Posts by stirred but not shaken

56

Any former elders brains I could pick?

by BarelyThere in

jw
friends

i posted in another topic a few hours ago.

it is my first time on here or any website like this, ever.

i was dfed back in september for adultery.

stirred but not shaken

If they didn't view you as repentant at the hearing, it's likely because you planned your exit from your present marriage. It doesn't matter if the marriage was a mistake, so you're going to have to show another course of repentance. I assume the marriage is over and neither of you want or can make a go of it again. This means you'll have to remain celibate and not even entertain having another mate. It will be at least a year, and you'll have to show your repentance by attending all meetings.

It's a game. If you want out after reinstatement, then view it as a game, but play by their rules for now.

49

Slightly different approach - JW my tradition

by closed in

hello everybody :) i have been visiting this forum for some time.

i noticed that many can't really free from the past in the org despite many years outside of jw.

i was awaken with a bang.

stirred but not shaken

My whole life, now over 70 yrs., focused on this religion. I came to understand that it was built on "sand". I was doing research on my own to reinforce the religious views i had been taught and endorsing since childhood. The sand started to shift. I wasn't on solid ground anymore. Some of the research was just plain history, and i would enjoy sharing that with others. Unfortunately, some of it didn't blend well with Wt. doctrine, and I made the mistake of suggesting that some things will probably have to change. King of the north became the first issue, and it grew from there. I eventually had to resign as a long time elder. I just couldn't teach it to others. My activity was in time greatly reduced. Then came the shepherding visits. Then a marking talk. I can go to meetings if I want, but no social activities. Long time intimate friends (hundreds) and even my siblings and all their families (very large) will only speak to me and my wife if we bump into them and usually they'll head the other way if they see us first. Isn't that just great?

Besides having that experience, I cannot support an organization that is dishonest and misleads others...(and I'm no angel), but my conscience just won't let me . Ex. I just recently sold a car that was 10 years old. It was in good shape, but had some problems but not serious. I told the buyer everything I knew about it, because I couldn't conscientiously conceal what i knew. That's how I would want to be treated when buying a used vehicle. By my tacit approval of teachings that are wrong, would I not also be an accomplice to promoting falsehood? So even after almost 70 yrs.(lifer) I just couldn't be a part of it anymore. But that's just me.

I gotta say though...it ain't easy.

19

"Freeness of speech"

by Wonderment in

this was posted on another thread (http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6040010839031808/christmas-tree-word-appreciation), but wondered about how others here would see this with one experience i had as an elder now as ex-jws.. when we were jw's we had to be extremely careful with what we said around the brotherhood.

if someone said anything out of the ordinary, relationships among the involved were halted immediately, or were never the same afterwards.

in this place, one can say almost anything without the fear of having a truck run over us.

stirred but not shaken

There is always one or two bros. sitting near the speaker at District (now Regional) Conventions, who are assigned to make sure the "model" is followed. You will be reminded that if you get a note from the Chairman's Office delivered to you while speaking, you are to exit the stage. While that almost never happens, it is intimidating. Bethel Brothers are given much more freedom depending on their position there in Brooklyn.

Those assigned brothers would go bonkers if Fred Franz reappeared.

25

Wanna take a trip to Wallkill and Bethel?

by Bonnie_Clyde in

jw
friends

just got my annual advertisement from illinois international travel (apparently run by jws).

for $1,199 i can take a tour from september 17-25. why are they printing so much bible literature if the witnesses are supposed to be using tablets?.

saturday: first stop at new yorks newark airport, then transferred to a marriott hotel.

stirred but not shaken

Blondie. Wow, I knew those guys well. Ruben was a real likable guy and a good speaker. Dave entertained many a traveling brother. He could be fun..and knew where the money was. I think I heard that Ruben passed away. Last I heard he was in California. Virgochik, you've been around awhile. Our family sang Forward Go from the roof tops!

29

Local Needs part given after Ministerial Servant left the organization

by cappytan in

jw
friends

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbb8rt2bem8.

some crazy cult language in this talk.. some highlights:.

18:15 - obey.

stirred but not shaken

How do you think a "normal" JW would react if they somehow were told by a RV or Study, that their church..possibly LDS, SDA, Scientologist, Children of God, or even more mainstream, gave a similar talk to the congregation because they were aware of one of their members visiting or studying with JWs? Aha...Satan's craftiness is at it again! Or ask them to imagine themselves being at one of those meetings and hearing a talk using different concepts. Yeah...I know what you're going to say.

This really strikes home. I was there for my unexpected marking talk. From that time on, I've been treated like a germ when I run into friends and family. They soak that stuff up and never think that this is common among religions with high control. If they had been born into the LDS religion, they would accept that council as coming from God.

186

Just out of curiosity, how many elders (current & ex) do we have here?

by mrquik in

jw
friends

me.

stirred but not shaken

Thought I better add to the tally. Elder for 39 years. Likely because I was a pioneer for about 10 years. Always thought it was a responsibility if you were qualified. I really believed it and felt responsible before Jah. Had a difficult time dealing with some of the traveling overseers who were on power trips or had extreme opinions that felled many a MS or Elder. However did what I could to help all to remain in the "truth" by being good students and balanced. Would still be doing that, if I hadn't started to look for answers so I could understand and teach better. That's when the wheels came off. Have paid an awful price. Lifelong friends and family all shun even though not DFd. My conscience just wouldn't let me go through the motions anymore.

8

PROOF that the Watchtower is the TRUTH...Sunday's WT fallacy

by Separation of Powers in

jw
friends

i thought the undenable proof was pretty evident in the watchtower study this past weekend.

no war, preaching work, disfellowshipping....yeah, that's pretty convincing evidence.. .

no war?

stirred but not shaken

SOP: Well thought out and well stated.

51

New ExJW here for the first time.

by WideAwake7 in

i am here for the first time ...but have enjoyed reading others experiences that i feel i can relate too.

i used to be an elder for more than 20 years .

i have successfully faded with my wife and children.

stirred but not shaken

Long time elder here with lots of merit badges. I agree with jwfacts as to the types you will run into. Huge family of JWs for us. My wife and I have been left out (not invited) to some recent family events, we're hurt but understand their reasoning..which is why I would advise not to get in their face about things. Try to remember how you might have handled it when you were in.

If no one has mustered up the courage to ask you about your present beliefs or what bothers you, events like weddings or other functions/events would not be a good place to start with explanations.

There's usually folks from several congs. attending those things, and they will feel awkward because you were once one of them (an exemplary one at that) and now you're an unbeliever or worse yet, have apostate leanings.

Remember, to JWs, Satan lurks under every rock and behind every tree. They're afraid to converse about your new situation, because Satan is sooo clever. Thank our "friends" in Brooklyn for that. Now that you have looked behind the curtain, their attitude will frustrate and infuriate you. Stay calm, and remember what it was like.

38

The Present Truth is the Truth and the Old Truth is the Truth, even if they contradict.

by garyneal in

that is the conclusion you must accept if you are a jehovah's witness as my wife tries to explain to me that even if what they are teaching today contradicts what they were previously teaching, they had the truth then and they have the truth now.

the difference is, they (the witnesses and the governing body) simply believed that what they were teaching at the time was the truth but when they discovered new information they adjusted their thinking.

so since they formerly believed it to be the truth, they were in the truth.. an example she gave involved people who once believed the earth was flat.

stirred but not shaken

Strange how people will rationalize and make it work so as to hold onto what otherwise would be complete nonsense. A fellow elder once told me (this is when I was starting to figure things out).."we're still human and make mistakes, but unlike the churches, we correct our mistakes". I've since thought about that. Some of the teachings could get away with that rationale (like nonbelievers dying before Armageddon being resurrected), but when it affects one's health (life or death), financial welfare (no long term plan), parenting (stifiling education or talent) and general credibility in the community and workforce, it won't bail you out, especially when the replacement(s) is even less credible.

Oh well, we all make mistakes......said the trapeze catcher.

40

news item...9 yr old baptised

by returnvisit in

grrrrrrrrrrrrr!.

check out website for dunedin, nzs newspaper www.odt.co.nz re the 9yr old that got baptised at the convention in dunedin this last weekend... can't you just hear everyone there gushing about it??.

as i said grrrrrrrrrrrrr .

stirred but not shaken

As the Study Conductor in the mid 80s, I was asked by the parents of a 9 year old if it their child should get baptised. I responded, "whats the rush"? These dear deluded parents were responding to a recent article in the literature that seemed to encourage any quite young, but sincere children, to allow them to be baptised. He was a bit different, liked going in service and read well. I still discouraged it. To no avail. Later, after baptism, the father took me aside after a book study and asked why I didn't call on him to read or pray. I told him that I didn't feel that the adults in the group would want to be instructed or prayed for by a very inexperienced child even if he appeared to be exceptional, and that even if he is a male, that does not automatically quallify him. He reluctantly accepted that, mostly due to our relationship. Later the boy, at about 19, drifted and left.

I really wonder how many times thats been repeated, and why the wbts still encourages this. I'm sure there's exceptions, but surely those exceptions, if sincere, wouldn't change there attitude after a few more years of experience in life.