Posts by franklin J

In my experiences "outside" the Watchtower; I generally found people far more positive, supportive and open.There were those who were genuinely interested in my JW background; others did not care. Most profound to me was a good "wordly" college friend who said to me " we want to be your friend no matter what religion you are". Those words were literally a catharsis for me.

And most importantly there was never a "cap" on when things could be accomplished. As a JW, everything was prefaced with " well, Armegeddon will come by then" or silly comments like " dont get married or have kids until after the new world".

Fairytales.

Life on the "outside" has been good. Better then anticipated....I suppose there really was a "new world " out there; I just had to find it.

As for the no-gooders; yes, I encountered them outside as well as inside the JWs. My response was " if I could do my time with the JWs; I can handle you.".

4

Papal infallibility and the JWs

by sir82 in

jw
friends

here is a talking point that may resonate with some old-timer jws, especially those who recall the often vitriolic pronouncements against catholicism in the 60's & 70's, and even thru part of the 80's..... one of the points i recall that was looked on with scorn and derision by many jws was the idea of "papal infallibility".

"look at those pagan catholics,", a particularly rabid jw might comment.

"they think their pope is perfect--they even have a doctrine called 'papal infallibility!!".

franklin J

the Catholic Church has been a target for the Watchtower for some time...

having married a "nice Catholic girl" and attended many Catholic services; I cannot personally verify the follwoing:

1) Catholics find their own level within the faith...you participate as much as you want; or not; you are still considered one of the flock.

2) The Jesuit secular education system is one of the best educational systems around. It promotes higher secular education; and the merits such an education will bring.

3) Catholic Charities is one of the largest charities in existence. It collects and distributes irregardless of your religion or race.

I have developed a tremendous respect for the Catholics I have met and become friends with. I have learned to have no respect for the Jehovahs Witnesses that I have grown up with.

10

Construction photos you're glad you don't have to see anymore!

by TresHappy in

jw
friends

.

franklin J

anyone ever see the movie "WITNESS" with Harrison Ford and Kelly Mcgillis ( circa 1985); Good flick

...its seems those Amish have a head start on quick builds with their community Barn raisings....

..and what is the difference between the two faiths? Not much really, except that the Amish do not use cars or try to convert others.

66

Do you think a JW childhood is abusive?

by Konrad West in

i had a long discussion the other day with my new flatmate, who it turns out has studied with jws and thinks they're wonderful, about my view that being raised a jw is psychologically abusive.

being indoctrinated with the concept of jehovah killing people who don't do what he says and being scared of losing your friends and family if disobedient is, in my view, a very unhealthy thing for a child.

any thoughts?

franklin J

I can only reflect on my childhood in response.

Yes, it was pyschologically abusive.

Despite loving parents and an extended family ( in the truth) it was trial by fire to be placed in a secular school everyday --"the world"-- and to be taught that you could not participate; that you were going to be ridiculed ---"in the name of Jehovah" ( whatever THAT meant) and you were going to LIVE FOREVER and all of these bad kids will die at armageddon.... is a terrible thing to teach a child.

Children find comfort in uniformity; being just like the other kids; they like to feel that they belong ( kid things---not the drug culture or bad peer pressure). To take a child and force them to be different from their peers; and to force them to stay in that situation ( there are no JW schools as the Catholics who have their own school system) is cruel . Exposure to secular acitivities; but not being allowed to participate; ( "Wordly activities, lets go out in service instead) no exposure to any child , person or event that was not Jehovahs Witness related was like growing up in a vacuum; and severely limiting to any personal or cultural growth.

I was known as the kid who did not salute the flag; who went to the library for any birthday or Christmas parties; the kid who went "selling things" door to door; and did not play with anyone. It was not a fun childhood; despite any fellow JW friends I might have had. The first thing I was taught to tell my teacher was" Its against my religion to salute the flag".

In hindsight, the teachers were all supportive; and kind. My peers, however, were not so kind

At a recent 30 year high school reunion; one old classmate said to me " I knew you were different; but I did not know why; you were never part of anything". How true; how sad. Much was lost in those years. And I have the comparison of my own children who have been going through school very well adjusted with many friends and participating in many activities.

It took several years of therapy to replace all of those terrible years. However, POST JEHOVAH WITNESS, there have been many, many good experiences over the years to replace such a stinted Jehovahs Witness childhood .

17

Franklin J says hello and thank you

by franklin J in

jw
friends

to all of my forum friends ,.

thank you all for the kind words of support.

life does have its ups and downs..... i have not been posting for a while due to family responsiblities and lack of time.

franklin J

to all of my forum friends ,

Thank you all for the kind words of support. Life does have its ups and downs....

I have not been posting for a while due to family responsiblities and lack of time.

My elderly mother ( the driving JW force who not only devoted her life to the Watchtower; but also converted her brothers and sisters) had a massive stroke this spring. She is severly incapacitated and requires 24 hour care. I do not think she will survive much longer. When I left the religion many years ago; and my parents left with me, my mother begged me not to write a letter dissassociating myself. Out of respect for her wishes I did not write it. It does not matter; my disconnection from that disfunctional way of life was complete long ago; without a letter to prove it.

However, with my mothers passing will go the "last vestige" of that religion. Although she was not practicing; she still referred fondly to her days in "the Truth".

She thinks I am my father. He passed 3 years ago. I always correct her; and tell her that I am her son; but if it brings her comfort at this stage, I cannot see the harm.

My wifes mother died suddenly on Memorial day. She lived in the maids cottage on my property and my wife took it very hard. My wife also recently lost her sister to breast cancer. We are dealing with it.

My house is undergoing a very lengthy and thorough renovation ( while we are living there)....almost over. We have been trying to do this major renovation work for 3 years and every time we went to start; someone in the family died and we had to shelve the project.

I have learned to " eat, drink, and be merry". My wife and I have another drink and smile; tomorrow will be better.

Anyway; my wife and kids are healthy; my kids are still the sparkle in my life ; and that is all that really matters.

thank you all, Frank

36

read a good book this summer season

by franklin J in

hope everyone one is having a great summer season...... has anyone read any good books lately...?.

willy loman; are you out there,,,?.

ps just a note to say that patty and i had dinner with willy loman and his wife when they came to new york; we had a wonderful time......and willy has some great news to announce and share with the forum...

franklin J

Hope everyone one is having a great summer season.....

Has anyone read any good books lately...?

Willy Loman; are you out there,,,?

PS just a note to say that Patty and I had dinner with Willy Loman and his wife when they came to New York; we had a wonderful time......And Willy has some great news to announce and share with the forum...

20

People's Sex Lives

by love2Bworldly in

jw
friends

reading another thread got me to thinking about my past sex life.

i want to know if my thinking is old-fashioned.

i was a virgin until i was almost 22. i married my first sexual partner.

franklin J

l2bw

do not fret over passed issues. If you learned something from your actions; that is good. Look at it as a "learning experience". If it hurt you; you know not to do it again. Due to the repressed JW teachings, the guilt is a natural reaction. I tried very hard to NEVER feel guilty about any sexual experiences.

Frank , been there, done that.

35

If You See A JW or An Elder, Do You Try To Avoid Them?

by minimus in

jw
friends

when i was in a drugstore a couple of months ago, i saw the presiding overseer in the other aisle with his wife.

i saw them and made a conscious decision to leave.

what would you have done in a similar situation??

franklin J

No, I never run from them; never have since I have been "out".

I do not go out of my way to greet them; but when we come face to face I show them the same courtesy and politeness I show anyone else.( I can certainly afford to be nice to THEM) No one EVER asks how I am doing or how is my family ( much less ask about my marriage to a "worldly " woman and my children); and I am just brimming and enthusiastic to let them know just how very successful we have all become.

As was said in a previous post---living well is the best revenge. Prosperity speaks volumes and overshadows all of the JW neurotic twitchings; fits and spasms which float in their wake..

If they SEE ME they do make a conscious effort to AVOID ME. This has happend on every occasion that I have seen them. On more than one occasion a former JW "friend" has crossed the street to avoid me......chuckle, chuckle...

40

Star Wars 111: Who's heading to the opening session?!

by Frog in

jw
friends

anyone heading to the opening session tomorrow?

anyone already been to an exclusive screening?

anyone going in full jedi gettup?!!

franklin J

I just bought 7 tickets on line for the opening weekend here in Huntington, Long Island. no costumes for me though.

It is for my sons 11th birthday and he wanted to have a Star Wars theme party with his buddies; exclusive tickets and dinner afterwards with his best buddies--what more could and 11 year old boy want? ( eh, some money? specifically a $50 bill)

He has these friends over every weekend and the boys all have light sabres and joust thorughout the property

I did this 30 years ago for the first Star Wars....who would have ever believed it would still be around!