Posts by Markfromcali

It would also be senseless to cross-post the same message on every thread regardless of whether or not it's on topic, and a good way for people to tune you out and to get kicked off.

42

What is you favorite all time movie scene [s]?

by AK - Jeff in

jw
friends

i have a lot of them - .

final scene in "gone with the wind" - frankly scarlet, i don't give a damn.".

eastwood - "make my day".

Markfromcali

If only we can show a clip..

Two that come to mind are:

Big Trouble in Little China, posted about this in the movie title thread recently.. After some rant by Lo Pan about sacrificing the green-eyed girl to this demon-god Jack says something to finish his thought "... and rule the universe from beyond the grave!" Lo Pan: "Indeed!" Jack: "Either that or check into a psychoward, whichever comes first, huh?"

Army of Darkness, Ash speaking to a bunch of people in the 1300's (he went back in a time warp) about the shotgun which he just fired: "This... is my BOOMSTICK! .... that's right, this baby's made in Grand Rapids, Michigan, retails for $109.95, you can find it in the sporting goods department ... Shop smart, shop S-Mart! YOU GOT THAT???"

53

Am I the only one ...

by talesin in

ugh.

it seems that the jw, along w/ other stuff, has led me to a solitary position in life ... how about you ... is that why you are here?

tonite?

Markfromcali

By the way, I think this is why going to an apostafest is so good after being on the board for a while. When I was young I was so reclusive that I went a few years where my only social contact was online, and the few people I did meet was people I chatted with. Basically, whatever gets you to open up - and having connected to some extent online helps when you meet in person.

38

Why are men so bad?

by Qcmbr in

sometimes i'm so ashamed of being male - .

why are men responsible for most rapes, paedophilia, pornography, abuse, criminal behaviour, war, bullying etc..?

if women (on average) were as physically strong as men would they be responsible for 50% of the above or is it something to do with men?

Markfromcali

Actually what Sith suggests is worth considering: Why are some men so good? It wouldn't even have to be a separate thread, because if we are going to understand male behavior why don't we look at both sides. It's easy to dwell on one side, but maybe if we consider both then we will have a clearer picture. Of course sometimes we might be overwhelmed by our reactions, certain things may push our buttons - but then it's a question of whether it's a matter of just voicing those feelings and points of view or if we do something with that and really take a good look at it. For that matter we can look at how men get along well with women in different settings. We do not have to resort to a pathological example for understanding.

By the way, there is a book out there titled The Irritable Male Syndrome - the same author wrote something about the male menopaus. It has a picture of a green fist on the cover like the Incredible Hulk I guess. Kind of funny, I'm sure there is some merit to it as when you hit so many things (including biology and psychology as these self help titles tends to do) you're bound to hit upon something.

28

Do you exercise or do anything special to physically look your best?

by JH in

jw
friends

i walk alot in the summer time, usually about 5 miles a day when it's nice.

i never eat too much, so i don't gain weight.

a few days ago, i bought 2 ten pound dumbells and elastic bands and hand grips at walmart... i exercise with that about an hour a day.

Markfromcali

I got this t-shirt:

http://www.teesnthings.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=676

7

Oh no! What if they're right?

by OldSoul in

jw
friends

if i am right, i expect to live a full human life, complete with miseries and delights, and then die.

if jehovah's witnesses are right, i expect to live a full human life, complete with miseries and delights, and then die.

... on the other hand ... .

Markfromcali

If only we can have that child like spirit of wonder and discovery, it would be much more enjoyable too. Nothing to hang on to, but not pushing anything away.

I love this song, Dive Right In:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/27/12364/87.ashx

11

If It Is Really 'The Truth'

by Honesty in

jw
friends

why do jw's spend so much time judging one another and tell the elders when they perceive someone breaking a wt rule?

jesus said that his followers would be recognised for the love thay had among themselves.

so, what gives with this watchtower religion?

Markfromcali

Steve:

"You must respect my authoritay!" (ever watch South Park?)

It just goes to show where people are coming from, which is the acquired, judgemental mind. You can learn anything, believe in anything, any standard - but if that truth is going to be anything more than stuff you've come to believe then it wouldn't be a matter of programming the mind. Even if it's good programming, wouldn't you think at some point you have love for people not because you were taught to, but because you just care?

Anyway real love isn't just about works anyway - like ohhh we're preaching the good news to save people, ohhh we're doing this disaster relief effort, yadda yadda. JWs like some people of other religions have this idea of their conduct being a good witness, having a good name. I remember when I was still a JW, I found this address book on the street while delivering pizza and returned it to the owner. The thought of mentioning I am a Witness in some way to give a good witness crossed my mind, but of course there is no tactful way to work that in ("by the way, I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses and that is why I am such a nice guy for returning it!" ) so that was that. Actually, it is just a matter of love speaking for itself by virtue of the act in itself in that small way. I mean really, as if some religious identity is more important than love itself. Putting the cart before the horse...

43

JWs And Ex-JWs--Do You Struggle With Depression Because You Were A JW?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i've seen how some are so burdened by the fact that they were witnesses, that literally, every day is a struggle.

are you in need of therapeutic help because you are or were a jehovah's witness?

Markfromcali

I WAS, but I'm not there anymore.

I remember when I first left (walked away), I was pretty depressed for a few years as I was never a very social kid anyway and even amongst the JWs I didn't REALLY have a group to hang around with. Naturally having been in and avoided worldly influences I didn't have any friends when I left. I sought out different types of therapy, including psychotherapy but that was going pretty slow as it often does and it didn't seem like it was doing anything for me, and the other things I was trying just helped my physical health a bit. It wasn't so much that everyday is a struggle for me, but as is the case when you are depressed life is just not enjoyable. And of course, I didn't have a resource like this forum here.

Eventually of course I found my way, and slowly I "broadened out" in life so that I opened to other things which eventually rendered the JW experience a small part in the big picture, basically insignificant. I do think sometimes some kind of therapeutic intervention is appropriate, but through it all I'm sure we'd all agree that some kind of support is helpful. Even though it wasn't so much in the form of close friends, I consider all my post-exit life experiences a support in this regard. Basically what I mean by support here is just support in life, in living.

Even though I no longer need support for this issue, I like being on this forum because there is just such a wide diversity, you have all sorts of different people with all sorts of experiences, maybe most were JWs, but some were never one, but definitely a great representation as you would find in life. To me being here is not so much an interesting discussion even though there are a lot of thoughts offered, but just that open experience of life, as reflected by all these different people's own experience. You have to get specific with therapeutic inteventions, but there is always this richness.