Sorry Terry. I hold out hope maybe he can still be your friend.
After 44 years I finally found and spoke to my old prison buddy!
by Terry 39 Replies latest jw experiences
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BluesBrother
Tollie told me how he had constantly been counseled for being "too spiritually-minded" by overseers, Elders, District guys and Gilead instructors.
Stop and savor that one a moment!
His Congregation's presiding Elder came up to him after a Watch Tower study and said, "Brother Tollie, could you not raise your hand so many times with a comment please--you may stumble the other weaker brothers who don't study as much as you do."
That does not surprise me at all. A sister of my acquaintance has had all manner of problems in several congs because she raises her hand too often, looks up interesting relevant things to say in her answers . They tell her the same thing , rather than praising and encouraging her .... A friend of mine was an elder - he was smart, keen "spiritual " and not afraid to tell the others when they needed telling - they found an excuse to kick him off the body.
Truth is that human nature prevails , nobody likes to be shown up by someone who knows more than you - at least elders do not
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humbled
Good of you to reach out to him--since he is still "in prison".
I,too, wrote to an old mentor. She couldn't/didn't write back. but I still love her for her kindness. she was in so many ways contrary to the Organization--even hurt by it.
I'm sorry, Terry.
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LoisLane looking for Superman
Terry how heart breaking to find out your friend Tollie is still being manipulated by his religion. I googled his name. His mom died a JW in 2000. Some people believe the JW doctrine that they will never die. Even when they get older, and everyone else around them is dying, they still cling to that false hope that Watch Tower perpetuates, millions now living, will never die. It is a lie.
I am sorry, your old friend cannot see that he has been duped.
I wonder how he fudges the WT belief in his head that "Babylon the Great" was destroyed in 607 BCE, when it wasn't. I guess, like a lot of "still in" JW's, it is easier to "not" think that the Organization has lied to them. If the Society has lied to them about a proveable historical date, that is a pivotal date in WT theology, then what about the desire they instill in their members of... never dying? Never "tasting" death? The Watchtower, Governing Body, promotes something better than the mythical "Fountain of Youth". The GB promote never dying at all for all of its 7 1/2 million adherents. I am sorry your old friend Tolley is still falling for that lie. All living things, die. For someone who is deep down into the hole of denial, it is hard to accept. I feel sorry for him. He has given his whole life, for lies, just because the WT benefiter , calls them "truth".
At least you woke up understanding the WT is a Worldwide Land Owner and Property Developer masquerading as a charitable Christian religion, spreading lies, not "truths". It is too bad, he did not.
LoisLane
PS The miles from Fort Worth to El Paso, Texas are not long. Only 600 miles. To be in your 60's and have gone through Federal Prison together because the WT Headquarter's told you, that was what you "had" to do to " please " Jehovah, is a very strong bond. To be so close in miles, and yet not seeing him and hugging him (Or shaking hands. What do guys do when they meet up with old friends?) and thanking him for the help he gave you, so many decades ago, is sorrowful.
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Nathan Natas
I understand your sadness, Terry. You might recall that when you first appeared on JWN I wrote to you in hope that you might be a friend from MY past who was named Terry. I was a bit disappointed to discover that you were not my old friend - yes, it was naive of me to think you *might* have been him.
But the outcome was better than I could have imagined: although I hadn't found my old friend, I did find a NEW friend - YOU - and I'm glad for that outcome.
Probably you will never find a *new* Tollie has signed in here, but I am certain you have made several friends who are likewise glad they met you.
You may not share much of a past with them, but you can surely look forward to the future.
When you recall Ol' Tollie now, you can see that he wasn't quite as smart as you thought he was; he's still in bondage. You have exceeded your mentor!
I am proud to be your friend. Yes, you are smarter than my old friend Terry was; he's still "in" also.
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yadda yadda 2
Dramatically highlights that being extremely intelligent has nothing to do with being intellectually honest. You had hoped otherwise in the case of your old friend, but alas.
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Finkelstein
Would have been nice to come together with this guy after of what you've gone through and both realize
what naive and gullible idiots you both were back then.
Not for refusing to fight in the Vietnam war but your involvement with the lying corrupt WTS.
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jwfacts
It is good you were able to finally speak to him, even if sad that is as far as it will go.
It amazes me that intellectual people can be JWs. If he resesrches almost any topic there is so much justification required to make it fit the Watchtower belief system.
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DATA-DOG
Maybe something you said will get through. You should understand how hard it is to admit to that you martyred yourself for nothing. Honesty with self is extremely difficult.
DD
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ruderedhead
I'm sorry for your loss. It has to be heartbreaking for you. But you still have your good memories of your friendship. I hope you will still cherish them.