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Estace
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5 months ago
in Certified Apostate on RyanSutter Dot Net
I think this is a hoax and you do, in fact have a certificate with a gold foil seal on it.
hahaha!
Cindy Von Bank?
hahaha!
Cindy Von Bank?
1 year ago
in Twitter Updates for 2008-04-27 on RyanSutter Dot Net
OMG. LOLROTF. James. I just snorted my beer!
I was going to ask petty/snotty questions like; does Phil still have hair? Have they married Marnie off yet? Was Robin wearing a skirt, or *gasp* pants (a la mom-style)? Did they scurry into another aisle to avoid eye contact with you?
Enquiring minds want to know . . .
I was going to ask petty/snotty questions like; does Phil still have hair? Have they married Marnie off yet? Was Robin wearing a skirt, or *gasp* pants (a la mom-style)? Did they scurry into another aisle to avoid eye contact with you?
Enquiring minds want to know . . .
1 year ago
in God As I Knew Him - Part 3 on RyanSutter Dot Net
Did we get baptised at the same convention? I don't remember . . . (shocker, that).
1 year ago
in current thoughts on RyanSutter Dot Net
Sorry, that was the only Blasko I know. But, very funny James!!
ps) today's word is FLERM. Who comes up with this? It's awesome! ;)
ps) today's word is FLERM. Who comes up with this? It's awesome! ;)
1 year ago
in Wow… on RyanSutter Dot Net
It's like we're in highschool all over again . . .
Now, if I only could connect to WinterNet BBS with my 28.8K modem, I'd be flyin' high!
Now, if I only could connect to WinterNet BBS with my 28.8K modem, I'd be flyin' high!
1 year ago
in Cognitive Dissonance on RyanSutter Dot Net
WOW. Ry, great posts and rebuttals. I'm adding a request to my library list for the book. CD describes my inner life from 20 - 26 (five years of going thru the motions . . . ).
I appreciate the points of Jen and Tom as well. If I may, I'd like to add a wish to Ryan's last rebuttal: "The only thing I would ever wish . . ."
Tolerance. Why is this not taught? Jesus hung out with tax collectors and prostitutes (not exactly the most savoury of folk) accepting people as they came. If anything, we as Witnesses are taught to look down, pity and avoid contact with anyone who was not JUST LIKE US, to the point that we only hang out with other JW's and shun the company of anyone who expresses ideas that are not copacetic to the teachings of the Society (not Jesus').
If Witnesses were tolerant, I would enjoy a much healthier relationship with my parents. They would accept my differing belief system while wishing that I were still a JW, but there would be the option of open communication without condemnation and social pressure from the Society and congregation to avoid my presence altogether.
It is truly a pity, since I have met some really fine folk that are Witnesses. And I miss them as friends. Maybe some of them miss me.
As a personal aside, Ry, when I had been out for about three years, I sought a counselor to work past what had happened (and hammer out a few non-JW items as well) and she gave me a sheet detailing the seven stages of being in a cult. At first, I was mildly insulted and taken aback; JW is a legitimate established religion. But then I read what she had given me and all but one step rang true for me. I was crushed. I spent HOW LONG of my life doing this?? Participating in a system of suspended disbelief and injuring myself in the process.
She also talked to me about CD (this was five years ago) and how I had basically been feeling this way for such a long while that I never even thought about it and accepted it as something everyone else does as well. The answer to that was: no. It's not normal. Now, I'm of the school that if it doesn't feel right, don't do it. And I've learned to listen to myself a bit better. Just not my husband. ;p tee hee
~Estace
I appreciate the points of Jen and Tom as well. If I may, I'd like to add a wish to Ryan's last rebuttal: "The only thing I would ever wish . . ."
Tolerance. Why is this not taught? Jesus hung out with tax collectors and prostitutes (not exactly the most savoury of folk) accepting people as they came. If anything, we as Witnesses are taught to look down, pity and avoid contact with anyone who was not JUST LIKE US, to the point that we only hang out with other JW's and shun the company of anyone who expresses ideas that are not copacetic to the teachings of the Society (not Jesus').
If Witnesses were tolerant, I would enjoy a much healthier relationship with my parents. They would accept my differing belief system while wishing that I were still a JW, but there would be the option of open communication without condemnation and social pressure from the Society and congregation to avoid my presence altogether.
It is truly a pity, since I have met some really fine folk that are Witnesses. And I miss them as friends. Maybe some of them miss me.
As a personal aside, Ry, when I had been out for about three years, I sought a counselor to work past what had happened (and hammer out a few non-JW items as well) and she gave me a sheet detailing the seven stages of being in a cult. At first, I was mildly insulted and taken aback; JW is a legitimate established religion. But then I read what she had given me and all but one step rang true for me. I was crushed. I spent HOW LONG of my life doing this?? Participating in a system of suspended disbelief and injuring myself in the process.
She also talked to me about CD (this was five years ago) and how I had basically been feeling this way for such a long while that I never even thought about it and accepted it as something everyone else does as well. The answer to that was: no. It's not normal. Now, I'm of the school that if it doesn't feel right, don't do it. And I've learned to listen to myself a bit better. Just not my husband. ;p tee hee
~Estace
2 years ago
in The Pattern on RyanSutter Dot Net
Succinct and oh so very true. I'm thinking of cutting and pasting this and emailing to my mom. Also linking in my blog.
~Estace
~Estace
2 years ago
in Can gorillas help us understand the origins of religion? on RyanSutter Dot Net
I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that . . .
;)
Any interest in a double date in all your spare time? I'd like to get to know Es and you should meet my husband. ;p
ps) I sent Sub your linkie-poo. She'll be reading with great interest, esp. since she hasn't been to a meeting in months (good girl!).
;)
Any interest in a double date in all your spare time? I'd like to get to know Es and you should meet my husband. ;p
ps) I sent Sub your linkie-poo. She'll be reading with great interest, esp. since she hasn't been to a meeting in months (good girl!).
