Cicatrix

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Posts by Cicatrix

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  17

  This is your subconscious speaking...

  by seattleniceguy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  many of us have had the experience of our subconscious trying to send us messages.

  sometimes we refuse to listen and it has to resort to more forceful measures, even making us physically ill. for example, while in the final throes of my witness-ism, i found that i would get horribly painful sore throats within seconds of repressing a thought about something that challenged my faith in a way i could not legitimately dispute.

  it was as though my brain was saying, "you need to think about this, now," and then punishing me for refusing to do so.. i was wondering if anyone has experiences like this.

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  Cicatrix

  Yep, it happened to me. I wrote about it awhile back:
  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/49653/1.ashx
  
  The body-mind connection can be very strong indeed.
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  11

  What happens when you loan a JW a book

  by Nosferatu in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  about a year ago, i had purchased a book (new) called "in sheep's clothing".

  i had bought it for the sole purpose of learning to deal with my controlling, manipulative father.

  my mother became interested in the book, and i let her borrow it.

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  Cicatrix

  "I had to chuckle at what she did to the book. IT is such a typical JW thing, to underline stuff"
  
  Lol, Corvin, I had the same reaction.
  
  The ironic part is, when I got to college, they told me the same thing-mark those books up, underline key points. Well, not if you plan to sell them and get anything out of them!
  
  But it's not funny that she did it after you requested her not to, Nos. I'd think twice about loaning stuff to a family member who went against my wishes. At least you got the book back, though. I've quit loaning out my books, because I've lost too many of my favorite ones.
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  91

  ~Post your favorite Conciousness Raising song lyrics here~

  by FlyingHighNow in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  don't we all love our freedom of speech?

  i miss the days when i was growing up when rock groups, singer/songwriters and other types of entertainers spoke out against racism, the vietnam war, etc.

  it felt to me like people were more passionate about making the world a better and more fair place.

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  Cicatrix

  Dust in Wind Lyrics
  Kansas
  
  
  I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone
  All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity
  Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind.
  Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
  All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see
  
  Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind
  
  [Now] Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
  It slips away, and all your money won't another minute buy.
  
  Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind
  Dust in the wind, everything is dust in the wind.
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  24

  Happy (ecstatic) news, Walking on Air...

  by CeriseRose in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been a bit lax in posting, life got really busy over the last while.

  i've had my own business that's been gaining contracts, but not quickly enough for mortgage payments and cat food.

  hehe so i took a 5 month temp job to supplement.

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  Cicatrix

  Awww, that is so wonderful-Congratulations to you and Mr. Pookiehead!! You'll have extra special memories for your "first birthday"now:)
  
  Happy Birthday, btw.
  
  Cic
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  55

  I'm thinking about attending a Unitarian Universalist service this Sunday

  by DanTheMan in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  thoughts?

  opinions?

  experiences?

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  Cicatrix

  Then you would probably fit in pretty well there. There's a well known UU joke that goes something along the line of "There are two signs at the fork in the road. One says "Take this path to heaven" and the other says "take this path to the debate about heaven." Guess which one the UUs take? Heh.
  
  It gets pretty spirited at forums sometimes, but what amazes me is that it can be spirited debate, but still respectful. And some of the topics are very very challenging at my church (lots of uni profs from the science department and philosphy department, lol). I love the forum-have yet not to come away with something profound to think about.
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  13

  Baptist funerals vs. JW funerals

  by jws in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i went to a funeral at a 1st baptist church this past weekend.

  it was for the son of a former co-worker.

  travis was 18 and was about to start his senior year in high school.

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  Cicatrix

  I've been to three funerals at two different Baptist churches (I was "naughty" and attended them when I was JW, lol), and they were very different in style.
  
  The first two experiences were very much like the one you described.The pastor knew the two people very well, and said many kind things about them. It was as much a celebration of their lives as it was a time to commemorate their passing. There was actually NO attempt to get people to "come to Jesus" at this church at all, which surprised me (I had attended Baptist churches as a child).
  
  The last experience was outrageous. It took place at the church that my brother and sister-in-law attend. It was for my step-mother-in-law, who was actually, ironically, Methodist all her life.
  
  The pastor was of the "hell and brimstone type," and there was me,(a known JW), my husband and kids,and several other unchurched members of the family(including my father-in-law)-a great "captive audience" for the pastor.He said very little about my mother-in-law. He didn't know her, so I assume he was reading whatever information my brother and sister-in-law had given him. Then he proceeded to claim that all who did not "believe on the lord Jesus Christ" as being part of the triune god head were doomed to burn forever in hell (and looked directly at my children and I when he said this). He went on for several minutes,graphically describing the horrors of hell (not all of it scriptures, either),which those who weren't working hard on their relationship with the triune Jesus, and towards their salvation would experience.
  
  My children (who were pretty young) were literally sinking down in the pews at the force of his venomous little speech. I just sat there shocked for a moment, watching the spit literally flying out of his mouth (we had been "conveniently" seated in the second row of pews by my deacon brother-in-law), then I did the most irreverant thing I've ever done in my life-I laughed out loud at my poor step-mom-in-law's funeral! I couldn't help it, it just kind of came out when I saw that spit flying. I then grabbed the copy of the Bible that was in the pew, and started flipping it to different scriptures, and read them to my kids quietly. That calmed them down, and visibly shook up the preacher, who actually added something to his little spiel about God being the one to judge. I just looked at him firmly and nodded in agreement, and my kids smiled, as that was one of the scriptures I'd showed them-"judge not lest ye be judged."
  
  This guy's antics not only upset me, my kids,and my husband, they also upset the other unchurched family members, especially my father-in-law (he and I agree on very little, but we do have a similar opinion about hell and brimstone preachers, lol).He won't step foot in any church now, and I can't say as I blame him. Worse than that, it really ruined my mother-in-law's funeral. She was a wonderful, loving, kind woman, and she didn't deserve that kind of funeral talk. She was a very Christian woman, and she NEVER EVER would have condoned anyone talking to her family members in that fashion!
  
  The saddest part is, I later learned that my brother and sister-in-law's animosity had very little to do with my being a JW, and very much to do with the fact that my father-in-law had sold the family business and home to my husband and I.I suspect this little "performance" was a bit of a pay back for that.
  
  Danny-That is just SO WRONG that someone didn't notify you!! It certainly shows the amount of control they wish to exhibit and a total lack of love and concern on their part. They preach that everyone should "love their enemies," but I guess they don't include themselves in that catagory. Theocratic warfare and all, ya know. BARF.
  
  Anyway, I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom!
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  55

  I'm thinking about attending a Unitarian Universalist service this Sunday

  by DanTheMan in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  thoughts?

  opinions?

  experiences?

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  Cicatrix

  Hi Dan,
  I've been attending UU services since April. It seems to be a pretty good fit for me right now. There is no emphasis on doctrine (although there are seven principles of faith that are stressed), and a great mix of folks with varying beliefs in the church I attend. So far, I have met and talked to Christians, Atheists, Taoists, Buddists, and Humanists at my church. The reverend is actually an Atheist Humanist, but is very mindful of those who are not (and she's a woman to boot-talk about a major paradigm shift for me, lol).
  
  Usually, on Sunday mornings there is what is known as "forum," where someone talks about an issue for about half an hour, then there is a discussion period with the audience afterwards. The topics vary from spiritual to political to community concerns.
  
  A church service follows, and the sermons also vary in theme. At the church I attend, they usually revolve around spritual issues or community issues. The reverend tends to keep the political discussions out of the pulpit for the most part.There are often various "rites of passage" celebrated during the service. There is lots of live, beautiful music at the church I attend, and sometimes little skits performed.
  
  UUs do tend to be a liberal group, in politics as well as spirituality. I've heard (but never seen myself)that some conservative people don't feel comfortable attending certain UU churches, but I don't believe this is the case with all of them. The rev explained that individual UU churches take on the personality of their members, so that some are more liberal, some are more conservative, etc. The town the church I attend is (in comparison to the surrounding towns) more liberally minded, and has a more liberal focus, but I have noticed that the reverend has been careful not to preach a certain "brand " of politics from the pulpit.
  
  Many folks started attending the church right around the same time as I, and we all stated that we were searching for some sort of community. The reverend and the various members of the church comittees seem to work hard to organise events that help nurture a community spirit in the church.
  
  So, if you are looking for a place to find community and to explore various spirtual paths and maybe figure out what yours is, I highly recommend trying the UU church.Heck, just go and try a few services and see if you like them. No one is going to twist your arm, or call you if you don't show up the next Sunday;)
  
  
  
  
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  3

  Does anyone know the name of this song?

  by Cicatrix in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  or the album it's on?

  it's by bad company.

  some of the lyrics go: .

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  Cicatrix

  Thank you! I must've been using the wrong key words, lol.
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  3

  Does anyone know the name of this song?

  by Cicatrix in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  or the album it's on?

  it's by bad company.

  some of the lyrics go: .

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  Cicatrix

  Or the album it's on?
  It's by Bad Company. Some of the lyrics go:
  
  Morning sun comes through my window
  All night long I have been waiting
  (We who are constantly moving
  Leaving part of us behind)-I think.
  
  And some more lyrics:
  
  She moves across the room with easy grace
  Mona Lisa smile upon her face
  I who am completely mesmerized
  By the sunlight in her eyes
  
  This is all I can remember. Someone special to me gave me a cassette tape of it years ago-around 1980. I can't for the life of me remember the name of the album. I've been searching for it for years. Tried googling it and have come up with nothing.
  
  Thanks all
  Cic
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  10

  The New Black...

  by Country Girl in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  noticed this phrase appearing more and more in different articles.

  did you know dachshunds are "the new black"?

  http://www.nyminute.com/mt/archives/000301.php.

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  Cicatrix

  I just heard a hilarious commentary about pastel colors being "the new black" this weekend.
  
  "The new black" is a formerly trendy phrase that is quickly becoming a cliche. I hate it almost as much as the word "utilize," lol.