Posts by franklin J

16

Hello all

by lovinlife in

jw
friends

just came back with a new name, but it's not likely you remember me....it's been a long time and alot of new faces.

but i just got a new computer and now i can be back and join in the fun again!

so many new names....just thought i would say a quick "hi"!.

From heavy-handed morality to no morality

by logansrun in

jw
friends

it is an almost knee-jerk reaction for someone coming out of a high-control group like the jws to automatically throw all caution to the wind and act in a self-destructive manner.

(unless one goes from one hc group to another, that is).

i'm all too curious...for those that have been out a while, did you go through this anomie?

Having been raised in the faith, I supose I was still growing up when I left at about age 21. I did not "go wild"; never did drugs or smoked( never wanted to); over did the alcohol ( who does not at that age?); had great fun with sex ( NO GUILT) , and did just about what I wanted to, which included college and pursuing a career.

I never felt the need to join another religion, although I do enjoy discussing religion on a philosophical level. I credit my parents for teaching me some good values and scruples ( JW do not get any credit) which I carry with me to this day. I married a nice Catholic girl when I was 30 years old, this was a good age for me as I felt I had worked out all the JW " baggage" I was carrying around.

Life is considerably "lighter" on this side of the WTS

Frank

14

Which way do you perfer to decorate for the holidays?

by morty in

jw
friends

well christams is coming and i love this time of the year.....since i started having christmas,i always have a theme....this year i am going to to gold & white tree.....i went to our local dollar store and got some ausome stuff...the tree, real of course with white lights and gold musical insterments all over it....my house will also be decorated in gold and white candles....i also got gold stockings for us to hang over the fire place....i am going to use glitter on them to put our names on them....anymore suggestions?

and what have you done in the past for decorating?

morts

franklin J

we always have a big real tree, with lites and decorations, mostly red and gilt. The house and property is decorated with garlands and red bows, we usually have a 6 foot wreath to hang on the house---lots of fun for the kids.

13

Where are the liars now?

by spiritwalker in

jw
friends

when i was a child, and being raised a jehovah's witness, i remember a lot of key members of the local congregation.

there were the elders who always seemed to be there for my family.

there were the families that were the central figures of the congregation and even the local witness community.

franklin J

Hi spiritwalker,

That was a very good post. I relate to it. This is the biggest issue I look back on, and I suppose I still react to it when I discuss it. My family was one of the families your describe, elders, ministerial servants and pioneers. We were all , inclluding most of the extended family, in the truth.

Most of them dropped out ( mine) or are dead. I ran for my life when I was old enough to think for myself---trading the "pioneer" life for higher education ( another problem I have with JW teaching-lack of education) But the "everlasting life issue" disturbs me the most. It was a core belief from my childhood and to alter a childs perception of the natural order ( life -death) is, in my opinion, wrong; it left me devastated when I LEARNED THE TRUTH in my early 20s. Sounds weird, but life for me had to be relearned.

I suppose I was fortunate to rein in my life when i was 21, and move in a different direction, Not easy, but can be done. Everyone at some point in their lives, reaches their own assessment period, and their own conclusions.

what was most important for me during this "crash course" of life, was that MY LIFE would be what I make it. Defining new boundries and literally "reinventing" myself, without the dogma of the Watchtower over my shoulder. There was much good that came out of this experience, and once this was behind me, life took on an even keel; my life actually began.

I would like to live long enough to see some grandkids---physical fitness and good diet ( not watchtower studies) keeps me healthy and fit---no reason not to live to 100!

regards,

Frank

19

who has the highest "rank" on here

by stillajwexelder in

ok - some of this may be personal and some may not want to answer - -i know there are loads of ex-elders and one or two serving elders on this board, there is at least onn ex-missionary on here also -- are there any ex cos dos branch -- there is obviously at laest 1 ex-bethelite -- can some one clue me in what "rank" sorry to use that phrase it truly angers me really -- are people who are able to speak on this board

franklin J

I was a regular pioneer for four (4) years; Ministerial Servant for three (3) years. Most likely would have been an Elder had I stayed with it. Dad was an Elder ( one of the good ones).

Frank

13