Germaine Miller rings a bell - do you know where he worked???
back2dafront
JoinedPosts by back2dafront
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41
Any Brooklyn Bethelites from '93 - '98?
by back2dafront ini guess i should introduce myself for i am a new poster-boy :-) my name is jason howard and i currently reside in santa cruz, california.
i spent the first 24 years of my life as a jw, starting in danbury, ct, then to fayetteville & charlotte, nc, and finally brooklyn, bethel, where finally all of my negative inner thoughts and feelings were confirmed.
(from the ages of 14-24 i always felt something just didn't add up with the organization, but i could never quite put a finger on it) i spent my career at bethel in the brooklyn warehouse/purchasing departments and worked with some really great individuals.
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41
Any Brooklyn Bethelites from '93 - '98?
by back2dafront ini guess i should introduce myself for i am a new poster-boy :-) my name is jason howard and i currently reside in santa cruz, california.
i spent the first 24 years of my life as a jw, starting in danbury, ct, then to fayetteville & charlotte, nc, and finally brooklyn, bethel, where finally all of my negative inner thoughts and feelings were confirmed.
(from the ages of 14-24 i always felt something just didn't add up with the organization, but i could never quite put a finger on it) i spent my career at bethel in the brooklyn warehouse/purchasing departments and worked with some really great individuals.
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back2dafront
*sigh* where do i start...
Well, when I was in junior high and high school, it started out with my desire to associate with the kids at school. As is seen at so many conventions, it's DIFFICULT to not want to fit in with fellow peers at school, and although I was on convention platforms as a youth stating how I didn't associate w/ kids at school, well...I really was friends with these kids and didn't really see anything wrong with it. Looking back on it as an adult, true I would've gotten caught up in a few situations that could've been disastrous, however I now feel that that is something that kids need to experience, because it wisens them up for adulthood. As a result, when I left at 24 years of age, I was in essence a "late bloomer" and had to learn what the real world was REALLY like. (And, as most youth, I'm fine - I've had a couple of experiences that taught me lessons, but they've helped mold me into a very well-rounded, stable man).
As I got older though, I began to challenge the doctrinal teachings and the organizational structure. I never understood all the rules and regulations for elders, servants, women and publishers. I had and still do have respect for the Bible, but I could never come to terms with how out-dated so many things seem to be. The bible clearly shows how THINGS CHANGE as the years go by, so to take everything that was written thousands of years ago and apply it literally today...just doesn't make sense. It doesn't seem appropriate at all. Women have to wear head coverings to pray, Servants can get removed for watching a rated R movie, an elder can get removed if a child in his family does something wrong, oral sex is wrong...the list goes on and on. All of these things I felt were up to an individuals mind, yet there were strict rules against them that were NOT outrightly stated in the Bible. I figure there's much more important things to focus our minds on than trivial rules like these. Who claims to have the authority to implement rules such as these when they are not clearly stated in the Bible???!!! When I got to Bethel, these rules increased. Ugh. I cannot begin to tell you how frustrating it was to get called into a Home Overseers office during work hours (I had an important job as well) for him to question me on why my room (I shared a room with 3 other bethelites, mind you) had things left out - why there were 4 items on a surface rather than 3 - who freakin cares?!?! I know the rules had a purpose - yes, it was easier for the sisters to clean w/ less items on a surface, but...it really wasn't that bad - if the housekeeper thought it was too much she could simply dust around it - problem solved. And why was I responsible for the actions of everyone there just because I'd lived in the room the longest??? To some this structured, institutionalized way of living evidently had some kind of correlation with spiritiuality and their relationship with God, but I didn't see any benefits in it whatsoever. Imagine now if your boss at your job pulled you into his office to talk about how your home is organized.
The thing that really made me leave though was the hypocrisy in the religion. I have 0 tolerance for hypocrites and I witnessed so much of it that I finally said "I'm done." I, for one, was being a hypocrite by leading a double life, and that bothered me deeply because it wasn't right. So many people looked up to me because I was this righteous young man (so they thought), whereas, according to their standards, I was anything but. But if you talk to any of the people I've befriended since I left the organization, they will attest to the fact that I am a very very trustworthy, righteous person that believes in doing good for others - I treat others the way I want to be treated, and I live by that standard in everything I do. But...back to the hypocrisy, where to start...so many Witnesses are quick to point out the flaws of others. Too much back stabbing, slander and gossip to suit my tastes. (all of which is spoken against in the Bible) I can't and refuse to tolerate any such behavior, and no matter what congregation you go to, you find it. The abuse of alcohol, which I witnessed and partook in as well, is so widespread - criticized in comments at the Watchtower, and done in the privacy of their home on Sunday night. The line "well, Jason...we're all accountable to Jehovah in the end" just doesn't hold water after awhile. If that's the case 50% of all Bethelites ages 19 - 30 will be destroyed at Armegeddon. Realistically though, geez...they're kids having fun...all of the drinking I did was harmless fun that any normal kid goes through. I never became an alcoholic, I just enjoyed partying w/ the fellas every now and then - we know how to control our drinking, but still...according to "scriptural principles" it was wrong. Another hypocrital thing i observed was the way materialism and riches are warned against, yet that organization has and spends MILLIONS of dollars each year. I worked in the Warehouse and handled all kinds of inventory - from construction supplies to food supplies - the amounts of money spent is INCREDIBLE. And the thing about it is that Watchtower doesn't use generic brand stuff - they get REALLY NICE stuff. If you've ever had the opportunity to spend the night in a guest room at Bethel, or visit the room of a member who has been there for a long time, you will notice firsthand the luxury these people live in. In Charlotte, NC there is an infamous 33 million dollar pink church on Hwy 51 which we would look at in disgust for being so luxurious, yet...how much money do you think it took to build 90 Sands? Patterson? The Norco Assembly Hall in California? The branches around the world...?? These places are just as elaborate and luxurious. I just always felt that there was something about the financial aspect of the Society that the general public wasn't aware of, and my gut instincts are usually correct. My father was quick to say that everything is "supported by voluntary donations, son" but....something is definitely awry - I've read a few articles on different sites that have proved it too, but I don't have the time to reference it all or recall the info at this moment.
There's much I could say, but I'll have to save it for later for the sake of time.
take care,
jason
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41
Any Brooklyn Bethelites from '93 - '98?
by back2dafront ini guess i should introduce myself for i am a new poster-boy :-) my name is jason howard and i currently reside in santa cruz, california.
i spent the first 24 years of my life as a jw, starting in danbury, ct, then to fayetteville & charlotte, nc, and finally brooklyn, bethel, where finally all of my negative inner thoughts and feelings were confirmed.
(from the ages of 14-24 i always felt something just didn't add up with the organization, but i could never quite put a finger on it) i spent my career at bethel in the brooklyn warehouse/purchasing departments and worked with some really great individuals.
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back2dafront
Hello all,
I guess I should introduce myself for I am a new poster-boy :-) My name is Jason Howard and I currently reside in Santa Cruz, California. I spent the first 24 years of my life as a JW, starting in Danbury, CT, then to Fayetteville & Charlotte, NC, and finally Brooklyn, Bethel, where finally all of my negative inner thoughts and feelings were confirmed. (From the ages of 14-24 I always felt something just didn't add up with the organization, but I could never quite put a finger on it) I spent my career at Bethel in the Brooklyn Warehouse/Purchasing Departments and worked with some really great individuals. I've actually been able to make a successful living here in California from the skills I learned while in Bethel, so that's been one positive outcome from my stay there, although now I'm in pursuit of a college education to further secure my future. I'm very interested in meeting anyone that may have been in Bethel or affiliated with the Ebbets Field or surrounding congregations during those years. I have so much to say about my experience of being raised as an elders son, pioneering, being a servant, what it's like to be in Bethel, etc., however I will post all of that at a later date in another thread.
At any rate, it's encouraging to see so many people here that share the same thoughts and feelings as I. I'm highly interested in meeting some folks in the Bay Area as well.
Everyone take care and have a pleasant Sunday.
Regards,
Jason
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29
Anyone in North Carolina???
by SmokeEater inlooking for any df'd or da'd ex-jw's from central nc... triad, triangle, sandhills region of nc.
please hollar back if there are any...
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back2dafront
Fuquay? Holy cow. I grew up in Fayetteville and Charlotte, and have very good friends in Clayton area - Rudolph and Lena Miller. Know them? Uncle Rudy taught me how to play drums when i was a kid. :-)
I live in Santa Cruz, CA now though.
take care,
jason
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back2dafront
I live in Santa Cruz, work in San Jose. Jaydadrummer on AOL if you'd like to chat...I'd be interested in meeting up w/ anyone in the area....
-jason
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Pornography and Sexuality
by Beans inafter leaving the only religion in the world, what are your views on sexual issues and have they changed more and more since the time you left the borg?
did you go sexually crazy and try many different things?
did you find intrest in porn and want to experiment more?.
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back2dafront
I'm pretty sexually liberal myself. It's been interesting actually becoming friends w/ lesbians/homosexuals, because it's been engrained in my mind that it's wrong, yet once you get to know homosexuals you understand it's not a "sexual perversion" at all - they are really attracted to the same sex. I never comprehended that until I left. And I honestly can't see why they should be persecuted for something they cannot help. They are just as homosexual as we are heterosexual or bi-sexual, so it's not fair to discriminate.
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back2dafront
funny how you said your parents asked if "he is black." They claim to not be predjudice but when it effects their own family, boy..watch out. My family associated w/ all types of nationalities, but when it came down to me dating another race, my father gave me quite the speech on all the hardships I'd encounter in a mixed marraige. WHATEVER. True there can be hardships, but it's nothing nearly close to what he had it cracked up to be. At least not yet. :-P
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NEW YORK TIMES SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by silentlambs inwe are going to have an extensive article in the new york times this sunday.
there is an early addition that comes out in most cities around on saturday.
i encourage one and all to get your copy and do not miss the important piece of history.
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back2dafront
Looking forward to it, Bill.
For the life of me I still can't understand why they DF'd you. You're HELPING people....??? Keep up the good work. I mean, I do understand why (to protect their "unblemished" name) but it seems to me that disfellowshipping you blemishes their name more than the obvious fact that there are molesters among their ranks. Or maybe I'm just being too logical.
I've particulary found the outraged letters from current JW's to the GB very very interesting - keep them coming!!
Regards,
jason
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JW's and Alien Life
by 67mustang ini would like to know if anybody feels there is life on other planets.
jw's typically say no, but that seems arogant, the universe is ridiculously huge.
maybe god created tons of life and we are the only ones that turned, we were therefore cut off and became limited to our 10% brain power while they continued to advance.
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back2dafront
hahaha
you just called Henschel an alien!!! haahahaha
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6
Celebrations
by restorebeauty in.
just wanted to know, do any of you celebrate holidays now.
if so, was it a hard transition, if not, why not.. restorebeauty
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back2dafront
I spent this past Xmas w/ my girlfriend and her family, and let me tell you - it was SO NICE! All it is is a special time to think of those you love and surprise them with something you think they can use and will appreciate. And now that her family is spread all over, it's a great opportunity for everyone to come together and catch up on things. It was truly a wonderful event - there was nothing religious or pagan about it at all. How anyone could think that what we did was wrong in God's eyes is beyond me...