Posts by Xanthippe

24

Did You Get Invited to the Memorial?

by Ding in

i'm just wondering if jws keep inviting you back or if they've given up on you.. they haven't invited me for years..

Xanthippe

Nope they were in my street a few weeks ago but they didn't call here. I'm obviously a very scary apostate.

29

Is this a site controlled by atheists?

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

under the exterior of being an ex- witness site, is this site simply converting atheism?.

i pose the question, because many come here in distress and insecurity with the realization that the w.t is wrong but still retain a belief in god.

my personal opinion is the threads on god are not challenged by an atheists personal animosity to believers, they are challenged and become confrontational because the atheist wants an elaboration and factual proof to a believers faith.. is this unreasonable?

Xanthippe

I think because of people using social media for support when leaving this cult, or any cult, they were raised in there is a danger of moving too fast in changing beliefs.

In '89 when I left it was a matter of finding books in the library or book shops and slowly examining different Bible translations including a non-JW Greek and Hebrew interlinear. Then we bought Bible encyclopaedias and learnt about other religions. Then we started looking at evolution, anthropology and history.

When new people join this site most posters are welcoming and gentle with traumatised JWs who are just waking up. A few react with a knee jerk reaction to any talk about God or the Bible. I don't think it is just because they are atheists I think it's because they're idiots. What do they expect people to say who've had their heads filled with religion for twenty, thirty years or more?

Is this site controlled by atheists? Well Simon is an atheist but there are many religious people here who he's allowed to stay. Perhaps if we all remember it takes time to get free of the cult mindset and not launch at new people who mention God or the Bible. Also it's hard to give up a belief of having someone there to lean on and you're right sometimes these are just young kids who can barely articulate their feelings.

I do wonder what happens when these kids who see TTATT but still believe in God are warmly welcomed by all including atheists then go on another thread and see believers severely criticised for their faith. Does it cancel out their warm welcome? Do they stick around?

26

Am l the only one.?The older l become the more hostile l become towards god.

by atomant in

they say you mellow out with age.maybe so but not in my case.l feel its an insult and degrading to us humans to have to live the way we do if there is a god.deep down l guess l do believe theres a god but lm having great difficulty trying to understand why things are the way they are.l dont need a bible bashing from anyone l just feel frustrated and helpless.l just battle on like everyone else but l get the feeling theres a whole lot more to our existence.

Xanthippe

I don't feel hostile to God. I have just come to the conclusion he's not there. I do agree there is a whole lot more to our existence. It's a waste of time getting angry at reality, just try and find out more about it.

Just put any question you like into a search engine, read all the ideas that are out there and after some years, decide for yourself. The answers aren't on this forum, there's not enough room allowed here for total brainstorming, too much fear of other's opinions. Good luck.

5

Eddie Izzard - the Marathon Man!

by LoveUniHateExams in

congratulations to one eddie izzard.. he ran 27 marathons in 27 days, a total of 707 miles.. he's 54 years old and doesn't look like an athlete.

but he sure does a damn fine impression!

he completed this trek across south africa to raise money for sport relief.

Xanthippe

He's got a great, off-the-wall, inquisitive intelligence.
I'd really like to see him live.

Yes so would I. A great achievement, such a lot of money raised. I'm glad he's ok, it was a lot for someone who is not an athlete to do. I love his quirky sense of humour.

35

Memorial mixed emotions...

by Tornintwo in

jw
friends

does anyone else feel 'pulled back in' at this time of year?.

i still consider myself to a believer, believe in god and jesus christ, on the whole i think he taught tolerance, love, acceptance and i think we can benefit from following his example.

i love ray franzs book in search of christian freedom.

Xanthippe

Is it just an emotional response to 25 years of indoctrination? Am I crazy to even consider opening myself up to their judgement or worse, their efforts to make me return!?

Umm I think you know the answer to these questions.

I love this time of year when spring is about to break. Personally I feel more of a connection to pre-Christianity and all their fertility festivals. I am longing for trees to bud and the sky to turn blue instead of this endless grey. For that first smell of things starting to grow when I go out into my garden.

It has always been a special time of year since ancient times. A time to celebrate, we survived the winter. Our animals are giving birth safely. Food will be more plentiful now. Life will be easier for a while. I feel that connection to those that went before.

4

Luke Evans was raised a JW

by Xanthippe in

just watching the jonathan ross show and actor luke evans said he was raised a jw.

he used to go from door to door in wales.

it says on his wikipedia page he left the religion at sixteen.

Xanthippe

No Billy I didnt think it sounded like he regretted leaving. I thought after reading his Wiki page saying he left school and the JWs at 16 he probably left home as well because of the homophobia. That may be what Ross knew not to push, the way his family treated him when he said he was gay.

4

Luke Evans was raised a JW

by Xanthippe in

just watching the jonathan ross show and actor luke evans said he was raised a jw.

he used to go from door to door in wales.

it says on his wikipedia page he left the religion at sixteen.

Xanthippe

Just watching the Jonathan Ross show and actor Luke Evans said he was raised a JW. He used to go from door to door in Wales. It says on his Wikipedia page he left the religion at sixteen. He obviously didn't want to talk about it and Jonathan didn't push him.

29

Is Reading/Writing about Mythologies bad?

by Messhy in

as the topic title says, is reading/writing about mythologies bad?

i read alot of mythologies and enjoy it.

should i stop?.

Xanthippe

@Xanthippe.
Homer is good but he spends too much time lazing around on the sofa for my liking.

doh! @ freddo

31

"Ones"

by Joe Grundy in

(i never was a dub).. this is something which has intrigued me for a while.

i don't know whether it's dub-speak, or us-speak.. it's the use of the word 'ones' as in 'interested ones', 'worldly ones', 'disfellowshipped ones' and so on and so on.. in the 'normal world' we would probably use the word 'people'.. thoughts?.

Xanthippe

Yes I agree that it's meant to dehumanise non-JWs. Describing other people as less than human has been responsible for some of the worst atrocities ever committed. Like refusing to speak to your family for the rest if your life, for example.

29

Is Reading/Writing about Mythologies bad?

by Messhy in

as the topic title says, is reading/writing about mythologies bad?

i read alot of mythologies and enjoy it.

should i stop?.

Xanthippe

Welcome Messhy. I enjoy Greek and Roman mythology. Homer is wonderful. I've also read some modern fantasy novels. There's nothing wrong with using your imagination and being creative. Good luck with your story.