Posts by NewChapter

12

EX-AMISH SUPPORT FROM OTHER EX-AMISH Columbia MO

by blondie in

jw
friends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udyutkcvwwe.

shunning from the ex-amish view is much like wt..

NewChapter

I lived in Amish country for a while, even called on them in the ministry. I often compare my situation with that of an ex-Amish person's experience. There is a great book called Crossing Over that tells the story of a woman breaking away from one of the most conservative Amish communities. At the end of the book, there are letters from people that left their high control religions and how they dealt with it. An ex JW wrote a letter, but at the time, my heart was still captive, so I disregarded HER letter, but took the rest seriously! How crazy I was.

My mom was in a hospital with an Amish woman being treated for depression. My mom said the woman would watch TV and read Cosmo and just laugh and then say, "I suppose it's okay because I'm in the hospital." When craft time came, this woman rocked. She had like 9 kids at home. Mom said she was very happy. But when her husband came to visit, she would just stare straight ahead!!!! No WAY she wanted to go back to that life. LOL!!

36

Are You A "Dictionary Atheist"?

by cofty in

there is more to .. atheism than simple denial of one claim; it's actually based on a scientific attitude that values evidence and reason, that rejects claims resting solely on authority, and that encourages deeper exploration of the world.

atheism is not solely a negative claim about gods, but is based on a whole set of positive values ... that denial of god thing?

it's a consequence, not a cause.

NewChapter

Newchapter I sympathise with your point. I do wonder though if the apathetic aloofness or detachment from the world of belelivers is realistic or helpful? Many of them are actively trying to promote the teaching of unscientific nonsense in schools, to deny human rights to people based on their sexuality and in other ways mold the world to their ideals.

I think I can defend science and education without getting into endless word games and discussions with believers about my personal beliefs--and they are beliefs, not non-beliefs. I respect people's need to have gods, and it really is not up to me to convince them otherwise. On the other hand, I really just don't think I need to answer to them. It would not necessarily be "helpful" to try to convince them of anything at all. My experience is that if you use logic on a believer, they cling ever tight to their theology. It is precious to them. I get that.

In the meantime, I will concern myself with social justice, expanding my capacity to love, intellectual curiosity, and living my life in order to be happy, not to be an example to prove anything.

Also, this is not apathetic aloofness. This is INTENTIONAL aloofness. I spent most of my life trying to convince people that my way was best, in that freaking ministry, I'm certainly not going to take up another ministry. Now, all that said, I am always open to discussion from people who really want to discuss and share ideas. That is a huge difference. In that case, I am not defending anything at all, and I can totally dig that.

And just to make this point stronger. I do not need to discuss atheism or my beliefs in order to protect education and civil rights. Not in depth anyway. I simply need to argue those cases. I don't necessarily need to tell them why their religion is wrong, I only need to tell them why they cannot impose it on others. I am always up to that.

97

On Jerkhovas Witlesses, Kingdumb Hells, Filthful & Discreet Slavebugger and Pio-sneering . .

by nicolaou in

i detest this type of posting.

it's only my opinion of course and so long as forum rules aren't breached we're all free to express ourselves as we see fit.

doesn't mean i have to like it though.. honestly, can't you make your point without this kind of infantile name calling?

NewChapter

But I believe that people shouldn't have that thin a skin. Free speech is about respecting the right of others to say things that will certainly bother and upset you, not just the things you like. If we censor words lest it offends people, we'll end up controlling the language so that only "approved" ideas can be spoken. Reminiscence of a particular organization, anyone?

Exactly. That's why I don't understand why people keep trying to guilt others into censoring themselves. They keep saying everyone has a right to say whatever, but then follow it up with why it would offend active JW's. It just makes me feel bad that people continue to pressure others to follow WT rules, no matter what they claim their motive is. As far as showing posts to active JW's, well, this is apostate material! It will NEVER be okay to show this to active JW's. You will ALWAYS have to be creative when presenting your ideas. Why should we feel bad for not making that easy for you?

Ah well, maybe after leaving such a high-control group it is hard to give up laying your expectations on others, I don't know. I don't like that they are now naming specific people. Is it some sort of marking? Are they expecting an apology? It's one thing to speak in generalities, but I think naming individuals is just another JW tactic for applying pressure to make everyone act the way that makes sense to you.

120

Start preparing now for 2011 memorial night demonstration ! Sunday, April 17, 2011, after sundown

by koolaid-man in

jw
friends

now is a good time to start making preparations for the memorial night demonstration at your kingdom hall sunday, april 17, 2011, after sundown.

the evils of the watchtower org.have to be exposed and this is an ideal time to do it.

many around the world have been adversely affected by their association with jehovah's witnesses.

NewChapter

I think that even most ex-JWs have just traded eternal life on Earth for a hope of eternal life in heaven.

Not me. I'm hoping to go to the roof. I'm a Frisbeetarian.

I wonder if I'll get an invite to the memorial? I'm only inactive, and no one invited me last year even though, at the time, they were still talking to me. Should be interesting.

42

What are your favorite supernatural movies?

by JimmyPage in

jw
friends

"paranormal activity", "the ninth gate", "the orphanage", "1408", and "the others" are a few i like to get the ball rolling..

NewChapter

I liked Practical Magic, although it took me a few years to watch the ending! I felt so guilty for watching it, I turned it off without ever knowing how it ended. I just watched it again last week. LOL I finally know how it ends!

352

Post Songs of Rebellion, Change, Peace & Love - You-tubes Welcome !

by flipper in

jw
friends

.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyhvpb8g45y&feature=related.

NewChapter

If you don't like strong language, DO NOT CLICK on this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpZm1TstpjQ&feature=related

36

Are You A "Dictionary Atheist"?

by cofty in

there is more to .. atheism than simple denial of one claim; it's actually based on a scientific attitude that values evidence and reason, that rejects claims resting solely on authority, and that encourages deeper exploration of the world.

atheism is not solely a negative claim about gods, but is based on a whole set of positive values ... that denial of god thing?

it's a consequence, not a cause.

NewChapter

Not to detract from your post but I thought this was going to be about people who don't believe in using dictionaries

.

If you can prove to me that dictionaries do indeed exist---I will worship them!

Until then, I reserve my right to give extremly lame responses, and don't feel the need to completely explain and define myself to a believer. I don't want to organize or proselytize or defend my NON faith. I reject nothing--I simply believe what I can prove. If I'm rejecting the notion that there is a god, then I'm also rejecting the notion that ants have pigtails, bricks can think, bees whisper love poems...

It seems the only people that struggle with what atheists believe are theists. I'm happy to keep that their problem.

But this guys sounds very intelligent, and he has thought deeply on what he says. I respect what he is saying, I just don't feel an obligation to defend or define myself.

23

After Reinstatement

by NewChapter in

jw
friends

i never had anyone close to me d'fd when i was still in my jw daze.

but i know that once it happens, good friends are crushed and desperately want that person reinstated.

when they are reinstated, there is a lot of (quiet) celebration.

NewChapter

Any more questions

No, no questions really. I am just perplexed that you think the org. can be reformed. I guess I'm saying that I don't believe you can make it better. You can certainly be better personally, but you will be supporting a system that demands you shun your family and friends if they say so. If you were an elder, you would be marking the people to be shunned. You couldn't encourage members to go ahead and show love, because you would not be supporting the org. and you would no longer qualify as an elder. As an elder, you will do it their way, or they won't use you.

Maybe I do have some questions. Why do you want to be an elder, and one day, be responsible for tearing families apart? I understand if you be reinstated, because the stakes are high. But why would you want to actually feed the sickness by taking a leadership role? WT is not going to change for you. Perhaps you are still captive to the concept. I agree with Sweeny, you should read those books.

AND....What is your favorite book, movie and TV show?

I have too many favorite books to name just one. Right now, I'm very excited for the new Jean Auel book coming out in her Earth's Children series. My least favorite is the Bible.

I really love the movie O Brother Where Art Thou? I'm a sucker for geeky music. Donnie Darko is another favorite.

At the moment, Dexter and Big Love top my tv favorite lists. I also like Rachel Maddow, The Daily Show, and The Colbert Report.

16

Friends dad committed suicide...

by MrFreeze in

an old friend from in the jw's dad (who was a non-jw) committed suicide the other day.

i've been trying to call him for days but he doesn't answer.

probably doesn't want to talk to someone "lawless and demon-infested".

NewChapter

NC, he was ignoring my calls before the incident.

I understand, and it seems likely that he is ignoring your calls for the same reason. I'm just saying, we don't know that for sure. As I said, SOMETIMES death softens their stance, and there is a chance he is just overwhelmed. Probably not. You are doing the right thing--demonstrating love, whether you choose to go or not. They have this crazy evil idea that those that leave are wicked---but then how do they explain the compassion? No matter what, you have made a good faith move, and you can feel very good about that! The funeral service will likely be pretty public with a large mix of people. The father wasn't a JW, so you may get to talk to his co-workers and old friends. That may be comforting.

12

JW Culture Survey: Two-piece swimsuits? OK for JWs?

by Open mind in

up front, i'm not talking about jw baptisms.

we all know the approved female attire is a "modest" swimsuit and even that's not modest enough, so they slap a big t-shirt over the "modest" swimsuit.. .

i'm talking about anywhere else jws and water would mix: the beach, the pool, the river, etc.

NewChapter

I think it depends on the congregation. Some areas are more conservative than others. I noticed that girls were only gossiped about if they looked really good in their bikini. Somehow, this was less forgivable than looking average in a biking. Busty girls--just forget it. No matter what, they will judge that you are showing your stuff, and that will be deemed bad.

They play the old familiar word games too. I had one sister argue that a "2 piece" and a "bikini" were different animals. A 2 piece was okay, a bikini was not. Whatever. However they need to justify their choices, I don't care anymore. I suppose, technically, a 2 piece could be a dress-like object with bloomer-like bottoms. That wouldn't be a bikini. But I don't think that is what she was talking about.