Hi Satanus: It does seem like God throws some dice and picks. The funny part is that the CO's and elders also pick and choose. They always choose the ones who live their lives EXACTLY as they are told. What good little robot's they are!! No moustache (often) skirt way long enough, blouse buttoned at neck, "proper" haircuts, and if the couple is engaged and being interviewed, don't touch each other, not even a hand. Use the speaker to pass things to each other. And of course, during this "spontaneous" speaking or story telling, make sure you don't look at your notes too much. After all, you should be gushing and bubbling over as you tell everyone about your joy.
I never thought of it this way, but when you think about it, most teenagers in the USA have more freedom of thought and other choices than a married couple in their 60's. If they had grandchildren who were NOT being raised as JW's, those kids would have more rights and freedoms that adults. It's a little scary. But most of all it's sad and twisted. How can children grow up properly with robot-like zombies for parents and grandparents. In my book that's child abuse.
My main concern is the abuse situation since my child was a victim and my marriage ended in divorce. I was the biggest apostate in NJ, and now I'm steadily working to be the number one apostate here in Florida. I put the flag outside every day (Dad was a Marine in WW2. I go to Christmas parties. I say "gesundheit" when people sneeze. This all sounds silly, but it's a pattern of behavior that we need to develop now that we are free.
Bonafide, it's good to see you here. You made many good points. The others here know more about keeping your secret safe than I do so please let them help you. In my case, I've left so many clues, Inspector Clusause (sp?) should be able to ID me. They either DF'd me and didn't tell me or they don't want the fight, grief, wasting time, and most of all they don't want the financial and publicity bloodshed that they know I'll give them if they play games or try to turn my daughter against me.
I also loved your story. You told it very well and you're quite insightful. The girl not mentioning college? "Theocratic lying by omission". They all knew damn well how that would look. Hypocrites. Call 911? (They'd never get it right, after pushing "9", they'd probably spend 20 minutes looking for the "11" button.) From where? Certainly not from those cell phones that they shouldn't own because they are "inventions by Satan to distract us from serving Jehovah". Along with TV's, VCR's, computers (very wicked, it actually lets you read something worthwhile in life that you'd never see in the mags), two door cars, and overtime on your job. I don't know how Satan invented all that, but I bet he's rich from the royalties on his patent.
Weird questions? I guess so! Anyone who thinks on his own and uses common sense is going to be weird. They rarely see it. Like here in Florida if a few snowflakes come down once every 10 winters. Dying at the assembly?? I could choke on my coffee from laughing. When the ambulance showed up, someone would probably try to place literature with the medical staff as they load up the sick or the dead body. I certainly hope if I ever died at an assembly that they'd show more respect than they do. The attendant captain would probably tell them to sit me up in a seat in the back row. Oh, no, the front is better. I'd blend right in: not moving, staring at the speaker (no blinking), sitting up stiff with proper posture as rigor mortus set in. Yeah, that I'd like to see.
I was so glad that you spoke with that elder. It probably meant the world to him that you apologized and showed you valued him. Most CO's I've met are arrogant, snotty, and sarcastic. (I can do sarcastic too.) We had a Bro. Conti in NJ for awhile. He'd yell at the attendants to sit down when they were counting people. His best line was, "You know, I could be retired in Florida right now. I didn't have to do this. But we must serve God." I sure hope I don't bump into him.
I'll close now and once again I hope you post often.
