Posts by CruithneLaLuna

54

my heart hurts.

by flower in

well i have been feeling a bit like crap lately.

work has been very stressful and my attempts to make new friends outside of the jw's have been mostly futile.

the people i work with are immature and are more interested in the latest office gossip and whose doing what than anything else.

I didn't read everyone's reply, nor did I count, but I see that a lot of folks responded with fellow-feeling. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot in life that's "easy," including making friends ... but there are fantastic opportunities of all kinds that pass by us everyday, near enough that we could grasp them if we would only believe they're there and open ourselves to them. I not only hold that as a "metaphysical" belief, I've experienced the reality of it to an extent. (I know that for every opportunity that has landed in my lap unexpectedly, there must be ten or a hundred out there that I've remained completely unaware of.) "Keep on seeking [with an optimistic, enthusiastic attitude] and you will find." It's hard to be all cheerful and expectant when you're NOT getting what you want, but know that it's out there (because it is), and go find it.

Cruithne

32

new member in here

by mindless1 in

jw
friends

yeah.

carrie (aztec) made me get up at this ungodly early hour of the morning (1 pm.

) to post here.

CruithneLaLuna

The subject line says it all.

16

C's get degrees or????

by Stacy Smith in

jw
friends

i've always obsessed about good grades.

i had straight a's in high school and through junior college.

now that i'm a junnior i'm struggling to do that.

CruithneLaLuna

Okay, so your grade problem is in physics, which is kind of tangential to your track. I wouldn't worry about it, actually. The fact that you're taking a phsyics class shows that you are willing to stretch yourself and learn a variety of things, which is extremely positive. Maybe you're not cut out to be a physicist. <Shrug> Do your best, even at physics, but don't sweat it if you're not an "A" student in EVERYTHING.

Cruithne

16

C's get degrees or????

by Stacy Smith in

jw
friends

i've always obsessed about good grades.

i had straight a's in high school and through junior college.

now that i'm a junnior i'm struggling to do that.

CruithneLaLuna

Stacy,

Just do your best, hon. That's all you can do. NO ONE can reaosnably expect more of you.

If you are bothered by getting C's in your chosen field of study, you might want to consider working on something at which you're more talented - I mean if C's are the best you can do. But if you LOVE what you're studying, then the mere fact of getting an occasional "mediocre" grade - or even a "mediocre" GPA - shouldn't be a deterrent. Focus on the learning and your love for it, and I think everything else will take care of itself, for you.

Cruithne

5

Watchtower Has New World Air!

by Voyager in

jw
friends

i posted this only because, i used to sit in the kingdom hall and watch the children-cough, weez, and sniffle, and dealing with hay fevor.

i felt so bad for them, because they had to breath whatever air was in the room.

then when i found this link, it kind of got me mad, because some of the worldwide preaching work contributions are providing the watchtower corporate, with some of the cleanest, freshest, and safest air money can buy.. yet the very people who provided the watchtower with those contributions, have to sit at meetings and just suffer, and their kids as well.

CruithneLaLuna

Growth doesn't always come from being stroked. Considering contrary views can also provide opportunities for growth - esp. when they're presented respectfully, but even when not. Someone apologized to me the other day for blasting something I said (not me personally, and I didn't take it that way) on another forum. I told him to please continue expressing himself as he sees fit. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, or to keep silent when they disagree.

Cruithne

5

Watchtower Has New World Air!

by Voyager in

jw
friends

i posted this only because, i used to sit in the kingdom hall and watch the children-cough, weez, and sniffle, and dealing with hay fevor.

i felt so bad for them, because they had to breath whatever air was in the room.

then when i found this link, it kind of got me mad, because some of the worldwide preaching work contributions are providing the watchtower corporate, with some of the cleanest, freshest, and safest air money can buy.. yet the very people who provided the watchtower with those contributions, have to sit at meetings and just suffer, and their kids as well.

CruithneLaLuna

A few years ago, I purchased an air purifier for my home that used similar technology. It improved my wife's asthma, and we were consistently happy and satisfied with the product. I can imagine that there would be a need for such a purification system in some of the environments at WT headquarters. To me, their purchasing such products shows an appropriate concern for people's health and welfare. I would think that individual congregations would feel free to purchase such products, as well, although the Society isn't going to promote them.

I'm sorry if this is seen as finding fault with the original post, but I really can't find anything about it that I agree with. That's not a personal attack, just a failure to agree (to the extent that I understand where you're coming from).

Cruithne

29

I had to DF my brother a few days ago!

by cyberguy in

i had to df my brother a few days ago!

i just wanted to visit him and my family late december.

anyway, he said, "we don?t want you here!

CruithneLaLuna

Cyberguy,

I'm not quite sure whether my reply belongs on a public forum or would be better directed to you privately, but I will undertake to write it publicly, and if I click Submit at the end, it will go to the forum; otherwise, it will probably show up in your personal inbox.

First, you must know that there is achance that your brother will truly Awake! one day, and that your example of integrity and conveying real truths to him could be a key factor in that.

I lost most of my natural relatives by becoming a JW and staying faithful to the org for over 30 years. Then I lost all of my JW so-called friends and family when I walked away from the org. Actually, it took a couple of years to lose my kids, who are now 18 and 14, and live with their mother and stpefather, who are both JWs. However, I haven't spoken with them in more than a year. I occasionally write to them, but do not receive anything in return, and for all I know, my letters go directly into the garbage can.

Maybe there is something wrong with me, but I have to tell you that I am NOT bemoaning my treatment at the hands of JWs or anyone else, and I am not crying about the consequences of my own actions. I did what I had to do in order to mantain my personal and spiritual integrity, and I did it without thinking twice about the consequences. Whatever is lost in this world can be regained or replaced - in a sense. In another sense, of course, some things can never be replaced. However, I am content to follow the path of life as it reveals itself to me, and I can affirm that opportunities have opened up to me that have added joy and meaning to my life, that I would NEVER have had access to if I had remained a JW. (I have been an ex-JW for less than four years.)

When I left the org, I was content for a while to live in a state of uncertainty and ambiguity. Actually, I doubt I will ever again feel the sense of certainty and monoguity (is there such a word?) that I felt as a Witness, but the need for such things is largely artificial and a learned trait - and so can be easily unleanred, if one puts one's mind and heart into the project.

I have been through periods of depression, and to an extent that is a holdover from life as a JW and the process by which one becomes an ex (if one was ever sincere and devout as a JW). It can be worked through.

I strongly recommend taking decisive action to rid yourself of the vestiges of faith in JWism, and go on an active spritual quest to find what works for you - be it orthodox Christianity, unorthodox Christianity, any of the other great world religions, "alternative religion," being "spiritual but not religious," agnostic, or atheist. Find what resonates with the predispositions of your heart and mind, supports what you sense is truly important, and helps you become more fully the person you want to be and to contribute to society in a way that you can believe is meaningful and worthwhile. It's out there.

Cruithne

20

Your JW / ex-JW Experiences Needed - PLEASE!

by 2escaped lifers in

for a new book project..... my wife and i are putting together a book project that will describe in detail the actual practical effects of wtbts beliefs and doctrines on the daily lives of average jw's.

there are currently books out there that describe the operation of the organization at the top levels (e.g.

crisis of conscience), books that take issue with jw doctrine and/or false predictions, and books about cults in general that mention jw's among other cultish organizations.

CruithneLaLuna

Brandon,

I have a close personal friend, who is a journalist, whom I trust implicitly. She undertook to write an article about some of my experiences (not directly related to the JWs), about a year ago, buying me a fine Chinese dinner, and interviewing me over it. (I also helped her review the restaurant where we enjoyed the meal; thus we killed two marauding chupacabras with one slingshot, so to say.)

In violation of normal journalistic practice, my friend allowed me to preview the article and request any changes that I felt were appropriate. I was amazed how much the sense of her story differed from what I had told her, in some areas. I requested a few changes, and suggested several more.The writer was able to incorporate most of my suggestions, but unfortunately because she was writing to fill limited space and had a specific agenda, or point to make, I felt that some aspects of the story might still have been misunderstood by the readers - all of which wasn't really that important, in the final analysis.

As a result of this experience, however, I am hesitant if not downright loathe to allow anyone to "write my story," or selectively quote from my sayings or writings. I will be pleased to produce a version of my story that you may quote verbatim (only), fitting within a designated number of pages, paragraphs, or words. If you like, we can chat via personal email [email protected] and begin working toward my laying two or three of the several write-ups I've done so far on you. This might have a very good result, in that if we work together on this, you may be able direct me in crafting something that we can both use and be proud of.

Cruithne

24

AOL - what's your opinion?

by TresHappy in

jw
friends

i've had aol for several years now.

i am dumping it very soon.

anyone else have aol and what is your opinion?

CruithneLaLuna

They will tell you they're terminating your service, and of course that means that they won't charge your credit card or bank account anymore, right? Don't believe it; and if you are charged fees by your bank or credit card company due to AOL's "error," they will apologize but will not reimburse you. AOL is a prime symptom of what's wrong in and with America. They can eat dung and expire, as far as I am concerned.

There aren't all that many things in life (proportionately) that make me angry, but bringing up the subject of AOL never fails. I will never, never, never do business with those [people] again, even if hell does freeze over.

Cruithne

26

Stronger or weaker

by Paradise Found in

jw
friends

has yourjehovahs witness experience made ypur belief in god stronger or weaker?.

my attitude to god and religon no longer plays an active part in my life.

what i mean by not playing an active part is that i never prayer for help when in trouble or understanding as to lifes purpose and a personal relationhip with god.. maybe because iam scared to take the risk my prayers might not be answered and i d be disillusioned.although if things go right i dont mind saying "thankyou" i will never say "please".

CruithneLaLuna

It all depends on how you conceive of God, or put another way, what you choose to worship. I don't believe in the JWist version of God, at all.

In one of her books, Starhawk writes about people in more conventional religions asking Wiccans (rather incredulously, perhaps) if they actually believe in the Goddess. Her response is, "Do you believe in rocks?" The point being that people experience rocks, and work with them; they are a part of everyday existence. In the same way, the Wiccan view of Diety as manifest in nature makes all of life and the envirnment sacred, and the Goddess as literally and completely real as rocks, plants, animals, land, sea, and sky, the Grand Canyon, beautiful sunsets, and the Aurora Borealis. Although I am not (quite) Wiccan, this view appeals to me.

Another book that for me embodied a great deal of spiritual wisdom counsels, "Believe nothing; entertain possibilities." This speaks to me of "acting as if" Spirit is real; giving thanks to Something greater than oneself for the blessings and opportunities that life offers, and seeking intimacy, a loving working relationship, with That which confers those blessings and opportunities. I think there are many ways to view Diety, all or most having some value and some measure of "reality," and all failing in some measure to comprehend fully the objective reality, whatever that is.

I'm not an atheist, or an agnostic. I have faith in Something, simply because humans have this innate need for spirituality and to worship and seek a relationship with a higher Power or Powers. Diety is if nothing else the externalized expression of that need, and I don't have a problem with that, or see it as unhealthy.

Cruithne