Posts by SixofNine

55

Demons / Urban Legends! Which Is It????

by Big Jim in

jw
friends

has anyone on this board ever experienced contact with demons?.

i have heard demons talked about for years, however i have never known anyone that has had any real experiences with them, i have only heard storys.. .

(some quotes).

SixofNine

There are MANY, many things that cannot be scientifically explained -- theorized, yes; explained, no.

True. However, the vast majority of what we all used to assume was supernatural contact, and in more recent years, extraterrestial contact, can be explained very easily by scientific study of the mind.

Think about MPD: "The development of "alter egos" can become extensive enough so that it is not uncommon to witness alters which display differences in gender, age, religion, handedness, handwriting, voice and even cerebral blood flow and brain electrical activity..."

If that can happen, then you and I can see a ghost, especially when we are in a classic, "spooky" situation. We can certainly feel a "presence" in our bedroom that terrifies us. The one woman I know who has actually "seen" Jesus, also saw colors coming out of a Jazz singers mouth once and a few other hallucinagenic visions as well. Somehow, she does not mention the two events as having a connection. Btw, generally speaking, I consider her one of the more well adjusted people I know.

Some things, such as slayer & V's experiences, are not so easily explained. But when 99% of all the demon & angel & virgin mary & ufo & etc etc. contact throughout history, has turned out to be bunk, I tend to look at the few (very few) experiences that are more difficult to explain, with a very critical eye. Doesn't mean I think I know what is going on, just that the weight of past unexplainable things leads me to think that these things to have a very natural, perhaps even mundane, explanation.

25

I Look Death in the Eye

by COMF in

jw
friends

i have always had trouble breathing.

in track i was great for a quick burst of speed in the 50 yard dash, but couldn't move enough air in and out to keep myself going for the longer runs like the 330. i had sleep apnea really bad, with the classic symptoms where i stopped breathing for a while and then suddenly snorted myself awake gasping for breath.

for most of my life, surgery wasn't an option due to my jw lifestyle and employment choices (cleaning business = no insurance).

SixofNine

Wow, I feel bad. Had I known, I would have brought you a fruit basket or something. Taken your old lady out to a movie, pretended to be the commanding "blood liason" officer for your cult, sumthin' useful.

Glad you stuck around. Nice to be able to pull the truly wise scriptures out and dust them off every now and then. Get bettererist.

42

A Bible contradiction?

by uncle_onion in

jw
friends

another book i am reading called "the jesus mysteries" makes this claim:.

"according to matthew, jesus is born in the reign of herod, who tries to have him killed as a baby to prevent him becoming king of the jews.

herod who died in 4bce.........luke makes a similar point of having his jesus born 10 years later at the time of the census of 6ce.".

SixofNine

The common thought “inspired word of God” does not have to mean absolutely, flawlessly conveyed through flawed men ‘word of God’. Just inspired, like a musician is inspired but notes come from the heart to convey a feeling, not a textbook thesis. Can we not break from this absolutist mindset and just look for the message?

Yeah, sure. But while we are doing the healthy work of "breaking free from this absolutist mindset", why not break free from the absolutist thought that the Bible has anything whatsoever to do with the creator? Because after all, if you can at least begin to do that, then you can deal (in a healthy mental fashion) with the "message" noticed by julien (in his post above), and me, and everyone else who reads the Bible. That means you 2, just2. How do you "deal" with those messages in a healthy mental fashion? What do you teach people about those messages?

There are more where those came from, btw.

42

A Bible contradiction?

by uncle_onion in

jw
friends

another book i am reading called "the jesus mysteries" makes this claim:.

"according to matthew, jesus is born in the reign of herod, who tries to have him killed as a baby to prevent him becoming king of the jews.

herod who died in 4bce.........luke makes a similar point of having his jesus born 10 years later at the time of the census of 6ce.".

SixofNine

jst2laws, y'know what? Borg Schmorg.

The more I look back with happy, clear lenses, the more I see the Bible as the problem. The "borg", evil though it may have become, came into existance from sincere people trying to believe that the Bible is Gods word; therefore, it must makes sense. If Jesus was not the perfect son of God on earth, that is what needs to be determined before one goes off debating just where a person should draw the lines in regards to a figurative vs. a literal interpretation of the bible.

The question remains on the table; is there any reason, any reason at all, besides common desire, for the bible to be considered the inspired word of God?

Questions, comments, cheers or jeers?

44

Contact Equals Suicide?

by patio34 in

jw
friends

didn't find an appropriate forum for this unique perspective:.

'our planet spends billions on searching for extraterrestrial life.

have they never thought seriously about the question: what would happen if we found it, or if it found us.

SixofNine

Chilling thought, I agree.

But not spooky really, to me, precisely because of the truth of that last statement:

Fortunately for us, the silence from Outer Space is deafening.

23

Want to help my JW friend

by wannahelp in

jw
friends

i'm new here, and i want to make it clear upfront that i am not, nor have i ever been a jw.

in fact, until recently i didn't know much about jw's.

but i do have a question that i hope both jw's and ex-jw's will try and answer for me... about 10 months ago, i hired a 20 year old to work for me.. i hired him because he seemed very loyal, ethical, sincere, hardworking and honest.

SixofNine

Oh Come ONNNNNN!

First of all, you have made it plain that you have already shown him plenty of things that will in time lead him out of the org.

So it is really a question of timing.

Sooner is almost always better than later for a good thing. I mean, look at the experience of some a bit younger than me, here, on the board, who left as very young adults, instead of, like me, staying in for 15 or more years after reaching adult-hood. Take PLH for example, she has been doing drugs for several years now, while I am only now just giving them a go! Ok, bad example .

But seriously, let's quit being wimps about this; it's all good. The important thing for him is to not do anything rash on leaving so that he can leave his family and friends as intact as possible, while still having a life.

So if you have more "truth" to show him, show him. Of course you want him to listen, but it sounds like you have figured out ways to get him to do so.

Btw, some people at least, like me, really could not be happy in that organization. Cognitive dissonance may work pretty well for some people, but it was sending me to my grave.

21

Scriptures the society refuses to mention....

by TheApostleAK in

jw
friends

how about zechariah 1:12 and 7:5??.

look up when darius started reigning and you get the picture why they'll never mention these scriptures ever.. anyone got any others?

SixofNine

Ezekiel 23:20

Take a look at a picture of the GB members, and you will know why.

10

Coming Out Experiences

by Preston in

jw
friends

hi, this is my first post so i would like to get some things off of my chest.

i recently had to leave my congregation after five years after deciding to take a proactive stance regarding my beliefs and the fact that i found it necessary to come out to the congregation regarding my queerness (i usually try to stay away from labels like straight or bi since i think they are deceptive).

i was very active in my congregation: i was a ministerial servant, i handled the accounts, and i performed a lot of other duties.

SixofNine

Not to jump onto the defense of JW's, but I have to think that most all members of most all the worlds' great religions don't equate obscure russian cinema with art.

Welcome to the board.

I'ma be a frickin' papist in a John Paul mask-the real slim sixy

15

What Was I Thinking?

by riz in

jw
friends

one of my regrets about my 20 year stint of jw-dom is that i got rid of a lot of my 'questionable' music.

i have always loved all kinds of music, and i've been an avid collector for as long as i can remember.. some of the recordings i had i will probably never see again.

i deeply regret my decision to get rid of some of my favorite items.

SixofNine

Nice post, safe.

Six, of the "facilitator" class.

LDH,

So as my dad and mom told me, you had no business as a true christian wearing a Penis around your neck!

So, would your dad give your mom a pearl necklace?

19

Question from a newly DF'd chick...

by praying_mantis in

jw
friends

hello again...now that i am officially a horrible, unrepentant sinner (in the eyes of a polyester slack wearing, mini van driving, anal retentive man whore), i have a question (actually several, but i will start with one!

) brace yourselves: it is about 1975!.

where in the wt was the "prophecy" made?

SixofNine

Congratulation Praying Mantis :) Love your name.

About therapy. Of course if you need it, get it. But, really, many, many people leave w/o needing therapy. A listening ear, an understanding, informed shoulder, yeah, but not necessarily therapy. As JT would say, that is what is so great about the net. Glad you found us. Sounds like you have the right attitude already. ;)