Posts by Michael3000

DEEEP. That brings back fond memories of my days at Bethel, & especially of my good friend (at the time) Veron Brown. We attended the Pratt congregation in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. In fact, we built and shared a KH with the Lafayette cong - home of the infamous J R Brown!

Were (or are) you in that area? Ever at Bethel? I was there around 1986 - 1989.

Thanks for the compliment on the post - I was brought up to respect different cultures - but my real "growing up" in that respect, happened during my time in Brooklyn, and later, Harlem (after I DA'd). By the way, you have a beautiful child - going by your avatar photo! And thanks for the good wishes on our upcoming nuptials - we have known each other for 11 years, been a couple for 8 of those. She knew me since before I left the Dubs - and has been my lifeline to the real world ever since. A great friend, and wonderful person all-around; I am truly blessed. Only 10 more days as a single man!

-- Mike

Edited by - Michael3000 on 9 October 2002 12:1:39

Edited by - Michael3000 on 9 October 2002 12:3:23

101

Is it wrong for a white to marry a black?

by gumby in

jw
friends

see if you think this sounds a little............you know.......biggoted .

do you think the opinion from the slave is a little strong in one direction..........nah!

questions from readers wt, 1960 july 15

Michael3000

Wow - neat thread, especially since I am a "white" man and, in just 12 short days, will be marrying a "black" woman.

Couple of things:

Those quotations from the Society's publications are very telling. What they REALLY say to the members of the R&F that are bigoted is: "It's OK to be uncomfortable with the idea of interracial marriage, as long as you don't share those feelings with others. God does not discriminate, but we are shackled with these IMPERFECT HUMAN EMOTIONS, and therefore, don't feel too bad if you can't get along with Black folks - it'll all work itself out in Jehovah's due time." When I was at Bethel, there were quite a few white/black, white/Hispanic, white/Asian couples - both at HQ and (more so) out in the surrounding congs. A hot topic was the concept of "how much more persecution they must receive", etc., and I also heard comments from white "brothers" along the lines of "Yeah, she's beautiful and spiritual, and stuff - but I couldn't marry a black sister." LOL! The small-mindedness boggled me! In "Jehovah's Organization" (TM), what better way to show the world how "unified" JW's were, how it MUST be the Truth (TM), since we are not even bothered by the racial constraints of the "world" - or so I thought, then. Funny, how many qualifications they always put on this "Christian love" they supposedly were the best examples of! Sad how many were saddled with this very conditional form of love - including my own family - but that's another story, children.

Don't ignore or hate your roots, but learn from them - then share that with those that are different from you.

Embrace everything that makes you different from everyone else, but don't sequester yourself from the rest of the world. To do so would mean that you're limiting the potential of your humanity.

Don't be afraid to explore other cultures - you may be surprised at how much you already have in common.

"Different" is NOT a bad thing.

"Different" makes life richer, and more interesting.

"Different" just means something you haven't experienced yet - hey, you can always go back to the same ol' same ol', but try to overcome your trepidation, and expand your mind.

Just my 2 1/2 cents.

-- Mike

Edited by - Michael3000 on 7 October 2002 17:45:20

Edited by - Michael3000 on 7 October 2002 17:47:22

213

Governing Body Summoned For Jud Hearing

by silentlambs in

jw
friends

service committee .

25 columbia heights

brooklyn, ny 11201 .

Michael3000

Hillary(ous) (mis)Step sez:

I have in recent months been feeling less of a need to involve myself in the life of an XJW and more of a need to move on to more creative projects, so it is to you Farkel, whom I have come to respect greatly that I present my good-byes.

Gee, do you really mean it? After this thread, I might be tempted to say "Good riddance" - TEMPTED, I say...

-- Mike