the story is beyond excellent.
every line is so well crafted and the story, published in the new yorker magazine in 1997, is much more than two young men falling in love.
one of the major themes of the movie is fear.
Dear Peter,
Great pic! I was struck by this: <<All JWs live in some kind of closet.>>
So true. Most humans are but JW's are very repressed and very encouraged to keep their true selves hidden mostly from themselves. Even to their very thoughts.
I thought it was a beautiful story. All of us could relate in some way to it.
Blessings and Welcome,
~Brigid
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this is where i'd like to live, in a warm climate near the water .
but this is where i live (below) .
this is the watchtower for april 1, 2006, page 9.. 'parents be a fine example for your children.'.
'....of course, children are children, and some are prone to be contrary, even wayward.
(genesis 8:21) what can parents do?
Thank you Gil. Yes, I have completely cut myself free from the deadly web of the "bOrg". And I am quite sure that both my parents (esp. my mother who is still in) do not give the above incident any more thought than I do. It only comes up when I hear of similar incidences and I feel the need to share. Or when people who try to invalidate the church-sanctioned abuse or fluff it away.
Having said that, I treasure my experiences in life even within the organization. It taught me so much. I relish freedom having been in soul-prison. I seek light and having known what total darkness is, it shines even brighter against that dark backdrop. I learned that I cannot choose another's religion. Even my own children. They are souls in their own right--individuals who've been placed in my care and keeping until they "fly". Their path is their own and they must follow it. I am here to provide a safe nurturing environment so that their souls can evolve as they will. And I do not lay hands on my children.
Love and Light,
~Brigid
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does anyone have thoughts on this?
Ever think about buying a yellow volkswagon? You've looked it up, you've done the math, you're convinced you're going to buy it and it has now become part of your consciousness: "I own a yellow volkswagon". What do you start noticing? Yellow volkswagons everywhere. Who knew, you think that yellow volkswagons are so popular. Or you or your mate are pregnant or trying to get pregnant--you'll see pregnant women and babies everywhere you go.
You can take any belief system--any and put on their "glasses", that is the way they see things and KNOW for absolute certain that events around you support what you believe. Muslims remain convinced when they look at the west and its activities in the middle east that they are being called to jihad. Jews look at the world and the rise in and ever present anti-semitism and are convinced of a prophecy they recite every passover. Earth based worshippers are convinced that earthquakes, floods, etc. are a natural karmic repurcussion of the way we've treated mother earth. As science uncovers ever more "proof" that we come from apes atheists cannot figure out why most of the world's population still believes in various myths.
It's all perception. I'm sure in some hellish dimension of their own mind's making, good JW's die convinced that their brand of paradise is what happens, and you know what? When they die, they are in a nighmare like, eternal existence of "going to meetings, watching your back, watching your neighbor--the thousand year reign is almost over! The second annihilation is "just around the corner", oh wait, new light, 1000 years doesn't mean a literal 1000....
Perception.
~Brigid
this is the watchtower for april 1, 2006, page 9.. 'parents be a fine example for your children.'.
'....of course, children are children, and some are prone to be contrary, even wayward.
(genesis 8:21) what can parents do?
I also have the personal experience of being beaten in a service car for having the AUDACITY to have to urinate and therefore interrupt JEHOVAH'S HOLY SERVICE! As I crouched in the floorboard to avoid the relentless blows, I wet myself and ruined my pretty service dress. I had to wait in the car, needless to say while they went to the next door to try to induct with bright smiling faces, the householder into thier all loving religion.
That was just one of many many experiences and it was not my singular experience but most all of my unfortunate peers (you know, the 0-18 year class). So, I refuse to have mine and my peers' brutal experiences fluffed away and invalidated by the "new light" on the semantics of what "rod" means or your dismissive "pat on the bottom". We were beaten with absolute religious and ZEALOUS FERVOR and every parent was convinced that they were training us to serve Jehovah. And you know what? I hated their god (who seemed more Satan than not) with an absolute passion until I got out and healed.
Blessings,
~Brigid
this is the watchtower for april 1, 2006, page 9.. 'parents be a fine example for your children.'.
'....of course, children are children, and some are prone to be contrary, even wayward.
(genesis 8:21) what can parents do?
Ezra
In all sincerity, I would be most interested to hear an apologists point of view of the above scriptures. I warn you, however, that I have studied the Lashon ha-kodesh (don't worry, if you don't know what it means, you don't know your bible--you only know your translation and personal schema of said script). And even in my albeit limited knowledge, I'm quite sure it surpasses your knowledge. I truly do not mean disrespect, I only mean that you, as a Jehovah's Witness would not have permitted access to the source of your bible (the Jews). Any of the rabbinical writings would be off limits to you (self-imposed).
But in any case, I would sincerely welcome any apologetics from your personal perception through the lenses of WT doctrine on the above scriptures.
Blessings/B'Shalom,
~Brigid
this is the watchtower for april 1, 2006, page 9.. 'parents be a fine example for your children.'.
'....of course, children are children, and some are prone to be contrary, even wayward.
(genesis 8:21) what can parents do?
So, the bible is against violence and abuse....that's a relief because from its actual, you know, words, content and COMMANDS, one might perhaps get the idea that it's not so fluffly bunny!
digging in the dungeons of past wtbts literature, you will find some neat brochures.
i will call this series: "wtbts brochures you never saw - the scarry (yes there are some very scarry pictures around, be ready for this one), the bad (you kind of guess this one) and the funny (like todays) - part 1"
they are all original.
Oh, that's great! You gotta post more!
~Brigid
looking through the internet i learned that everything i have ever know to be true is a lie
at the beginning of time aliens created the earth and the heavens.
they are the greater force and also the fallen angels that are prophesized in the bible.
I agree with Undercover. Who are we to mock? There are a huge number of people aplanet who believe that a big sky diety came to earth to inseminate a human woman. They produced a man-god hybrid who was destined to die for the sins of manking because that sky diety demanded blood. Some believe it was actually that diety incarnate who killed himself. This goes way way way back before Christianity where tribes believed their chief god (often he was born to a virgin as well in their myths) had to undergo a propitiatory death.
Aliens don't sound so weird placed next to a Christian interpretation of why we're here.
What I would like to know Franz, is why you are afraid?
Love and Light,
~Brigid
continued from http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/7/107302/1.ashx .
after 10 years in the "fultime work" my wife and i left bethel and moved back to missouri to serve where the "need was great".
mark had was about 17 and had put his foot down about going to the kh but his dad still pushed.
Mark,
Thank you so much for courageously sharing this story and your brother's life with us. I am weeping with you (literally) over Mark. Yea, I've heard lots of bad stories but this one is just sitting on my heart for some reason, making me ball like a baby. It won't help Mark now or ease your pain but I wanted you to know I hear you. I connect with your pain in whatever limited way that a "stranger" can. I honor your brother Mark. Whatever his story can teach us, let it.
Love and Light,
~Brigid
