My parents certainly did, never offered any career advice besides pioneering actually. When I moved for my current job my parents and the hall could not fathom why I would move to have a good paying job with full benefits. Im still shaking my head.
GoUnion
JoinedPosts by GoUnion
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42
Did anyone in the congregation discourage you from going to college?
by Trapped in JW land ini remember being out on service with an elder when i was 17. he asked me what i plan on doing after high school.
i told him i was thinking of going to college to be a teacher.
he then asked me, "do you think this system is going to be around that long"?
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Nice conversation
by GoUnion inhello everyone i just wanted to give a litte update on what happened today with my tolerant, but still active jw wife.
she was at the sunday morning meeting today and when she came home she told me the wt study was about the revised overlapping generation setting.
there has been some tension whenever we discuss my differences with current wt beliefs so i was surprised she brough this up.
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GoUnion
Oubliette
Do I really need to explain this to you?
If you disagree with OTHER religions, you are a hero. If you disagree with the FDS/GB/WTBTS, you are an apostate.
It's not about truth or anything else. It's all about obedience.
Listen, Obey and Be Blessed: It's a cult!
No i dont need you to explain that to me but sometimes putting things down in writing helps you get your thoughts in order for future conversations. this site has really helped me the last few months.
i went to a funeral at the kingdom hall yesterday for a very sweet older sister that i knew. i talked to nearly everyone from the hall briefly, some a little longer then others, but it was nice to show them im not losing my mind and i that i am living a productful, happy life. one of my wife's friends told her later, "you know he seems like he is doing pretty well." its true, not having to spend a minimum of ten hours a week in some form of service to the WT whether it be meetings, service, or studying for the meetings, really gives you alot of extra time. i have lost about 20 lbs, and pretty much everyone commented on that fact as well. it just was very satisfying for me to make a brief appearance and show people what being away from this organization can do for you.
i just shook my head looking at all these people, sacrificing their family time, health, work, hobbies, and who knows what else, just to comment at meetings or hand out invitations. when i started looking at most "apostate" sites, i was struck by the fact no one was trying to take my time or money, nor where they trying to warp my thinking into becoming some sort of "rebel". i think more and more people are going to wake up and realize that not everything in this organization is as good as it seems.
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Nice conversation
by GoUnion inhello everyone i just wanted to give a litte update on what happened today with my tolerant, but still active jw wife.
she was at the sunday morning meeting today and when she came home she told me the wt study was about the revised overlapping generation setting.
there has been some tension whenever we discuss my differences with current wt beliefs so i was surprised she brough this up.
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GoUnion
hello everyone i just wanted to give a litte update on what happened today with my tolerant, but still active JW wife. she was at the sunday morning meeting today and when she came home she told me the WT study was about the revised overlapping generation setting. there has been some tension whenever we discuss my differences with current WT beliefs so i was surprised she brough this up. she said alot of people had some interesting comments on the paragraph although she felt that alot of people there did not really understand this new teaching.
after listening to her explain some of the various comments, i told her it was interesting that this paragraph contained no scriptual references that supported their understanding. she replied that she noticed this too and was thinking of maybe writing the watchtower to ask how they came up with this idea. i told her i thought that was a good idea and would help her if she so desired. when she said she didnt know how they came up with this teaching i told her my thoughts that if the starting point of their understanding of Matt 24 is incorrect, any possible interpretations will be incorrect. i then reaffirmed to her that i have no anger or bitterness towards anyone in this organization i just believe some of their teachings are incorrect and i am having a hard time going to meetings and listening to people comment on the ideas put forth in the watchtower, when i was told by the elders that if i were to express my opinions to her or others, that would constitute apostasty. could not the changed ideas of the generation be a form of apostasty from the original teaching?
i explained to her that the watchtower upholds individuals that challenged the church beliefs in the past, why not uphold those same standards for those who sincerely disagree with watchtower teachings? the mere approval of open discussion could result in helping everyone, regardless if they agree on everypoint.
and with that our discussion ended, it only lasted maybe 15 minutes, but we were both calm, relaxed, and it just felt like an honest and open conversation. i hope this could slowly be the start of something good. thanks for the opportunity to vent!
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Strong, odd and weird opinions on my brothers anniversary
by usualusername intoday my brother a non witness gave me a phone call.. .
he spoke about this, that and the other.
he then said that my oldest brother (an elder) was having his 25th wedding anniversary.
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GoUnion
I would show up and have a good time. Life without the watchtower does not make a person unhappy, in most cases you will be happier. the key to survival from what I have seen in my limited time so far is to keep busy and find a new social circle, the isolation and loneliness that is fostered and felt from the organization is intentional, show everyone you are normal and happy!
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The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
by Oubliette in[warning: this post contains spoilers!].
i've been reading hawthorne's the scarlet letter.
it is really quite an interesting read for us ex- and soon-to-be-ex-jws, especially if you or a loved one has ever been dealt with judicially by the elders.. i love the way hawthorne portrays the main characters:.
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GoUnion
I love to read but I must confess I have not done well with so many of the classics. Your post gives me motivation to rectify this mistake.
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My Mother-in-law's half JW and Half Apostate funeral
by Roberta804 inher funeral was at 1pm today.
they held it at a vfw hall where the service was upstairs and a meal downstairs.
we all brought dishes to pass, so much food!
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GoUnion
I am truly sorry for your loss and I admire your perspective on the events of the funeral.
i have an unrelated question for you though, do you take in baby raccoons? Do people bring them to you? I think that is wonderful for you to care for them but how do you handle them as they get older and more curious I know raccoons can get into pretty much anything they want too.
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Discussion with some elders
by GoUnion inhello everyone just wanted to relate a situation that occurred a few days ago.
so i have quit going to meetings for a few months now based on some issues i have with the explanations of current doctrines.
my wife is none too happy with this but over the last few months we have had some date nights and have tentitively agreed to disagree.
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GoUnion
Oubliette
You might try getting your wife to think about this, "Why does she feel the need to tell the elders about your personal thoughts and private discussions? What does this mean about your relationship? What does this say about the religion?"
That being said, tread lightly and proceed cautiously.
So THEY can influence your wife, but YOU cannot!
Few things shout, "Cult!" as loudly as behavior like this.
The only thing more ridiculous than the notion that anyone thinks they have the right to tell another adult WHO they can and cannot talk to and WHAT they can and cannot discuss is that anyone goes along with it.
Well I have been thinking long and hard as to this post. It is amazing to me how normal people such as Oubliette will view this situation, (normal in the respect they are not active JWs, no disrespect meant) and yet in regards to myself, these thoughts really never occured in my mind. Apparently a submissive attitude is still deeply engrained in my subconscious. During the course of my discussion with these elders I truly believe they felt that they were allowing me to have my own thinking, not realizing that by limiting a discussion between adults, that stifles a discussion that could truly help individuals grow. I am thankful for all the responses at this board it has really been a boost to see so many heartfelt, honest replies, even though im sure many of us have our own individual opinions in regards to the WT organization.
This takes me too my next question for many of the members here. I know from reading many of the posts here that many people here truly view the WT as a potentially damaging organization to many people, and while it is true their policies have been shown to harm many people, I personally do not hold the view that much of the leadership is inherently evil, or has some plot to make millions. From my lifetime in the organization I think most people genuinely want to serve God and life a good life. To me it seems as if the organization and the policies/doctrines that have developed, have become not some Biblical truth, but their own entity so to speak, forcing regular people to toe-the-line to established traditions. I say this because if I am disfellowshipped someday(a prospect that will have little effect on my life), based upon entire history with many different elders and serving as a pioneer and m.s., I believe the elders truly think they will be serving God, and possibly even "helping" me in some twisted way.
So what is the question then I was supposed to ask, do you view this organization, an organization with which you know doubt had many close friends because of, do you think this organization is inherently evil? Perhaps evil evokes an image of intense malice, perhaps dangerous may be a better word? But please, I would love to hear your thoughts.
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Discussion with some elders
by GoUnion inhello everyone just wanted to relate a situation that occurred a few days ago.
so i have quit going to meetings for a few months now based on some issues i have with the explanations of current doctrines.
my wife is none too happy with this but over the last few months we have had some date nights and have tentitively agreed to disagree.
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GoUnion
just a quick reply to those who are concerned about a possible jc or disfellowshipping, that is a realistic possibility that I have considered but I have very little interactions with most Jws right now, it is something I am not afraid of. I would find it much more satisfying to confront the issues we all face and contemplate with an open mind and an honest outlook at all times. If that means I am asked to explain my thinking to 2 elders or 3 I will for the sake of discussion. a jc has no real effect on my life.
oubliette thank you for your perspective, I won't say I agree 100% yet, but I will contemplate your post and hopefully I can give a more detailed reply later.
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Discussion with some elders
by GoUnion inhello everyone just wanted to relate a situation that occurred a few days ago.
so i have quit going to meetings for a few months now based on some issues i have with the explanations of current doctrines.
my wife is none to .
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GoUnion
Sorry I hate posting on an iPhone could this thread be deleted? Lol
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Discussion with some elders
by GoUnion inhello everyone just wanted to relate a situation that occurred a few days ago.
so i have quit going to meetings for a few months now based on some issues i have with the explanations of current doctrines.
my wife is none too happy with this but over the last few months we have had some date nights and have tentitively agreed to disagree.
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GoUnion
Hello everyone just wanted to relate a situation that occurred a few days ago. So I have quit going to meetings for a few months now based on some issues I have with the explanations of current doctrines. My wife is none too happy with this but over the last few months we have had some date nights and have tentitively agreed to disagree. When I bought CoC I told her what I was reading and explained I would not try to sway her opinion. I know she has some of her own disagreements but I am a firm believer in everyone making their own decisions at their own time.
Before I told her this over the last year I have had several discussions with one or two elders about my concerns which I have enjoyed. I try to be honest at all times in expressing my concerns over inaccuracies and the effects these can have on people. The elders were obviously concerned but were never rude nor have I felt like they were defensive they merely try to highlight the aspect that JWs can only be the organization that is used.
When I told my wife that I read CoC she told me she felt like she needed to tell the elders I was being influenced by apostate information, again she was not angry nor did we get into an argument. I told her if that is how she felt that's fine I am not one to try and hide anything. Well I met with the elders and I was surprised at the plesantness of our meeting at a coffee shop. my line of reasoning to them was I can think for myself, when making decisions it's important to see both sides of an agrument. the general vibe I got from our discussion was my thoughts and disagreemets are fine, but influencing my wife and others would cross a line.
im not sure how I feel about all of this I don't think it's an intrusion on my life because if my wife wants to talk we will, she is not ready for that at this time. I also am not angry with the elders because we talked a Lot and I feel like any kind of a discussoon about life and what our purpose is is beneficial. Im just curious on your thoughts.