Posts by rabotnik

Though the first episode of the American "Queer As Folk" is quite similar to the British version -- I hear the rest of the series is going to be quite differrent. I think there were only eight episodes with the Brit series and the US show will have 22 this first season. Do you like QAF? I've never been into a soap opera before -- but I find my self watching this every Sunday.

r.

3

Observe The Divine Pattern To Understand the Bible

by MDS in

the divine pattern...4 (four) steps to follow: .

yes, it should just say, "you," as in the "anointed seed" of israel, the anointed of god, that was the "jew," or the "man," that god had chosen to lead the nations of the abrahamic covenant.

abrahamic covenant people..."ten men out of all nations," "holding on to the skirt of a jew.

rabotnik

MDS?

Isn't that the name of a brand of toilet paper?

r.

10

Dress, Grooming, freedom...

by Esmeralda in

jw
friends

i was just sitting here thinking about the restorative yoga poses that i'll be doing later to .

help with my stiff muscles, and realized what a joy it is that i have the freedom to do them now.. if i was still a jw, i wouldn't.. i'm not an extreme person.

but i do enjoy the immense freedom that i have now when it comes.

rabotnik

Hi Es:

I presently share a place with another ex-JW and his partner. (OK, it's their crib and I rent out the extra bedroom). I've really benefited by living here. He's been a good friend. And ... he lent me the Phillip McGraw book, "Life Strategies" to read. He also liked it. I think I'll ask my other friend to lend me "The Four Agreements" again. It's supposed to be from some ancient Aztec or Mayan wisdom, right?

I'd like to work on something called "The Joy Manifesto." Kind of a how-to laugh, dance and love your way through the insanity of day-to-day life. I mean, if we have to be conscious -- why not have a really good laugh before we check out? Kind of a beginners guide to hedonism! Any ideas? What are the simple things that bring you joy?

r.

10

Dress, Grooming, freedom...

by Esmeralda in

jw
friends

i was just sitting here thinking about the restorative yoga poses that i'll be doing later to .

help with my stiff muscles, and realized what a joy it is that i have the freedom to do them now.. if i was still a jw, i wouldn't.. i'm not an extreme person.

but i do enjoy the immense freedom that i have now when it comes.

rabotnik

Hi Es:

As a witness I knew I couldn't (or I would be distrusted, marked or expelled):

Be my authentic, spontaneous, unguarded self.

Grow a beard and long hair.

Read contempory fiction (there could be sex, murder, and ideas); watch R-rated movies (there could be sex, murder and ideas); attend the theater and see productions like "Rent; etc.

Pursue any serious interests in the arts.

Read non-JW religious material / attend and investigate other religions.

Build friendships with non-JWs.

Trust my heart. Think for myself. Celebrate my authentic life.

Develop a loving relationship with someone of the same gender.

And while seeking psychiatric help was allowed -- it was viewed with suspicion (You know, you take your brain in for a tune-up and they might throw in a brainwash and wax!).

r.
btw, a friend lent me the book you quote from "The Four Agreements." I just couldn't get into it. The metaphysical coma continues. Has the book helped you?

93

What did you do?

by StiLLinTruth in

jw
friends

to all those who have in some way left the organization (be it disfellowshipping, disassociating, dis-whatever):.

come now, i know the amount of people who "realized that wt doctrine was in serious error" and politely handed in their letter of resignation has to be very small.

the level of bitterness and hostility towards the closest-to-what's-biblical organization has to develop some other way.. what did you do?

rabotnik

Dear Mr. StiLLinTruth:

I'm intrigued by your assembly illustration of "getting on the bus" with the "fat woman." I think therein lies the answer to your metaphysical quandry!

the fat woman sitting next to you with two kids on her lap proceeds to have her picnic, and spreads her stuff all over the seat, with her children annoying you

What is this woman eating? Is it fried chicken by any chance? Are you annoyed because she's fat? Would you be less annoyed if she were skinny? Is this bus equipped with a toilet? Why do the kids bother you? Do you hate kids? Is the fat woman eating potato salad? Did she offer to share? Can you be happy that she and her children are happy to have a picnic on a bus seat amidst unfriendly passengers?

OK, Mr. StiLLinTruth --this is what I want to know!

Mental38

PS: Why the two capital "L's" in the middle of your name? Did you do it just for the 'ell of it?

24

I can fool everybody with my religion!

by mensa163 in

jw
friends

whether i am a lutheran, catholic, jehovahs witness, mormon jew or any other religion i can play the part quite well.

as a matter of fact most of us can.

i can be regular at my places of worship, give generously , teach sunday school, read my.

rabotnik

Welcome Mensa163 -- glad you're on board.

But man am I a bloody mess! I thought you were writing Menses163! Call me Mental38.

Hey Trevor,

I've been buying old folk music records and recently bought a Buffy Sainte-Marie album that must be paleolithic. Anyway, it had your quote on it:

'I was an oak, now I'm a willow I can bend.'

It's from a song called "Until It's Time For Me To Go." Is that the original source or was she quoting or alluding to some previous text?

The best to all,
r.

13

Official Intro/My Story....

by Sunchild in

jw
friends

anyway, my name's rochelle.

i posted on h2o (and now here) as sunchild, everyone's favorite witness-turned-wiccan.

i think that i was looking for a surrogate family.

rabotnik

Hey! Soleil-Enfant,

Recovery? Is it really possible? Good for you, SC. True, you didn’t grow up daily indoctrinated with that post-Russell hustle -- so you have a connection to other realities. For me, leaving that narcotic apocalyptic nipple, finding my name on god’s S&M hit-list, jumping naked into the dark miasmic realities of the 21st Century -- well, I‘m still reeling. OK, maybe I’m just crazy and it has nothing to do with mind-numbing theology, bad haircuts and a briefcase full of religious tracts. It could happen.

You write very well. To write concisely and clearly is a gift. ...and writing a novel? Wow! I envy your enthusiastic industry! (I’ve finished a first draft of a novel titled: "Cockroach!") I understand your relief at being able to freely create without guilt. That can be hard for some non-JWs to understand -- they can’t fathom the self-suspicion and censorship that arises from anything "heartfelt," passionate or original. Yeah, I like reading fantasy -- since reality seems to be such a bummer. But my favorite writer-du jour is James Baldwin -- who is very "real." I guess I identify with his marginalized, gay, angry artist, outraged-by-injustice-but-enjoying-the-abundant-brittle-cutting-shards-of -beauty angst.

Hey, I wasn’t putting your "religion/magic" down -- nor was I pursuing any iconoclastic "prize." I’m just burned out on ALL religious/spiritual brain-bangs. ...and, no, I’m not an atheist or agnostic. You could say I’m currently in a metaphysical coma. But if you’ve found something that illuminates the eternal night -- honey, go for it. Like yourself, I too am leery of proselytizing relig-o-holics. Maybe it’s just being stark-raving post JW -- but I’m reluctant to hand over my brain for a re-tooling, just yet.

Btw, I came across the name of a mental illness called "parousiamania" -- no kidding! It’s used for people who are "ill" with the obsession of the second coming of Christ. (Jesus Crisco, is that a knock on the front door, or what! Met a few of those myself.)

Re: the name "rabotnik." It’s Russian for "worker." I always felt like an automaton when I was a witness. Then, I was influenced by Anthony Burgess’s "A Clockwork Orange." It’s kind of Nadsat speak.

Gotta go, SC, the wild day is calling. Hope you’re healthy, celebrating life, and finding joy amidst the "noise"! May you always be drowning in a wet, yeasty, creative milieu!

r.