Posts by apostrate

24

new neighbors

by Theredeemer in

jw
friends

so, my wife and i purchased a house about a month ago and recently we met our new neighbors.

they are an older couple.

they are very nice and even brought us cookies.. in conversation they brought up that they were mormons and mentioned how much they loved it.

apostrate

This is a long story really, but I'm going to keep it short. I had a similar experience just a short time after learning TTATT.

My neighbor, who was a member of the Church of Christ, asked me one day if i would mind meeting her really good friends, who were husband and wife. I agreed, even though, like you, I suspected it was a recruitment meeting. So, I got all prepared regarding what I would say to them. BE CAREFUL!

When they came over to my apartment and started talking, they didn't let up! I couldn't get a word in edgewise! My brain simply shut down, just like it did for the 30 plus years when I went to the KH! They were an older couple and I didn't want to be rude, and I ended up just agreeing to whatever they said, just like I did as a JW. Then at the end of their 30 minute infomercial they handed me some literature and told me to study it for when they come back next week. Like I said, I just agreed just to get them to shut up and get them on their way!

After they left I felt terrible! I was ashamed of myself! I threw their literature in the trash. I couldn't believe that I literally went into a JW trance when they started droning on and on about their religion. I never invited them back and they never bothered me again and it soured my relation with my neighbor.

But, as I said, I was a new ex-JW at the time. I've learned a lot since then, and I'm ready to tangle with any cult member who wants to try me!!

20

if tomorrow dozens of jws learned of ttatt

by sowhatnow in

jw
friends

and they left the congregations, would you then feel open to be thier friends?.

many on here have the same complaint, that in the jw congregations, there were clickes, no one had time for each other,.

people judged, there was a lack of association, freindship , true concern and love were lacking.

apostrate

sowhatnow,

Yeah! I have that feeling, very much so! I can relate to most everything you say. People "of the world", as they say, look upon me like a freak, as though I'm a bible-thumping nerd that they are afraid of offending should they say the word "butt". And the reality is, I am not a bible thumping anything, I'm just trying to be a good guy.

And then there is the JW's, who look upon me as though I'm a part of the Manson family ("I've heard he listens to rock music and country music, eewww")!

I'm 60 years old and out of work. Fat chance of me finding work in the small town that I live in. So why don't I move into the city? Glad you asked, here's where my story gets real interesting!

I am not married and I moved here to help take care of my elderly mom, a JW for the last 50 years. The Kingdom Hall closed down here over 10 years ago, so she is the only JW in this town. She refuses to leave her house. In my opinion she is a WINO, (that is, Witness In Name Only).

The closest Kingdom Hall is an hour away. I ceased attending meetings years ago. I am not DF'd. When JW's do come to visit my mom, I treat them very cordially, I know that they are visiting my mom, not me. But if asked, I never fail to tell them where I stand, so they quit asking.

I don't actually know this, but I strongly suspect that the only reason that they don't DF me is, if they do, it will fall upon the JW's to take care of my mom, and they don't want that. But I believe they do want to inherit my mom's house and bank accounts. Not while I'm alive , they won't!

So you see, I'm kind of between a rock and a hard place. Go back and watch the last fifteen minutes of "The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly", the famous stand off scene. That's exactly how I feel right now.

And even though my mom is in her 90's, I'm beginning to think she may outlive me!

20

if tomorrow dozens of jws learned of ttatt

by sowhatnow in

jw
friends

and they left the congregations, would you then feel open to be thier friends?.

many on here have the same complaint, that in the jw congregations, there were clickes, no one had time for each other,.

people judged, there was a lack of association, freindship , true concern and love were lacking.

apostrate

Simon,

I agree with your last statement. I learned soon after leaving WT Land that there is not necessarily a real bond between X-JW's. People leave or get kicked out for many different reasons. Some turn around and join other controlling cults, some sink into drugs and other immoralities, some even commit suicide. One thing I have noticed also in people that I have known, the majority take up smoking cigarettes, even if they never smoked a day in their life before. ( I never felt that smoking cigarettes should have been a DF offense, I just agree with most that it is not a healthy habit).

I realize that there is a lot of anger built up inside one when they realize TTATT, there certainly was in me, but I strive to be a better person than the one I was while in WT Land. I will never get entirely over the emotional and mental scars from life in the WT but I manage pretty well

41

What really woke me up: I started noticing most JWS are weirdos..

by kneehighmiah in

jw
friends

thankfully my parents are converts so they aren't wierd.

seemed pretty popular by all accounts.

they are "popular" jws even now.

apostrate

Well, it certainly is factual to say that the JW's have their share of weirdo's. But, think about it, you are what you eat! And you are what you feed your mind!. You have come to realize what the WT Society is feeding its members.

Don't expect good fruit from a rotten tree!

The whole world is filled with weirdos. Just look at the political parties. Look at other religious organizations. Every group and organization in the world will have its share of peculiar characters. Be very careful when aligning yourself with an organization.

26

Suggestion: Don't Accept Everyone's Opinion Here

by minimus in

jw
friends

everyone has an opinion on things.

oftentimes, we ask for help or want the view of the board in a matter.

but just remember, the comments are simply personal views.

apostrate

cofty,

by the way, here in Texas I believe it is 13 degrees outside, but what's the wind chill factor??

123

JW FAMOUS CLICHE SAYINGS

by strymeckirules in

what saying made it all around the country?.

the ones that were passed around, word of mouth.. for example.

"donations basis proves jehovah is behind the work!".

apostrate

"Put the fuckin' bricks in the wall!!!"

Okay, I admit it's not exactly a cliche, but that is what my former boss, an elder in good standing (RIP) used to say out on the job when I worked for him. I heard it many times, so it seems like a cliche to me!

26

Suggestion: Don't Accept Everyone's Opinion Here

by minimus in

jw
friends

everyone has an opinion on things.

oftentimes, we ask for help or want the view of the board in a matter.

but just remember, the comments are simply personal views.

apostrate

Ucantnome,

But "sisters" must go out in field service in freezing temperatures with their bare legs exposed. The Bible doesn't say a thing about how one should dress when "witnessing", in fact, the Bible doesn't say a lot of things, but that's another topic!

26

Suggestion: Don't Accept Everyone's Opinion Here

by minimus in

jw
friends

everyone has an opinion on things.

oftentimes, we ask for help or want the view of the board in a matter.

but just remember, the comments are simply personal views.

apostrate

cofty,

I'm not disagreeing with you, but regardless of this other persons opinion, I couldn't help but feeling kind of sorry for him. People weren't holding back with derogatory remarks, even if he did bring it upon himself. I suppose I'm just commenting about "tact".

26

Suggestion: Don't Accept Everyone's Opinion Here

by minimus in

jw
friends

everyone has an opinion on things.

oftentimes, we ask for help or want the view of the board in a matter.

but just remember, the comments are simply personal views.

apostrate

Lat night I read a post by someone giving his opinion on evolution. Apparently, while no longer a JW he still does not believe in evolution. Apparently, many others who are no longer JW's DO believe in evolution now. But the pro-evolutionists were just ripping this guy. I don't care what anyone believes regarding evolution and most other subjects, but do they have to resort to name calling, bullying, and intellectual intimidation?

This wasn't the only post where I've seen this behavior displayed. Have we learned nothing from all the many years trapped inside the cult known as The Watchtower???

18

A spiritual man does not wear colourful socks.

by LogCon in

jw
friends

we encourage all to be examples to the flock.. jesus stated, as recorded in matt 5:29 .

' if, now, your right eye is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you.+ for it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be pitched into gehenna'.. we certainly do not want to stumble or, worse yet, be a stumbling block to the congregation.

evidently jesus was stating a principle here in matthew that he intended true christians to apply to all aspects of their lives and not just their eyes.

apostrate

sparky1,

Back in the 70's a CO started a schism in a congregation in a suburb of Dallas, TX because he counciled some of the elders, telling them that cowboy boots were not appropriate for elders (or any other males) to wear to the KH. Nevermind that some of the cowboy boots in question cost more than some of the fancy allowable shoes that some brothers wore.

There was nothing outlandish about the cowboy boots that some brothers wore. I hadn't even noticed the boots because I never paid attention to peoples feet!

Pant suits on the sisters was also forbidden, but let me tell you, for some sisters, hiding their legs with pant suits was more of a blessing than an abomination!