Posts by caves

17

Reversed Shunning

by Difido in

i dont post really.

probably because i'm full of discord and shame about this religion.

i'm embarrassed, but working thru it.

caves

Difido, I can absolutely relate what you wrote.

Personally I was embarrassed 100% of having been a jw. So I didn't tell anyone much. I had to eventually get some therapy in my case. Even when I started posting here on this forum I felt shame wash over me and I struggled big time with those feelings. I didn't see that one coming. So I totally get that.

As far as reverse shunning. This is what I feel I embody as a person in regards my jw bio family and old jw friends that shunned me. I realized that after all my reaching out and being scapegoated and hurt thousands of times to many, I had to take my stance. I kind of secretly judged myself for shunning them in return. Now I don't. What peace of mind I may have left, I'd like to keep it.

I felt/feel like the damage is to extensive and even forgiveness pushes me to far. Some things it may not be healthy to 'forgive and forget'. I don't have to walk around pissed at them, but I sure as heck have control over what they know about me and control over whether or not I talk to any of them. I choose to not talk to them, any of them. Like I said, for my own peace of mind. And maybe their protection .lol.just keeping it real.

What I struggle with time to time is, I do get nostalgic thinking about some of the past and for a brief moment, I feel like saying hello to some of them. Then when my mind goes there I am suddenly off of those nostalgic thoughts and have to inject a bit of 'past results from that way of thinking' to snap me out of it. Which is a bit painful but I'm getting a lot better at it and turning those thoughts around much more quickly. It can be a challenge. Sure has been one for me.

Not sure if that made sense, just wanted you to know you are definitely not alone.

19

Disunited States of America?

by jwleaks in

jw
friends

recognizing that their states have one integrated regional economy, delaware governor john carney, new york governor andrew m. cuomo, new jersey governor phil murphy, connecticut governor ned lamont, pennsylvania governor tom wolf, and rhode island governor gina raimondo today announced the creation of a multi-state council to restore the economy and get people back to work.

this announcement builds on the states’ ongoing regional approach to combatting the covid-19 pandemic.. the coordinating group – comprised of one health expert, one economic development expert and the respective chief of staff from each state — will work together to develop a fully integrated regional framework to gradually lift the states’ stay at home orders while minimizing the risk of increased spread of the virus.. https://news.delaware.gov/2020/04/13/governor-carney-and-five-governors-announce-multi-state-council-to-get-people-back-to-work-and-restore-the-economy/.

meanwhile on the west coast:.

caves

After backing off the news for a few days and much thought, I feel that Trumps actions (not tweets or the wording he uses) regarding this Covid-19 pandemic has been pretty good. He has shown some interesting resilience and dare I say, a bit of benevolence. Actions do speak louder than words.

In regards the the question- Disunited States of America ?

I personally don't think the US is as divided as the media makes it out to be. I think before the age of instant communication, the people of the US have thought these things (political divided view points) and communicated them with their friends, family and peer group. To me it only seems "in your face" because its instant and much of the internet political, talk takes place anonymously.

Example - I remember when Bush Jr. was in office and I cant tell you how many people I knew threw or organized rallies in opposition to his policies. I even attended some, as some of those people were my close friends and I supported their right to express whatever they felt. They knew my stance on Bush Jr. , which was I liked him. They didn't seem to mind. So we were divided in politics but never as friends. Never before did I feel so close to people as I did then. To have differing views and still have each others back despite it.

I'm seeing that now. I have a friend, a couple of them in fact, that we just don't agree with the others stance at all. One I just hung out with yesterday and we briefly chatted about it and moved on with our day together (6ft apart). Another friend we have mutually decided that our friendship is much to precious to talk politics so we don't and low and behold we still love each other and check in to make sure the other is okay.

There are basic brass tack human emotions and needs that have nothing to do with politics. It is those places I see (choose to see) that I will continue to find common ground on a human level.

No big deal and this is not a humble brag at all but I've met Bush Jr. and Sr. on Bush Jr's ranch near Crawford, TX at a function. I can tell you that that dude works his butt off in the hot sun both on his ranch and serving the people (like a waiter) that were his guests. What you see on TV isn't always the best gauge of a person behavior or actions. Bush's private personality is really playful and funny.

Never met Trump but I can tell you that I have known some really spoiled rich trust fund babies that took their parents money and never hung out with them much less agree with/or align with them except for a handout of money. I do see Trump protecting his younger son from the media. I do see all of his adult kids in lock step with him. And he protects his wife from media onslaught. That speaks volumes, like it or not.

We are not as divided as the media makes it out to be.

------------------------

So can a US President unilaterally declare war? No. But do the same thing and call it a conflict or something and you are good to go.

There is much pressure behind a President to declare anything. It comes from many different angles. This seems to provide an accurate breakdown on war declarations in the USA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_war_by_the_United_States

27

Epicurean Paradox

by Tahoe in

.

caves

Nice chart.

I was thinking the other day, if I remember correctly, that according to jws that Michael (Jesus) helped create the other angels and if that is true then Jesus created Satan. Would that make Jesus Satan's father of sorts? Now that Jesus is king according to jws, Jesus is advancing war on his creation, his son, Satan.

Conversely if jeho made Satan then they(jesus) and (satan) are brothers. In any case, thinking on it its so completely wack to me.

But so is jeho putting a tree in the Garden of Eden that you couldn't eat from as a "test". Yet jeho doesn't want to be tested himself. Such crap. Especially minuscule weak humans. How in the world could a human possibly "test" this jehovah as he is advanced in the jw beliefs? Oh wait, Satan did and then jeho passed the buck off to little itty bitty humans? Insane god!

Making believe it (the bible crap) happened, If I were an angel. I would have made that snake talk too.

I look back now and just shake my head.

38

Has Anyone Had Chinese Food Lately?

by minimus in

jw
friends

since this virus, i have noticed that nearly all of the take out joints in my area are closed.

.

caves

2+2=5, LOL. Your comment tickled me.

Minimus-In Arkansas, do they really have good Chinese food?

As someone who lived many years in Arkansas, they have 'Chinese' food if thats what they want to call it. So bland. If there are good Chinese restaurants in AR I have never had any. They have some good Thai places.

To answer the question. No I haven't. Missing it. There's a place in town that I would go to because its relatively good and the servings could feed a small village. One take out meal would last me 3 days. But they are closed.

I try to steer away from 'made in china' as much a I can, when I can. I try to buy German as much as possible. German things are made to last, such good quality. I also tend to buy Spain and Italian products as well when I'm able.

19

Disunited States of America?

by jwleaks in

jw
friends

recognizing that their states have one integrated regional economy, delaware governor john carney, new york governor andrew m. cuomo, new jersey governor phil murphy, connecticut governor ned lamont, pennsylvania governor tom wolf, and rhode island governor gina raimondo today announced the creation of a multi-state council to restore the economy and get people back to work.

this announcement builds on the states’ ongoing regional approach to combatting the covid-19 pandemic.. the coordinating group – comprised of one health expert, one economic development expert and the respective chief of staff from each state — will work together to develop a fully integrated regional framework to gradually lift the states’ stay at home orders while minimizing the risk of increased spread of the virus.. https://news.delaware.gov/2020/04/13/governor-carney-and-five-governors-announce-multi-state-council-to-get-people-back-to-work-and-restore-the-economy/.

meanwhile on the west coast:.

caves

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.......

And a Captain needs crew. Otherwise he is captain only in his mind.

Piss poor when these are the sayings of a president DURING A PANDEMIC and frankly a world wide great depression!

Makes me think its all made up. Its all a game of ratings. On both sides.

As in, America has been a dictatorship disguised as a democracy for several decades. And this is the new spokes person.

I think i'll just sit these convos out from now on. To much from all angles.

11

I am agreeing with Trump on the need to Nationalize issues that affect the entire nation.

by RubaDub in

jw
friends

i'm generally not a trump fan but i do agree that things that affect the entire country should be handled in a centralized manner.

trump is stating that he will dictate when the states can open up again.

many governors, dems and reps, are fighting that saying that they have the power, not the president.

caves

The same applies to other national issues such as elections. Having 50 separate "national" elections just doesn't make sense when a President is being chosen to represent the entire country. Have one national election and that is it.

Fromwww.usa.gov> elections.

In the Electoral College system, each state gets a certain number of electors based on its total number of representatives in Congress. Each elector casts one electoral vote following the general election; there are a total of 538 electoral votes. The candidate that gets more than half (270) wins the election.

Looks national to me. Or something!

What an interesting game you play Rub. Do you have to shift sideways on each ass cheek when you straddle that fence your on? Or is there one side you prefer over the other?
That's a joke. (last sentence of your bio)

I'm really not sure what to think after this last few days. I have opinions and ironically in line with much of what trump talks about. But there are some fundamental things that go against a particular values I carry.

I do prefer my right side of the ass cheek when I sit on a fence.lol

Interesting times.

24

My dad is now a ministerial servant tonight

by Wagurl in

my dad just became mistrial servant should i move out i’m almost 18. what the hell should i do?

.

caves

In this instance, fake till you make it.

Unless your being abused, personally I would think that staying should be ok. You don't have to tell them what you really feel about the jw organization.

If I remember correctly, jws excuse/reasoning or rational for telling a lie is 'when someone is not entitled to hear the truth'.

Conversely if you have a place to go that is a safe and fostering place where you can grow then do that.

Other wise, maybe keep your ear to the ground about a place of your own and until then stick it out.

What are the benefits of you leaving and what are the draw backs? Carefully weigh them.

656

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) - Status Update Thread

by Simon in

jw
friends

this topic is to focus on status updates & advice (no opinion or politics please).. status.

latest status is that it's serious, probably isn't going to be contained and most large companies are making contingency plans, cancelling large events etc... which i don't think would happen if it was just people being alarmist.

the incubation period means it may have already spread further and infected many more people than are currently known, so expect jumps in the numbers over the coming days and weeks.. tracking.

caves

Slimboyfat- There is some evidence, but its really to soon to tell in the long run.

For instance, if I get pneumonia like I used to get over and over again, I could very well have lasting lung damage, like I do now. I have two nodules in my lungs from years of what seemed never ending pneumonia. They are the same as they were 10 years ago as they are now. But, If the doctor was to, or when they have ex-rayed my lungs right after a bout of pneumonia they have shown that those nodules or scar tissue being inflamed for months, giving a false reading.Then they go back to the way they were.

I've gone thru it enough to not let them ex-ray me for a few months so they do not scare the crap out of me having multiple test over the next months after, only for them to see that they got a bit to 'gung ho' with tests to soon. That's is my case.

I'm not saying it wont have lasting effects. I'm saying that to really get a clear picture of "lasting damage" will take some years to come to a conclusion on lasting damage to healthy individuals vs lasting damage to individuals who had underlying health problems to begin with.

Those are my thoughts. I just don't see how they can conclude this with certainty yet.

27

2020-04-10 Congregation Donations by Electronic Funds Transfer!

by Atlantis in

jw
friends

well as usual, the watchtower wants to make sure the rank & file keep the money coming in.

even if the jw's have nothing to eat.. 2020-04-10--congregation donations by electronic funds transfer.

https://docdro.id/himg31q.

caves

I've known some members of the cong to cover what was lacking in funds for the monthly upkeep and kh payments. Usually some 'well to do' elder. I'm willing to bet that there are many congs that a few of the members cover the remaining 40% that is lacking.

32

Differences between UK and US Corona Virus TV Updates

by ThomasCovenant in

jw
friends

i'm in the uk, and most days over the last 2 weeks i've watched the 5pm uk government update on the corona virus situation which includes questions from the media.

generally speaking i've found the whole update, including the questions and answers, to be respectful, informative and non combative, with, to the best of my recollection, very little mention of politics and blame.

certainly no political point scoring.

caves

Cofty-Stop being so bloody hysterical.

That is the difference, in my opinion. The level of hysteria.

US Headline - Boris Johnson on his last breath is rushed to an IC unit fighting for his life while Trump aims to send all American stock piles of PPE to Britain to help the Prime Minister, leaving Americans to fend for themselves.

UK Headline- Boris Johnson has been admitted to the IC unit 7 days after testing positive for coronavirus. US President Trump offers help if needed.

That is how I see the difference.

Sure there are sensational headlines in the UK but nowhere near like the US.