Posts by forest heathen

34

Are you an "apostate"?

by cedars in

jw
friends

i'm quite new to this site, and i've noticed that many of you are more than happy to call yourselves "apostates", even though many of you evidently believe in the bible and in jesus as saviour, etc.. i'm aware that the society brands anyone who disagrees with them as being an "apostate", but just because they choose to do this, does this mean we should be comfortable with being so branded?

should we "bend over" and take it?.

here is what the insight book says on apostasy:.

forest heathen

I am a former JW.

Apostate is their word. Not mine.

38

I'm writing a novel!

by punkofnice in

jw
friends

i'm up to about 30k words at the moment and still going strong.. i don't expect it'll ever get off the ground.....at least i'm going to try though.. i'm thinking of 6 months time and looking at the route of self publishing.

yes, i want to be a publisher.. it's very violent in places, has violent sexual scenes and very strong language.. it's everything the watchtower(r) said i should avoid.....i wonder if my authentic self has exploded into freedom?.

if you want more info or wish to read a snippet let me know.. i can't think of a title and have changed it several times, at the moment it's called 'boomshot.

forest heathen

By the way, regarding the title and you pen name, don't work too hard on those things ... especially since you still haven't actually finished the manuscript.

I made list after list of both .. and then "boom"... one day the title of the book just came to me and it was perfect. Same thing with my pen name.

If you sit back and wait, they may just come to you.

Best wishes!

38

I'm writing a novel!

by punkofnice in

jw
friends

i'm up to about 30k words at the moment and still going strong.. i don't expect it'll ever get off the ground.....at least i'm going to try though.. i'm thinking of 6 months time and looking at the route of self publishing.

yes, i want to be a publisher.. it's very violent in places, has violent sexual scenes and very strong language.. it's everything the watchtower(r) said i should avoid.....i wonder if my authentic self has exploded into freedom?.

if you want more info or wish to read a snippet let me know.. i can't think of a title and have changed it several times, at the moment it's called 'boomshot.

forest heathen

Getting published by a reputable publishing house and becoming a bestseller is about as easy as becoming a famous hollywood actor or rock star. Much of it is the same lucky break and being at the right place at the right time.

My novels (young adult fantasy series) are also all things the society frowned upon: magic, dragons, witches, elves, and fairies. I did get published by a good independant publisher. They paid me in royalties. I didn't give them a cent. Made a little money. But since they were a smaller press, promotion and marketing by them was limited. I got a few book signings and my books received good reviews. They were in print for about 6-7 years. I didn't make enough to quit my day job though. They were available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book sellers ... as well as Nook and Kindle.

But my publisher took a beating with the economy and finally closed their doors. I was let out of my contract and they went out of print. I finally ended up using the Kindle KDP to keep them in circulation. Keep in mind that with self - publishing all promoting falls on you.

I still write, I have two other manuscripts I am working on and am seeking a new publisher. It is adult romance. Yes, the hot steamy stuff. I am hoping that once I get in with a new publisher I can see about getting my series back in paperback and/or hardcover.

My suggestions are: learn about how the publishing world works. The traditional publishing houses receive tons of manuscripts. There are untrustworthy vanity presses that only want your money. If you are okay with self-promotion and aren't looking for instant fame and fortune, there is nothing wrong with self-publishing.

Edit your work and then edit it some more. Learn proper formatting of manuscripts. Make sure your grammar, spelling, and sentence structure is excellent. Readers do catch mistakes and get annoyed by them. Be open to suggestions, advice, and criticism on your work.

My sister, who loves me, but is brutally honest gave me some suggestions that were tough to listen to but made a lot of sense. I am glad I listened to her because in the end I was happy with the changes to the scene based on her advice. You need to have a certain amount of thick skin. If you ask opinions be prepared to hear not just the good.

Don't give up. I received five rejections (many writers get many, many more) before my first novel was accepted.

Good luck! I am excited for you!

~ Forest Heathen

8

Raising Children in more than one language

by SonoftheTrinity in

i recently told my wife that i am speaking only in the jamaican dialect from now on in my house because she has failed to teach her children her native language because she has put religion first, manners and discipline second, their education third, and her native language somewhere at the bottom.

while i am not jamaican, nor have i been to jamaica i lived in a jamaican rastafarian community as a rastafarian.

i am now orthodox christian as are many rastafarians and i still consider myself culturally rastafarian but no longer identify with their heresies.

forest heathen

I was 8, my sister 6, and my brothers 9 and 13 when we were introduced to Spanish. My mother was around 30. It is such an easy language that we were all fluent by about a year. I am now in my late 40s and my mother is 70. She is constantly surprising people. No one expects this old white lady to speak perfectly fluent Spanish.

If you can teach your kids two or more languages you are certainly giving them an advantage.

27

For those who have been out for 5 years or more.......

by Phizzy in

jw
friends

........... do you find you are now far more relaxed about things ?

things in general, and things wt/jw related ?.

i find i am much more relaxed and pragmatic about life in general, mrs phizzy and i do what we can, but we don't get overly upset at what we cannot do.

forest heathen

My husband, son, and I have been out for about 12 years. We weren't disfellowshipped (as far as we know) nor did we disassociate. We just left. No one came after us. Weird. We had no real problem leaving.

We just left and quit the whole JW thing. My son and I were quicker to join in "worldly" things. He joined the military and I began reading and writing about magic, faeries, and "pagan" things. I was done with the bible, god, and organized religion.

As far as running into JWs, it rarely happens and we don't have any ill feelings towards those we knew in the congregations. I've seen JWs out eating in restaurants and, really, I sort of feel sorry for them. They are so easy to indentify and they don't really look happy. They look so uncomfortable.

I've embraced the world, people, the community, and the earth. I recycle, use my own shopping bags, donate to charities, and eat much healthier. I smile more. People are not all bad. I've discovered that by just smiling at others and sending out positive energy, I feel so much better, and I've noticed it makes others feel better. Most people are nice, and will react with kindness when treated with kindness.

I am so much closer to my family. I love sending them birthday and holiday messages / cards / presents.

Actually, I do not entirely regret my time as a JW, it did work for me and my family for a time. I learned a lot about the bible and it was good for my husband, my son, and me in that we lived a moral, clean, and honest lifestyle. We were happy as a family ... but then the religion just didn't work for us anymore.

We changed and our view of the world changed.

My husband and son know about JWR and JWN and know I sometimes pop in here. They don't socialize online much and don't see a need to reconnect with the JW religion even if it is with other ex-JWs. My husband has asked me why I feel a need to be here since he knows I don't have any grudges or unresolved issues with the religion. I've told him that when I get here, I feel like I am maybe helping others by letting them know that there is a wonderful life to be lived once one leaves. And to share that it isn't too late to start living and pursuing one's real dreams.

~ Forest Heathen

18

"You don't pee next to a cop," and other rules from the mens room that women don't know

by GrreatTeacher in

jw
friends

i was recently at a baseball game with friends and family when i learned something new.

beer had been drunk and the men made their way to the men's room to relieve themselves.

when they got back i asked them what took them so long.

forest heathen

Ladies, if the rules for the ladies room stresses you, go to a truck stop when you need a public restroom.

Trucker ladies have long ago rejected the rules and now make as much noise as they need to without a care.

But there are other rules:

1. Always check that there is toilet paper

2. Flush once before sitting to ensure toilet works properly

55

The Venting Thread

by minimus in

jw
friends

this thread is for you to vent about anything (within guidelines) that you want.. i'll start.. i'm sick of people who complain about how cold the weather is and then you have two 85 degree days and now they can't wait till autumn!.

forest heathen

I love dogs. Our family has always had dogs. Had a lovely German Shepherd. Now have a Siberian Husky.

This is nothing against dogs.

My problem is with dog owners.

If the signs say keep you dog leashed. Keep the dog leashed.

Don't let your little yappy toy dog jump on people. It isn't cute. Imagine if a large dog did that? Though your dog is small it is assertive behavior, correct your animal.

Train your dog.

And my biggest gripe? PICK UP AFTER YOUR PET DOES HIS BUSINESS.

75

What would be your favorite job if you could do anything.?

by new hope and happiness in

on the basis that most of us realise the w.t wasnt really the best " job" or way to spend our days, it would be fun to find out what people would really have liked to have done with there lifes and if this is still possible.

or maybe its not even a very realistic ambition just a dream.

in my dreams i stay at home all day and make a living from being a professional artist.maybe i need a phycholgist?.

forest heathen

I was born to be a spoiled rich girl.

I've yet to see a job posting for it.

As soon as one is posted, I'm applying!

Close second is to get paid to spoil the grandkids.

In the meanwhile, I have my dream job. I get paid to drive around and see the country. Good money and very casual dress code.

But as soon as my novels hit the bestseller list I will quit my day job.

~ Forest Heathen

65

I'm afraid I'd be single for life

by ohnightdivine in

this is quite embarrassing for me to share, but as a 30+ year old single female i have lingering doubts as to whether i can still meet a decent man and get married.. you all know how difficult it is for sisters to find an appropriate partner in the congregation.. and now, all the more so that i've learned ttatt.

i still am bound by low self-esteem, and i do have trust issues, especially with men.

i am very lonely and so i just keep myself busy with work to avoid depression (although it is also a great source of stress).. any other single females out there having similar thoughts?.

forest heathen

Ohnightdivine,

Being happily married, I used to feel for some lovely sisters in my congregation. There were three in paticular, all in their 30s. They were pretty, intelligent, pioneers, and hardworking (supporting themselves). Two of them had come from the "world" into the truth (in other words, probably not virgins).

The available "brothers" didn't give them a second glance.

Why? They dressed very modestly, were set in their ways, and had no connections. There was one "brother" in his late 30s who dated the 17 year old daughter of a MS (he flat out told my husband he wanted a virgin). Most of the others chased after the "corridor cuties" during the assemblies and conventions.

It used to disgust me how these guys overlooked some very nice women because they wanted a younger, thinner, prettier bride.

One of these pioneers finally gave up and began dating "outside" (good for her!). Though I knew (at the time) I should have been "shocked" over this, I couldn't help but not blame her.

May I suggest what I told my sister before she remarried after a bad divorce?

Take time for yourself. Find your passion in life. Take time to get to know who you are, what you want, and start doing things that make you feel good about who you are. She wasn't my favorite singer, but I love the lyrics to Whitney Houston's song "Greatest Love of All". Find out who you are inside and learn to love yourself.

Then go out into the world and get involved with it. Go for walks and get to know your neighbors. Take classes, meet people. Volunteer, meet people. Get online, meet people. Go to the gym, meet people. Go to bookstores, food co-ops, coffee shops and MEET PEOPLE.

One of my sisters married in her 30s. She met her husband on MySpace/Facebook (they had both) about seven years ago. My other sister met her new husband at work when she was in her 40s. I have another friend (ex JW) that just moved in with her boyfriend, she met him at work too.

Just get busy living and you will find someone.

Wishing you the best and every happiness.

~ Forest Heathen

7

Jehovah's Witness elder 'shredded' a woman's knickers before raping her, court hears

by SanLuisObispoTruthSeeker in

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/jehovahs-witness-elder-mark-sewell-7265219.

.

three different headlines on bbc and walesonline, thought you might see how jw elders are picked by the un-holy spirit!.

forest heathen

Wisdom teeth removal causes depression?

Depression causes people to become sexual predators?

I don't think so.

Man is a scumbag. Lock him up.

I don't know about the UK, but Karma catches up with child molesters in US prisons.