Posts by EarthMan

82

What Things Would You Not Have Done As A JW That You Would Do Now?

by minimus in

jw
friends

as witnesses, we were very concerned that we might offend somebody's conscience and our actions reflected that.

if someone might've been "stumbled" by our actions or speech, we would make sure we would do everything possible to not upset another fellow brother or sister.. i would not have gone to an "r" rated movie.

now, i go to any rated or unrated movie because i don't give a sh*t what smeone might feel over my choice.. what things are you free to do without worrying that someone might be disturbed over it?

EarthMan

Here's my list. Most of the items listed are things that I've already done or am doing right now. Some I have yet to get around to doing...

vote

smoke

join the military

play the lotto

play the ponies

gamble in Vegas

have an illicit affair

get stinkin' drunk (don't do that very often anymore)

get a college education

visit churches, mosques, Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, etc.

donate money and time to NGO's and charities

become close friends with "worldings" of every stripe or persuasion

work to build wealth for myself

plan for my retirement

think outside the WT box (or cage)

give a person down on their luck some money, food, or whatever they may need at that moment

try to live a life free of all guilt, fear, regrets, and despair.

119

What's the oddest thing you have eaten?

by PopeOfEruke in

hey i was on holiday last week and we went to a sea-side night market and there was a food stand called "roadkill restaurant".

the motto was "you kill it, we grill it".

charming place.. they had crocodile, buffalo, camel, and kangaroo and emu kebabs.

EarthMan

Since moving here six years ago, I have tried many dishes that back home would be considered just plain "wierd".

Here's a list of some of the "delectible edibles" that I've had the privilege of sampling:

Horse (actually pretty good.)
Chicken hearts (quite tasty)
Octopus (one of my favorites)
Squid (a bit chewy, but the smoked variety is very delicious, especially with a cold beer)
Salmon roe ( not for me.)
Fugu, or blowfish (very poisonous, but also very yummy. Leaves the lips tingly and a little numb because of the toxins)
Eel (another fovorite of mine.)
Sparrow (tastes like chicken.)
Kani miso -- crab brains served with miso paste (not enough ginger in the WORLD to get rid of that taste.)

There's more, I'm sure, but I just can't remember. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to grab an unagi donburi (grilled eel served with rice) and some takoyaki(deep-fried octopus dumplings). ;)

T.

40

How many languages can you "speak"?

by averyniceguy in

jw
friends

.

even though i am myself deaf, i can speak english pretty well and i also do america sign language.

what about you?

EarthMan

I speak English and Japanese.

587

Show us your picture

by Honesty in

jw
friends

.

that is, if you are able to without the prospect of facing a three-man kangaroo court appointed by jerhover to keep the congregation clean from apostate influences.. i'll go first: .

EarthMan

...and me at age 43. This was taken in February of this year.

587

Show us your picture

by Honesty in

jw
friends

.

that is, if you are able to without the prospect of facing a three-man kangaroo court appointed by jerhover to keep the congregation clean from apostate influences.. i'll go first: .

EarthMan

Me at age 15...

16

How GREEN are you? How GREEN should we be?

by AK - Jeff in

jw
friends

.

i recycle where i can - don't pollute intentionally - never litter - but that is about as far as i go.. how active in maintaining this planet for the future are you?.

jeff

EarthMan

Well, here in Japan, recycling is mandatory. Everyone must separate their recyclable houshold garbage into six categories - cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles, plastic containers and wrapping, cardboard containers and wrapping, and newspapers, magazines,and books. At first it was a real pain to do all of that extra work, but now it's just par for the course.

34

SNG in Kyoto: Picture collection!

by seattleniceguy in

jw
friends

hey gang!.

sng here, reporting live in japan.

i've just returned from a three-day trip to kyoto, which must surely be one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

EarthMan

SNG,

Nice pics. Makes me want to hop on the next train heading there. Were you able get to Nara? IMO,it's even more beautiful than Kyoto. :D

157

Where are you on the map? New Maps

by Lady Lee in

jw
friends

ok there are so many americans on the map now i had to split you all in half.. valis was kind enough to let me place the maps on his website until i found a new home for them.. photobucket seems to be a good option - at least for now.

so i have uploaded the new maps which have been updated to include everyone who has asked.. so if you were wondering where we are from.

or how close you are to other jwd posters in your area just take a look.

EarthMan

Hello L.L., Please add my name to the map. I'm in Japan. Thx, T

15

the society is "encouraging" chinese converts to go back to china to preach

by in a new york bethel minute in

my mother told me this at dinner tonite.

has anyone else heard of this?

she didn't know if the work was still under ban there, and neither do i. but either way it's pretty stupid.

EarthMan

in a new york bethel minute said:

"she didn't know if the work was still under ban there, and neither do i."

bethel,

I know I'm a little late in joining this conversation, but here's some information from the Chinese government's official web site.

http://english.gov.cn/2005-08/09/content_21298.htm

"The state respects and protects citizens' rights to religious freedom in this country. According to the Constitution and to various laws governing religion, citizens have the right to believe or not to believe, the choice is theirs. Religious belief is the private affair of a citizen and no state organ, organization or individual is allowed to force citizens to either believe or disbelieve. Believers and non-believers enjoy equal rights and perform the same duties.

The government also practices the principle of separating religion from politics and education. While it protects normal religious activity, it insists that one's beliefs must not interfere in the administration, judicial system or education of the state. In addition, it safeguards the legal rights and interests of religious organizations, including theological education, as long as the latter is carried out within the confines of the church.

At the same time-as with all other social organizations-people involved in religious activity are expected to operate within the parameters defined by the Constitution. No organization or individual is allowed to make use of religion to oppose the people's government or to disrupt the socialist system, the harmony of the state, or the unity of the different ethnic groups in China. Such use of religion being against the law is considered a criminal act.

All of China's religious groups are to remain free of interference from outside in such matters as running their own churches and faiths. Since neither China's government nor its theological organizations interfere in the religious worship of other countries, they expect the same impartiality from their foreign counterparts. Naturally this does not mean that worshipers in this country are to remain aloof from worshipers in other countries; on the contrary, they are free to make contact with religious groups and individuals on an equal and friendly footing anywhere in the world. China simply does not wish to see its religious organizations and religious affairs controlled by forces outside its own borders."

283

Time again for........ Congregation roll call

by Jourles in

it's been a while since this topic has been brought up.

use it as a chance to see if there is someone you might know from years past.

1973-1976 --- lakeside, ca??

EarthMan

1979-1983 -- Montbello Congregation, Denver, CO