when i left the jehovah's witnesses, i spent a couple of months attending local christian churches.
my wife and i did this because we thought the christian path was still ours.
later we learned that our path went in a far different direction.. .
Hi
Some people find christianity fulfilling, some don't. Some people like to have fun and enjoy as part of their beliefs, some think that its entirely separate and faith should be serious.
I'm glad you've found a way of looking at life and belief that suits you. Personally, I love being pagan, because we still have our ethics and serious beliefs, but we can also really enjoy life without guilt. There is always laughter at a pagan gathering.
Sirona
i feel like i'm watching a movie.
reading these posts seems to transform reality into a time and a land which exists partly in a haze of real and where am i now.
once you had a grip and understanding of who you were.
Actually FD said that the bible could be USED to justify racism. Since it has been used to justify racism (comments about Noah's sons etc.) then I think he's right.
Actually, the Watchtower used the bible to justify racism in old publications with insinations of black people being less than whites.
Sirona
i feel like i'm watching a movie.
reading these posts seems to transform reality into a time and a land which exists partly in a haze of real and where am i now.
once you had a grip and understanding of who you were.
Main Entry: racism
Pronunciation: 'rA-"si-z&m also -"shi-
Function: noun
Date: 1936
1
: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2
:
racial prejudice or discrimination
I look at it that the Israelites viewed themselves as the nation chosen by God and thats why they had rules about intermarrying etc. It wasn't just about skin colour or anything like that.
I note that you didn't answer any of my other comments.
Sirona
what do americans in general actually really know about the big outside world outside of their own culture?.
it's certainly not just me, but for years since early childhood in fact, it has been commonly accepted by many, that americans in general are the biggest ignorant fools residing almost anywhere on the planet, yet they still do their damndest to have everyone believe what a great nation they are.
is it even beyond their comprehension how foolish they look often to the rest of the world, the fact that they have so little understanding of problems on the worldwide front?.
Celtic,
I would have thought that you were the sort of person who is accepting of everyone...how strange.
Sirona
i feel like i'm watching a movie.
reading these posts seems to transform reality into a time and a land which exists partly in a haze of real and where am i now.
once you had a grip and understanding of who you were.
Lucid,
While I respect your decision to remain a JW, I think I must point out:
You people did not really learn anything......."funkyderek" when has the bible ever justified paedophillia and racism?
I believe that the bible promoted racism when Jehovah told the isrealites to kill those in surrounding nations and to take their virgin daughters as wives. Isreal as a nation was told that it alone was approved of by Jehovah and that all other nations were defiled. Paedophilia - well the bible does speak of family members having sexual intercourse...but I think I will leave that one to FD since he made the comment.
I cant say I am any better that any of you apostates because my lifestyle currently is not one that I was raised to adhere. I just wish I was strong enough to be in a position to wholeheartedly worship Jehovah as a true christian.
Even though you don't recognise it right now, this comment reflects very well the guilt that most Jehovahs Witnesses feel and the pressure they're under to live up to some ideal.
all I know is if I dont change my ways I will be dead.
What a really, really sad way to look at life, and yourself. What a callous and unloving God you describe. You first say that you are not strong enough, then that God will kill you for your weakness.
One day you might realise that the Jehovahs Witnesses are controlling and are not the TRUTH. They are damaging you and making you feel guilty 24 / 7. Just look at their multitude of lies and false prophysey.
Sirona
i feel like i'm watching a movie.
reading these posts seems to transform reality into a time and a land which exists partly in a haze of real and where am i now.
once you had a grip and understanding of who you were.
Quantum,
I, for one, appreciate the sentiment behind your words. You didn't need to post this, but it seems that you have a measure of compassion for those who have escaped the JW religion.
I think that some ex-JWs will certainly find comfort in Jesus. I wish them well in their chosen spiritual path.
However, do not assume that we are all still searching, or that we are all still tainted by the JWism. Some of us are happy to be atheist, some (like me) are happy to be pagan. We have found our own way.
Believe it or not, ExJWs are a group of people who do investigate many different faiths. They do consider mainstream christianity as an option and they do ask Jesus to be in their life (I did. He never appeared). Beware of being patronising to us by insinuating that we are all lost sheep huddling together waiting for someone like you to guide us.
That said, thanks for your consideration.
Sirona
i've picked up a little about each of us on the db, but we're a reclusive little group, aren't we?.
well, my picture won't be going up any time soon, but i'll put out some personal information and hopefully others will too.
makes chatting more fun, don't you think?.
Hi
OK, I'm 26, female, living in UK (England). I have a boyfriend, and I have two cats, no children. I work as a marketing coordinator for a software company. I'm just about to buy my own house (probably move in in September).
My mum, brother, uncle, aunt and cousins are JW. I've been out of the borg for just over 2 years, and I'm now a pagan. My hobbies are reading, mensa, walking, yoga, wicca study classes, watching buffy (by the way, Willow's version of wicca is not realistic!) and studying psychology (doing a degree....I had to have time off recently because of my health, but I'm going back to that soon).
Sirona
get this folks: .
my girlfriend and i have birthdates exactly 10 days apart (mine comes earlier).
our mothers have birthdates exactly 10 days apart (her mother's comes earlier).
FunkyD,
For once, I agree with you. That was a good article.
I think that lots of things can be put down to pure coincidence (like Birthdays in common). Some things IMO are more than coincidence - like the tales we hear of someone losing a ring whilst on holiday in spain and then finding it on a beach in cornwall. Actually, that story might be BS, but there are similar things that happen that are just "beyond coincidence".
A really funny one that I heard was about my boyfriend's mum, who decided to phone her sister in Scotland. She got the wrong number, but the woman who answered had the exact same name as the sister but lived in a different town. It wasn't a common name at all.
A similar one happened with a friend of mine who phoned me and got the wrong number.....she asked for me and the person said "no she isn't home right now". My friend thought it didn't sound like anyone I live with, so she asked again and mentioned my first name and surname. The voice replied "yes thats right, she isn't home". It was later discovered that there is another person in this town who is similar age to me and has the same name, and my friend accidentally phoned her instead...by getting a wrong number. Wierd.
Sirona
i think i mentioned this some time ago but never had time to do anything about it.
i'm thinking of offering merchandise on the site for a bit of fun and also to help with the site expenses (although i don't expect it to generate a huge amount).
i think catchy logo's and phrases are the best.
How about a wine bottle opener or wine glass stamped with "Nowadays I partake LOTS!"
or bath soap called "scrub away the jay-dub"
or a T shirt (which could not be critisised by the elders) - with
NOone MORE than I
admires the
Watchtower ites
who always
BUiLd Love
Hum well maybe thats going a little far...
Sirona
get this folks: .
my girlfriend and i have birthdates exactly 10 days apart (mine comes earlier).
our mothers have birthdates exactly 10 days apart (her mother's comes earlier).
Hey Cello,
I like this post. I'm one of those wierdos who also looks for coincidences!
E.g I have a couple of dates that are significant for me. It seems that many friends have their birthday or anniversary on one particular date and that significant things happen to me on that date. I share my birthday with at least 3 members of my family aswell.
I really believe that on some level we are all connected. Thats not because of the birthday thing....lets face it there are not that many days in a year! No, but my experiences with divination and other such things have lead me to believe that some things are not pure coincidence (IMO).
My sister has twice had dreams (weeks in advance of an event) that came true. She described one dream in great detail to me and then lo and behold it was on the news.
I'm sure people will disagree with me (funkyderek springs to mind)! nevertheless I think its true.
Sirona
