Oh, forgot to add that that calculation represented 24 hour days! 1.8 years, round the clock, where I was doing "kingdom" crap. Taking into account I generally sleep 8 hours a day, that adds even MORE years to the calculation. Ugh.
blacksheep
JoinedPosts by blacksheep
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39
Do You Realize How Much Being a Witness Has Hindered You?
by minimus inthe truth is------- we have lost out on soooooo much, simply because we were witnesses.
it might b like almost starting all over again, for some of us.
what hits you as to what you could've had or have outrightly lost??
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39
Do You Realize How Much Being a Witness Has Hindered You?
by minimus inthe truth is------- we have lost out on soooooo much, simply because we were witnesses.
it might b like almost starting all over again, for some of us.
what hits you as to what you could've had or have outrightly lost??
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blacksheep
I think it is always a difficult exercise to say "if only," which is why I prefer to look at the experience as building my personality and character.
Nevertheless, what I DO bitterly resent is all the TIIME I was forced to engage in JW activities. Meetings, service, assemblies...I figured out that I literally spent 1.8 YEARS engaged in those activities (figuring around 15 hours a week). 2 entire years of my life basically learning nothing of value. I would have rather spent those years going to school, enjoying a hobby...anything but attending those monotonous, repretitive, mind numbing activities.
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Realist, On Israel
by Yerusalyim inrealist,.
decided to carry our debate out of the thread it was in if that's ok.. here's an interesting article by george will...take a read and let me know what you think.. http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/columnists/8464596.htmposted on mon, apr.
19, 2004. recognizing the mideast reality.
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blacksheep
also only about 1/3 of the germans voted for hitler - and the vast majority of them not because of his race BS but because he promised a way out of the misery germany was in after WWI (embargo, reparations, inflation, 30% unemployment rate etc.).
He played the germanic population like a fiddle: they bought into, lock stock and barrel, Hitler's appeal to them that the Aryan race was superior to all others; unfortunately, the jews were on the lowest rung to him. So they should be exterminated. He gained their support to attempt to totally anhiliate innocent people for no reason other than their race.
That nothing short of dastardly. The majority of German people actually BELIEVED this was appropriate.
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Realist, On Israel
by Yerusalyim inrealist,.
decided to carry our debate out of the thread it was in if that's ok.. here's an interesting article by george will...take a read and let me know what you think.. http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/columnists/8464596.htmposted on mon, apr.
19, 2004. recognizing the mideast reality.
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blacksheep
was very tempted to agree with it. but rationally speaking there is no reason to be ashamed. human do what they do. it would be just as silly to be ashamed for what lions do.
We've had this discussion before. While you obviously don't believe there's a difference between animals and humans, there is. Animals base their actions are instinct; humans have the ability and responsibility to have consciences; to value and uphold human life.
I think it was Mark Twain who observed:" Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to."
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Is the Administration Planning Another War?
by Greenpalmtreestillmine ini've been reading and reading, thinking and thinking.
it is hard to understand why president bush chose to come out in support of sharon right at this moment, when things in iraq are at their most difficult and sensitive.
people are saying he has only inflamed the situation even more than before and has further endangered the troops.
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blacksheep
Bush is scary because he says he "is doing God's will"
Show me a leader who doesn't believe he/she is "doing God's will," or basically has a special calling in history, and I'll show you a NON-leader.
Ever check out the words of our beloved JFK? Martin Luther King?
Even Kerry claims to be a good Catholic, like JFK. He believes in God, as well. Do you honestly think if he lands in the whitehouse that he won't think he's meant to be there for a purpose??
What's the REVERSE of what you are suggesting? That presidents we trust do NOT believe in a divine being? That they don't believe they have a special calling in the world to lead their country?
Try to spin it as you might, but I will tell you that the vast majority of real leaders believe that only THEY can do the job. That there's a reason that THEY are there to do it. If they don't, THAT'S a problem...
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39
Do You Realize How Much Being a Witness Has Hindered You?
by minimus inthe truth is------- we have lost out on soooooo much, simply because we were witnesses.
it might b like almost starting all over again, for some of us.
what hits you as to what you could've had or have outrightly lost??
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blacksheep
I've been out for a while, which might make a big difference.
But, I think I view my JW upbringing/experience as similar to being born with a disablity: say, not able to walk, to see, etc. You can look at it as though you were deprived of a "normal" experience. I think I view it as, looking at life through the JW prism has in fact allow me to see MORE, to experience more. Then, I look at myself and see what I've accomplished IN SPITE of my "disability," and frankly, it's astounding.
I think I use my JW experience as a great tool. Few people have had this exposure. And even fewer have abandoned it and come out ahead.
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"Jehovah will fix it"
by onacruse ingawwwwwwddd, how many times did i say that, and how many times have i heard it.
notice how much it has to do with nebulous isues?
"that elder is an unchristian jerk.
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blacksheep
I agree with the frustration. Probably what bothered me most, though, was the way so many JW's were quick to clamp on to anything that occurred "in the world" as proof that this wicked system is so corrupt that it's just further proof that Jehovah will come down Soon, to get rid of all the evil and save the JWs.
Double whammy. Not only does the "Jehovah will take care of it" refrain breed inaction, but you're must surround yourself with constant negativity to constantly confirm that Armageddon will come soon.
That's a formula for mental illness, if I ever heard it.
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Why I think Bush is scary
by Simon inhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4767542/ in woodward's portrait, president bush is single-minded, and possibly simple-minded, in his resolve.
he seems to have relied more on divine guidance than the considered opinions of his top advisers.
bush told woodward that as he approached the final decision to go to war, "i was praying for strength to do the lord's will ... i'm surely not going to justify war based on god.
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blacksheep
Sorry, Farkel - you're way off-base here. The point is, it's illegal and an impeachable offense for the Prez to discuss war strategy (stratagery, if you're W) with a foreign national. He should have been taking to, oh I don't know, his National Security Advisor, or his Secretary of State - NOT to a Saudi prince.
You obviously are not aware of the facts. This has nothing to do with WAR strategy. The accusation was that Bush was allegedly making a "secret deal" to reduce oil prices right before the election. The funny thing was Prince Bandar has discounted the "accusation." He pointed to his working with prior admins/presidents to reduce oil prices--even back to Carter. He said it was an effort to pull the US out of the "malaise," essentially of the economic disaster that characterized Carter's whole administration. Again, much ado about nothing.
I think it just shows the pathetic, desperate attempts the left is become to reduced to in their attempts to regain control.
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JWs gladly benefit from war yet refuse to honour the dead
by catlady inas i learn more about the borg i am continually shocked by what i discover.
i knew early on that they were pacifists but i had no idea that this included not honouring (or dishonouring) those that have died under war conditions.
i find it so hypocritical that the dubs are quite happy to benefit from the principles (ie freedom, liberty, justice, etc) that these men & women fought for & yet refuse to pay tribute to them.
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blacksheep
Actually JWs are NOT pacifist. We are partisan objectors. JWs die in war like everyone else they just don't fight in them. We are jailed or executed for non-participation. That should be just as good as actively dying.
Ah, yes, references to "persecution" of JWs--relgious/non-participation persecution no other religious or ethnic group has ever endured. The noble JWs...
Not clear on what the heck you think a "partisan objector", is--haven't heard that one but you are trying to mislead with your words. A pacifist doesn't believe in fighting for their country--or anyone fighting for one's country due to a conscientious belief that war is wrong. Either JW's believe this, or they do not. Whe
When the Japanese took Korea, and JWs refused to serve they were heroes to the Koreans, and criminals to the Japanese.
Oh, so now "non-participation" in wars equates to heroism to the other nation? What screwed up logic! With that logic, I'm sure JW's are heroes to Al-Queda and the terrorists, since they refuse to fight with the US, "the enemy of Allah..."
Please. It's just like how the JW's like to throw out claims that they've done "more for religious freedom," than another other group in the country. The irony is this: they don't even BELIEVE in reglious freedom, for anyone else that is.
Maybe ?normal? people would kill for their country or their party. If that were extended to JWs we would have to kill for the Watchtower?s Theocratic party. It would suck more for you guys than it would for us. Cuz at least we would be in control of our lives instead of turning them over to the powers that be to do what they wish like in every other conflict.
Oh, really? And under what circumstances do you envision you would start literally "fighting" for the "Theocratic Party?." Who would you target? And how do you envision "fighting"? Who would be your commander in chief? Officers? Solidiers?
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So you think you're special huh......??
by ScoobySnax inhow do you think people view you on this forum?
some have met in satanic "apostafests" and may have got the measure of each other more clearly, but how do you think others view you?
i got a rough idea how others see me by now......how bout you?
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blacksheep
How do you think people view you on this forum? Some have met in Satanic "apostafests" and may have got the measure of each other more clearly, but how do you think others view you? How do you think they see you as?
I got a rough idea how others see me by now......how bout you? Be honest.
Well, since most of us have fortunately shed the JW's obsession about "what other people think of you," I would venture to guess most of us, with relief, just want to be ourselves.
You are still on a very different JW plane. In the REAL world, people live real lives; those who are constantly obsessed with what others think of them aren't LIVING their lives; their trying to create a life that "others" approve of. Pretty much describes JWs.