by asilentone 31 Replies latest jw experiences
Yes, how else would everyone know that you actually studied? After I stopped for awhile after graduating college until the elders said it looked like the I didn't study. Even though I gave good comments, they didn't want people to get the idea that I was "winging it".
I stopped a few years later...ito me ts a worthless exercise just to make others happy.
I once talked to an elder's wife who stated that 'since Jehovah has provided 5 hours of instruction for us each week, it would seem fitting to spend at least twice that in preparation for the meetings'. I do believe she did that too - for her brain is so entirely saturated with 'theocratic ideas' that she is assured of a place among those 'with an earlier ressurection'. But I know she hopes to survive Armageddon if possible. She missed the one that came in '75.
Jeff
Yes I did. I'm sure they would not have noticed if I did not.
villabolo
Yep You can't find a good hubby if you don't underline.
I had usually never even looked at the WT before the Sunday we studied it. Then I was just counting the paragraphs until it was over.
I never underlined, i never pre-studied. My mum was always annoyed with me because of that. She was annoyed that i didn't have a briefcase either.
Growing up a JW, of course we had to.... My insides are grinding just thinking about what underlining or (studying meant)our dad was an elder. My studying the watchtower meant reading the questions before reading the paragraph and doing a quick scan for the parrot answer. I could get it done within 10 to 15 minutes, using a high lighter and ruler all the while listening to my favorite music. Highlight a few scriptures and "wahla" a perfectly studied watchtower. Decided on a paragraph or two to answer a question....also required. I would raise my hand with elbow resting on the arm of the chair......so sorry, I wasn't called on.
We tried a few family studies of the watchtower, but they were so awful and boring.... even my dad gave it up. No sense in having two Sunday meetings.
We also use to have to study for Tuesday night.....arg....the worst. Boring boring boring, and the service meeting..... More underlining.
Mix in unending homework from school, service on Saturdays...at least 2 hours, more like 3 to accomplish the 10 hours a month, Sunday meetings again more like 3 hours, and service afterwards if some super dope was visiting...it was just un-ending religious instruction. Prayers at every meal, underlining, underlining, underling. Answering.....service, meetings, assemblies, pioneering when normal kids were enjoying their summers off from school.
Did you have your watchtower studied question represents the above to me, more mind numbing torture than you would ever want to experience.
r.
I have found that there is a direct correlation between one's spirituality and the number of highlighter colors one uses to underline his Watchtower.
I have found that it matters not one bit whether I had notes written everywhere or a Washtowel that had no additional writing--I always got the same out of them either way. Whenever I had to borrow a washtowel, I noticed that theirs were always highlighted and underlined, with notes on the sides--making it quite difficult to actually read what the washtowel itself said. Not that it mattered. They haven't [yet] made a rule about underlining the washtowels--and, with it making absolutely no difference (you couldn't underline school texts, and I got as much out of those), it was a total waste of ink and time.
I learned as a teen what screams that you are a spiritual man.
I was 17, and going through some difficulties with the family. So I show up at the KH and my WT was not underlined. An elder who I liked came up to me and said he could tell that I was down, what was going on? So I told him (he knew what was going on with my family) and then he said:
"You will feel a lot better when you have that WT studied."
Even at 17, I knew that was horrible BS, but also, I believed that my problems could be easier with YWHW's blessing. Also, lets not kid ourselves, who wanted the elders on you? Not me.
I never went to a WT study again without bright colorful marks and notes in it. Most of the time, I really did study. Those times that I just didn't have the time or was too tired, I took 10 minutes to do a quick "read and bleed".
