i *can't* leave, i'm trapped.
i was talking to my twin sister tonight on how i didn't want to go to the upcoming convention this weekend because we had already been to it 2 months ago... .
i have to prepare some audition matrial for a arts event and my parents are not sympathtic to the fact i got allot to do, and we've already been.
SC_Guy,
I have a balancing act going on for some time now, and I tell you it's very frustrating at times. I get harassed constantly by my husband, and questioned often by my parents as to why am I not a ball of fire in the 'truth'. They are the only ones I really care about and I'd lose them for sure if I left the Organization, so I do the best I can keeping my sanity.
Dual loyalties is the pits!!!!!!
DY
i've been listening to marlene mercado's audio testimony on jwinfoline while reading and posting here today; and it reminded me that i had written to the society once, years ago, and i received a response.
the response made me angry with them, although they were agreeing with me on something that i was complaining about.
what made me angry was that they made no acknowledgment that they put a lot of pressure on the brothers to reach out and even after they have attained an office of oversight, a lot more pressure is put on the elders and servants to do more, do just so, etc....they claimed that it was my elder husband's own fault that he was barely ever home, and when he was, he was in his den or on the phone with someone who couldn't make any decisions on their own.
I HAVE!!!
I sent them a copy of some literatures which had their signature phrase "millions now living will never die" and then accused them of changing that same expression in the yearly calendar that in Spanish translated as "millions now living might never die".
I bluntly wrote that it was because of these wishie-washie expressions and other half truths that so many members continue to leave.
It took them a good 3 months to write back.
When they finally answered they apologized, saying that the original manuscript didn't have such affirmative expression and that they had acted hastily and printed it in an affirmative manner.
It's interesting that they admitted a mistake that was supposedly obvious to them only when they ran out of time. Just like the UN deal. They only corrected their ways when they were found out.
And they call themselves the 'mouthpiece of God on earth'???!!! Give me a break!!!
DY
as the saying goes, "you only live once".
with that, after being a witness for 15 years it was just time to move on to something else.. .
yes i believe the witnesses do not have the ultimate truth as they believe they do, which helped in my decision to move on.
Micheal,
I believe the same thing happened to me. The truth served its disciplinary purpose once, but now it no longer has the same effect. I find it rather boring listening to the same old doctrines and menacing threats meeting in and meeting out, plus I've had it already with the 3 assemblies per year. Enough!
Yeap, Micheal, I like you have also outgrown organized religion. No bitter feelings, though, like so many here have. Had lots of fun while it lasted, still have some fun once in a while, but quite frankly the happiness outside of it far outweighs whatever it is inside.
DY
every child and bible student was told about how wonderful the "new system" was going to be.
"and what animal do you want to have in the new system?
"......that was a very typical question.
I wanted to travel the world extensively; interact with every type of people and see the wonders of the many different places on earth. While in my world travels, I also wanted to become a great musician and play at large gatherings where everyone would have a fantastic time dancing and singing along.
At the end of my long term journey, I'd then settle down in the place where I found most beautiful. It's then that I'd consider marriage and starting a family of as many children as it would be aloud.
Well, now that I have mentally let go of my paradise dreams, I resolve to find joy in the things I can do here and now. I do quite a bit of traveling each year, and I have a wonderful husband to share the experiences with. Do not have kids due to health issues, but I'm the oldest of a whole bunch of kids in a hispanic family, and if you know the culture you'll also know that being the oldest is as close to having kids yourself as it gets; so, due to this minor inconvenience, I've decided to have a good time with my nieces, nephews and other people's kids. I've become a musician in the sense that I love all types of music and can carry a tune pretty good too.
So, I'm currenlty living my imperfect paradise here on earth, and I have to tell you all that it's not too shabby at all!
DY
my son told me the other day that he and his sister are just about the only kids at the kh their age that go to public/private schools.
almost all the other kids are home-schooled.
i was rather shocked.
Globetrotter,
Home schooling is very popular among JWs, American and Hispanics alike; their excuse is so they can spare their children the pressure at a regular school for so being different.
In the case of JWs, I see 2 problems in particular with this practice:
All things considered, please take note that JWs aren't the only ones with this trend. Often times cultures or other extreme religions that don't want their offsprings to mix with the mainstream also home school their young; either that or they make special schools only for their kind.
DY
after about 3 years of being part of a pagan religion, i'm finally realising that this is the time to tell my jw mother.
the question is, how do i put it over to her?
i'm wiccan, and it is true that wiccans refer to themselves as witches.
I'd say don't tell her. When it comes to her, keep your religious and personal life to yourself.
What kind of religion is Pagan? I'm completely ignorant about it, and find myself dumbfounded at the thought that you, like so many others, change one form of slavery for another.
Once I exit the JWs, that'll be it for me belonging to any other form of religious organizations.
DY
maybe this is goofy, but i was wondering, actually from reading the "did bush plan iraq" thread...besides the personal fantasizing about a paradise on earth, do you think the wtbts has a master plan or maybe in the past has there ever been talk of such a thing?
sorry, just having a mini moment..*lol*.
sincerely,.
Valis,
Of course they do!!! Don't you know it already?! Well, here it is, according to some of the most faithful and spiritually strong in the congregations I've attended:
"This is why we must contribute with all our material possessions to the constructions the society has going on; for there will come a day that we might have to take shelter in these same buildings while Jehovah and his armies destroy this old system of things."
DY
witnesses are taught that they must love their neighbor and jehovah god.
when persons fade away or leave abruptly or get disfellowshipped, you often hear this statement:"well, they obviously never really loved jehovah anyway"........looking back, can you say that at one time you really did love jehovah?
Although I'm thankful for all the daily things I enjoy (i.e., excellent health thus far, wonderful parents and siblings, plenty of material possessions, a husband whom I love dearly, a job I really like, good friends, and much more), I often find myself berating and talking in a very disrespectful way to a God that has let so many injustices, disasters, and misfortunes go on for ever!
DY
a little background on me.
i have never been a jw or had any desire to be one.
i definitely have no desire to join.
Never Was,
I'm not fascinated at all by the Organization's buildings. I've visited a few when younger and taken by parents.
If I can help it, I'll never step foot ever again in any of their famous branch buildings.
DY
i am new to this forum.
i needed to tell all of you how much you have helped me.
i too, have been hurt by the jw's.
Welcome!
DY
