Posts by BrendaCloutier

32

Afraid of Dying?

by PointBlank in

jw
friends

i don't know if this subject has been discussed here before.

if it has, could someone help me find it?

if it hasn't (i can't imagine that it hasn't), here's what i was wondering.

BrendaCloutier

Afraid of dying? I used to be, but not any more. I believe there are such possiblities out there that I'm looking forward to them! Just not right now.

Afraid of the pain the the death process might bring? Yes. I hate pain. Unfortunately, I have chronic pain - a pain in the arse and everywhere else, so what's the diff?

I was in an AA emial group and a woman's dad just died (5 or so years ago). He had been a very close friend of Carl Sagan's, who had died just a week or two before him. Several days after her dad's death, he came to her in a dream, and told her he was doing well, and he was so excited because now he and his buddy could go explore the universe!

Hugs

Brenda

6

How Much Have You Changed Since Leaving?

by Nosferatu in

jw
friends

i'm not talking about changes you've made in your life such as celebrating holidays and birthdays.

how much have you changed as a person?

how has your personality changed?.

BrendaCloutier

I think of the changes in me and I think 180 degrees. But really it's been more of an upward spiral, except for the few years of drunken debauchery. Then I was just killing myself in the name of fun. Yeah, but it was great fun for a while

I think for myself. I guess I always did, just kept it contained.

I stand up for myself. I help others to do the same (alcoholism, domestic violence, etc)

I treat others as I want to be treated, no matter who they are, what they look like, where they've been, or what their religion is, etc.

I would like to think I actually behave in the manner that JW's would like the world to think they behave....

Hugs

Bren

43

If Something Bad Happens To A JW, Are You Happy?

by minimus in

jw
friends

every so often, i read that some posters have such contempt for jehovah's witnesses, that they are happy when they hear that one died or suffered from cancer or some other disease or tragedy.

they rationalize things by saying, "jws are so corrupt that getting rid of them in any way is good!".

or, "i'm glad that this bad thing happened to them.

BrendaCloutier

It doesn't matter if they're JW, Catholic, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Black, White, Yellow, Red, or Green. They are still a human, and they have my compassion and sympathy.

Bren

16

Does Jehovah God Mean Anything To You Any Longer???

by minimus in

jw
friends

i believe many here do not believe in "jehovah god" any longer.

are you in that category (yet)?

BrendaCloutier

Good question, Poppers.

I believe the "being" we are taught to worship as god, is a being so far beyond what our small human minds are able to comprehend, that all we can get is a glimpse, if we're lucky. And I think science gives us some of the closest glimpses possible.

I believe this "being" is the core of the universe - all universes, if they exist, and science thinks there is more than one, many parallel universes, etc,. But I believe "god" is the source of power and intelligence that resides at the core, is the core, and this power and intelligence radiates out throughout all .... thereby everything is an extension of god.

Science says that there is a center, or core to the "known" universe, and that as the moon revolves around the earth revolves around the sun revolves around within the milky way, the galaxies are expanding and revolving around this core. This core, or source point of the big bang that began the creation of our universe.

I used to have wonderful conversations with an athiest rocket scientist with whom I worked (he was on the design team and lead programmer for the space shuttle simulator). After 2 years of these "2nd hand smoke breaks" he was closer to maybe being agnostic, and I had a greater concept of the "god" that over my years away from WTS I began believing existed.

I also believe in miracles, coincidence (co-inci-god's), and the metphysical. And I don't believe these ideas conflict with scientific theory, in the ultimate big picture.

(I also believe the oceanic water of the earth are entities without conscience, and the earth is an entity with conscience and inteligence, however slow to act, and in her time, only. - Gaia theory)

Hugs

Brenda

46

Sexism in the borg....sexist pigs the lot

by Jez in

jw
friends

let's talk about how sexist the borg is:.

only men can give talks.

only men can be elders.

BrendaCloutier

(Paul) He was one of those jews

Sorry, but Paul was a gentile who was a jew-wannabe. That's why he "took" to christs teachings is because he could BS his way in.

-Brenda

46

Sexism in the borg....sexist pigs the lot

by Jez in

jw
friends

let's talk about how sexist the borg is:.

only men can give talks.

only men can be elders.

BrendaCloutier

The Bible - OT and NT was written by men of middle eastern descent. Funny, but I have the most issues with "men of middle eastern descent". And the issues of male superiority come thru. I also find it interesting that Jesus enjoyed associating with women - of all kinds. I doubt that he was as sexist as his predicessors, or ascedents, especially Paul.

So it goes that JW's would be highly sexist to the point that most wives and daughters are treated as slaves.

Me? I have an IQ of over 140 and I was pulled out of h school as a sophomore because I had enough education to be a wife.

I've overcome a great deal of this indoctrination (read brainwashing), but it still surfaces at times.

Hugs

Bren

PS What did god say when he made Adam? "I can do better than that!"
However, when I have the opportunity to discuss creation with god, I will bring up the issue of female plumbing.

16

Does Jehovah God Mean Anything To You Any Longer???

by minimus in

jw
friends

i believe many here do not believe in "jehovah god" any longer.

are you in that category (yet)?

BrendaCloutier

I use the Lord's Prayer, alot! when taken apart it is awesome. However, did Jesus pray to Jehovah? No, he prayed to his Father.

If we believe at all in the reason Jesus was born on earth, we need no forgiveness, as we've already been forgiven.

Me, I pray for blessings. I pray for me, my spousal unit, our families and friends, and especially for those who have harmed me, or whom I dislike - even Bush!

Hugs

Bren

32

Words to Live By - What are Yours?

by pettygrudger in

jw
friends

in trying to deal with the everyday realities of our existence, we usually pick "catch phrases" or principles with which we use to try & guide our life, growth & development.

in my case, the #1 thing that i try to live by is to take what is mine & own it.

yep, i didn't have the best circumstances growing up, and had some pretty crappy things that happened to me as a child.

BrendaCloutier

I love all of these, especially "petting the sweaty things"!

Jst2Laws - this one's for you. I actually believe they are 3 laws:

Love God (and all creation)

Love your neighbor as you

Love yourself.

We weren't taught that last one.

I believe if I make a whole hearted effort (at whatever effort I am able to put into it, and this varies day-to-day, moment-by-moment), that I will do little harm. Once adopting these 3 laws, I recycle more, buy used or recycled, or reuse more. I drive easy and usually don't get upset on the road. I'm getting rid of much of my "stuff" boxed baggage I've been carrying around forever and will never use. Plan driving errands so I'm not running out for just one thing. Compost, even though I'm in a condo (uses less water and electricity than the disposal, and it's good for the flower beds). Give a dollar or a quarter when I have one. Give a smile, I almost always have those. Give a compliment or kind word, they cost nothing and have value beyond gold.

Am I successful at it? Sometimes. More than I used to be.

Hugs

Bren

16

Does Jehovah God Mean Anything To You Any Longer???

by minimus in

jw
friends

i believe many here do not believe in "jehovah god" any longer.

are you in that category (yet)?

BrendaCloutier

Jehovah is only one a.k.a. of the same god worshipped by many.

Personally, the "god" I pray to has no known name, and is NOT Jesus the Christ - different entity. I belive (he, she, it, they) resides at the center of THE universe and is the sole source of the universes' energies, in whatever form that is, even human. I believe in intelligent evolution, that the Big Bang was a part of that.

Does this "god" care directly about us? No. Do "his" minions care? That is the responsiblity of some. Is there a source of "evil"? Yes, I think there is, but most of it is human-will-generated. Is there life after death? Yes. Do we return? Yes. I've been here many times, at least 4 that I have memories of.

This is just a beginning of what I have 'come to believe' since leaving.

Hugs

Bren

16

Should Churches Be Tax Exempt?

by Xena in

jw
friends

all?

some?

what is your view?

BrendaCloutier

Only for true community service not servicing only parishoners: Money received for renting space for non-profit or support groups i.e. AA, et.al. Meals and support of the homeless or children. etc., etc., etc. All else should be taxed.

I'm sure JW's would get around this with field service. But hey, did you ever get rich from field service? I knew several who used gasoline, auto maintenance, bookbags, and other items for tax deductions, including claiming dollars for hours "donated", etc.