Registering to vote was the second biggest step I took after leaving the Dubs. The bigest was walking into a Catholic Church and realizing that God did not hate me.
XJW4EVR
JoinedPosts by XJW4EVR
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12
I registered to vote
by NewYork44M inon saturday i had to get my driver's license.
the clerk asked if i wanted to register, and i took her up on the offer.
i have often thought about joining the ranks of voters but never felt strong enough about an issue to go through the process.
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86
My Story
by XJW4EVR ini was adopted into a jw family in southern california.
my birth mother gave me up after 6 months (the terms mom & dad refer to my adoptive/real parents).
she gave me up due to the fact that she already had a three year old boy, and back in the late sixties it was not as socially acceptable to be a single mother.
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XJW4EVR
My life was pretty uneventful in New Mexico until my parents had a house built. I had to switch schools. The new school was in the most virulent Catholic neighborhood in the county. Once I proudly made my stand known about being a JW, the bullying and violence started. I was not only bullied by other children, but by one teacher in general, Mr. Mondragon. He was my 6th grade teacher. He was, also, a 45 year old single male still living at home with his mother. He also used to paddle his students, especially the boys. You can read whatever you want into that statement. Needless to say I was single-outed for abuse by him. He also let the bullies have their way with me.
Of my the complaints that I have against my parents, it is that they didn't do enough to protect me from the bullies and this teacher. They told me that it was a priviledge to be persecuted for Jehovah. I never learned that lesson. I learned that it is better to remain silent about your religion, especially when your religion forsters such vile & venom. For my entire 6th grade year (this was the year when My Book of Bible Stories was released) I was bullied, but one bully in particular sttod out, David Chacon. He was two years younger than me, but was morbidly obese, and the nephew of a boxer by the name of Bobby Chacon. He had som training in boxing, but I had no training in defending myself. After all, we don't need to "defend ourselves as good boys of Jehovah," my mom would say. David used to bully me tirelessly, and anytime some one attempted to defend me they recieved his wrath also.
So for nearly an entire school year David bullied me. On the bus going to school, at school, and on the bus coming home. Then on April 1, I will never forget the day, April Fool's Day, I finally blew. It was on trip back home, and he was bein particularly vicious. He cornered me in one of the seats. I was sitting by the window. Then he began hitting the side of head so that the opposite side of my head would also hit the glass on the school bus. After, what seemed like an eternity, of this I reached my limit. I grabbed his arm, pulled it toward me, and bit him as hard as I could. I stood up ran to the bus driver and between sobs complained about being bit. I followed him to the front, and as his sister (another obese child) screamed from David to watch out, I pulled back my right hand and as he turned I hit him directly on the nose. It was at this point that my best friend, Kevin, pulled me back. The bus driver immediately stopped the bus, and I pushed the door release lever and ran home in tears. As an asisde, I knew exactly how Ralphie felt when he beat up Scut Farkus in A Christmas Story.
Back to the story, David went home and was rushed to the hospital. I broke his nose. His parents came to our house to complain. I had told my parents everything from day one, so they knew exactly what happened. Our neighbors, one of which was a JW family had seen everything called the other neighbors when they saw the Chacons at our door. My dad, invited them in, and asked them to sit down. He listened. During this time the other neighbors came and coroborated my story. However, the Chacons were more upset with the fact that I bit their son, rather than with me cheapshotting him (yes, it was a cheapshot, but he deserved it) and breaking his nose. However, it was explained to them exactly what had happened, and what had been happening in the past. It was at this point that my dad asked them to leave, and to never allow their son to bother me again. And that if it did happen, that he had given me permission to defend myself. After they left, my dad ask down with me, and explained that fighting is wrong, but sometimes it's the only way to get out of a situation, and that if I can't get out of a situation, then do everything in my power to hurt the person bullying me.
The worst part came the next day. I was to be suspended from school. However, David was not. My father came to the school that day and siad that if I was suspended, then he would personally sue anyon in the school and the school district for religious discrimination, and that he would win. The principle, kind of smirked, and my dad told him to look up how successful JWs had been in cases of religious discrimination. He gave the principle two days, before the first day was up the principle had called, and profusely appologized. I was never bothered again by a bully or Mr. Mondragon.
The following summer, my dad got the urge to move. My uncle (My mom's younger brother) lived in Anderson, CA. He knew of a JW who was selling his janitorial company in Red Bluff, CA, and asked my dad to come up there. We went with another JW to partner with my dad, and they bought the business. That summer we moved to Red Bluff (Dead Bluff), CA.
More to come.
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86
My Story
by XJW4EVR ini was adopted into a jw family in southern california.
my birth mother gave me up after 6 months (the terms mom & dad refer to my adoptive/real parents).
she gave me up due to the fact that she already had a three year old boy, and back in the late sixties it was not as socially acceptable to be a single mother.
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XJW4EVR
I honestly hope that I am not boring you. I have lurked here for years, and though I have been out of the Borg for sometime, and have moved on with my life, I have recently felt the need to tell my story. I hope that someone reading this will, perhaps identify with it, and realize that they don't have to remain trapped.
I also feel that I should bring out some of the more positive elements of the JW life. I know that there are many that have suffered physically, emotionally and mentally, and I in no way disparage their life journey. I guess that I just want to know that everything I went through has some sort of meaning.
More of my story later.
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86
My Story
by XJW4EVR ini was adopted into a jw family in southern california.
my birth mother gave me up after 6 months (the terms mom & dad refer to my adoptive/real parents).
she gave me up due to the fact that she already had a three year old boy, and back in the late sixties it was not as socially acceptable to be a single mother.
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XJW4EVR
Thank you all for your responses. Even though I have been out since 1989, I still find it difficult to talk about my past. Please pardon me if I digress at points.
Back to the story.
My dad, at the time had a very successful janitorial business. One of my fondest memories was of helping him clean the offices at a large plant. Often on Thursdays, my dad would save this plant for last. We would eat a late night dinner at Sambo's. This place was a pancake house that had pictures that told the story of "Little Black Sambo." Afterward, the crew would drive to that plant, and we would meet them. My mom and I would stay in a camper, until I had fallen asleep, and she would help my dad. The plant as in a fenced lot, with a guard at the gate, and in the early 70s, so I was not in any danger. This would never happen now. Late that night, my dad would drive the camper to San Pedro, and spend the night at Ports'o'Call. The next day we would eat breakfast and walk around. It was a great memory.
I had very bad asthma as child. I remember on three occasions being rushed to the ER and being in an an oxygen tent. This was very traumatic for me and my parents. My mom's parents moved to Taos, New Mexico around this time, and started a small business. My grandmother is a JW, but my grandfather never joined in, though he never opposed her entering the religion. We went to visit once, by train (another fond memory. To this day I will travel by train any chance I get). During our visit there, I was able to play all day without an asthma attack. When we came back to Los Angeles, I bad attack, and was rushed to the hospital again (one of the three times). My dad decided that we should go back in the winter to see what happens to me then. Same results, I played in the snow for hours, and not one problem. It was then that my parents decided to move to New Mexico.
My time in New Mexico was grand. My parents helped run The Burrito Wagon (my grand parents business). We were very succesful, and though we were never rich, we were better off than most in the congregation. Unfortunately, my dad got caught-up in a personality struggle with an old school elder, Brother Horne. It was just prior to our move that the duties of the Congregation Servant were divied up. Bro. Horne being a colporter (sp?), and one of the first Bible Students in New Mexico, he felt he was above the changes. I still remember during an Elders' meeting after a Thursday night meeting, Bro. Horne, screaming at my father, "You were just a no good pagan, when I was out here serving Jehovah and Bro. Rutherford." I remember my father coming out of the meeting visibly upset. He was gone all day that following Saturday, and just before the Public Talk that Sunday, he made the announcement that Bro. Horne had been DF'ed. The great thing about this, is that after Horne died (about ten years later) my dad always picked up and dropped off his widow for the meetings, until she began suffering dementia (what we now know as Altzheimer's), and was institutionalized by her son.
Another old JW lady we used to drive to and from meetings was Sister Montgomery. She was about 90 when we first moved to New Mexico. Her husband was the only "gringo" (white person) to hold a political office. This location is heavily Hispanic & Catholic. She would tell the most interesting stories. Especially when we drove her to the assemblies, and she would tell about the stagecoach and train rides up from Albuquerque to Taos. She would tell of her friends, Mabel Dodge Luhan & Georgia O'Keefe, and how they were more than "lady friends." She knew were all the bodies were buried in that town, and she loved to tell stories. She was a sharp women, but she too eventually lost he mind to Altzheimer's.
More later. Not an emotional break. Just a break.
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86
My Story
by XJW4EVR ini was adopted into a jw family in southern california.
my birth mother gave me up after 6 months (the terms mom & dad refer to my adoptive/real parents).
she gave me up due to the fact that she already had a three year old boy, and back in the late sixties it was not as socially acceptable to be a single mother.
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XJW4EVR
I was adopted into a JW family in southern California. My birth mother gave me up after 6 months (The terms Mom & Dad refer to my adoptive/real parents). She gave me up due to the fact that she already had a three year old boy, and back in the late sixties it was not as socially acceptable to be a single mother. I was the product of her affair with a married man.
My earliest memories were of meetings and model trains. My dad got into model trains when I was about 4, and I remember being able to help him run the train. It was one of the few non-JW memories I have of my dad. He already was an elder when I cam into the picture. He already had a reputation as an "Organization Man." Yet, those that know him, know him as kind-hearted, and mild. In fact I only say my father lose his temper twice. My mother was the quintessential Elder's wife. Quiet, homemaker, yet never used her relationship with my dad to pry into others' lives. From everything I have read during my time here, they seem to be the exception and not the rule.
I was not abused, in any way, though I was spanked. I was indulged as a child. Some would call it spoiled, but they don't know the whole story. My mom lost her reproductive system after a bout with rhuematic fever, sometime after they got married (which was around 1955). My dad seemed to accept the fact he would be childless, however someone, I don't know who, suggested they look into adoption. They had a boy & a girl before they got me. Evidently, they fell in love with me at first sight.
OK, I have to break, as emotions are coming up.
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Sout Park Scientology-episode online
by Hellrider inhere it is, the whole episode: .
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ssj9gc36bw8&search=scientology.
...it`s one of the funniest sout-park-episodes ever, i laughed till i dropped.
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XJW4EVR
This is a link that I found.
It seems to be pretty consistent. I have asked Scientologists if these are true statements, and they have either affirmed them or attacked the source.
http://www.xenu.net/roland-intro.html -
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God shunned all, but Jews and christians with the correct understanding?
by Star Moore inthe bible says that the jews were god's chosen people.
yes, but does that mean that all other people were nothing to him, unless they were associated with the nation of isreal?
a thought: what if god just chose the nation of isreal for the purpose of bringing the messiah to earth and was still with the good people in all the other religions?
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XJW4EVR
Star,
First let me appologize, I misunderstood your statement (note to mysef: read things more carefully).
My point, communicated rather poorly, was that the term "Jew" is ambiguous in that it has both religious & ethnic connotations.
Regarding your statement: Yes, the Jewish race is the chosen people of God. He revealed Himself in a very unique way to them. And yes, God used the Jewish race to bring the Messiah to the earth.
The issue is not that good didn't want to have anything to do with the "good" people of other religions, but rather to bring them into a complete relationship with Himself. He did this be illustrating that no amount of "goodness" could ever remove the taint of sin from their souls.
This is the essense of love. To pay for the sin of His fallen creation with the life of His perfect Son.
I hope this is clearer
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Afgan Muslim to Christian Convert faces DEATH PENALTY !
by Rabbit ini had a cold chill and a shiver vibrate down my spine reading this article.. but, i just don't know why ?
there are certain words i have taken the liberty to highlight below, each of them caused a {{{{{{shiver}}}}}}.. somebody help me out...what is that gives me this 'deja vu' feeling ?.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060322/wl_nm/religion_afghan_dcback to story - helpafghanistan says court to decide fate of convert .
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XJW4EVR
The fact that so many here have lost their faith in religion should not be suprising. I lost my faith in religion after I left the borg. However, the absolute disrespect shown be some of the comments on this thread for a person that is willing to stand up for what he believes is pretty sad.
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Preacher's Murder in Tennessee-Going out on a limb,predictions
by CaptainSchmideo in.
let's see, preacher with a lot of charisma, had three daughters, shot in the back, wife is the prime suspect:.
i will bet you a dollar that physical and sexual abuse will come out in the investigation..
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XJW4EVR
That is sad.You just can't wait to slander a dead man, can you?
Investigators have found no evidence of a history of domestic violence, Johnson said.
I guess since he is a "Christian" and a pastor he is automatically guilty?
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God shunned all, but Jews and christians with the correct understanding?
by Star Moore inthe bible says that the jews were god's chosen people.
yes, but does that mean that all other people were nothing to him, unless they were associated with the nation of isreal?
a thought: what if god just chose the nation of isreal for the purpose of bringing the messiah to earth and was still with the good people in all the other religions?
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XJW4EVR
Star Moore,
You list religions, but the Scriptures you cited all refer to race. Sorry but what you are attempting to infer doesn't fly on the outset.
D