i posted recently about how i attended a humanist funeral for my pal knocker john.
no prayers, no hymns, just a natural goodbye that, in itself, contained a healing element that somewhat counteracted our feelings of grief.. then i think back to the funeral of my dad in the 80s.
it was, quite simply, nothing more than a commercial for the witness religion.
Hi Englishman,
My mother died 25 years ago and I can't remember any of the funeral, I know it was a JW who conducted the funeral but I can't remember any thing that was said, or who was there. Damn, my mind is gone. I hate not being able to remember things anymore. I remember being with her when she died but the details of the funeral seems like another world. I think I will write some instructions for my own funeral, I don't want it to become an occasion for proselytizing.
Ken P.
i know of a lady that started to study with her husband and to keep the story fairly brief, i shall omit smaller details although they are not unimportant.
as the study progressed, at different rates (the mrs was more taken in than the mr.) so they were split up, ie.
2 studies were then underway,(more hours to report!
You know the scripture, Matt 10:34."Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword." He was referring to the family. It's strange he didn't mention husband against wife??? He only mentions children against parents, and in-laws.
Ken P.
not the one that posts here...but i recently received an email from an 'alanf' saying there was important info inside.
when i opened it, it did nothing.
turns out it was a virus and thankfully i got rid of it.
I've had the W32/Klez.1 virus sent to me 27 times since April 22. In the last few days I haven't received it. You can right click on the attachment in WinXP and properties and see where it came from.
Ken P.
hi guys and girls!
i've been visiting this site for the last three days and decided to join the group.
i was df in 1965 and to tell you the truth (no pun intended) i don't think i have ever recovered.
Hi Susie B.,
What part of NC are you in. I live in Eden and if you were in NC in 1965 I may know you. I was going strong in the JWs then.
Ken P.
a while back, i told of my wife going by our old kingdom hall and surprised to see an american flag hanging by the window.
i thought this was picture worthy news, and some of you agreed.. well it turns out the congregation sold the hall to a phillipino church.
1. they doing business with babylon.
The Kingdom Hall that I help to design and build has been for sale for several months. They have land about 3 miles from the old homeplace where I grew up. Why they are moving I have no idea.
The one that my dad help build is now a church of some faith that I am not familar with.
Most of the old ones end up like this.
Ken P.
right now my body is half shaven with needle marks and bruises everywhere.
if i were stopped on the streets of chicago looking like this, staggering with fatigue, i would be arrested.
something we men have a hard time getting through our thick heads is that just because we feel basically okay, does not mean that we can or should do a lot physically after a traumatic event ... and i found this out by doing a little too much walking at the hospital chest tightened, became out of breath, and got dizzy.
Hi Jim,
I'm really sorry to hear of your misfortune, I hope you will recover and enjoy the rest of your life in good health. I've been really lucky so far but I'm beginning to worry that something like cancer will get me soon, life in this world is like that for most of us. Many times when I'm sitting in my backyard I am so thankful for my life being so great so far and think it just can't continue like this. I spoke out loud to whatever is responsible for me being here and thanked Him, not that I thought anyone was listening but just becaause I felt like doing it.
Sorry to ramble on like this, just wanted to wish you the best.
Ken P.
here is a copy of what i was sent as an e-mail.. at the end of billy's daughters quotes, are my thoughts.
subject: "some food for thought"..... billy graham's daughter was interviewed on the early show and jane.
clayson.
What was she saying, that God deals only with the whole nation, that individuals who beleive are abandoned because of the group think?
Ken P.
this is a sort of follow up to "jesus- ignored, forgotten & unemployed at wts" posted by metatron.. it strikes me, that since i have re-appraised many of my religious views that my prayers have changed significantly.
and whilst i am still an active jw, i have wondered whether my family has noticed, though they have not said anything so far.. jws prayers are not only very stereotyped (despite what jesus admonition about not using the same words, or by extension the same thoughts, over and over again) but also extremely introverted towards the watchtower society.. for example, a typical congregation prayer will include the following thoughts;.
1. bless our congregation.
Hi All,
Has anyone seen a mountain moved into the sea by prayer yet???
Ken P.
Hi Catfish,
Welcome, I'm in the southern part of the US also, near Greensboro, NC.
Are you close?
Ken P.
i have had a week to reflect on my life and was thinking about what i have seen, what i am going through, and where i am going.
i know many of you here experience unbelievable pain, suffering, anger, depression, and disbelief.
i have lived with these myself.
Hi Justin,
The one main practice that causes so much pain that is rather unique for the JWs is disfellowshipping. Many other religions have somewhat simmilar desires to control your lives by some inspired book, but the practice of isolating your family is so evil and hurtful.
I think religious organizations waste so much of peoples time and money. Have you noticed when driving around how many church buildings there are and the money this must have cost the poor people attending? I prefer to let God just be a personal feeling of our imagination, since so far that's all the evidence we have. I agree that our family is the best place to spend our love and time. It gives real meaning to our lives along with our friends and other fellow humans(not just a small select group in an organization).
I don't spend my time trying to destroy religion, but I don't mind pointing out a few of the fallacies as the opportunity comes along.
I hope you enjoy your life with your family and friends as much as I do in my few remaining years.
Ken P.
