There are plenty of support groups for x members of the JW's (Along with other "religions".) That is a red flag that something's not right with the religion and it's followers.

If you isolate members of a religion from family members that's a red flag.

Through out history religion and it's followers have committed the most crimes against humanity. Ironic isn't it?

If a religion or it's leaders acts in a way that you know and feel is wrong and you can't speak up and express that feeling without retaliation or fear of being kicked out. That is a red flag.

kewlschool said:

Bunsterdk said:

roxy831 said:

This whole thread does not look respectful. But if arguing makes people feel better, go ahead.

I agree, but I don't feel I have been disrespectful? If so, it wasn't my intention, but it is difficult when others are so aggressive so I may well have slipped. In which case I apologise. If someone attacks you, your faith or your spiritual brothers, I think it only natural to defend them. That doesn't mean I like arguing. I would much prefer it, if it wasn't necessary.

I understand what you're saying, Bunsterdk. My comments are in regard to the entire thread, not singling out anyone. And for what it's worth, my personality-type veers away from confrontations about religious beliefs. Let people think what they want. I'm secure in my faith.

Thanks for the kind dialogue.

roxy831 said:

RJOrion said:

somewhere there's a dead horse, just begging people to stop beating on Larry Graham...

[Edited 7/7/16 14:35pm]

Blakbear said:

kewlschool said:

There are plenty of support groups for x members of the JW's (Along with other "religions".) That is a red flag that something's not right with the religion and it's followers.

If you isolate members of a religion from family members that's a red flag.

Through out history religion and it's followers have committed the most crimes against humanity. Ironic isn't it?

If a religion or it's leaders acts in a way that you know and feel is wrong and you can't speak up and express that feeling without retaliation or fear of being kicked out. That is a red flag.

I was kicked out of a Christian church for exactly this. And a steadfast refusal to wear heels, even though I was in danger of -- irony -- screwing my hips and ankles all the way up. Oh, and because I couldn't afford to buy makeup, nor did I want to basically invite my face to the breakout party that always happens if I put the crap on. And a million other ridiculous ideas I wasn't going for. Shortly after this wonderful incident, the church shut down because other members started leaving in droves. Let's not pretend Christianity in all its forms isn't full of problems. (Generally speaking, not aimed at you in particular.) Also, generally, Bund wasn't the attacky troublemaker here, that was me. So don't start in on her when you're looking for me. She has a much cooler head in this thread than me.

I meant and said all religions not just Christian based.

RJOrion said:

kewlschool said:

Blakbear said:

kewlschool said: I was kicked out of a Christian church for exactly this. And a steadfast refusal to wear heels, even though I was in danger of -- irony -- screwing my hips and ankles all the way up. Oh, and because I couldn't afford to buy makeup, nor did I want to basically invite my face to the breakout party that always happens if I put the crap on. And a million other ridiculous ideas I wasn't going for. Shortly after this wonderful incident, the church shut down because other members started leaving in droves. Let's not pretend Christianity in all its forms isn't full of problems. (Generally speaking, not aimed at you in particular.) Also, generally, Bund wasn't the attacky troublemaker here, that was me. So don't start in on her when you're looking for me. She has a much cooler head in this thread than me.

I meant and said all religions not just Christian based.

I was merely relating a story, not aiming anything in the post specifically at you.

Bunsterdk said:

roxy831 said:

I'm a little torn about the dialogue on this site simply because we cannot turn back time to the day before Prince passed on, and this site should not be turned into a "religious war" of words and symbols. I hope we digress, and honestly, I'm ready for this thread to be locked.

BUT after saying that, I did come across a webpage describing the crucifixion from a physician and archeological point of view: http://www1.cbn.com/medic...sus-christ

Maybe this will give clarity to both points of view.

Read if you're interested, but personally, I hope we all digress from this.

Religion and Prince are inseparable, but I wish people would just accept his choices and move on if they don't like them. Some are really interested in knowing more about his choices and that doesn't mean they want to make the same choices in their lives. They just want to understand the man instead of trying to make him fit their world view when he clearly doesn't.

Unfortunately some want to turn this into a constant religious battle and that's sad. It means that we can't talk about one of the single most important aspects of Prince the man, his faith, without it turning into a fight with all kinds of accusations flying through the air. He deserved better imo. This was of outmost importance to him, he said so often enough.

That said, however, I don't think it's off topic to discuss something that he felt strongly enough about to address it like he did with the stauros. I'm not trying to win the discussion, just to explain further what he meant and point out his sources. Others know so much more about his music than I do, others again about other aspects of his life. This subject (his faith as a jw) I can shed light on for those interested, so I offer to do that with respect towards those who don't agree.

RJOrion said:

somewhere there's a dead horse, just begging people to stop beating on Larry Graham...

Where's the dead horse at?

After reading this thread and much "prayerful" consideration, I think I have experienced some form of org. baptism. I would like to announce that I'm throwing my hat in the ring for the title of "church treasurer".There's but a small fee (tithing) that our dear pastor (you know the one)is requiring from the hands of those who was so privledged to receive the good word( which was free). His wages are not subject to FICA taxes so we could limit the amount of praying to once a week. It shouldn't matter to our dear pastor , because after all, that's not what it's about.

1. File form SS-4

2.I will bridge the hurdle of prohibiting any private individual or shareholder from profiting from any tithing by redirecting the funding to a miscellaneous line item ( in case you want accurate accounting) that says, "prayer". We will counter balance this with anything we designate as healing mechanisms ( prayer cloth, water from the Jordan ( dasani works wonders on diabetes or addiction ), beads, pomgrenates from Jerusalem, laying of hands ), in order to promote tax-exempt payments made for the fair market value of said "prayer".

3. Submit form 1023 .

4. As your treasurer, I strongly suggest that you donate 50% of your gross income since you can take a corresponding tax deduction on your tax return. This may in turn increase the amount of "miracles" one could receive in a year. Gone are the days of 10%. Inflation of course, or better yet, CPI-Church Pricing Index.

5. I highly recommend we own property and vehicles for the furtherance of our purpose. Most of this property is tax exempt from any property taxes under state law. We just need to make sure that in the event our dear pastor decides to stop performing his duties, the title is not in his name ( or wife's name).

6. I intend to use an offshore account to shelter the church. I am very well versed in the Foreign Account Tax Complaince Act and would only need a 2/3 vote from the elders who have posted to this thread. For the record, this is a "love offering" account and not some scam to funnel money to a preferred haven of my choosing. "Love offerings" are also tax emempt.

For your kindest consideration,

Astasheiks said:

RJOrion said:

somewhere there's a dead horse, just begging people to stop beating on Larry Graham...

Where's the dead horse at?

LOL!!!

blueshouse21 said:

Astasheiks said:

Where's the dead horse at?

LOL!!!

The dead horse came a live again, and asked to be disassociated from Larry...

[Edited 7/10/16 14:18pm]

Menes said:

After reading this thread and much "prayerful" consideration, I think I have experienced some form of org. baptism. I would like to announce that I'm throwing my hat in the ring for the title of "church treasurer".There's but a small fee (tithing) that our dear pastor (you know the one)is requiring from the hands of those who was so privledged to receive the good word( which was free). His wages are not subject to FICA taxes so we could limit the amount of praying to once a week. It shouldn't matter to our dear pastor , because after all, that's not what it's about.

1. File form SS-4

2.I will bridge the hurdle of prohibiting any private individual or shareholder from profiting from any tithing by redirecting the funding to a miscellaneous line item ( in case you want accurate accounting) that says, "prayer". We will counter balance this with anything we designate as healing mechanisms ( prayer cloth, water from the Jordan ( dasani works wonders on diabetes or addiction ), beads, pomgrenates from Jerusalem, laying of hands ), in order to promote tax-exempt payments made for the fair market value of said "prayer".

3. Submit form 1023 .

4. As your treasurer, I strongly suggest that you donate 50% of your gross income since you can take a corresponding tax deduction on your tax return. This may in turn increase the amount of "miracles" one could receive in a year. Gone are the days of 10%. Inflation of course, or better yet, CPI-Church Pricing Index.

5. I highly recommend we own property and vehicles for the furtherance of our purpose. Most of this property is tax exempt from any property taxes under state law. We just need to make sure that in the event our dear pastor decides to stop performing his duties, the title is not in his name ( or wife's name).

6. I intend to use an offshore account to shelter the church. I am very well versed in the Foreign Account Tax Complaince Act and would only need a 2/3 vote from the elders who have posted to this thread. For the record, this is a "love offering" account and not some scam to funnel money to a preferred haven of my choosing. "Love offerings" are also tax emempt.

For your kindest consideration,

What the...

You are crazy, but this is a groove right here.

Blakbear said:

Menes said:

After reading this thread and much "prayerful" consideration, I think I have experienced some form of org. baptism. I would like to announce that I'm throwing my hat in the ring for the title of "church treasurer".There's but a small fee (tithing) that our dear pastor (you know the one)is requiring from the hands of those who was so privledged to receive the good word( which was free). His wages are not subject to FICA taxes so we could limit the amount of praying to once a week. It shouldn't matter to our dear pastor , because after all, that's not what it's about.

1. File form SS-4

2.I will bridge the hurdle of prohibiting any private individual or shareholder from profiting from any tithing by redirecting the funding to a miscellaneous line item ( in case you want accurate accounting) that says, "prayer". We will counter balance this with anything we designate as healing mechanisms ( prayer cloth, water from the Jordan ( dasani works wonders on diabetes or addiction ), beads, pomgrenates from Jerusalem, laying of hands ), in order to promote tax-exempt payments made for the fair market value of said "prayer".

3. Submit form 1023 .

4. As your treasurer, I strongly suggest that you donate 50% of your gross income since you can take a corresponding tax deduction on your tax return. This may in turn increase the amount of "miracles" one could receive in a year. Gone are the days of 10%. Inflation of course, or better yet, CPI-Church Pricing Index.

5. I highly recommend we own property and vehicles for the furtherance of our purpose. Most of this property is tax exempt from any property taxes under state law. We just need to make sure that in the event our dear pastor decides to stop performing his duties, the title is not in his name ( or wife's name).

6. I intend to use an offshore account to shelter the church. I am very well versed in the Foreign Account Tax Complaince Act and would only need a 2/3 vote from the elders who have posted to this thread. For the record, this is a "love offering" account and not some scam to funnel money to a preferred haven of my choosing. "Love offerings" are also tax emempt.

For your kindest consideration,

What the...

You are crazy, but this is a groove right here.

Church Deacon here. I recommend we kidnap Larry put him in cage and make him listen to one of those 1865 or 1922 or ole timey Sermons from a Big Black Baptist Preacher from the South like Alambama, Mississippi, or Louisana so he may come to The Light!!!!