Wow. I guess it's not going to reflect well on my character to admit this, but yeah, I can think of a number of df-worthy offenses I've committed while in good standing. I don't intend to list them here, but none of them hurt anybody else, nor were they malicious or evil in nature; they were all just normal human actions. And I'm sure that I'm still in good standing with my creator.
Insomniac
JoinedPosts by Insomniac
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31
As a JW, Did You Ever Get Away With Anything That Was a DF'ing Offense??
by minimus inif it had become known, would you have possibly gotten into major trouble and either be put on restrictions or recieved disfellowshipping action?
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4
Dating Advice?
by 607?Nope ini was raised in the cult, but finally saw the light after 35 years.
i had long been aware of errors, but was willing to keep ignoring them as long as i thought they were mistakes.
it wasn't until i found out that many of the "mistakes" were outright lies and that the gb that we worshiped (and anyone who thinks thay are a jw and worshiping god or christ is self-delusional) were blatant liars and deceivers, that i finally quit.
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Insomniac
Wow, interesting points you make. Personally, I'd have a hard time dating another former witness, mainly because he'd be going through so much turmoil from leaving, we'd both be emotionally wrecked. My dear one was never a witness, and he's remarkably clear-headed about all these issues we face; he's the one who calmed me down when the elders were upsetting me, by reminding me that they have no legal authority to make me do anything. It's very cool that he's so unfazed by it all, and has no personal traumas to work through to be whole again.
Also, he's been kind of my "guide" to non-witness life: I can ask him about all sorts of "worldly" customs, and he generally knows the answers. Things like, to whom do I send Christmas cards, what are the words to the National Anthem, how do I register to vote, etc....
Give yourself time to heal, man. Then, find someone special to have a life with. Possibly, you'll be comfortable with an xjw because of the common background, or maybe you'll find someone who's never been in the dark. The important thing is, find a woman who truly loves you, and love her back.
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Letter From Society Say Going To a JW/Non-JW Wedding Has Consequences!
by minimus inmy mother called me in a tizzy saying that her friend heard that letters were read and a talk was given in 2 different congregations saying that the society's new policy is that if a elder, m.s.
or pioneer attends an "unequaled" wedding----they will be removed from their exemplary positions because they are "disloyal to jehovah god"........what do you think about this one?
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Insomniac
Oh, this is frigging crap, and bloody un-Christian! What the heck is so threatening about two people in love getting married? To tell people not to attend the wedding of a friend or relative, just because one of the parties is not a dub, is just heartless. Damn them for driving families apart with their guilt trips.
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24
do i know you???
by in a new york bethel minute inwhat i was thinking about is, since most of us that post on jwd remain annonymous, i wonder how many of us know someone else that posts on this site, but dont know that they post on this site... i keep hearing of new apostates (people that are aquaintances of mine) that are popping up... and i notice that a few people here are from ontario, canada.
too bad i may never know who you are, even though i may know who you are (get it???!!!).
it really spells out to me just how afraid most of us are.
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Insomniac
I ran into one lady I knew from years ago, on this board. She'd mentioned some details in some of her posts that seemed really familiar to me; it was so cool to speak to her after all these years.
I believe that my brother was lurking here for a while, and may still, although I've yet to spot him as a poster. (C'mon, bro, don't leave me hanging!)
I don't want to post my name, but I've lived in Austin, Bastrop, and Smithville in Texas; Norfolk, VA; Hertford, NC; and midcoast Maine area. I'm 35 and female. If anyone here thinks they might know me, please get in touch through pm.
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9
Memory trapped in a song
by Nosferatu ini'm listening to an mp3 cd at work today, and the song "driver's seat" by sniff n the tears came on.
this song immediately triggered a memory.
it was 3 years ago that my ex left me.
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Insomniac
"Freaks" by Live.
A few years ago, I was coming out of a major depression. Life was finally looking up: I finally had a driver's license and a beat-up car, a job I enjoyed, and my health was on the mend. One night I drove out to a Denny's restaurant two towns over, to flirt with a guy I'd recently started seeing (hot as hell and old enough to be my father). Driving home at 3am with the chilly wind whipping my hair around and the feel of his lips still on mine, I heard this song on the radio.
To this day, "Freaks", while not written as a romantic or uplifting song, still takes me back to that night when I felt this completely unfamiliar sense of optimism- about the present, the future, and the wisdom of kissin' on ex-con hotties in the alley behind Denny's.
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17
Gabaldon's "Outlander" series
by Insomniac inso, who else here reads diana gabaldon's books?
i read each one when they were first published, and loved them.
i've just recently started, out of nostalgia, to read them a second time.
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Insomniac
I have not read any books by Donati yet, but the lady at my bookstore told me that Donati and Gabaldon have formed a "mutual admiration society", and have plans to do some sort of collaboration in the future.
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9
They ain't all bad.
by Insomniac ini live in a fairly small town, and i run into the witnesses from my old cong with some frequency.
in general, they ignore me, or give me dirty looks, or, in one memorable instance in the ladies' room at the memorial, call me a whore.
just for the record, i'm not even close to whorish, i'm pretty straight-laced; this gives me an idea of how much hatred they must be feeling toward me.. today, however, i was walking out of a store, when i heard my name being called.
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Insomniac
I live in a fairly small town, and I run into the witnesses from my old cong with some frequency. In general, they ignore me, or give me dirty looks, or, in one memorable instance in the ladies' room at the memorial, call me a whore. Just for the record, I'm not even close to whorish, I'm pretty straight-laced; this gives me an idea of how much hatred they must be feeling toward me.
Today, however, I was walking out of a store, when I heard my name being called. Turns out, it was a man I know who was appointed as an elder about a year ago, but has always been cordial to me. He gave me a big hug, asked how my life was going, enquired after my worldly boyfriend. We chatted for a few minutes, and he told me about the new k-hall they built (after the mysterious burning of the old one). He invited me to stop by and see it, and said I'd always be welcome, even that I should come sit with him and his new wife so I'd be more comfortable attending.
I thanked him nicely, and said I'd keep it in mind. What got to me was how nice he was about it. He treated me like a human being, did not disrespect my relationship, and did not try to bully me into coming back, just said it would be cool if I wanted to visit. After the warm Christian shunning I've been getting from the others, his actions seemed so much more humane and in line with how Christ really was. No, I won't be returning, but it's nice to be reminded that they ain't all bad. I wonder how many would return, if the door was simply left open, with no strings attached? Never mind; it's late and I'm rambling. Good night, all.
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14
My cat Kato... is hurt?
by Jim_TX inmy cat kato... is part siamese.
he is usually a clown... and attacks me in the morning as i walk down the hall to the shower.
silly cat.. well... some weekends, i leave him at home alone - while i go visit my aunt for a day and a half.
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Insomniac
Wow, Jim. They sure like to make us worry, don't they? My own little beastie, NewMoon, has taught himself how to vomit on cue, whenever I go away for the weekend. I'm sure glad your little buddy is ok!
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When will JWs decrease?
by Nosferatu infirst of all, i found this webpage, which is full of charts on jw statistics very interesting:.
http://www.jwic.com/stat.htm.
let's face the facts, jws are still overall increasing.
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Insomniac
They'll decrease once we all quit breeding with them.
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6
How Much Have You Changed Since Leaving?
by Nosferatu ini'm not talking about changes you've made in your life such as celebrating holidays and birthdays.
how much have you changed as a person?
how has your personality changed?.
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Insomniac
I find I'm more willing to admit that I don't know the answers to every religious question, and more apt to actually do (open-minded) research to learn more.
I find myself listening to others more, and trying to be helpful in more practical ways. Without the vision of an eternal paradise on Earth distracting me, I'm more interested in making sure the homeless guy on the corner has a sandwich, not a Watchtower.
As I look over my shoulder less and less, the tension is draining away from me, and I'm happier. This manifests itself in less self-abusive behavior, such as overeating/drinking, driving way too fast, and chewing my nails to the quick.
As I've felt the sting of being shunned for being different (first by worldly people, more recently by my loving Christian brothers and sisters), I've made an effort to be less judgemental of others. I'm trying to embrace humanity as a whole, even those who aren't my same race/faith/nationality/political affiliation/age/educational level.
I don't get it right all the time, but I think I've made some progress in all these areas.