Good for them!!
I have read that Europe in general is becoming more and more secular. People are Christian or otherwise, more or less in "name only". My mother-in-law is European (Dutch) and I've noticed she is very nominal in her religious beliefs, as is the rest of the family. It's as if, she doesn't define herself by her religion. Religion is very much kept in proper perspective and viewed more or less as a belief in Santa Clause--you can pay it all the lip service in the world--doesn't make it true, or give it any hold in your life. They expect this to occur here in the USA, also, as the new renaissance, or age of reason spreads. People are just too educated now to surrender their individuality to a group. People are becoming more spiritual, or philosophical, and FAR less religious, at least in the western world.
B.
FIRST EUROPE THEN THE WORLD!
Bridgette
JoinedPosts by Bridgette
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40
British JWs ignoring the GB.
by dmouse inwhen we have american jw relatives visit they are frequently shocked at the difference between how they live their lives and how jws over here live.
its almost as if we are from two different religions.. that divide seems to be getting wider.
i have noticed in the past two or three years a noticeable relaxation among british jws.
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Bridgette
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What other religions etc. do you have?
by abcde inif jehovahs witnesses have problems,then is there anything better you have too offer?.
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i would be happy too know of a religion,website or something else that helps you in your life.
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Bridgette
I tried to reply to this earlier and lost it
I am including a quote from a philosopher named Krishnamurti with this. People have been attempting to blanket everyone in one reality since the beginning of human history in the name of every god, and even no god (communist atheism). They have always failed miserably, because the human spirit simply doesn't fit the cookie-cutter. Humans will probably attempt this for a while longer, but I believe soon, we will evolve past our need to force everyone to believe or disbelieve the same way.
Enjoy your journey, abcde. It is yours. as mine is mine, hers is hers, and his, his. I'm sorry if this simple truth bothers some. It simply is.
Krishnamurti:
"Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. That is my point of view, and I adhere to that absolutely and unconditionally. Truth, being limitless, unconditioned, unapproachable by any path whatsoever, cannot be organized; nor should any organization be formed to lead or to coerce people along any particular path. If you first understand that, then you will see how impossible it is to organize a belief. A belief is purely an individual matter, and you cannot and must not organize it. If you do, it becomes dead, crystallized; it becomes a creed, a sect, a religion, to be imposed on others. This is what everyone throughout the world is attempting to do. Truth is narrowed down and made a plaything for those who are weak, for those who are only momentarily discontented. Truth cannot be brought down, rather the individual must make the effort to ascend to it. You cannot bring the mountain-top to the valley. If you would attain to the mountain-top you must pass through the valley, climb the steeps, unafraid of the dangerous precipices."
Pax,
Bridgette -
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agnostic.....reality?
by msil ini am agnostic.
(see no fancy writing stuff).
i dont know if god exists (i think he must - but i dont know).
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Bridgette
Seeker, you said: "Evidently my experience counts for nothing around here." Don't be paranoid, my purry friend, I hang on every word that issues from your furry mouth! . LOL!
Actually, MSIL, I'm between , Seeker, b-boy and Sirona. I, like Seeker, have tried everything that by our borg infused superstitions, should have infested me immediately with demons. I do not believe in the devil of the bible, or demons perse---but I have tried everything from reading Tarot (they sit right by my bed and I consult them frequently), using a pendulum to divine (it has always been right), to being in several "sacred spaces"...or a witch's circles (Sirona might know what I mean).
I've never had demon attacks. EVER. I have never even been frightened. I've barely even had any of what some call paranormal experiences--NOT FOR LACK OF TRYING. Sometimes I think just my skeptical mind set precludes a lot of hocus pocus. I do have many prophetic dreams. And I've begun to be "contacted" by those of other realms. They have all been very "nice". I have only had one that I had to turn away. It was more confused than anything else. Like a clingy, needy person who just wants to draw energy--you know the type. It's just like with those of us here in this realm there is good, bad, wise, confused (in fact, people with bad intentions scare me more than spirits with bad energy). One of the most pleasant visitors was my husband's friend who's been dead for 20 years. He came to me in a dream, and left me with an identifying item for my husband (a very distinctive item of clothing he was wearing). My husband, who is pretty skeptical, recognized it right away. I never knew this man, and barely knew of his existence. He imparted to me that there is a scientific explanation for everything, and not to be too "dazzled" by anything I was seeing. He let me know that just because our science has not explained how he and I were communicating at that time, didn't make it hocus pocus. My husband said that would be exactly something he would say.
Just a funny side note: my mother who is a faithful witness spent the night in my bedroom where I'd done some work (contacting the other realm) with an antique, "haunted" mirror. She LOVED the mirror and slept like a baby for 3 nights. So, go figure.
If you invite negative energies, whether they are of this realm, or others, or just in your own psyche, you will get them. JW's are so afraid, that I beleive they manifest or invoke many of the garage sale demons they encounter.
Oh, and another myth I'd like to dispel from our religious past. The name or persona of Jehovah or Satan neither frightens, repels, nor is used by people who practice the arts. I have conferred with many witches and practicers of the craft on this. If there's anybody with data or experiences otherwise, that anyone who PRACTICES knows of, please let me know, as I've always wondered about this one.
anyway, that's my $1.00 worth
B. :) -
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Thoughts? Comments? Flames?
by Naeblis infirst draft of part of the prologue.
posting it for general perusal.
i find that as i type these words into the computer that my mind is finally after all this time only now accepting what has happened to me.
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Bridgette
More, more, more, I SAY!!!
I feel like I've had an hour of foreplay with no payoff. Don't leave us hanging, man! type like you've never typed before. or get this damn thing published so we can finish it.
Hate a man who leaves me hanging, unsatisfied and wanting more.
Great stuff, Naeb.
A word of advice, you may already know--get it protected. Search the net there are easy ways to copyright. Do it now, before you eviscerate yourself. Right now, you're just out there, and so is this. Anybody could take it.
Good luck!
B. -
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How the JWs helped me
by larc inall of us have had negative experiences as a result of leaving the witnesses, some much worse than others.
many here, have expressed a bitterness and an anger over loosing so many "wasted" years.
while these are natural feelings, i think there are several positives we can dwell on as well.
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Bridgette
I appreciate the efforts of this post. Perhaps it will be healing to some to try to find some positives. However, for too many of us, the negatives FAR outweighed the positives. In fact, I have tried this before, in my own journey towards healing to find some positives, so that I could feel that my whole life up to now had not been wasted. The only thing I have ever been able to come up with is this:
the strict measuring stick they gave me to weigh other religions (especially the Churches of Christendom, they LOVE to HATE), I was able to use against them. They came up sorely deficient by their own standards. Oh, and I learned to read the bible ad nauseum, and this has helped me in reading other holy books, and my journey towards integrating many teachings on my path to enlightenment. I'm quite positive that I would have accomplished enlightenment far more quickly, however if I'd not been raised in a cult. It would've been so much easeir. I don't know, maybe it's easier if you "came in" via the witnessing work, and were afforded some miraculous conversion instead of having it crammed down your throat from birth on. My childhood was HELL. Most of my 20's: HELL. Finally I am free. I chose not to dwell on the negatives too much outside of what I need to occasionally vent in order to remain healthy. But as far as positives--hard pressed to find ANY that weren't squashed by the GARGANTUAN negatives. Too many of us who grew up in the "truth" were abused as children. Most would not have been if not for borgish policies. Hard to find positives about that.
Good post, nonetheless. This can probably be a sincere tool for some. I'm sure it helps many to not totally regret all the years they sacrificed of theirs and their childrens' lives to the publishing empire. Whatever helps you on your journey.
Peace,
Bridgette -
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JW killed building a KH in Germany
by GermanXJW inyesterday, at a construction site where a new kh is to be built,a crane fell down, killed a sister and injured some others severly.
local tv reported that now police has started investigations against the crane operator.
building a kh in germany is done by voluntary workers that are not properly insured by the wts but are dependant on their own insurances.
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Bridgette
This is a tragic event---on many fronts. Perhaps it will shine light on a darkness that needs attention, but I'm so tired of senseless death. 27 years old. She's close to my age. My heart grieves for her and her loved ones. May she find peace.
I understood your point, Saint Satan. I'm still not clear on how or why you got singled out, as many were making the same point. It is the inane money saving tactics of a multi-billion dollar corporation that uses hate and fear mongering to milk its adherants, and knowingly place them and their children in dangerous situations, that is to blame here. This woman's death is not trivial. And I don't believe anyone here believes that to be the case. It was nothing short of horrific and needless. However, we've all heard the idiotic comments and "biblical" reasoning by JW's regarding death of those who "must have had it coming". Or converesely, being "saved" if one were a faithful adherant. If this had happened at one of the Aussi Apostate B-B-Que fests...well, you can hear it now ("then, jehovah caused her to choke on her turkey leg just when she was joking about Armageddon!! *gasp!* We all know they have it coming. Remember, do not let your eye feel sorry for them!) It is THIS insane reasoning that is being highlighted. I am sorry that it appears to be at the expense of this innocent woman who, no doubt thought she was divinely protected when she was doing such good work.
So, so sad......
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So Will This Be Your First Christmas?
by Englishman infunny how the prospect of christmas takes me back to my pre-dub days as a 7 year old.
christmas eve was spent making my present request list, duly guided by both my parents as to what to ask for.
once completed, the coal fire was stoked up and the precious list was allowed to be carried up the chimney where waiting elves promptly delivered my requests to santa.
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Bridgette
Eyebrow, you asked: "Can you make Xmas more meaningful?"
Of course you can! The suggestions for helping out in soup kitchens was great! Catholic Charities do a lot around the holiday season (all year round, but they need extra help during holidays). Also, see my post above regarding how my daughter and I bake together. We talk, and share memories, of people who are gone. We bake for others, and give homemade goodies out. She makes a homemade ornament every year. Our very first real X-mas together was 2 years ago, with a tiny little tree (TINY) that a neighbor lent us. And just presents that I would've normally bought her (i.e., clothes, a simple little journal--that she cherishes) and a book. It was the time spent together, baking, preparing, talking on long chilly nights that makes the time so special.
Good luck, and have a joyous season!
Love,
Bridgette -
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JW Molesters Mentioned News
by silentlambs inbelow is the guardian article by stephen bates.
as you read down you will find jw's mentioned along with the catholics as having serious problems with child molestation issues.
think about it, a year ago this would have been unheard of, yet due to the efforts of so many who are no longer silentlambs, around the world jw's are comming to be compared with the catholics when it comes to hurting children.
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Bridgette
OOOOOHHHH, and to think that just a few short years ago, the writing department at the WTBTS would've jumped on this like flies on SH*%T to quote a secular source dogging the Catholic Church! It would've been cut and pasted all over their silly magazines, and their adherants forced to hawk them even to believing Catholics ("we're not saying anything in particular, but ----LOOK AT WHAT YOUR NASTY OLD CATHOLIC CHURCH IS ACCUSED OF!!! BETTER JOIN US--PREPARE TO BE ASSIMILATED). Hmmmmm...what, WTBTS?? can't hear you....what's the matter, cat got your tongue? Hurts to have the light shone on you after so long in the dark, huh?....*crickets churping*
If everything you (WTBTS) taught me about god were true---don't look at this as persecution---look at it like divine retribution--from god with love. enjoy. maybe *gasp* learn. god wants you to protect your children before your stupid organization.
"Hypocrite(s)! First extract the rafter from your own eye!"Bridgette
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So Will This Be Your First Christmas?
by Englishman infunny how the prospect of christmas takes me back to my pre-dub days as a 7 year old.
christmas eve was spent making my present request list, duly guided by both my parents as to what to ask for.
once completed, the coal fire was stoked up and the precious list was allowed to be carried up the chimney where waiting elves promptly delivered my requests to santa.
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Bridgette
I ADORE Christmas! Everything Closer mentioned and more. I look forward to snuggling with my honey on a chilly Rocky Mountain (this is our 2nd Christmas together) Christmas Eve, after my daughter goes to bed with dreams of what's beneath all the shiny wrapping paper just for her. Candles lit all over the house (ALL OVER). I love all the decorating and gift wrapping and shopping and baking for people! As my daughter and I bake together I tell her stories of my grandmother who died right after she was born, who taught me how to make PERFECT pie crust and the pecan filling to go in it. She loves it! It's like my grandmother (who was never a dub, and my mother, who was not nice about it broke her heart) lives again in some way. It's like you're connected to something so much bigger.
I just love it!!!
I love them all (the holidays) Halloween is one of my favorites. We just carved our Jack-o-lanterns the other evening. We sat on the back porch as we emptied the pumpkin and harvested the seeds and talked about everything from art, to nature, to hypothesizing how many seeds are in the average pumpkin.
The holidays are about spending time with family. The winter forces us to slow down a bit, and just connect with each other.
And NO--JEHOVAH'S WITNESS KIDS DO NOT GET PRESENTS ALL YEAR ROUND!! As Englishman was promised as a child (god, what an age to have to give up Christmas!). I never knew any JW kids who ever got presents hardly ever. And if their parents were elders and elderettes, they probably did not spend very much quality time with their children, either. So, JW life, and cult life in general sucks.
that is all.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!!!
LOVE,
Bridgette -
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Thoughts?
by Adam inthere are those who have left the jws and become athiest/agnostic/skeptic.
some would say those people have had their faith in god so shaken by the corrupt, man-made religion of jws that they have fallen into confusion and need to be shown the "right" way.. then there are those who have left the jws and found another version of christianity they feel is the proper way to worship the god of the bible.
some would say that those people have only swapped one religion for another and have failed to realize the greater truth that there is no god or that you can't know for sure which religion is correct.. i'd like to hear who people think is right and why.. and the more important question:.
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Bridgette
Dear Adam,
When I stepped out of the Right vs. Wrong/Good vs. Evil mindset, I began to "see" so many things. Now, life for me is about balance and harmony. I definitely have reverence in my life and that is as close to "worship" as I can say that I come. And I only worry about MY path, without trying to push it on anyone else. Like Ranchette said, it's a very personal endeavor--it's different for each individual. Where many dualists (i.e. Christian/Islam/Judaism) become befuddled is in trying to blanket all in one reality. It has not worked for the ages, it will not work in this new age of reason for mankind. We are more individual now than ever before.
Now, for facts, I stick with science and scientific method: it's the only tried and true way to "know" anything. For "truths", I find them everywhere, and in every person's reality.
Love,
Bridgette