when i began formal study of religion and biblical analysis it was like peeling off layer after layer of dark matter, sticky and putrid that had stuck over my eyes and ears and mouth.
i learned that under the watchtower one only builds a widening gap between yourself and the world of biblical academia and scholars.
i used to think i knew a lot because i learned to quote a few scholars or lexicons as a witness.
Very informative thread! Although I've lost all faith, I can't call myself an atheist because it's threads like this that prove to me that I've learned just enough to know that I don't really know anything at all. It makes me so sad that in this small lifespan that I have, I won't have the time to figure everything out.
The "good book" says that god is not a god of confusion". If only that were so.
for years i've been screwed with by some very bad people, people satan would kick out of his organization because even the devil might let up on evil just to allow someone to catch their breath.
with the jwism's bad people move up while good people move down or leave the kingdom hall for good.
i was talking with two elders who said "you know if you return to the kingdom hall, jehovah will bless you and these people will stop screwing with you.
Hang in there buddy. Lean on your parents for support and advice. Don't be in a hurry to do something you will regret later. Cool off, calm down, think things through clearly and then make decisions. Your wife might be suffering from anxiety attacks, depression or stress/trauma from the religion. Maybe get her to see a counselor to help her and your marriage out?
I hope everything works out for you.
earlier this week i bumped into a couple of jws who i recognised from the cult cart.
a few months ago i had a long conversation with him one of them and found him to be quite friendly.
he is new to the area in the years since i left.. this time he was very defensive and said he wasn't allowed to talk to me.
i keep reading of some guy who is so upset at someone that he goes into a theater and shoots 20 people..
or a kid that is so mad that the other kids made fun of him that he goes to school and shoots a bunch of kids..
or some guy that was fired from his job and he goes back and shoots of bunch of his workers.
i keep reading of some guy who is so upset at someone that he goes into a theater and shoots 20 people..
or a kid that is so mad that the other kids made fun of him that he goes to school and shoots a bunch of kids..
or some guy that was fired from his job and he goes back and shoots of bunch of his workers.
Wherever the (k)GB go, they bring their entourage of body guards, lawyers and helpers. They are untouchable.
Most who leave, leave for conscientious reasons or moral freedom. That means they have a conscience and are not likely to be a sociopath or psychopath. The last thing they would want to do is trade a figurative prison cell made of fear, obligation and guilt for a literal one made of cold, hard steel.
all i want from this life is to be able to wash windows at bethel.. my story.. when i was fresh out of high school and pioneering, i said those exact words to my friends and family.
all i wanted to do was be at the core of the organization where it was the safest.
i gleefully told people that i'd gladly spend the rest of my life washing windows, waiting tables, doing laundry or cleaning bathrooms.
all i want from this life is to be able to wash windows at bethel.. my story.. when i was fresh out of high school and pioneering, i said those exact words to my friends and family.
all i wanted to do was be at the core of the organization where it was the safest.
i gleefully told people that i'd gladly spend the rest of my life washing windows, waiting tables, doing laundry or cleaning bathrooms.
Diogenesister, I don't think the ritual began with Buddhists. Like you said the custom is old. Probably was carried out way back in the neolithic period (new stone age) or even before that. The custom is however given reverence and has deep religious meaning here. I think in the west the act is more informal and is done just to show respect for the deceased and also for the mourners.
The funeral experience forced home to me the fact that the JW religion is very legalistic, unmerciful and a close cousin to the Pharisees.
one year ago, this thursday, i went to work as usual.
i got home, ate dinner, got myself dressed for the meeting, and helped my kids get ready like i usually did.. my son had a talk that evening, his second one.
many of my family went to support him.
all i want from this life is to be able to wash windows at bethel.. my story.. when i was fresh out of high school and pioneering, i said those exact words to my friends and family.
all i wanted to do was be at the core of the organization where it was the safest.
i gleefully told people that i'd gladly spend the rest of my life washing windows, waiting tables, doing laundry or cleaning bathrooms.
