|
Post by Jamie on Sept 6, 2007 21:26:13 GMT -5
I have a request of the 2x2s here on the TMB.
I read a lot of what you write, especially the more vocal of you, and want to put what you write in perspective. To do this, I need to know a little more about you. I hope you don't mind.
My particular interest right now is learning how culturally diverse your meeting experience has been. I have four questions:
(1) What country do you live in?
(2) How often do you travel to other countries and attend meetings there?
(3) What countries have you traveled to and attended meetings in? (If you can share the year of your travel this would be nice too.)
(4) For each country you have traveled to and attended meeting in, what are the differences you have observed between your home meeting and the meeting you visited. (Feel free to mention any differences. The ones I can think of are cultural, meeting format, spiritual topic focus, and after-meeting behavior.)
Thank you for your time and if you have any questions of me, I'll be here.
Sincerely, Jamie
|
|
savedbyblood
Junior Member
Eventually we'll figure it all out!
Posts: 57
|
Post by savedbyblood on Sept 7, 2007 2:07:41 GMT -5
I live in the United States of America! ;D
(1) I have been to meetings in some other States and on the Texas/Mexico border where Anglo was a minority and English was not the language. I also attended a Spanish Gospel meeting in Dallas once.
(2) I never travel to other countries any more.
(3) I've been to Canada and Mexico but not for Meetings.
(4) Some of the meetings in other states were somewhat different than here.
Colorado was held at 7000 ft in the Mountains at an Elders mobile home up there and the meeting was the same as in Texas but very cold and white outside.
New York was full of pretty unfriendly yankees... maybe they didn't like my accent.
Louisiana was a very good meeting. Similar to Texas but with Cornbread and hot sauce instead of bread and wine.
OK!!! Get over it!!! It was a JOKE!!!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2007 6:49:51 GMT -5
quote - "(1) What country do you live in?" NSW Australia
quote - "(2) How often do you travel to other countries and attend meetings there?" Maybe once a decade
quote - "(3) What countries have you traveled to and attended meetings in? (If you can share the year of your travel this would be nice too.)" NZ in the 1960's and the USA
quote - "(4) For each country you have traveled to and attended meeting in, what are the differences you have observed between your home meeting and the meeting you visited. (Feel free to mention any differences. The ones I can think of are cultural, meeting format, spiritual topic focus, and after-meeting behavior.)" NZ and Australia are identical. Can't recall the US
|
|
|
Post by freespirit on Sept 7, 2007 8:11:05 GMT -5
1. I live in the USA 3. I've been in meetings in Mexico, France, Germany, Switzerland, New Mexico, California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, Alabama, North Dakota, South Dakota, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Hawaii, Oregon, up and down the East coast, others... 4. Generally speaking, the format of the meetings are the same--there may be some minor differences like people stand instead of sit to speak. Most of the time the people are polite. But, all the same, some meetings are friendlier than others. In some places people smile when you walk in, in others they are somber as a funeral home. Neither the smiling nor the somberness is an indication of how spiritually helpful the meeting will be nor how kind/friendly/open the people are. The person most somber before a meeting, might be a total cut-up later and that smiling supersaint might be a holier-than-thou gossipy backstabber. In Germany, they were MUCH more concerned about being good Earth stewards--recycling and cutting down on waste products. In Texas they don't even bother with trays and mindlessly shove massive amounts of non-biodegradable Styrofoam and plastic utensils into landfills. The German convention had much simpler meals. In the US, most places eat like it's going to be their last supper. Some places have meetings where the people seem to love and care for each other. In others the tension is nearly palatable. In the meetings where it seems like the people enjoy each other, there seems to be more of an emphasis on the spirit, God, the beauty of being in God's presence, salvation by grace, prayer, etc. In places where tension runs high, there is more emphasis placed on "being a good example," outward appearance, and what we oughta be doing (or not doing). Some meetings are supportive, others are toxic. In some the singing is fabulous, in others it's deplorable. Some are welcoming, some stand-offish. In that way, it's pretty much like any other group one goes to--dependent on the personalities and quirks of the group. Every group has a "group mind" so to speak. Some meetings have TVs out in the living room. Others take a we're-so-proud-of-our-humility view and brag about how they don't have a TV. The men dress like normal men going to any other church or business casual function--styles vary from jeans and nice shirt to suit and tie. For the women--not so normal--we still pretty much dress like Jesus freaks and geeks, wearing skirts even in sleet and hail and 25 degree weather. But there are some trends. Hair length is variable, but in most places the women wear it up or pulled back for meeting. Make-up is generally minimal but becoming more popular. Jewelry is rare although I'm seeing a few changes here and there with that particular man-made rule... engagement rings and nice watches seem to be okay these days. Occasionally you'll see a professing woman wearing an extra ring and (from what I've seen) she doesn't appear to be ostracized by the group. Pantyhose usage is fading and open-toed shoes are common. Women wear all colors in the rainbow. We don't seem to be making much open progress (despite the fact that there is no scriptural basis for it) on the wear-a-skirt rule. I see tons of 2x2 women outside of meetings and the vast majority around here don't believe in the power of the holy one-hole-at-the-bottom garment but FOR MEETINGS there is a distinct trend to shut-up-and-fit-in. Rarely do I see a woman truly stand up for her beliefs in this area. Shorter skirts and cleavage are fairly popular though. ;D Random thoughts. peace, freespirit
|
|
|
Post by gloryintruth on Sept 7, 2007 8:25:11 GMT -5
(1) What country do you live in?
Western Australia, Australia.
(2) How often do you travel to other countries and attend meetings there?
Exceedingly rarely. I don't like foreigners! I don't like foreign places, foreign foods, and foreign smells.
(3) What countries have you traveled to and attended meetings in? (If you can share the year of your travel this would be nice too.)
Malaysia.
(4) For each country you have traveled to and attended meeting in, what are the differences you have observed between your home meeting and the meeting you visited. (Feel free to mention any differences. The ones I can think of are cultural, meeting format, spiritual topic focus, and after-meeting behavior.)
Shorts and polo-shirts, chickens running past the open door, and the neighbour's boom box playing some pop-tart's latest single.
|
|