Posts by Cicatrix

if the jw organization were considered a normal business operating without the protections of being a religion, it obviously would have to make some big changes in order to avoid being sued out of existence for sex discrimination.

i wasn't raised to think that women should be relegated to second class status or that they should have less opportunities than men or be relegated to a limited set of life roles.

however, when i became a jw, i freely accepted all the sexist nonsense that came with the territory without ever being bothered by it.

Cicatrix

I'm grateful for some of those differences, though.

LOL

35

Did the second-class status of JW women ever bother you? Does it now?

by True North in

jw
friends

if the jw organization were considered a normal business operating without the protections of being a religion, it obviously would have to make some big changes in order to avoid being sued out of existence for sex discrimination.

i wasn't raised to think that women should be relegated to second class status or that they should have less opportunities than men or be relegated to a limited set of life roles.

however, when i became a jw, i freely accepted all the sexist nonsense that came with the territory without ever being bothered by it.

Cicatrix

Yes and Yes! It's one reason why I feel alienated from the Christian religion.

"OK. I have to disagree with this. With the exception of breastfeeding & giving birth, I can do pretty much anything that Mrs. O can do, and vice versa"

Hey Mr O,

Actually, men CAN theoretically breastfeed, so the differences between you and Mrs O are even fewer than you thought:)

http://www.freebirth.com/milkmen.htm

29

POLL: If you're not actively a Christian - do you celebrate Easter?

by somebodylovesme in

jw
friends

i actually forgot it was easter this weekend.

someone mentioned it yesterday, and i was pretty embarassed to have missed that little line on my calendar.

oh, well; since we are not practicing any religion and feel no more affinity toward christianity than toward, say, sikhism, i felt no ache in not partaking in the bunny-rabbit traditions.

Cicatrix

Yes, we do. Even though I'm not Christian per say (don't really know what I am), I enjoy partaking in an age old tradition with the rest of the community.

My kids would never forgive me if we didn't have a basket of candy from the Bunster (they're teens, so he's a little cooler). They are really enjoying making up for all the years we didn't celebrate, and even "insist" that the Bunster come while they're sleeping, lol. We keep the commercial aspect down by having one basket of candy for the whole family to share.

I learned how to make Ukrainian eggs this year, as it is part of my family heritage. I do it the "old fashioned" way, using a kitska and melting bees wax over a candle, and it's relaxing and fun to partake in the whole universal egg motif. I find myself reflecting on the year that has passed and the year to come.

I bought an Easter lily for the first time in my life, and it lifts my spirits to see the pretty white flowers on it.

I actually went to church for the first time this morning- a Unitarian Universalist church. I missed the fellowship of church, and long to be involved in charitable causes that actually accomplish something tangible, instead of just marketing books. I've hooked up with a few nonchurch related projects, but most seem to be run by churches in this area.

My sons watched me get ready to go, and gave me dire warnings to "Be careful, remember what happened the last time," lol. I told them I did a little more research this time, and have no intention to join any group that tries to take away my freedom of thought.

We are so NOT having ham for dinner, though. I hate ham, and I'm the one cooking, lol. We're having turkey breast instead.

10

A Question for Leolaia

by Cicatrix in

hi leolaia, .

i've really enjoyed reading your posts over the past couple of months.

i was wondering if you've ever come across information on the copper colored serpent that moses instructed the israelites to look at.

Cicatrix

"The actual prohibitions against idol use, promoting monolatry and centralized worship are from the Persian period or possibly a little earlier. These "Laws" while actually new and novel were cast back into mythic past by attributing them to the legendary patriarch Moses."

Okay, I get it now. Kind of like writing a prophecy after the fact sort of thing.Syncretism in action.

Do you know of any good sources for learning about this Persian period?

Thanks,

Cic

66

Who do you blame for the time you wasted as a DUB?

by Thunder Rider in

jw
friends

think of all the time and energy you wasted sitting in meetings, going door to door and refraining from making friends and having enjoyable association with non dubs.

think about how much of your finite life is lost to you because you were a witness.

think about how foolish you looked, hanging on to the false teachings and empty hopes for the future.

Cicatrix

Myself only. Although I was young when I started studying, I was an emancipated minor. I made my own choice to enter into a contract with the WTS, and I made my own choice to stay and make myself miserable. I also made my own choice to leave twenty years later.

You could say, I was a victim of my own inexperience

30

How Many Here Were Ever Placed On Restrictions?

by minimus in

jw
friends

and for how long?

Cicatrix

" I was unofficially shunned by a gossipy sister who shared her lies with others. Pretty soon, other people weren't talking to me."

Change sister to elder, and you have my experience. I was unable to just explain to others, though. Since the information came from an elder, they wouldn't listen. Sadly, the information was MISinformation that the elder received from jealous in-laws. They were considered pillars of the community (and were childhood friends of the elder), so were trusted, even though they weren't Witnesses.

I was scapegoated simply because my in-laws wanted my house!

33

Hot Off the Press- WE ARE NOT ATTENDING THE MEMORIAL-FIRST TIME

by wednesday in

i have been feeling nervous all day.

my hubby has been out doing yardwork, so we hadn't talked too much.

finally we talked.

Cicatrix

"What "got " us was that we both felt so anxious about going to the KH. U would not think a place of worship would evoke anxiety, but it did."

Good for you Wednesday! You realized beforehand the feelings that the idea of going to the Memorial were producing, and chose not to go. The last Memorial I attended, I had a full out panic attack. If I would have been more in tune with my emotions, as you were, and stayed home, I would have been much better off.

This year, I stayed home, had a nice little chicken salad, and watched an interesting show about Jesus on tv-about the fifth one I've watched this week:) I even watched one the organisation vilified, and it was actually very interesting, and not anything like they portrayed it to be.

I stayed in the organisation for years, because a close friend kept encouraging me by saying "We aren't here to worship men, we're here to worship Jehovah." And I can honestly say, it did me more harm than good to stay.

Remember, BY THEIR FRUITS YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THEM

I hope you and hubby had a very peaceful, happy Memorial

10

A Question for Leolaia

by Cicatrix in

hi leolaia, .

i've really enjoyed reading your posts over the past couple of months.

i was wondering if you've ever come across information on the copper colored serpent that moses instructed the israelites to look at.

Cicatrix

Peacefulpete,
I have another question. Why do you suppose that the serpent incident made it into the official cannon in the first place, since Yahweh seems to contradict his own law against using earthly things to represent him?