Posts by joelbear

29

I think christianity is a peaceful religion........

by kid-A in

jw
friends

quotes from the the american taliban.

ann coulter .

"we should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to christianity.

joelbear

yes, but do christians practice what they preach?

no

58

Your favorite fictional literary character

by daystar in

what is your favorite fictional literary character.

which character do you identify with most?

i was a well-read kid and my favorite series of books were the elric saga by michael moorcock.

Jehovah's Witnesses sell out to cash in

by Frannie Banannie in

http://www.cultnews.com/

jehovahs witnesses sell out to cash in

posted in jehovah's witnesses at 1:56 pm by rick ross | link

joelbear

unfortunately the basic logic is correct. it is a business. its not even a non-profit business, because they make a profit.

18

Assembly Time is Near! Were you always a good Dub when you went?

by MinisterAmos in

i've gotten into at least one argument at every one i've gone to.

last summer, i started laughing when a sister on the stage told us how "proud" she was that she only had two complete place settings in her house.

if more than one person came to visit she related that she had to wash a cup so that the other one could drink.

joelbear

i viewed assemblies as an intrusion into my life. i spent most of the day trying to avoid being in my seat, instead trying to make plans for after the assembly.

they are pure torture, repetitive, repetitive.

why don't they actually try to teach something, show how to actually apply something useful to people's lives.

13

on the radio today in the north west they are talking about a new poll taken after the supper bowl game, this poll was taken in every state and the conclusion of the poll was that 96% of the people in the us thought the officials determined the outcome game by bad officiating that went against the seahawks favoring the stealers.

joelbear

the society says, bad officiating spoils useful gameplay

28

Assembly Hall Intermission Music

by JH in

jw
friends

.

remember that dull kingdom music.

what music are you thinking about that would have been more appropriate?

joelbear

The theme from the dating game

or maybe the theme from the Poseidon Adventure.

57

Disposable People

by MerryMagdalene in

jw
friends

since my mom decided she needed to put full shunning back into effect again (an unconscious new year's resolution to be a better jw?

), i've been ransacked by a whole bunch of emotions which have been gradually resolving into thoughts.

the sense of being completely disposable, expendable, replaceable.

joelbear

Hi Merry,

I am in a similar mental place to yourself. I tried to kill myself twice last year thinking of myself as disposable.

I have recovered to a large extent. I continue to feel better and better.

Some of the things I am doing.

1. Rediscovering things that I love. For me thats science fiction reading, roller coasters, tennis and board games. I am finding it quite rejuvenating to get back involved in these endeavors I love.

2. Discovering new things that I have always wanted to try. Pottery, photography are the 2 I am working on the most. you can see my webpage at www.joelbear.net.

3. Moving away from people who don't contribute to my happiness. Seeking new people who will contribute to my happiness. Becoming very careful about who I put my trust and invest my feelings in.

I read a book called something like the science of happiness, it has a yellow cover. I have found it quite helpful.

42

Two Number 4s, and a large Cup of...

by RichieRich in

jw
friends

a family in my congregation, who has recently fallen on some hard times, just had some hard times fall on them.

last saturday, a very large tree fell right square on their house.

no one was harmed, but it definitely hurt their wallets.

joelbear

i say raise your hand and give your experience and tell the congregation that they still need more help.

17

Witness history or As I See It

by joelbear in

jw
friends

some guy reads the materials of some other guy and gets the idea of marketing it himself.

adds pizazz "i am the faithful slave", dramatic effect, the end will come in 1914 and boom you have a product.

advertise, advertise, advertise thee kingdom of god.

joelbear

how many witnesses go in service with the mindset that they are looking for sheep hearted people to teach the truth about god in order to help prove that Jehovah has the right to universal sovereignty?

or do they ask each other at the end of a service day, how many books and mags did you place?

the whole approach is wrong. placing literature for nominal amounts of money and then expecting people to actually read it and understand it is ludicrous.

if they were really trying to get the message out they would be in the media and on the internet with a large presence, advertising their presence on the net and having live people available to chat. that's how communications is done in the 21st century as proven by this site and millions of others.

it may have been somewhat effective 60 years ago but it is clearly not now and there are 3 times as many people now. its all about books books books. its so sad.

if all that energy were put into doing for other people, what a tremendous witness of love that would be to the world.

actually following Jesus' example. i must be an idiot.

23

Are You Addicted To American Idol?

by minimus in

jw
friends

the grammys were on last night and american idol got better numbers!!!

i understand simon cowell has a similar show in britain.....love that guy!

joelbear

if he's not gay i'm Liza Minelli