Kingpawn

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Posts by Kingpawn

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  9

  Patriotism

  by Kath in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  my boss is a jehovah witness and today informed me that although he respects the american flag he does not pledge allegiance to it - he pledges allegiance to god - therefore i cannot display an american flag in my work area.

  can someone please explain this to me?

  thank you.

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  Kingpawn

  Kath,

  The second commandment (Ex. 20:4,5) specifies not making an image of anything in heaven, on earth, or in the seas, and not to bow down/be forced to serve them. Since the flag has stars and the Pledge pledges allegiance to the FLAG of the USA, they see it as a violation of their religion to recite the Pledge. In 1943 they took a case to the US Supreme Court and won the right to not salute the flag or recite the Pledge. But he is indeed forcing his views on everyone and can't do so legally--violating your right to free speech if nothing else. (There's irony--violating the same Amendment that gives him the right to believe as he wishes!)

  I have to disagree with Sirona when she suggests (maybe) not arguing the point. Granted it's going to maybe make tension at work, but if he tried to fire you and the company and/or public found out why they'd back down quickly. And if you're a good worker that'll help too. But my main reason is that if things like this aren't protested we get more and more used to the silence of submission.

  Edited by - Kingpawn on 4 July 2002 5:5:6

  Edited by - Kingpawn on 4 July 2002 5:6:33
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  9

  What to do when a loved one is sucidal

  by Xandria in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  sucide has been a issue in many jw's lives.

  this is based on professional advice, published experience, and expert opinion, but do not represent therapeutic recommendation or prescription.

  for specific information and advice, consult your personal clinician .

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  Kingpawn

  As someone suffering from clinical depression I wanted to elaborate on some of these:

• depressed mood

A warning sign from a Reader's Digest article that clued me in on my condition was that a person can see something that needs to be done--and that's as far as it goes. All their energy has gone into recognizing it. The same article also said to be alert if he stops shaving--but didn't say why. They no longer care enough about themselves to maintain personal hygiene? I don't know but it makes sense. And someone suddenly becoming very quiet and withdrawn *may* be a warning sign.

• decrease in sexual drive

This can have other causes besides depression. Decreased hormone levels for one. No romance in the relationship, or when foreplay and when/where sex happens is as predictable as a computer booting up. Fatigue from a job or "positive stress" (a promotion can do it as much as a demotion) or parenting. Or the internal struggle to accept an "unacceptable" sexuality. Certain meds (ironically, those for depression as well as for cardiac disease, for example). An impending layoff. The knowledge of a terminal illness.

• fatigue or loss of energy

Goes along with depressed mood.

• feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach or guilt

This I can identify with. I spent years getting a college degree. In the second half, my youngest daughter wanted to play with me in the yard, and I had to keep turning her down because of homework. Finally she quit asking. I got the degree, but it's obvious how much the f@$%#ing thing's worth to me. I work in a meat processing plant on the floor (Production), not in the office. If you've heard Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle" you know how I feel.

• diminished ability to think or concentrate, slowed thinking or indecisiveness

Some meds are known for this too though. Also diabetes--early sign of low blood sugar.

• thoughts of death, suicide, or wishes to be dead

And these thoughts are not always verbalized! IOW, just because they aren't saying it doesn't mean they aren't thinking about it.

Another one: the sad person suddenly seems very happy. It doesn't mean the crisis has passed. Many times it could signal they've made their decisions about how and when, figuring "Soon my problems will be over" and are waiting for an opportunity.

I can't say being an xjw did it (though it hasn't helped). Goes back to an abusive stepfather imo.