Posts by Chariklo

27

Fernando says we are "all" dysfunctional

by Phizzy in

poster fernando makes the statement on another thread that we are all "fallen, imperfect, dysfunctional" .

everybody.. i get the feeling that this is not too far removed in its thinking from the wt statement that apostates are mentally diseased, now i am aware that fernando is perpetuating the late doctrine of original sin, and his words were about all mankind, not just us on jwn.. but do you believe you are cursed by what a fictitious couple did in a fabled garden around 6,000 years ago ?

does that make you imperfect, fallen and dysfunctional ?.

Chariklo

We are all born of the Earth and the natural process is that our bodies return to it when we die.

I am beginning to think that is the case. I know God likes to recycle and I am afarid we may just be recycled.All I can say is: whatever happens, happens. I had no contol over my birth and I don't think I will have any control over what happens after I die. I will just be the best I can be now.

Yes, panhandlegirl, but when I wrote the first sentence quoted above, I was thinking of our physical bodies. Personally, I am quite certain that everyone will continue afterwards in a spiritual form...or maybe even by beinig born again as some religions insist. I don't know. Who knows for certain? But I don't rule it out.

What I know I DON'T believe in is that 144,000 will sit on thrones "in heaven" "ruling" over the rest of the world, that is, those who haven't been obliterated by a vengeful Jehovah God. That is as much rubbish as vegetarian lions and tigers!

The more I thought about Paradise Earth and the JW's teaching all the resurrected people, those not wiped out, about JWdom, the more like the hot place we're told doesn't exist it sounded. It's utter nonsense. But I don't think life after death in some for or other is nonsense, and I think that living the best and kindest life you can has got to be the right way to go about living now. We do the best we can, as you say, and that's enough.

We absolutely do not have to "keep ouselves in God's love". Myself, I think that is an evil and pernicious book.

46

Odd question in July 15 2012 WT

by breakfast of champions in

what if a powerful government were to hatch a plot to exterminate jehovah's witnesses as an organization?.

they ask this question at the bottom of page 23 of the july wt, and i thought the wording was kind of strange.

the target is not jws "the people" (as in nazi germany) but the org alone.

Chariklo

What if a powerful government were to hatch a plot to exterminate Jehovah’s Witnesses as an organization? Many men in modern times have attempted to do just that but have failed.

It reinforces two ideas: first, that JW's are persecuted, but, powerfully, second...Jehovah's Witnesses are invincible. Men have tried but failed, therefore JW's are of God, jehovah will protect his own, they can't stop us!

It reinforces collective power mania, collective insanity, which is what I am more and more sure the WT suffers from.

12

it just blows me away!

by stillin in

a friendly group of young people came in the drive yesterday.

they all got out with smiles and said that they were looking to put canned food into the "food bank," i assumed for people who need to eat.

i wasn't sure what my wife could part with from the pantry but surely we could gather something for somebody who has much less!

Chariklo

Well said, AK!

20

are you storing treasure in heaven?

by StopTheTears in

jw
friends

the bible tells us to lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

this is true wealth.

so many people have departed from the christian faith because of love for money, whether it be paper money, gold and silver, real estate, et cetera.

Chariklo

Oh no!

I had a kind of sinking feeling as I read the introductory post in this thread. Picture after cautionary picture.

I felt as if I was wading through a new editiion of the Watchtower.

27

Fernando says we are "all" dysfunctional

by Phizzy in

poster fernando makes the statement on another thread that we are all "fallen, imperfect, dysfunctional" .

everybody.. i get the feeling that this is not too far removed in its thinking from the wt statement that apostates are mentally diseased, now i am aware that fernando is perpetuating the late doctrine of original sin, and his words were about all mankind, not just us on jwn.. but do you believe you are cursed by what a fictitious couple did in a fabled garden around 6,000 years ago ?

does that make you imperfect, fallen and dysfunctional ?.

Chariklo

We grow old and die ... that is dysfunctional.

Well, no, Perry, it isn't disfunctional at all. It's entirely natural. We are all born of the Earth and the natural process is that our bodies return to it when we die. Far from being disfunctional, it is the natural way in which Earth functions, part of the overall balance and harmony of things.

9

Interesting news release on the long term effects of being "born again" on the human brain...

by cedars in

jw
friends

i just stumbled upon an interesting article on the following link:.

http://www.philly.com/philly/health/132456883.html.

the article is entitled:.

Chariklo

I agree so much with all of the above.

I know that while I was studying, I was consciously at one point suppressing my training in logic and reasoning to comply with the blind acceptance required by the WT indoctrination process. I also know that most of the problems I was encountering right at the end derived from the neuroses that were magnified among some of the JW's, mainly sisters. But not only sisters. The whole system is psychologically unhealthy.

Five minutes with a Ouija board can stimulate more spirituality than sitting through a whole lifetime of boasting sessions and field circus.Much of this is because they do not want you to find the real truth. Born again Christians, and Jehovah's Witlesses, both have this issue. Even if they are at war with each other, both insist that their way is the only right way and do no further research. That is what stifles their brains.

WTWizard, you are so right. I used to feel very frustrated at the constant misuse and misapplication of the concept of spiirituality. For JW's, "spirituality" means the extent to which one agrees or not with the WT and their interpretation of the Bible. It's nothing to do with real spirituality.

As life is too short says, they really do mess with your mind. I was in for such a short time, but even for me the process of disengaging from it was traumatic. My thinking was awry, and I was damaged.

9

The JWN "Book Club"?

by Bubblegum Apotheosis in

jw
friends

.

has a book club been tried on jwn?.

Chariklo

What do you mean exactly by a book club? On a forum?

Sounds intriguing but a bit odd.

59

On Being a Pagan...

by ziddina in

jw
friends

this video pretty much sums it up..... .

in case you can't see the video, here's the address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdhdmswviea&feature=related.

wearing nothing but thin silk, dancing in the waves of the ocean or the shallows of a great river.... .

Chariklo

NEW CHAPTER- I totally agree. I'm the same way around religious people. The arrogance in their attitude puts me off many times. I feel much more at ease around people who are real, not fake, or putting on airs. Peace out, Mr. Flipper

I am totally with Flipper's sentiments. At hard times in my life I have found real friendship without strings from pagans, when church people have proved self-seeking. I hate the rigidity of doctrine, and the arrogance it reveals.

Love the videos and music, haven't tried all yet. The persecution of witches is something I feel particularly strongly about. I am not pagan nor a witch but feel in tune with some of both approaches.

QueenWitch, I've sent you a PM.

46

Odd question in July 15 2012 WT

by breakfast of champions in

what if a powerful government were to hatch a plot to exterminate jehovah's witnesses as an organization?.

they ask this question at the bottom of page 23 of the july wt, and i thought the wording was kind of strange.

the target is not jws "the people" (as in nazi germany) but the org alone.

Chariklo

I think they are trying to get the JW's to think that the whole Armageddon thing is on track.

Ok, so the preaching is world-wide, just as Jesus prophesied. To the ends of the earth, even.

Now, hey look, tribulation is beginning!...

Mmeanwhile, locally, in the KH, we've been reminded a lot in recent months that JW's soon won't be allowed to preach, and people were being told to get ready to preach undercover just using their Bible alone.

It's really and truly happening, it's nearly here, just round the corner, get ready!

49

Reading is NOT Overrated!

by White Dove in

how do you read?.

i find myself attracted to certain authors and book series.. which reminds me, i need to download the grapes of wrath.. i love steinbeck's writing of historical fiction.

looking into the history of frontier america is so interesting when written in story form.. i read from most genres.. what's your poison?.

Chariklo

I love reading. Always have done.

I read just about anything, but at the minute I am reading all of Tony Hillerman's books I can get hold of. He writes about a Navajo detective. I like historical fiction very much, especially Paul Doherty. Love action historical fiction like Bernard Cornwell or especially Conn Iggulden's books about Genghis Khan.

I very much like books about places, i.e a fictional story firmly set in a place. If there's a map provided, so much the better. A favourite writer is Arnaldur Indridason, who writes Icelandic detective stories.

SweetBabyCheezits mentioned Kurt Vonnegut, and yes, I've read Sirens of Titan and do like good sci-fi. I also like Anne McCaffrey, especially her series on the Dragons of Pern.

Anything to do with history. Poetry. PG Wodehouse if I want a light amusing read. Biographies, and good well-written travel books.