at the dc this weekend, they released memorial attendance figures for the us.
funny thing.
2001 2, 163, 602 (announced at dc, if i wrote tham down correctly).
Just keep in mind that Memorial Attendance does not mean baptized JW. But the declining numbers have been a trend in Memorial Attendance and Active Publishers in recent years. Something that they don't like to admit. I'd like to think that if I were still an active JW, there would be something in my head going, "Huuuulllllooooo???" It's great that you're noticing details like this. You are much quicker than I was!
Billygoat
those of you who have helped family and friends out of the org, what line of reasoning worked well for you?
what scriptures did you use?.
any help you can give, i would appreciate.. "plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
I can tell you what NOT to do. Don't go into a conversation saying you've read Ray Franz's book "Crisis for Conscience". Haha! You'll be labeled apostate and they won't listen to you at all about anything! Be gentle, non-emotional, and calm. They'll respect that as much as any evidence you could bring to the table.
Billygoat
this is a continuation of the "singles" thread i started.
i may have been a bit vague about how to describe ourselves, and introspection suggested a questionaire-type thing, so below are some questions to get us started.
freel free to say how much or how little you want.
Prisca,
I smile as I type this! Whodathought this would be a personals board??? ;) But I'll be brave and put up some info on me:
:How old are you and where do you live?
29 - soon to be 30 and living in beautiful Dallas!
:Have you ever been married and do you have any children:
Divorced for 3 years and no kids. Currently dating a wonderful Christian guy that I met at my church...does that mean I can't give this info???
:What do you like best about being single?
Not having to check in with anybody. Being able to live for the moment!
:What do you dis-like most about being single?
Occasionally being lonely. The fear of growing old alone.
:Do you like dating or would you rather have a root canal?
When I was 'dating' (the looking stage) I actually liked it. I wasn't allowed to do it as a JW, so the excitement of it all was pretty thrilling. I'm very outgoing and love meeting new people.
:Do you like to read? Watch movies? Participate in any sports?
All of the above. I love reading, even though I have little time for it! I'm currently reading Ray Franz's "Crisis of Conscience" Great read!!! Movies I like are Shawshank Redemption, Raising Arizona, Slingblade. I have a quirky sense of humor and love "thinking" movies. As for sports, I was never allowed to play sports as a JW kid, so I love learning it now. I really wanted to be a cheerleader as a youngster, but wasn't allowed. Volleyball and softball are my two current faves. My friends laugh at me and think I act like a big kid. Which I think I can be - I was never allowed to be a kid during my childhood! :( Yes, it's sad, but I'm making up for it now!
I'm looking forward to meeting more people on this board. More for friendships than anything since I'm dating a guy right now. I don't have any friends that share my religious JW history and would like to have some. I think it'll be weird to have that in common with someone, but I look forward to it!
I hope I answered all of this right!
Billygoat
i strongly believe that friendship should be true and honest with no conditions attached to it.
if a person is a good person and lives according to the bible then what more could there be?
where a person chooses to worship doesn't make that person evil, what is on the inside of a person is what makes them special.
Cathy,
Welcome to the board! I'm glad you found all of us "eviiil" worldly people out here. ;)
I've been out for 10 years and was amazed (and still continue to be daily!) how many wonderful people are in this world. People that will stretch out a hand to help even when they don't know you. I remember being taught that all worldly people were bad associations. Remember that scripture???
Stick around girlie! You'll find some pretty neat and interesting people in this little internet community. Some you'll agree with others you won't. Some you'll love, others you'll dislike. But keep an open mind and an open heart. God will continue to bless you on your personal journey! My prayers are with you!
Billygoat
hello, my name is jeremy.
i have been reading this forum for some time.
i asked the elders, they said that i could grow the beard, so i did.
Jeremy,
Welcome to the board! Your story is similar to many you'll come in contact with here. I've enjoyed your posts and look forward to more.
BTW - considering your User Name and a comment or two on other posts, I'm deducing your from Kansas. I was actually DFed from a congregation in Wichita back in 1990. (I'm currently in TX.) Don't s'pose you were anywhere in that vicinity of KS???
Billygoat
i just posted a reply to shelby aka aguest on another thread.
i can say it was the most emotional post of my life here at jw.com.
i don't want it lost.
Wendy,
You are courageous! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Please know that my thoughts are with you and your family!
Billygoat
someone asked me to post some of the material i have collected regarding how jws treat kids during their meetings.
the following was culled from my raw files.
those with tender sensibilities might want to read with caution.
Although this is a great post - enlightening! - I must also admit that it makes me physically ill. My heart aches for all of those children that have endured physical, emotional, and mental abuse from JW parents. Mommie, here is another story to add to your list of many...it is mine.
My father and I were extremely close before he became a JW. It was just the two of us. I was rarely in trouble - basically a good kid. When he did discipline me, it was usually 'discussions' as to what I did was wrong. I did have an occasion spanking, but they were few and far between and never physically abusive.
But he became a JW and then married a JW, when I was around 7 or 8. Before long it wasn't just the occasional slap on the bottom. It was with a leather belt, sometimes using the buckle. Not long after that it was with me stark naked and him holding me down on the bed whipping me from my ankles up to my back. I knew back then (age 9 - 16) that this wasn't normal discipline. Many times I would get into a verbal argument with him and my stepmother, threatening to call CPS. Boy did I get it then! We actually had CPS called on us twice from a man that lived next to our Kingdom Hall. Dad used to take me and my brothers outside and beat us where people indoors couldn't hear us screaming and crying. But "Rolly", the guy that lived next door, witnessed this many times and finally called CPS. The first time it was because Dad was shaking my 10 month old brothers for crying during a meeting. The second time was because Rolly saw my dad lift up my dress and pull my underwear down (IN THE PARKING LOT!!!) and then proceed to spank me with a leather belt. My dad being very handsome, charming and a GREAT liar made us seem like a happy family to CPS. They believed him.
I still cry for that little girl back then. There is no getting her back. I mourn for my brothers still in the WTS - they're 18 and full-time pioneers still at home. I hurt for those other children in the WTS that are still getting abused.
My experience has made me think two contradicting thoughts...
1. That I'll be a great mom because I know what NOT to do.
2. That I'll be a terrible mom because abuse is typically hereditary.
I am 29 years old and have no desire at present time to be a mother. How sad is that? That a normal, healthy, human, womanly desire be completely run out of my heart from such an experience? I still cry...
Billygoat
PS: Thanks for listening to me. I know not all want to hear these types of posts, but it is way of healing for me.
215 years or 430 years?
the july 15th wt study some have been talking about (not sure of which issue of the wt is involved) was quoted as saying this, "when the israelites headed for freedom after spending 215 years in egypt, much of that time in slavery, a vast mixed company also went up with them.
(exodus 12:38) ".
Amazing,
I can't find my copy of the New World Translation. But you're right...my NIV says the same thing. I'm just curious if the NWT says 215 or 430. Would you be able to answer that question? Also, does the WTS ever have a corrections section in the WT? I don't remember it from when I was a JW, but perhaps things have changed since my exodus.
Billygoat
hi all, i have been lurking around this site for quite some time and enjoy reading all the posts.
but now i need some help........ me and my wife have not gone to a meeting for over 5 months now.
my parents are full bore jw's, father is an elder *shiver*.
deceit,
Some great advice here! I won't add too much. Just a couple points...when talking with your dad, do not get emotional about it. Share a few points (the lack of love is a GREAT one!) but present it in a manner that shows how disappointed you are more than anything. Dis-illusioned may be a better word. But don't go into a gun-slinging match - you'll only shut the door all to quickly. But like someone else mentioned earlier- slowly, patiently, plant seeds of doubt. It will definitely take longer, but will work out in the long run for you. I'm speaking from experience - I approached my family full-forced with a combative attitude. All it did was close the doors even tighter than before. Don't do what I did.
You'll be in my prayers!
Billygoat
in the late 70's, i began experiencing health problems.
the elders wanted to know if i purchased anything new, thinking i was under demon attack.
the only thing new in our household was a kitten.
Spike,
First of all...Welcome! I hope you keep coming back and contributing to the board. You'll learn a lot of interesting things here and "meet" some pretty interesting people too!
I'm so sorry to hear about your kitten. I can't believe that the elders would do something like that! How sad! Know that you're kitten won't be forgotten!
Christian love,
Billygoat
