one of my favourite books is still revelation, so much dramatic scenery and awesome events, cascading symbols of events.. what was your favourite book of the bible and why?.
peace.
celtic
I am with Jan on this one. Judges, Kings, Samuel, Chronicles were good reading, and like Jan - it made the time fly at the meetings.
Now, I would say, Psalms, Proverbs and book of Acts.
Have never read the Apocryphal books - maybe I am missing out? Anyone care to enlighten me?
Happy t-day all!
Mak
a few weeks back, kinsman posted a link about a recent survey of religion in america which showed that 68% of all jehovah's witnesses were female, which is the highest ratio of women to men in any religion in the usa.. i believe the reason for this unbalance in adherents in favor of women comes down to two fundamental reasons.
the first is shunning and the second is the appeal of the "family type atmosphere" that the witnesses pretend to offer.. we all know the power of shunning keeps a lot of people trapped inside the collective, and just due to the fact that women are enculturated more with having emotional bonds with others, makes it a bit tougher to leave family and friends behind.
this doesn't mean that men don't suffer emotionally, but the general trend is more for men to suppress their feelings and damn the emotional torpedoes and go full speed ahead out of the bad dream.. this suggests to me, that if there is a major modification of the shunning policy, the largest exodus will be in the female ranks.
Garybuss wrote: Openness to religious thought requires magical thinking. It seems to me more males than females tend to evolve to rational objective thought. With the loss of the ability to engage in magical thinking, religion is an unacceptable concept and the rational person moves toward reality"
Wow - that pretty much sums up how I felt when I was "in", and why and how I got out. Profound stuff? Your words Gary? Or if its from a book - if so I would like to read it.
Mak
for weeks now, i've been trying to put together a disassociation letter - incidently, it's you lot that have put me up to this - and it's nearing completion but i'm feeling nervous about sending it.
the fast approaching christmas celebration thingymajig is kinda egging me on as i want to blaze christmas lights everywhere and not feel nervous about the possibility of a visit from the po who drops the mags in to me fortnightly (i'm generally 'not in' ... ahem ...).
i would appreciate your for's and against's - to either convince me to go ahead, or to think again and stay the execution ...
Alliwanna - what year(s) were you baptized? It may have some bearing on your decision. If baptized BEFORE the new vows in 1985, you may be better off just slipping away quietly.
My wife and I were baptized 1967 and 1971, and decided not to formally disassociate ourselves.
Makena
i just read tyydyy's post on macho men.
kent had an interesting point:.
i'd say a girl would go for a man - and then i mean someone who isn't scared shitless by a girl with brains!.
Andi - don't you know, women that are good looking are not supposed to possess any intellect. You are just an adornment hanging on our arm! You can't have brains and good looks - it goes against nature! ;)
Seriously, I think that some men who have low self-esteem, lack confidence in themselves etc. are threatened by smart, self-assertive women. Also, the women stereotypes in the media - models, film stars (in the past)are portrayed as mostly airheads - you are only allowed to look pretty and not spout anything remotely intelligent. If you do, it is so out of the norm that some men cannot handle it. In some men's minds, woman are not supposed to be equal, and if they come across that way, its a huge threat. Sad.
On the other hand, there must be a lot of men like myself that find an intelligent woman incredibly sexy. If you can teach me things I don't know, your value goes up exponentially.
Makena
Celebrating and reveling in women that are smart and attractive - thankfully I am married to one!
who really fit this description of apostasy?.
*** w80 8/1 17-22 remain "solid in the faith" ***.
remain solid in the faith.
Good topic - all good posts that resonant with my feelings. During my 40+ years of very active association with WTBS, the concept of labeling, marking, or whatever was repulsive - now even more so. I reject their labels, and refuse to label them, because I cannot read their hearts or motives any better than they can read mine.
DannyBear wrote: Most all of us here, suffering deep wounds, from associating ourselves with 'men who speak for God'.
That is why I reject all religion, all those who claim a special position with him. Its the only way I can see, to be free of all the APOSTACY!
Wow - you nailed it for me with those two paragraphs. Well said my friend. Both of us have suffered enough.
Peace,
Mak
i thought that would get your attention.. i dont know if im being perverse here, but i seem to want one last confrontation with the jws.. i am out a good while now.
long enough to stop getting hellos on the street.
what those scumbags did to me before in thier meetings (old h20ers may remember) i still want to go at them again.. i was so depressed about things i really thought about suicide.
Josephus - I too can relate to the anger. After our daughter's suicide, and the way we were treated by most (not all) of the elders and congregation - I would wake up angry, pound my fists on the wall in the shower, rehash things most of the day, and go home exhausted and frustrated. I thought this would go on forever - in actuality it lasted a little over a year, and is progressively getting better.
Having the love and support of my wife, learning new things, exercise, hobbies, music and talking and meeting with others who have been through something similar have been a great help. Reading books on anger management, forgiveness and alternative spirituality helped too. We still periodically visit a counselor and get some positive suggestions and reinforcements.
All this is good - but I still dream about punching out the lights of the PO and few others! :) Would not recommend following through in real life - have no desire to see the inside of a jail cell.
Best wishes for a healthier and happier outlook - it WILL happen!
Mak
for xena and billygoat..... when you're from texas, people that you meet ask you questions.
like, do you have any cows?
" it's nice to be able to say yes.. they ask you, "do you have horses?
Hopefully I qualify as a Texan through my mom's side. Her grandmother moved from Ireland (via NY) to Texas in the late 1890's. Settled between Dallas and Houston in Fairfield.
I have been traveling to the state of for the past 20 years, and have always been made to feel like I am welcome.
I don't care for the weather much, but the land, people and size make up for all of it.
Yeeeeehaaaaaaa!
Makena
Judge: Cowboy, why did you shoot that man?
Cowboy: Your honor, he needed killin'
Judge: Well, there ya go.
seems like the pope is going berserk and blessing everything in sight!.
here's the full story:.
http://www.theonion.com/onion3505/pope_blesses.html.
Cheeto's - the new communion wafer?
Mak
does anyone remember seeing steve allens pbs series - meeting of minds?
he brought in actors to play various characters from history all sitting down together to discuss a topic.
people like martin luther, voltaire, marie antonette etc.
Sorry - trouble with the link.
http://www.celebritiesdirect.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SAS&Category_Code=V
does anyone remember seeing steve allens pbs series - meeting of minds?
he brought in actors to play various characters from history all sitting down together to discuss a topic.
people like martin luther, voltaire, marie antonette etc.
Finally found what I was looking for on Jayne Meadows (Steve's wife) website. Ordered a copy of the two-volume vhs set.
Here is the link for anyone interested:
http://www.celebritiesdirect.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?
All best,
Mak
