Posts by azaria

58

My Observation: The People On this Board Are Very Nice

by minimus in

jw
friends

the more i get to know you, the more i appreciate what you've gone through and the more i feel a kinship toward you.

so many here are kind hearted people.

this board just keeps getting better and better!!

azaria

Do I see a contradiction or am I a simpleton?

I love your wit and ability to use comical yet honest rationale to get a point across so even some of these simpletons can understand it.

It is nice to see someone else with a realistic perspective. Listening to fundamentalist Bible-thumpers spew reasons they have "felt God" is actually quite nauseating. Ironic that they attribute all the positive experiences in life to God and all bad experiences to the Devil or human frailty is illogical.

You worded it well... don't you feel guilty raining in on their parade? However some people prefer to be naive.. because in some instances ignorance is bliss and they prefer to be happy or content with their beliefs that have no rationale or absolute foundation.. only faith.

I agree minimus. Since I came back and started posting here again a few days ago, I have noticed an all-around sense of decency on the board. I thank Simon for kicking off some of the nuisances (i.e. Yadirf, FredHall, comforter, jjrizo) who were around solely to stir up trouble. Some may argue that such an action produces a "Kingdom Hall" mentality, as some people criticize on "other" JW sites. However I disagree, this place is actually enjoyable to post at again because there are not endless flame wars with barrages of insults being tossed back and forth. In just a few days we have seen and shared in amazing stories and individuals have been comfortable enough to relay their experiences of heartache and despair in family issues with absolute strangers on this site. Then they received comfort and support from here when they had no where else to turn. That in itself makes this discussion board a wonderful place to be.

I personally think you are very unfair. What about respecting someone with an opinion that's contrary to yours. Or is it your belief that you only need to be decent with people that have your opinion.

I guess that means that I'm not very nice!

41

JW Family...UPDATE! Please advise!

by Ghost of Esmeralda in

jw
friends

my ex husband just told me that he will continue to facilitate visitation between my child and my jw family who is shunning me (see my other thread "i didn't think they could find another way to hurt me but...") he says i'm the one with the problem and that i should be "ashamed of myself".

it's not like i thought he'd cooperate, but for him to stand there and tell me that he will allow my sister full access to my child and there's not a damn thing i can do (and probably, legally, that's right) makes my blood boil.

makes me just want to swallow every fricking pill in the house.

azaria

Hi Essie:

It must be a great feeling to feel so much support from the people here. I don't have time to read most of the responses here, there are so many, and some so long. Have to leave soon. Both you and your daughter are in my thoughts. Hope eventually it all works out for you.

A BIG(((((((((((((())))))))))))))))for you!!

14

The Trials of Living Alone

by SYN in

jw
friends

here's an interesting article i found on thisislondon's site (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifeandstyle/articles/4688499?source=evening%20standard).

sarah jessica parker: plays singleton carrie bradshaw.

story tools: back a page read later print mail to a friendhave your say.

azaria

Razorblade: Are you my husband? I didn't know you got a bird?

Seriously I left my husband 7 months ago and I am so happy that I made the decision. I'm much happier, content. The first 6 months I never felt lonely, just lately more so. I can relate about the coffee. I had to leave not just for myself, but for the sake of the kids. Thankfully my husband and I are friendly. But would I go back? I don't think so. I remember why I left.

3

Does anyone want to change the world-just a little? Stinky?

by azaria in

jw
friends

hi again, stinky pantz.

i woke up around 6:30 this morning.

the birds were chirping.

azaria

Hi again, Stinky Pantz

I woke up around 6:30 this morning. The birds were chirping. The older I get the more in awe I am about the universe. You were one of the first people I thought about. I do want to give you a very belated hug for the child you were when some horrible things happened to you. I can’t undo your pain, anymore than you can undo it for me, but we can all be there for each other when we are in pain, as I’ve seen in a lot of the posts I have read since coming here. We both have opposite beliefs. But we do have a common belief about one thing; abused children. This morning as I was thinking about the question that troubles the two of us most, I was asking why? (believers will understand it when I say this, and non-believers will say it was a co-incidence) I happened to turn on the TV in my bedroom which I haven’t done in many months. A young man was on, talking about the plight of hungry children in Africa. His name is Edward John and he sang "Time to Give" (it sure is a freaky co-incidence) and some of you, get your bucket.

If I were to start some kind of fund, however small, to ask for donations to help some of the abused children, how would you feel about it? We could all (on this site) do our part, in our own areas of the world. Even if everyone gave a dollar, in time it could grow into a fairly substantial amount. Everybody could have a say in how to set it up, how the $ should be distributed, or we could vote for someone with a big heart (Mouthy comes to mind) to make those decisions; or more than one person. We could set up a general fund through a bank or we could individually raise money and turn it in to a local charity. At any time we can report back here how much $ has been raised indivually. I think the simpler the better. What do you think?, we could call it "Spantz Fund" or whatever everyone else decides. In a sense, you more than anyone inspired the thought in my mind to do this. Why don’t we try and do something for even a few children, one child? I’m really serious about this. Heck, maybe Simon will even give us our own section! Even if we each collect $100 x the number of members on this site? Come on fellow Canadians en Nederlanders, show the rest of the world what we’re made of. I think this could really work, but only if we all do our share.

One of my inspirations I would have to say is a lady in my study group. This is a lady with so much joy. You know what I think part of the secret is?; she’s a giving person. On her own she collects items; food, clothing, baby formula, baby furniture, for the less fortunate. She just asks people & companies for anything she thinks is needed. Even with her handicap she gladly does for others. "Is Joy found in Giving?"

A few others have also sewn a few seeds (as us believers would say) Our director yesterday quoted "We Get Back What We Give Away". I think too about some of the posters here: Blueblades who initially started the topic "Have You Ever Experienced God?".(what have you started? I’m sure it wasn’t your intention to sew a seed) I read a post from Ravyn to Esmerelda about not giving in, to be strong, for the sake of her little girl. I like spunk; to not let obstacles keep you down, not to continue to wallow in it and let it destroy you.

So I have my "Spantz Fund" jar on top of the fridge with the first loonie, who’ll join me?

To date: $1.00 Cdn

45

Have You Ever Experienced God?

by Blueblades in

jw
friends

.

with all the confusion between both camps when it comes to discussing god,the bible,and jesus,including the various doctrinal matters,a friend of mind told me none of it matters to him because he has evidence of god's existence through his personal experience with god.. when i asked him about it he said he couldn't explain it that i would have to experience it for myself.i told him it has never ever happened to me.. have you ever experienced god so that you could lay to rest all the why for's of things and just settle down and go on with the rest of your life and face death with confidence knowing beyond a doubt that you will be with god when you pass on.. blueblades

azaria

Hi Stinky Pantz:

Could you really be saying that you want a God to take care of all your needs, no pain and suffering; the choices would be made for us; to be totally spoon fed, just like the JW's org does, the former Soviet Union did? What I tried to say in my analogy is that the children left the home when they grew up (became adults) because they were able then to take care of themselves. He didn't kick them out. The town represented the world. The suburbs (as you stated) weren't there. I created this story, remember? I think God creates and Satan destroys. As for heaven not having sin, I think we get there after we are tested. Should everybody no matter what their heart is like, whatever they have done be able to enter heaven? Oh by the way in my last post, as you know I stated that I thought it was funny that because of me your atheism was strengthened. It was because my parents & my husband never listened to me and here a total stranger does!

I started another post. I really hope you read it. Take care, azaria

45

Have You Ever Experienced God?

by Blueblades in

jw
friends

.

with all the confusion between both camps when it comes to discussing god,the bible,and jesus,including the various doctrinal matters,a friend of mind told me none of it matters to him because he has evidence of god's existence through his personal experience with god.. when i asked him about it he said he couldn't explain it that i would have to experience it for myself.i told him it has never ever happened to me.. have you ever experienced god so that you could lay to rest all the why for's of things and just settle down and go on with the rest of your life and face death with confidence knowing beyond a doubt that you will be with god when you pass on.. blueblades

azaria

Stinky Pantz:

I'm sorry, I think it's funny, your atheism is strengthened because of what I have said. I guess I should be mortified. I think I have answered your question or at least tried to, but you don't seem to be able to come up with a (hypothetical) solution. Is that because you can't find one? I did ask you a couple of times, so what would you do if you were God?

45

Have You Ever Experienced God?

by Blueblades in

jw
friends

.

with all the confusion between both camps when it comes to discussing god,the bible,and jesus,including the various doctrinal matters,a friend of mind told me none of it matters to him because he has evidence of god's existence through his personal experience with god.. when i asked him about it he said he couldn't explain it that i would have to experience it for myself.i told him it has never ever happened to me.. have you ever experienced god so that you could lay to rest all the why for's of things and just settle down and go on with the rest of your life and face death with confidence knowing beyond a doubt that you will be with god when you pass on.. blueblades

azaria

Hi Stinky Pantz: I think that this will be my last post regarding this topic. It seems you wanted some answer from me. I tried.

I’m sure that since time began people have contemplated what life would be like if there was no such thing as sin. Can you think of a way that this could work out? You say that I don’t answer your questions, but neither do you.

So I’ll try to figure something out; bear with me, this is coming as I’m typing this: I’m sure that many smart people have written extensively about this very subject. Why are you asking me?

Here goes, with the premise that God exists.

He creates the universe, everything is perfect. He creates animals, everything is perfect. He creates people, everything is perfect. (It sounds like a Tupperware family from the Twilight Zone ). With the premise that happiness is a choice, will we work; a lot of people don’t like to work; so maybe some people will work, while others play; won’t there be resentment? Will we help each other? If we don’t help another person, the person might become sad. So then we have to eliminate choices: we don’t want anybody sad. We do things automatically without choices, then everybody will be happy? I know this is so simplistic, but I just don’t see how this will work. I don’t think it’s as simple as taking away sin, and all would work perfectly, and we would be happy; we truly wouldn’t be living, we’d be programmed. To be happy you make a choice. It’s all about choices. What are you asking Stinky Pantz; that you want absolutely no sin? It sounds on the surface real nice but could it realistically work? How do you know if someone truly loves you, or you are just programmed to do good and say I love you. But maybe for many people that’s not really important; if we would all just get along, everything's harmonious, that would be good.

If it’s not sin you want to get rid of, but want all children be protected; I asked in another post, for how long would you provide protection (5 yrs, 12yrs, 18yrs) You said forever. Do you mean till they pass on in old age?

If it was proven safe and it was available to us would anyone ever consider that everybody have a lobotomy that could take out the aggressive gene? (they would then also have to do all the animals, or we wouldn’t survive very long). I wonder if that could be that far fetched down the road. What would happen to our psyche? Would we adjust in time and live happily ever after in this harmonious, dream world?

Like I said I don’t have the answers; that’s pretty obvious. I’m just trying to figure out how it could work. I just have to trust God; that He just know better than me. I can’t see the whole picture, just a very, very small piece. Can anyone help me out here? I’m sure Stinky Pantz, you could come up with something, but I figure somewhere down the line it falls apart.

The way I see it we’re kind of tested here on earth, to see what we are made of. I know that sounds callous, but again we do make choices. ( I know a young child doesn't make the choice to be abused) What would you do with the Saddam Hussein’s, Hitler of this world? They made horrible choices.

Like I said before, with or without God, the state of the world doesn’t change, we have suffering with or without Him.

As I’m sure you can tell from my post, I’m really tired so I’ll stop before my post gets any more ridiculous and incoherent.

45

Have You Ever Experienced God?

by Blueblades in

jw
friends

.

with all the confusion between both camps when it comes to discussing god,the bible,and jesus,including the various doctrinal matters,a friend of mind told me none of it matters to him because he has evidence of god's existence through his personal experience with god.. when i asked him about it he said he couldn't explain it that i would have to experience it for myself.i told him it has never ever happened to me.. have you ever experienced god so that you could lay to rest all the why for's of things and just settle down and go on with the rest of your life and face death with confidence knowing beyond a doubt that you will be with god when you pass on.. blueblades

azaria

Stinky Pants,

I don’t know where to start. I do sense a deep seated anger from you. Am I wrong? I mentioned that I feel blessed (but not always), but not am blessed. There is a big difference. I have never mentioned that I felt more special or deserved to be blessed more than anyone else. As for taking responsibility for your own choices, I repeatedly stated that fact. I really think you need to go over my posts again. I’m not imposing my views onto someone else; I’m only relating my own experiences, yet you seem threatened by that. If someone mentions something positive like "holding a new born baby" it seems to make you angry. (every good experience that a person feels and shares with someone else is a selfish act?) Should we keep our good experiences to ourselves in case it may hurt someone else? Should I be upset with you because you stated that you had a good relationship with your husband and I don't? Many people post here: christians, atheists, heterosexuals, homosexuals: we all have different viewpoints. I’ve never told anyone that they were wrong, but can’t you give me that common curtesy? You seem to want to invalidate other peoples opinion contrary to your own. (I already had enough of my dad and husband thinking that I should feel or think their way) Is it a hold over from the JW org? I’m not sure I want to exert that much energy trying to go over it all. (there’s so much) I will mention the post about the orgasm. It was just a joke, yet you had to turn it into something negative by replacing it with cancer. You stated that there is proof of cancer and orgasms, but not of God. In the past could we prove the existence of cancer or orgasms, or did we just see the effects it had on people? Nowadays we can through science prove it’s existence. Before you couldn’t always see the existence of cancer; only if it was on the outside or if someone died (but then could they always be sure of what the person died of?) Only later could we find out if it was cancer or not. Also with orgasms we can now see through ultra-sounds the proof, before you could only see the effects it had on the body. Who’s to say that in the future we can’t scientifically prove that God exists. For us that believe we can see the efffects of the existence of God. Like they say about the wind, you can’t see it, but you know it’s there. You see the effects. And no I’m not angry, and yes I still believe. Take care

45

Have You Ever Experienced God?

by Blueblades in

jw
friends

.

with all the confusion between both camps when it comes to discussing god,the bible,and jesus,including the various doctrinal matters,a friend of mind told me none of it matters to him because he has evidence of god's existence through his personal experience with god.. when i asked him about it he said he couldn't explain it that i would have to experience it for myself.i told him it has never ever happened to me.. have you ever experienced god so that you could lay to rest all the why for's of things and just settle down and go on with the rest of your life and face death with confidence knowing beyond a doubt that you will be with god when you pass on.. blueblades

azaria

Hi Jerusalyim,

I had considered using the sex analogy, but coming (sorry) from a female I thought it might be a bit crude.

Someone here posts: Have You Ever Experienced an Orgasm?

Someone replies:Yes

Someone else replies: I've never had one so it couldn't possible exist.

45

Have You Ever Experienced God?

by Blueblades in

jw
friends

.

with all the confusion between both camps when it comes to discussing god,the bible,and jesus,including the various doctrinal matters,a friend of mind told me none of it matters to him because he has evidence of god's existence through his personal experience with god.. when i asked him about it he said he couldn't explain it that i would have to experience it for myself.i told him it has never ever happened to me.. have you ever experienced god so that you could lay to rest all the why for's of things and just settle down and go on with the rest of your life and face death with confidence knowing beyond a doubt that you will be with god when you pass on.. blueblades

azaria

To: Reborn 2002

It is nice to see someone else with a realistic perspective. Listening to fundamentalist Bible-thumpers spew reasons they have "felt God" is actually quite nauseating. Ironic that they attribute all the positive experiences in life to God and all bad experiences to the Devil or human frailty is illogical.

You worded it well... don't you feel guilty raining in on their parade? However some people prefer to be naive.. because in some instances ignorance is bliss and they prefer to be happy or content with their beliefs that have no rationale or absolute foundation.. only faith. Reborn 2002

First of all I think I’m pretty realistic and I’m not a fundamentalist Bible thumper. To whom do you attribute all the positive and bad experiences to? You stated a comment, but you don’t seem to have the answers either. No I am not that naive. I know exactly what this world can be like, but I do try to look more on the positive side of life: there is a positive side, and we can choose to wallow in our misery, or be thankful for all the wonderful things that can and do happen in this world. I don’t think I’m that stupid. I’m a much happier person choosing the positive; it helps me, helps my children, and maybe I can help someone else who is going through difficulty (which I have been able to do, and others have done for me) So what do you think is rationale or absolute or logical? If my post comes across as a little perturbed, I am, just a little. I realize that when we post here, we all have to accept criticism one time or another. The reason that I can’t be angry or annoyed with Stinky Pantz is that she is in pain for reasons that she stated above. If we are honest we have all gone through periods of questioning; wondering what it’s all about, and I think it’s perfectly healthy to question God. But you seem to come here lambasting anyone who has faith, but without answers yourself. Blueblades posed the question "Have you ever experienced God? So I posted back that I did and I will not apologize for that. You believe something different. That is your choice, and I’m not going to tell you that you were wrong (you moron!! ), but why don’t you want to give someone else that same privilege, without telling them that there is something terribly wrong with that person for having faith. (unrealistic, fundamental bible-thumper, spewing, nauseating, illogical, naive, ignorant, in a belief that has no rationale or absolute foundation.( I assume that you feel that I’m just a weak, pathetic person in need of a crutch). I hope you had a bucket close by.

So we have some choices:

God exists: evil is not His fault evil is His fault satan exists: evil is not his fault evil is his fault people exist: evil is not their fault evil is their fault God doesn’t exist, satan doesn’t exist, maybe we really don’t exist -(we could be just a figment of someone’s imagination) It’s everybody’s fault- It’s nobody’s fault - it just randomly happens, just like creation, it just happens, no rhyme or reason.

What do you pick: Are there any other choices?