Posts by Mum

52

Should Religion Be Exempt From Ethical Standards?

by AlanF in

i want to raise this serious question: should religion be exempt from normal societal ethical standards?.

i'm raising this question for several reasons.

there is a recent thread where people are arguing about whether religious confessions should be privileged communications.

Mum

Religions should be held to a higher moral and ethical standard, but by the adherents of the religion or faith, not the government. If one is a member of a religion or even a social club that is hiding abuse, withdrawing support and membership will most likely bring about a "housecleaning."

Giving the government more power is not the answer, IMO. Any entity that is given more power becomes more corrupt. Are there no pedophiles in Communist countries where religion has less power? There will always be pedophiles and those who protect them.

This comment may be off topic, but here goes anyway: If clergy-penitent privilege is revoked, the most egregious sins will not be brought to confession. Then the clergyperson cannot refer the penitent for counseling or assist him/her to get the treatment or other help he/she needs.

We all have more power than we are taking. If we all do our own part as individuals, we can change the world.

The best answer is to educate every person in propaganda and brainwashing techniques and critical thinking skills as well as what is and is not criminal behavior, who is and is not a target/victim so that they won't make any organization so sacred that such organization is exempt from consequences for crimes.

In idealist mode,

SandraC

13

2 years later

by Jacqueline in

i met a jw man a little more than 2 years ago.

he grew up in the truth.

i was worldly.

Mum

Jacqueline,

Welcome to the forum. Your experience is unusual from my point of view, but I am learning a lot about the JW experience of others on this forum.

If you have a JW husband who is loving and supportive, you are indeed blessed. That in itself is a miracle.

I hope you find a spiritual family that gives you what you need. Best wishes in your quest. Keep us posted.

SandraC

19

Most Confusing Books to Understand

by JH in

jw
friends

what book did you find the hardest to understand at the book study?

we studied the book "revelation its grand climax at hand!

" three times at the book study, and i found it very confusing each time.

Mum

I concur with those who voted for the "Babylon" book.

Most books by William Faulkner are hard to read, too. But that's another topic, on another forum.

10

This made me laugh :)

by betweenworlds in

jw
friends

this was a cartoon i saw in the sunday paper today.

it's a strip called "non sequitur" done by wiley miller.

the strip is very long so it doesn't ever all fit in the scan.

Mum

So sad. The trouble is that the JW's can see how this situation might apply to other groups, but most of them never seem to understand that this same mentality lives in them as well.

Grateful for all who have chosen to accept reality,

SandraC

22

Seen but not heard!!

by AS IF in

jw
friends

hello to you all, i feel like i know a lot of you because i been here so long and watched you "talking" here so much.

please know that you are all helping many people.

i started to to the e dance called the "lurk" you've all done it or heard of it.

Mum

AS IF,

Welcome! We do have a diverse group here with many perspectives to shed light from many directions. Thanks for joining up.

SandraC

7

Challenge to Family Members

by Carmel in

jw
friends

i am suspect that my family (brothers) may very well be lurking here.

perhaps they will come on and answer why they felt it necessary to support the elders who insisted my brother, who had just come out of an iron lung and was instructed by his doctor not to go to public gatherings attend an assembly?

he became immediately ill due to having virtually no active immune system and died within two days only because the elders insisted the family bring him to the assembly regardless of the medical advice.. so fair family of mine, what say you?

Mum

Carmel, I am so sorry. Shouldn't a situation like this make people stop and think, wake up and smell the coffee, get a clue, see the light, be thunderstruck, have an epiphany, or something?!

I think this is a story that deserves widespread press coverage. What could be lower than forcing someone who has no strength to fight back to do something that literally kills him?

Alert the media! And, as Elsewhere sagely suggested, get an attorney.

With love, sympathy and outrage,

SandraC

6

Being JW did not make me a better person...

by Granny Linda in

jw
friends

no, it wasn't that group of people who showed me what life is about.

hell, their so busy preparing to die that it seems life eludes them.

it was by becoming an active participant in my own adventure.

Mum

You hit a bullseye, Granny L! Those were my thoughts exactly when I began struggling with doubts. I knew that I was a kinder, more compassionate and overall better person before becoming a JW. Now I can be that way again without anyone telling me there's something wrong about it.

I was kind to a sister who was going to marry a "worldly" guy. Her mother later told me that I was the only one who treated her in a manner befitting a Christian. I am not ashamed of that!

I moved to another state as well. It helps a lot not to be near anyone who knew me "when."

Many more blessings to come,

SandraC

60

What is your job/career? Like it?

by ashitaka in

jw
friends

i'm a deskside support guy working for a service company, at one of their contracts.

i enjoy fixing things, although some of the customers could use a good knock on the skull sometimes.. i make pretty decent money for what i am doing.. for me, it's what i've wanted to do my whole life.

i had a computer from the time i was born, and love it since then.. what do you guys do to bring home the bacon?.

Mum

At present, I have a job in local government. I am the custodian/librarian of building plans, infrastructure maps, new construction documents in a large room. I maintain indices of the documents on file. I assist the public (civil engineers, construction people, homeowners, etc.) and people in my department (engineers, planners, their assistants, etc.) with locating needed information. I like my job because I like the people I work with and the members of the public who come in.

In the past, I have been a hotel reservationist, legal receptionist, legal secretary/office manager, French and English teacher, medical office manager, and Human Resources/Personnel assistant. My present job, however, is the highest paying I've had, with the best benefits. I bought a condo half a block from work, which gives me back a lot of personal time and reduces stress immensely.

I am studying court reporting, and I love it, although most people are pessimistic about my prospects for employment because of my age (55). But I want to freelance like Mega. I am also considering obtaining a master's degree in library science online from the University of Arizona.

I consider myself competent and adaptable. Sometimes these qualities work against me because of jealous co-workers (something I would not admit in the past because of fear of sounding immodest). I learn quickly and have a higher retention rate than average. The fact is, I am good at what I do in almost any field or environment. It has taken me a long time, however, to find a work environment that is supportive.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful because I'm not.

Enjoying my day off (another benefit of being a government employee),

SandraC

25

Anna Nicole Smith ~ the horror or not ?

by Xandria in

jw
friends

okay folks,.

this below or the blue eyeshadow ??.

the show is irritating enough.

Mum

On the subject of being "trashy," I wish to paraphrase what Dolly Parton said, as I cannot recall her exact words. It went something like this:

When I was growing up, there were certain women in our town who dyed their hair, wore their blouses too low, their skirts too tight and their make-up too heavy. Everyone in town called them "trash." I always knew that, when I grew up, what I wanted to be was trash.

I would have liked to be more trashy, too, but trashiness won't take on some of us. People have to say things like, "She's almost always late" or "She could stand to lose a few pounds" or "She needs to vacuum more often" to denigrate me. Oh, well maybe I can be trash in my next life....

SandraC, always just a trash wannabe

9

Lost My Job Part 2

by Yizuman in

well, thought i give everyone an update on what's going on.

my landlord now knows i am out of a job and he's super pissed off.

he's going to file in court this week monday to have me evicted.

Mum

So sorry, Yizuman. I recommend that you sell your house if foreclosure is in your future -- you'll come out much better. If you have some equity, maybe the interest on the equity would help you support yourself. When I was about to lose a job a few years ago, a crisis call counselor advised me to go back to school because there are lots of grants, loans and work-study programs to help.

Are you eligible for unemployment benefits? Are there any churches in your area where you can get a sack lunch or other help?

The temp agency idea is an excellent one as well. I have lost many jobs and taken temp work to tide me over. Usually one of the temp assignments leads to more long-term employment.

Talk to people, anyone who might be able to help you over this hurdle. There are resources and agencies to help. Don't let pride keep you from asking.

Keep us posted.

SandraC