jonjonsimons

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Posts by jonjonsimons

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  46

  I NEED ADVICE DESPERATELY!!!

  by concerned fiance in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here is my situation: my fiance is now 27 years old.

  he was raised as a jw from the age of 2 through 18. at that time, his whole family left the "truth" except for his older brother who had already married another woman from the faith.

  for the past 9 years, he has been living his life to the fullest, but still loving god, praying often and he is a truly honest and moral person.

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  jonjonsimons

  Concerned,
  I was raised in the "truth" as was your finace so here's my .02.
  Even after being out 20 years, when I watched the events of Sept. 11 unfold I also for a moment had some JW flashbacks and wondered if I had made a mistake in leaving. That lasted about 30 seconds and then reality came back into perspective. Your finace is fighting the brainwashing he was raised with, and I can tell you it's harder than most people understand. When you are told the same thing over and over from a very early age it is very hard to turn your back on it even if you know in your heart that you were lied to. It took me ten years to get over the fact that every tornado warning in my area wasn't the start of armageddon. Childhood indoctrination goes very deep. The only advise I can give is for you to give your fiance a little time to come to grips with it all. From what you posted above he is taking steps in that direction. I hope all turns out well for you both.

  Peace and love to you and yours,
  Jon
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  8

  I'm crying now---pray for this family....please

  by LDH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just received a phone call from the mom of one of my daughter's friend's.. 7th grade little girl, just delightful.. we saw her dad tuesday night at 'back to school night.'.

  he killed himself yesterday.. lisa.

  edited to add, i just talked to the girl's mom again and she told me they went to the doctor together yesterday, i guess he's been having some chronic health problems for the last ten years.. the doctor pooh-poohed his concerns.

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  jonjonsimons

  Lisa,
  I'm so sorry for the loss. I don't pray, but I'm sending thoughts of love to you and the family.

  Peace,
  Jon
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  3

  Century Mark (100)

  by Black Man in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hey.....i know it's really no big deal but i've hit 100 posts.

  no where near jedi-status but damn.......that's a major step for me.

  just call me fetus-jedi or somethin'........

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  jonjonsimons

  all bow to the great fetus-jedi.....
• 
  39

  'Lost' redux

  by Rex B13 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  being lost...is of course, the usual state of things here.

  what's surprising is that they (the lost) think that pulling scriptures out of context, isolating mosaic laws mean't for one purpose and one time, is somehow refuting scripture.. they like to ignore the fact that jesus is the revealed yahweh and he sets the mark, not any organisation nor any pious individual.

  we relate scripture to him and we interpret scripture by his life amongst mankind.

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  jonjonsimons

  Trilobite,
  You of course are also entitled to your opinion and I respect you for it. I think after all is said and done that Rex does have a good heart. Misguided maybe, but still a good heart. I feel he would say the same of me. He only quoted scripture to me in an attempt to save my soul. I of course don't wish to be saved in that way, but the thought was nice and well intentioned.

  Peace and love to you and yours,
  Jon
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  39

  'Lost' redux

  by Rex B13 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  being lost...is of course, the usual state of things here.

  what's surprising is that they (the lost) think that pulling scriptures out of context, isolating mosaic laws mean't for one purpose and one time, is somehow refuting scripture.. they like to ignore the fact that jesus is the revealed yahweh and he sets the mark, not any organisation nor any pious individual.

  we relate scripture to him and we interpret scripture by his life amongst mankind.

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  jonjonsimons

  Rex,
  You are incorrigible. I thought you knew since you posted to my thread about having leukemia. It doesn't look good right now because the treatments don't seem to be working. We won't know for sure for a couple of weeks but I have a feeling of dread about it. I do appreciate your thoughts and I know you are sincere. However my belief system is in tact and come what may my spirit is whole and well.

  Sometimes you sound like such a jackass, (as do I) but you do have a good heart don't you guy.

  Peace,
  Jon
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  43

  The Bible advances women's rights

  by Rex B13 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  our forum's now chapter likes to slander christian believers over alleged poor treatment of women.

  in truth, the bible advanced women's rights in the ancient world, even in a paternalistic society.

  here are the results of research into this topic.. num 5.12--the trial of bitter waters (sotah) is a an amazing provision by god for a woman to publicly clear her name (and indict a dysfunctional husband in the process).

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  jonjonsimons

  Rex,
  BTW thanks for your apology, I truly appreciate it. I also apologize if I came off kind of snippy. It was not my intention.
• 
  39

  'Lost' redux

  by Rex B13 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  being lost...is of course, the usual state of things here.

  what's surprising is that they (the lost) think that pulling scriptures out of context, isolating mosaic laws mean't for one purpose and one time, is somehow refuting scripture.. they like to ignore the fact that jesus is the revealed yahweh and he sets the mark, not any organisation nor any pious individual.

  we relate scripture to him and we interpret scripture by his life amongst mankind.

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  jonjonsimons

  Rex,
  There is one major differance between men who raise children as their own knowing they are not, and a 14 year old girl giving birth. The men don't have to worry about dying from it. The toll that pregnancy and childbirth inflicts on a woman physically and emotionally is tremendous. Imagine what that would do to a 14 year old child. I also don't believe in abortion for conveniences sake. I don't know anyone that does. But as a man I believe it is not my place to assume I know better than the woman affected, what the right course of action for her should be.

  As far as capital punishment is concerned I'm sure you won't be suprised to know that I am mostly against it. I don't see how we can teach children that killing is wrong, by killing. I also believe that spending the rest of your life behind bars is a much more stringent punishment then simply being put to sleep.

  I'll be very honest with you Rex. Most of the people I know and associate with on a regular basis are Christians. My partner is Catholic, even though the very church he believes in condems him to hell, but that's a totaly different subject and I'm not going there. I would say approx. 80 percent of the people I know are pro choice, 50 percent are anti death penalty and 20-30 percent support animal rights. I personally have made snide comments to women wearing fur coats in the past myself.(when I was a young silly man) Not strangers on the street but to people I consider to be friends. The only distinction that I make as far as animals are concerned is that I do feel it's wrong to kill an animal simply for it's fur. I find it gross to wear a dead animal on my back, that was killed just because it was pretty. That may be simplistic, but that's how I feel. I can't catagorize peoples political views based on their religious views. Everytime I do, I meet someone like myself who doesn't fit into that mold.

  Believe me Rex when I tell you that I have thouroghly examined my belief system in the last few months. Mabey it's because I'm dying, mabey it's because I've matured as a human being. I don't know the reason. I have concluded that my belief system is what carries me through each day, and in the end, that's all that matters. I'm sure you can understand that.

  Peace and love to you and yours,
  Jon

  BTW if I sounded mad in my last post I kinda was. I've since taken several deep breaths and am no longer angry. If the anger in my last post caused you hurt, I apologize.
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  43

  The Bible advances women's rights

  by Rex B13 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  our forum's now chapter likes to slander christian believers over alleged poor treatment of women.

  in truth, the bible advanced women's rights in the ancient world, even in a paternalistic society.

  here are the results of research into this topic.. num 5.12--the trial of bitter waters (sotah) is a an amazing provision by god for a woman to publicly clear her name (and indict a dysfunctional husband in the process).

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  jonjonsimons

  Rex,
  I have stuided the Bible, that is exactly why I have the belief system that I do. I did not jump to Atheism simply as a knee jerk reaction to my upbringing. That would be stupid.
  I truly believe that you have very strong convictions and I applaud you for sticking to them. I however do not agree with your convictions, just as you do not agree with mine. The only differance I see between us is that I do not think you are damned for your beliefs. Let's just leave it at that, since arguing over it won't solve anything.

  Peace and love to you and yours,
  Jon
• 
  39

  'Lost' redux

  by Rex B13 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  being lost...is of course, the usual state of things here.

  what's surprising is that they (the lost) think that pulling scriptures out of context, isolating mosaic laws mean't for one purpose and one time, is somehow refuting scripture.. they like to ignore the fact that jesus is the revealed yahweh and he sets the mark, not any organisation nor any pious individual.

  we relate scripture to him and we interpret scripture by his life amongst mankind.

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  jonjonsimons

  Rex,
  I don't understand. You are the first one to jump in when someone lumps all Christians in the same group, but you just did the same with Athiests.

  I am an Athiest, (I know big secret) and yet I don't blame God for anything. He doesn't exist, so how could I. I do blame organized religion for many of the worlds perils, can you honestly disagree with that?
  
  I support a womans right to choose an abortion for 2 very simple reasons Rex. First because my mother died at the age of 35 bearing a child that her Dr. advised her not to have. An abortion would have saved her life. Period. Secondly my 14 year old sister was raped and became pregnant. She could not go to my father for help because in his JW mentality she was afraid the blame would be put on her for what had happened. I took her to the clinic and held her hand while the abortion was performed and I would do the same today. Why should a 14 year old rape victim be expected to carry a child to term?

  I also find it funny that you think all Athiests are "Christian bashers". I fully respect your right to your beliefs. You however don't extend that same courtesy to others. Your entire post was one big "Athiest Bash" Rex. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

  I am extremely offended that you would even make a comment like "the holy right to spread STDs like AIDS and hepatitis (of several types) just for their own selfish, destructive lifestyles." What??? Do you really believe that people think that way Rex, or are you just trying to be antagonistic? It is my sincere hope that this comment was made in the heat of the moment because if it isn't, then I have lost any respect that I was starting to gain for you. To trivialize a disease that has cost millions of lives worldwide with a sarcastic comment like this is disgusting. I hope you never have to know the pain of losing someone you love to AIDS. I wish that on no one.

  I also take extreme offense that you say all Athiests care more for the rights of criminals than they do for the victims. Where do you get off saying something like that Rex? Have you ever been the victim of a crime, or had a close family member that has? I have Rex and believe me this Athiest does NOT take the criminals side in this matter. My uncle was murdered in 1984, and the man who killed him spent less than 10 years in prison. I personally went to his parole hearings and argued against his release, but he was freed after his second hearing. I also hope you never know the pain of losing a family member to murder. Take my word for it, it sucks out loud.

  Please do not continue to make blanket statements about people you don't even know Rex. It makes you look truly uninformed and anything but Christian.

  Jon
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  43

  The Bible advances women's rights

  by Rex B13 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  our forum's now chapter likes to slander christian believers over alleged poor treatment of women.

  in truth, the bible advanced women's rights in the ancient world, even in a paternalistic society.

  here are the results of research into this topic.. num 5.12--the trial of bitter waters (sotah) is a an amazing provision by god for a woman to publicly clear her name (and indict a dysfunctional husband in the process).

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  jonjonsimons

  Rex,
  Two points to make.

  1. My response to your post was an honest question not a smart ass remark so I'm suprised that you would proceed to call me a knee jerk follower, stupified and lost for anything substantial. I follow no one Rex, please remember that. I have made it a point not to attack and or goad you with snippy remarks in my posts since the last time we argued on this board so in the future I would appreciate the same in kind.

  2. My screen name is jonjon. Very simple...jonjon. Not jojon not jjon but jonjon. If I can remember how to spell Rex you can remember how to spell jonjon.

  Peace and love to you and yours,
  Jon