Posts by Xanthippe

25

History of Salvations: Israelites and Judahites

by Doug Mason in

my material on the history of judaeo-christian salvations became unwieldy, so i divided it into 3 parts.. i have completely rewritten part 1, dealing with the israelites and judahites.

http://www.jwstudies.com/revolutions_part_1__israelite_judahite_salvations.pdf .

the url links to parts 2 and 3 are provided on its page 3.. i provide the complete bibliography at the end of part 3.. doug.

Xanthippe

Why would anyone create a Creator-God whom humbled himself, washed people’s feet, rode a donkey, allowed himself to be spit on, stripped naked, beat beyond recognition, & nailed to a tree until dead... for the express purpose of being displayed in utter humiliation?

So they could enslave the masses with the idea that excessive humility, obedience, submission to hardship, pain and suffering are good things. Don't let them forget their duties and offerings to the priests, clergy, monarch who's the divinely appointed head of the church.

Normal humans move away from pain and discomfort. They also move towardsomething perceived as beneficial. This is called motivation direction. One repels, one pulls.

Unless they have indoctrinated since childhood that suffering is good for their immortal soul. That self-sacrifice and giving until it hurts is good because look what Christ suffered for your sake. How can you give any less?

6

Animals Have Soul

by glenster in

awwrr see the video at the next link:https://www.facebook.com/animalshavesoul/videos/158795278097284/.

Xanthippe

I've seen this on Facebook Glenster, l love it. Especially the lioness jumping into the guy's arms. It just grieves me to see how intelligent and affectionate the chicken, turkey and goose are when I think of the terrible way we have treated poultry.

Even if we're going to eat them we should treat them well not stuff them in tiny cages where they can't move. Nevertheless it gives me hope that so may people do care about animal welfare now. Slowly but surely the world is growing up but it has taken so long!

17

Celebrations?

by Freedom rocks in

does anyone celebrate valentines day since leaving the borg?

and which other celebrations if any do you now take part in?.

Xanthippe

All of them, but only to the extent I want to. I let my daughter go to Halloween parties, she won a prize for her witch's costume at school. We always have a real tree at Christmas, presents and a special lunch, vegetarian for my girl, turkey for the rest of us. Birthday parties, firework displays on bonfire night. Easter eggs at Easter, chocoholics in our house but I like the cheap Cadbury ones with buttons in not those fancy expensive ones that taste weird.

My husband and I didn't do Valentine's more than once because the restaurants were all overcrowded and the food overpriced. We saved our money for our wedding anniversary in March.

22

Dead Wrong (A Tolerance for Ambiguity)

by TerryWalstrom in

what is your level of tolerance for ambiguity?.

ambiguity is a clunky, uncomfortable word, imho.. .

ambiguity means "open to more than one interpretation".

Xanthippe

I read a science fiction story that asserted that humans have black and white thinking because we have two hands. On the one hand it is this, on the other hand it is that, quite literally. On another planet where people had eight arms and hands they were not at all black and white in their thinking. I thought it was a fun idea.

17

Tattoos?

by Wild_Thing in

jw
friends

if seems to be quite fashionable nowadays for ex-jws to get a tattoo or a series of tattoos to symbolize either their time spent in the watchtower or their escape, and i kind of don't get it.

i don't understand why someone would want a constant reminder on their body of such a horrible period in their life.

on another forum, one woman shared that she was getting 25 bees tattooed all over her body to represent the 25 years she spent in the org.

Xanthippe

I hate tattoos, sorry but I do.

8

My 13 YO opened up to me about her memories of attending a memorial service

by nonjwspouse in

she was only around five when she last attended.

it was just when i began the "for real" investigation about the jw and watchtower, previously believing the public face.

i would agree to go with my husband so his mother could show off her grandchild.

Xanthippe

Xan - I had to come to the help of my child through education, and allowing her to conclude for herself. That way, regardless of what his family members might try, she has been inoculated with education. whew. whew. Years of planting seeds with her, and open discussion ( well talking on my part mostly) has finally paid off.

Good job, you worked hard for the sake of your child.

27

Fear of Dying

by SplaneThisToMe in

did anyone else develop a weird fear of dying and death after leaving jw?

i recently left and have realized for the first time in my life that i’m not going to live forever.

anyone else have these same feelings toward discovering your own mortality?

Xanthippe

I'm not afraid of dying but I'd like to skip very old age. Think I'll sign a DNR. I don't want to be dragging myself around or confined to a bed, I'd rather just go.

Meanwhile lots of countries still to see, people to meet and wines to dink!

16

Give Love to Receive Love ???

by IMHO in

jw
friends

please help me understand this.

over the years i have seen and have heard of many who have changed congregation due to the 'lack of love' shown in their own.

you then hear many condemning such ones as 'having a problem' and 'taking their problems with them'.

Xanthippe

IMHO I notice that you joined the forum eleven years ago. Please believe me I sympathise with you because I have had depression and sometimes I have social anxiety. I just wonder why you are still in this cult after all this time. My depression got better when I left and I have made good friends. I'm not judging you I'm just concerned.

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