Francois

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Posts by Francois

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  20

  American Identity

  by Amazing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i enjoyed englishman's post about americans vs europeans.

  i chose to start a new thread because i want to take the topic in another direction.. the usa is still a young nation and an enigma.

  the nation was created by european settlers who wanted to get away from things they did not like about europe, especially religious intolerance and inflexible governments, and have the opportunity to build a new future.

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  Francois

  I, too, liked Amazing's post. Um, except for the part about Georgia being for outcasts. Actually, Georgia was founded as a place for people who had been languishing in debtor's prison in England. And we all are aware of the immorality of even the concept of debtor's prison.

  But to show that Oglethorpe's (Georgia's founder) heart was in the right place, lawyers were specifically banned from entry or residence in Georgia.

  I understand that American's overseas can be really overbearing. I think that's where the book "The Ugly Americans" came from. And I do regret that, too. They don't represent me, I'd like you to know. One of the most memorable editorial cartoons I ever saw was from back in the 60s. It showed a giant Charles DeGaulle standing with his arms crossed upon his chest, his nose in the air, and the caption reading, "You Americans are always staying where you're not wanted." DeGaulle's feet were planted in the symetrical arrangement of white crosses at the United States Armed Services Cemetery in Normandy. How soon they forget. And one of those stable, old Western European countries with the thousand-year history and all that charm, Germany, was the reason those guys died there. In fact, Berlin was a center of world culture at Hitler's advent. And if the western european democracies hadn't humiliated Germany with the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler might never have happened.

  And while we're still finding our way in many areas, it doesn't speak all that well to review the history of the British Empire. The British Raj and its behavior in India for example. And I guess it would be politic not to detail the last 700 year's history of the British in Ireland. Not trying to pick a fight here, just pointing out that all countries have episodes that are best left pretty much alone in polite society. It ain't just us Yanks by a long shot who perhaps don't present their best faces internationally. And if the US goes totally socialist, in my opinion personal freedom the world over will be up for grabs.

  Francois
  Savannah, Georgia, USA

  My $0.02
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  29

  Rutherford's Parting Shot

  by Farkel in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  anyone who's informed about the honorable joseph franklin rutherford knew what a jerk he was in life, but the creator in his infinite humor also wanted his death to remind us that whenever we fondly think of da judge, one word will always come to our mind: that word is "asshole.".

  here's "indisputable" proof: http://farkel.0catch.com/index.html.

  farkel

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  Francois

  Colorectal cancer, huh? I guess what they say is true; alcohol and cigars will get you in the end. Har!

  Religion is a rare and a snacket.

  ft

  My $0.02
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  17

  Armageddon "Victims" in Waiting?

  by Englishman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here's a pic of my family outside our house in weston super mare, england.. .

  according to jehovah's witnesses, we are all going to be destroyed at armageddon for various unspecified misdemeanors.

  excuse me for asking this, but isn't this just a little excessive?.

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  Francois

  They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Your picture is worth at least ten times that many. And, when you increase your concept to include all but a tiny microminority of God's "children" the idea of Armaggedon becomes just that much more monstrous. Makes the Hindu concept of Kali look utterly loving, doesn't it?

  And to think the God is one day going to swoop down from the heavens and murder off all but a few people like your family for what amounts to a ritual error, well, it's just too degrading.

  I personally think that it is It is an affront to God to believe, hold, or teach that innocents of any philosophic persuasion will be murdered off by an "angry" god for any reason.

  (Handsome family, sir.)

  Francois

  My $0.02
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  8

  Decision to join JW's

  by SharonUT in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  what are the reasons one converts to the jw faith or stays in it?

  it seems that if the jws believe that only the 144,000 have access to god... then how do the other sheep know what to do about this decision?

  is their decision based upon their understanding of the scriptures and wt litarature only or do they seek some type of manifestation of the spirit or answer to prayer or personal revelation about joining?

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  Francois

  I was born into it, Sharon. And when you're raised thinking that something is "the" truth, you never think to question it. Not right away at least. That's why people carry around the impress of their parents, their role models for so long.

  I guess you know how little ducks will imprint on a human just after they've hatched and will follow that human around as if it were a momma duck? Same kinda phenomena.

  However, when I got in my early twenties, after having one foot in and one foot out for a number of years, and began to think for myself (another no-no in the JWs) and seeing all the cracks in the foundation of the society...well let's just say it was the beginning of the end.

  And, because I was related to the CO, I got to see congregational issues from the inside and from behind the scenes. And it was ugly. And it was unjust, immoral, unethical, and very very unloving.

  So I guess I'm not really qualifed to answer your question. I don't guess anyone here really is. We all left, after all.

  Francois

  My $0.02
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  13

  A short statement on the long shift

  by Preston in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as a sit writing this i will say that i am possibly going through one of the toughest times of my life right now.

  i have recently told the elders of my congregation that i have identified myself as "queer" and it has been one of the toughest roads i have ever had to walk.

  i am not trying to offend anyone on the boards by telling you this but i feel that it's important to live honestly and my decission to "come out" to people in the congregation is one based on trying to live honestly.

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  Francois

  Preston I can't imagine what kind of courage and determination it takes to do what you did. Unfortunately, you told your stuff to a group of men who have no training, no insight, and no compassion. And there's a better than even chance that at least one of the people you came out to are pedophiles. The bunch that came to "adjust my thinking" consisted of two drunks and a thief.

  Anyway, It's debateable what constitutes God's support and backing. I don't think He cares a whit about your sexual orientation. I think, for what it's worth, he's interested in whether you love him with a whole soul, and if you love your neighbor as yourself. If you've got that down, then I don't think you can expect to hear from him on anything else.

  What do you want, by the way? To stay in and be accepted? To leave? What?

  Best,
  Francois

  My $0.02
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  64

  Another Elder is toast

  by jst2laws in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  jst2laws is toast!.

  after 29 years i am officially no longer serving as an elder.

  those who knew i was still serving would only be surprised that i took so long.

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  Francois

  Isn't it astonishing to hear a person, a citizen of the free world speaking anonymously and in hushed tones about being free?

  What an evil force the WTB&TS is.

  And it occurs to me that with the continued departure of folks like this that the local leadership of JWs continues to be more and more dominated by the less spiritual, compassionate, and loving types that are left over. This is one "remnant" the Borg never considered. I'm guessing that this will mean the local congregations of JWs will become less and less attractive a place to be, and will drive out more and more people faster and faster. May it be so.

  francois

  My $0.02
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  64

  Another Elder is toast

  by jst2laws in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  jst2laws is toast!.

  after 29 years i am officially no longer serving as an elder.

  those who knew i was still serving would only be surprised that i took so long.

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  Francois

  Jst2Laws:

  When I first saw the handle you'd chosen for yourself, I knew you wouldn't be an elder much longer. Congratulations. You are joining a growing number of men of conscience. Two of my best friends left them gasping in the mid-70s.

  Seems there's a large demand for your letter of resignation. I'd like to add my admiration for you and to request you publish it as well. Who knows; you might inspire others.

  francois

  My $0.02
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  35

  New Poster Here

  by MoeJoJoJo in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this is my first time posting anywhere.

  thought i would say hi and i am enjoying reading everyone's comments and stories.. "plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

  " -veronica a. shoffstall

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  Francois

  Christmas fruitcake; hell, any fruitcake is best used for a doorstop. Just don't stub your toe on it.

  You gotta big JW library? You're researching? Suggest you look into "Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose." It's the official JW apologia and you'll learn lots and lots about all the things that embarrasses them the most and that they are willing to discuss publically.

  Then you could report here all you found

  My $0.02
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  53

  American / European Incomprehension.

  by Englishman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  reading through some of the posts re the mcveigh debate, it's obvious that there is a huge divide between the usa and europe over many issues, in particular with reference to the way that society should deal with deviants.. i think that there is a lot of other cultural differences between our societies, and i'm just wondering if this is why the wtbts has had a far higher "conversion factor" in the usa than in europe.. some of the phraseology contained in the watchtower magazines is incomprehensible to europeans.

  i remember that words that are in common usage now, were, when first used in the wt, totally baffling.. the expression "no way" wasn't in common use until years after the wt featured it, like wise with "points up", also "right on" meant nothing to anyone.

  indeed, many return visits to placed magazine householders resulted in them asking a bewildered dub for an explanation of these then strange terms.

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  Francois

  Englishman:

  Went for a beer with my Brit editor one time. Told him I wanted to go "toss off a couple." Told me he wasn't into public masturbation. Told him I meant a couple of beers. We used to have lots of fun that way.

  Oh Well.

  ft

  My $0.02
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  21

  Questions for the JW Experts on WTS Structure

  by Kathy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i understand that "annointed ones" are no longer appointed to the governing body, because most are no longer alive.

  so now, what criteria are used to appoint members to the governing body?.

  what is the "chain of command" in the society from the governing body to the average jw living next door?

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  Francois

  Right. And there's no hierarchy either. Just all those little cookie-cutter Jay-Dubs all alike.

  My $0.02