Posts by speechless

The corporation I work for let go more than 1/2 of our local staff today without severance pay. Many of those let go were close friends whom I'd like to stay in touch. I feel guilty, however, that I'm still onboard!

Can anyone offer wisdom on what I can say to these "friends" to break the ice? I've never experienced a corporate "layoff"...

11

meaning of life questions

by ballistic in

jw
friends

do you remember those articles called "what is the meaning of life?".

there was almost one in every watchtower and books such as "live forever" had chapters devoted to the subject.

i think there was a picture of some lonely guy looking out to sea across a sunset with that typical witness depressed but joyfull look.. any way, i was thinking to myself after finding such an article on the web that i haven't been pre-occupied by such questions since leaving the borg.

speechless

Q: what's the meaning of life ?

A: to prepare for the next level of play

I'm fairly certain, by the looks of the horrific reality which I live, I am near the final level of play in the video game we call life. I figure my role as defender of the universe is to eat wings and drink beer (for strength) then repeatedly stifle all my enemies! Just when you think you're about finished with the level, around the corner comes an even worst case scenario = more wings, more beer, more stifling... I currently seem to be stuck at the current level in a vicious cycle! and my strength is at 40%. Knowing my luck, my memory card will crap and I'll have to start back at level 0.

In short, the current level, our reality, can't last indefinitely so don't get too comfortable.

I do sense I'm very near the next, perhaps final, level of play.

32

Why Does God Allow...........

by IslandWoman in

jw
friends

so often that question is asked.

"why does god allow sickness?

why does god allow hurricanes?

speechless

Why does God allow ?

First ask, why does *god* allow ?

We, humans, are god of planet Earth. All this shit about "where is God" and "why does God" is quite irrational. It no better than blaming your neighbor for all the shit in YOUR life.

If humans would ever get their act together and awake to their amazing wit, then and only then would be justified in inquiring God.

Funny, if we did ever reach such utopia we'd find paradise.

Really: if you can't see the god within, how will you ever see God?

57

Post a message to Sharon Roe(Janet Bryant's sister

by seven006 in

jw
friends

sharon like her sister janet was also raised a jw.

she left the religion three years ago just about the same time as robert and janet.

her husband is not a jw but did attend the occasional meeting.

speechless

With much heartfelt sympathy only tears can express to let you know others do share your grief,

Yours in hope,

Mike

11

Has the WT responded to the Bryants affair?

by avengers in

jw
friends

i've heard of responses from so many people all over the world offering their sympathy.

i've looked all over for a reaction of the governing body.

have they reacted in any kind of way offering their sympathy or condolences?

speechless

JT - great clarification!

I'd further your comments by saying they should be included in Fortunes magazine's annual "worst companies to work for" report!

I'd wish they'd also cease being legally immune to private lawsuits being that they are a "corporation"

Maybe if all ex-JWs would unite and file a class-action lawsuit? seeking lost pay, lost benefits, etc...

hhhmmm...

7

Children and inculcation

by larc in

jw
friends

the jws teach that you must bring the children to meetings.

they must be inculcated, and hear, read, and respond to what is good and bad.

that is how i was raised in the religion.

speechless

Cellomould - you said, "fear of punishment really does not work..."

I totally disagree!

You can't let a young child live a life of anarchy while at home then let him/her into a structured society. Our modern society demands "fear" of punishment for purposely breaking a rule or law!

My wife and I have three young children. We make the rules and the resulting punishment for purposely breaking a rule. Our children are taught BOTH the rules and the punishments. Hence, the rulee (our children) is in "fear" of the ruler (mom and dad) due to potential punishment.

Social progress of humanity is never a result of anarchy! So what business does anarchy have in the family?

24

Devils Advocate-A Question for X-JW's

by apostate man in

jw
friends

ok, i am going to play devils advocate and ask the question: are the jw's correct about anything?

surely there has to be something that is commonly agreed upon to be correct.

i am not talking about what current jw's say, i am not talking about simple things like: read the bible, or be a witness.

speechless

On a religious aspect, during my final years as a JW I began to observe and compare the organization as a modern day Pharisees and Sadducees. In short, they teach that a relationship with God is all about works and appearance - something Jesus rebuked! Also, their constant belittling of so-called apostates by advocating THEIR words as "truth" is contrary to the words of Jesus, namely "*I* am the the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

On a social aspect, during my tenure as a JW I always felt suspicious of my relations with other JWs. Everyone, including myself, was constantly trying to demonstrate their good works before others. When somebody stumbled there wasn't open arms but, rather, ridicule (sometimes public) and the all-to-often mentioned act of shunning. The mindset gets even more ludicrous when you factor their unwillingness to associate with the "evil world". They honestly believe NOBODY can do good works outside the organization!

The "standard" which led myself to freedom was a triune of logic, reason, and common sense!

7

First joke?

by ffeidrik in

jw
friends

what do you think was the first joke in history?

speechless

Eve: Do you love me?
Adam: Who else?

...and we've been nagged ever since :)

20

Satan is LEAVING !!

by Satanus in

jw
friends

just kidding.

i thought i would get on the band wagon with the others.

my threads usually plummet, so i imagine this will soon be gone:) on the other hand fluff seems to float well.. ss

speechless

that's a funny thought!

what if Satan just decided one day to close shop?

Really, the Good vs. Evil game has been going on now for aeons! You'd figure the founders of the game, their heirs, and even the fans are just about getting bored! How many overtimes can be played? Really, the stadium they play (which we call earth) is starting to get really trashed!

You'd think that team "Good" having God on their side and, hence, every play, every weapon ever imaginable, would've defeated team "Evil" a long time ago? I just can't understand it...

Someone just get this galactic game wrapped up so we all can move on to better things...

I hereby accept the forfeiture of Satan this very day of March 19, 2002. Now let us being the big love orgy (ie, the celebration)!