Posts by Badger

We were always told that we need a strong coscience to help us on our way. How true. Yours, and those of many former elders (on the board and elsewhere) have finally activated since leaving. As I tell my son when he feels guilty and says, crying, that he's "a bad boy":

"You're not bad...if you were bad, you would keep on doing it...but you know it's wrong, you stopped, and are sorry...that means that you're really good."

You're doing the right thing now...that's all you can do. No matter how down you feel about it, No one, NO ONE, is beyond redemption.

38

The Disfellowshipping of Jane

by jst2laws in

i was preparing comments on another thread and some strange memories started to surface.

one that had haunted me years ago was the disfellowshipping of jan. she was a 30 something woman who had found herself single when her husband ran off with her good friend.

jane was no angel herself though: a slim, suntanned, blonde headed, party girl who's life style had made her quite familiar with the judicial process, which is how jane and i became more acquainted.

Badger

To think I once dreamed of being an elder, so I could have the chance to administer such kind, heartfelt shepherding to the flock...

38

Greetings!!!

by CsharpBminor in

jw
friends

i am looking forward to meeting each and every one of you during my visit.

thank you for allowing me to park my van outside of your kingdom hall!

i am counting on you to see to it that i eat well while i am here.

Badger

You'll do just fine in here....Welcome!

Valis: don't look now, but it seems like we have a Circuit Overbeer to appoint!

31

It just doesn't add up

by micheal in

jw
friends

.

was there any particular event, teaching, experience where it all came together for you when you really questioned the "truth", or believed it wasn't it couldn't be god's organization?.

when did you realize and say to yourself, this just doesn't add up?

Badger

It began:

I was at a hall build and oveheard three old-school hardliners chirp about "They way things are":

"Probably one out of every three witnessestoday won't make it through to the new system," said one.

I couldn't let this pass. I swung around, started up the ladder and snapped, "So, which one of you's gonna die?"

the S.O. from my cong. heard that and "counseled" me.

S.O.: "That was inappropriate, Bro. Badger. Those are really well respected brothers, who have put in a lot of service..."

Badger: <fires Nail gun into wall> "Without the burden of tact, It appears"

S.O.: "You really need to apologize."

Badger: "I don't NEED to do anything except stay Indian and die! Aren't you supposed to be laying brick right now?"

He left. I was pissed at these four, who I knew probably weren't very good shepherds.

S.O. and I worked in service together a week later. I apologized for snapping at him. He hadn't done anything to upset me, I said, and he didn't deserve that treatment from me.

He seemed OK...like he understood that I was an imperfect human. then the talk got casual. He asked me some casual stuff in a friendly manner that usually goes on in car groups. among them:

What religion would you be if it weren't for the witnesses?...What would you do if you didn't pioneer?...Any sisters you secretly like?...What do you like to do after service?...etc.

I answered them flippantly, taking it as small talk. That night, he gave a local needs talk on "upbuilding speech in the ministry":

(Not an exact quote, but...)

"Some people in service occupy their time by daydreaming about other careers, or what they're doing later that day, or even of the opposite sex (giggle from the crowd). Some even daydream of other forms of false worship! (gasp! murmur!). But wouldn't it be better if we used this time between doors to study the literature and ways to better present it?"

I was sickened. and I was carrying mikes that night for that jackass's talk. I wa already getting to go to Bethel as a temp, and it wasn't a great experience. (Seven006's story blows mine out of the water, but I saw a inkling of what he did.) When I got back, the SO made my life hell...critizing me at every turn, and belitting my efforts in front of the CO during service. (I discussed these on another thread...basically, he said I turned in hours and no lit or visits.)

I realized that it wasn't spirituality or merit that got you ahead in the org, it was sheer politics. The good 'ol boy system was in full effect. I was a loose cannon.

<voice of Jamie Foxx from "Any Given Sunday"> "Then they say about me, 'Oh, Badger, he's arrogant, he's a troublemaker, he don't wanna serve Jehovah!' But I was doing what all the other young brothers were doing...they were all actin' the fool...but it's me they went after. It's me that got called out."

That started it.

The second hit was the separation. I was always told a witness wife was the best you could want, and that she would never leave you if you gave her what you could and was a "strong leader". I was a bit more enlightened than that. I wanted her to have her own life and took her at her word.

Then she left...and quickly won the ensuing sympathy battle from the congregation so much, my dad and stepmom took her in. I felt physically sick going to meetings, and got no encouragement other than "get to more meetings and service." It all hurt, And then I started to seriously feel that I wasn't meant to be a witness.

I knew was on my way out then...only a couple of people from the hall checked in on me with any sincerity, including one former elder who offered to study with me (some from a WT publication, mostly from the heart and bible, though) and said, "You're doing the right thing here...You know the doctrine better than most people MY age (he's in his 70's). You know what's going on here, you just don't see how you fit in."

Bingo, brother. It's gonna break his heart when I do leave for good. That's going to be about my only regret.

I started to work with a circle of "worldly" friends. If I had found the board then, I'd be a little better off.

I swear I'll put all of these in a cohesive story some day...If you have the stomach for it.

31

The Mormon Guide to Avoiding Self Abuse

by Gretchen956 in

jw
friends

if you truly make up your.

it is a habit that is.

6. begin to work daily on a self-improvement program.

Badger

Masturbation is the first thing that comes to mind when looking at Gretchen's avatar, that's for sure.

I was going to say the same for Joanna's

"Masturbation is sex with someone you truly love" -- Woody Allen

14

Bush, Religion, Jw's

by joannadandy in

now this is not a bush bashing thread, i think everyone here pretty much knows how i feel about the man, but there is quite a bit of controversy surrounding our president--just today even.

he is thinking of funding church groups that do volunteer work.

he was visiting a church in louisana today that has had a childcare program since 1941. he would like to see federal funds given to such organizations even if they are run by a church.

Badger

Czar:

Still using volunteer Rand and File types, and getting their door-to-door and shepherding work referred to as "Drug treatment programs" and "Couples therapy" and the like.

10

its that time agian

by LukeN in

.

yes yes its exam time and the end of semester 1 and the begginging of semester 2.. sigh.

all i know is that i failed math and the exams are worth 30% of your final mark.

Badger

I hate math...that's why I'm a soccer coach...I only have to count the score to 6 or 7.

30

A JW at my work, question?

by Beans in

there is a guy at work that i had heard was a jw, so i was working with him and we had a few laughs talking and joking around so i was starting to pry and get it out of him that he was a jw, also i had heard a few things and wanted to ask him as well.

so i asked what he did for christmas and he avoided the question and then i said, "oh yeah your a jehovahs witness" and he said he was, right after he said "but i got some good presents" (admitting your a jw seemed to be awkward for him) as he is the only jw in his family.

i told him that my parents were as well and my grandparents went to the same hall as he did many years ago.

Badger

Sandy:

Often, marking is done with a vigilante approach. My sister was reproved for fooling around with her fiance, but the elders mad no announcement or marking. someone blabbed (an elderette) and several sisters instructed their families not to talk to my sister. How scriptural was that?

9

Suicides of U.S. Troops Rising in Iraq -Pentagon

by WhyNow2000 in

washington (reuters) - at least 21 u.s. troops have committed suicide in iraq, a growing toll that represents one of every seven american "non-hostile" deaths since the war began last march, the pentagon said on wednesday.

detail:.

http://www.reuters.com/newsarticle.jhtml?type=domesticnews&storyid=4128021

Badger

I don't have the cold numbers, but weren't suicides through the roof in Vietnam? Be interesting to compare these rates with Iraq, Bosnia (0 combat deats) Afghanistan, Korea and WWII...on a per-capita basis.It would say a lot about soldier's morale. I know morale was high during much of WWII and Afghanistan. (BTW, Yeru, I supported going into Afghanistan)