we're a little later than usual this weekend - sorry!
were you wondering where we were?.
well, these past two weekends we've been looking at the topic of the awake!
How do they solve other problems?
Why......I feel 'new light' coming on brothers....
Yeah...thats right....Jehovah wants the FDS to institute a 'tithing arrangement'....but still no collection plates...that would be too 'churchy'
Instead it would be be electronic funds transfer direct from your bank account....or better yet...by payroll deduction...deposited straight to the WTS....another loving provision brought to you by the (drum roll please)...FDS!!!
.
a guy once came up to me (a work colleague actually) and said .
your wife does make a good breakfast
Went into a convenience store with my HUGE insulated 48 oz. mug to get a refill of my diet coke.
Slapped my mug on the counter to pay and the clerk (a woman) said "Oh my Gawd...that's the biggest one I've ever seen!"
I said "Hey women tell me that all the time."
hehe
i just posted this on another thread, but wanted to make sure everyone sees it.
btw, i had to make the decision along with my siblings to disconnect my mother from life support.
there is a point where it is better to let your loved one slip away, i think.
I'm not upset at all. I understand this is a complex and very controversial issue. I'm not sure that I would want to live if I was in Terri's place. I'm also concerned with our government intervening in these matters as there could be unforeseen precedents set which could end up hurting others in the future.
But I am concerned that Michael Schiavo may not have Terri's best interests at heart. It makes sense that in a situation such as this, with no written directive on Terri's part, the spouses 'right' to terminate her life would not be absolute. I can only think that if I were in this situation, with a wife in Terri's condition, that I would have to give great weight to the desires of her parents. If the doctors are correct in saying that Terri is as good as brain dead, except for her brain stem which controls her heart and breathing, then why not allow her parents to take custody of her and allow them to lovingly care for her? Because if she's as good as brain dead, she has no awareness of anything, no pain, no nothing. And if Terri's parents and their doctors are correct that she can improve with rehab, then why not allow them to go for it? Apparently, Michael Schiavo has refused any therapy for Terri for the last 12 years. Why? Why put her parents through this?
i just posted this on another thread, but wanted to make sure everyone sees it.
btw, i had to make the decision along with my siblings to disconnect my mother from life support.
there is a point where it is better to let your loved one slip away, i think.
I just posted this on another thread, but wanted to make sure everyone sees it. BTW, I had to make the decision along with my siblings to disconnect my mother from life support. There is a point where it is better to let your loved one slip away, I think. However, in Terri's case her exact status is unknown to anyone. In this case, I say "err on the side of life."
An email I sent my family today:
I've been watching the Terri Schiavo situation unfold down in Clearwater this past week. I'm very concerned that she has had her feeding tube removed by the courts and is being slowly dehydrated/starved to death. There is now an emergency bill in the U.S. house of representatives that could save Terri's life. I am urging everyone to write their Senators and House members to urge that they pass this bill. The House will be taking up the bill again on Monday so I urge you to take a few minutes this weekend and send an email to your reps. In case you are not familiar with Terri's situation, here are the facts as I know them: Terri is a 41 year old woman who had a medical crisis (her heart stopped) about 15 years ago, which left her with severe brain damage. During this time Terri has not been on any life support (ventilator, etc.) except for the feeding tube placed in her stomach. Her body functions normally and she is physically healthy. Terri's parents visit her daily, and they believe she responds to them. According to the family, 33 physicians have signed affidavits stating that Terri, although severely brain damaged, is not in a coma or a "persistent vegetative state." They further state that with appropriate therapies Terri will likely show significant improvement in function. According to her parents, Terri's nurses have likewise concluded that improvement is possible, and also believe that she is to some degree aware of her surroundings, and appears to be happy and in no pain. (If you've seen the the CNN reports, Terri appears to smile when her mother talks to her.) Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, has been working since about 1993 to have her feeding tube removed, and to allow her to die. Michael claims that during his marriage to Terri she had stated that she did not want to be kept alive in the event of a medical catastrophe that would leave her unable to function without 'all the tubes', etc. Michael claims she made this statement not only to him but also to his brother and to her best friend. In all, Michael claims she made this statement to a total of six individuals (three of whom have not been identified). Now, assuming this alleged statement by Terri is true, I find it very hard to believe that she had given this issue a great deal of thought. She would have been, at the oldest, 26 when she made these statements, and at 26 I doubt she could have considered all the possible medical scenarios. Further, had she felt this strongly about this this issue, I believe that she would have seen an attorney to compose an "Advanced Medical Directive," which would be a legally binding document. There are also the facts concerning Michael Schiavo's possible financial motivation for wanting Terri's feeding tube removed. After Terri's medical crisis Michael sued and was awarded about $2.3 million. The stated purpose of the lawsuit was to obtain funds to care for Terri for the remainder of her life. According to Terri's parents, after Michael was awarded the money, he then refused to allow Terri any rehabilitation therapy that certainly would have shown whether it was possible for her to regain functioning. Shortly after winning the lawsuit Michael then began proceedings to have Terri's feeding tube removed. Terri's parent, the Schindler's, are of course opposed to having the feeding tube removed. The Schindler's are strong Catholics, and Terri was raised in the Catholic faith. They are very much against euthanasia, and believe that Terri would not want to be euthanized under these circumstances. I urge you to contact your House representative and your Florida senators to urge them to intervene to save Terri's life. Go to www.terrisfight.org for more information about this. Also, please pass this email on to everyone you know. Today its Terri's fight, tomorrow it could be yours or mine. (Below I've copied my short letter to my state representative. If you wish to use all or part in a letter to your legislators, you have my permission. Thanks again for your help!) Love, Bill ============================================================================================================ RE: TERRI SCHIAVO Dear Rep. Taylor, I am writing to urge you to do everything in your power to pass the bill now under consideration that may save Terri Schiavo's life. This young woman has been severely brain damaged for about 15 years, but according to her family, 33 independent physicians have given affidavits that her condition is not irreversible, and that given appropriate therapies, she has a good chance for significant improvement. According to Terri's mother and father, although Terri's husband Michael received a multi-million dollar settlement, he has NOT allowed Terri to receive any rehabilitation therapy. In my mind, as long as there is any chance that a person could have a meaningful life, even in a limited way, that life should be honored and preserved. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this very important issue. Sincerely, Bill Rosenke
Asheville, North Carolina =======================================================================================================================
there is apparently no chance at all of her ever recovering from her present state, but do you think she should live or die?
for myself, i think she's better off dead than living---no, existing---in her present state.
i for one, have instructed my family to let me die if something like this ever happened to me.
I've been watching the Terri Schiavo situation unfold down in Clearwater this past week. I'm very concerned that she has had her feeding tube removed by the courts and is being slowly dehydrated/starved to death.
There is now an emergency bill in the U.S. house of representatives that could save Terri's life. I am urging everyone to write their Senators and House members to urge that they pass this bill. The House will be taking up the bill again on Monday so I urge you to take a few minutes this weekend and send an email to your reps.
In case you are not familiar with Terri's situation, here are the facts as I know them:
Terri is a 41 year old woman who had a medical crisis (her heart stopped) about 15 years ago, which left her with severe brain damage. During this time Terri has not been on any life support (ventilator, etc.) except for the feeding tube placed in her stomach. Her body functions normally and she is physically healthy. Terri's parents visit her daily, and they believe she responds to them. According to the family, 33 physicians have signed affidavits stating that Terri, although severely brain damaged, is not in a coma or a "persistent vegetative state." They further state that with appropriate therapies Terri will likely show significant improvement in function. According to her parents, Terri's nurses have likewise concluded that improvement is possible, and also believe that she is to some degree aware of her surroundings, and appears to be happy and in no pain. (If you've seen the the CNN reports, Terri appears to smile when her mother talks to her.)
Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, has been working since about 1993 to have her feeding tube removed, and to allow her to die. Michael claims that during his marriage to Terri she had stated that she did not want to be kept alive in the event of a medical catastrophe that would leave her unable to function without 'all the tubes', etc. Michael claims she made this statement not only to him but also to his brother and to her best friend. In all, Michael claims she made this statement to a total of six individuals (three of whom have not been identified). Now, assuming this alleged statement by Terri is true, I find it very hard to believe that she had given this issue a great deal of thought. She would have been, at the oldest, 26 when she made these statements, and at 26 I doubt she could have considered all the possible medical scenarios. Further, had she felt this strongly about this this issue, I believe that she would have seen an attorney to compose an "Advanced Medical Directive," which would be a legally binding document.
There are also the facts concerning Michael Schiavo's possible financial motivation for wanting Terri's feeding tube removed. After Terri's medical crisis Michael sued and was awarded about $2.3 million. The stated purpose of the lawsuit was to obtain funds to care for Terri for the remainder of her life. According to Terri's parents, after Michael was awarded the money, he then refused to allow Terri any rehabilitation therapy that certainly would have shown whether it was possible for her to regain functioning. Shortly after winning the lawsuit Michael then began proceedings to have Terri's feeding tube removed.
Terri's parent, the Schindler's, are of course opposed to having the feeding tube removed. The Schindler's are strong Catholics, and Terri was raised in the Catholic faith. They are very much against euthanasia, and believe that Terri would not want to be euthanized under these circumstances.
I urge you to contact your House representative and your Florida senators to urge them to intervene to save Terri's life. Go to www.terrisfight.org for more information about this. Also, please pass this email on to everyone you know. Today its Terri's fight, tomorrow it could be yours or mine.
(Below I've copied my short letter to my state representative. If you wish to use all or part in a letter to your legislators, you have my permission. Thanks again for your help!)
============================================================================================================
RE: TERRI SCHIAVO
Dear Rep. Taylor,
I am writing to urge you to do everything in your power to pass the bill now under consideration that may save Terri Schiavo's life.
This young woman has been severely brain damaged for about 15 years, but according to her family, 33 independent physicians have given affidavits that her condition is not irreversible, and that given appropriate therapies, she has a good chance for significant improvement.
According to Terri's mother and father, although Terri's husband Michael received a multi-million dollar settlement, he has NOT allowed Terri to receive any rehabilitation therapy.
In my mind, as long as there is any chance that a person could have a meaningful life, even in a limited way, that life should be honored and preserved.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Bill Rosenke
Asheville, North Carolina
=======================================================================================================================
"apostate" is the most hateful, disparaging term in watchtower vocabulary.. yet, on page 15 of the dec.1st, 1984 watchtower they say,"it would be unscriptural for us ( wbts ) to use disparaging terms when referring to ones who do not share our belief.".
talk about hypocrisy!
when anyone calls you an apostate, point them to this wt.and watch their reaction.. blueblades
Just 2 days after being baptized at the 1975 DC, during the Sunday public talk the speaker referred to the Catholic clergy as "pigs", a kind of 'don't throw your pearls before swine' statement. I don't recall the exact phrase he used, but it was highly insulting to Catholics. This was the talk that everyone invited nonJW family to, as well as Bible studies and 'interested ones'. You should have seen the people streaming out of the Bayfront Center after that comment!
I had a sort of sick feeling and thought to myself 'Hmmm....maybe I've made a mistake here. This is Christian love?'
i've posted this in a thread above, but i wanted to highlight it with the name.
holly - here intermittently for one month & 9 days
personally i think her (his?
My own take on Holly was that she might be a witness here to do some 'stealth witnessing.' Of course thats just speculation on my part and I wish her well if she is indeed in search of spiritual truth.
I think she was treated pretty well here while on this board, even considering her last post where she made the comment that some here were disfellowshipped and 'you know you deserve it.' I don't think an impartial person would make a comment like that, but would have a much more generous attitude since so many here responded to her posts and were trying to be helpful. She sounds much more like a seasoned witness than a study. The tone of her final post certainly changed from her prior posts.
Newlight took the words right out of my mouth -- for someone who was a born again for 17 years, she sure didn't seem to have any problem with the WTS denigration of Jesus, for example. My own experience with the witnesses was that they were nearly hostile to the idea of worshipping Jesus (or even speaking about him too much!) which is one of the reasons I left way back in 1979. A simple reading of the Gospels and other NT books reveals (to me, at least) that born again Christians have a relationship and understanding of the Christ that is a lot closer to the early Christians than that of the Witnesses. I am not a born again Christian (several of my family members were in the "Jesus movement' in the '70's) but I can't help but feel that any person who spent that many years as a born again would have a lot of doctrinal difficulty with WTS teachings, or at the very least many, many questions in this regard. Yet in none of her posts did she ask about people's opinions on Christ's divinity, hell, paradise earth, the FDS, etc. And since born again Christians typically focus on a 'personal relationship' with Christ I can't imagine someone easily adapting from that to the dry, corporate, unspiritual life of a JW. But I guess it takes all kinds!
Try going to a pro-Witness board and do what she did, and just wait for the reactions. I'm sure most if not all the responses would be loving and Christlike, NOT!
i want to make up a list.
some things that i was told personally, even though i am not a j.w., are... me: "do j.w.
's shun people"?
It's not even so much that they change things, it's what they don't even tell you to begin with.
They did teach me about the blood issue; however, in the mid 70's it was also a DF offense to have an organ transplant. They likened this to cannibalism at the time I believe. I did not know this until several years after I was baptized. Of course, several years later they reversed themselves!
i want to make up a list.
some things that i was told personally, even though i am not a j.w., are... me: "do j.w.
's shun people"?
Hubert, thanks for the welcome. One of these days I'm gonna post my story but its really not as interesting or dramatic as most I've read here. I was only a witness for about 5 years and when I left the only person in my family who was a witness was my sister. Being the person she was she never shunned me for leaving, although we had many many arguments over WT dogma.
Leo, I can't even imagine being born and raised in that religion. Getting myself out was one of the hardest things I've ever done and I wasn't really in it that long. I guess I can thank the GB for helping me to get out because in the late '70s they were encouraging everyone to use the Bible itself more in the preaching. So I started reading and re-reading the gospels from start to finish, paying particular attention to the words of Christ. Because I had attended a church as a small child I was somewhat familiar with the typical doctrines found in the churches of "Christendom". When I started reading the gospels in their entirety (and in context) I came to the conclusion that the churches looked a lot more like the Christianity described in the Bible. Anyhow, I've enjoyed many of your posts. Who woulda thunk a scholar could emerge from the WT madness?
i want to make up a list.
some things that i was told personally, even though i am not a j.w., are... me: "do j.w.
's shun people"?
Well I've been lurking here a really long time and haven't really posted before but....I became a witness in 1975 at the age of 16. Studied the 'Truth' book with a pioneer. I was especially impressed with the book's argument that you should examine your religous beliefs to make sure they are really the truth, etc. Made a lot of sense to me!
However, neither JW's nor the WTS disclosed to me that once I was baptized I would no longer be able to question ANY of their beliefs without being accused of apostacy and having to face a judicial committee because I had questions.
Don't know if this is what you're looking for or not -- certainly not a change in doctrine -- but one of the main ways the WTS misleads 'interested ones'!
Anyone studying with JW's, BEWARE!
