How many have gotten interested in Human Services, Charity, Social Justice, Social Work and the like after awakening to Watchtower aberrance?
by Fernando 21 Replies latest jw experiences
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soft+gentle
lol me too - its a great freedom fighting song and suits the thread
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soft+gentle
sorry double post
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Aussie Oz
I have joined our local community progress association and edit the towns newsletter. Have become very interested in supporting locals and mixing with them.
Very opposite my WT days where i was totally apathetic to anything considered outside JW.
Got an ivitation to a meet and greet with the Mayor next month and will probably go to that too.
weird!
Oz
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outsmartthesystem
I've gotten more involved in community outreach programs. It is a complete shame that the Watchtower makes its subjects feel guilty for giving their time and $ to a charitable cause. When I was fresh out of college....I had some "independent thinking problems" but I was not free of the shackles of the borg. My first job made it a requirement of me to get involved in a few local civic groups. I recall worrying about this....for fear that it may not be "approved". I did a lot of research within the publications and determined it would be ok. Then the elders got wind of it. I didn't end up losing any "privleges" but they were not happy about it. They told me that it is unnecessary association with worldly people. They told me it was a waste of time because the only worthwhile and lasting work that could be done is the preaching work.....since this old system is just about to crumble. They "reasoned" with me.......why should I be giving my $ and resources to a charity (it was hinted that they are ALL corrupt) when I could be donating more to the society? They laid a BIG guilt trip on me.
I still got involved in some local civic groups.....but I'll be honest.....it was not comfortable. The whole time I was helping the community I was wondering if God was displeased with me.
Only a radical cult could manage to make a human feel guilty for helping out those in his community
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mercedes_29
I became a teacher. I help my students learn to think critically so they won't be duped. I also help oraganize coat drives and charities that help children and families. Something I was not able to do as a Witness.
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Disillusioned Lost-Lamb
I'm still "in" (but planning an escape) and already give/donate, money, food, clothing and items from my store, to as many non-wash-towel charities as possible; I don't care if they are backed by a church or not, if they are doing a real good then I'm in.
Something else I do is NEVER give even one cent to those greedy bastards at the WTBT$, they don't help anyone.
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blindnomore
I become an animal rescuer. I adopted my dog(my very first dog ever) about 7 months ago from a local shelter. I am also fostering dogs from the local No Kill Animal Shelther. My first 2 foster dogs were adopted by wonderful families and I am helping to find home for my 3 rd dog currently. I am bascially turned into a dog lady.
This might not big a deal for many people but it is for me. See, all my life especially as a JW, I disliked and scared of dogs and cats. As a JW(for 25 years) I had neither heart nor time for so called wordly people and their affair, let alone for animal. I spend most of my free time in caring my dogs and involving in animal adoption events. My daughter & I volunteer at a local soup kitchen also. I finally feel like contributing myself in the community.
I was a full time pioneer for 15 years for nothing. What a waste!!
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talesin
What a great thread!
I started volunteering when I was severely depressed. My GP recommended it, as well as some other non-pharmaceutical things to do. That was 1990, and I have volunteered ever since. It's a great feeling, it helps others, and is a great way to meet like-minded peeps.
Spent 3 yrs. volunteering at a homeless shelter for youth. The third year, I was a full-time live-in with 3 homeless young women between the ages of 17 and 24. I received a $100/month honorarium, and free rent, but still considered a volunteer. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness." What a ride that was!
One experience I will tell you of ... we had two houses, one for female clients, and one for males. It was a 'pilot' program, that is still going and greatly expanded. The live-ins now receive a wage, so they do not have to have another job.
One morning, I got up and checked the mailbox. There was a note in it that said (paraphrasing, b/c I don't have it at my fingertips, though I did keep it) "Dear J... I can't take this life anymore, and wanted to tell you how much I love you, and you are the only one I trust. Today is a good day to die! Signed, your little brother, S."
I flew inside, grabbed a coat and put it on over my pyjamas, shoved my feet into a pair of shoes, and ran to the Shelter (which was only 3 blocks away). The House Manager and staff started grilling the other teens about where he may have gone. About 2 hours later, we found him. Today, he is a mental health worker, and cares for seniors, and still my 'little brother'.
I have awards, and letters of reference from my other (administrative, PAID positions), but my most treasured plaque is the one given to me by Phoenix House, thanking me for caring, and signed by 'my kids'.
After that, for 3 years, I worked on a rape crisis line, then 2 years teaching crafts to seniors, 3 years at the local hospital, and 2 years with a local Earth Festival as an organizer. I am now housebound because of a foot injury, and I write an article for a monthly newsletter for persons dealing with mental illness. As soon as I am able, I plan to volunteer with one of the local groups that cares for feral cats.
It's a great thing to do for your community, for the world, and for yourself.
tal
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Kool Jo
My company does various philantrophic activities for the community....and I've participated in them...
It feel so great to be able to help others...I never liked the WTBS comment about how Jesus primarily focused on spiritual welfare, yet the WTBS is definately in a position to help people like other groups do.
Peace
Kool Jo