Rookie on the Field (page 2)

Prisca

Hi Peacepipe!

Welcome to our humble home!!

I read your comments about this DB with interest, as it's good to see how an "outsider" views the ups and downs on this board.

If you want to go somewhere where people treat each other with more respect and common civility, I'd suggest you go to this site:
. http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=311102
It's a forum for JWs and it allows freedom of expression on JW issues, without the profanity and vile that is condoned here.

Another site is called witnessesonline. It is a pro-JW site that is strictly monitored, and "independant thinking" is prohibited.
. http://witnessesonline.com

Hope you find what you are looking for, and I look forward to further posts from you!

LDH

Peace,

Welcome. I'm glad you decided to register and post. You too, More2C.

Anyhow, I was raised in the truth until a walked away a couple of years ago at around 30.

Something someone said on this board really stuck in my craw, as far as getting baptised. He said, "You don't know the right quetions to ask until it's too late." Believe me when I tell you.

As far as some of the anger and profanity, just remember when Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple he wasn't Martin Luther King. He was Malcolm X. Different fights call for different personalities.

Lisa

Richie

Hi Peacepipe, its refreshing to read your honesty about this board -
I am new too and I must say that this board has helped me regain my perspectice in life in conjunction in conjunction with being an ex-JW. The one thing that stands out above anything else is that once you're one of JW's, there is no honourable way out, no matter how honourable you yourself may be...That is the inherent freedom of choice one cannot have while being a JW. That is one of the reasons I left as an elder and once I left I realized for the first time that I was a human being again....This may sound strange but is ohh so true: freedom of choice..., freedom to breathe...., freedom to think..., freedom to love.
Peacepipe, if you are happy by remaining in the "truth" whether you're baptized or not, is your and only your decision; but you must know also that whenever you are baptized there is no way out; the door is shut behind you and if you ever try to leave for whatever noble or proper reason, you will find out how coldhearted these JW's will become, in fact they will treat you as if you have died.....

Sorry peacepipe, I do not want to discourage you, but I just wanted to share some of my true feelings....

Welcome to this board,

:*) Richie

You are the music as long as the music last...............

Tina

Hi peacepipe,
Welcome aboard!
Like others mentioned,you have the freedom here to pick and choose what you want to see and read. if something offends you,by all means click off and try another topic.
What you will find here is freedom of thought and expression.Any question can be asked,about anything. You will not find that on WOL or boards of that nature.They are quite restrictive and rigid. Questions regarding the organization and it's policies are forbidden. There is no free and honest exchange allowed. In fact,they take away your right and decision to ask many things.
There are many more agreeable and good people than troublemakers.
Here you will find any topic,debated using biblical and WTS references.And most will help you gladly with anything you'd like to know or ask.
Just as in the real world,there are whiners and complainers,simply ignore them.
I encourage you to stick around and enjoy some of the discussions going on. Very enlightening and educational.
A few active topics that might interest you are JanH's about the flood.
Norm 's topic regarding the governing body,Farkels on Matthew 25....are just a few. There are many excellent writers and much info here.
Again,welcome aboard and look forward to your thoughts.Regards,tina

Ps. There are many websites with information. Two that I highly recommend as very comprehensive covering a multitude of topics are ;Freeminds and the Watchtower Observer! Both have such a wealth of data regarding JW's,the WTS,personal experiences,news and Jw history!

Carl Sagan on balancing openness to new ideas with skeptical scrutiny..."if you are open to the point of gullibility and have not an ounce of skeptical sense-you cannot distinguish useful ideas from worthless ones."

trumind

What in the world? Why is this site called Jehovhas-Witness.com? I was raised in the truth and never baptized. Recently, I've been thinking about going ahead and going back but I had some questions/concerns. I went on a search engine to find message boards or chat rooms that I could talk to other people who are like myself. I found this one. What a misleading name! It does seem like this site is full of disgruntled ex-jw's. Too bad. How disappointing.

Tina

hi tru,
This board has all kinds of people. Sharing honest information,exposing the inconsistencies and outright lies. It is NOT being 'disgruntled'. Yes,there are few angry people. But if you take the time to read their stories or simply ask them why,you'll get a better understanding of them. Many have been victimized by unjust policies. You won't find honest and open inquiry on the JW boards. What you will find is mindless conformity of thought. Not a place for open questioning.
I'm sorry you're disappointed.
Have you tried posing your questions and having some discussions before you roundly condemn the place?
You have the freedom to leave or stay. Stick around,ask your questions.there are many fine people here who will help you with them.tina

Carl Sagan on balancing openness to new ideas with skeptical scrutiny..."if you are open to the point of gullibility and have not an ounce of skeptical sense-you cannot distinguish useful ideas from worthless ones."

trumind

Hi Tina
Thanks for your response. I haven't condemed this site. Not yet anyway. I just was expressing my disappointment. I thought based on the name of the site, it would be a JW site. Maybe I will ask my questions, but I'm concerned about what the responses I receive will be based on. Will they be biblical answers, honest answers based on ACTIVE membership with JW's or philosophical answers based on somebody's negative and hurtful theory of the WT society? I'll keep looking around here though. I do like to make an educated decision, which is why I was looking for a chat room to discuss my concerns in the first place. Thanks again Tina

Tina

Hi again Tru, Welcome aboard!
I'm glad you're going to stick around. there are active JW's here,who I'm sure will be happy to discuss any concens you have.
If you check out some of the discussions,for example,the ones I mentioned to peacepipe. You will find they are based on the bible and the societys literature . Active and inactive ones use the same sources.
I know I did lots of reading on these boards before I got the courage to post :> Just about every question or concern of mine was addressed over time. Hope you find something that will help you too! regards,tina

Carl Sagan on balancing openness to new ideas with skeptical scrutiny..."if you are open to the point of gullibility and have not an ounce of skeptical sense-you cannot distinguish useful ideas from worthless ones."

larc

trumind,

I want to second Tina's comments. Feel free to ask a question on something that concerns you. There may be diverse opinions here, and you are certainly free to pick and choose what you find useful.

One advantage here, is that you can ask any question and not feel like you are going to be judged. Questions that you may not feel comfortable asking your brothers and sisters or even the Elders can be freely expressed here.

Bridgette

Peacepipe and Trumind,
If in the organization is where you need to be, then nothing can stop you. But please, please be so VERY VERY sure it's right for you. As the poster said above, there is NO HONORABLE WAY OUT.
Yes, the anger is hard to read sometimes. It's really fear and hurt. There is so much pain. Sometimes we are still like little children who've been abused, saying "it wasn't fair-IT WASN'T FAIR--WHY?!?!" Some of us (I'd venture to say MANY of us) were literally physically abused in the name of "bible principals", and still carry a lot of pain. Please just take what you need, leave the rest. Allow others to use whatever means they need to heal. Sometimes it was years or lifetimes of choking down pain, serious depression, putting on a happy face, not showing or even uttering your real feelings because "Jehovah's people are the happiest people on earth". You are allowed ALOT of leniency before you are baptized. ALOT. That is why, you'll notice, even the "brothers" when they question you both at the questioning sessions, and right before emmersion ask questions in such a way that you and they MAKE SURE THIS IS YOUR DECISION--THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO. But often times, you do not. And peacepipe, you said quote: "I began a study with someone whom I now feel is a very dear friend." If she is a "good witness" she will not be your friend, if you get baptized and are disfellowshipped or question anything about the org. Most everyone here has lost friends and family (mothers who won't even acknowledge grandchildren--that's how powerful the influence of the organization is--if you're a mother, can you imagine?)Maybe you're sure that will never happen/maybe it never would. Just go in KNOWING what you're getting into. You'll know if it's right. It's like a bride going to the alter: you've invested time in this relationship, maybe your parents, friends, etc. love this person, your parents have spent alot of money on the wedding and the church is filling up with guests but your gut tells you NO, DON'T DO THIS! Listen to that inner voice. Too much is at stake.
Love,
B. :)
whatever you decide, please know that this is a place where you can always always speak your heart.

Rookie on the Field

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