Comments on: Former JW Book http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2006/01/22/former-jw-book Contagious Thoughts, Mutating as Needed Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:07:23 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Sabrejack http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2006/01/22/former-jw-book/comment-page-1#comment-3172 Sabrejack Sat, 04 Feb 2006 23:13:13 +0000 http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2006/01/22/former-jw-book/#comment-3172 Having been raised a Witness, I got out as quickly as I could. Any religion whose teachings demand that you must ex-communicate a family member who has fallen from the faith is simply not right by me. Bravo to her for this book. I hope it gives other trapped people the strength they need to take back control of their own lives. Having been raised a Witness, I got out as quickly as I could. Any religion whose teachings demand that you must ex-communicate a family member who has fallen from the faith is simply not right by me. Bravo to her for this book. I hope it gives other trapped people the strength they need to take back control of their own lives.

]]> By: Gary http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2006/01/22/former-jw-book/comment-page-1#comment-2972 Gary Thu, 26 Jan 2006 04:53:01 +0000 http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2006/01/22/former-jw-book/#comment-2972 Very well put! I've been reading Richard Dawkins lately - he leaves me feeling in awe of what we have learned about evolution and the nature of life and our universe (Carl Sagen used to do that for me too...). I do, however, have some experiences that are beyond matter (or seemed to be) and I have to remain open to learning more about what the life or essence itself is all about. Meanwhile, I'm pretty comfortable not hooking on to any particular doctrine or approach (I did that for some years). Very well put! I’ve been reading Richard Dawkins lately – he leaves me feeling in awe of what we have learned about evolution and the nature of life and our universe (Carl Sagen used to do that for me too…). I do, however, have some experiences that are beyond matter (or seemed to be) and I have to remain open to learning more about what the life or essence itself is all about.

Meanwhile, I’m pretty comfortable not hooking on to any particular doctrine or approach (I did that for some years).

]]> By: VirusHead http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2006/01/22/former-jw-book/comment-page-1#comment-2968 VirusHead Wed, 25 Jan 2006 13:09:51 +0000 http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2006/01/22/former-jw-book/#comment-2968 My views on religion and spirituality have changed quite a bit - I now consider faith to be a lifelong path. I've got nothing against books, mysteries, or even superstitions, but I do think that religion used to manipulate people into destructive behaviors is a kind of pathology of religion. It runs counter to every message from our most spiritually-advanced messengers, including Jesus. For me, it is a kind of butterfly dance to alight onto a real insight. On the other hand, the basics of ethical and compassionate behavior toward others is a solid base. The big mistake is hubris - the feeling that you have all the answers - which drives fear and hatred toward the "other." My views on religion and spirituality have changed quite a bit – I now consider faith to be a lifelong path. I’ve got nothing against books, mysteries, or even superstitions, but I do think that religion used to manipulate people into destructive behaviors is a kind of pathology of religion. It runs counter to every message from our most spiritually-advanced messengers, including Jesus. For me, it is a kind of butterfly dance to alight onto a real insight. On the other hand, the basics of ethical and compassionate behavior toward others is a solid base. The big mistake is hubris – the feeling that you have all the answers – which drives fear and hatred toward the “other.”

]]> By: Gary http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2006/01/22/former-jw-book/comment-page-1#comment-2967 Gary Wed, 25 Jan 2006 06:19:09 +0000 http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2006/01/22/former-jw-book/#comment-2967 I find it interesting that you are a former JW. I don't know a lot about that religion, but I know that it can be painful to leave any belief system and particularly painful if those who should love you, then withhold that love because of beliefs. I'm a reformed seeker - very happy to be mostly cynical and always skeptical of religion and any belief-based-on-faith. I'm really enjoying not-knowing and loving the ambiguity of a life that is driven by learning to live well and trying be a good person... not by books, mysteries and superstitions. I find it interesting that you are a former JW. I don’t know a lot about that religion, but I know that it can be painful to leave any belief system and particularly painful if those who should love you, then withhold that love because of beliefs.

I’m a reformed seeker – very happy to be mostly cynical and always skeptical of religion and any belief-based-on-faith. I’m really enjoying not-knowing and loving the ambiguity of a life that is driven by learning to live well and trying be a good person… not by books, mysteries and superstitions.

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