Posts by NewChapter

2

What is Humanism and are there pertaining values ?

by thetrueone in

so what is a humanist?

having become comfortable with the label "humanist", we are often surprised when people ask us what humanism is.

it is possible that no topic is discussed more in humanist circles than the meaning of that word!

NewChapter

I fluctuate between atheist and agnostic on any given day, because I'm still learning about myself, and not completely comfortable with either one. Overall, I think atheist fits me best, but being flaky and human, it doesn't always fit. However, I'm always a humanist.

500 years ago, people began viewing the world as being human centered rather than god centered, and the climate was right for the birth of humanism. In some ways, I think religion actually reduces morality as defined by most humanists. Take JW's for example. This system is worthless, about to be destroyed, hopeless, and no real and lasting change can be worked for. A humanist actually engages the world and seeks to make it better. Others may view Heaven as the real life, and though they work for social justice, they believe there is a grander solution.

If there is no revealed moral authority, humans must be responsible for it themselves.

And the beautiful thing about being a humanist is trusting humans to decide on morality. Our power comes from within, and we are responsible for our decisions. We are not chess pieces in the god/satan game, and that feels very good. I feel free.

NC

61

Why Would YOU Never Go Back To The Witnesses?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i think my mains reasons would be i don't believe they have "truth".

and i refuse to allow them control over me..

NewChapter

I can't unscramble the egg.

29

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia ...

by compound complex in

jw
friends

you can be helped, for a fee, to conquer your irrational fears.

there is a lifetime guarantee.

my question is whether the above phobia truly does put an unhealthy number of people into trauma; it is not my fear ... please check this out:.

NewChapter

I'm afraid of salespeople. They freak me out. They seem to always be searching my words for an opportunity. Real estate and insurance are the worst. I've experienced many uncomfortable silences whilst visiting with one. Working with them in service was especially surreal. Creepy

2

What is the name of the brother that said some countries might never receive the good news?

by Iamallcool in

jw
friends

i forgot his name.

he forgot the scripture, the good news must be preached in all(not most of the)inhabited earth before the end will come..

NewChapter

I don't remember them ever saying that EVERY country doesn't need to be preached at, but I remember them saying that every individual did not need to hear. It confused me, because the penalty for not responding was death....so how fair is it that everyone won't at least have a chance? Some tried to say that Jehovah reads hearts, but that didn't stand with the argument that the angels were watching. Afterall, isn't this entire theatrical production for them? Otherwise, Jehovah could just read EVERYONE"s heart and end this mess. Geez--they can "reason" themselves out of anything

31

Demonstrations From the Platform

by DarioKehl in

good evening, all.... still relatively new here so if i'm posting about a topic that's already been run into the ground, i apologize.

but i just wanted to acknowledge the typical "demo" we all see at meetings, assemblies and conventions.

even back when i was a good-goody teen dub, my brother, friends and i would jokingly refer to demos as "5-minute illustrations on how to say 'no.'".

NewChapter

ogodogodogod. LOL DARIO! That brought back so many memories. Good job! That is very authentic. Even when I was at my dubbiest these demos made me mentally roll my eyes. LOL The stupidest, most uncomfortable one I ever saw was a young man contemplating buying a new car. I'm so glad I'm FREE now!

32

My Trip to the Unitarian Universal Church

by NewChapter in

jw
friends

so, pretty much i no longer care to believe in a god.

but, either because of my 20 years in a jw daze, or because humans just desire this, i miss the community.

so, i went to a unitarian church this morning.

NewChapter

You going back?

Hey Vid, I went back last Sunday. I really enjoyed it. The people were still very welcoming, and they are so interested in social justice. I feel at ease. The pastor wasn't there because SHE was on a LESBIAN retreat with her PARTNER. LOL They had some talks on ethical eating, which were informative but not dogmatic. It feels good to associate with a group. I did miss the feel of community.

However, if you believe John 14:6 that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and that no one comes to the Father except by him, you'd best keep that

to yourself because that's considered judgmental and unloving

I don't feel I have to keep anything to myself--they don't use language like that. However, if you do believe such things, and I don't, this may not be a good fit. They accept wiccans, pagans, hindus, buddhists, christians, atheists, agnostics, etc, and if you believe that scripture, that would probably make you uncomfortable. they don't consider the bible the final authority, and they haven't read out of the bible in my last 2 visits. They do however respect the bible, but they respect all religious writings---so...

t was nice, not overly anything, including inspiring

I came away feeling pretty inspired. But like I said, they are interested in social justice, where as JW's just wait on the new system. It makes me feel good to have some direction in really helping others.

It's not for everyone, that's for sure. But it made me feel better to be part of a group again. They have much more faith in people and trust them to make good decisions. I just wanted to share so that if anyone felt like me---wanting community without all the garbage they've endured---this could be a nice place.

Right now, some extra meetings available are yoga, writing, women's history, cakes to the queen of heaven, a service auction/talent show coming up next week, a social group for stay-at-home moms. There is much much more, members set things up. Also, they take the donations from the first Sunday of the month, and give it to an outside charity.

NC

34

I swear some JWs don't believe in forgiving and forgetting. It's like a tattooed scarlet letter.

by miseryloveselders in

jw
friends

my dad ticked me off the other night, to the point i had to hang up.

i didn't abruptly hang up, but rather i told him i had company.

we were discussing a sister at my hall who did something years ago.

NewChapter

One thing I noticed, those that didn't like to forgive were rarely the ones that were directly hurt by the "wrongdoers sins". LOL If your husband has an affair with a sister, then I could understand if it takes a while to feel at ease with your husband or that sister. What I can't understand is when EVERYONE else walks around offended. That is the product of the community that JW's built. Everyone's business is everyone's business, in the desire to keep the cong clean. I have started a number of arguments when I've objected to these attitudes. Trust me, the ones that are busy judging and holding grudges don't hesitate to put me in my place, and of course, I then end up on their list too. So many to judge, so little time...

35

Needs help telling my mom that I dont want to be apart of her religion

by LovelyEunie in

i really don't know how to just tell my mom that i dont want to do be a jw, i mean i really shouldn't have to tell her if she'd actually pay attention to my attitude everytime she goes on a religious rant, but she chooses to stay blind and keeps making me go to that place and sit through meetings that i don't agree with on most occasions...i think that she thinks that if she keeps making me go then i'll miraculously have a change of heart and want to stay in (which will never happen).

i don't want to be disrepectful about it but since she obviously doesn't care about my feelings towards it, then why should i care if i hurt her feelings in the process, you know?

i just really don't know what to do, everytime i go to that place i feel fake because everthing they instruct us not to do, i've pretty much done it or will do it with no remorse, and i don't care either way.

NewChapter

I know that minor children can go out in service with their parents. At what age does that end? At what point do you need to be approved as a publisher to continue working in service. I'd recommend you not get approved!

98

It might be better to not even have the Internet. April 15th WT

by life is to short in

ok i was just blown away when i heard this today while driving, at first i thought it was the some old same old but then it went on and it seems like it is on a different level.. the subheading is "guard your heart by exercising self-control.

on page 27 par 17 it says "one way a person could wonder into the foolish course of the "young man in want of heart" is by aimlessly flipping though television channels or surfing the internet.

whether intentionally or not, he might chance upon sexually stimulating scenes.

NewChapter

Some find it best to use the computer or watch television only when other are present

There they go again! Unashamedly displaying their family/marriage bias! I mean, absolutely NO ADVICE for the single people in the Cong! What if, like me, you live alone and there is NO ONE around to monitor TV and computer use??? Who is gonna protect me from porn?? I feel so alone and without direction. I don't know how to keep porn off my viewing screens and there is no one here to warn me.

Maybe I could set up my TV and Comp at my local KH.

38

Need tunes to play when my JW window cleaner is next here...

by highdose in

jw
friends

as you may remember, i have a jw window cleaner, one who likes to whistle kingdoom melodies while he works.

drives me crazy!

so i put music on while hes here and it stops him.

NewChapter

In my JW daze, I used to love it when people played their music because then I could listen without guit. I don't think I ever really gave up my music, as I love it so much, so I would bop along to SWEET LEAF by BLACK SABBATH if a car should be blasting it out their windows when I was working in service. Yes, it was awkward, but I just could't control myself. I stunned an older sister when I told her I knew the song by heart. helpmejesus

Also, I always accepted Christmans cards and gifts without a fuss. People were expressing generosity toward me, and I thought it was unkind to point out that they were wrong. And for the record, it really was not because I wanted what they gave, I didn't. I just didn't want to rip apart their beliefs when they were showing their best.