Yes! the story that won't die. We won't forget you, Laree. I hope, as you say, Mommy that this touches the humanness in everyone and they see this religion for what it is. They will either be forced to massively change and evolve and make ammends, or they will perish. This is big.
And Ballistic, your story--god, so sad. So common in the "ranks" of we who grew up as witnesses. Perhaps we should start a thread or even a web page with the stories of gore that happened at the hands of our parents, who were sanctioned in their actions by the religion we knew as GOD'S ONLY SPOKESPERSON ON EARTH. What a mind rape on a child. You equate what your parents are doing with god. No wonder so many of us are turned off FOREVER on religion, esp. Christianity (perhaps the only quasi positive) but god help them if Christianity is right. Their blood guilt is amassed to the heavens.
I have forgotten so much, but one time when both parents were "in" (my father was an elder, my mother a pioneer) and I was about 5--we were working in the rurals--I had to go to the restroom desperately. We had taken a break already--and you didn't take more than the alotted breaks. My father wouldn't even pull over. I was bursting. I had to go so badly, I began to hurt, I began to cry, and then wet myself. I tried to crouch in the floorboard, as I felt the warmth seep down my legs--I knew I was fucked. My mother began beating (not spanking, BEATING) me as I kept peeing and crying all over my father's brand new cadillac. I was so humilitated in front of the two young brothers that were with us.
It was great growing up a "gift from god"--in a Jehovah's Witness household.
They can't back track on this shit. They are responsible for every blow. They LOVE this! They'd spank the grown ups if they could. These are the people who said they'd kill apostates if they could.
Sickos. No children should have to be raised this way.
Love,
Bridgette
"they are gifts from god--he says use the rod"
Bridgette
JoinedPosts by Bridgette
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Guardian Article on Laree
by messenger instephen bates is at it again.
brother gillis will no doubt have a no comment on this one.. .
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,596231,00.html.
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Bridgette
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honest question for unbiased bible scholars
by Bridgette inone of my interests is the study of people's belief systems (more from an anthropological standpoint).
i've just begun to delve into judaism.
everything i've relied upon for their history, etc.
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Bridgette
"Jesus' mission was more political than spiritual."
Good point, Cygnus. Christianity definitely seemed to serve a more political purpose--whether by design or not, I don't know. But it took a religion (old Judaism) that no longer really "worked" under the then pagan Romans and the vastly changing world, and made it more palatable (Christianity's rejection of the law, and the allowance for Gentiles to come in en masse with little "discomfort") It mass marketed Judaism, to the world of that time, so to speak. You can definitely see where Paul took, the political angle of Christianity and ran with it.
Then when the Catholics wrestled thier form of Christianity with that of the Gnostics', it evolved once again into even more political than spiritual.
Interesting points all. The consensus seems to be that Jesus was not out to form a break away religion. So, how did we get this monstrosity known as Christianity today? Is that what Jesus wanted all along? And what of the Jews?
Bridgette
p.s. Farkel, I think that this person known as Jesus was just a man. Jesus ben Pantera was a historical figure who lived at the time and was a political dissident as well as *gasp* the son of a prostitute and a Roman Soldier. It has been conjectured that Jesus Pantera and Jesus of Nazareth are one in the same (hence the virgin birth story). Any-hoo, I do think that he was probably a pretty enlightened person sans all the agenda'd additions attributed to him (many linguists do not believe much of what's attributed to him in the gospels are his words). But who knows? -
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honest question for unbiased bible scholars
by Bridgette inone of my interests is the study of people's belief systems (more from an anthropological standpoint).
i've just begun to delve into judaism.
everything i've relied upon for their history, etc.
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Bridgette
Celtic,
Can you elaborate? -
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honest question for unbiased bible scholars
by Bridgette inone of my interests is the study of people's belief systems (more from an anthropological standpoint).
i've just begun to delve into judaism.
everything i've relied upon for their history, etc.
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Bridgette
Thank you so much for all the posts. Somehow, I knew you wouldn't let me down, Penn! Great to see your post (I felt kinda bad for my parody on Marduke that one time).
Anyway, I kind of think he was indeed a historical figure and enlightened human who really understood what was behind all of the Jargon of Judaism at the time. But I do not think he meant to break away from Judaism.
About Paul. Do you really think he wished to break away from Judaism, so much as to practice reformed Judaism within the sect they'd created within Judaism? Sorry for the wording.
Anyway. just curious. My father-in-law is Jewish. Mostly secular, but a very learned man. It's got me curious about Judaism. One thing he pointed out was that the one common theme amongst the Jews at any time is they were allowed--even encouraged to question. Even (especially) the rabbi's. They revere education and higher learning and understanding. It's woven into their cultural and religious fabric. In fact, that's where much of the "christian" proselitizing (sp) was done, in the synagogues. They were obviously attending temple, and allowed to question and offer their interpretations of the Law. How different from the WTBTS--question the higher ups?!!? Promote deeper understanding of the universe?!?!? *GASP*
Anyway, are there any other Jews out there?
Has anyone ever heard of Jesus or (Yeshua) ben Pantera?
Curious
Thank you,
Bridgette -
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Any Info on Casting Runes?
by patio34 inanyone have any experience with casting runes?
there's a book about it: "the book of runes," by ralph blum, that comes with a bag of 25 stones imprinted with an ancient viking symbol.. it sounds intriguing, but scary (due to the wts theology embedded in my brain).. supposedly the rune do not predict the future, nor provide specific advice, tho they are written with such wisdom that they seem to do all this.
when you analyze the messages, you see it's your own intuition that pulls what you need from the rune reading for your particular problem at the particular time.. any experience, 1st-hand knowledge, or ideas?
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Bridgette
Nope, no problems with demons or the like. However, I don't believe in demons, and approach it with the knowledge that it is my own intuition. I'm not sure what someone's psyche could manifest if they're still strongly into the JW fear based mindset.
And also, you can still be an atheist and explore the unknown and "mystical". Just approach it with the scientific method, and critical thinking. As I said, these are ways to access one's own subconscious. I'm glad the great physicists of the world do not except everything in our current known reality as all we could ever possibly know, and close their minds to even exploring anything else.
Explore away! and enjoy your journey.
Love,
Bridgette -
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Any Info on Casting Runes?
by patio34 inanyone have any experience with casting runes?
there's a book about it: "the book of runes," by ralph blum, that comes with a bag of 25 stones imprinted with an ancient viking symbol.. it sounds intriguing, but scary (due to the wts theology embedded in my brain).. supposedly the rune do not predict the future, nor provide specific advice, tho they are written with such wisdom that they seem to do all this.
when you analyze the messages, you see it's your own intuition that pulls what you need from the rune reading for your particular problem at the particular time.. any experience, 1st-hand knowledge, or ideas?
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Bridgette
Patio,
I've not had much experience in Runes. My brother has some Runes that he made himself, more for the artistic interest than not. If he divines with them, he does not share with me.
You're absolutely right about it drawing up your own intuitive knowledge. Runes, Tarot, tea leaves, whatever (I personally use Tarot) are very open to interpretation. You must not put too much stock in them. That is, seek to surrender your own innate power to an inanimate object. What they are are tools. They are ways for your subconscious or higher self to communicate things to your consciousness. They are inkblot tests for your psyche.
Let me know how it goes. I will ask my brother what he's learned with his. I would love to know more. My e-mail is open, if you wish to share.
Peace,
Bridgette -
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honest question for unbiased bible scholars
by Bridgette inone of my interests is the study of people's belief systems (more from an anthropological standpoint).
i've just begun to delve into judaism.
everything i've relied upon for their history, etc.
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Bridgette
One of my interests is the study of people's belief systems (more from an anthropological standpoint). I've just begun to delve into Judaism. Everything I've relied upon for their history, etc. comes from Christianity, so I'm trying to go to the source.
Anyway, my question is, do you think that Jesus truly intended to set up an entirely different religion from Judaism? I know about the new covenant and the fulfillment of the law and all, but now that I'm reading more about Judaism, seems to me, he considered himself a Jew through and through.
I'm interested in what others think. Key word here, think. So, (and I say this respectfully) please any christians who may respond, do not try to convert me. I'm nothing but a sojourner asking a question.
Love,
Bridgette -
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Seeing Afghan women again worth the war
by Eyebrow inthis may seem trivial to some that do not agree with the us going after the taliban by bombing afghanastan, but i had to make a comment.. i watched the news the other day and saw for the first time, women and girls in afghanastan outside, and many showing their facs and smiling.
there are a few that have been able to return to work after 5 long years.
kids are now allowed to fly kites again, and you could hear music playing.. these are things that i, and many others i am sure, have taken for granted since we are so free in this country.
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Bridgette
It brought tears to my eyes when I heard of women and girl children taking off their burquas and flying kites, etc. Propoganda? Probably--but the pictures of the suffering before the fall of Taliban was TRUE, I assure you.
Path, thanks for reminding us to keep our heads about all this and yes, war sucks. And I am most dismayed that Women's Human rights have not been put on the forefront of the agendas over there. Yes, I wrote my congressmen (it's me you're talking to
Anyway, I urged them to use this opportunity to demand that whatever gov't is left to rule, puts an immediate end to the systematic discrimination of women. I of course, support a broadbase gov't under the watch of the U.N.
Having said all that---when I saw pictures of those women and watched "beneath the veil" on CNN, I felt as though I were a citizen of the 1940's watching film of the jews in the concentration camps. I am so glad that the Taliban fell by whatever means (I truly do not believe they were going to be "massaged" out). Of all the grotesqueness that was WWII, I think that any means justified the ends, there (the liberation of those camps--can you imagine?). This war is nothing yet, compared to what it took in human suffering and death to put an end to Hitler's regime.
Now, we have to watch that the women over there don't go from the frying pan into the fire. Watch, write letters, e-mails, faxes. We have the potential to do such good on this planet. If you think war is evil (I'm close to agreeing with you there), then let's get some workable solutions for ending regimes like to Taliban, and preventing their fostering and growth. I agree that the U.S. helped the Taliban get to where it was, but guess what, now I'm ALL OVER IT. I may just be jane blow citizen #0012345, but I've got a voice, and a government who pays lipservice to listening to me. So, I make myself heard. You'd be surprised at what a little voice can do. Especially if you vote.
Love,
Bridgette -
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BEAT that Child!
by Farkel inthis is sort of a continuation of threads on dubs and how they are conditioned to discipline their children.
someone questioned whether the society actually encouraged dubs to whup their children.
i only had enough time to dig up a few salient quotes from the wt magazine.
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Bridgette
P.S. One of the first things that the school official I showed the article to noted was that the children were being "home schooled", so that teachers, and others would not have been able to pick up on the abuse. I told him a high number of witnesses "home school" their children and that abuse is a common theme in children who've grown up as witnesses is abuse.
They love to keep their kids soooo isolated for a reason. Jeez, the next thing you know, they will be "encouraged" not to seek medical treatment so that healthcare workers can't pick up on the abuse. They already get by with sacrificing their children on the blood issue (although, the state canlegally do pretty much as it sees fit to save a child's life) -
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BEAT that Child!
by Farkel inthis is sort of a continuation of threads on dubs and how they are conditioned to discipline their children.
someone questioned whether the society actually encouraged dubs to whup their children.
i only had enough time to dig up a few salient quotes from the wt magazine.
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Bridgette
Thanks, for the quotes, Fark. They can't say they do not condone or promote corporal punishment, or that this is an isolated case--there's simply too many of us that were beaten and abused as children growing up as Jehovah's Witnesses. There's a case for correlation if not causation, by this fact alone. Also at issue is their policy of not reporting suspected abuse IMMEDIATELY to the authorities. I keep thinking of the people who went to meetings with little Laree (by their own beliefs, they stand condemned before god for her death) Either they were too scared to call police over their suspicions, or more likely, I'm sad to say, THEY APPROVED, AND ARE DOING THE SAME THINGS TO THEIR CHILDREN.
"This reminds me how my parents would constantly remind me that in old time Isreal I would have been stoned to death for <insert bad behaviour here>. "
Hey, me too, Namewitheld! I heard it from the platform, MANY times. I don't want this issue to die until the "society" has taken responsibility for the abuse they've meted out (community responsibility), and even the deaths that resulted from their teachings. Sorry, Brooklyn, but you want that much control in people's lives, ya gotta pay the price, when they do what you tell them! And no backpeddling, there's too many of us out here who know your dirty secrets--APOLOGIES are in order. APOLOGIES. That means saying I'm sorry, we were wrong--IN WRITING. Then doing your best to make repairations. I still smell the stench of Laree's lifeless little body all over you and your organization. You shared in every life crushing blow.
I've now shown this article to every person I could get my hands on, and left the internet page open to the Chicago Sun open on public computers in the hospital.
Maybe health care workers can pick up on some of this crap, and do what the witnesses seem unwilling to do---REPORT ABUSE TO THE AUTHORITIES.Peace,
Bridgette