On the other hand, JW's have no problem at all visiting historical cathedrals and temples of different religions to "view the historical architecture". If I'm not mistaken, there was an article or two in the Awake magazine years ago.
HappyDad
family background: my wife ("liberal" jw), me (ubm), two children aged 5 and 2.
(want more details?
-> http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/279456/raising-kids-jw-mother-agnostic-father).
On the other hand, JW's have no problem at all visiting historical cathedrals and temples of different religions to "view the historical architecture". If I'm not mistaken, there was an article or two in the Awake magazine years ago.
HappyDad
so when you first found out specific facts about the organisation, how did you feel??.
the un membership.
the way 1914 was calculated from pyramid measurements.
I had doubts for years but when my wife died in 1996 I bought my first computer a month later. Started searching the internet about JW's and even those first stories I read about other JW's being wronged and the lack of love in the org. connected with me. Bought Crisis of Conscience in 1997 or 1998 and became numb. I didn't know what to think. By this time I started missing meetings and then gave the book to my daughter and told her about all the other things I saw on the internet. I then bought her a computer because she was now separated from the lazy, didn't want to work JW she was married to and then filed for divorce. Even though I was mostly mentally out, I still attended the occasional meeting and every once in a while has guilt feelings and would try to convince myself that it was the truth and Satan was trying his best to discourage everyone. When 911 happened I went back for awhile but it didn't last. I knew in my heart that it was all a sham. I'm happy to say that my daughter was about a year ahead of me knowing it was all BS.
The last time a went to any meeting was memorial of 2003. I don't miss anything about it or the people I knew and have a great life now. My senior years are happy ones since I have a decent pension despite some who said years ago that I should change jobs so that I could devote more time to the ministry. Yeah.....right!
I'm also glad that I wasn't born in. My mother was a JW since 1961 and introduced me to my wife to be. I married her before I was baptized and sometimes I wonder if I bought into it for her.
HappyDad
had a conversation with my jw mother the other day.
she has been baptized for over 50 years.
i've been out for 30 years, but because both my mother and mother-in-law are jw's i keep up with all things jw.
Seems like the WT is only catering to and interested in trying to keep the younger money making/donators in the cult. Change the spiel to confirm to the newest digital media so they will hopefully have something to hang on to. Forget the elderly on social security in senior section 8 or public housing. We don't have enough money to make ends meet at the end of the month and surly can't donate enough for the World Wide Work/pedifile law suit payouts.
I imagine there are many elderly in their 60's on up who are wondering and having doubts for the first time in there life. I'm sure if I didn't wake up over 15 years ago, I would be wondering right now myself.
HappyDad
in this age of violence with the san bernardino and france massacres sometimes it's good to reflect on the wise words of the peace advocates among us who proposed a better solution in bringing a more civil society to our universe.
john lennon, martin luther king jr. - people who stood up for equal rights and world peace and denounced violence and war - no matter how that violence occurs.
please feel free to comment on stories of john lennon on this thread and feel free to post any you tubes of his music that you may have enjoyed through the years.
I've often wondered.....if John was still alive, how many more wonderful song would be available. He was the genius behind the Beatles as far as I'm concerned. In my opinion.... Woman and Imagine are two of the greatest songs in the history of the world.
Just sayin'......
HappyDad
it has confirmed the news!
in italy selling assembly halls.. the managers are deciding which assembly halls keep continuing to use them for the assemblies, and assembly halls which sell the best buyer.
.
Maybe they will go back to renting high school auditoriums and Masonic halls and ice skating venues like they did in the 1960's in western Pennsylvania. My first circuit assemblies were in the high school auditoriums and the Islam Grotto in Pittsburgh and the Rostraver Ice Skating venue. That was a few short years before building the Assembly Hall in Coraopolis, Pa where I put in countless hours working on my days off in 1973.
My only good memory of going to a circuit assembly at Clairton, PA high school is meeting my late wife. I was recently discharged from the Army in 1968 and at the urging of my mother who was a JW since 1961, went with her. I fell head over heels for this great young lady and we were married less than 8 months later. Needless to say, I went whole hog into the religion. Not sure now if it was her or did I really believe it.
HappyDad
i've found it interesting that- imho- most of the politically vocal ex-jw's at this website seem to lean left.
i'm personally pretty centered- right on some issues, left on others, but overall have a pretty cynical view of all political/religious leaders.
i find it somewhat ironic that people who leave such a dogmatic group like the witnesses become so politically dogmatic.
I've found it interesting that- IMHO- most of the politically vocal ex-JW's at this website seem to lean left.
I totally agree with you. In the past I have been way to vocal and trashed these ones. My strong opinions have been because of my JW past where I and most JW's I knew were so confident that we had the answer to everything. We had the "truth"!
I have learned a lot over the years and try not to get involved in left or right topics. My emotions about certain issues can have me say things that I will regret soon after opening my mouth. So it's best for me to stay quiet. Friendship is not worth losing because of political leanings and beliefs. My leanings are middle of the road right and sometimes far right when it comes to protecting the 2nd amendment and closing borders. At least I now can choose what I want to support.
HappyDad
hello i was wondering if any ex jw have converted to catholic?
i have been tossing the idea around a bit and wondering if it was woth it from personal experience?
thoughts?
An ex JW poster here returned to the Catholic church. Jeff Schwehm is his name and you can Google and find out about him. He was also a guest on EWTN (the Catholic cable TV show) to talk about it. You also can check out his posts here. Another person who became Catholic is Tom Cabeen. Tom was one of the top group of people who were purged from Brooklyn bethel in the early 1980's with Ray Franz and Randy Waters. Tom was an overseer in the printing department. Both Tom and Jeff are fine examples of ex JW's living their lives in peace and happiness since they escaped the cult.
HappyDad
i am intrigued to know if there is truly any evidence of financial irregularities in the jehovah's witness organisation or if any one or group are raking off funds or benefitting financially...?.
whilst i disagree wholeheartedly with most of their teachings and practices, dogmatism, legalism and superiority complex, i don't honestly think there's anyone making millions at the top.
yes you could say that the gb are comfortably off, don't have to pay bills etc but they do actually get up in the morning and 'work', they aren't going off in private jets to tropical islands or driving bentleys.
WireRider,
You need to get the facts before you post something as preposterous as $19.5 million for constructing Beth Sarim and having 5 automobiles there.
Beth Sarim cost $25,000 to build in 1929 and there were not 5 autos.
HappyDad
we have nothing to fear but fear itself is a famous line uttered by franklin delano roosevelt during one of the usas most uncertain and scary time periods during the height of ww2..
fear can immobilize a person, make them afraid to help others in times of critical need.
fearfulness can change a persons personality forcing them to act in ways that they wouldnt otherwise.
Your post is good but evidently you know nothing about history or you didn't do your research before venting your ideas. JFK is not the one who said “We have nothing to fear but fear itself”
It was Franklin Delano Roosevelt during WWII who said this. 20 plus years before JFK was president.
HappyDad
is this a beautiful story, or what?.
act one________.
now in an ordinary romance of the golden hollywood era, the boy goes off to war while the young lady waits nervously for his safe return.in a cary grant, debra kerr movie, the two vow to meet after a certain period of time and tragic circumstances intervene.. in my story, the young man is a conscientious objector who goes to prison instead of off to the vietnam war.
Terry,
I read your book just about a month age and now, reading this brought a tear to my eye. You have a gift of writing and making the reader feel.
Best wishes and good luck.
HappyDad