Posts by William Penwell

they are often accused of letting the watchtower steal god from them, or throwing the baby out with the bath.. are you one those that rejected faith altogether after your exit?

Why I don't have a faith?

a. If you do historical research on religion you will find it is something that was made up by man for control over the ignorant masses.
b. What is faith? It is believing in something that you cannot prove exists. I only believe what I can see and can test with scientific observation/experimentation.

Faith is OK for those that choose to believe and I do not try to change them to my way of thinking. So what is the big deal if others choose not to follow something based on superstitions and mythology? If you choose to believe in a Santa Claus all the more power to you but I live in reality.

Will

76

STOP Talking to Your Family OR ELSE!

by UnDisfellowshipped in

jw
friends

" (the watchtower july 1st 1963 issue, page 411).

" (the watchtower july 1st 1963 issue, page 413).

" (the watchtower july 15th 1963 issue, page 446).

William Penwell

Hi jen_h,

Sorry it has taken me a few days to respond to you as I don't go on the site that much lately. I had to reread my original post as it was almost 3 years since I posted to it and couldn't remember what you were referring to.

As far as what you could do if your family shuns you, is not much unless you are prepared to not be true to yourself and grovel to the elders to let you back in the fold. I have found it does vary from congregation to congregation and elder to elder to how far they take their shunning policy. Seems like the WT society has taken steps in the last few years to re-enforce the shunning policy to family members. I have no problem with them enforcing the shunning policy on congregation members as it is a "closed club" per say and they have every right restricting members who do not abide by their set rules. However I have difficulty with the society enforcing it on the rank and file JW own blood and flesh family member. I do not think this is a "Christian" act, although I am very disenchanted with all religion and don't profess to following any religious teachings. Morally speaking I feel I am more "Christian" than 99% of the hypocritical Christians out there. Don't you think that is more important than whether a person is one in name only?

Well I really wish you well and I am always here for moral support. I really don't know what other advise to give you as you are playing by someone else's rules and unless you are willing to play by those rules there is not much you can do. I say to empower yourself and be happy with who you are regardless of what anyone including the JW's may think. I am sure you are a good person and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Just remember JW's make up only .01% of the world's population and I have found there are good and bad people in both the JW and non JW people. Look at all those potential friendships you could develop outside of the JW organization? True friendships that are not conditional on whether you believe the same way they think. Think about it...

All the best,

Will

28

Do you blame BUSH?

by free2beme in

jw
friends

i know bush is not a popular president.

i am a registered independent, used to be a republican, and i am not a huge fan of bush.

in many ways i wish i had another choice in the last election, other then kerry.

William Penwell

Where does God come into all of this? and I thought all along George W was appointed by God....

Will

8

Go to Google and search for the word "failure"

by Elsewhere in

jw
friends

.

... and click "i'm feeling lucky"..

William Penwell

Try typing the words "A** Hole" and click feeling luck.

Will

28

How far back can you remember?

by JH in

jw
friends

.

i remember starting a thread like this many years ago..... no, honetly, i can remember things that happend to me when i was about 3 years old.

i was on my tricycle and i got lost, so my mom phoned the cops and they found me.

William Penwell

I remember being a baby too young to walk or to understand words other than my name. I thought with feelings and observations.

That is weird experience as I can recall a time before I could walk and understand words. I have thoughts of seeing my mom being visited by I think it was my grandmother and aunt but not being able to understand what they were saying. It was a very frustrating experience to say the least. Will

10

The God Who Wasn't There

by tetrapod.sapien in

jw
friends

http://www.thegodmovie.com/dvd.php.

bowling for columbine did it to the gun culture.

super size me did it to fast food.

William Penwell

Never heard of the film myself but thanks for the link I will have to get a hold of a copy myself.

Will

13

Sky News gets it right!

by funkyderek in

William Penwell

Hee hee

Yeah they have to watch the way they word things on those banners.

Will

34

BUSH --- Too Little, Too Late

by Ms. Whip in

jw
friends

a lot of people are working hard to help those whove been affected.

the results are not acceptable, he said.

im heading down there right now.

William Penwell

I understand El Qaeda says it is God's wrath on George Bush... Makes one wonder who's side God is on. Will

26

The race card has officially been played in New Orleans

by Texas Apostate in

well i knew it was only a matter of time, but the "play the race card" has begun.

never mind that the incompetant mayor of new orleans is black.

it's not his fault.

William Penwell

That is typical Jesse Jackson but I heard the mayor of NO speak and although he was very understandably upset about the situation and may regret some of his comments but in all fairness through his 12 minute interview I never heard him once through in the race card.

Will