Posts by return of parakeet

207

Ripping a persons faith away, a heavy responsibility?

by Seraphim23 in

jw
friends

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return of parakeet

"Ripping a person's faith away" -- is that even possible? A die-hard believer will shrug off even the most compelling proof, and those who aren't sure about it don't have their faith wrapped too tightly to begin with -- no ripping needed, not even nudging.

This kind of believer comes looking for answers. When they show up on this site, they're already on a quest to find out the truth about their own religion (note I do not say "faith"). Their "faith" is already on the downslide, and this site tries to help them find another way.

Those who do bear a heavy responsibility are those who try to impose their heavy-handed beliefs on others -- prayer in public schools, narrow definitions of "family," insistence that their way is the only way, disturbing people in their own homes with harsh doctrines and divine retribution. Those who are at this moment trying to influence legislation to force people of other faiths or of no faith to bend to their fundamentalist beliefs.

These are people who have much to answer for.

23

Plants Talk to Eachother

by Satanus in

so, i put this under 'social' ;) they aren't exactly sure how.. .

' having a neighborly chat improves seed germination, finds research in biomed central's open access journal bmc ecology.

even when other known means of communication, such as contact, chemical and light-mediated signals, are blocked chilli seeds grow better when grown with basil plants.

return of parakeet

A very Tolkien-esque subject.

Plants are living things. They must have some kind of awareness and knowledge.

Vegans, take note. You may start looking at your bean sprouts in a whole new way.

30

What differences have you noticed between RELIGION and the GOSPEL?

by Fernando in

on our journey we are learning that:.

religion is a preoccupation with man's views on god.. the gospel is a preoccupation with god's views on man.. "man's search for god" versus "god's search for man" if you will.. it seems to us that there is no intention or prospect of ever reconciling the two.

therefore it seems we have to choose one or the other, no matter how hard.. what are your observations?.

return of parakeet

Gospel is good news.

Religion is bad news.

25

Oh, wise one, answer me THIS!

by stillin in

i bought a large container of strawberries.

my daughter is disfellowshipped.

may i consider it "necessary family business" to give her some of them to share with my grandchildren?

return of parakeet

I have given the strawberries to my daughter. With my love. She likes 'em.

I think it's also necessary family business to give shortcake and whipped cream to your daughter to go with the strawberries.

207

Ripping a persons faith away, a heavy responsibility?

by Seraphim23 in

jw
friends

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return of parakeet

Seraphim: " One can have all the facts and evidences lined up neatly and it won’t do any good if communicated from the disposition of competition or pride, as the intended listener will stop up their ears. "

Absolutely no disagreement there!

As Talesin noted, anyone can get carried away and respond in anger (also guilty, Talesin!). It's because of the nature of the Internet. We don't have to face those we've dissed. We can just shut down the computer and pretend it never happened. It's like road rage -- people behave in ways they never would if face-to-face with each other.

But Seraphim, what to do when someone attacks you verbally online where hundreds of people can read it? I've never allowed myself to be bullied, not by my mother, not by the WTS, not by anybody. My instinct is to respond in kind if for no other reason than to disabuse the bully of his mistaken notion about my life and my beliefs (or my lack of beliefs).

But it doesn't hurt to be reminded now and then that the people typing their posts are real flesh-and-blood people and deserve common courtesy if nothing else.

36

Trying to handle my JW mom

by KatyMomof2 in

jw
friends

my mom is a recent widow.

she, being a jw does not have means to support herself and does not seek higher education ( because that would take from her studies ).

so, she is living ( sponging off of ) me.

return of parakeet

This is pretty drastic but maybe worth a thought --

You said you were raised a JW but left at 18. Were you baptized? If you were and "faded" from the cult, you could DA yourself officially, which would force your mom to have nothing to do with you. She might feel compelled to leave to keep away from "apostacy."

Don't know if it would work or if it should even be tried. Just something to consider.

When my dub mother goes into her drama queen act, I'm often tempted to do that very thing.

89

Mouthy Grace is not well. Please send love.

by return of parakeet in

jw
friends

in another thread, mouthy said she was "not well" and mentioned "kicking the bucket.

i believe she needs some encouragement and well wishes.. mouthy, you don't need to respond to this thread if you don't feel up to it.

just consider it an exceptionally long get-well card..

return of parakeet

For Mouthy (to give you a chuckle) --

Emily Dickinson: "Hope is the thing with feathers"

Woody Allen: "Hope is not the thing with feathers. My cousin Heinrich is the thing with feathers. We are taking him to see a specialist."

Thanks for the idea, xwhyzee.

14

Another Jehovah-Witness-supportive documentary

by A.M. Number 1 in

jw
friends

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_21983668.

just its existence makes me mad though, so i don't know if i could contain my rage.

it might just be too much for me to handle.

return of parakeet

No fool like an old fool.

56

I wanted to punch this elder so bad!

by OneDayillBeFree in

so i decided to attend the meeting last.

since i haven't gone in about 2 weeks, and i leave as soon as it ends, and elder decided to corner me at the end.

lately i've been through some very depressing family issues that are non-jw related so i haven't been my best at acting like i care about the org.

return of parakeet

Cold Steel: " ... the LDS faith is allegedly based on apostles, prophets and revelation. If these claims are correct, then of course to choose a different path than one revealed from Heaven would be foolhardy. If our claims are bogus, we’re a cult big time. "

That is indeed the problem.

Amen, Brother Steel. Amen.

207

Ripping a persons faith away, a heavy responsibility?

by Seraphim23 in

jw
friends

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return of parakeet

OTWO: " Parakeet, your thoughts are very interesting. They do tend to rip my faith away, so please limit your swings with the club of facts on my head. But thanks for voicing your thoughts, even if they are a bit heavy handed."

I've never been accused of being subtle. Not in my nature. Although I prefer a Louisville slugger to a club.

"If that offends you, remember that the above is just my opinion on this narrow subject, and it doesn't automatically suggest anything about you outside of this thread."

After years on this forum, I've developed a hide like an elephant, despite my delicate-looking parakeet avatar. I've been called lots of things outside this thread.

"I could do this all day. BTW, so that you are not offended, I am joking and mostly agree with you. "

Not offended in the least. Keep them pitches comin'. I swing at every one!