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i may not post as much as some of you all, but i do read it all and you all have been a great support in my journey out of this cult.
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Yay! When I looked at my profile today it said by "membership" that it was 6 years today!! (actually, I was a lurker before that, so it's actually longer.....) So it's my JWD Birthday!!
I may not post as much as some of you all, but I do read it all and you all have been a great support in my journey out of this cult. I appreciate it all. Thank you all very much!
first of all, why don't all of you congratulate me on 2000 posts!
in other news, the jc is over.
because of this we have an elder that lied to us and to my wife parents.
Could you explain in more detail what you mean? Right now at this moment they feel that I cannot be saved because of doctrinal issues, that I am just to stubborn. My DA letters purpose is to say that although I was frustrated with a lack of compassion on their part regarding Bible topics, my official reason for leaving is because of the dishonest actions
First of all -- Congrats on 2000 posts!
I understand where you are coming from, but in all honesty, no matter what reason you give, I doubt that any other "good" JW will see it as any better than being DF'd. In fact, in my experience, in my congregations we thought it was worse when someone actually DA'd and left of their own accord. At least with being DF'd, there was the thought that perhaps the person was sorry or there was some repentance there, even if they were punished by being DF'd....as it could have been some kind of temporary punishment by the BOE. But, to DA was totally something else.....a true sin.
I have faded and am neither DA'd or DF'd, but I know people have wondered about my status or reasons and I have heard stories about me. The one I disliked the most was that I left because someone 'did something to me' and I was 'offended' and decided to never return to the KH. I took offense that someone would think I was so petty as to throw away something I truly believed over some slight or offense. (Of course that was not the reason nor do I truly believe that crap....)
I guess my point is that in my area if you would state that you left because of frustration, lack of compassion, or dishonesty, JWs may just think that you are being petty, that you were tested by Jehovah and failed, and that by your leaving "The Truth" because of the actions of imperfect men (even Elders) and not waiting on Jehovah to make things right....that you are no better than being DF'd (and maybe worse).
Of course, I'm not saying you are these things.....as we all have to do what we feel is right for ourselves.....I'm just saying that in my neck of the words DA'ing for the elders' dishonestly will not necessarily mean anything to the rank and file. The rank and file JWs may not know of your reasons and will assume that you have sinned against God by chosing to leave. If they are told the reason they may just think you are petty or too easily stumbled (kind of like some of my old friends), after all, it's inconceivable to them that anyone would ever want to leave of their own choice unless they were really deceived by Satan.
**added later: DUH....I've been out long enough that I keep forgetting what Scully said about how they no longer differentiate between DF and DA when they make the announcement. So I guess that the rank and file JWs won't really know that it was your choice except by your saying so....or by what they "hear" (the wonderful rumor mill......gotta love the gossips.....lol...).
well, one of the ladies in my office is turning 60 this week and we are having a surprise party for her and am putting together a wall of all kinds of pictures, trivia, fashion, facts, etc., from 1947. i found once a newspaper archive where you could put in your date of birth and get the front page for that day in a picture or .pdf file format.
i thought that was cool....and it was free.
i know i used to the site bookmarked.
That's a cool site, but the site I lost was for an actual newspaper front page scan for that date. Thank you!!
well, one of the ladies in my office is turning 60 this week and we are having a surprise party for her and am putting together a wall of all kinds of pictures, trivia, fashion, facts, etc., from 1947. i found once a newspaper archive where you could put in your date of birth and get the front page for that day in a picture or .pdf file format.
i thought that was cool....and it was free.
i know i used to the site bookmarked.
Well, one of the ladies in my office is turning 60 this week and we are having a surprise party for her and am putting together a wall of all kinds of pictures, trivia, fashion, facts, etc., from 1947. I found once a newspaper archive where you could put in your date of birth and get the front page for that day in a picture or .pdf file format. I thought that was cool....and it was free. I know I used to the site bookmarked.
However, I went to my bookmarked sites and couldn't find this site and I can't for the life of me remember which newspaper it was or anything. I've tried Google searchs, but cannot find what I had before....either nothing or things you need to purchase. I determined that my bookmarked site was probably on my old laptop (may it Rest in Peace....), so I wondered if anyone knew of any such site?? I know it's a long shot, but I thought I would try.
I've found online magazine covers in online archives and all kinds of facts, trivial, costs, fashions, etc. for this week in 1947, so I won't die if I find this information, but it is just driving me crazy because I KNOW I've seen it before......you know, if I don't find it for the party, I will probably keep searching just because now it is a challenge! LOL :-)
anyway, if anyone can help, I'd sure appreciate it!!
atrocities happen all the time.
student mass murders, genocides, the ozone layer, the environment------you name it----it all points to what witnesses assert as proof that this means we're living in the "last days of the last days".
how would you respond to such ones?.
I agree with the other reply that simply states to look at a history book. I love history and almost only read non-fiction so my eyes were opened long ago about all this "world is falling apart" business. JW’s isolating members from outside research and/or education and spoon feeding them only what you want them to know sure helps to feed this "the sky is falling" mentality.
I know when things happen either locally or elsewhere that is bad, my mom sincerely gets so concerned and scared about how awful the world is now days. The last time she did that (about a month or so ago), she didn't quite know how to respond since I didn't just agree and parrot her thoughts like her JW friends would. I said that I was grateful to live in this day and age and felt more secure because as history shows at least we are somewhat more civilized, there have been such advances in medicine, etc. I brought up other periods in time and how I would have not liked living then and how I would be more fearful in those situations. (i.e., times of plague, the Inquisition, peasant life, the lawless Wild West, the days of Lady Bathory and Vlad the Impaler, not to mention just the many plagues and battles and famines not only in the Bible but throughout all history. There are past times in history that not only was it hard to live to the ripe old age of 50, but when just going out of your shack/home could result in your death or disappearance. The difference today is that we hear about it all almost instantaneously and can hear about news from all over the world and not just our community…..blah, blah, blah. There was just silence on the other end of the phone and then she changed the subject.
What I hate the most is how it plays on the minds of sincere people like my mom. She is truly scared of this mean old world, rather than trying to enjoy what time she has and looking for good and happiness.
you who don't know -- i'm daed but my mother still sends me very short e-mail about every two months.. this morning she sent me an email that said:.
25 today.
it would be sooooo wrong for someone to say -- "happy birthday" .. but its fine to mention that i am 25 today.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
My mom will call and ask if I'm feeling any older. One year she actually did slip and say "Happy Birthday" and I was stunned silent. Then she realized what she did and stumbled over words. She honestly didn't know what to say or do next. I thanked her and just let it go. My ex-mother-in-law is an uber-JW, yet she would always call my daughter on her birthday and gets pouty if she doesn't get called by my daughter or her (xJW) sons (one being my ex). I refused to call her this year, because I've decided that if you don't celebrate the birthday, then you shouldn't get any recognition for it.
We also used to have a big buffet place in a town north of the congregation I grew up in which would let you eat for free on your birthday, with proof that it was your birthday. Hmmmm.....I'll give you three guesses who never missed out on that! Several of the elders and their families. Seemed like a celebration to me.....
just curious if i know anyone on here...i attended congregations in northern california, (pleasant hill, martinez), and in southern california, (hemet), also a couple of congregations in colorado, (colorado springs)...just curious if anyone out there attended in any of those areas?
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ursula buoye.
I've never been part of those congregations, but I did know someone who moved to Hemet many years ago....not sure if he was an active JW there or not. Does the name Shane Johnson ring any bells?
our basset hound moose died this morning.
he was only 2 1/2 years old but he had addison's disease.
something caused internal bleeding and he went very quickly, which was merciful.
{{{{{Nina & Family}}}}}
I remember when you first got Moose and shared his pics....I'm a sucker for a hound dog and showed his pics to my friends here at work who all thought he was just adorable. I lost my beagle this summer due to a liver problem, so I can understand your loss. There's nothing like the begging eyes of a hound dog.......or the great carpet cleaning actions. :-) I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
after 2 months of old age and illness, 2 cancelled vet appts, hoping he would get better, tears, frustration, watching him not eat, throwing up, becoming skin and bones, justifying keeping him, i stuck to this morning's appointment.. he was with me for the last 12 years of my life and his life has been entwined in so many of the memories i have.. to tell you about him, would be an essay.
i just want everyone to know that he was so close to me.
in the end, i kissed him on his head, said, "good boy, you're a good boy" and he laid his head on my hands and went to sleep.. i love you and will miss your crazy dog ways.
{{{{{Jez}}}}}
I know how you feel as I had to put down my furry little boy (beagle) this past July and while it was one of the hardest things I've ever done, I knew it was for the best as he was suffering. I held him in arms and conforted and spoke with him, just like you did. They are part of the family and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, as it will take time to heal.
~Alana
out of curiousity, is there anyone on here that is in indianpolis, indiana, or the state of indiana for that matter?.
also was wondering if there are any exdubs who went to any indianapolis congregations in the 80's and 90's?.
So, do you recall the Collin's girls? Patti and Deb. They were in that congo [I believe] before one married my cousin and the other my brother. Nathan Kline performed my bro's wedding 9 years ago - my bro has died since, and Deb has turned into a real b.... uhm, bad person toward me and the wife since we left the borg.
Jeff
Actually, I remember them (though vaguely). I think that my ex and I let one of the girls use some of our silk flowers from our wedding for something for hers....but, I don't remember details....I just remember my ex wanting "his flowers" back and never getting them. LOL Sorry to hear about your brother. I haven't heard from Nathan & Cindy for years....I've written, but I think once news hit that I was inactive, I didn't hear back from them. I still keep in touch with some other friends of mine, who apparently don't care that I am inactive, because they drove 2 hours to come to my daughter's school musical this past weekend. Those kind of friends are rare, especially in Dubdom. Of course, if I were DF'd or DA'd, they'd not do that, but at least it is nice that they still keep in touch given the situation.
