SEAKEN2001

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Posts by SEAKEN2001

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  30

  Purpose of life

  by ItsJustMe in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the ageold question that i'm sure we have all given some degree of thought to...what is the purpose of life?

  anyone have a theory/opinion they would like to share?.

  my personal opinion on this is not solid enough yet to be considered a belief.

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  SEAKEN2001

  I think the question should be: "What is my life's purpose?"

  All that really matters is what we make of our own lives. If we have achieved happiness in our own lives than perhaps we have fulfilled our purpose. Maybe bad people serve to teach the good people that it's better to be good.

  And I agree with Frenchy, as a species we seem to moving toward something not achievable in this life. Why deprive yourself of your happiness because you can't come to terms with not knowing the answers? Better to resign yourself to the fact that you will never know the answers in this life and just get on with living. The answers will catch up to you later.

  Sean
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  32

  But, we want to be free!!

  by ThiChi in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  man: we want to be free, and want no god telling us how to live.. god: fine, do your own thing.. after numerous murders, genocide, and other evils, we hear this:.

  man: i can't believe in a god who would allow all this evil to happen .

  and not intervene to prevent it.. god: why not?

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  SEAKEN2001

  ThiChi,

  I haven't seeen you make any point. You're making a fuss but you aren't making any sense. Perhaps you're here just to stir up trouble? Won't get far. We'll just ignore you. So, start making some sense. If you want an argument you'll need better presentation and less insults.

  BTW, your summation of the Judea/Christian explanation of God's dealing with man is far short of "truth", and it's amazing to me that Adonai thinks there is a relation.

  You are just presenting your idea of what happened to eventuate in this state we find ourselves, an idea that many of us have long rejected having realized we were fooled by the smooth talk of men puffed up with pride. After reviewing and studying the matter, many here, myself included, do not see any proof that God has ever had any conversations with men or women. If a god were inclined to communicate with humans now would be a good time. But it is silent. All we have are a few deluded prophets who presume to speak in the absence of a divine presense. None of these self-appointed spokesmen have got it right yet.

  If there is anything close to proving God's influence in human life it is the love and goodwill that people show to one another voluntarily, on their own, whether the believe in a god or not. Your presumption that our human race is mired in nothing but poop is nonsense. There is good right along with the bad. It's always been that way. I think it will always be that way. There is a scripture that says there is nothing new under the sun. That same part of the Bible seems to indicate that it is futile to try and qualify our lives by any standard other than to see good in ones life. If you are able to achieve that in your life than you will be truly free. Some eastern religions have a similar idea. The fundy idea that we can't be free without God's rules is founded on nothing.

  Sean

  Sean
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  49

  To: Ex-JW Women - Your Side

  by Amazing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ex-jw women: i, and i assume other ex-jw men, would enjoy hearing your views, opinions, feelings, analysis, and conclusions about your jw experience.

  how did you feel about your husband, fathers, brothers, elders, ms's, and other women in the organizations?

  did you generally feel oppression, and why?

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  SEAKEN2001

  Thanks for starting this thread Amazing.

  I am enjoying reading the comments of the women here. You have made me cringe, shake my head, laugh, and generally feel for your plight. What a shame that more of us men cannot seem to get it through the head that women are in many cases more capable than the men who get assigned to a particular duty, both in Church activity and society in general.

  I will always be appreciative to the many fine women who helped form my personality when a pioneer and bethelite. I never objected to being taught by a wise sister and have been imeasurably improved by listening to their advice.

  I especially squirmed when reading the part about helping with the chores and getting flowers for your wife. I do not do so good with this anymore and am ashamed that I don't try harder to help with the housework. My mom always had us boys working around the house and I learned to do the domestic chores very well so I have no excuse. Maybe it is partly that my wife, being an active JW, is trying to win me over without words, when in fact she's pissed that I just sit here and read and write on this computer. Hmmm, I guess I'll get up and clean the kitchen!

  Keep it coming ladies. Your expressions are very good.

  Sean
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  39

  What made you a JW?

  by radar in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  why did you become a dub?.

  a hope for something better?.

  an acceptance that your parents religion was the truth?.

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  SEAKEN2001

  RAW or RIT, depending on terminolgy. (RAW favored now since T was supposed to stand for Truth. Not!)

  My parents were RAW, making us kids third generation J-dubs. I had little exposure to other religions, except for Catholic. I figured the others didn't have the truth so I stayed with the Witnesses. I experienced the typical "spirit" direction in my life and was truly happy as a young lad. I took the "Truth" seriously but as I grew to adulthood I started taking myself less seriously. This allowed me to see other people, especially those who were not Witnesses, with more respect. When my parents finally wised up and told me the real scoop, I was ripe for the picking. I was already leaning toward the idea that not only JW's were acceptable to God and this was changing my typical zeal for the witness work. I didn't have to be pushed too long before I realized that what we were a part of was a controlling cult. I walked away and started over. These days I tend to see most religion as controlling and as cults. I hope I can someday lead my wife and her family away from this life-limiting nonsense.

  Unfortunately, this JW stuff is relatively new to them, having come in after 1975. They simply do not have enough personal history to connect the dots. Unless something happens to affect them personally I don't think any of them have any hope of walking away soon. I don't wish bad things on anyone but it was the bad treatment of my family that convinced me to investigate. If not for that personal question I probably would still be in and happy as a clam. I knew the Bible very well, as the Witnesses taught it. I could make it work in defense of our beliefs as good as anyone. When I dsicovered my error and started reading what the Bible really said I began to realize that we can make the Bible say whatever we want it to say. I don't buy the argument by some here that only people with no knowledge of the Bible become Witnesses. It does not have a direct relationship. The Bible is not a manual for truth. Having no knowledge or much knowledge doesn't really matter. I think the reasons are usually more personal.

  Sean
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  38

  Is anyone near me?

  by Sky in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was wondering if anyone on this forum is near cincinnati?.

  thats where i be, and i be lonely!.

  peace to all!.

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  SEAKEN2001

  Two states away in Upsate New York. Catskill Region next to the Hudson Valley. Never been to south part of Ohio. Go through Cleveland and Sandusky every now and then on my way to visit my brother in Wisconsin.

  Sean
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  17

  A poem in memory of my mom.

  by SEAKEN2001 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've never really attempted poetry and don't really understand it completely.

  but i do like it and i was inspired to make this post after reading ashitaka's fine poem in eulogy of his grandfather.

  i've been asked by a few who were present at my mother's funeral and wake to go ahead and post a part of my eulogy here.

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  SEAKEN2001

  Hi lady Rock. I'm flying blind here but I think I put the pieces together. If I'm correct about you and the Rockster, I had the pleasure of your sister's presence at my wedding. We once were great friends and I miss that.

  I suppose I have been trying to stay under the J-dub radar as well but I am getting tired. I have no friends and it wears on me. I prefer socializing and hanging with other people. But my stand on this religious thing has cut me off from everyone I used to asociate with. So, something is going to have to give. I won't be able to hide my activities in this small community here. I guess I'll get the axe when it becomes generally known that I am not mearly "inactive" but an active "apostate".

  My love to you and your husband,
  Sean
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  42

  Did Crisis of Conscience damage you?

  by Mulan in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it has been suggested, by a man we know, that those who read crisis of conscience, are left with a feeling of despair and are "cast adrift" after reading it.

  it is his opinion that the book shouldn't have been written, because it does harm to people.

  i do not agree, and would like to hear from anyone who has an opinion to share, so i can print all this out and show it to him.. comments, everyone, please????

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  SEAKEN2001

  "It has been suggested, by a man we know, that those who read Crisis of Conscience, are left with a feeling of despair and are "cast adrift" after reading it. It is his opinion that the book shouldn't have been written, because it does harm to people. "

  Marilyn,

  He is entitled to his opinion. But maybe it will change with time. It doesn't follow that because people would be hurt that the book should not be written. Notice, I said hurt, not "harm". I don't think it is harmful for people to be hurt. What is harmful is how people react to being hurt. I was hurt. Completely unstrung, for a short while, after learning the things contained in CofC. But I was better for it. Perhaps your friend has not yet accepted the reality of life that many of have accepted, that life hurts. But it can also be so wonderful. It was refreshing to know that there are endless unknowns and that no Society is used by God to direct things. Freedom of thought and expression. That is very liberating for some people. Others do not like it when they have to choose for themselves what is right or wrong. Maybe after he gets used to it he will change his mind.

  Sean
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  13

  How to help an active jw to go out??

  by Nicolas in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  one of my sister who is a jw is still trying to keep contact with us and she's is supposed to shun us.

  the problem is that i don't know if i want to see her again, we have almost nothing in common and i see her just once a year but she continue to send us letters at every months and she always told us that she love us.

  i would like to do something to make her realize that the wbts doesn't have the truth but i know that she will consider me as an apostate if i say something bad about the jw.. black holes are where god divided by zero.

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  SEAKEN2001

  I have to agree with Nathan here. If she is happy in her religion you do not have to try and get her out. Probably do more harm then good.

  And I agre with Jayhawks last statement, that they have to want out. Just make yourself available to her if she ever gets to that point.

  Since she is not in your life already there is no need to feel guilty about not trying to groom the relationship if all she wants to do is save you from Armageddon. Ask her clearly what her intentions are. If she just wants to be friends and supports your chosen religious path than maybe you can pursue it.

  If she were a big part of your life, like your wife or best friend, it would be different. Then there would be ways to try and pry them away, chipping away little by little, carefully. I understand there are some good papers writen on the subject on Randy's site and maybe a few other XJW sites on the net. Check them out.

  Sean
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  17

  A poem in memory of my mom.

  by SEAKEN2001 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've never really attempted poetry and don't really understand it completely.

  but i do like it and i was inspired to make this post after reading ashitaka's fine poem in eulogy of his grandfather.

  i've been asked by a few who were present at my mother's funeral and wake to go ahead and post a part of my eulogy here.

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  SEAKEN2001

  Ahh, that Rhys is cute. Give him a big hug for me, Rachel. And take one for yourself. I miss you too.

  Sean

  Thank you everyone for your kind remarks.
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  118

  Are we equal...?

  by DannyBear in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when an employer resorts to comments like 'who sign's your check?

  ' or 'are you biting the hand that feed's you?

  ', it is normally due to some perceived or overt violation of loyalty, or simply to shut the employee up regarding the subject matter at hand.. i don't like the tactic, because it is rarely used in a one on one situaltion, but generally in the ear shot of other's, to squelch the matter.

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  SEAKEN2001

  Alan,

  thanks for your comments, I think. I am going to probably cross the line here and say you strike me as someone who is really pissed off that the WT has taken away your chance for notoriety. Could you get along if nobody gave a shit what you write or say and thought you an insufferable bore? I doubt it. But you seem to have no problem doling out the same treatment to others. Too bad. I hope you grow up someday.

  I agree with the poster who said that if we could get together face to face, in person, and see each other's facial expression and body language we probably wouldn't stay at odds. Maybe one day we'll meet and learn to get along. But at the moment your posts leave me wondering what the hell is wrong with you. You are obviously angry and hurt. I hope you find the healing you need. (Oops, sorry about slipping into touchy-feely stuff).

  And you are right. I knowingly used a pre-emptive clause. I was baiting you and I'm sorry. I slipped back into my intellectual persona for a few minutes. This flame war got me stirred up. Please forgive me. I will go back to following my "fluff" posts now.

  Sean