I saw JWs yesterday...

by Jim_TX 8 Replies latest jw experiences

• 

  Jim_TX

  Not too surprising, since it was Sunday.

  It started early though... at the local restaurant/coffee shop where I go on the weekends. I usually sit at the counter, and drink coffee and look over my trade journals and scribble notes on my latest projects.

  While there, a couple came in and sat at the counter. I know that they are JWs (in the past, they used to bring in their 'text' and read it there), and know that they must have a 10am meeting. They got to the coffee shop at about 9:05am - and ate their breakfast. They left around 9:35am.

  I think that it may take them about 10 minutes to get to the local KH (which is near where I live), so they get there just in time to sit and sing. They used to be more enthusiastic about their religion... not anymore. Someday I plan on starting a conversation with them and see what they think.

  Later in the day, my wife and I went to eat lunch prior to doing our weekly shopping. We went to a Chinese restaurant that is popular with the JWs. Sure enough, a group of nicely dressed people walked in... I could tell they were JWs (yes, I know not all nice-dressed people on Sunday's are JWs - but I can spot JWs - who are different from Baptists or Catholics - or other religions).

  After a bit, a fella walks in with his wife... I told my wife "I know that one, his name is Dennis G-----."

  She said, "Oh, really?"

  I then told her how this fella was married once before - and now seems to have a nice 'new' JW wifey. I also told her how he went to 'pioneer school' when my daughter went, and was 'single' at that time. I told her that the only reason he was a pioneer was to find a new wifey - which - evidently - he was successful at. (Okay - maybe I don't know that for a fact - but the circumstances sure are suspicious.)

  Yup... I knew Dennis growing up... he went to the same KH I did for a while... waaaaay back when we both were little kids.

  I thought about going up and speaking to him - saying 'Hi' - or something... but decided against it. Maybe next time.

  Just another day here in South Texas.

  Regards,

  Jim TX
• 

  quietlyleaving

  same here. I saw JWs yesterday too, at the convention, and was reminded of the isolating practice wherein a disfellowshipped JW must inform the person who greets him , that he is disfellowshipped.

  Another thing, which prolly has already been mentioned on here, is that most convention talks are only 10 minutes long and also most contain demonstrations/experiences. A devout JW I was speaking to, was shocked at the lack of depth. Newbies who sat with us loved the new short-attention span format.

  so some things are changing alright but others arn't
• 

  bluecanary

  They left around 9:35am.I think that it may take them about 10 minutes to get to the local KH (which is near where I live), so they get there just in time to sit and sing.

  Getting there 15 minutes early is just in time to sit and sing? GEEZ how early did YOU used to get there?
• 

  Jim_TX

  "Getting there 15 minutes early is just in time to sit and sing? GEEZ how early did YOU used to get there?"

  Well... let's see... it's been a while ago, but I used to get to the meeting early - by about 30 minutes or better.

  We were encouraged to do so - so that we could 'get a seat up front'. Of course... I would sit in the back where I fiddled and twiddled with the knobs on the sound system.

  But... getting there 5 minutes prior to the start of the meeting means that these folks are not into 'associating' with their fellow 'brothers and sisters'.

  They probably also leave right after the 'amen', too.

  .....

  I was thinking about this Dennis fella... he had two sisters, too. I remember them... I also remember meeting a gal who I took out a couple of times. I was in radio - an announcer - and this gal would phone in after she got home from work - usually around 2am or so. We would talk on the phone.

  I went to her apartment one morning... and while whe was in the oher room, I 'snooped' looking at the photos she had that were framed and sitting on her coffee table. I recognized one of the gals in the photo - one of Dennis' sisters. I also spied a NWT bible.

  When she came back into the room, I asked her if she was a JW. Turns out - she was an ex-jw - I guess she had made the 'fade'. Nice gal.

  Back then... I was still a young gung-ho JW - and I guess I figured it was my duty to get her 'back to the meetings'. She actually went with me to one... it must have been very difficult for her.

  She called one time - I wasn't home - she left a message with my room mate. Three days later... he remembered to tell me... "Oh. By the way. Nola called Monday."

  I tried phoning her - the phone was already disconnected. I went to where I knew she worked... she had quit. She disappeared. Turns out - she married some other DJ. She succeeded in disappearing off of the JW radar.

  I hope she was/is happy. She was a very very attractive young woman.

  Regards,

  Jim TX
• 

  Blithe Freshman

  quietlyleaving:

  same here. I saw JWs yesterday too, at the convention, and was reminded of the isolating practice wherein a disfellowshipped JW must inform the person who greets him , that he is disfellowshipped.

  How is this taught? I don't remember anyone actually teaching this.

  BF
• 

  snowbird

  wherein a disfellowshipped JW must inform the person who greets him , that he is disfellowshipped.

  I remember hearing of it, but it may have been one of those official-non-official practices.

  I believe it was culled from the Old Testament account of lepers having to call out "Unclean, unclean!" if a non-leper approached them.

  Crazy cult.

  Sylvia
• 

  quietlyleaving

  hi blithe freshman

  quietlyleaving: same here. I saw JWs yesterday too, at the convention, and was reminded of the isolating practice wherein a disfellowshipped JW must inform the person who greets him , that he is disfellowshipped. How is this taught? I don't remember anyone actually teaching this. BF

  as far as I know this has always been the case but I guess you have to have been disfellowshipped to know this.

  If the disfellowshipped individual doesn't want to have to say he has been disfellowshipped then he must somehow contrive to ignore the JW greeting him. This may be why disfellowshipped ones always look so unsmiling and forbidding when they attend meetings which has the added benefit of reinforcing to onlookers that they are bad company.

  If disfellowshipped ones don't obey these edicts they can expect to have any re-instatement proceedings delayed by months.

  snowbird - lepers calling out unclean unclean is exactly how they are expected to behave
• 

  Jim_TX

  ... I just remembered Dennis' sister's names... Sharon & Nancy. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Sheesh... hadn't had to think of their names in over... 30 years now.
• 

  Blithe Freshman

  Thanks for the answers. I was DF'd but never told this at the time or remember it from a meeting. I remember thinking for awhile I needed to not greet people. But then began to think it was the JW's who are instructed to not greet & there was no prohabition on my behavior. I was releaved to be "No Longer One Of JW's" & not wanting to get back.

  BF