Posts by FatFreek 2005

9

A different spin on birthdays

by FatFreek 2005 in

about birthdays.

several days ago i was waiting at the deli for the next batch of fried chicken when a man in his sixties came in.

he had called in his order two days earlier.

FatFreek 2005

They may not live in a commune but they are as isolated as anybody on earth via no birthdays, no mother's day, no father's day, no Thanksgiving, etc.

9

A different spin on birthdays

by FatFreek 2005 in

about birthdays.

several days ago i was waiting at the deli for the next batch of fried chicken when a man in his sixties came in.

he had called in his order two days earlier.

About birthdays. Several days ago I was waiting at the deli for the next batch of fried chicken when a man in his sixties came in. He had called in his order two days earlier. We started talking and I learned that it was his granddaughter's first birthday.

He said, "She probably won't remember this day for long but there are some 5 grandparents and great grandparents that will. Plus a bunch of others."

He placed the 3 boxes in his basket, some 75 pieces of chicken that will put a dent in the budget of most people where I live. However, he walked away beaming with pride with a mile wide smile.

I've been out of the cult for 42 years but had never looked at birthdays from that perspective. That birthday, which would be soon forgotten by a one-year-old, would be a catalyst for bringing an entire family and friends together -- not tearing them apart. Photos to be later seen by that birthday girl in years to come will contribute to her self esteem in ways that cannot be measured, making strong family bonds and making her heart happy.

Are you listening, Watchtower?

12

According to the Old Testament aren`t YHWH God and the then Nation of Israel guilty of War crimes by today`s standards? ?

by smiddy3 in

just going by memory here with regard to the "old testament' when god promised the land he chose for the jews ,flowing with milk and honey ?.

their is no record in the bible of god ever giving an option to all the nations that already lived their to move on and he would compensate them at a new destination.?.

apparently without warning he just charged up the israelite`s for war with these nations to evict them from this territory that they had resided in for who knows how long.. not only that ,they apparently spared no one in their conquests killing man,woman and even dashing children to pieces ,and not feeling sorry for anyone.. don`t people think that this is a bit barbaric ?.

FatFreek 2005

God has a learning curve?

28

Remember when we lodged in private homes at conventions?

by FatFreek 2005 in

i bring this up now because i haven't seen any postings about that practice because i got out in 1977. when did wt quit soliciting private homes for accomodations?

or have they stopped?.

i hated it, but it was the only way we could afford to go.

FatFreek 2005

A bit off topic, I know, but the convention week, actually 8 days, brought back memories.

As a 17 yr old at that '58 convention I was on my own after the sessions. One evening, I found myself walking in a large park (perhaps Central) and just enjoying my freedom.

A man on a park bench engaged me, asking me about the convention (yes, I had a badge). I was naive and flattered and was vacation pioneering that summer. Looking to count some time I enthusiastically pursued the conversation. He was Jewish, single, and despite my youth, my "gaydar" went off. That really didn't matter to me as I could still count time -- and he invited me to his apartment a few blocks away. That way he could "reference his own Bible".

I envisioned the moment when I would be delivering this experience of a double conversion (to JW-dom and to a straight lifestyle) in the front of our next assembly audience.

When we got to his place he got his Bible out for me and I was convinced he was so sincere.

Then he said, "you know, one of your own was at my friend's house the other night, talking just like we are talking -- and he let my friend give him a BJ". What do you think?"

I took that as a "come on", despite my youth, and nervously planned my getaway.

I quickly got up from my chair, found the door and politely made my exit.

28

Remember when we lodged in private homes at conventions?

by FatFreek 2005 in

i bring this up now because i haven't seen any postings about that practice because i got out in 1977. when did wt quit soliciting private homes for accomodations?

or have they stopped?.

i hated it, but it was the only way we could afford to go.

FatFreek 2005

As usual, Good research, Blondie.

That quote is one of three identical ones, the last instance being from 37 years ago.

Please keep in mind that private home accommodations are usually set aside for those with limited funds who would experience real hardship if such accommodations were not made available. Kingdom Ministry, 1982 p. 4

28

"Are natural disasters a sign of the times?" -- Yes, says WT

by FatFreek 2005 in

yes, bible prophecies suggest that there would be disasters during “the conclusion of the system of things,” or “the last days.” (matthew 24:3; 2 timothy 3:1) for example, concerning our time, jesus said: “there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another.” (matthew 24:7).

that from their website this morning.. i see how they've morphed (by interpretation) food shortages and earthquakes into virtually all bad happenings today.. i'll bet if the "blue bonnet" (one elder's fractured pronunciation of bubonic during a public talk, using it not once but three times) plague, one of which happened nearly 700 years ago -- was going on today, it would be a sign of the times.

after all, it "caused the death of 60% of the population of europe".. no natural devastation like that seen since..

FatFreek 2005

Yes, Bible prophecies suggest that there would be disasters during “the conclusion of the system of things,” or “the last days.” (Matthew 24:3; 2 Timothy 3:1) For example, concerning our time, Jesus said: “There will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another.” (Matthew 24:7)

That from their website this morning.

I see how they've morphed (by interpretation) food shortages and earthquakes into virtually all bad happenings today.

I'll bet if the "blue bonnet" (one elder's fractured pronunciation of bubonic during a public talk, using it not once but three times) plague, one of which happened nearly 700 years ago -- was going on today, it would be a sign of the times. After all, it "caused the death of 60% of the population of Europe".

No natural devastation like that seen since.

28

Remember when we lodged in private homes at conventions?

by FatFreek 2005 in

i bring this up now because i haven't seen any postings about that practice because i got out in 1977. when did wt quit soliciting private homes for accomodations?

or have they stopped?.

i hated it, but it was the only way we could afford to go.

FatFreek 2005

Thought it was a ploy to actually get a foot in the door, make an impact.

My thoughts, exactly.

Why the "rooming work" ceased seems unknown for sure. Probably some legal reasons embedded somewhere, or possibilites of potential violence from either party -- hey, I used to hitchhike wherever I wanted to go before I got my first automobile but I see none of that today.

28

Remember when we lodged in private homes at conventions?

by FatFreek 2005 in

i bring this up now because i haven't seen any postings about that practice because i got out in 1977. when did wt quit soliciting private homes for accomodations?

or have they stopped?.

i hated it, but it was the only way we could afford to go.

FatFreek 2005

At one circuit assembly in Des Moines, it had to be January, 1960. After the sessions, we navigated to our private home, and settled in. There, after turning out the lights my wife and I began to have sex in the spare bedroom where a nice older man had accomodated us.

The bed loudly crashed to the floor as the slats beneath the box springs had slipped out of place because of our vigorous activity.

Talk about embarrassment! We hurriedly got our naked bodies out of bed, put things together again, and resumed what we had started. I believe we conceived our first child that night.

Next morning at breakfast, the nice man never mentioned the loud crash.

28

Remember when we lodged in private homes at conventions?

by FatFreek 2005 in

i bring this up now because i haven't seen any postings about that practice because i got out in 1977. when did wt quit soliciting private homes for accomodations?

or have they stopped?.

i hated it, but it was the only way we could afford to go.

FatFreek 2005

I bring this up now because I haven't seen any postings about that practice because I got out in 1977. When did WT quit soliciting private homes for accomodations? Or have they stopped?

I hated it, but it was the only way we could afford to go. At New York in 1958 I was a 17 year old, lodging in some strange apartment while my parents were at a different home miles away. I can't remember the price but it was probably around $1 a night.

Any experiences you'd like to share?

6

Crazy ass excuses

by Crazyguy2 in

so it was brought up lately that my lack of faith is partially do to stories in the bible like the one in samuel where god kills david’s first born son.

the excuse i heard today wasn’t that god killed david’s son no he just didn’t bless him so then he died.

wtf!!!

FatFreek 2005

"14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord,[b] the child who is born to you shall die.”

Let me get this straight -- God did not perform an abortion here; he waited until the child was born before he killed him, letting the offender live.

I can see that kind of justice holding up in a modern court of law -- NOT!