recently, i have been reading jospeh campbell's myths to live by.
in it, on pages 213 - 214, there is the following passage: .
"a functioning mythological symbol i have defined as 'an energy-evoking and energy directing sign.
with children raised in the circles of certain special sects [emphasis mine], not participating in - and even despising or resenting - the culture forms of the rest of civilization. Such a person will never feel quite at home in the larger social field, but always uneasy and even slightly paranoid. Nothing touches him as it should. means to him what it should, or moves him as it moves others.
Yep, that's a fair description of me.
Mickey.
like many i was about 7 or 8 when my parents were baptized.
being a child you naturally trust that your parents are doing the right thing and follow them.
i was baptized at 15-how often i wish i could turn back the clock!
My parents were also raised in so I see them as victims too. I don't know whether they ever had doubts but now I feel a huge responsibilty to do the right thing for my children. My parents raised us in most likely in ignorance of the facts. I know different.
Mickey.
for those still "in" but looking for an exit, what changes to current practices/teaching would make you decide to stay "in" ?
One of the big reasons I stay in is the shunning policy but ironically if they changed that I could leave!
The blood issue too.
But, now I know the whole thing is a sham I see myself leaving at some point anyhow.
Mickey.
a very enjoyable part of my job these last few years has been entertaining clients with corporate hospitality at the rugby union international matches at twickenham.
i work for a software company, as finance director, and these events such as the six nations, or the annual barbarians tour - provide companies such as mine a valuable opportunity to spend time with customers and prospects and try to interest them in our products, or at least get them to be favourably disposed to the company.
sponsorship of rugby matches like this is actually quite a smart move marketing-wise.
LOL at your name four candles!! The Two Ronnies rock! Tell us more about yourself (only if you want of course!)
Mickey.
we all know that the wts like so many other cults is an exploitative organisation that works with a great depth of deception that's not easy for many to grasp.
but will the works done by jws for this religion count in their favour if they were done in good faith?
at least the ones that didn't directly harm anyone?
I would also like to know more about the insurance fraud after Katrina?! Mickey.
since the conventions have started now has anyone seen the new ypa book?.
thinking back the first one was released 20 years ago .
mickey..
BTTT!
like many jw children, i was deeply influenced and motivated by watchtower society artwork depicting the new system of things.
i was profoundly influenced by artwork (particularly in the book: you can live forever in paradise on earth) that portrayed children petting tigers, playing with lion cubs, running through grassy fields with kites, and enjoying care-free lives.
what i now realized about myself is that for a jw to desire such things; and to go through the motions - performing organizationally-programmed activity in order to receive this reward; does not necessarily require a love for god or christ that is any deeper than other religionists.
Thanks for writimg your story. I can relate to a lot of the childhood indoctrination issues. Looking forward to the next installment.
Mickey.
since the conventions have started now has anyone seen the new ypa book?.
thinking back the first one was released 20 years ago .
mickey..
Since the conventions have started now has anyone seen the new YPA book?
Thinking back the first one was released 20 years ago so I guess the new one will mostly be about the evils of the internet!
Mickey.
this below just came up on the wire and is higher in rank than the globe articlethe watchtower is going into spin control overtimehttp://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?newsid=1725new rules could threaten charity status of jehovah's witnesses.
religious intelligence ltd, uk - 19 minutes ago.
several jehovahs witnesses charities in the uk expressed concern that the draft guidance could affect their beliefs on blood transfusion.
Bump. Has anyone received replied to their emails which suggest the Charities Commission are looking into this?
Mickey.
I was recently reading a John Grisham book and he kept referring to "catsup". I had no idea what he was talking about and had to look it up. We don't have catsup in the UK.
Mickey.
