Posts by problemaddict 2

37

On the realization you will not "live forever"

by problemaddict 2 in

something struck me last week.

i have been dealing with what i can only describe as a fear of death.

i'm not old and not in bad health.

problemaddict 2

Great comments everyone. I appreciate it. Everyones experience and coping (or lack thereof), is very interesting and different. But you can almost break up into two groups. One group is very matter of fact and accepting, the other sad/depressed/ or battling those thoughts as I described.

I wonder what that is, if it isn't just aspects of our personality.

I'm sure I'll struggle with this for a while. I had children late (they are very small still), and while I enjoy them, i will be old when they become their own men. That is sad to me. I would love to see my family grow, affect future generations, and the thought if being non existent is still a bit paralyzing. I'm sure I'll cope and find the right place to put it. Its still a basically new thought. I just hadn't ever perhaps reached down and figured out why it was there.

15

How much fall-out can we expect?

by DATA-DOG in

so the wtbts ( the gb and the branch, aka lawyers and puppet masters ) have decided to end "special pioneering" for some, if not all of the order.

there is no way to accurately predict the fall-out, but it's potentially huge!

jws, for the most part, are under educated, sheltered, unprepared, frightened humans.

problemaddict 2

Serving in a foreign country and getting cheap rent or help has nothing to do with being a special pioneer. The local hall back home will just hear you are in Peru and assume its a big deal.

Surfing where the need was great.....we called it.

37

On the realization you will not "live forever"

by problemaddict 2 in

something struck me last week.

i have been dealing with what i can only describe as a fear of death.

i'm not old and not in bad health.

problemaddict 2

Something struck me last week. I have been dealing with what i can only describe as a fear of death. I'm not old and not in bad health. I'm approaching middle age I thought so maybe this is normal. But sometimes it gets to an unhealthy level, not just recognizing a feeling and analyzing it, but actual fear.

I was reading information about child development and body autonomy. I have two very small children,a nd how they develop and how i can encourage them is important to me. I read something that was fairly matter of fact, but really hit me.

The suggestion rather matter of factly was that right around the age of 8-9, children discover that their life will one day be no more. they may not have context to this, but it is a realization that they are living a one and only life so to speak. Clearly there are variations based on religion (your life changes into that of an angelic life for example), but essentially the life you know will end.

Then it hit me.......I never thought that. I assumed my life would never end. In fact, death was an enemy, not "real", and simply not even a possibility.

So the normal human behavior that comes with recognizing our limitations, finding joy in life while not being overcome by the inevitable.....simply was shuttered before it because ingrained.

I don't know why...but this was really an epiphany.

180

What is the most bizarre counsel you received as a JW, from a JW?

by Funchback in

there were many addressed to me.

for example, i once had a sister tell me i was gambling because i liked playing skill crane (the machine where you have to try to pick up prizes like stuffed animals) at the arcade.

i then fired back a her: "you saw the r-rated movie 'backdraft.

problemaddict 2

YES! Yes....keep these coming! The counsel is never ending. We have not yet begun to scratch the surface.

I had a girl that liked me in the hall. We went out (in a group). I didn't like her. I stopped paying her attention. the brothers counseled me for leaving "smouldering rubble of broken sisters in my wake". I think my face said it all.

I had a nice Calvin Klein suit. Not tight, but well tailored. It was a fantastic suit. One of "those" elders made some comment about it being fitted. Mind you he looked like a rapper in the 90's his clothes were so baggy. I leaned in and said...."brother......are you saying you were looking at my ass?" Nobody else heard. He was embarrassed. One of my finer moments.

Nipple is a little weird of a word. Kind of gross. Like "moist". Don't you hate saying or hearing the word moist?

17

It's 110% impossible to deny now: Video evidence of the Chile flags

by ILoveTTATT2 in

jw
friends

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0auklk0uq8&feature=youtu.be.

this video leaves no doubt whatsoever.

the person who took the video got really close and the video clearly shows that the flag is behind the glass and behind the bars protecting the kingdom hall.

problemaddict 2

So what is the official justification to this?

113

World Wide Construction comes to a Shuddering Halt - Jehovah's Blessing has Evidently been Suspended!

by Slidin Fast in

the chelmsford project in the uk has already come to a halt and every one has been sent home.

the bethel family in london is to be cut by several hundred.

my impression is that most ambitious youngster in the org dream of being involved with the building program.

problemaddict 2

"Lots of halls being build and new groups organizing construction" - Its proof Jehovah is blessing the work.

"Halting new construction, and consolidating resources" - Its proof Jehovah is focusing our attention on the ministry and each other. Oh goodie the end is near....er.

There is no winning.

16

09-21-2015 Letter to all BOE Re: Letter Dated Oct 4 2015

by committeechairman in

the "pre-letter" for the october 4 2015 letter is now posted to the jw.org for elders and it matches what had been leaked.. looks like we can confirm that the preliminary letter and the main letter are legitimate.. unbelievable!.

cc.

problemaddict 2

I think this is a good move for them. Make people feel even more special. Part of the entire rebranding of the religion. Its a bit ingenious. Don't change doctrine that is disturbing.....just make the "feel" a little more friendly.

gag.

180

What is the most bizarre counsel you received as a JW, from a JW?

by Funchback in

there were many addressed to me.

for example, i once had a sister tell me i was gambling because i liked playing skill crane (the machine where you have to try to pick up prizes like stuffed animals) at the arcade.

i then fired back a her: "you saw the r-rated movie 'backdraft.

problemaddict 2

These are all fantastic! Likes all around to you fine people. The following are first hand real (as in I was involved)

1) An anointed sister counseled me to break up with my black girlfriend because we would detract from the message when speaking to racists. When I told her that was silly, she raised her voice at me in service, and told me to "read between the lines". I clammed up, but she was pretty well respected in the hall. Nuts.

2) No Nestle quick.......it had blood products from animals.

3) You can't break up with a woman after you are engaged and still remain in good standing. Something about your yes meaning yes......incredibly silly.

4) My Favorite. 2 elders come to me to tell me that someone heard something I said that may have stumbled some people. I pressed them for a name. They didn't want to give it to me. I insisted or else the conversation was over. I then asked why this person (an MS from another hall), was not encouraged to come to me directly in the spirit of Matthew 18. they were quiet. I told them that they needed to go back, and follow the scriptural arrangement, and that they should know better as elders. 2 weeks pass.......2 more elders come and say, "so you were counseling the brothers and we are concerned about your attitude".......seriously.

53

Are the J.W's reaching a "Tipping point"?

by karter in

jw
friends

i haven't been to a meeting in 15 years but my mother and sister are hard as j.w's.

the brothers they are appointing elders are at best suspect like one guy from my old hall made elder,big time drug used before becoming a j.w his talks are all over the place and would have struggled to make m,s years ago but with at least 60 to 70 % of young ones leaving the pool to pick from is at best reduced.. 2 other recent elders both young and zero life experience both on benefits one not well at all falls asleep all the time.. the decent,kind elders mostly older and are decent people with alot of life experience are burning out fast as there are so few of them left like 3 per congro of 100 publishers.. then you have the rich elders who wouldn't ever think of inviting some poor older or mis-fit person out to the expensive placers they go to as they couldn't afford to go so they are above the r&f and the r&f get pissed off with them.

then we have the ones who have "put the kingdom 1st" who are now old worn out and barely getting by from welfare cheque to welfare cheque that are saying "the system should have been over many years ago" it's still here and they are struggling everyday.. then there are the pioneers who have a low payed reduced hour job that seem to think anyone who has anything is totally materialistic and looks down on anyone getting a new car buying a house ect.. along with the child abuse issues,the generation change,access to information the the g.b don't want anyone to know ,not to mention the issues around blood.. is there a tipping point coming????

problemaddict 2

I think it would be nice to think that, and certainly more people than ever are thinking.....but no. I don't think they are at a real tipping point.

People are still people, their methods haven't changed, they have made some good decisions from a corporate perspective as well.

I think they are here to stay people. No mass exodus will be had.

110

Just had a former elder friend tell me, “This Overlapping generation is crap.

by John Aquila in

last night i ran into a former elder friend, he is in his late 70s.

he asked how i was doing and i asked how he was doing.

then out of the blue he tells me; .

problemaddict 2

JW's greatest asset as a religion is its surface culture. Nice smiling people that are generally inclusive, and that will welcome you any place in the world. We know its abit of an illusion, but "the brotherhood" is its greatest asset.

Part of that is by creating an us vs them mentality.

Doctrine......has been watered down so much, that no 25-30 year old JW currently serving or a member of the congregation could have a proper discussion with anyone that thoroughly knows their doctrine. they just dont know. I would argue.....they just don't care.

That generation just wants JW.org tweets, a nice little group of friends, and to feel more special that everyone else. They represent the new push to just "listen, obey, and be blessed".

they can't explain and don't care about doctrine. This is fortuitous for the society in my opinion.