'm sorry if I sounded curt in my reply.

  The idea that what you send doesn't help just isn't right, though! I read today that Americares can send close to 3000.00 worth of medicine/medical supplies for every 100.00 donated to them. Can you imagine how far that 56.00 that your son raised out of the goodness of his heart, bless his soul, could go? A long way!

  I know the problem seems so huge it's like "what can one person possibly do." I totally agree with you about the need for the wealthiest to donate more; I am sure that many will. But in the meantime, if everyone just pitches in what they can, it will add up.

  You are a great mother, I can tell, to be raising such a thoughtful son.

  ~essie
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  19

  A "Sobering" idea for New Years: to benefit Asian Tsunami Victims/Survivors

  by Fleur in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just had a rare moment of clarity and i wanted to share this idea with you all.

  i plan to pass it along to everyone i know, hoping that it might, just might, catch on.

  i am proposing a totally painless way for people to reach into their hearts, and wallets, to help those so desperate for aid following this weekend's tragedy in asia.

  1. 
  2. 
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• 

  Fleur

  Not to sound like a downer, but I dont think many will go for the idea of not drinking champagne on new years. It is as much as a tradition as christmas and people would never go for the idea of donating all of their xmas gift money to a charitable cause either....and a lot of people just throw money away at xmas time. Just isnt going to happen unfortunately

  Hi Flower,

  I don't expect everyone to do it. But if even only some do, or even if they still have the champagne but just think of ways to contribute even though they didn't think they could afford to...then putting the idea out there is worth it.

  It's just that, an idea for those who are interested. Anyone not interested can disregard it.

  ~Essie