Michael Jackson's Sabbath Rest

I was born 3rd generation Jehovah's Witness 1957,and am the same age (51) as Michael Jackson,I remember the Jackson 5 debut in 1969 they were BIG. MJ was baptized a Jehovah's Witness and then disfellowshipped to be shunned (just like me).

A lot of my dysfunctional life is directly related to my apocalyptic Watchtower sect upbringing indoctrination and I wonder about same with Michael Jackson? There are a million EXJW kids out there. Best regards,Danny Haszard

A child cannot just "skip" stages, without long-term damage or baggage.
Michael's world of entertainment as a child was demanding that even an adult would have a difficult time to keep up,,he loved his music though,,but the demand was too much,,too much of simple personal childhood was skipped.
Then, for a "double whammy" he was raised a JW, no birthdays, no Christmas, nor holidays. His day off was at the Kingdom Hall for programs not child oriented, no reality for a child and then to go door to door with a set presentation of no child reality, suit & tie stiffness. The child is taught that he must do all that or his god will even destroy him soon at Armageddon.
A fulfilling childhood denied (like a brain is a terrible thing to waste) is destructive with long-term negative effect to some degree or another.

Thank you for sharing that link. I really enjoyed reading Michael Jackson's essay.

Sir "Michael Jackson" is not G-D! Like Elvis Maybe; but Bever a God(s)!

Maybe via the Musicals & Actors of HOLLYWOOD/Bollywood PANTHEON System of Sweet Sweet U.S. of AMERiCA(s)!

Oppsa:
\
".. but Never a G-DE" [Not Ye god(s0]!

yes "IT" is Good! But G-D is not/Never a HE/Him/Sher/Her!

MEME's =

CULT-tures?

SECT-tions?

COMMENTARY: According to "OUR" (not YE) holy Cosmic NEBULA-Built & blesseth/iNNATE-Given "Space-Ship Earth, aka S.S. Gaia, S.S. GEoid, S.S. Tellusng something ; ais a "MiRACLE iN MOTiON"! Zero as if Borneth in Biblio SiNETH/CURSETH Story's!"

Pleae Potential "HU{eMATES" ;

DO-Not Be In Denial To Selves nor Loved Ones of

the "NEW-SONG" cometh ; via the "ULTRA{PARATESTAMENT" of ["O.U.R."; aka the "O.ne U.niversasl R.eligion" New Song O.U.R. "SAVIOUR" (so to Spaketh TRRUTH; Opposite MYTH)) of the Holy-i-Cosmic-Feeler-Faith"

HALLALUYA!

Praise The HOLyI-NO-MAN-WOMB!

Remember: WE (not only Ye) art/Genuinely Appeareth in Holy-i-Cosmic-NEBULANiCa/o MOTION!

A PROPHECY (not Profitsy) Whose TiMETH (via Holy-i TEMPerature; never Via 'Clock Time Tinkething)...!

NOTE W O R L D:

This WEB Site Is So Soo JEALOUS that They Rwsort to PLAGERIZIM!

THEFT OF Intellectual Hard Work/Nature Thinking!

O' JeaLOUS SALLY QUINN & NEWS CORP. Et Al!

All JW's raised in this cult grow up freaks! They are isolated from the world, they are so afraid of being disfellowshipped. My husband was disfellowshipped from this cult and I think it was the best thing that could ever happen to him.

"disfellowshipped" - how Christ-like.

Same way Mormons and Catholic control their sheep by fear of "excommunication"

Jesus wept.

Ex-JW here: MJ not only missed out on a childhood because of the entertainment business, but also because of a cult that destroys any sense of the individual. I know the torture he endured at the hand of the most self-righteous, haughty, mean-spirited "Christians" you will ever come across. God Bless, Michael, and rest in pease. See you in paradise, brother!

OOps, meant to say "rest in PEACE."

What made Michael great was not his songs and dances. It was his determination to follow his own moral compass. He was not concerned with the well worn paths of righteousness but in cutting a path of his own. That is what made him shine in the eyes of America`s youth. He was falsely accused of being a pervert by those that were jealous of his pioneering behavior. But he overcame his enemies and will live forever in the hearts of the brave.

I find it fascinating to see Muslims, Christians (let's just include any religion that believes in the Christian Bible and that Jesus is the Messiah-- that would include Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, Espiscopalians, Baptists, etc.), Jews, and even Atheists, all arguing about something that is left entirely up to each individual to decide for themselves.

Clearly there are those in this forum who are absolutely venomous about their experiences with Jehovah's Witnesses-- perhaps the same kind of venom you'll find with those who are jaded by their own bad experience in the Catholic, Muslim, or Baptist faiths. That's the wonderful thing about free choice though, if you don't want to live your life according to those values, if that's not what's in your heart, leave that way of life and follow another.

I was raised (and still am) one of Jehovah's Witnesses. My siblings and I are all well-adjusted, contributing members of society-- we all went to college and have good jobs, 401(k)s, and IRAs. I find my faith spiritually satisfying and find it refreshing that what we believe the Bible teaches is constantly being examined and leads to occassional adjustments in our understanding. (I'd rather that than blind adherance to old dogma.) I've never once heard a claim that our teachings are "perfect"-- EVERY faith is imperfect because its membership and leadership is made up of imperfect people.

Even though most are raised with a spiritual belief, it is entirely up to you and you alone which path you want to live your life. It's really all about what you personally feel and believe in your heart. If you choose to live your life believing your Bible includes a God that burns people in a firey hell, do it. If you want to believe your Bible teaches that death pays for your sins and that God will resurrect those who have died to a world without wickedness for a "second chance", do it. If you want to believe that God accepts everyone, including those who are gay, do it. If you want to believe in no God, do it. But whatever you believe, do it in a way that shows respect for others' beliefs. Because as strongly as you feel in your heart, others feel just as strongly in their own. If you want to explain to someone else why you believe the way you do, be it on a doorstep, internet forum, or to a co-worker, do it -- but do so respectfully.

I think everyone who acts otherwise in this forum is childish and should be embarassed at their own hubris and lack of consideration for others' beliefs.

Michael Jackson died as I hope I die deeply in love with God. Michael was buried a man. I feel that the beating the Jesus took for our sins was administered to him not in a day but throughout the lifetime of man from man’s beginning until man’s end. I believe that God was able to condense this beating into one day for man’s benefit.

I believe we witnessed a part of that beating through Michael Jackson just as we experienced it through the assassinations of the Kennedys, Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Martin Luther king etc.

The incredible way that people who professed to love Michael one day turned on him for various reasons the next. White people turned their backs on Michael when he was accused of child abuse. Michael’s exoneration of all charges mattered nothing to them. Blacks turned their love of Michael to hate because he changed his appearance from black to white.

The incredible way that Michael withstood that pressure for years is admirable. Michael did not pass away as a Muslim, Jehovah’s Witness or any other type of fake religion. Michael Jackson passed away as a man truly in love with God.

Re: COLORADODOG's comment:

Here's some interesting background as to why, when, and how each particular religion practices forms of excommunication: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication

Also, given the original topic of what Jehovah's Witnesses believe about life after death, I though the reference to John 11:35 ("Jesus wept") somewhat appropriate, though not to the user's original comment. "Jesus wept" upon seeing his friend Mary, and those with her, weeping because Lazarus, her brother, had died. Interestingly enough, seven verses later he resurrected Lazurus from the dead, with no recounting by him of an afterlife experience. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_wept

This past week, our neighborhood has been unusually thick with JW evangelizers. Watchtower pamphlets under our doormats and in our back doors. Interruptions in the garden and at the grill. Impositions during dinner and children's naps. Surely Jesus was more fun and gave greater glory to the Creator than these well-meaning anxious men and women and children.

We live in a world where simple, uneducated people truly believe that "My God is better than your God" and smart, thoughtful people know there is no God at all. The Muslims hate our God, and we hate theirs, and everybody who is religious is convinced they hold the answer to the one true way. Religion really is for stupid people who don't have the wits or the intelligence to live life on their own. Religion today across the world has become the refuge of the weak and a legitimized home for bigots and racists of every sort. There is not one trouble in the world today that isn't the fault of religion.

When Michael Jackson grabbed his crotch and simulated masturbation on stage as part of his dance routine, was that an expression of his faith?

I completely agree with DCR1's comments. I too am a JW, raised as one since childhood, as well as a sibling of mine, and we are happy, well adjusted, contributing members of society. While on earth, Jesus taught his followers not only to love their neighbor but also stated to go even further and pray for our enemies. He also stated that he reflects his heavenly Father's qualities to perfection. We should be thankful that we have such a caring and just heavenly Father. Proof of this is that he gave us the free will and intelligence to chose our own path in life, be it his service or not.

PRACTICA1, although visits may come during times when families are sharing a meal or children are napping, evidence of those events tend to be hard to see walking through the neighborhood; I can assure you that the intention is not to interrupt or upset. Whatever the case, I hope they were respectful of your time and excused themselves when you made your stance clear.

Also, I'm as am sure as you that Jesus gave greater glory to the Creator than anyone else on earth ever has, JW's included. As for Jesus being "more fun", I guess I'm not exactly sure what you mean. The gospels refer to children being drawn to him, clearly a sign that he was approachable, and obviously he drew enough to him for the movement to continue after his death. But as for the way he preached as being "more fun", I'm not as sure-- especially when he threw the money changers out of the Temple! The vast majority to whom he preached to hated his message. So much in fact, that in the end they executed him for it.

Jehovah's Witnesses say that Jesus had his second coming already 'invisibly' in the year 1914 and then Jesus waited 3 1/2 years to appoint them the Watchtower society rulers of his earthly kingdom in 1919.

This is their hard history and they cannot change it anymore than the Mormons can change Joseph Smith golden plates Jesus came to America for them.

That's it folks!

Jehovah's Witnesses don't have the 'truth' their only argument can be is that some religions out there that are 'worst'.
Their lame retort is often 'well who has the truth then'?
ANSWER

Two wrongs don't make a right just because religion A and religion B are bogus doesn't make the JW *da troof* by default.

Moreover if I'am gonna be enslaved in a phony cult it better be one that has some fun not boring JW that expects me to sell the Watchtower (1914 Jesus second coming) pitch door to door on my saturday.

LISALOVE1, your absolutely right about your first comment about what JWs believe regarding the significance of 1914 and 1919. Spot on!

As for JWs feeling we have "the truth", don't most religions? Don't Catholics, Baptists, Muslims, Mormons, etc. each believe that only THEY follow the "true religion"? Most even have some group of missionaries to preach it.

I guess I'm confused at you singling out JWs as unique in that feeling.

DCR1,

Thanks for your enlightenment on excommunication. Now I wonder how many pedophile priests were actually excommunicated.
I know the step-father who raped the 9 year-old girl in South America was not but the mother who arranged for an abortion was. I am still skeptical that excommunication is not used selectively and vindictively.

The negative influence of the teachings of the Jehovah's Witnesses on Michael and his family have been either downplayed or totally ignored for as long as the Jackson Family has received public attention. For those readers who really want to know what life is like to be reared in the WatchTower Cult, nothing beats real world scenarios, and of real world scenarios, nothing beats actual civil and criminal court cases.

The following website summarizes 900 court cases and lawsuits involving children of Jehovah's Witness Parents. The summaries demonstrate how JW Families rear their children and live life day-to-day. Also included are nearly 400 CRIMINAL cases -- most involving MURDERS:

DIVORCE, BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

jwdivorces.bravehost.com

The question arises was Michael Jackson abused? The answer is absolutely yes, he manifested every symptom in his life.The belief system of Jehovah’s Witnesses routinely covers up abuse and of this Michael was a victim.

The weirdness of his life and actions are easily explained by understanding the “us against them” belief system of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

He was never at peace and always felt like a failure to his mom for not emulating and living her beliefs.The result was a sad person trying to find peace but deep down feeling he was never good enough where it really counted.

Isn't it striking that those that have been involved and "fallen" from the Jehovah's Witnesses have strikingly similar experiences to those who were involved with and "fell" from Scientology?

Seems that "jesus juice" stuck with him from his childhood too.

COLORADODOG, I can't imagine the pain for the victims in those circumstances.

I'm sure you're absolutely right, that no matter how well-intentioned excommunication policies are in any faith that practices them, there are countless examples of abuse of those policies. A sad commentary on the state of humanity and how "God" and "faith" can be twisted and abused by those with less-than-godly intentions. It can end up causing irreparable spiritual harm rather than healing when its misused.

I think we can safely say that he died as a confused human being