Posts by Abaddon

65

Do You Think ENGLISH Should Be The Official Language In America?

by minimus in

jw
friends

some politicians are saying this would be "racist".

Do You Think ENGLISH Should Be The Official Language In America?

by minimus in

jw
friends

some politicians are saying this would be "racist".

Do You Think ENGLISH Should Be The Official Language In America?

by minimus in

jw
friends

some politicians are saying this would be "racist".

Abaddon

MinsterAmos

BASQUE Spain where Arabic is the official language

I think you're mixing up today's Basques, who speak Esqueran, with the Moorish Spain run by Muslims in the early centuries of the second millenium. That's where Spanish gets it Arabic loan words from, although it is still largely a Romanse language, i.e. a dialect of Latin that has become a language.

I think rather than making English the offical language (not that it would be then, you guys speak American in all its glorious forms, which is a dialect of English, like what we British people speak, in'it?), they should ensure everyone has a decent enough education they learn to speak, read and write in English no matter what their cradle-tounge is.

If everyone CAN speak English (which is what this is trying to achieve by proclamation), there's no need to make it official.

A live in Holland. People are stupidly multi-lingual here. Most people (60%+) are trilingual, Dutch (obviously) with English, and either French or German or another language at conversational or near-conversational levels. Around 30% are quadralinguals. Luxembourgers also get to speak Luxemburgish, and are actually taught in different languages at different points of their education.

I'm struggling with two...

39

Marriage advice needed...am I being unreasonable?

by Virgochik in

any comments appreciated because i can't think clearly right now!

here's the story.... .

hubby and i married 5-1/2 years ago.

Abaddon

Gregor

I travel on business maybe six times a year, and also to see my kids. I take along my fiance as her schedule (she's a teacher so can't just take days off anytime) permits, as she basically goes for free on business trips apart from what she eats - and even then if I have to have a meal in the evening with a client, it's normally cool for her to come along for free. My clients get taken to nice places, LOL. Likewise when I go back to the UK to see my kids, except sometimes it's the extra cost that rules it out.

I like being places by myself, but it's also great fun with her along, and there's places I've been to without her (the US, Romania, Tunisia, Spain, Scotland, Ireland) I'd love to take her to too share the fun. SHe's mad keen for it so I can understand your frustration (maybe not quite the right word but you know what I mean).

Kate and I are a little freakishly together - I realise not every couple are the same without it devaluging the relationship - but to not go and string someone along is just not nice.

60

Witnessing at the WalMart in Evansville, Indiana(pics)

by Jourles in

jw
friends

.

for your viewing, uh, pleasure?

Abaddon

If that's Photoshopped it very good. It's real.

The girl on the left is naughty. You can just tell. She needs to be saved, and quite possibly spanked...

It looks like they're selling some multi-cultural Country Club... I suppose 'The Paradise' is the ultimate country club.

I don't think I was ever as comfy as that street-witnessing. I'm mean, given the fact they're propagating a vile cult, they're being smart about it. No standing-in-the-gutter-holding-magazines-to-chest style for them, oh no. Another cold Coke? Is your chair comfy? CHAIR!!! I never had no fricking CHAIR when I did street-witnessing. I remember where street-witnessing combined boredom, traffic fumes, aching feet, and either being too hot/cold/wet, or buffeted by wind to give a flying return visit.

I DID see something funny once though. A four-way junction, me outside a 7-11 on one of the corners. This guy had stopped a little forward of the lights (on red) and pushed the motorbike (well, C90) he was riding on to it's central stand. I noticed he'd left it in gear as the rear wheel was spinning slowly with the engine ticking over. He faffed around with something bikely, and then got centred on the bike and ready for the lights.

As I started to react to what I could see happening the lights changed, and sure enough, he gunned the engine, pushed forward of the stand, and then popped a wheelie as the by-now rapidly spinning rear wheel hit the tarmac. Went all the way back and hit its tail-lights - never thought I'd see a C90 smash its rear-light doing a wheelie. I have to say he did well getting it go down forwards rather than on top of him or to one side or other.

But that was about it as far as interesting things. Just that in Field-Service Overseer only know hours of it. It could only have been worse if I were a woman, as then having the wind blow up my skirt would have only added to my misery.

But it would be fun if Wal-Mart banned Witness's using their property like that. Problem is the Dubbies, bless their clueless little cotton socks, would take the 'Persecution' as a sign they were right.

39

Marriage advice needed...am I being unreasonable?

by Virgochik in

any comments appreciated because i can't think clearly right now!

here's the story.... .

hubby and i married 5-1/2 years ago.

Abaddon

Also, he says he's already seen Europe, and so why should he see it again?

LOL, that is so full of bull... it isn't fricking DisneyLand, it's a continent.

Your hubby is giving you a run around. And he probably is thinking if you go off for a holiday, then he's gonna have to look after himself. Yet he is obviously scared of airtravel - which is a genuine phobia for those who have it even if it's nionsensical to those who don't. So, you get to stay and wait on him - if you let him get away with this.

Go to Europe with the gang of girls.

30

JW Marriages - Loophole in wedding vows

by Finally-Free in

not being raised as a jw, i went to many church weddings, mostly in catholic churches.

all the times i went to jw weddings i thought it unusual that they had their own vows, much different from the wedding vows used elsewhere.

i remembered jws mentioning "divine temination" of marriages to me and thought the vows reflected that thought.

Abaddon

Wow; you serve on the ISS and you get a scriptual divorce thrown-in for free!

16

Meet the shock troops of the Christian right?

by Makena1 in

jw
friends

meet the shock troops of the christian youth .

tell a friend .

battle cry for theocracy!

Abaddon

XJW

Because, as a general rule, it is the Judeo-Christian ethic that has bettered the conditions of man.

So the JC world gets to rule with their own rules forever due to historical happen-chance? And all other people, of other religions and of secular viewpoints get to be grateful?

Not something I can agree with; and that's without taking issue on the claim "as a general rule, it is the Judeo-Christian ethic that has bettered the conditions of man". The improvements in standards of living, equality, human rights, life-spans, education etc. have largely been tracable from the start of the period society began to be secularised.

There's more evidence the betterment of the conditions of man have been due to secularism than a JC ethic. The JC ethic had failed to bring equality, education, justice, health - despite trying for almost 2,000 years. Secularism started the real beneficial changes.

Why not base society on the principles of humans rights?
Who is the arbiter of those rights, Abbadon?

That's a strange question; you know the answer. Governments elected by people agree on the principles of human rights and have codified these on several occasions. You are as included in that process as your hypothetical atheist left wing next-door neighbour. Legal systems interpret and enfore those rights. If the people feel rights change (for example, allowing black people to vote), then in time they change.

If I understood this leftists article, then I would have no rights since I am unenlightened Christian.

I'm talking about human rights; you have as many of those as the next human. Why the sympathy card? There's no need for it; as a right-wing American male you belong to one of the largest and most influential groups on this planet.... not really any reason for you to sound so woe-begone. It amazes me how the white American Republican male can sound so sorry for itself when it has all the toys in the basket, on average.

You do not however have the right to force your religious beliefs on others so by using them as a basis to build society on.

You can be free and happy to worship as you want in a safe secular society. A humanist cannot have the same freedoms in a society based on a belief structure.

Most of the left believe that human rights come from humans, therefore when they find that a right is inconvinient to them or a hinderance to their power hunger those rights get suspended.

Please show me where this has happened in a modern democracy. In absense of such proof you are fear-mongering. Then for context, show me a JC ethic country that does not or has not violated human rights.

The American democratic-republic, says that human rights are endowed be the Creator, and hence not subject to the whims of human government or opinion.

Interesting point. Where in the document you have just cited (Declaration of Independence) does it say anything about a JC ethic being the basis of society? It might say that men are created equal in the sight of god, or words to that effect, but any doubt over the intent of this statement is cleared up by the 1st Ammendment, which clearly seperates government from religion.

Are you suggesting a humanist secular society (where people can believe what they like provided they do no harm to others) cannot work as well as a JC ethic society?
No, I am suggesting the opposite. That a secular humanistic society cannot function with people that posess a Judeo-Christian ethic. They are polar opposites.

So the intolerence of certain religious individuals undermines a stable society? Because if some religious people believe god says x, and x violates human rights, it doesn't matter, as god said it? And this willingness to violate human rights due to religious beliefs is poison in a society based on human rights intrinsic to being a sentient human being that ride over and above any religious belief structure, being principles of fact rather than belief? Of course, you dont mean that, LOL. I do.

Me and people like me are quite happy to live with people like you provided you don't harm anyone or infrige their rights. You apparently are not happy to live with us. You are free to dissent. But you apparently want to impose your beliefs on others; that's not dissent, that's oppression.

What of the people (law-abiding good citizens) excluded by basing government on a JC ethic?
Oh yes, the horror of not lying, stealing or murdering. What a terrible thing to force those prohibitions on people.

Would you be so kind as to answer the question?

Why not achieve the same fairness and tolerance a modern JC ethic society can attain in a secular way that includes all people of good will?
If you could point out a secular humanistic society that has truly respected the rights of disenters, then I would have to reconsider my position. Until then, I'll stick to my guns.

Errr... well, we can discount the USA, as it isn't secular in the sense of the European countries. I happen to live in probably one of THE prime examples of a secular, as humanist as any other country and more than many, society. Now, you have not proved any point here; you haven't proved that secular humanist societies do not respect the rights of dissenters. You making an unsupported assumption; ya know, like WoMD's? You are asking me to disprove something you have not proved - a logical impossibility if that's of any interest.

But have a go; show how the Netherlands (famous for centuries as a place people run TOO to flee religious or other persecution) has NOT respected the rights of dissenters. And then show a JC ethic society that does better.

16

Meet the shock troops of the Christian right?

by Makena1 in

jw
friends

meet the shock troops of the christian youth .

tell a friend .

battle cry for theocracy!

Abaddon

XJW

Why do you and fellow Christians of like mind get to choose that government be influenced by the J-C ethic?

Why not base society on the principles of humans rights?

Are you suggesting a humanist secular society (where people can believe what they like provided they do no harm to others) cannot work as well as a JC ethic society?

Or is it merely your preference?

What of the people (law-abiding good citizens) excluded by basing government on a JC ethic?

Why not achieve the same fairness and tolerance a modern JC ethic society can attain in a secular way that includes all people of good will?

81

Excommunication is good!!!!

by I-follow-the-narrow-path in

jw
friends

while talking to my teacher today we talked about excommunication.

i told her i thought it was mean to not talk to those members which have been excommunicated.

she told me; however, that those who leave the church should be punished.

Abaddon

Joe Grundy

I liked what you said - but don't blame yourself. It is enough that you would have done that had you known.No one could reasonably expect you to know everything.

Elizabeth

Your responses are interesting;

I control what I think, how I feel, how I talk and no one else.

So you're saying that the contact you have with Witnesses, and your growing belief in what they say does NOT control how you think and feel? To me it sounds very much like you're being controlled.

I read light stuff though... about cults and brainwashing. I do not believe any of it

So are you saying there's no such thing as cults? Or that JW's are not a cult? What about Mormons, Moonies and Sociologists? Are they cults? If so, what is the difference between those characteristics that make them cults and those of the JW's?

Being saved is not my ultimate goal here, for I already am anyway (in heaven) :) AND I do not say that because of the JWs.

Errr... Newsflash. JW's do not believe in being 'saved'. They believe a small number (144,000) go to heaven to rule over humanity after Armageddon. Most of those have already died. Now there are a little under ten thousand JW's who claim to be of 'the remnant'. In JW land if you think you're going to heaven and are young or new, people will think you are mad. All other JW's believe they will live forever in Paradise on Earth.

I wanted to know (assuming I would go through) I used to be a self harmer (in remission now). Under a lot of stree

If you look into cults you will find people are most likely to get involved in a cult after some personal crisis. They provide simple solutions and answers, even if there are no simple solutions or answers. A hope. A way to feel better about the future. A comfort. A kiss in the darkness of the world.

I come out of remission... what if the congregation saw I cut myself. Would they call that a misuse of blood? Would I be disfellowshipped? Can one before baptism get disfellowshipped?

You have to be baptised to be disfellowshipped. Cutting would not be considered a disfellowshipping offence, as far as I know. Also, if you have suddenly found 'the Truth', why would you be self-harming again? Surely such a wonderful thing would make all those awful tensions only cutting can release be easier to handle? Or is it that you now feel you have all these new requirements to live up to, a conflict between how you feel and how your family would feel? More stress? Is being involved with the Witnesses part of your relapse? Your whole body and mind are telling you something. Listen.

I totally understand when people say I do not need an organization. But look at it this way

You have a big project do at school and you can not get it done in the one weekend. So you ask for help (org)

I am trying to finish the project of getting closer to God... it is not as easy on my own.

Although I am not what one could call a great believer, the idea of getting closer to god being a 'project' strikes me as a little odd. It sounds awfully mechanical, rule-based, like a tick on a list. The Organisation of the JW's will provide you with lots more mechanical, rule-based, box ticking.

Where did you get the idea that developing a relationship with god is based on rules? Doesn't the whole of the New Testament scream about the possibility of a personal relationship with god? Not only available through the services of Priests and rule makers; look at how Jesus acted toward the Priests and the Pharisees!

Think about it. Jesus came to free people from rule-based bureaucratic religious observance, to develop a personal relationship with god, and to conduct themselves rightly through the application of their conscience.

And now many religious groups are rule-based bureaucratic organisations, having completely missed the entire point of what Jesus was talking about. And the JW's are one of those.

God is not a brand or project. Don't look for him as you imagine him, or how people tell you he is. Look for him in the world around you. Truth isn't in a book. It's in living life as best you can, of touching others and allowing oneself to be touched, or valuing others and oneself. Of finding a place.

I wish I could tell you it is easy. It isn't. But just as sweetener doesn't taste like sugar. the artificial hope these people are selling might give you the props to make it easy to act like you are happy, but they have no substance. JW's have missed the point and lost god, whatever god is, in a host of rules, just like the Pharisees did in Jesus' day.

JW's cannot show in any way they are infallible and god appointed; there are dozens of religions who make this claim and none of them have any more real evidence than the other. God doesn't play games or make you guess. If there was a 'truth' in a book, it would be as provable as the fact the sun will rise.

All the more indication you have to figure it out for yourself. Harsh but fair, sad but true.

You critizing the WTBS feels like you attacking God... I don't know why it feels that way. It just does.

Because they are controlling the way you think. Early on in their contact with people JW's will give the person they study with the impression they are likely to experience disapproval or opposition from friends and family, maybe even spiritual problems, as the wicked spirit of the world tries to dissuade the person from getting involved in the truth. Any opposition will reinforce any beliefs that person has about it being the truth.

Of course, if someone got involved with a bunch of cultists - let's assume we can both agree Moonies are cultists - who would try and convert them, and their friends and family were concerned with the person's safety and well-being. It would be perfectly reasonable for them to be critical or oppose the involvement. If the Moonies had told the person they would be opposed, the fact people are doing totally reasonable thing is seen by the person involved with the cultists as evidence the Moonies is the 'truth'.

I just do not understand, if it is "the faithful and descreet slave" Who are you to judge God?

You seem to have made an awful lot of assumptions about god yourself.

All the best to you; please, talk to the people you love about this, and about you starting self-harming again if they don't already know. Did you get counselling before? You should speak to your councillor. Don;t give into the paranoia the JW's try to infect you with. Professionals and your family are there to help you.