Hugs to you SD7
Loz x
Memorial - How many on here went and how many didn't?
by IMHO 115 Replies latest jw friends
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Ding
No.
What would be accomplished by going?
Going to hear a talk about why you shouldn't partake of emblems they pass around and watching everyone pass them by makes no sense.
It's a waste of everyone's time.
It's the opposite of what Jesus said to do: "Eat... drink..."
I understand those who go in order to keep peace within their family, but since I'm not in that situation, I don't go.
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unshackled
Hell no. You'd have to wheel me in like Hannibal Lecter to get me near a kingdom hall again.
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Pistoff
Hell no. You'd have to wheel me in like Hannibal Lecter to get me near a kingdom hall again.
LOL, I would pay money to see this happen in real life!
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SirNose586
I didn't go. On my way out the door to work the other day, my dad waited at the breakfast table as I assembled my cereal.
He folded his hands together. He didn't look me in the eye. I knew he had something on his mind.
"Son, just to let you know...I know you may not attend the memorial tonight, but I just want to let you know that the invitation is there."
I kept pouring the milk into the bowl.
"Well, thank you for the invite," I said.
He looked defeated. I did feel bad for him, briefly. Then I ate breakfast and left for work.
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Magwitch
I went with 4 others - 2 siblings who have not been in a KH for20 years and their significant others who have never stepped foot in a KH. My parents begged, pleaded and bribed this year - it was easier to go than to stay home.
It started late which meant I had to be social with the few people I knew - caught up on the weather, the kids etc. Did not bother to tell anyone I was DF'ed - I have always been a social person and I do not let the DF status affect who I talk to. My old friends seemed happy to see me. I have not been in a hall for 5 years - it all seemed so surreal. The songs were dreadful, the speaker monotone, the prayers seemed silly. I had 4 different people texting me throughout the service, so had a hard time focusing on the somber occasion. Plus I was desperately trying to find the final score of the CO Rockies game (they won).
My brother said he felt good being ther, knowing he was no part of the stupidity anymore
My sister was counting the minutes until she could take her gin cocktail and ambien (she complained her feet were swelling and someone smelled)
My brother's girlfriend (who is the most upbeat person) came away totally depressed. She said it was one of the most depressing thing she has ever been to.
My sister's boyfiend (a high profile defense attorney here in Denver) shook his head in disbelief that people buy into things like that.
I was happy to get home to my 3 cats, a pot of tea and a movie - and forget that it ever happened.
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Peaches1978
I did not attend I was too busy watching my tv novelas I won't miss my novelas for the world.
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Juan Viejo2
Pistoff's description is right on. I am not a JW, left over 40 years ago for good, but I am an active apostate. This was a good year for me to go as a journalistic pursuit, just to see if anything had really changed, and then to report back on what I discovered, if anything.
I went to a KH that is some distance from my home. I am well known in my area as being an apostate, so the locals avoid my house - although I did get an invitation this year (I describe in another thread their use of children as delivery systems). But I was also given an invitation to this KH from a neighbor who was given one while out shopping or running errands. So I used that as my "ticket to heaven."
The session was to begin at 7:45 (sundown was at 8:00 in my area), so I guess as long as they didn't partake too early, they were technically OK. I arrived about 7:20 and left about 8:50. A spanish congregation was coming in at 9:00 to hold their Memorial service.
I was "love bombed" as soon as I stepped out of my car. Obviously I was a stranger, so everyone from the parking attendants to the COBOE went into "welcome the newbie" mode. Within minutes I was attached at the hip to a mid-30s MS, who invited me to sit with him and his family.
The speaker, who was not the COBOE, was probably chosen for his excellent stage presence and speaking skills. I found him easy to listen to and to follow along with. Sitting next to my "mentor" I found myself forced to read along with him each and every scripture quoted from the stage. It was the same two dozen scriptures that are used in practically every public talk and funeral sermon. After all these years being away, I realized that I could still almost quote them from memory. The opening song (#8 from the new song book) was specific to the Memorial. The end song (#109) was generic about Jesus. I can read music to some degree so I could sing along without embarrassing myself. The speaker gave the opening and closing prayers, while two other elders said the prayer before each emblem was served. Believe me when I tell you that nothing has changed in that regard; the prayers are impromptu and meandering, with repetition and gaps in logic. One brother asked for forgiveness of sins three times in the same prayer. Another mentioned "Your earthly organization" four times in the same prayer, and each of the other brothers used that term at least once in their prayers.
Four elders passed the emblems. The hall had three seating sections, so two elders took the side rows and two others managed the middle section. The hall was completely silent during this activity except for two crying babies. No one seemed to mind the distraction. The talk lasted about 35 minutes and the whole session was just under 45. my guess is that there were over 200 people at this meeting.
At least half the congregation wanted to shake my hand and welcome me. The brother who was my mentor wanted to sign me up for a Bible study right away, but when he realized that I did not live within his area, he offered to refer me to someone closer. Yeah, like anyone will want to study with "The Apostate in the Neighborhood." I could tell that observing geographic boundaries was still important to JWs.
In all honesty, if I didn't know the truth about "The Truth" (TM), I could easily be caught up in the friendly atmosphere and love bombing that happens at this stage. Sitting there at that meeting I could see no obvious signs of the control and underlying evil that is present.
A few side observations:
1. The elders all looked like GB wannabees. High-dollar tailored suits. Styled hair cuts. Starched white shirts. Very few smiles. My guess is that this is a very conservative congregation. All of those in power seemed to be over 55.
2. The KH was spotless. My mentor told me that it had been completely refurbished a couple of years before. NO windows, drive through portal in front, small meeting rooms at the back. Sound system was impeccable. One MS in the front jumped up each time to adjust the mikes for prayers and the speaker. Very clean. Nice neighborhood.
3. The women all wore dresses and heels, except for some of the elderly. The new style for JW women seems to be the longer straight skirts dating back to the 1950s, the ones that end about 8 inches above the ankle. Maybe these are back in style, but it looks like a group of Joan Crawfords walking around. A couple were wearing 3-inch heels and showing some leg (and rightfully so), but most were dressed in rather dowdy styles.
4. There were a few men in attendance with close cut beards. They were obviously not MS or elders. So they may have been unbaptized or visitors. One brother, while nicely dressed, had dreadlocks and some facial hair. Again, obviously not an MS or elder.
So my overall impression was that this was a pretty typical JW Kingdom Hall. From a purely outsider impression I'd say they were all very nice to me, very welcoming, they all seemed to get along. I could see no obvious negatives about the Hall. My mentor was very enthusiastic, friendly, helpful and I believe totally committed to the organization. I actually felt bad about not accepting his offer to set up a Bible study with me.
I once again realize how easy it can be to get sucked into this organization. It's kind of like a kitchen trash can: all shiny and clean on the outside, but filled with garbage, germs, and rot on the inside.
JV
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s0rt3d
Forgot it was supposed to be yesterday. But even if I had remembered wouldn't have gone. I'd always found it tasteless, boring and would leave afterward somehow feeling let down by the whole affair. (And then feeling guilty for feeling that way! ) Fantastic to be free of this obligation!
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Quendi
For the first time since 1975 Yours Truly stayed home. My reasons for boycotting are different from many others who are psting on this thread. I believe there are two classes in line for salvation, but I don't believe the number 144,000 is to be taken literally. So I believe in the ransom sacrifice and that it applies to me, but I also think the new covenant is a special arrangement that does not cover everyone. I believe I have an earthly hope, and so should not partake. If I am not going to partake, then there is no reason for me to attend. So that is one reason I stayed home. Secondly, I believe that 1 Corinthians 11:26 applies to the Memorial observance in that its celebration should have ceased once the Lord "arrived". I believe that has already occurred, not in 1914 as the WTS believes and teaches, but back in the first century. I won't go into that now but will gladly answer anyone's questions if they want to ask me via PM. For me, since the Lord arrived a long time ago, this celebration and ceremony no longer have any scriptural meaning or foundation.
I also recalled the last five times I did attend. I was definitely made to feel unwanted and unwelcome. I am disfellowshipped, but I thought that even a token acknowledgment of my presence on "this most sacred night" would have been decent, kind, and Christian. I have received nothing but cold shoulders and hostile stares. Since it is clear that most of the Witnesses who did attend wished me elsewhere, that was yet another reason to stay home. There is no reason to subject myself to that kind of abuse. I spent the evening watching a good movie and talking to a Witness who is fading about the real meaning of Jesus' life and death. That was far better than listening to a bland talk and observing a meaningless ritual.
Quendi
