Posts by Podobear

19

why do ex-jw's talk so much....

by bittersweet in

jw
friends

so my husband ( who is a baptised witness who no longer attends meetings and pretty much doesn't believe any more ) asked me last night why do so many ex-jw's feel the need to keep talking about the religion even when they have been out of it for years.

i told him that in my case i still talk about it because i feel i lost so much of my life to them and i am still upset about it.

also that many people have lost families and livlihoods, etc.

Podobear

Good summary StAnn and interesting and (yes) funny anecdote NowAndThen...

Anybody out there, witty enough to put comedy material together (please excuse the next very Brit. expression) to take the piss out of ourselves and the JW's. Surely, someone, has latched onto the idea that there must be enough material on this board alone to cook up JW/exJW comedy and black humour. Are you up for it NowAndThen?

Sometimes, you know, the ability to laugh at oneself goes a long way to heal and cure emotional and even physical malaise. Is there anyway to "lighten up" our lives in this way?

Did you hear about the good guy who died and went to heaven? Absolutely faultless, but never quite settled the issue of which church to "belong" to.. Peter, smiled as he walked him down a long etherial corridor, in his new angelic garments.. "Now" said Peter, "You can choose any of the mansions behind any one of these front doors, but I have to tell you, you will be here for a long, long time, so choose wisely.."

He opens the first door. The guy begins to cough and choke.. thousands crammed into a super lounge, smellin' of incense and people repeating mantras in Latin.. "My goodness, who are these people" he says. Peter replies "Oh, these are the Catholics. You'll be anonymous, but be part of a Universal family.. and you will always smell sweet". "Don't think I could hack that for eternity" said the guy, "Can we try the next one?"

The second door opens to reveal a see of multi coloured hats, beautiful west indian smiles and a strident preacher on a sun lit, pool side terrace. Lots of whispering and gossip going on. "That's a bit better" said the guy "but I'm not sure about the Hell fire preaching, and some of the comments are a bit back stabbing if taken the wrong way.. and those attendants covered in white sheets speaking in Southern drawl.. seem a bit sinister to me... I feel a bit uncomfortable.. who are they?" "Oh" said Peter "We had a bit of trouble sorting this lot out, basically good hearted but lots of bickering amongst themselves, lots of extreme views.. they are called Baptists.. of one sort or another" "Oh no" said the guy "Christian they may be, but I would be forever watching my back.. they make me nervous.. can we move on, please?"

Peter's arm extended holding the man back as he opened the third door slowly. "Just brace yourself, my man, you are in for an experience here". The door opens on a large theatre and the sound of mega decibals of gospel music, people speaking in unintelligible tongues, folks rolling on the floor.. "My God!" the man said "I did try a spliff or two in high school, before Pops wrapped my knuckles and a bad trip taught me a lesson. It was fun on the first kick but it did my head in. Who are these people?" "Man" said Peter, "These are the Pentecostals and "Born Again" chasers. Tell me more about the spliff?" "Please shut the door before my ears burst" said the guy a little panick ensuing "Next door, please"

"OK" said Peter, "I'll come back on the spliff thing.. just curious" "Now, I must ask you to be quiet as you enter this small room" said Peter holding his finger to his pursed lips.

"Why's that then Peter?" said the man a little bemused.

"These are the Jehovah's Witnesses" said Peter;

"They think they are the only ones up here!"

Podo

19

why do ex-jw's talk so much....

by bittersweet in

jw
friends

so my husband ( who is a baptised witness who no longer attends meetings and pretty much doesn't believe any more ) asked me last night why do so many ex-jw's feel the need to keep talking about the religion even when they have been out of it for years.

i told him that in my case i still talk about it because i feel i lost so much of my life to them and i am still upset about it.

also that many people have lost families and livlihoods, etc.

Podobear

Trust Sylv. to come up with dish of the day! ... bet she makes a good Jambalayz and Jerk Chicken too..

I have never labelled myself as an ex-jw, but chattering and off loading here has been very therapeutic for me. I left like an express train hitting the terminus barrier at 120 mph.. it was a shock to everyone (including me). All my "spiritual" vital signs were good.. so nobody bothered with me.. and that was the problem.

I have been away from the congregation now for about 26 years.. but with a father who is still an active elder (at 82), and a mother who is still fiercely opposed.. our internal family "Mein Kampf" continues unabated. Thank you to 90% of the posters here (my darling Sylv. included) for being tolerant of me.. giving me room to speak.. to off load, and doff my cap in recognition when I am wrong.

My stepping aside from the JW congregation has not interfered with my basic needs as a "Spiritual" man. As far as I am concerned I stopped dead in my tracks with JW theology/doctrine in serious warp in the early '80's.

The relgion has changed to such an extent that I consider them to be Apostate! They even changed the baptism vows to suit the legalistic ideals of the Printing and Publishing corporation. I never took that vow at baptism. They have invalidated themselves. Not me.

So.. I still believe in a Grand Creator.. still accept my Lord Jesus as the means of my Salvation. I am not "god-slotted" in any ways.. and still believe that "God's Sheep" graize on many hills. I will let the Good Shepherd do the sorting thanks.. I will not shun ailing sheep. For all you retro-Atheists, disenfranchised from the religious mind set.. I salute you.. You have greater faith than me.

This is a beautiful planet, and those who live in harmony with it are Beautiful People. Sorry, Sylv. you have star badge.. thanks for the PM's.

Podo

36

Pet Names for JWs

by laverite in

jw
friends

i love reading the various pet names people have come up with for jws.

some i have seen on this board include:.

jws (obviously).

Podobear

My opposed mother once came to visit me at "The Brothel", and someone once referred to me as one of those "Joe-Evil stumps" teaching the good book from "Guinesses to Revolutions"..

:) Podo

17

Do you measure ingredients when cooking?

by compound complex in

in julie & julia, ms. child's collaborator says it doesn't matter; julia says it does matter.

i can see its being important when writing a book but how about when cooking up daily fare?.

coco un rien de sel.

Podobear

Yes I do measure things, but I am becoming more skilled in "guess.ti.mating" the quantity. I am diabetic, so it is good discipline for me. Also, I avoid white flour as it contains a substance called Alloxan which is a poison used to induce diabetes in lab. rats. So I measure out most of my ingredients for the sake of my health.

Podo

40

Shunned by the world, then by the JWs and then shunned by Theists, when does this end?

by cyberjesus in

when i was a jw i always hide my jw status to people of the world because i was taught that we were hated by satan and his world.

and indeed in school i experienced being ostracized by my religious beliefs and everytime i had to take a stand not saluting the flag i was the object of ridicule.. then when i left the jw now i am shunned by my family by taking a firm posture on my beliefs or disbeliefs.

now i am ostracized by my own jw family because i dont go along their set of doctrines.. now that i have abandoned any religious belief altogether feel how most people who dont believe in a god are ostracized from the majority of the populations.

Podobear

I think it takes greater faith to be an Atheist, Cyberjesus. I no longer have a "religious" label but I do describe myself as a Spiritual man.

Stand on top of Mount Teide (Canary Islands).. feel the sun beat down, see the islands and the coast of Africa - smell the waft of the pine trees surfing the gentle breezes.. drink in the beauty, that is life. I am an eternal romantic.

You have greater faith indeed. Why should I shun you?

K.I.S.S [keep it simple stupid]... dumbo of the United Kingdom here.. can't give up the God thing..

All the best.

Podo

457

TRINITY Challenge for JW's, Unitarians and Anyone Else

by UnDisfellowshipped in

trinity challenge using only the new world translation of the holy scriptures -- let us debate and reason on the scriptures about whether god almighty is a trinity, or is only one person.. on another thread, bane said that we know for a fact immediately that nearly all religions other than jehovah's witnesses are false because almost all of them believe in the trinity.

and bane claims he can "out-scripturize" anyone with the help of jehovah.

* the son was praying to the father.

Podobear

@djeggnog: Do you really think any of us accept you as a spokesperson for Jehovah's Witnesses? You have broken every rule in the GB rule book by being here. Thankfully there are reasoning people like Undisfellowshipped who direct us to material confirming current JW thinking on this issue. I may not agree totally with his point of view, but I tell you djeggnog, I would not close the door on him if he came to reason with me. I am astounded by your arrogance and boastfulness.. ashamed that I was taken in by your apparently erudite presentations. "Come let us reason together.." remember that old addage?

Podo

457

TRINITY Challenge for JW's, Unitarians and Anyone Else

by UnDisfellowshipped in

trinity challenge using only the new world translation of the holy scriptures -- let us debate and reason on the scriptures about whether god almighty is a trinity, or is only one person.. on another thread, bane said that we know for a fact immediately that nearly all religions other than jehovah's witnesses are false because almost all of them believe in the trinity.

and bane claims he can "out-scripturize" anyone with the help of jehovah.

* the son was praying to the father.

Podobear

@Undisfellowshipped: Thank you for your gracious comments.. that is exactly where I am. I am not a fool in these matters as djeggnog suggests, and I am MORE THAN CLUED up to know that a Bona Fide Elder or JW would not be posting on this forum.

I was set upon on the first posting I made by a certain DAVEBROWN and had hoped to air my views with those who I used to call brother and sister in the hope of claryfing teachings. As you would guess I do not believe that Jesus and Jehovah are one and the same and have followed the discussion on that line alone... without interruption.

It has been interesting and no doubt I will zoom in on other areas of concern as time goes on... my family crest is "Respectez mon droit".. respect my right. As I do that of others. So, thank you.

In the meantime I must address family tensions as I face the blood issue with an ageing and weak parent. It is a little emotionally difficult just now.

Many thanks, Sir.

Podo

457

TRINITY Challenge for JW's, Unitarians and Anyone Else

by UnDisfellowshipped in

trinity challenge using only the new world translation of the holy scriptures -- let us debate and reason on the scriptures about whether god almighty is a trinity, or is only one person.. on another thread, bane said that we know for a fact immediately that nearly all religions other than jehovah's witnesses are false because almost all of them believe in the trinity.

and bane claims he can "out-scripturize" anyone with the help of jehovah.

* the son was praying to the father.

Podobear

@djeggnogg: I think your comments to me are a little over the top, to say the least, and may I say the display of the very reason I left the WT organisation. I have not kept up with "current" thinking on the matter. I have always believed that Jehovah exists in THIS Universe... Pleiades aside I had no idea that the teaching had been ditched in favour of a parallel Universe.

HOW DARE YOU JUDGE AND INSULT ME. I was trying to make my way back, my father comes to visit in two days and I have to deal with an opposing mother and a depressed man who is facing major surgery and anxiety over the blood issue.

You call yourself an Elder? You have just knocked me back ten paces! Thanks for nothing buddy. Let Jehovah be your judge too. BIGOT!

Podo -

457

TRINITY Challenge for JW's, Unitarians and Anyone Else

by UnDisfellowshipped in

trinity challenge using only the new world translation of the holy scriptures -- let us debate and reason on the scriptures about whether god almighty is a trinity, or is only one person.. on another thread, bane said that we know for a fact immediately that nearly all religions other than jehovah's witnesses are false because almost all of them believe in the trinity.

and bane claims he can "out-scripturize" anyone with the help of jehovah.

* the son was praying to the father.

Podobear

@djeggnogg: I will leave you with this quote from the book RECONCILIATION by J.F. Rutherford 1928. The parallel Universe explanation you gave must have come in after I quit associating with JW's 25 years ago:

The constellation of the seven stars forming the Pleiades appears to be the crowning center around which the known systems of the planets revolve... It has been suggested, and with much weight, that one of the stars of that group is the dwelling place of Jehovah and the place of the highest heavens;....

The constellation of the Pleiades is a small one compared with others which scientific instruments disclose to the wondering eyes of man. But the greatness in size of other stars or planets is small when compared to the Pleiades in importance, because the Pleiades is the place of the eternal throne of God. page 14

Could you provide the current JW work that divulges the concept of a parallel Universe.. Des and his son David (both Pentecostal Pastors) are in my clinic tomorrow morning. I would like to get my quoting right, because the other half of their family are JW's and Elders. What a combo.!

Best wishes, and sorry to come back with extra thought.

Podo

457

TRINITY Challenge for JW's, Unitarians and Anyone Else

by UnDisfellowshipped in

trinity challenge using only the new world translation of the holy scriptures -- let us debate and reason on the scriptures about whether god almighty is a trinity, or is only one person.. on another thread, bane said that we know for a fact immediately that nearly all religions other than jehovah's witnesses are false because almost all of them believe in the trinity.

and bane claims he can "out-scripturize" anyone with the help of jehovah.

* the son was praying to the father.

Podobear

@: djeggnog: Excellent. I have never considered a "parallel" Universe, just, as the Scriptures say that humans are of one body and those in Spirit are of another. I shall go back to Des. with the scriptures you have offered. Now, in attendance of Isaacaustins material it is time for me to bow out of this conversation. Thank you again, for clearing up my few remaining enquiries. I should check the doctrine surrounding The Pleides is historic records.. I believe it was a teaching held by Russel... and I have often mused about the location and size of Jah. Very best wishes.

Podo