by Dub 27 Replies latest jw friends
Good luck Dub.
I'm glad to hear that you have friends you can talk to. It's important. Be careful about the baptism thing. Once you're baptized you can be DF'd or they can say you DA'd yourself and then the shunning will start. Fortunately your mom will be there for you no matter what.
Remember, your dad is trying to do what he thinks is right. Maybe if you put yourself in his shoes and respond to him with that frame of mind you will make some headway.
Again, good luck.
Welcome to the board. In mY opinion that is black mail no matter who pays the bills. Good luck friend
Hope you keep the truck.
man get baptised, it means jack anyways! You get a truck and a free perve at sister in their cozzies! only joking mate, you dad is way out of line, talk to him and then give him an ultimatum about going to the elders. I'm sure they'll see it in a different light. Good luck champ!
Tell your dad if he doesn't make it to being an elder in six months, your not doing any more work around the house.
Seriously....take the heed of others to let Elders, mom, and grandparents know of the threat he made.
.......and welcome to JWD
Gumby
Hi, Dub! Welcome to the board.
Dad sounds desperate to have another baptised JW in the family. Sheesh.
vitty said: Id tell your Grandparents and mum and get them to gang up on him.
I love this. Make sure your grandparents know he's blackmailing you with their gift. I also like the idea of somehow letting the elders know.
I don't think anybody, JW or not, thinks its a good idea to coerce someone into baptism. JWs especially like to think that baptism is a personal decision based on love for Jehoobie and a burning desire to be a cog in the Watchtower machinery, not something that is done to you as in infant baptism (or in your case, a prerequisite to taking possession of a gift that was given to YOU).
Hope your Dad relents, but if he doesn't, don't go the baptism route. Very, very bad idea.
Welcome, Dub.
As long as you live under your dad's roof, certain rules will have to be obeyed whether you like it or not. However, as you are coming into manhood, certain decisions should have more of your input; like getting baptized, whether you want to be part of the family religion, further education, etc. Parents can help steer a young adult into making the right decisions, unless of course the parent isn't capable of cognitive reasoning and decision making. When it comes the JW religion, your father has blinders on. He is trying to bribe and coerce you into doing what he wants you to do and not taking into consideration what you want. It's going to be a tough row to how while you live at home. Your going to have to pick and choose your battles wisely until you can get out on your own or go away to school.
As for the truck, if your grandparents put the truck in your name, your father can't take it away from you. He might put you on a curfew of when you can come and go. He might make you pay the insurance and tags. But he can't take possesion of it, keeping it from you. I knew a guy who at about your age bought a car and while still living at home got into some trouble with his parents. His parents took his keys away and then moved the car. He called the police on them. The police talked the parents into returning the car and keys or face arrest. The car was in his name, he was making the payments and keeping up the insurance on it. Despite living at "home", possession of the car belonged to whoever held title or was on the lein with the bank.
Legolas took the words right out of my mouth. Either wait till your 18 to get the truck, or ask your grandparents to keep the car in their name till you're 18 and then have them "sell" it to you for a buck or something like that. However, you might have to take care of your own insurance that way, cause I'm sure your dad wouldn't pay for that if you're being trixy. (not sure if you're paying for that right now on your own anyway.)
I'm sorry to hear of such an ultimatum. Don't do it! Defd said it best...willing, not forced love.
::HUGS::
Dub, as a recommendation from a friend (not to be construed as legal advice) ask your grandfather if you can put the truck in his name until you turn 18. Explaining the situation to him will make it very likely he will go along with you. Then your father can't take the truck.
AuldSoul
P.S. LOL! Looks like Legolas and I share a brain today.
I don't think there are many here, JW or otherwise, who will disagree on this point.
Absolutely no one has the right to blackmail you into getting baptised.
Hi and welcome!
I agree with the advice to talk to an elder about it. They will certainly agree that this would not be a good reason to get baptized. You might also talk to your dad and ask him if he can produce a single example of a person in the Bible that was baptized under coercion. I'm betting that he can't.
But I would caution you to tread lightly with your dad. Try not to let this become a wedge between you. I know it's his fault, and I know it's unfair to ask YOU to stand up and act like the adult here, but it's in your best interests to do so, if possible.
"Get baptized or I'll steal your truck" -- Hee, hee. I'm sorry, but that's so crazy it's funny. (I guess it's less funny when it's your truck!)
Dave
