how many times did you hear that before you were baptized?
i got a little tired of it when someone called me and said that.
this was the first sign of the control thing.
Yes, this comment is the classic of all classics!
There's almost nothing I hated more than receiving one of those 'put up to' phone calls. This old pioneer sister called, checking on me, and told me how it was her one day of the week that she sets aside to call everyone who wasn't at a meeting! Then she proceeds to say a prayer on my behalf over the phone lines! I never gave any reason to anybody either. So fake.
for those of you with aging jw parents/friends, i would like to pose a question: .
if the time came when they would need to reside in a senior assisted living facility of some kind - would the jw belief regarding close association with "the world" keep them from moving in?
the wts does not provide any kind of jw home environment for the elderly/infirm and when folks have had their thinking controlled by the org and taught the dangers of "the world" for much of their lives, this can be an especially traumatic time.
Ohcowboy: Yes, that comment was one of many - and by this elder, a former DO/CO that for whatever reason, does have his housing needs met, living in a beautiful home in a lovely community and believe it or not, purchased by the WTS ? He must have had an "in" somewhere I guess.
Big Tex: I'm glad you shared that good example for others to benefit from. Your f-i-l had a great arrangement being so close to you and I'm sure you hold the memories close. Sorry for your loss.
I've never heard anything particularly against these living arrangements, it is an individual choice. If one has no other feasible alternatives and with the longevity these days, many others will face this issue. Unfortunately, the dissonance experienced can be especially deadly for the elderly.
Nina ~ ((())) I feel your pain, I'm so sorry about your dad's death. Your mom's condition is a heartbreaker too and I wish for you the strength to deal with it. Isn't it so much of a relief to just ALLOW her to have a ball living out her last days? You will at least know that you are over the past judgemental ways of the org.
As we know, elders don't have professional training in dealing with the depression brought on by the very lifestyle/belief system they cherish. Their form of "encouragement" was to read the scriptures and study more. At 3:00 a.m. one night, we sat there with this same elder at dad's house and listened to him read the scriptures and tell dad, "yes, it is a fight, we need to fight against Satan and the world ! Suicide is a SIN and a STENCH before Jehovah." I wish I would have called a local crisis hotline to "encourage" him instead.
for those of you with aging jw parents/friends, i would like to pose a question: .
if the time came when they would need to reside in a senior assisted living facility of some kind - would the jw belief regarding close association with "the world" keep them from moving in?
the wts does not provide any kind of jw home environment for the elderly/infirm and when folks have had their thinking controlled by the org and taught the dangers of "the world" for much of their lives, this can be an especially traumatic time.
.....tried to edit that last post to include you ~
avishai,
Yes, I was always drawn to the older ones too and got a kick out of lots of 'em. I shoulda just put a WWJD pin on him huh? Good idea for others for reinforcement oh - I'll be sure to visit you one day!
tal,
It is a combination of so many different fears and I know it's not unique to JW's, but that added fear factor- spiritual endangerment, has gotta play into it.. I heard about the "urine odor" factor too of course!
All the best to you and yours if decisions ever need to be made in this regard - thank you for your thoughts-
4JWY of the "it's almost 2:00 a.m. and I am sitting here class ?" Goodnight all.
for those of you with aging jw parents/friends, i would like to pose a question: .
if the time came when they would need to reside in a senior assisted living facility of some kind - would the jw belief regarding close association with "the world" keep them from moving in?
the wts does not provide any kind of jw home environment for the elderly/infirm and when folks have had their thinking controlled by the org and taught the dangers of "the world" for much of their lives, this can be an especially traumatic time.
Thank you ohiocowboy ~
yes, especially with him the fresh territory should have been the draw ! Unfortunately with the negative views of the world reinforced constantly, it was very difficult to remain positive as a JW in old age (or any age for that matter! )
During a suicidal attempt intervention one night -I tried to discuss this matter of old ones, homes, and the harm done to all JW's from the "dangers of the world" teachings, with dad's PO, and didn't get much thought out of him other than, "well, how old is he now? He probably won't live long anyway." The damage was already done by the cult's ingrained thoughts.
I worked at the front desk of a home for a year and there were a couple of JW's living there, but they always appeared so guarded around the other residents and I always wondered how this aspect of the" world" was truly affecting their days.
Appreciated your thoughts,
4JWY
for those of you with aging jw parents/friends, i would like to pose a question: .
if the time came when they would need to reside in a senior assisted living facility of some kind - would the jw belief regarding close association with "the world" keep them from moving in?
the wts does not provide any kind of jw home environment for the elderly/infirm and when folks have had their thinking controlled by the org and taught the dangers of "the world" for much of their lives, this can be an especially traumatic time.
For those of you with aging JW parents/friends, I would like to pose a question:
If the time came when they would need to reside in a senior assisted living facility of some kind - would the JW belief regarding close association with "the world" keep them from moving in? The WTS does not provide any kind of JW home environment for the elderly/infirm and when folks have had their thinking controlled by the org and taught the DANGERS of "the world" for much of their lives, this can be an especially traumatic time.
I know it sounds like taking the thought to the extreme but, in my case, my father told his Dr. that homes are full of "ungodly ones" and he would never reside among them. Not wanting me to ever have to push the issue on his behalf, he made the decision to end his life. How strongly do those you care for, or know - feel about this kind of "worldly" association?
avishai:
It was 25 years ago in my local community and the victim was a relative of a former JW friend of mine. At the time, I was young and couldn't bear to hear the details, but I have recently begun researching the event at the library from the copies of the newspaper on microfilm. Very sad.
"sitting on the fence" "leading a double life" or just a fader.
its strange i envy both jws and exjws, after all each have a clear direction of where their lives are headed.
they have a definate view of how they feel, what they think, where they're going, what they are.
Scooby -
it does run deep. Maybe those things you could be df'd for should come out in the open. How would you feel about "the truth" then? Do you think you should be judged by human's standards for those things you did that warrant df-ing? They are only MEN - it's a man made system of control - free yourself and you will finally enjoy life - it is BEAUTIFUL..
Does murder committed by a middle aged brother in the parking lot of an 18- year old brother sitting in his truck qualify as fisticuff? Love triangle.
"sitting on the fence" "leading a double life" or just a fader.
its strange i envy both jws and exjws, after all each have a clear direction of where their lives are headed.
they have a definate view of how they feel, what they think, where they're going, what they are.
Gone - cold turkey- outta there- exit stage left.
i?m due soon for a shepherding call from my congregation elders for a variety of reasons: being irregular in service, s poradically attending meetings, and o h yes, writing in a letter to the society asking for clarifications on the blood ban.
i?m sure that one question that they will be asking me is: d
o you believe that jehovah is using the organization as his only approved channel of communication?
When the elder tried to pin us down in a roundabout way as to what our current belief system is - we replied: " We don't need to have the answers to everything. And, if you ask me a question, I may answer - I don't know OR I DON'T CARE."
We also decided to throw a question his direction and asked, "what are your ulterior motives for being here?" He denied having any - but here he came to our house just HOURS before the Memorial to interrogate. (using inviting us to the Memorial as the reason for coming by - after 1 1/2 yrs. of no contact.)
I coulda sworn I grew up reading all about their fights to the highest courts in the lands for freedom of religion.
