I agree with Jeanie and Dave, there are social benefits to church going, but NOT WITH ANY OLD CHURCH.
Some are very aware of the social aspects of their endeavor and provide before and after refreshments and welcome a wide variety of people.
But the same benefits could be gained by any association that was welcoming and nurturing.
We like to feel part of a group and feel respected and welcomed.
That being said, the social aspects of a church are not enough to keep many of us continuing.
It must have substance that satifies the mind too.
I have attended a couple of churches since my dfing at the request of work mates or family members.
Each time I have been touched watching the attendees earnestly worshipping.
It is a weekly affirmation and reminder and a communion of neighbors.
It sometimes feels to me to be humans at their best while they are singing in church.
Posts by anewme
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29Are their Any benifits to Churchgoing....even if you disbelieve?
by gumby inno....i'm not tellin everyone to start goin to church....so get off my arse already!.
i did however find this article interesting.
it suggests that social interaction of anykind ( healthful i assume),....can be good a good thing.
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anewme
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anewme
Happy Anniversary Mouthy!!!!
I always read your posts.
What you have to say is important to me.
Anewme -
22
Oops! The lens in my eye popped out!
by Elsewhere inabout 12 years ago i developed a cataract in my right-hand eye after an injury.
the surgeon went in and removed my natural lens and implanted an artificial one.
the way they remove the natural lens is they use a little device to chop it up and then they just pluck the bits-n-pieces out.. what has happened is when they did the surgery 12 years ago they missed a piece of the chopped up lens because it was hiding behind my iris.
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anewme
Elsewhere, with my older computer it will take 3 years to download your eyeballs.
So I will just say congratulations! -
40
I miss all my....................
by defd inday shift online buddies on this board.
i hate 3rd shift!
( my job ).
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anewme
Good morning Defd! Are you still here with us?
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13
What are you Thankful for this year?
by Gretchen956 ini don't know about you all, but i've been out a long time, long enough to form some traditions.
this time of the year i get reflective about what i'm thankful for in my life.
here's my list (by no means complete, in no special order, but what i can think of off the top of my head):my brother came out safe from his fire and only lost a few possessionsthat i have two brothers of my family of seven siblings that i can be close to and we can all love each other unconditionally outside the borg.that i have a partner that puts up with me!that i have two dogs and two cats that make me smile and laugh out loud every day.that i have a son that i'm good good friends with.that i have a roof over my head and food to eat.that i have transportation to where i need to go.that i have love in my life.that i have my spiritual base.that i have a job to pay my bills and a little extra.for my friends.for jwd and all you awesome posters here.that despite problems, there is still beauty in this earth.that there are still good, generous people.. sherry
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anewme
I am thankful for my new marriage to a very loving and tolerant man.
I am thankful for my health (cause I have no medical coverage right now)
I am thankful for this forum and the many people who have helped correct my thinking.
I am thankful for the new woman friend I met on here. Her loving friendship means so much to me!
I am thankful for the remote cabin I've lived in now for 3 deliciously solitary years.
I am thankful that on the 24th I will be with a new and loving tolerant intelligent family enjoying a Thanksgiving Feast! -
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Police caution woman for breastfeeding in public!
by nicolaou ini just watched the local bbc news and there was a story about a woman who'd fed her baby while sitting on a public bench.
she finished and was on her way when a police car drew up beside her and asked her to stop.
there had been a complaint.
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anewme
Perhaps the police are in the know of some sickos out there who go ape and nuts in the presence of a breast-feeding woman!
This reminds me of my experience in service in the early 70s!
A young man and I were paired for service on a Saturday morning...1972.
I remember it vividly. We approached a tall old Victorian house that had been turned into a multiple apt. dwelling and hippie types were occupying.
A lovely young woman of 20 was sitting outside in her side yard bare topped breast feeding her young one.
She was very sweet and welcoming and it was the brother's turn to witness.
Of course he chose his LONG PRESENTATION for the occasion!
It was the 70's, what can I say!
I will never forget it!!!! (tee hee hee!) -
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Howdy
by serendipity inhi, newbie here.
i'm a "liberal" jw (please don't hold that against me .
peace and love to all..... ~ serendipity ~
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anewme
Welcome Serendipity!
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To follow or not to follow, that is the question...
by truthseeker ini just looked at a recent post showing the figures for the usa.
as expected, august bailed out the society with an increase of 0.22%, which when rounded off, will be a flat indicator.
baptisms seem just a tiny bit down.. i think the question to consider and ponder over now, is not, "how much is the increase this year" or "how many got baptized", but "how well do witnesses follow the party-line?
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anewme
I have a question;
Are there other branches of JW?
Are there break offs who teach that witnessing should come from the heart?
That Jehovah will show mercy to those he wants to at Armageddon?
That more than JW will survive into the paradise?
Have ex JWs formed a new church of any kind?
Id be interested to know! -
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Spell out what a Witness must do to be considered a "good" JW?
by JH in.
what must one do, brother or sister, to be considered a good witness in the congregation?.
don't leave out anything.....
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anewme
Oh Thankyou Mrs. Jones! I need to hear that, I really do!
So many of us do!!
It makes me sooooo mad that so many beautiful people are NOT BEING PRAISED MORE AT THE KH!!! -
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Spell out what a Witness must do to be considered a "good" JW?
by JH in.
what must one do, brother or sister, to be considered a good witness in the congregation?.
don't leave out anything.....
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anewme
I have had enough of guilt trips to last for many lifetimes!!!!
I have taken the opportunity to visit other churches since my dfing and I've been ABSOLUTELY AMAZED AT THE COMMENDATION, SUPPORT, LOVE, ACCOLADES AND COMPLEMENTS they throw at the congregation!
The nurturing of hearts at some churches is HUGE!!!
(Admittedly not all are like that, but you would never see me in one of those hell fire damnation churches)
After a service at those churches you feel really good! I call my new mother in laws church THE CHURCH OF FEELING GOOD!
They are all about slapping each other on the back for being so wonderful! Heck, psychologically it seems like a good idea to attend one of these kind of churches. Better than therapy!
I have also gone back into the Kingdom Hall a few times. My mind wonders if I used my new "filter" and filtered out all the unnecessary manipulative and subtle guilt trips that are placed on the listeners by the anointed society (which wants the great crowd to do their preaching work assignment) maybe I too can have a wonderful nurturing experience out of it. Guess what? It works!!!
I focus on what the Bible actually says. I day dream about the promises. I pray and promise to be a good
person. I think of people I'd love to share the info with. I sing the last song and make my way out the door back to my own life and tell myself as I walk to the car "You are a swell person Anewme!"