Aalena

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Posts by Aalena

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  55

  Continuum, Consciousness, Being

  by onacruse in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

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  matter exists.. matter does not disappear from the universe; it transforms, at times, but in some form or other (energy) it continues to exist.. so what is "consciousness"?

  it also exists (and we are individually proof of that fact).. can our personal "consciousness" cease to exist?

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  Aalena

  hmmm... I re-read the original post. Do we continue to have some sort of concousness after we die? I cannot be sure on that. Being forever taught that we do not it's difficult for me to believe otherwise. Things happened after my father died that made me question that though.

  The day after he died my little sister found 3 missed calls from the hospital room where we had all spent the previous 2 weeks... the calls were dated the day after he passed when no one was anywhere near that hospital, let alone that hospital room. Also the day after, my father's deer antlers that he had in a box that was stored on a high shelf in our garage were spread out all over our lawn. Our garage appeared untouched and the box was no were to be seen.

  Do we live on after we die? We all do in one form or another. In my father's funeral notice I wrote that one of the greatest comforts I had was to know that my father had a key part in shaping the life that was ahead of me and his influence would forever be imprinted in my life. In that sense, he will always live after death.
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  55

  Continuum, Consciousness, Being

  by onacruse in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  .

  matter exists.. matter does not disappear from the universe; it transforms, at times, but in some form or other (energy) it continues to exist.. so what is "consciousness"?

  it also exists (and we are individually proof of that fact).. can our personal "consciousness" cease to exist?

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  Aalena

  I'm fairly convinced our bodies are only vessles that harbor who "we" are. I watched my father take his last living breath. It's very surreal to think back on it. To stand infront of someone who is dying... to stand there when someone has told you to say your goodbyes because it won't be long until they pass away, is an odd and obviously somber type of anxiousness. It's almost unexplicable to convey the feelings of having to watch for their every breath, wondering if each was their last and to keep waiting after they have taken that last breath until you finally realize that they are no more. What is even more un-nerving is the apparent lifelessness that exists when they have died. Just a second ago, just a moment ago, just 10 moments ago-- they were alive and warm and a "being." I'm positive there is more to it than simply our bodies giving out and ceasing to work. There is that living spark that leaves-- that is more complex than our molecular make-up. I think it's something no one can justly explain. One just has to experience seeing a life begin and cease to understand.
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  5

  Demonized Software...

  by Agent 1 of 1 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  how does the society view software or media that seems to be from the devil?

  if i'm watching a satanic ritual file downloaded from a web site, is that file demonized?

  if the original file is possessed and gets duplicated, are all the other duplicated files possessed as well?

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  Aalena

  Funny thing: My mother came in and saw an MMORPG i was playing called, Everquest. It's loosely based on dungeons and dragons... but really not. It's basically an online version of Lord of the Rings. Anyhow, she finally looked at how I was playing it one day(after about 4 years of playing this game) and exclaims, "Angela! What are you bringing into my house?? Are they casting magic? That is demonic!! You are inviting Satan into this house!" I calmly asked her if she had seen anything in this house or experienced anything in this house for the past 4 years I had lived here that was demonic or satanic happen and of course she had to say no!

  Silly silly silly I sometimes listen to her and her JW friends talk about the experiences that others have had with demons and I chuckle quietly to myself. They don't realize that they sound schitzophrenic!
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  13

  Speaking of Shunning

  by North Girl in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  for those who don't know me i've never been jw but am interesting in understanding.

  anyways, i was wondering when you were a practicing jw and you had to shun people, deep down how did you feel?

  did you feel right in doing so or did you always know that it wasn't right?

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  Aalena

  I just remember feeling akward. I also remember feeling that the person being "shunned" was a bad person-- someone that was a threat to my spiritual nature. As I matured a bit I just ignored what was insinuated I should do if I were to meet someone not in "good-standing" with the congregation and treated them as I would treat anyone I have met in life- with respect and dignity, I realized that my mind had been molded to think that way(whether intentional or unintentional).

  I've experienced extremeties from others, though. A couple that had a son my age when I was growing up and my family has known for over 20 years was in my work recently. I did not see them at first. I turned suddenly because I felt someone staring at me and turned to meet the wife's eyes. I smiled-- she looked at me blankly and then I looked away.

  Just last night I received a phonecall from my little sister who is a regular pioneer and who's husband served in bethel and is an elder. She asked if I would take the wedding photos of a girl who she studies with. Apparently, the man the girl is marrying is DF'd and the woman that was originally taking their wedding pictures backed out because he had failed to be reinstated when they thought he would be. That sickened me-- the wedding is a week from Sunday. No class.
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  11

  Racism - American Idol?

  by confusedjw in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

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  earlier this season there were some reports and accusations of racism in the voting for the american idol.. but now with the last two seasons being capped off with a black and white finalist and the black singer winning both times should this put to rest the accusations?

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  Aalena

  Latoya London was my favorite and the most talented, imo!
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  29

  Elders "disassociated" me-after I married non-JW

  by Nikita in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in was baptized in 1983 at the age of 18. by the end of 1984, i was beginning the fade thing.

  for 5 years i was an "inactive" witness.

  i can recall maybe one visit from an elder , though a few more from some "friends" that had missed me.

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  Aalena

  While I was being "Publicly Reproved"(I had moved out with my wordly BF at age 19 and had moved back home with my parents when I was about 20 or 21) the commitee told me if I so much as had *any* contact with my EX, I would be Disfellowshipped. It seems that either this committee liked to use scare tactics or they pretty much just assumed that if I so much as spoke to this person again, hopeless, weak-minded "me" would fornicate. I got smart after this one and realized they were "just men" and had no right to say such a thing OR assume such a thing. It's a shame because I went in with the mindset and certainty of wanting to dedicate the rest of my life to this way of life. Thank God I saw the hypocracy through my momentarily clouded mind.
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  22

  What's up with JWs only loving each other?

  by new light in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  how can it be called love when it is contingent on religious fervor?

  i saw first hand today how some dubs only respect those of the faith, while dismissing others as scum.

  their ridiculous, unnecessary preaching work is their only claim to being christ's followers.

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  Aalena

  They are taught to take care of themselves and their "brothers and sisters" in the organization first and foremost. The older ones, and some of the newer ones in different areas have been taught from day one to "set an example when trying to teach others the truth" and to shun those that doubt the organization. If that isn't the recipe for fake I don't know what is. Personally I cannot bring myself to blame each JW individually, though. They are only doing what is STRONGLY implied they do from the literature they read and sermons they hear.

  This has always been one of my largest issues with the organization: Seperation from the "world." God has no conditions on his love, right? I wouldn't think so. If this is the "truth" then what is to be feared by mixing with such ones? How could ANYONE turn a blind eye to something so blatantly RIGHT despite who they chose to associate with? Guess what we can because it's NOT the "truth." There may be some truths... but no absolute truth. If there were only absolute truth as the way they seem to try and live, then God would not have given us choice. Just because we make an unwise choice God is not going to stop loving us why should they? Just because we do not chose something that ANOTHER MAN thinks we should chose God will not stop loving us, why should they?

  If a fleshly father has an unconditional love and support for his children and God is supposed to be so incredibly MORE forgiving and loving beyond a man's comprehension what RIGHT do people in some religion have in judging someone as to take away their support and appreciation for them? That's right-- they SHOULDN'T. Like I said, however-- their minds have been conditioned to do so and I just have to remember that every so often so I am not consumed with resentment towards every one of them. You better believe I cannot stand organized religion now, though.
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  22

  What's up with JWs only loving each other?

  by new light in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  how can it be called love when it is contingent on religious fervor?

  i saw first hand today how some dubs only respect those of the faith, while dismissing others as scum.

  their ridiculous, unnecessary preaching work is their only claim to being christ's followers.

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  Aalena
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  20

  JW - non JW relationships

  by sjf84 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i'm sure that if i had come to this website as a non-jw looking for information on this cult when i was dating my jw girlfriend, i would not have taken any notice of a message like this.

  but i cannot stress this enough to any non-jw in a relationship with a jw: get out now!

  it is only natural to believe that your relationship will be different to the other failed relationships between believers and non believers which you read about on boards like these.

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  Aalena

  If anything, I urge people to get out of the relationship b/c of the hurt it brings the rest of the family. My parents were married 22 years until my father(the non-JW) died. It's created a lot of pain and confusion and regret for their children. Please, think about the effect it would have on any potential family if you are in a relationship that could result in marriage and only one is a committed JW... or even if there is a possibility that someone that is astragned from the religion going back.
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  20

  Anyone Involved In The Resturant Business????

  by ApagaLaLuz in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my friend and i have been contemplating opening up a sushi/ karokee bar.

  we have been doing our research and have alot of great ideas.

  however, neither one of us has any experience in the resturant business.

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  Aalena

  If ya ll want to drive up to sacramento I'll take care of ya well, hehe.=p