Posts by ashitaka

10

Integrating emotion and intellect ..

by Introspection in

jw
friends

i was thinking about this the other day, and i've basically been taking the attitude of "don't say too much to them, or they'll flip.

" some balance is called for of course, but i think i've been leaning too much to one side, in that my intellect is kind of shoved in the background because i am so worried about hurting people's feelings.

in a way i guess this wouldn't be honest, either.

ashitaka

First of all, to preston, is the pic under your name smelling his armpit? (Sorry, that's a good natured jibe.) Thanks, I got a good laugh out of it.

On a more serious note, reaching them emotionally is the only way to get through to them. You have to find something personally important to them to speak to them about, and then wait for an opportunity to introduce something positive. Anything they perceive as an attack will be responded to in the like.

I think that letting them talk (and gripe) more than you is the first step. Then making your answers or advice ambiguous. Not all people could handle finding out about the JW-Nazi stuff, or the NGO stuff. It would crush them and their faith in God totally, or (and this is more likely) scream at you, calling you an apostate and devil, and they would never talk to you again. Remember, we don't want to beat them to death with what we've found out. I know that as for myself, finding the truth about 607bce, and the Nazi stuff put me into a depression. I couldn't find answers to anything and I became very close to calling myself an atheist for awhile.

I guess we just have to let them speak, and we can answer intelligently as we can, hoping for an open mind, otherwise there's no other way to teach them.

Ashitaka

"I pray that I may never see the desert again-hear me God."-Robert Bolt

6

Cofmorting those at ground zero. (GAG)

by NikL in

jw
friends

the dubs are riding high after the tragedy on the 11th.

men really need to hear this and said "go back to the national guard and.

as they shared the scriptures and told the brothers that there was a. place.

ashitaka

For once, Fred, I will agree with you. I've heard some good things about the JW response, as well as some terrible things.

It is true, though, that in the end, JW's are looking to convert them-call it comforting the depressed, but in a year, when they aren't "making any progress", they will eventually be dropped. I have seen it many times before with lonely old women, wives who have lost their husbands, etc.

So, while I do think that there was a human side to the JW response, reported on from some non-JW friends who were there, I think that thinking negativly about what the witness intention is to be expected.

I'm sorry if it offends you.

Ashitaka

"I pray that I may never see the desert again-hear me God."-Robert Bolt

18

Countdown to Christmas......

by individuals wife in

jw
friends

well, i started today.... christmas shopping!

i have been waiting a long time for this pleasure and i couldn't wait another day!

well, it is only 12 weeks to go!!!

ashitaka

I'm happy that you're getting out there and feeling a little normal; my favorite time of that part of year is just the family getting together, having a joyful family dinner.

I was nervous, but I even said Merry Christmas to them all (extended, non-JW family, of course)-I think it's just the time of year. December has always felt magical to me, although I was a witness all of my life.

Good luck to you-and enjoy yourself.

"I pray that I may never see the desert again-hear me God."-Robert Bolt

10

Response To My Mother's Letter

by Ranchette in

jw
friends

dear mom and dad,.

hope you are both doing okay.. we are all fine except i had to take (our daughter)in to the dr. yesterday.

a stomach virus or something?.

ashitaka

Good letter, but do you believe it will help? I know that in my wife's case, her mother would just be enraged and stalk us for a few weeks, tossing literature at us. Are they resonable people? I read the letter she wrote you, and I got a shudder-it's just like my father, and my wife's mother-uncannily so.

I hope your parents wake up, or at least love you without walls, even if they do stick to their beliefs.

Ashitaka

24

I MOVED OUT!

by airwlk149 in

ok, so i moved out on saturday.

i am not 18 for 17 more days but my mom asked me to leave early all the same.

on friday things got hairy, we had jw friends from out of town visiting, and i exploded.

ashitaka

DON'T BE AFRAID! THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO SAY.

ASHITAKA

12

I need your advice

by cecil in

jw
friends

i need your advice: i have written a letter to my branch office regarding my problems with the 607-chronology 60+ pages with short references about the issue, that i have collected through the past 9-10 years.

at the end of my letter i asked 14 questions 7 questions regarding the biblical evidence against the 607 bce-chronology and 7 questions regarding the historical and astronomical evidence against it.. the letter i received as an answer did not contain anything that could qualify as an answer or even an attempt to answer my questions.

i called the branch office by phone and talked to the brother who had written the answer.

ashitaka

my friend did the same thing-don't expect an answer. At least, don't expect one that makes sense beyond the usual-"new light will appear."

7

Another Celebration by jWs of Death

by Tallyman in

jw
friends

* http://www.intrex.net/talley/jw_joy09.html.

notice how very clean these jehovah's witnesses are as they laugh.

and romp away from a scene of utter devastation of life & property.... and compare their cleanliness to the appearance of those frantic.

ashitaka

I have heard some rotten things in reference to the witness reaction, (a few which i witnessed), but a friend who is no longer a JW told me that people at bethel were actually helping the day of the attack (he found out through family). Which always makes me feel that the years weren't all wasted. I hope it makes all of us care a little more.

But, for the most part, just like my dad, most witnesses were whispering scriptures in excitment, and not sorrow.

I think my heart goes out to them, too. We've lost out innocence and they their humanity.

11

Shephering Visit - Update

by stevieb1 in

jw
friends

you may have read my thread from last week entitled "my personal turmoil" in which i discussed my congregation elders wanting to meet with me to "encourage" me to believe that jehovah is using the watchtower society as his organization.

i said in that thread that i had told them to leave me alone, well anyway on tuesday night the same elder phoned me to accept a "shephering visit" and again i refused.

not taking no for an answer he approached me again in the kingdom hall on thursday and told me that i must accept a shepherding visit out of necessity because i was in spiritual danger and the elders wanted to "help".

ashitaka

Moe, I was twelve too----wondering the same thing. It's a shame-you want to belong so badly in middle school, it's such a bad time, especially if you're a witness. No other non-JW wants to even be seen with you, so what alternative do you have?

But, their argument would be is that you can leave anytime, they are not forbidding you from leaving-it's just the emotional and social consequences that will follow.

32

What is going ON?

by Aintthatcute in

jw
friends

first of all: i am new and have been lurking for about 2 weeks.

whoow!

glad i got that out of the way.. something that really bothers me is: when they say that the gb all the way down, elders, and ministerial servents are "appointed" by jehovah, and are deserving of "double honor".

ashitaka

"Slamming some cool comments"-very funny, a good way of putting it.

True, though.

LOOK AT ME! I GAVE A THREE MINUTE ANSWER ON THE SIGNIFIGANCE OF THE ROBE JOB WORE! I STUDY WT PUBLICATIONS 6 HRS PER NITE, DON'T OWN A TV, AND CAN'T EVEN GROW FACIAL HAIR. GIRLS? WHO NEEDS 'EM?! I CAN TAKE THE AID BOOK TO BED WITH ME-OR A BOUND VOLUME! APPOINT ME! EMPOWER ME!

ugh.

11

Shephering Visit - Update

by stevieb1 in

jw
friends

you may have read my thread from last week entitled "my personal turmoil" in which i discussed my congregation elders wanting to meet with me to "encourage" me to believe that jehovah is using the watchtower society as his organization.

i said in that thread that i had told them to leave me alone, well anyway on tuesday night the same elder phoned me to accept a "shephering visit" and again i refused.

not taking no for an answer he approached me again in the kingdom hall on thursday and told me that i must accept a shepherding visit out of necessity because i was in spiritual danger and the elders wanted to "help".

ashitaka

Slipinslide is right-they're after you-they did it to a friend of mine-they even made him sign a piece of paper saying that he unequivically (sp?) believed in the organization and the leadership of the Governing Body, and all of the teachings of Jehovah's witness so they wouldn't disfellowship him.

It makes me sick to my stomach.

Avoid it if you can, but I think that unless you say something to calm them down, they are definitly going to DF you. They think you are one step from an apostate.

At least that's my opinion.

Ashitaka