Posts by CeriseRose

34

A JW just telephoned me... heh heh heh...

by Quotes in

jw
friends

it must be the end-of-the-mont-scramble to get time in.

i just got off the phone with a gentleman who, talking approx 1000 words per minute, so that i could almost not understand what he said, identified himself as "navin", and wanted to "share a scripture with me".

he clearly did not know who i am or my history, or my website hobby.

CeriseRose

Excellent job on giving a 'witness'!

I used to work for a Cdn telco...there's no law in Canada about receiving blocked caller id calls from residences. Businesses like telemarketers, surveys, etc. have to display something (most use a dummy number for this, so you still can't really know, but it's something besides 'blocked').

Most major telcos offer a service that screens blocked calls. If you have it, when a caller with blocked id calls you, they don't get through, they get a message saying that your number does not accept calls that have no identification. The only thing is, it usually sees cell phone calls as blocked (because they don't always display on the wired network as a real number), so if you have people in your life who call from cell phones it could be a bit of a pain.

52

Ok, Question: Was there a comment made at a meeting that finally convinced.

by New Castles in

was there a comment made at a meeting that finally convinced you, this is not right?

for me a couple of weeks ago was in the service meeting, they stated that if the children didnt finish their homework because they were studying the bible or at a meeting that teachers should understand that their meetings and study are more important.

i looked at my wife and went "what"??

CeriseRose

Okay re my last post, it will not let me fix the formatting. sorry for the ickies. :(

52

Ok, Question: Was there a comment made at a meeting that finally convinced.

by New Castles in

was there a comment made at a meeting that finally convinced you, this is not right?

for me a couple of weeks ago was in the service meeting, they stated that if the children didnt finish their homework because they were studying the bible or at a meeting that teachers should understand that their meetings and study are more important.

i looked at my wife and went "what"??

CeriseRose

When my Mom was sick and close to dying I had moved back to the cong. I became a JW in, for the added support of people who knew me and knew my personal situation. My Mom lived 5 hours' drive away so it was common for me to, after working full time all week, do quick weekend trips up to see her (at least 2 a month in her final months). The KH was in the middle of renovations, so the meetings were being held at odd times and in a different KH. So instead of Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday, they were Friday night, Saturday a.m. and Sunday night. Needless to say, with me leaving town on Friday afternoon and coming home exhausted Sunday night, I wasn't making a lot of meetings. I got the call to go when Mom declined, then spent a week following her death dealing with funeral arrangements, etc. The congregation sent a large bouquet to the funeral (my parents were not JWs), which I thought was very loving. I got back and when I made my first meeting, came across an older sister, known for speaking her mind with little tact. Even knowing this about her, I still couldn't believe her comment to me. Her: "Oh, you're visiting again." Me: "I'm in this hall." Her: "Well, we never see you." Me: "My Mom has been ill and just died." Her: "Yes, I heard about that." And without another word, she turned around and walked off. Not a single word of condolence, or even a "oh, well I can see that, then". I remember standing there feeling like all I wanted to do was walk out and never return. I should have then. No matter how many people supported me, no matter how much good some of them did, that one incident, and many that followed in a similar vein, really showed me the judgement and lack of love some people display. Because I wasn't regular at meetings, I was being judged. That attitude prevailed all through the next 3 years before I finally left. And all the while I had everyone telling me that my 'worldly' friends (all 4 of them online) didn't know how to love. They showed me more support from halfway around the continent than people who were close enough to hug me. I still boggle at that.

32

Hi

by Nancy Drake in

.

hi everyone, i'm nancy.

CeriseRose

Welcome Nancy! :)

35

Are You a Taker Not a Giver

by blondie in

many posting here once would not accept a blood transfusion or give blood because of the wts doctrine.. having left that doctrine behind and being willing to "accept" a blood transfusion, are you willing (if able medically) to donate blood?.

if willing to accept an organ transplant, are you willing (if medically able) to donate an organ, either as a live donor or when deceased?.

if yes, to both questions, do you donate blood regularly?

CeriseRose

Prior to becoming a JW, I donated regularly (ages 16-21), volunteered at clinics and, on a couple of occasions, coordinated volunteer students for school blood drives. I also was on the bone marrow registry and donated platelets to a burn victim. I was registered as an organ donor.

Having just come out of the JWs, I haven't even assimilated that stuff yet, nor made any decisions. I doubt I would be able to donate blood at this point, as I'm severely anemic. As well, I can only donate out of one arm and have veins that collapse easily (as I found out when I donated platelets and they had trouble getting my centrifuged blood back into me), so it's difficult to physically donate.

We've had tainted blood scandals here in Canada since I donated and would need much more information before I decide.

19

Witnesses Are Always Made To Feel They're Not Doing Enough

by minimus in

jw
friends

one way the watchtower gets into people's heads is by making them feel that they're unworthy, not good enough, inferior.

" that is the chant of circuit overseers and elders all around the world.

nobody could keep up the pace that the watchtower has given its followers.

CeriseRose

Through most of my time as a JW I worked in the same department in a large company. My co-workers watched me get farther and farther in, then pull farther and farther out. After leaving JWs (I had already left the job), they commented that I seemed so unhappy while in it.

Throughout that time while working with them, they always said "You're so busy. I don't know how you keep up that pace." The meetings, service, etc., plus a full time job, left virtually no 'down time'.

I did achieve some down time, finally. Nervous breakdowns will do that. I think that was a major turning point for me, when I decided that I wasn't going to ruin my health and life for someone else's agenda.

29

Hugs To Talesin

by one_ugly_time in

jw
friends

((( talesin ))) ---.

sending hugs your way.... for today, and every other day that you may need them... .

one ugly time

CeriseRose

(((((((Talesin)))))))

Thinking of you.

9

By Jove

by Blackbeard in

jw
friends

.

does anyone else find the term "by jove" insulting ?.

personally i find the use of such an abreviation makes my skin crawl - especially in the context it is normally used !

CeriseRose

Oddly enough I just finished reading Heart of Darkness for class and that phrase was in there quite a bit. He didn't use it in the traditional sense (By Jove, I think he's got it!), but more like we would say "wow" in kind of an incredulous way.

I still found it odd to read...which means I haven't been reading enough turn of the century literature lately, or I'm getting old. Or both.

4

Ebay

by Celtic in

jw
friends

how many here use it and for what reason?.

how many of you buy goods in one ebay, only to place on another ebay and with what success?.

how many of you realise the advantages of ebay generally?.

CeriseRose

I've bought and sold on ebay. Had only a couple of bad transactions in the selling.

Our local radio station did a fundraiser for the 2010 Olympic athletes and organized a celebrity hockey game. They auctioned off a spot on the team on ebay. Worked well.

As for buying on one and selling on another, the only two I get involved in are Canadian and US (available to Canada). When I sell I open it to Canada/US only. I haven't bought on one to sell on the other, simply because they work pretty much interchangably here.

11

Disfellowshipping versus Disassociation and Shunning

by CeriseRose in

to start off, i'm not sure if what i have to say is a question or a comment.

i disassociated myself at the end of january.

it was announced 2 weeks ago.

CeriseRose

Oh, yes. I read that in 2 days. I was, shocked, to say the least. I have the other book by Ray Franz but haven't had the time to read it. Right now I don't know what I believe about god and religion. I just know that I'm in a time of anniversary feelings over my Mom's death and that this year I've lost my sis too. It just feels...wrong. *hugs* Thanks for responding. I had NO idea that even long-term studies and non-baptized associates were treated like this. I thought it was just baptized. *continues to boggle at all the things that were hidden*