Posts by TallTexan

36

Two Elders Stopped By

by rocketman in

two elders approached me yesterday afternoon while i was doing a bit of work on my car.

unsuccessful at reaching me in my home (mostly because i don't answer the doorbell when they come) they saw me outside and decided to stop to talk.

the conversation did not go especially well.

Damn fine job of standing your ground and not letting them intimidate you. I agree. It is funny how quickly they become adversarial. People tend to do that when there is no rational justification for their behavior or belief structure. Notice too how they jumped around from topic to topic because they couldn't 'answer' you on certain things? That's a classic avoidance behavior when you are limited in your ability to disucss a topic. They are probably so used to people giving them the usual "Well, I've been busy but I'll try to make it back" then they say "O.k. Hope to see you soon", go back to the car, fill out their time slip, pat themselves on the back and go home.

I've talked over my (formerly held JW) beliefs with several 'worldly' ministers with whom I'm acquainted through my work and not ONE of them ever got upset or was ever anything but pleasant. They all told me sincerely that they hoped I would one day see the true meaning of the Bible, but were never dogmatic or ugly in any way. We could talk about all manner of things, which a JW would never do if some 'worldly' person wasn't interested in the message. Got to keep seperate from the world, now don't we?

Your experience typifies the 'love' that is in the congregation, which is why so many people are leaving or becoming 'weak'. Here's their version of love "If you don't play nice with us and agree that we are right, you are wrong and sinful scum, then we are going to attack you personally, your ideas, and never speak to you again. This is love, as we are trying to get you back to Jehovah"......what a crock!

12

RE: The Best of

by TallTexan in

lady lee's "best of" was an awesome idea....keep them coming....

TallTexan

Lady Lee's "Best of" was an AWESOME idea....keep them coming....

13

Keep On The Watch!! Who Are They Referring To In This Article?

by Sweetp0985 in

my mom will not stop leaving her jw mags around my house everytime she visits.

she says she's leaving them for my brother.

i just happened to come across the new magazine/brochure whatever the hell it is.

TallTexan

What a HUGE crock of shit!!!! And it's SO sickeningly sweet! Like, "we would NEVER do anything wrong, so please stop nit picking at us (whine, whine)"

Cover over sins????!!! Anyone who tries to cover over a sin gets brought before a judicial committee for 'sharing in the sins of others'. You all hit it right on the head - they want you to TELL THE ELDERS and let THEM decide what to cover over, meantime you're not supposed to talk about it or publicize it in any way, even if it is NOT taken care of and may result in harm to others. Holy SHIT I forgot how disgusting and stupid they are......

26

Would you have accepted THIS response from the Watchtower. Re: U.N

by integ in

dear brothers,

it has been brought to our attention that certain brothers have had questions regarding the societies' membership as a non governmental organization with the united nations from 1991-2001. rest assured that we are no longer members, having removed ourselves from this organization over 3 years ago.

it was only in our undaunted zeal to proclaim the good news to "all nations" (as was jesus' admonition), in these critical last days, that the faithful slave class approved membership as an ngo.

TallTexan

Uh....NO!!

How many times were we told that there was NEVER ANY REASON to compromise our 'christian integrity'. What if I decided to smoke crack so I could witness to crackheads? I'd be DF'd... What if I chose to pay a hooker to witness to the entire whorehouse? I'd be DF'd..... What if I joined my local men's christian organization so that I could witness to them? I'd be DA'd.....

If their motives were this pure, then why was it secret for 10 years? Why didn't they come out w/ a WT article about how we should be 'joyous' that membership as an NGO was opening the way for the preaching work in formerly closed lands and making life easier on the brothers in those lands?

I'll tell you why. They want $$ and membership. If it meant secretly joining the UN as an NGO, then so be it. There is NO excuse for their allowing themselves to justify something that any 'Joe or Jane Witness' would have been DF'd for in a heartbeat. Can you imagine what would have happened if they found out that a 'brother' was soliciting membership in the UN??? He/she would have been sacrificed on the alter of 'keeping the congregation clean' and we would have seen ten magazine articles and heard 8 assembly talks on 'keeping seperate from the world'. They have never shown mercy to those in the congregation who have violated their 'christian integrity' for 'good' reasons. For instance, the example in "Christian Freedom" of the older brother who took a transfusion to keep himself alive for a few more days so he could see his daughter whom he hadn't seen in years. He was DF'd in the hospital 3 days before he died. And the examples are numerous.

Remember when Jesus said "To him that shows mercy, mercy will be shown?" Well, it works the other way too. To him that shows NO mercy, NO mercy will be shown. They have exhibited their hypocrisy yet again for the 'brothers' to see, yet most of them are still blind.

16

Double standard about disfellowshipping, new info, please read

by Jez in

just got back from holidays and read the posts about this topic.

let me clear a few things up to the ones that replied.

i should have mentioned that my story is posted in the womens section entitled "pretending".

TallTexan

Unfortunately, your story mirrors a number of others that I am personally familiar. with. The husband can be abusive and remain in 'good standing', but if you leave or commit 'adultery' then YOU ARE THE BAD ONE!! How freaking hypocritical is that? Let me guess - they told you to 'wait on Jehovah', right? Or maybe they told you to pray and go in service more? What a crock of shit. You should feel NO guilt, no sadness, no remorse. You should feel nothing but JOY that you finally got rid of a loser ex and rid of a loser cult that is more interested in making it's members seem to be of much higher standard than the 'world' than it is truly helping and caring for those in the congregation.

Good luck and don't let anyone who is a judgemental a-hole turn you off of this forum. I guess some JW behavior dies hard....

5

Are We Gaining the Advantage?

by metatron in

are we, as ex-jw's or clandestine fake witnesses gaining the advantage in familial and social relations?.

while many of you still suffer from watchtower-dictated isolation, i feel that generally, the advantage is shifting our way.. there's light at the end of the tunnel.

i offer this opinion based on observation of my extended family and many comments.

TallTexan

Metatron,

Excellent points. I guess I see your point - a lot of the Witnesses seem to be taking a more liberal stance toward certain things, including association w/ DF'd ones. What's sad is that they still feel tremendous guilt over violating a stupid man-made policy.

I think you're right, though. The WTS will toughen it's stance and possibly make more things a 'DF'ing offense' as control begins to slip through their fingers. How long until they DF for marrying outside the org? How long until they DF a nurse for give a patient a physician ordered blood transfusion, even though to not do so could possibly cost her/him a job or even their state license to practice their profession? Oh wait, anything that interferes with the r&f's ability to make $$ to give to them will not be interfered with...lol.

24

do you ever?????

by Lehaa in

do you ever get used to bumping into witnesses that you know.. i still go out in with the thought of it tin the back of my mind.

i hate the death stares i get.

i feel like walking uo to them and saying "i'm not the devil or a murderer, just no longer a witness".

TallTexan

Since I'm not technially DA'd or DF'd, they still try to talk to me. I'd almost rather be DA'd so that they'd leave me the hell alone. Mostly it's my relatives, but there are a couple of people I work with that are JW's and they still try to 'encouarge me' to come back to the meetings. Notice how it's never 'come back to God', but 'come back to the truth'....odd, huh? Well, not really considering who we're talking about. I get the whole 'forget about man's imperfections' and all that B.S. At least if I were officially DA'd, they'd feel guilty for talking to me and leave me alone...lol. It's so frustrating, because any time I try to point out the inconsistencies within the org and their 'bible' teachings, I get this blank stare like Peter Pan trying to find his 'happy place' because they just don't want to listen - or maybe they're afraid to acknowledge their own doubts and misgivings.

When they say stuff like "You'll be happier if you come back" I tell them "I've never been happier in my life. Knowing how to build a true relationship with Christ Jesus and his father without the attempt at a man-made organization to take Christ's place as my mediator has been so refreshing and enlightening - I suggest you look into it". It's petty, but it makes me happy....lol.

21

They need MORE $$$$$

by TallTexan in

i haven't been to a meeting in years, but i was recently told by a friend of mine that they have really been hammering the 'use of your valuable things in support of the kingdom' in many of the talks and thursday night parts.

i know they used to mention it all the time, but he said it's gotten really bad lately.

i told him that's because the membership in the western (translate that to "richer"...lol) countries has really fallen off and even become negative in many countries and that the 3rd world countries can't contribute enough to support the great publishing empire.

TallTexan

Nosferatu:

Yeah, I know. Why doesn't Jehovah cause ~~manna~~ money to fall down from heaven and land on WT property?

Good point...lol. If it really were the ONE true organization, you'd think that Jehovah would take care of them no matter how much or how little the R&F 'donate'. It's funny to think that "God's only representation here on earth" would have to worry about going out of business because they're running low on funds. Didn't he say that if man didn't preach that 'even the stones would cry out'? Maybe those stones could start spitting out some cash...

Also interesting point (can't remember who posted it) that the announcements at the DC were so pointedly trying to get donations. I don't remember that. It used to be that the contribution boxes were enough. My dad used to be over accounting at the Houston DC's (when they were the BIG ones in the Astrodome) and I used to hang out in there some while they were counting the money. It was amazing how much cash flowed through that place. And we got the rent free for doing some other things for the Dome during the year.

27

are great crowd jehovah's witnesses?

by peacefulpete in

"all who have taken their stand on the side of jehovah must abide in his organization under christ, if they would live.

there is no exception to this rule...the name "jehovah's witnesses" applies specifically to god's annointed ones who have been taken out of the world and made witnesses for jehovah, and these alone bear the new name.

the official organization of jehovah on earth consists of his annointed remnant, and the jonadabs who walk with the annointed are to be taught but not be leaders.

TallTexan

Blondie...

As always, great information. I didn't know that about the GC not being invited to the Memorial in the 'good old days'. Glad to know that no hierarchy exists in the WTS..

21

They need MORE $$$$$

by TallTexan in

i haven't been to a meeting in years, but i was recently told by a friend of mine that they have really been hammering the 'use of your valuable things in support of the kingdom' in many of the talks and thursday night parts.

i know they used to mention it all the time, but he said it's gotten really bad lately.

i told him that's because the membership in the western (translate that to "richer"...lol) countries has really fallen off and even become negative in many countries and that the 3rd world countries can't contribute enough to support the great publishing empire.

TallTexan

I haven't been to a meeting in years, but I was recently told by a friend of mine that they have really been hammering the 'use of your valuable things in support of the Kingdom' in many of the talks and Thursday night parts. Does anyone know of this? I know they used to mention it all the time, but he said it's gotten really bad lately. I told him that's because the membership in the Western (translate that to "richer"...lol) countries has really fallen off and even become negative in many countries and that the 3rd world countries can't contribute enough to support the great publishing empire. He seemed surprised - guess he doesn't read his Yearbook on a regular basis....or subscribe to this forum...lol.