Posts by Hunyadi

I use to work for a brother who was also a general contractor. Most of his crew were JW's from various trades. I was very young, newly married, and I was working as a general laborer. About six months into my job with this brother, he hired on a former Bethelite named Leo. Leo was living with his Carribean bride, also a former Bethelite, in Tijuana, BC, and commuted each day across the border to the very rich San Diego town of Fairbanks Ranch, CA. My wife at the time was hispanic, and during lunches Leo and I got to know eachother and he graciously invited my wife and I down to his house in Las Playas, Tijuana for a meal and some socializing.

We arrived around noon one Saturday looking forward to meeting Leo's wife. We waited a long time in their dining room, about 20 minutes and were mostly left alone. Finally Leo emerged from the hallway to announce that his wife was on her way out to meet us. It was just weird . . . the wait, the silence, the formal annoucement of his wife about to appear . . .

She entered the dining room, a beautiful dark skinned woman, tall and graceful. She took my breath away. We were introduced and I felt their eyes upon us at all times, scrutinizing, looking for some sort of disapproval that Leo was white and she was black. I only expected her to be Hispanic. It only intrigued me that this white ex-Bethelite brother, also a former elder, and his black Caribean wife were living in Baja California sort of detached from the mainstream it seemed . . . I was 20 years old, did not know or care about shit and I certainly cared not that a white man was married to a black woman. This was Jehovah's organization after all and racism was not even a thought.

The woman was delightful, yet reserved. She spoke a few languages, including spanish, as did Leo, and my curiousity about them living in Baja was satisfied once I understood they were perfectly at home there. Cool. We had what seemed to be a nice visit, then departed for the US that evening.

The rest of the weekend past, then it was back to work. One brother, Greg, asked me what I did over the weekend; just cordial chat amond workmates. I told him that my wife and me went downt to TJ to visit Leo and his wife. He asked, "oh, so Leo's wife is Mexican . . . ?"

Dumbass that I was, I took the bait and said, "Um no, she is from the Caribean . . . ", and left it at that.

Later that day, I was putting tools back into the shed with Leo for lockup when Greg and the son of a north county elder, Grant, stood behind me. I did not hear this, but Grant said audibly in front of Leo, "So, Leo's wife is a nigger, huh?" Again, I did not hear this . . .

The next day, while hanging some heavy-ass stone molding on the eves of the house, Leo attacked me verbally in front of the other brothers and accused me of telling everyone his wife was a nigger. I was floored. I had no idea where his assertions were coming from. He got totally evil on me and I became angry and felt like throwing him off the roof where we were working at the time. Instead, I took him off to the side and asked what the hell was going on. He told me what Grant had said the day before and I was again floored. I fervantly and pleadingly tried to explain what had really happened and he would not believe me no matter what I said. He kept telling me that I was a racist and that I had a big problem. In desperation, I pointed out the my own wife was hispanic, and therefore could not possibly be racist. I was so distressed to think that I could have offended this nice man and his wonderful wife. His response was, "she is just closer to lilly-white than my wife is . . . ". Again, I could have hurt him. I was on the verge of tears.

He finally calmed down enough to tell me that the reason he and his wife left Bethel was because the GB and many of the the other brothers at Bethel were very openly racist. He said that they openly discouraged him from marrying the woman he loved because she was black and it would cause too many problems for everyone. I could not believe him. He said they left Bethel together and moved to Baja where he became an elder in a local congregation where they were more accepted. I could, therefore, see why he was so hyper-sensative, why he had no problem believing I was a racist when Grant, the evil son of an elder, set me up to look like a racist to the man. Leo said it was pretty typical of what he and his wife had experienced while serving together in the org.

Does anyone have any similar stories or experiences about racism in the org . . . ?

Hunyadi

9

JW's and Embargoed Technology

by gitasatsangha in

i've been thinking of another way to cause trouble for the watchtower.

i don't think one silver bullet will take it down.

it's more of a siege campaign.

Hunyadi

It seems to me that the best way to "take down" the WTBTS is to expose their erroneous teachings and doctrines just as they have always done to the other religeons . . . surely there must be individuals out there with enough Bible knowledge and insight to expose them. We all sit around typing posts as if we are all that . . . like we know better . . . I have noticed that the one thing that we ex-JW's do not have going for us that the WTBTS has is that we are not organized to do anything other than crying and bitching about what we think they did to us. (don't get me wrong; I have alot to be disenchanted about).

Perhaps an anti-JW cult that goes door-to-door with its own literature to ensure that the JW's never bring in another "new one" might be more formiddable. Perhaps the mass printing and distribution of documentation might be a good start. Anyone want to join me in the anti-JW door-to-door work?

Humorously,

Hunyadi

29

A crazy thought....Please humor me!

by Doubtfully Yours in

i just got this thought that we're like a huge soap opera to god and other spiritual beings.

if the almighty makes it all perfect and joyful, then how the heck will he/they get entertained?!.

in other words, the almighty powers that be aren't interested in the least bit in making things happy and perfect for all because we're like a huge spectacle for them to watch for ever and ever.. alright, there goes my sanity for today.. dy

Hunyadi

"If the Almighty makes it all perfect and joyful, then how the heck will he/they get entertained?!"

Forgive me, and I do not mean to be offensive, but that is one of the most moronic questions I have ever heard anyone ask.

8

Collected stories about my JW upbringing...

by kyria in

hello.. i am working on a series of stories about my jw upbringing which i intend to perform as a one-person show in the near future.. i am in the process of putting them up online, and thought they might be of interest to some people here.

(keep in mind that they are still a bit rough!).

they can be found here:.

Hunyadi

Kyria,

Wow, great stuff. It really took me back, and I found myself laughing (not at you, but with you) and I was hooked. It is comforting to know that the same absurd and disfunctional behavior of the ones I grew up with in the congregation was happening somewhere off in another congregation. You really do have style and flair and I want to come and see your one-gal show. Lemme know when and where!

Sincerely,

Hunyadi

6

The Passion of the Christ movie

by Steve Lowry in

jw
friends

well, i just saw the movie yesterday and i'll tell ya something.

considering the reviews about how moving this movie had been for so many people, i secretly was hoping that seeing this movie might help me with my current state of disbelief and apathy about the person of jesus.

but sadly it had only the opposite effect.

Hunyadi

Simply because the WTBTS may have lied with regard to some pretty important things, or maybe some elders used their position to screw some of us with the help of the WT publications and the Bible, it does not mean that all their doctrines and teachings are eroneous. Even morons hit on the truth sometimes.

I do a bit of reading, self-help books, etc., and while I do not agree with or understand everything I read, I can relate to some things, see their value, gain some insight, acquire a skill, grow some knowledge, or develope a tool to help me to grow and become more rounded as a person. If you look at the whole thing about Adam being perfect and then revolted or disobeyed God, thus, spreading sin and death to all of us, the entire "it took a perfect man to buy back our lives, to be a mediator between imperfect mankind and the supreme God", it makes sense that we can only approach God and gain his kindness and forgiveness through the mediation of such a skilled and empathetic "lawyer-type-dude" like Jesus to plead our case. Think about it.

Best Regards,

Hunyadi

34

The Passion of the Christ (Movie)

by Golf in

jw
friends

after hearing the pro's and con's about the movie, i went to see it this afternoon.

i know we all have differing views, but i'm interested in knowing what impression it left you.

for me, i went in with a critical eye and i was emotionally detached from the movie.

Hunyadi

People have died horribly for others throughout history. What's the big deal about Jesus dying for us? Unlike the other people who have died horribly for others, he was supposedly able to have absolute confidence in what would happen afterwards. This would mean his actions were less 'brave' than others who did not have this assurance.

Well, it is recorded that Jesus did suffer terrible and excrutiating beatings and was then NAILED through the hands and feet to a hunk of wood to let hang for hours to die a slow and painful death. Hey, try it sometime and lemme know what you think . . .

Less brave? I do believe that the JW's have it right when they offer that Jesus was a perfect man. He committed no sin. He did not have to die, however, it would take the death of a perfect man, sinless, to balance the scales of the sin and death spread to all of us through the once perfect man, Adam. Although perfect, he was still just a man, and it took alot of faith and strength for him to trust God's promises. It took alot of courage to own up to the fact, or at least, the idea, that he was God's son and the only one to fullfill the prophecies regarding him as the messiah. The "big deal" is that he could have decided not to submit to his father's will without fear of reprisal from Him, yet, willingly submitted anyway. He could have looked around at how f-d up and faithless and cynical and corrupt mankind was in general and determined for himself that we really were not worth it. He could have said, "these people suck, so what's the big deal that I should do this for them . . . ?" The death of any other human being could not have meant as much because all mankind since Adam was imperfect and seperate or detached from God. Death was the sentence passed by God for disobedience, therefore, we were all destined to die since the day Adam revolted against God. When God sent his son, he was showing us how much he loved us eventhough we were not worthy of such a gift or sacrefice.

Because of the gift of free will, Jesus could have chosen otherwise, therefore, it wasn't exactly like God forced or manipulated the outcome before it was all over . . . it was his will, but because of freedom of choice, we are not forced or required to submit to His will for the short pathetic time we get to live on this earth. God did not make it happen, he just put all his money and his name on the hope that it would go as planned.

The gift of Jesus' ransom sacrefice was for those who willingly submit to God's will, not those who think they see a trick up His sleeve.

Kind Regards,

Hunyadi

42

Cross vs. Stake: Does it REALLY friggin' matter?

by Funchback in

when did the wts become so infatuated with the cross vs. stake theory?

did they come up with this theory in order to say, "see?

we teach the truth!

Hunyadi

While the instrument of death really does not matter since the result is the same. The only issue here might be the veneration of the intrument of Jesus' death.

If Jesus had have died in an electric chair, would all those in the world claiming to be Christian be wearing one around their necks to symbolize belief and acceptance of him? It is morbid and a bit disgusting.

The history of the cross has its roots in pegan crap and I don't suppose, just as the WT points out, its use in worship brings any glory to God.

H

43

Does it ever get easier?

by Surfacing in

my heart is palpitating even as i write this.

it was only recently that i was introduced to this site.

i had long had doubts but could never bring myself to peer over the wall built in my head about the evils of apostates.

Hunyadi

No, friend, you are not alone. I suffered from "demon attacks" even when I was at my most active and spiritual state of heart and mind. I was told, and therefore I reasoned, that, since I was making a strong effort to serve Jehovah, that Satan was working extra hard to stumble me. The harder I worked for the kingdom as explained by the org, the less I felt Jehovah's protection from the demons. It did not add up.

The "demon attacks" were no more than panic and anxiety attacks spurred by the load of guilt and fear enculcated in me from infancy. Along with those paralyzing emotions came much pent up anger that was always boiling beneath the surface. When I determined to leave the org for good, the attacks lessoned and as every day passed, I experienced them seldomly with a diminished intensity. Either I got better, or I became perfectly possessed by the demons to the extent that they leave me alone because they now have full control over me. All I know is that I am no longer guilt-ridden and overly fearful of everything in the world. The anger is gone too.

The org heaps much to much crap upon its members. It is a burdensome yoke that Jesus promised his followers he would not load them down with. Your mind is like a muscle and it must be exercised. It sounds like you are on the brink of using it regularly and I applaud and support your courage. It does get easier, and your sanity will be restored as time passes.

Stay awhile, listen and share. It will help.

Kind Regards,

Hunyadi

47

Somebody talk to me

by Puternut in

jw
friends

i am having one of those really down days.

things aren't going right.

i can't concentrate on my work, and i don't feel well.

Hunyadi

You are doing the right and healthy thing in reaching out to others. Keep doing that and you will make it.

My thoughts are with you, Puternut.

H