I said I wasn't posting here no more, but I couldn't contain myself. I've been lurking like mofo since my departing post. But, watching that last night was crazy!!! I didn't get home until the second quarter, but wow. Brady is my favorite QB, and I'd make the argument that MAnning is the best all around in the league. However Vick has done more this year than Cutler, Pennington, Sanchez, McNabb, Roethlisberger, Phillip Rivers(who's very underrated imo), and anybody else. Fascinating seeing him do what he's doing considering the kind of layoff he had. I know it had to hurt Washington considering they just signed McNabb to 40 million guaranteed, with the potential for 78 million over 5 years. He's 32 if I'm not mistaken, and has NEVER had a Montana like career.
miseryloveselders
JoinedPosts by miseryloveselders
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MICHAEL VICK!!!!!!!
by snowbird inthrows left-handed, but is actually right-handed..
ruff-ruff!!!
syl.
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Darkside.... HAHA
by Darth plaugeis ini think he was banned.... but just to rub salt in an open wound...... so your team was going to do what to the pats??????
lol.
see you in the playoffs........ when it means something!!!!.
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miseryloveselders
Patriots got in that azz. I lvoe Tom Brady too. Since when'd the PAtriots get a running game?
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"Lone Ranger Christianity"
by leavingwt insome may enjoy this thread at the channel c forum.
by jim penton, it's about what he calls, "lone ranger christianity".
there are quite a few responses there, in the ongoing discussion.. .
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miseryloveselders
The only thing I hate about this mentality is the whole "mandatory to associate with one another" as defined by imperfect men. I don't know Penton, but on the surface it appears the apostate apples haven't fallen far from the WT's tree. I could be wrong, as he's probably a good dude. My reservations lie in the fact that the WT treats Hebrews 10:24, 25 as a command that JWs must attend weekly meetings. It wasn't a command, but the argument could be made it was strong advice, and absolutely necessary considering the time frame that the Hebrew Christians lived in. They would have needed to support, encourage,and upbuild one another all the more so back then.
It's 2010 going on 2011, and we're far removed from 66 CE, or 70 CE, or whatever time frame Paul penned this letter. Different ballgame today. I don't feel that I'm under any threat, and don't need the encouragement of any Christian groups today. Matter fact, to be honest with you, I find Christian communities, both the JWs, and other groups to be highly discouraging. I'd rather serve God and imitate Christ by myself, as opposed to doing so along side a herd of hypocrites and vipers.
How does Penton get off defining loving one another as "associating and fellowshipping to the extent possible?" There are old friends, family, relatives, even former workmates that I don't see often, yet I still have love for them, and still love them genuinely. If they never call me again, believe me when I say my love for them isn't any less.
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beards are from satan!
by Adrianoblue init is illegal to wear a beard.
(matthew 24:45-47).
but it is legal to wear a mustache.
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miseryloveselders
Does anybody have an actual quote from the WT saying beards are bad?
I'm at work, so I don't have access to the CD Rom, maybe Blondie or someone can do it. However, this Answers.com link I find somewhat humorous regarding JWs and beards. Its got two different points, both agreeing with another in some instances, and some disagreement. The only WT or Awake article I can recall was an article from the 70s, which mentioned either the beatniks or hippies, I can't recall.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_can't_Jehovah's_Witnesses_have_a_beard
Actually, it's not that Jehovah's Witnesses in general are not permitted to have a beard, it's that a brother who has a beard would not be used in a position of responsibility such as elder or ministerial servant.
The elders and ministerial servants are looked to for direction and to set an example in the congregation. Our work is very scrutinized by those outside our organization. I
n western countries in particular, a few years ago beards were often confused with a segment of society that reflected rebellion, namely the "hippy" movement of the 60's and 70's. It was felt that we should not in any way resemble those that reflected an attitude like this, or the drug culture that went along with it. We have to separate ourselves from that, and to have a beard a few years ago could be confusing, especially to an older generation of people at that time that were especially repulsed at the conduct of those of the younger generation. Even though we are some 30 or 40 years removed from that situation that existed during the late 60's and early 70's, it has been proven by experts that some people on some subconscious level do not trust a man with a beard.
The underlying message that some get from a beard is that if you have one, you have something to hide, as if you are hiding behind the beard. I have even heard that idea expressed in sales courses that I have taken for secular activities. Beards are discouraged by some sales trainers because of the subconscious message that some people receive from a person with a beard, and some feel that a person without a beard generally speaking has a more professional appearance than a person who does. So, even though the reasons for not wearing a beard may have changed somewhat, the practice of not having a beard itself still has merits. Jehovah's Witnesses do not want to give any cause for stumbling others, either inside the congregation or outside the congregation. So, we generally do not wear beards. This may be different in some countries where social circumstances are different, just like in some countries the manner of dress is also different.
We do not want there to be any reason for anyone to feel uncomfortable around us, especially before we have even had a chance to speak a word to them yet, and a beard can send the wrong subconscious message to someone.Additional Input
- We have a reputation to uphold with Jehovah and we want to keep that good standing. So having a long beard wouldn't be respectful to him or the people we are trying to give a witness to.
- The first president C.T. Russell of the watchtower did have a long beard !
Real answer:
Disclaimer:
This is not intended to detract from the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, as through my personal study of the Scriptures, the doctrine is the closest to that of the Bible of any denomination. It is merely to give an honest answer to a straight-forward question, rather than make excuses or deny reality. After all, Jesus said we would probably suffer - and might even die - for Christian beliefs and all they're asking is that you shave.
The first answer is partially correct, in that male Jehovah's Witnesses my wear beards without suffering more than a stern talking-to and withdrawal of opportunity to carry any special position or responsibility in the congregation. However, if the real reason was proven current public perception, the same rules would probably apply to obesity, lack of fashion sense, or social ineptitude - all of which can make people very uncomfortable and unwilling to perceive someone as scholarly or to be taken seriously.
In the 1950s, in the the USA, beards were widely unpopular among the general public and most men who wore one were immediately perceived as beatniks (and later, hippies). In that American, Cold War climate, a young man who didn't sport a military-esque brush cut and bare chin was out-of-hand labeled a communist or homosexual. This attitude permeated even into the upper echelon of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, to the point where articles were printed denying even Jesus wore a beard, while on earth. The men currently on the Governing Body have an average age of 75. This would have made them teenagers at the time this perception existed and they are probably, simply (like most old people) not quick - or even willing - to change their minds.
Paul, the apostle, said something similar in 1Cor 11:14 about long hair being a dishonor to a man. Obviously, this needs to be taken in some kind of social context, as God told Samson's mother never to cut his hair. Absalom is referred to as "flawless" and "handsome" with his hair that he allowed to grow until the weight of it became too unwieldy. Also, the Nazirite priests were not to cut their hair as long as they served in the temple. Obviously Paul's words were intended for his militant Roman contemporaries. That society started the cropped military haircut and clean-shaven face to keep lice to a minimum and avoid giving an enemy something to grab, in a skirmish.
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Guys, how often do you shave your face?
by asilentone ini shave my face every few days, what about you?
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miseryloveselders
I usually shave the day of, or the night prior to a meeting. So typically twice a week I shave. Its not unsual to see me with a scruffy beard between meetings and field service. Somedays I attend the meeting unshaven, especially if I don't have to perform. When I do, its usually just a few days growth.
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Is it fashionable to wear animal print clothing? JWN ladies, do you wear that kind of stuff?
by miseryloveselders ina friend of mine made the statement that only old women wear animal print clothing.
she said this some weeks ago, and ever since i have been noticing that it is the more mature of the mature population still wearing leopard print, and zebra print fashions.
granted occasionally i see younger gals wearing that stuff too, but its usually as an accessory such as a shawl.
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miseryloveselders
don't have any like that and never wore it but wolves howling at the moon just can't go out of style.
This is what I was fishing for. Seriously? Wolves howling at the moon is fashionable? Granted it's all subjective, and who am I to question, but I just don't find nature shirts fashionable. For instance, this is hot?
You'd walk out the house wearing this with some Levi jeans?
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You know PETA and their supporters are insane when...
by VampireDCLXV inyou know what's the latest thing peta is complaining about?
how some goldfish are being treated!
fucking gold fish!
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miseryloveselders
I had a friend that had a tank of goldfish and I loved the fact that they watched TV when we watched it. They would be hooked watching the basketball game.
But year, PETA consists of a bunch of retard jackasses. I don't wear fur coats, or even faux fur, but I'm tempted to wear something like that where I know a bunch of PETA people will be. I would love one of them to be stupid enough to throw paint or something at me, so I could rip him to pieces. His azz kicking would be legendary by the time I'd get done.
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Is it fashionable to wear animal print clothing? JWN ladies, do you wear that kind of stuff?
by miseryloveselders ina friend of mine made the statement that only old women wear animal print clothing.
she said this some weeks ago, and ever since i have been noticing that it is the more mature of the mature population still wearing leopard print, and zebra print fashions.
granted occasionally i see younger gals wearing that stuff too, but its usually as an accessory such as a shawl.
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miseryloveselders
A friend of mine made the statement that only old women wear animal print clothing. She said this some weeks ago, and ever since I have been noticing that it is the more mature of the mature population still wearing leopard print, and zebra print fashions. Granted occasionally I see younger gals wearing that stuff too, but its usually as an accessory such as a shawl. The older women take it way beyond that though, wearing animal print coats, and matching hats. They remind me of an episode from National Geographic or the Discovery Channel.
Another aspect of animal print clothing I see too, is tee shirts and sweatshirts with nature related scenes. People wear shirts with pictures of eagles flying, or deer grazing, or wolves howling by the moon. Do you consider such clothing fashionable? Any of you wear stuff like that? I've always found it ironic that older people don't like the younger generation wearing sports related clothing, or pants sagging, but at the same time these older folks are dressed like Animal Planet, or dressed like they're going hunting. To me wearing a shirt with deer grazing in the woods and jeans is just as bad as wearing a Lakers jersey and oversized jeans sagging.
I know this is a retarded topic, but its just some random thoughts I had to voice. One of our clerks just walked by me and she is kinda "healthy", and older. Her breasts are sagging and resting on her oversized belly. She has a voice and attitude that would be better suited in a diner, as opposed to an office. She would rather yell across the room, than email or call you. Anyways, its a jeans day here, and she has Levis on, and an oversized tee shirt with an eagle flying. The picture of the eagle is probably life sized considering how healthy she is, and the size of her tee shirt. But again, she'll complain about guys who wear sports related clothing. Not that I dress like that, just saying. Oh well........
Any of you dress like that?
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A chance at the big prize - just because they ate too much!
by THE GLADIATOR inthis jw teaching that those who die at armageddon will not be resurrected but those who die before armageddon will be resurrected, always seemed unfair to me.. many have given up waiting for god to get his finger out and cleanse the earth of sinners like me.
they have concluded that the awe inspiring day of jehovah - armageddon no less - is a hoax.
dreamed up by john, high on something hallucinogenic and presented as a divine revelation.
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miseryloveselders
It does all seem to be a bit unfair doesn't it? According to the WT, all of us on this board unfortunately were born at the wrong time. Had we born at any other time in history prior to the 1900s, we wouldn't have had to go out in field service, attend and comment at meetings, support the various arrangements, etc., and God would have been ok with that. Just do what's right, and have a complete heart towards God. However, since we were born in recent years, we have the unfortunate obligation to support the faithful and discreet slave class as Jehovah's chosen representatives amidst Satan's world of darkness. If all this is true, the people fortunate enough to have been born under previous faithful and discreet slave classes, did they get browbeat to support their local slave class too or face eternal destruction at Armageddon?
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Why did "Back Calls" change to "Return Visits"?
by donuthole indoes anyone remember the rationale that was used in rebranding "back calls" as "return visits"?.
while on the subject does anyone else remember any theocratic name changes like,.
district assembly to district convention.
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miseryloveselders
I never knew about Back Calls LOL. Funny when I first started lurking here, I would see a thread like this and think, "these apostates are the most nickpicking people!" Its so funny how much this organization has changed in only a few decades. If it wasn't for the internet, and former JWs with courage, this kind of stuff would be lost. Back Calls, it sounds like something out of prison, when the effeminate inmate is about to "be spoken for."