rwagoner

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Posts by rwagoner

• 
  40

  moral question

  by rwagoner in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just read a thread about a child born with two heads and read some, well meaning but disturbing posts... .

  here is the question: .

  you and your spouse are expecting...a test is available that will reveal if your unborn child may have a physical disability... .

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  rwagoner

  Bring on your stones, throw them hard and true. Then cuddle your healthy children and congratulate yourself on your moral superiority.

  Wow...how to begin. I dont recall saying anything disrespectful and infact said that I respected that people have the right to make difficult and personal decisions. I dont ever recall trying or even coming off as morally superior, I just see things from a differnt perspective....from a wheelchair. I dont intend to throw stones and truely grieve for your loss.

  I didn't say there is one answer or that my opinion was the only right one... all I asked was that people not automatically assume that a disable child will not be productive in later life or that the quality of their lives will be terrible. You mention that you would consider if they would be able to support themselves or a family. I never thought that I would find a woman who would see past my wheelchair and twisted legs and see me as a "man". They all loved me like a brother and thought I was fun to be with and a great guy...well...expect for my problems. But then I met my wife (married almost 15 years now) and she didn't have to see past the wheelchair because she never saw it in the first place.

  I know a lot of people, some with what even I would say are severe disabilities and they are more successful and productive then some non-disabled people I know.

  All I asked for was a chance, a chance for someone to push themselves and strive to beat the odds and prove themselves. If tests show catastrophic issues then tough decision are made, as you sadly know all too well, but I wanted to make people think a little. I grew up with a disability and I survived, in fact it wasn't even all that terrible since it was all I knew. I just hope that, in most cases, we all don't automatically assume that their lives would be tragic, unproductive and a without meaning or purpose just because they may be disabled.

  We differ on our pro-life/choice views and that is fine. To me innocent life is precious...whether a fetus or someone who has had a severe stroke and is now viewed as a burden on the family or a person who is terminally ill. I respect the rights of others to their opinions as I would hope they would respect my right to mine.

  Not here to preach just was hoping to generate some discussion on the issue as I work in the field and alway like hearing what others who may not be as deeply involved think.

  I can understand if my post hit a nerve but it was clearly, as I stated several times, not meant to offend anyone. It was to generate a little discussion and hopefully make us all think, thats all.

  RandyW
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  46

  Where do posters go at midnight?

  by gumby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ok....sometimes i stay up past eight o' clock like tonight as it's now midnight.

  i come here and all you bastards ain't here.

  where are ya?

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  rwagoner

  1 east coaster still here.....burning the midnight (ok 3am) oil working....LOL

  RandyW
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  24

  Film Documentary about Ex JWs

  by Ayernye in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  my name is ayernye... sometimes i go by stephan... it used to be stephen mcguire back when i was a witness in the wilmington and groton massachusetts congregations from '83 - '94.

  was a pioneer and ministerial servant and was married for two of those years.

  with tremendous agony and confusion, i moved far away to discover myself... took years to adjust to my new reality... drugs... drinking... anything to numb my tired brain... but the transformation was eventual and so worth it... of course... i am now my own person... mostly happy, adjusted and living my life to the best i can... .

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  rwagoner

  Sent an email.....interested.
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  40

  Witness Mentality

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what does that mean to you?

  describe an example of "witness mentality".

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  rwagoner

  Kissing Hanks A**

  Here is a link to this great script for those that have not seen it.....

  http://www.jhuger.com/kisshank.mv

  RandyW
• 
  5

  Please write a letter to this editor, it is an easy way to be PROACTIVE!

  by Jez in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i don't think enough ppl have responded to this link.

  please read it if you have not and write a letter to this editor.

  let's bombard her with emails.

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  rwagoner

  Thanks Jez,

  I was thinking the same thing. People can even use the feedback form on the newspapers page if they'd rather not email.

  [email protected] is listed on the site as one of the email addys to make contact.

  RandyW
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  22

  Hunter S. Thompson

  by under74 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ap says he's dead.

  i'm depressed.

  he was a great one.

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  rwagoner

  http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050221/ap_on_re_us/obit_thompson
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  22

  Hunter S. Thompson

  by under74 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ap says he's dead.

  i'm depressed.

  he was a great one.

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  rwagoner

  Yep...they are saying it was suicide.
• 
  4

  I need some advice and some Bible passages and opinions mostly help.

  by GreyFox in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have a friend ,who is also studying to be a jw, who has feelings for me.

  we are both in highschool, she thinks about us being a couple, though she feels she is not ready for a relationship and does not want to be in one.

  she felt really bad and because she feels that it is wrong to think of me as her boyfriend or have feelings for me, and because of the sexual thought.

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  rwagoner

  Hello and welcome,

  Even though I am a 40 year old "Old Fart" I can remember being a teenager growing up in the JW's and having feelings.

  under74 gave you some good advise - hang around here, read other peoples stories, ask lots of questions.

  One thing to remember about the JW's is the huge amount of guilt that they put on their members, especially young people growing into adults. They are told romantic and certainly sexual thoughts are wrong when in fact they are simply a natural part of growing up. Sometimes the guilt is so bad that people will go to the elders and basically turn themselves in for their "wrongdoing". My point is to try to be understanding and not push too much. Even without all of the pressure and issues of the JW's relationships can be alot of work, but all worth it if things work out.

  Good Luck,

  RandyW
• 
  27

  Jehovah's Witnesses call all members family -article

  by under74 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i don't know if anyone has posted this already but i just got the e-mail.

  here's a very disturbing story about jehovah's witnesses called, "jehovah's witnesses call all members family.

  " it paints a very rosy picture of the organization.

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  rwagoner

  This is what I sent to the editor.......

  I was shocked by your story about Jehovah's witnesses call everyone family. I was a JW for 20 years and left when I noticed their teachings contradicting scriptures, among other things. Since I left the JW's the entire church and even my own family have been told to shun me. My parents were told that since I no longer believed they must not speak to me, eat with me or have any contact other than a life and death emergency. JW's DIVIDE families and paint a rosey picture for the public. I encourage you to print an alternate view of the JW's as a matter of balanced and fair reporting. I would be happy to discuss the matter with you further if you would like.
• 
  40

  moral question

  by rwagoner in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just read a thread about a child born with two heads and read some, well meaning but disturbing posts... .

  here is the question: .

  you and your spouse are expecting...a test is available that will reveal if your unborn child may have a physical disability... .

  1. 
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• 

  rwagoner

  Brenda,

  I completely respect your right to your opinion and I apologize to everyone for being a little sneaky in my original post. I wanted honest answers and didn't want to sway people's comments by saying I have a disability right away. It is nice to let people answer and see what they really think of you before they know the whole story sometimes. *Wink*

  You are right there are huge differences between having a disability all your life (like me) and getting one later in life. To be honest I think the latter is worse. To be able bodied and then lose that can be devastating.

  My main point really is that we should not ASSUME what someones abilities or limitations might be. Don't put our opinions or stereotypes onto them before they have a chance to prove their worth. As a person with a birth defect I have to say that I get literally sick, physically ill, when I hear about parents who terminate a pregnancy because of a test result. What a shame that the child never had a chance to grow up and show everyone what they were capable of.

  There has never been a female president...or a black president...but there has been a President with a disability, even though at the time he had to hide it because it was viewed as a weakness. I am so proud to be a person with a disability. People may see a wheelchair at first but once they get to know me they see the man I am...the husband, father, hard worker, politician, prodiuctive member of society and I can't thank my parents (who shun me LOL) enough for giving me a chance at life.

  So again I respect everyones right to make a very difficult and personal decision...all I ask is dont limit someones abilities with stereotypes or fear of what their lives MIGHT be like.

  RandyW