Posts by Stuck in the middle37

10

Question: When did the JWs start having judicial committees?

by Spiral in

i've been reading the book recommended by zing "soul snatchers, the mechanics of cults" (bought a used copy online) and one of the things mentioned was how cults police all aspects of their members' lives.

so it got me to wondering, when did the practice of three men (elders) having a hearing (or should we say trial) and passing judgment on a member start?

did the early bible students do this?

Stuck in the middle37

I was attending a congregation in central California in 53 or 54. A woman in the congregation was disfellowshiped for immorality. At that time they read out the complete reasons for the offense. Had some friends in southern California, they were doing the same down there. It didn't seem to be something new they were just starting.

17

Big elders meetings?

by road to nowhere in

i hear of whole circuit meetings being held, taking all day.

maybe just usual yearly stuff, but it seems the local elders immediately held a followup.

i am sure it will be about better local control, more charity, kindness, that sort of thing.

Stuck in the middle37

love to hear more about the bay area. I was living there in '58' when I went to the big assembly in New York. We (wife and I) lived there for many years. We got married in the Sunnyvale Hall. Went to Mt View, Cupertino, couple halls on The east side of town lastly Mllpitas before we left.the area.

11

Killers of The Flower Moon by David Grann

by smiddy3 in

i am presently reading this book and so far have read only 100 pages and it boggles my mind !!.

has anybody on the board read it ?

if so i would like to hear your views on it,if not now after i have finished reading it myself lol.

Stuck in the middle37

There was a movie some years ago called The FBI story with Jimmy Stewart. A part of that movie was the account of the Osage Tribe and what happen to them in the early 1920's. Good movie. I've had some dealings with the tribe. Still a very rich Indian tribe.

15

Obituaries

by truthlover123 in

a letter was read this week from the platform stating that publishers should not scour the obituaries and respond to the websites for condolences messaging.

apparently, it is not being taken too well by family and friends and the pubs are asked to refrain from sending a message if they are not friends or family of the deceased.. i recall one sister used to visit grave yard sites and if she saw individuals there, went over and "consoled" them by offering the tract on death and your loved ones.

i cannot even think of how i would have received her, being in my space and thinking she could do that.. apparently they have graduated by reading the obits..

Stuck in the middle37

I remember the first time I heard that suggestion at the meeting. I thank Memorial day was coming up. I thought that has to be worst idea's I ever heard, I never did it or ever seen or know any one that did.

I gave a few funeral talks very hard talks to give,at least for me,when you look out into the audience and see people crying it can be very emotional. I always changed the out lines around talked about the person a little more, if I knew them something we might have said or did together.then what the bible said about death and the promise for the future.I had people asking me to give their funeral talk when they died
We moved so nothing ever came of that

37

What is the longest distance you drove to attend a summer Convention?

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

here is a photo of the milwaukee brewers ( american baseball team) county stadium.

for some reason, we were assigned this outdoor stadium for our 1975 four-day summer convention.

our congregation was located 90 miles away on the north side of chicago.. some congregation members stayed at milwaukee hotels for the four-day convention.

Stuck in the middle37

We drove from the San Francisco bay area to the 58 New York convention. I had a great time with good friends meet some girls from Florida,went down to time squire in the evening. It truly was one of the high lights of my life as a witness (over 60 yrs.). The convention was good too.

44

Baptised 52 years today!

by Phoebe in

jw
friends

january 29th - my baptism date.

can you remember how you felt at your baptism?.

i got baptised because my dad kept frightening me.

Stuck in the middle37

I felt no pressure to please anyone it was my own choice and I felt good about it. Now some 63 yrs. not so much.
The Year 1955, We went down to southern Calif. to visit my sister for a few weeks they were have their circuit assemble the lapel badge, I still have, reads (Hear why a new world is possible Sunday Aug. 28 3pm Greek theater Ganesha Park Pomona,Calif.) I thought this is between me and God I didn't tell anyone I was getting baptize. I felt good afterward. It was a lot Simpler back then not a lot of questions to answer.
I've been out about 10 yrs now. I still have some anger know they lied to me all those yrs. and angry with myself for not being able to see the Organ. for what it is.

6

"Do not make any graven image" (oh except the one on the Ark of the covenant of course!) Huh??

by stuckinarut2 in

so we all know that the first few commandments state that "there should be no graven images made" etc.... but, the very "ark of the covenant" had two angelic figures on the lid!

so the very box used to carry the 10 commandment tablets, broke those same laws!!!.

this observation, plus many other hilarious ones is highlighted in the latest episode of the how-to heretic podcast (episode 063).

Stuck in the middle37

I always thought the copper serpent, that God commanded Moses to make (numbers 21) stood out as a direct volition of that law.You had to look upon the serpent to live if you were bitten by a snake and it was worshiped for many years after that.

36

Faders Needing a Great One Liner

by Solzhenitsyn in

so our family fade is well under way.

we changed congregations as regular attenders and left in good standing with those giving hugs and kisses simply knowing we "needed a change".

we moved to a neighboring congregation that is out of our original region knowing we would see no one and the two boe's wouldn't really have immediate dealings.

Stuck in the middle37

A fellow "bro" I was in prison with back 60's moved down into my area from the state of Washington I heard he had some trouble with the organ.up there so I called him up to see how he was. After telling me how he was still coping and hanging on,he ask about me. I said I had taken a step back. That there was some things in the past few years I found puzzling and disturbing and I'd have to see how things work out. So your not saying you quit or that your staying. He didn't press the issue, I would have been more than happy to talk to him but it seem to satisfy him.

58

Explain Your Avatar

by new boy in

jw
friends

i know this thread has been done before.

however maybe some of the new comers might like to know.. my avatar is the cover of my first novel "your crazy life.

".

Stuck in the middle37

I'm a Indian been one all my life. The coin has the year I was born.

8

When WWII ended, how difficult was it for the JW's that had been in prison to adjust?

by Sobeit in

my husband seemed to have a hard time..

Stuck in the middle37

I've known people and talk with them about their experience of being in prison during ww2 it didn't seem to effect them in a good or bad way it was just something they felt they had to do.
I spent some time in prison(Tucson federal) in the early 60's for the draft there was about 14 JWs when I got there and about 24 when Ieft. Other then having to leave my wife it wasn't that bad of an experience. She moved down to Tucson and came up(it was about 19 mi. out of town and half way up Mt. Lemon) to see me every Sunday. I never thought it was for or because of the org. I thought this was between me and God(I don't use the word Jehovah any more). Iv'e never suffered in any way from the experience.