Posts by panhandlegirl

35

The Art of Writing

by Quendi in

gore vidal's death tuesday in los angeles got me to thinking about writers.

i am a writer myself and i know there are many other writers on this forum.

i wanted to open a discussion on writing in the twenty-first century and get other thoughts, opinions and experiences on this.

I have a question: my daughter is a naturally gifted writer. She writes like I wish I could write, naturally from the heart, it just kinda pours out of her. My hubby made the misstep of telling my daughter if she keeps a journal he feels he has a right to read her most personal thoughts (something I don't agree with and feel that should only be done with permission) so now she has stopped writing for pleasure. I've tried to encourage her to pick up the pen again but she refuses. Is there anything I can do?

MsJones, your daughter should learn to write in another language. I wrote in Spanish when I did not want anyone to know what I was writing. Yes, sometimes we are talking about you when we change to another language, but not always.

PHG.

35

The Art of Writing

by Quendi in

gore vidal's death tuesday in los angeles got me to thinking about writers.

i am a writer myself and i know there are many other writers on this forum.

i wanted to open a discussion on writing in the twenty-first century and get other thoughts, opinions and experiences on this.

panhandlegirl

I love to write. I took a creative writing class a few semesters ago and learned a lot. I like to write longhand but ususlly use the computer. I keep my iPad beside me and look up any words whose meaning I am unsure of or have

heard for the first time. I confess that I have had to look up a few words on these posts just to be sure I know the exact meaning. I like reading the what you guys/gals write here on the forum. I believe those books mentioned

by SadElder are required in the English classes at the university I attend. I will be reading what you write. BTW, I get very upset if my favorite pen is missing.

35

Why you love America

by jamesmahon in

jw
friends

it struck me, as i guess it has a lot of people, that there are so many threads from both americans and the rest of us that seem to descend into america bashing.

i thought it might be quite nice to have a thread solely (and i mean solely - if this just turns negative i will call foul) on what we think is great about america.

as a brit who has lived and been over a number of times there are many parts about america that i think are great and thought is would be healthy to have a positive thread for a change.. so a starter for ten (with a few gross generalisations thrown in):.

panhandlegirl

King Solomon said:

Without doubt, the BEST thing about America, bar none, is our Constitution/Bill of Rights/Declaration of Independence, documents upon which all of our citizen's freedoms are based: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, right to peaceable protest, right to bear arms, separation of church and state, etc. While they're not necessarily unique documents, they were revolutionary at the time they were written by offering an alternative to other forms of government that inextricably combined religion with government.

I have to agree with KS. That is what I like about Ameica BEST. I love America because it is my home. I love the fact that we have an independent spirit, we work hard, and we know how to play hard and have fun. We love

sports; Football (Super Bowl Sunday, Baseball (The World Series), Basketball, and I can't forget Golf. I love Hollywood's movies, NYC (which I have not visited yet, but I will soon) and it's plays, Chicago, LA, Dallas, Denver,

Seattle, Boston, Sant Fe, New, Orleans, Miami, all our wonderful and great cities and their people. I once wrote a paper about America being, not a melting pot, but more like a wonderful stew full of different flavors that

blend and give flavor to the whole but with each ingredient retaining it's unique flavor (culture). I would like to visit other countries, but I could never live anywhere else. Oh, I love the Great State of Texas and the Sooners too.

I was born and bred in Texas and graduated from Oklahoma State University. OH, I forgot our Music, We have the greatest music and musicians around!

65

Candace Conti's Attorney Takes the Stage

by Juan Viejo2 in

rick simons takes the stage and tells why the candace conti lawsuit was the right case at the right time against the watchtower.. this is the first of at least three videos documenting mr. simons' presentation on july 14, 2012. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffywyvy9anm.

last segments of this program should be up within a few hours.. .

panhandlegirl

Thanks for the video. I am also sharing it with members of my family still in the organization.

PHG.

27

Who Like Me, Feel That The Olympics Are About As Exciting To Watch As A Dog Turd Turning White?

by Low-Key Lysmith in

discuss..

panhandlegirl

I also prefer the winter Olympics. I like to watch the ski jumps and tobogganing.

126

Who On This Site Would You Like To Meet?

by minimus in

jw
friends

there are a lot of interesting people that frequent this site.. sometimes, we get an idea of what the posters are really like in "real life".

and i'm sure i could be easily surprised by some that you think might be strong personalities because of their board presence, and in reality, they might be shy in a face to face setting.. i would enjoy meeting simon.

simon used to be terribly annoyed by my posting and now i think he's accepted with tolerance my being here.. farkel seems like a grouchy cantankerous fellow but i think he'd be very interesting company!.

panhandlegirl

I would enjoy meeting any and all those who post on this site. I have enjoyed some interesting and lively posts and debates on here these past few months. I will probably meet the Flippers next year as I plan to attend the next apostafest if they host one. The only reason I did not go this year is because I have already taken too many trips this year. There are difinitely some strong and intelligent personalities on this site.

101

Help with Mathematical Concepts, Not Arithmetic

by Band on the Run in

jw
friends

my math background is embarassing.

my public education was very sad.

although i received good grades in college track math courses, i never understood the underlying ideas or motivations.

panhandlegirl

Quendi, I love math and algebra but an not too good at algebra. I'm glad to know there is an expert here on this site just in case I need help. I can never figure out word problems, i.e. if a certain train leaves at a certain time and another train leaves at a certain time to meet it, when will they meet at a certain place. My answer is usually, who cares! I don't know anyone on either train. Just kidding. Those problems are hard for me.

70

Why did you become a Jehovah's Witness ?

by Gnosis in

why did you become a jehovah's witness ?.

initially upon entering the religion what were the positive things you experienced ?.

how did that particular way of thinking both benefit and harm you ?.

panhandlegirl

exwhyzee wrote:

Everthing he knew about Blood Transfusions was what he learned during his study with the JW's. He died a horrible death in front of his whole family because he signed the NO BLOOD paperwork before having an operation and wasn't coherant enough to resend them when it became evident that he was bleeding to death. We were assured that we would see him again in the new system because he "took his stand for Jehovah" yet they wouldn't let us have his memorial service at the Hall because he was unbaptized. New System yes...Kingdom Hall NO. About a year later they started allowing the use of "blood fractions" which would have made him realize these people don't know what they're talking about and have no business advising anyone about medical procedures.

I am so sorry to hear about your dad. My mom died from lack of a blood transfusion also. I was alone with her but I could not bring myself to disregard her stated wishes; she was too far gone to make her own decision. She did not want to die. I have regretted my decision not to give her blood, no one would have known about it.

AS far as how they treated your son, that is shameful. JWs can be so mean. They seem not to realize how far away they are from the teachings of Jesus. They need to adopt the the worldy religion's question "What would

Jesus do?" instead of "What does the WTS demand that I do/say." I hope your son made it okay.

70

Why did you become a Jehovah's Witness ?

by Gnosis in

why did you become a jehovah's witness ?.

initially upon entering the religion what were the positive things you experienced ?.

how did that particular way of thinking both benefit and harm you ?.

panhandlegirl

Had no choice. I was practically a born-in. I liked the woman who studied with our family. I hated going to the KH; it interfered with my play time. We had no Christmas tree, gifts, parties; couldn't participate in extra curricular

events at school.I grew up in a Phillips Petroleum Camp/Housing and could not associate with my wordy friends. I got used to studying the WT every week and became a believer, got baptized at the age of 11.

During my teens, I was always in trouble because I wanted to have fun with my friends. My older sister found out I was at a dance once and came and dragged me out of the dance in front of all my friends. I could not date

worldy boys so I married a jw. After marriage (at 17,he was 18), I became an exempary witness, my son was in the Ministry School when he was in second grade. I dragged my two children out in service every Saturday until

they were in middle school. I became disillusioned with the borg when I was in my early thirties but I stayed in for another ten years. I faded but was caught up in the 80's purge (which I knew nothing about until I came to this

site). Like others here, I wish I had never heard of this cult but it's too late now. I remain confused about what I believe, but I know the borg is a fraud. I no loger fear the end or Armageddon. I am free, free at last.

52

Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses is NOT the same as the doctrines leaving you

by Terry in

if you grow up speaking english and you move to mexico you don't automatically speak spanish, know customs, understand currency, possess skills.

for self-support or have any special insight into latino mindset.. .

why would you expect leaving jehovah's witnesses would leave you any less ill-equipped to navigate the real world?.

panhandlegirl

earthfire, your congregation was dysfunctional! The organization claims to be different from the world, having higher morals and living up to them, but they are just like the rest of the world. In fact, they are worse because they claim to be the only ones God approves of and that he will save from destruction. I have seen some of the things you described in some of the congregations I have attended, although the sins and bad deeds were not concentrated in one cong. My female cousin put me down for speaking to my df'd brother at a funeral saying: "I would never let a man come between me and Jehovah." All the while, she was having sex with another sister's elder husband.

BOTH wrote:

The reptilian brain in me still fears demons. Even when I totally am absorbed and enjoying "wordly activities," I pause and consider that I would never know such joy if I remained in the Witnesses. Everytime I see a child celebrating a birthday or Christmas, I hurt for my inner child. My profession would be condemned by them. All my volunteer work in many causes condemed/condemns me. There is a deep struggle between the child in me (which wonders if I made the right choice.

I share your feelings. I fear the same things. It is just difficult to get long-held beliefs out of your mind/brain. It is a constant struggle for many of us, especially for those of us who have never known any other belief.