OldSoul

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Posts by OldSoul

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  66

  Why do you post?

  by Xena in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  threads, posts within threads...life events, doctrine, hopes, dreams, drama.....what causes you to post here?

  what do you feel you get from it?

  or give to others?.

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  OldSoul

  Big Tex, I don't know if Valis clued you in but the answer does no good without the question. However, the matrix got screwed up by some errant time-travelers with a Scrabble board with not a blessed thing among them for producing brownian motion and all the kinks had to work themselves out over time. Then, to top it all off, the stupid Vogons had to wreck it all just as a girl at Basingstoke Roundabout had finally figured out what the fuss was all about in the first place.

  Forget 42, here's the really important thing: DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR TOWEL IS?

  Always being comfortable in the knowledge of the whereabouts of your towel is infinitely more important than fulfilling the whims of some transdimensional beings parading about dressed as laboratory mice! Next time you run into a Ravenous Bug-Blatter beast you'll thank me for these cautioning words, because you'll be wanting a towel to quickly place over your head.

  Respectfully,
  Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster Maker

  (the effect of which is suspiciously like being smashed in the head by a brick with a lemon wrapped round it)
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  66

  Why do you post?

  by Xena in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  threads, posts within threads...life events, doctrine, hopes, dreams, drama.....what causes you to post here?

  what do you feel you get from it?

  or give to others?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  OldSoul

  ...deepfrying my cats...

  You might have already tried it but, in a word, here's a tip: kittenkebobs! I highly recommend a dry red to accompany, followed by a slice of marbled cheescake for dessert.

  As to the question at hand, I'm still trying to figure out why I post here...

  Peace,
  B_Ing Invisible
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  78

  What is the truth?

  by OldSoul in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  pontius pilate asked, and now i'm asking.

  i've been reading many topics in here, now i am wondering... what is truth?

  i'm both respectful and broadminded enough to allow for any other viewpoint, whether or not i agree.

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  OldSoul

  Let's make sure we quickly label the troll "TROLL!" or else his particular version of free-thought might corrupt (or <shudder> influence) our own! Too funny! Okay, can we please show an ability to accept and respect the fact that other people may not share our specifically unique view of the world? I understood that people from all backgrounds were welcome in here and that intellectual challenges to strongly held ideas were common. Was I mistaken? Or is it that it's only supposed to work one way, or what?

  "He's a Baggins, he is. A Baggins tricks us and steals our precious... he tricks us, my precious. He's tricksy, filthy Baggins-es. They's all tricksy they is, my precious. Yesh."

  Show of hands: Who have I converted on pain of death, so far? Yes, you in the back... oh, scratching your nose, eh? Sorry. Anyone else? No one? Hmm... that was clearly my objective... <sigh>... all for naught! If only I'd taken that sword with me. Or a small money purse... oh well, c'est la vie.

  ...

  Let's play a game, Sunnygal41: You point at me and scream "Restricter! Restricter!" and when it's my turn, I'll point at you and scream "Independent Thinker! Independent Thinker!" We'll both be wrong and if we keep at it long enough we'll each, in turn, experience the fate we secretly wished on the other while we spent our life being angry at... well... at nothing. Sound fun? Tell ya' what, I'll even let you go first.

  I being wildly facetious to make a point. No hard feelings from my side, just amused mirth.

  Peace,
  B_Ing Invisible
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  78

  What is the truth?

  by OldSoul in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  pontius pilate asked, and now i'm asking.

  i've been reading many topics in here, now i am wondering... what is truth?

  i'm both respectful and broadminded enough to allow for any other viewpoint, whether or not i agree.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OldSoul

  Just call me free association! (pun intended)
• 
  78

  What is the truth?

  by OldSoul in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  pontius pilate asked, and now i'm asking.

  i've been reading many topics in here, now i am wondering... what is truth?

  i'm both respectful and broadminded enough to allow for any other viewpoint, whether or not i agree.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OldSoul

  Your one funny dude. A cool dude.

  And a middle one way up to you too, Buddy!

  Oh... er... um... you were being sincere, weren't you?

  Oops. Er... I don't suppose we might be able to overlook this slight departure from decorum, eh? I mean, surely you could see how hurtful your remarks would have been if they were sarcastic or biting. As it is, I suppose you meant well... but you might have been comparing me to this dude for all I know...
• 
  48

  The FBI Is Accused of Spying On Certain Religious Groups!!!

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  like the quakers and some catholic groups that might oppose the government or be percieved as a threat to the government.

  this is according to the aclu.......i wonder if the fbi will spy on the witnesses.

  can you imagine what could happen???????????

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  OldSoul

  My grandfather started a study with an FBI Agent. About four weeks in (about 16 hours, the way my grandfather conducts studies) the fellow showed my grandfather his own personal FBI dossier. The Agent thought he would be shocked, but my grandfather simply read through it a bit and said, "Boy! They sure have me down, don't they?"
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  7

  Advice needed

  by jt stumbler in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm a person who is too hard on myself and i care too much about what people say about me.

  how do i explain to the "home congregation friends" on the next "shepherding call" that i have begun to research the "society",and i'm having second thoughts about what i have been taught all these years?

  i'm really fearfull of becoming shunned, but i guess i already am.

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  OldSoul

  JT,

  I would recommend never faking your service, first and foremost. If you succumb to that you are going to feel like crap constantly and you will know in your heart of hearts that while those around you are satisfied with your efforts to please them, the one whom you most want to please is not amused. You think you have a standard to live up to? Great. Make sure it is really your standard, otherwise your sacrifices are lame and you and I both know how Jehovah feels about lame sacrifices.

  I'm not encouraging you to leave, mind you. I'm encouraging you to solidify your faith. Faith is not empty belief, it is both assured and there is evidence of its basis. But there is only one person who can solidify your faith - you.

  There is, however, one other question you would need to consider. Do you want to serve Jehovah? Most people try to rationalize their answer by thinking through what sort of God he is and arriving at, "Who wouldn't?" But if you sincerely ask yourself that question, the answer to that question just might be, "Well, me for one." Here's a drop of knowledge that the WTBTS has printed many times - although to say they stress it would be a grand exaggeration - anyone can choose to serve Jehovah, but no one will ever achieve that goal without building a close personal relationship with Jehovah. The effort is too great for some, they would really rather not.

  I would guess that the elders in your hall would not be surprised at all that you need their help... <sigh> ...again. Is it possible that you have been building a close relationship with your elder body instead of - as opposed to along with - a close relationship with Jehovah? You certainly wouldn't be the first person to have done so. I'm sure your elders are knowledgable about the scriptures and capable men in many respects, you likely love them for several reasons, but one thing I am often amazed by is that people expect the elders to somehow magically impart a relationship with Jehovah on them.

  For my part, and I'm only a publisher in my congregation, my relationship with Jehovah is - and always will be - mine. Maybe letting Jehovah direct your steps will give you a bit more stability. You need not think, "I know so much, so there is no excuse for my doing so little." Knowledge alone does not motivate to action. The only proper motive for action that will serve in any way to build a relationship with Jehovah is an appreciative heart moved by love. Work on developing that relationship and you may find that eventually the elders will be surprised if you need their help at all.

  Warm Christian Love,
  B_Ing Invisible
• 
  78

  What is the truth?

  by OldSoul in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  pontius pilate asked, and now i'm asking.

  i've been reading many topics in here, now i am wondering... what is truth?

  i'm both respectful and broadminded enough to allow for any other viewpoint, whether or not i agree.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OldSoul

  Joy,

  What? Me? Slightly - ever-so-slightly so's you'd never be able to specifically criticize me for it cause it was always there but somehow just out of reach kind of slightly - full of myself?

  Why I never! Wait... I was once a Guvment Agent, spying on the Witnesses... that's a pretty conceited thing to try to do...

  I've been accused of that very thing (and much more since we parted company (pun intended)) by some people who were far worse than you. Anyhoo. Steve has offered to discuss scriptures with me, a pasttime I thoroughly enjoyed for years, and I will be happily taking him up on it... of course he already knows I won't be a "soft sell" .

  Steve: Are you willing to look at these issues from a different perspective?

  Me? Willing to look at issue from a different perspective? It's never been otherwise. I've never been capable of anything else. Teenager's dreams ring a bell? Two elders? Pshaw! Why sweat the crap that doesn't matter?

  Dave: I just wanted to play a little.

  No problem, you overly protective goof you. No hard feelings and no corner standing for you. You'll get no easy out. I expect a different penance entirely.

  • First, and this is ever so important, you must behave as though there were no cross or suspicious feelings on your part.
  • After you have done that, I want two hedges, of varying height for a nice split-level effect with a path running down the middle.
  • Then, you must cut down the mightiest tree in the forest with... A HERRING! <sorry, but I couldn't find a way to insert the startling musical blare so you'll just have to make do without, won't you?>

  I was here doing exactly what I said I was doing. In my comunication I am a literalist in most respects, what I leave ambiguous is always ambiguous on purpose. I was looking for openended responses. As I said before, I respect the ideas and beliefs of anyone and everyone. I try very hard to treat everyone like a human being should be treated.

  Since those sorts of behavior are so very much a part of me, and since I have no control over the choices others make in those respects no matter what organization I am affiliated with, doctrine matters to me personally. I'm not trying to impose that on anyone else. I think Steve understands my approach and objectives in coming here as I expected he would.

  Well met, one and all! And now... [waves the food bearers forward from stage right] WE FEAST!!

  Respectfully,
  B_Ing Invisible
• 
  78

  What is the truth?

  by OldSoul in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  pontius pilate asked, and now i'm asking.

  i've been reading many topics in here, now i am wondering... what is truth?

  i'm both respectful and broadminded enough to allow for any other viewpoint, whether or not i agree.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OldSoul

  Thus, we wouldn't know "what is the truth" even if it bit us hard on the nipple.

  [Voice of Graham Chapman] Are you intimating that I don't know my wife is true?

  [Voice of John Cleese] And now... for something completely different.

  I disagree. I basically believe in banging two bricks together. That, my friend, that is truth.
• 
  78

  What is the truth?

  by OldSoul in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  pontius pilate asked, and now i'm asking.

  i've been reading many topics in here, now i am wondering... what is truth?

  i'm both respectful and broadminded enough to allow for any other viewpoint, whether or not i agree.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OldSoul

  As a JW, all direction supposedly from God comes through the F&DS.

  I never suffered under that delusion. I am so sorry if you did, but it isn't true of me and never has been. I was seven when I asked my mom, "How do you know Jehoavh is real?" I have never found a question that shouldn't be asked. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, all my direction comes from God's inspired word, the Bible.

  I appreciate your response. It is clear that either you or someone close to you felt controlled at some point, and I empathize with the emotions you express. If ever you didn't before, I am glad you are now choosing for yourself.

  Respectfully,
  B_Ing Invisible