mamochan13

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Posts by mamochan13

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  41

  I was reading a post today about the kingdom songs we sang as JW's.

  by booker-t in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i was thinking about the kingdom songs we sang as jw's and was wondering about you posters out there that are ex-jw's or still jw's what was you all time favorite "kingdom song" or what was you all time horrible song that we sang from both songbooks (1966 songbook or the later songbook made in 1984 sing praises to jehovah.

  my favorite song was song #119 in the 1966 songbook "keep your eyes on the prize".

  i like this song because it made me feel that armaggeddon was coming fast and the "new system" would be here to give me the prize.

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  mamochan13

  
  I liked many of them, we sang them at family gatherings, and I played them for many funerals (i was the KH pianist before they went to canned music).

  Yes, many of the lyrics and melodies were inane and simple. But singing can have such an uplifting and unifying effect on people - I don't think the lyrics/melody are all that important. It's wonderful to hear people sing, regardless of whether they are a bit off-key, singing is such an expression of joy and emotion.

  Sadly, most JW's don't place much importance on singing or music (reminds me of a Much Music commercial - singing leads to dancing and dancing leads to the devil!)

  I remember one elder who was an ex-opera singer (can't pursue arts & be a witness). he gave talks in which he would incorporate several songs, and make everyone stand up to sing them - three or four times during the public talk! It was a hoot!!!

  Maybe if JW's sang more they would be less inclined to be engaged in hurtful activities (judgemental, gossip, etc.)

  and re specific songs - I always wanted the Jehovah is my shepaerd (how the H*** do you spell it?) for my funeral. I also liked Life without end at last, the old (original) memorial song, cant recall the number. Then there was that weird 5/4 tune that no one had a clue how to play or sing. I always imagined the writer as some highly creative JW musician in slavery at Bethel trying to be original in the only possible way he/she could...
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  26

  Were the "Pioneers" in your hall treated with favoritism by the Elders?

  by booker-t in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it seems that all of the parts on the theocratic ministry school were given by the pioneers in my old hall.

  also the elders were always complemented on how "sister pioneer" is so zealous and loves jehovah.

  as if sister not pioneering hated jehovah.

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  mamochan13

  In my hall there were pioneer caste systems within the pioneers. Because my dad was not "in the truth", I was a pioneer without rank, lower than regular publishers who had both parents as JW's. I recall one circuit assembly when they invited ALL the pioneers in the circuit on stage for a special presentation. That is, ALL 30 or so...except me. Yeah, it hurt.

  I don't think the favourtism is anything different than any similar religious organization. Except JW's paint themselves as being "different" and above such elitist practices. Yeah, right!
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  21

  JW kids and the national anthem humiliation......

  by kid-A in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  for me, school was extremely stressful as a jw kid.

  the worst part had to be my morning dose of humiliation being forced to walk out of the room as the national anthem came on the loudspeakers (first god save the queen, then, oh canada).

  the other kids found this completely bizarre, and several of my "patriotic" minded teachers really resented me for doing this (despite the obvious fact i had no choice in the matter but was being forced into this by my parents).. how could anybody force this public humiliation on a small child or teen-ager, already having to deal with the normal stresses of growing up and worrying about their public image with their peers???

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  mamochan13

  Everyday. I used to think I was proud. Now I look back and realize I was so humiliated and so alone.
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  25

  Info wanted

  by Lady Lee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  what were the reasons you stayed a jw or remain a jw despite knowing something was wrong?.

  what excuses did you give yourself or others for staying?.

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  mamochan13

  
  It was mainly family. I knew that to doubt would mean loss of family. But when even family turned against me, I really had no excuses anymore. I stayed because I didn't know any different...I kept hoping that the way I was raised was not wrong. I wanted to believe. I knew the elders and the GB were wrong. I fought against it. But everyone I loved was still part of it.

  The day I left for good was memorial. I chose not to attend, but made the mistake of allowing my children to go with their (my/extended) family. I paid dearly for that decision. I remember how they came to my home the day after, to attack me and try and force me back. I had done the most horrible thing...

  I know now that I did the most wonderful thing by finally having the courage to stay away from memorial. I no longer believed. They had f**d me over so badly, there was no reason why I was still around. Except for family.

  I don't want to talk about the rest, its still way too painful. But I lost my family that day. I've made a few inroads over the last while, but it will never be the same. I'll never again have a mother, a sister, an aunt, a brother. I may know my mother because she is sick now, I try to build a friendship. But I lost what really mattered when they came to my house the day after memorial and punished me for not attending.

  Sorry...I've gotten off topic here. I haven't told my story on this board, and LL's question just kinda got me going...
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  43

  Tarot Cards

  by free2beme in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i own five tarot card decks, and use them often.

  not so often that i live my life by them, but enough.

  one deck is one i use more then others, as i feel more of a connection with the cards.

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  mamochan13

  when I was JW I was afraid. now...Tarot cards are simply a tool we use to attain self-understanding. How we interpret them is dependent on personal circumstance.

  I've actually used something similar to Tarot cards in therapeutic situations, with good effect.

  Tarot cards are just one more thing that we were taught to fear as JW's...when there is no basis for fear.
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  104

  Deny this! Brooklyn! I dare you

  by stevenyc in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  i'm to angry right now to write a complete synopsis on the following article from the watchtower.

  it regarding child molestation and repressed memories.

  i'll put in one quote, and leave this rest for you to read at your leasure.. ps, probably worth copying this because i would be surprised if they will leave it up much longer!.

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  mamochan13

  Aside from the legal issues & the two witnesses stuff that has already been so aptly discussed - the implications in this message to people who have been sexually abused are beyond sickening. Child sexual abuse traumatizes victims in horrific ways - to coldly suggest that memories are probably false, that the accuser must face the perpetrator, that talking to the elders is enough therapy, etc. etc....well, it enfuriates me, to put it mildly. Anyone who knows anything about counselling sexual abuse issues should be enraged by this. What they are doing, in effect, is re-victimizing the victim and depriving them of receiving real therapeutic help.

  Yet more proof (as if I needed it) that this religion is toxic.
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  67

  Our Own Conference

  by Valis in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i know there are conferences that xjws attend, but since i ran accross joy castro's writings and new book today it got me thinking about the subject.

  something non-religious in nature.....well as non religious as xjws can get anyway lol.

  i think it would be cool if we could have people like her, kimberly norris, bryan, donald, and so many of the others that have done stuff for us.

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  mamochan13

  Some good ideas, Valis. It's not that difficult to organize a conference, but you need funds. Most depend on delegate entrance fees, so you want to think about who you would target as delegates (besides xjw's), so that you can generate a large enough audience to at least break even. Your idea about a university is a good one, there are some that offer those types of courses, and professionals/students are a good audience source. Cost is a big thing, so if you can make it a location that is easy to get to and relatively inexpensive

  Maybe take a look through some social psychology organizations, read what kinds of conference agendas they have, where and how, etc. for ideas.

  It might be hard to sell a conference that is strictly jw in focus, but maybe if it had a broader application - i.e. cults, religious sects that utilize mind control, etc. And ask questions like - what is the point of this conference? What will attendees get out of it? How can I convince them they want to attend?

  I'm certainly interested, so add me to the potential "list" if you want to take it further.
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  20

  ABC Interview

  by Bryan in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well, i just finished the interview at the local abc affiliate here in new orleans.. i don't think it will be edited!.

  it airs sunday morning at 11:30 am.

  hopefully i'll have the video on my website by the end of next week.. bryan.

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  mamochan13

  Well done, Bryan. Look forward to reading the book & I hope we get the interview up here.
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  41

  Did you ever witness someone being escorted out of the KH?

  by JH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  did it ever happen in your congregation that a person was asked to leave?.

  i remember about 10 years ago, an elder was giving the sunday talk, and a woman that i never saw before was seated in the front.

  she was all alone, and right in the middle of the brothers talk, she raised her hand and started asking questions to the brother about what he just said.

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  mamochan13

  yes - more than once. One time an unbelieving spouse came in, quite drunk, and started putting up his hand at the WT study. Innocent little conductor man smiles and calls on him, thinking its a new convert who wants to participate. Drunk says, "saaayyy...WHO is this guy Jeaahhoovah?". Little conductor man realizes his mistake, blushes and ignores him, looking frantically around the hall for someone else with their hand up. Drunk spouse gets agitated, keeps asking his question. Finally elders come and drag him out. As he is being pulled out, he yells, "but I just wanted to know WHO JEahhooovah is!! why won't you answer my question!" ;-)

  I also remember one district assembly, think it was a Sunday afternoon, a guy entered the concourse wearing a t-shirt inscribed on the back with "na na na na na on jehovah". No one would have noticed him except the elders in suits started following him around. First it was two suits, then three, then six, soon a dozen. It was the funniest thing - the guy in t-shirt walking briskly around the edge of the concourse (big hockey arena), followed by a mafia of guys in suits. Everyone in the audience stopped listening to to the speaker, they were just watching the drama below. T-shirt didn't do anything but keep walking as the bunch following got bigger and bigger. eventually t-shirt got tired of the game and disappeared out one of the doors, the squad (by now about 20 suits) still following. It was priceless!
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  21

  Did you blindly accept all the JW teachings?

  by JH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was the "good jw", that accepted everything they taught, without even thinking of searching to see if it was true.

  and how could i have searched to see if what they preach was true?

  i don't speak hebrew or greek.

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  mamochan13

  I thought I did, but in retrospect, there were things I questioned. Not so much the big doctrinal stuff, because I could always find some scriptural explanation that made sense (even if it was pulling verses out of context). It was the stuff that had no real explanation - like not celebrating birthdays, or women not wearing pants, or no beards. I guess I didn't really believe in disfellowshipping, either, because I ignored the rules plenty of times.

  I was raised that way, which explains why many of us were pretty much brainwashed. You cannot fault a child for believing in how their parents bring them up, its normal.

  it's only now that I'm out and have gone to university that I understand the power of critical thinking. It's what really liberates us. JW children are not brought up to be free, independent thinkers. Their natural child's curiosity is squashed out of them.