Wednesday there's already been some knocking on the the door of the Knocking folks...check it out..
Posts by Valis
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7Film to air on PBS, called "Knocking" appears pro JW
by wednesday inhttp://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/media/the_film_knocking_about_the_christian_group_k .
the film knocking about the christian group known as jehovah's witnesses .
added: (tue aug 16 2005) .
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Our Own Conference
by Valis ini know there are conferences that xjws attend, but since i ran accross joy castro's writings and new book today it got me thinking about the subject.
something non-religious in nature.....well as non religious as xjws can get anyway lol.
i think it would be cool if we could have people like her, kimberly norris, bryan, donald, and so many of the others that have done stuff for us.
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Valis
brenda, my vision has actually shaped up considerably even since yesterday. I woke up today seeing some of it in my mind. What I imagine is this... friday as you say meet and greet, probably at one of the many restuarants around the downtown area. easily done. Then on Saturday the main happenings. What I would like is many things going at the same time. for instance, some may be interested to visit or sit in on a panle involving sexual abuse and some may be more interested in the psychology of high control groups, Apocalyptic writings, psychology of spiritual abuse, etc.... Some may be interested to hear readings from litterature authored by victims as well as discussion of said books, which could be arranged in auditorium and recorded if necessary.. Plus at differering times on the day some videos would be running about cults, JWs and high control groups. As well, there would be an area for authors to set up, sell books and sign. Also other cult awareness information would be welcome and encouraged, including vend opportunities.. I have the place and now all I need is the people, which I hope to hear back from tomorrow or soon. BTW, can someone remind me of Donald's user name and or send me his email address? He is high on the list of possible guest speakers. I also want to make it clear that he and Joy Castro are not just there for JW experience, but I thought it would be good if we had writers who had tackled such tough subjects it might help others who want to follow along and share their experiences to the point of having them published. People who write about hard stuff IMO can advise perhaps not like others can when it comes to such personal revelation and outpouring. More thoughts later. Sincerely, District Overbeer
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On a macro level, the Witnesses are pretty harmless
by logansrun inwarning: this post may be damaging to your biases.. it seems to me that the "danger" the witnesses pose to larger society is, well, pretty damn small.
just think about it: the witnesses are almost not involved in politics at all, except the occassional "freedom of religion and speech" issues they take to various courts, issues i am happy to support the witnesses in, even if i strongly disagree with their beliefs.
you will not see jws supporting banning abortions or gay marriages or a whole host of other civil liberties and freedoms that evangelicals rally around like the village people searching for frankenstein's monster.
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Valis
Yes they spout all that crap at the following URL..
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Born In, the Difference
by wanderlustguy inborn in, what difference does it make?
i was thinking about this one a lot over the last few weeks.
what difference does it make whether you were born into a cult or were brought in as a teen or adult?
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Valis
The easy way to put it is that the conditions for assiciation are not equal nor can they be. If I joined as an adult of my own accord then I could most probably leave and pick up where I left off with my worldly life. The other scenario does not allow for that simply put.
Sincerely,
District Overbeer
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Thank You, Jgnat!!!
by RichieRich inguess what you guys....... i come home from a staff meeting and sitting in my mailbox is a little care package from my friend jgnat!!.
in it was a delicious chocolate and marshmallow confection, along with a lovely heartfelt note.. i was touched, and jgnat can really cook.... and i must imagine how good it tastes fresh out of the oven, before being shipped a few thousand miles.. so thank you jgnat.
according to hillary step, next time you should send me salad...
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Valis
*Still Waiting By The Mailbox*
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Our Own Conference
by Valis ini know there are conferences that xjws attend, but since i ran accross joy castro's writings and new book today it got me thinking about the subject.
something non-religious in nature.....well as non religious as xjws can get anyway lol.
i think it would be cool if we could have people like her, kimberly norris, bryan, donald, and so many of the others that have done stuff for us.
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Valis
1) a location of sufficient size
I am pretty sure my college would host, if anything just for publicity and favors owed.
2) food arrangements
I could easily have the new school cafeteria open and ready to roll with something like that with a quickness.
3) speakers
Travel expenses, hotel, usually are paid for by the organization inviting them; yes, and there may even be a speakers fee for a big name
this would be one issue I have not addressed as of yet, but I am sure can be dealt with.
4) people to put on the break-out sessions (and people to do the introductions/see that the proper AV equipment is in each room, etc)
easily done I think if we have a short conference. I have plenty of "smart carts" with laptops, Internet access and either projectors already installed in the rooms or on the cart itself. All I have to do is reserve them.
5) registration, name tags (if used), printing hand-out schedules
I'm betting I can get this done on the spot with a laptop and printer. Logos, programs and tickets are a small piece of the pie which can be solved easy enough..
6) Rooms blocked at a nearby hotel/or in the one the conference takes place in
Easily done.
7) A clear view of the theme and goals of the conference so you know who to invite as speakers and to handle any break-out sessions.
this is what I need from you all..
I'm not saying it can't be done, just that it is more than organizing a party. If you want speakers to commit, you need a clear plan so they can know if they have time in their schedule.
agreed, but this isn't my first rodeo and my intial emails have been only to query interest to see if they are willing to come on down at all.
And then no matter how well you prepare, the power can go off.
Blondie
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11
I sprained my ankle today...
by TresHappy inand boy does it hurt!
i am keeping ice packs on it and the swelling has gone down.
i'm thankful i didn't have to get on it tonight!
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Valis
Hope you are well Tres!
Man if this spate of injuries keeps up I am gonna run out of fluer!
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Welcome sunshine2!!!!
by damselfly ineverybody welcome the new girl !!
she's already learned how to post quotes in the little yellow boxes so she's off and running.
dams
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Valis
Howdy from Wycliff Avenue!
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Have you ever had a pretend girl friend or boy friend?
by ballistic inif you're having difficulty procuring a partner, don't be disheartened.
with a bit of imagination it's easy to simply pretend you have a girl friend for men this is achived by: .
keep asking yourself what you're thinking .
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Valis
My next pretend Boyfriend would be self-inflatable, and come with his own patch kit...
um ohio if it doesn't come with any holes you probably got the Morrissey 9000 model by mistake... Sincerely, District Overbeer
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On a macro level, the Witnesses are pretty harmless
by logansrun inwarning: this post may be damaging to your biases.. it seems to me that the "danger" the witnesses pose to larger society is, well, pretty damn small.
just think about it: the witnesses are almost not involved in politics at all, except the occassional "freedom of religion and speech" issues they take to various courts, issues i am happy to support the witnesses in, even if i strongly disagree with their beliefs.
you will not see jws supporting banning abortions or gay marriages or a whole host of other civil liberties and freedoms that evangelicals rally around like the village people searching for frankenstein's monster.
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Valis
logan when you boast to be a great defender of freedom of speech and even go to the Supremem Court only to turn around and threaten your detractors is worthy of note and a threat to a better society...FROM THIER OWN WEBSITE..
Contributions to the Community
In addition to promoting Bible education in the community, Jehovah's Witnesses contribute to its welfare in other ways, some of which are described below.
Disaster Relief LIE!
Since World War II, Jehovah's Witnesses have organized relief efforts to help fellow members and others who suffer the effects of war, natural disasters, or other calamities. Their experience in organizing and managing large numbers of people at their Kingdom Hall building projects and annual conventions contributes to their success in this regard. Often they are the first relief agency to appear on the scene.
When Hurricane Andrew devastated a Florida, U.S.A., community in 1992, Jehovah's Witnesses quickly organized themselves to deal with the situation. "About 3,000 Witness volunteers from across the country have converged on the disaster area, first to help their own, then to help others," said an article in The Miami Herald. It also stated that "no one in Homestead is slamming doors on the Jehovah's Witnesses this week—even if they still have doors to slam."
After the 1995 earthquake in Kobe, Japan, non-Witnesses channeled relief supplies through congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses because this was the fastest way to get supplies to those in need. Following the 1994 tragedy in Rwanda, Witnesses in Belgium, France, and Switzerland contributed more than $1.6 million and sent 35 tons of supplies to both their Christian brothers and others—all within six days of receiving a call for help.
Jehovah's Witnesses donate needed materials and volunteer their services without pay. They do so in response to the Bible's commands to love their neighbor and to have intense love for one another.—Matthew 22:39; 1 Peter 4:8.
Literacy LOL
For decades Jehovah's Witnesses have organized literacy programs throughout the world for people who have had little or no opportunity to receive formal schooling.
In Nigeria about 26,000 adults were taught to read and write between 1962 and 1994. A recent survey showed that more than 90 percent of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nigeria were literate, compared with less than 50 percent for the rest of the population. In Mexico, Jehovah's Witnesses have helped more than 127,000 people to become literate, a contribution that one government official called "noble progressive work."
Moral Values COUGH
Evidence shows that learning and following the Bible's counsel is a good way to combat many social ills and to become better equipped to deal with the problems and pressures of life. For example, as a result of Bible education, many people have been helped to overcome such physically damaging practices as smoking, overdrinking, misuse of drugs, gambling, and sexual promiscuity. Similarly, through Bible education, family members learn mutual respect and effective communication—factors that lower the rates of divorce and juvenile delinquency.
After studying social life in Zambia for a year and a half, a researcher from the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, concluded that "Jehovah's Witnesses experience greater success than members of other denominations in maintaining stable marital unions. . . . Husband and wife are encouraged to be individuals with integrity. . . . This overriding demand for integrity cements marriage."
Jehovah's Witnesses teach honesty, good work habits, and the importance of having worthwhile goals in life—valued qualities in any society. After studying a community that included Jehovah's Witnesses, Dr. Norman Long wrote in his book Social Change and the Individual: "It appears that Jehovah's Witnesses commend a certain style of life. A Witness should be well dressed . . . and clean in his habits. He should be attentive to the needs of his family, both spiritually and materially. . . . This also implies a certain practical orientation towards life in this world. . . . Time and money are valued and should not be wasted; they should be spent improving oneself spiritually, socially and economically. Throughout there is an emphasis on individualism and industriousness, and church organization and discipline work to uphold the values of the group." NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR PEDOPHILES
Racial and Ethnic Unity YEAH RIGHT!
Jehovah's Witnesses, who come from all racial and ethnic groups, believe the Bible's teaching that all races are equal in the sight of God. Through Bible education, they have been successful in helping many to overcome deep-seated prejudices.—Acts 17:26.
Even under extreme pressure, Jehovah's Witnesses will not support any movement motivated by racial or ethnic hatred. During the Nazi era, Jehovah's Witnesses in Germany and elsewhere refused to support Hitler's campaign of hatred. Thousands paid with their lives. Similarly, the Witnesses remained neutral during the 1994 massacre in Rwanda, even though some 400 of them perished as innocent victims of ethnic violence. At the risk of their own lives, Jehovah's Witnesses sought to protect fellow Christians, no matter what their ethnic background.
Civil Liberties TALK TO QUOTES & KENT & JOURLES!
Court cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses make up a significant portion of U.S. and Canadian law relating to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. These cases have done much to preserve the liberties not only of Jehovah's Witnesses but also of people in general. For example, the U.S. Supreme Court case Lovell v. City of Griffin (1938) protected freedom of the press from licensing and censorship. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Jehovah's Witnesses in 47 cases.
"Like it or not," observed American author and editor Irving Dilliard, "Jehovah's Witnesses have done more to help preserve our freedoms than any other religious group." Today, Jehovah's Witnesses continue to defend freedom of religion and freedom of conscience in many countries around the world. They have successfully appealed to the European Court of Human Rights eight times since 1993.
