Posts by Cicatrix

26

Who or What is God? Who Cares?

by MrMoe in

lately i find myself struggling with the simple fact that i do not believe there is a god, let alone any realm beyond the physical realm we are aware of.

as many of you who know me know i am fond of tarot and astrology, for sometime now i find myself doubting the real significance of it all.

is there more to life than this?

Cicatrix

Those who have doubts can be "saved" and "brought over"? Interesting--I didn't know agnostics and atheists did such a thing! Sounds almost like trying to convert someone to a religion.

{{{{Amanda}}}} I'm newly out of the org and going through similar struggles. First, I want to reiterate there is a big difference between schooling and an education--just ask any prospective teacher who had gone through pedagogy courses and finds themselves throwing everything they learned at college out of their routine when they have a class of students to teach, or any home schooler:) The profound questions you pose and your articulate delivery convey to me that you are a very educated person.

Secondly, I wish you peace and happiness with whatever you decide. You deserve it.

44

I Seened it With My Own Eyes @o@

by Funchback in

things i saw as a jw:.

* the "f" word spelled out on the information board in the back of the hall.

the person used the tacks used for posting letters and talks and spelled out the expletive.

Cicatrix

Well, there was the twenty-something pioneer brother who hit a teenaged sister over the head with a chair while goofing around and gave her a concussion. Oh, did I mention he was the responsible adult chaperoning the group?:)

Then there was the irate father I met in field service who whipped out a shotgun when I knocked on his door. He chased us to the car, gun cocked. It seems his sixteen year old son was sneaking around studying with an elder against his wishes.Poor guy, I understand his frustration now.

A sister had an affair with a guy who was studying (his wife was a witness). He left his wife, but got mad when another brother began helping his wife out (they had a large number of children). He threatened the guy with a loaded hangun.As far as I know, he still attends meetings, although one congregation told him he was not welcome at their hall (they don't seem to mind the pedophile that attends, though).

I'd like to speak in defense of the woman who breastfed her baby. Why do we get so worked up over the sight of a bare breast when a mother is nursing her child, yet decry in the name of "free speech" the right of silicone enhanced women and barely legal things to display their wares in a "tasteful" manner.I've been polling prime time t.v. on my one channel. In the last month, at least one time per evening, a strip club scene is featured, and about all that is covered are those "areolas"hehe. No one seems to have a problem with that, so why get worked up over a mom feeding her kid? Breasts serve a twofold purpose, guys. Get over it. They are not just play toys(although that's a great purpose too):) Try being a sister who tries to "discreetly" feed her baby by slipping into the library (if there was even a place to nurse in the library-at some halls I've been to, babies were expected to eat their meals in the bathroom so as not to offend the prudish-ackk!How gross is that! I'll never forget the time I did just that, and brother zealous on the platform kept asking over the mic system where I was!! It was quite the dilemma. I was counseled contiuously not to tarry about my business in the back and get back to the main hall, yet was faced with the need to meet my baby's physical AND emotional need to be at the breast. All while being reminded to keep it modest. Geesh! Besides, most nursing mothers know full well how to nurse their child without revealing anything.We all think we are so progressive, yet still freak at the sight of a nursing child.

I'll get off my soapbox now:)

12

Watchtower Society responds to Diane Wilson

by SYN in

another handy link stolen from jwzone, which, needless to say, put a ridiculous pro-dub spin on it.... .

and if armageddon is close, then paradise -- relief from sickness, disease and suffering -- is close.

so it's not to scare someone.

Cicatrix

I learned a lot about the methodology of communication at school. The reason why they can't/won't address this issue from the point of the victims could have alot to do with paradigms. Paradigms are systems of rules that we choose to live by. They are derived from our own personal experience and influence from others. Paradigm paralysis is when a person literally cannot see an issue from any other point of view than their own. Let's face it, although there are exceptions, being a male member of the congregation is an extreme power trip. I cannot count the times I was reminded about "Jehovah's headship arrangement" by male members of the congregation. After a fews years of puzzlement as to why I was being lectured about this when I was such a compliant little doormat, I started countering with "Yes, I'm very well aware what the Bible says about being in subjection, and I will be happy to respect and follow any man who leads his family and the congregation in the manner that Jesus commanded men to,"being fully aware that under that directive,I had no obligation to follow any man who was in any way bringing harm to a woman, a child, or another man. They really resented me pointing out their responsibilities to them (even the younger males), especially those who were particularly lacking in that area:)

As far as abuse being tolerated, if you think about their paradigm--that women are the property of men (remember all that "husbandly owner"stuff? Then it makes it that much the easier to depersonalize the horrific acts that have been committed against women. What gets your blood pumping more, hearing that your child got hurt, or hearing that your car got mangled in an accident? When women are seen as property, their needs can take second place to preserving the so-called pristine image of the organization.

The WT responds indirectly to criticism for the same reasons that politicians do-it's easier to cover up lapses in judgement and save face. It's the same reason why they use the word "we" constantly, instead of applying names individually. While they rarely share commendation, they are quick to point fingers at the congregation members in an effort to preserve the image of the WT.

33

Oh S#*t! what do i do now?

by Pleasuredome in

jw
friends

if i survive it thru the coming inquisition of jan,feb & march....what am i gonna do for the memorial?

if i dont go big questions are going to be asked!

i dont agree with the rejecting passing of the bread and the wine... so what do you think i should do?

Cicatrix

Well, Florida's really nice around that time of the year. Just tell them you have a serious case of SAD (well, you ARE sad things are so icky at the KH, aren't you)and your counselor ordered you to go there:)

Funny how hung up everyone got on the memorial. I was the same way. I wouldn't attend meetings or the COs visit toward the end, but made it to the memorial...where I proceeded to have a major panic attack and realized that I could never go back:)

Counselor (hehe)

30

JWS NOT FREE TO FALL IN LOVE

by heyfea in

you know how the society pushes every one to do more, and more, and more....and those who don't do more without a super valid reason (like you're in a coma), are considered not "spiritual", right?

ok, they also tell single brothers and sisters who are pioneers or bethelites that they should only consider marrying those with the same spiritual goals....in other words....choose some one who "loves" jehovah just as much, meaning one who preaches 120 hours a month or works in bethel,etc.....right?

....well i think it is so unfair.. it's already bad enough that we cannot look at another human being from the opposite sex because they are not witnesses (never mind that they are excellent human beings, ones that would ashame many jws)....we also have to keep from falling in love with a pioneer or bethelite (if you are not one, because he or she will not give you the time of day) or from falling in love with a mere publisher ( if you are a pioneer , because the elders will suggest to let it go, and they will try and try until you give it up)( i've witnessed a huge case...that ended in a bethelite and a pioneer dying, litterally) isn't that appaling?

Cicatrix

Yep. My daughter, a lowly publisher, fell in love with a pioneer (and he with her).Not being the sort to sneak around,they announced their intention to be together when they were old enough. But it seems his mother already had someone from a pioneering family picked out for him, never mind the fact that the girl was twelve and he was twenty-one ( I guess he just has to wait for her to grow up lol)! Add to that an offer from another brother who told him he'd bankroll a business for this guy if he stayed single and pioneered,and tada--break-up city.The sad part is, the dubs weren't happy about just coming between my daughter and the guy. Certain people also spread rumors about my daughter's morality, to make damn good and sure they never got together, I guess.Not that I mind. The guy was twenty-one with the maturity level of a twelve year-old. My daughter is married to a very nice "worldly" guy now, who is very responsible and treats her like a queen instead of a doormat.The poor guy still asks about my daughter through the grapevine.

Pretty much in our old cong, the same rule was applied to association. You only associated with those "beneath" you to encourage them, but you never developed a real friendship with them.

1

How to teach.

by happysunshine in

during this time, i have workedin public schools, universities, extracurricular programs for k-12, adult basic literacy, and adult enrichment classes.

my youngest student was a 6 year-old budding actress in a town-sponsored arts enrichment program for elementary students; my oldest, a jamaican immigrant, a grandmother beginning at the age of 63 to learn how to read.

i've taught honors students in a college humanities program, and severely handicapped youth in a public high school.. .

Cicatrix

Thanks so much for sharing, Happy. I hope you don't mind-I copied this to put in my teaching resource info:)

I'm just finishing up my Intro to Teaching course, and a research project that I did this semester on motivating students in the classroom. I was fortunate to have some very good supervisory teachers, and to also have to deal with a little personality conflict. I think I've gotten some pretty good insight on what I'm in for when I graduate in a hundred years lol.

I like what you had to say about lesson planning. I really struggled with my first lesson, because I couldn't seem to find the words that I wanted to say to the students using the methodology that was expected. I've been told by several excellent teachers that once you are in the classroom, methodology kind of takes a back seat, and they highly recommend that I spend as many hours volunteering in classrooms as I can until I graduate (which I planned to do anyway).In the meantime, I get so worked up over being assessed, I can't get into my groove and just teach naturally Do you find that you use methods that you did not learn in school? Do you ever adapt to using teaching methods that you just plain don't like, or do you just ditch them?

Oh yes-you have my dream job:) I'm planning to major in English, and I'm very concerned about aliteracy, which I think is reaching epidemic proportions. I would love to be a reading specialist, but right now my plans are to teach secondary English (love those freshman-they're my favorites):)

17

I put up my first ever Christmas Tree

by Mackin in

jw
friends

wooo hooo.

it's got lights, tinsel, and a big pagan star on the top.

this is cool fun.

Cicatrix

Congrats, Mackin:) This will be the first year our kids will have a tree, also. We're going to cut one off from their grandpa's property next weekend after I get done with my final exams.

We put up the stockings last weekend and did general decorating. When we started, the kids just kind of sat there. They didn't really know what to do. I started directing them to certain jobs, and then they started having a ball. But none of us realized how much there is to putting up decorations, and we petered out before we got them all up.Oh well, I guess we'll get to the rest this weekend:)

St. Nicholas came to visit us, and put ornaments and chocolates in our shoes (big kids, too). All of my kids are too old to believe in St. Nick, but we all have a great time pretending:) He even left us a note taped to the mantle, reminding us to leave a letter for his "brother" Santa Claus:) I got a Grinch key chain instead of chocolate, though-just shows what happens when you get greedy and put out your boots instead of a modest shoe (but St. Nick thought my boots were cool, anyway).

23

Should jw women B obese?

by badboy in

jw
friends

.

i understand that in prehistoric europe that they had `venus' figurines that reperested the `mother goddess'.. these show an obese `woman' and r rather obscene and indecent so please do not show links 2 pictures of any of these figurines.

Cicatrix

I was told by an elder's wife that I should gain weight to "keep the men away." I guess it was a pretty popular reasoning in our area. She told me that she had intentionally gained weight after she married so as not to be a target for sexual advances. At the time, I was pretty thin, but "stacked", so to speak.Many people asked me if I was a model (I was actually so stressed out I was sick from it). I was constantly being warned not to act seductively, dress apropriately,blah,blah,blah, even though I was the most conservativly dressed woman in my age range (I wouldn't even wear a skirt above my ankles, for God's sake).It was just assumed that because of my looks, I was at risk for being promiscuous. The kicker was when I'd talk to a man at the doors. It didn't matter that my CHILDREN went with me, I was immediately counseled to "be careful" not to get out of sight of the car because "You're an attractive woman, and you never know what those men might be thinking." I actually had a CO question me about men's reactions to me. The funny thing was, I was harrassed more by the people making these dumb accusations than I ever was by "worldly" men!

So maybe that explains why the men aren't counseling their women to lose weight. Maybe, like me, they were pressured into it. The ironic thing is, I've gained about 15 pounds since I quit and reduced my stress level by volumes. I have more problems with being approached now that I'm "fluffy" than I did then:)

10

Grandchildren

by searcher in

jw
friends

so hows about a grandchildren pic thread ?.

cameron and savannah.

searcher.

Cicatrix

Oh yes, to all you other Grandparents who posted, thanks and what beautiful grandbabies:)

10

Grandchildren

by searcher in

jw
friends

so hows about a grandchildren pic thread ?.

cameron and savannah.

searcher.

Cicatrix

I'll get back to you in June on this one. My daughter just recently told me I'm going to be a Grandma for the very first time:) Baby's coming in June sometime. I'm so excited,I went out and bought him/her a tiny little stocking (daughter says its a girl-we'll see. Out of five, I was only wrong one time on my guesses).