Posts by saywhat29

14

Culture, Class, and Congregations

by saywhat29 in

i know this is nothing new- the thought of the bible being just a story and a blend of culture and of how people interpreted the world around them and recorded it as such.

it's very athiest..y, even if don't consider myself an athiest.

because culture and class also affects how people look at the bible whether they believe it or not.

saywhat29

"Mr and Ms.! DON'T YOU HAVE IN MANNERS?!111one !"

Correction- ".....Any manners!!111oneeleleventy!"

No really, she said eleventy.

14

Culture, Class, and Congregations

by saywhat29 in

i know this is nothing new- the thought of the bible being just a story and a blend of culture and of how people interpreted the world around them and recorded it as such.

it's very athiest..y, even if don't consider myself an athiest.

because culture and class also affects how people look at the bible whether they believe it or not.

Thanks for all the replies- especially the opposing ones; I grew up in a working class family and went to more working class congregations so spanking and even sometimes abuse itself isn't loked at nearly as seriously. I just heard a talk th other day where a brother talked about "using the rod" now being considered abuse... as if sometimes it wasn't. Because some parents will go out of their way to actually find a rod. Thanks for reminding me that abuse transcends class lines.

I hope I'm not considered a racist though- whatever I say about "black congregations" or black witnesses I'm saying about myself in a way as well. :-)

TMS, thanks for bringing that out as well about the origins of the religion and how other peoples responded to it. And i defintely can attest to the fact that talks given in predominately black halls wil not be heard in other halls. ;-)

I remember when I was studying at one time and I was trying to let my hair grow up into a nice little 'fro. Not an afro, just a nice little cushion on top. I was told by congregation elders (whom were black) that I shouldn't do that as I would look like "those thugs in the world" and that if I wanted to know what was appropriate for hairstyles that I should look at brothers in the magazines as to how my hair should look and how I should dress. Well let me tell you that no offense, but I look horrible in dockers and those shirts they were were damn near hideous in the magazines.. no style of pazzaz- quite boring actually (maybe that was the point). Anyways, when I then went to a hall that was predominately white, my hairwas never an issue because the brothers didn't know what to say about it... I guess as long as it wasn't dreds or cornrows, they didn't know what the rules were. That to me was interesting. But what you said was interesting because it made me think- hairstyles vary and cultures vary and who is to say that this lowcut hairstyle (which was what the brother was trying to get me to appreciate) was okay for black men. Also, for black women who do not want to perm their hair and do wear braids and hairstyles that are fashionable in the world (let me tell you because there is nothing different about a black sister's hairtyles and a sistah's hairstyle at all! They will spend just as much money and will put just as many colors in them-again not racist because I'm one of them!) has anyone ever seen a sister in a magazine with a natural style of hair? Because I def. have not.

So a religion with standards of dress and fashion that more accomodates that of whites actually tries to dictate what is wordly and what is fashionable and appropriate to that of people of diferent cultures and races. And not that that's anything particularly new or that Witnesses are the first or the last to do that, but its important to recognize.

14

Culture, Class, and Congregations

by saywhat29 in

i know this is nothing new- the thought of the bible being just a story and a blend of culture and of how people interpreted the world around them and recorded it as such.

it's very athiest..y, even if don't consider myself an athiest.

because culture and class also affects how people look at the bible whether they believe it or not.

saywhat29

I know this is nothing new- the thought of the bible being just a story and a blend of culture and of how people interpreted the world around them and recorded it as such. It's very athiest..y, even if don't consider myself an athiest. Where am i going with this?

Because culture and class also affects how people look at the bible whether they believe it or not. This isn't another "gay thread" (but gimme a second and I can make it that way) this is about how people interject their culture into the bible in a way to connect with it, and to make it personal, yet how that also affects the message of the bible.

Case in point. I have been to predominately white halls and predominately black halls, and yes just like predominately white/black churches, they hold different aspects to them. For instance, in white halls, when children acted up, at times their parents would take them outside and walk with them until the child calmed down.

In black halls, when a child acted up... it was that child's ass! and we would all snicker too, omg.. I loved it. We'd all look at each other as the lil kid would fight not to go to the back of the hall and into the bathroom because he/she knew what was next! It sounds sick, but its not... really, and its not even a black/white thing at times as it is much an issue with class. Middle-to-upper classes have that freedom with children where they tend to pander to kids at times and dont necessarliy have to beat their kids. While Working -to-poor class tend to demand obediance since they to have to obey a lot of the rules and structures in society. Two different viewpoints and opinions....

HOWEVER two different viewpoint and perspectives (and not just in raising and discipling children, but that too does pop up) can be heard from the podiums of meetings from talks as brothers relate the bible to the audience. I've heard white brothers in middle-to-upper families (and let's be honest if congregations are situated localy then the congregation as a whole typically comes from the same class... but not always since .. "Jehovahs people do not have those same barriers like the world does!" but you all know thats typially no the case. ;-) ) preach how usin the rod was metaphorical and that it was just instilling discipline in kids.. while in working to poor congregations it seems to be a big issues as they feel children are very disrespectful and need to be beaten. "Mr and Ms.! DON'T YOU HAVE IN MANNERS?!111one!" I've heard one sister make a comment during a watchtower at one time.

And other views such as schooling... working-to-poor congregations seem to be firmly opposed to college and higher education (when they are the ones that mostly need it!), while uppper class families tended to "understand" the economy and the need for an eduction in a trade or some schooling, bot "Not alot"! Does anybody else get where I'm going?

This might be hard if you have only been apart of one congregation and could not pick up on the differences in culture, race, and class, but I just had to put it out there since lately I've been hearing talks that have been in total conflict with talks I've heard before.

Has anybody else noticed the same thing?

14

What did you like/hate about JW calendars?

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

for me, every (other) saturday was magazine day.

the only marked date on the calendar was the memorial.. the nature scenes were ok when they had a nature theme.

i think the calendar is too small, boxes not big enough to write in..

saywhat29

Dammit, I at least put my birth day on it...

"Or wait, my "Birth date" as i was told since Birthday was too wordly. Smh.

14

Memory Photo Album of the 2007 "Follow The Christ" Convention!

by Nosferatu in

jw
friends

this year, i've decided to compile a photo album of some memorable moments that occurred at this year's convention.

jehovah's happy people sit, attentive with notepads in hand, eager to indulge in the spiritual food that the faithful and discreet slayv has prepared for this most important and memorable event!

here are some of the more memorable people who were in the audience:.

saywhat29

Oh my, god, just thnking about all those nodding head that would/will go up and down and up and down and almost snap off when the person wakes up...

Mainly my head will go up and down and when is finally down, I';ll be taped and awakened to moe of the same sh*t that was said before i nodded off.

Good times.

45

Did You Know or Know Of "Gay" or Bisexual JWs???

by minimus in

jw
friends

recently, a former witness expressed his opinion to me that he knew more than a few witnesses that were gay.personally, i know of a bisexual ex-elder who was unhappily married for a few years.

now he's "out", pardon the pun, of the organization.

i know of a newly appointed ms who is married to a sister but most people suspect he is gay.

saywhat29

They were mostly city cops, a couple of firemen, one probation officer, one paramedic, and me.

I'm sorry, but.. that sounds really hot. I wouldn't care if they talked or not, just as long as they all came in the uniforms.

Dresed in their uniforms... you guys are gross

45

Did You Know or Know Of "Gay" or Bisexual JWs???

by minimus in

jw
friends

recently, a former witness expressed his opinion to me that he knew more than a few witnesses that were gay.personally, i know of a bisexual ex-elder who was unhappily married for a few years.

now he's "out", pardon the pun, of the organization.

i know of a newly appointed ms who is married to a sister but most people suspect he is gay.

saywhat29

*fingersnaps* Work it Ragna! Also, the comments about "turning" gay and lifestyle, WTH? Like there is exactly one gay lifestyle...

Effemenancy and being gay aren't linked... but lets not leave our effeminate brothers... and "sisters" for that matter out of it as there's nothing wrong with being swishy. Like all mannerisms, masculine, feminine, and effeminate- it is all a matter of how one relates to their environment, deal with stress, and wields their energy. And there's power in that that most people, straight or gay, cannot understand.

But yes I know of some effeminate brothers too- one who had a very effeminate voice and whenever he gave talks, I don't care how liberal or progressive or fairminded you were or how much you liked or loved the guy, you couldn't help but wonder if he was gay. It couldn't have crossed your mind- unless you were his mother and you were just blind to it or something. Has a wife with some kids as well, thougt that doesn't mean he's straight but his voice doesn't mean he's gay either.

And I know of a particular brother at my hall that is very effeminate and people just tend to ignore it, however, I, even my gay ass was enoying looking at some girls in passing one day who were hella hot and he just couldn't catch on... and it made him very unomfortable, sometimes like I am if I'm not attracted to a girl yet everybody around me is. Like I'm missing it- and I wasn't even "testing" the guy, he just couldn't catch on.

Hmm, I should cause a HOT GAY JW SCANDAL with him now that i think about it... behind the damn book counter and ontop of the latest Awake magazines. Yep. I should.

29

todays watchtower/marriage counselors

by aquagirl in

today at the watchtower study,they said that marriage counselors encourage folks who are having issues to divorce..is that the stupidist thing that youve ever heard?

like,how many of them have gone to marriage counseling lately?.also the thing about the man being the head,the decision maker,that aint'jus' aint'a settin' right w/me...so,i assume if i get reinstated,i cant be an elder?like,because i dont have a penis?..um,hello,its 2007!!

!

saywhat29

LOL! I remember one analogy an CO made about like mariage being liken to a road trip... and that SOMEBODY has to be the drivee. And that's all marriage was. And that women should appreciate how hard it is and be lucky they are not the ones responsible for driving everybody. CUZ ITS SO HARDZ. And the women and men in the congregation ate it up so fast, I swear. Like a bowl of potato salad at a gathering, I swear, the smiles and giggles and head nods everybody gave... like you can make any analogy on the platform and they will buy it.

Like you can pay bills, take care of a home, have time for sex, manage kids, and deal with each others bullshit- thats liken to a car ride?

And besides, anybody knows on any damn road trip, unless your ass doesn't have a liscence, you WILL be driving eventualy beause the other person is going to get some sleep eventually...

45

Kinda Bored- Lets Invent Future Watchtower Titles...

by saywhat29 in

since being open to the truth abou da troof, whenever i read watchtower articles, their titles are always combinations of the same thing, just rehatched and modified to say teh same exact thing... does anybody get what i mean?.

serve jehovah and have ever-lasting peace!.

serve jehovah and keep and mild spirit, always remembering jesus christ is your lord!.

saywhat29

LOL! You all had some great ones, lemme think of some more...

Youths- If You Go to College, You Will Get Aids and Die... on the First Day!

Obediance- Why You Should Listen To Every Damn Thing We Say.

Independance? What's That? It Doesn't Matter You Don't Need It- We'll Think and Feel For You!

"Go thereforth And Preach To the Ends of the Earth!" Get Your Ass Prepared for Gilead School!

Floods, and Wars, and Demons- Oh My!

Bad Associations Makes You Question Us- So Cut them the f*ck off for the Seventh Billion Time!

Be More Like Jesus! He Would have Listened To Us Too, You Know!

Family Life ( 3 Part Article)- Men- be Men! Women- Can You Make even More Sandwiches?, Youths- Don't Embarass Your parents.. and most importantly, Us!!

39

Why There Will Always Be JWs

by minimus in

jw
friends

i think it's pretty simple.

jws will never completely die out.

because there are always going to be people who stay in a rut, don't like to adjust, are lazy.

saywhat29

Personally, I don't think they will ever die out. the people who will finally wake up to it will be in it for so long, leaving it will seem insane. And there will be new people, future generations shedding "new light" into bible teachins that will keep it going. And as long as there are people in lower economic backgrounds who are downtrodden and looking for some purpose of life and for people to belong to in a society that values the individual pursuit while ignoring that some people don't have any other pursuit or goat but to survive....

Sorry, long ass run on. I don't think they will die, but like everything else in this world they will change and evolve, possibly even branch off into another group. Die off, Hells nah. Unless one memorial comes and everybody is instructed to pass and take a sip of the new liquid that represents Jesus christ blood... you know some super special red kool-aid... then maybe they will. Maybe...