i thought for sure that someone else would have posted something here.. we had a great turn out and there wasn't a bethel spy to be seen, well except for me but we got that figured out fast enough.
thanks to peter for organizing us and for the great suggestion for an eatery.. what an interesting cross section of people.
from those in their early 20's to those in their ummmm continuing holding pattern of 29!!
I think it's great that you guys got together for a bite! I love knowing that others are gaining new friendships/connections through this board, even if I'm not a part of it. I am surprised daily by the amount of well-wishing, love, and family-affection (good and bad!) that is shown on this board. NOTHING like going to a Kingdom Hall!
In a moment of heartwarming (disgusting?) mushy-ness,
Billygoat
in one or two recent threads i've seen reference to the possibility of a rising number of jw suicides being another of the organization's very dark realities about which it is vigilant in keeping concealed from its pub populace.
is there anyone reasonably informed regarding this?
is there reason to suppose the incidence ratio among jws is any higher than among any peoples/religion?
Reagan,
I'm so sorry to hear the callous attitude of your parents! Stories like that make me sick. Sick, sick, sick!!! If you read my story, I think I'm your sister! Haha!
Isn't having a non-blood apostate "family" better than what we were born with???
{{hugs}}
Billygoat
what's hard is seeing things 2 different ways.. in other words, sometimes when i realistically look at things in the organization (without pushing away the uncomfortable thoughts or feeling guilty), i come to the conclusion that "yes, something is definitely wrong in this organization.".
but then when i go to the meetings, service, etc., i think differently (i.e., "this is the truth, and i'm just spiritually weak and need to study more).
since i seem to be influenced both directions, how can i be sure which viewpoint is right?
troubled,
Glad to hear you asking questions like this. I think you are closer to your answer than you realize. It's underneath your nose - are you willing to be courageous and see it? It takes courage to meet reality square in the face. God will give you strength when you don't feel strong.
When reading responses, just keep a couple things in mind. Without any emotion attached, what are the facts? How do they compare with what the brothers are teaching you? Are they living according to those facts? Or are they just saying words to make you live by their manmade rules?
Listen to your gut dear. God talks to me through my gut. What's challenging is getting the "white noise" filtered out so you can hear when He's talking. Keep up the posting! You're asking all the right questions. We just share experiences and viewpoints we've acquired because of them. You'll do the same...just don't be afraid to use the very sharp brain Jehovah gave you!
Blessings,
Billygoat
heres a bizarre story....tell me what you think!.
court shouldn't regulate one's right to have sex .
by kathleen parker .
bigboi, where do you get the information that it takes less than $900 a month to care for a child. If you don't have any kids, then you don't know. Isn't it a little prideful to take a stand on something you haven't experienced yourself??? That's like a man saying he understands what birth pangs are like. Someone that has not birthed a child doesn't have a clue! But then again, perhaps you're arguing your viewpoint because you begrudgingly owe child support yourself? Not being sarcastic...just curious...
Billygoat
last night nbc dateline aired a program about a man named barjonah who murdered young boys for several years in the commonwealth of massachusetts.
he managed to slip through the system several times, and ended up being 'dumped' on the state of montana, where he again committed murder.
the program also brought out that the barjonah was a sexual predator, and also suggested that he may have 'eaten' these young boys.. the purpose of the program was to show how even the criminal justice system does not always serve us well, and children continue to be harmed, either sexually or murdered or both.. ther question is: if the courts have this much difficulty in their procedures, can we now understand how weak and pathetic the watch tower society's procedures and processes are?
Amazing,
I saw the show too! And thought the same thing as you...that if a sexual predator could 'slip through' so many holes in the US Justice System, then how much MORE protected would Barjonah have been if he were a JW?!?!
((shiver))
Impatiently anticipating the silentlambs Dateline show,
Billygoat
hi.. i've been a jw for 15 years, have pioneered, been where the need is great, etc.
up until a couple of years ago, i was considered strong in the truth.
but then i had my first and only episode of major depression.
troubled,
I am so grateful you've found an outlet to release your concerns and fears! You have found a SAFE place to think and voice your expressions! WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!
I too have struggled with depression and suicide. You will meet many people on this board that have been through what you're going through. I know you will find them a source of strength, comfort, and healing.
There are so many pieces of advice we could give you, but it would probably overwhelm your senses! They are all probably very good suggestions. I can suggest to listen to people's experiences and how they handled it. Keep an open mind and heart and decide what is best for you. Jehovah wants you to be happy! He is our Father right? What good father would want terrible things for their children? Here are some of my favorite scriptures that pulled me through those dark times:
Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known.
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
I know this isn't worded the same in the New World Translation, but look it up and see what it says. They are words of comfort and solace from a Loving Father!
You will learn a lot if you continue to post and read other's experiences on this board. Just remember that God will protect you if you ask - not if you're feeling strong! You will learn that not everything on this earth is what it seems.
You are in my prayers! Please keep us updated!
Billygoat
-i'm a jw who has been in the org his entire life.. -i never used a computer except at work to place customer orders.. -my wife buys me an 800mhz system from the neighborhood circuit city store as an anniversary gift.
says i can research my ministry school talks.
-i hook it up, it works (!!
Welcome to the board! You'll find the open exchange of ideas and opinions and acceptance refreshing! I look forward to hearing more from you...
Billygoat
my observation is that persons who 1) heal/adjust the most rapidly from their jw experience and 2) seem to have the most joy in life are those who read, read, read, in pursuit of what i call nourishment for the spirit.
i've really enjoy the pithy aphorisms you use here, which suggests you've distilled some wisdom from somewhere.
i'm going to ask your help in this thread.
Since the biggest issue I take up with WTS teachings is the "shunning" aspect, "Moments With The Savior" - Ken Gire, is one of my favorite reads. It captures moments different people had with Christ while on earth. This book helped me look at Jesus as a human with emotions, thoughts, a sense of humor - not some helper in heaven making check-marks next to my name in a big book. I really learned to appreciate God and Jesus as compassionate, loving, level-headed, judicious beings. It helped me turn my relationship with them around!
I have just picked up Ray Franz's CoC. Talk about enlightening! WOW! I had no idea...
Billygoat
i was just wondering what do the members of this board think the biggest deception in the teaching of the watchtower society is?.
one of the biggest deceptions for me, one that stuck like a thorn in my side was their deception on earthquakes, hence my previous thread on the last days.
the wts, as i recall, published supposed proof of the increase in earthquakes since 1914. i was so angry when i found out that this was an outright lie.
What really sent me over the edge (and still makes my skin crawl) is how they say how "loving" of an organization they are, but "shun". Outside of murder, how much more unloving can you get???
I am now a Christian and believe that everyone has a judgement day in the presence of God. Oh...if I could only be a fly on the wall of the entry way to heaven! What excuse would the typical JW use? What excuse would the members of the GB use?
I really do hate the fact that I am still so angry over my DFing, but a lot of it is over the fact that there are so many MORE out there that are going through what I went through. For me it's been a blessing in disguise, but for those currently going through it and have no where to go??? I remember the feelings of despair and confusion. I really did feel like I had left God himself.
Thank God I have learned otherwise since!
Billygoat
in one or two recent threads i've seen reference to the possibility of a rising number of jw suicides being another of the organization's very dark realities about which it is vigilant in keeping concealed from its pub populace.
is there anyone reasonably informed regarding this?
is there reason to suppose the incidence ratio among jws is any higher than among any peoples/religion?
I too was depressed as an active JW. When I sought help from the elders, they said to go out in service more, study the publications more. When I confessed that I was looking for profesional help, they pegged me as looking for "worldly" support. Truth is, the elders aren't trained to handle depression so they sweep it under the rug with the other things that make the Organization look bad.
Two months after being DFed, I attempted to committ suicide. I knew it was wrong, but felt at that time I had no alternative. The idea of dying into "nothingness" appealed to me.
I committed myself to the psychiatric ward of a local Kansas hospital. Some of my worldly friends gave me more support during that period than any JW EVER gave me. They took me into their own home and let me live with them. I found out later that a lady working at that hospital that night was a JW and reported to my parents at 3:00 am that I had admitted myself. I never heard from my parents that night or any other night about my admission. I confronted my parents later about not doing anything. Both said to me, "If you really wanted to kill yourself, there is nothing we could have done, so why bother?" Sad? You bet! Couldn't they have at least TRIED to help??? Not trying to me signifies NOT CARING. Disappointed in my Christian parents! More than any other thing they've done in their lives!
I sincerely believe there is more suicide and suicidal tendencies in JW's than probably any other religion. More that the Tower is probably willing to admit. How would it make them feel if THAT were exposed??? Right along with the pedofile and abuse issues??? The walls of security of the Tower would crumble for sure!!! Too bad we don't have statistics!
My two cents...
Billygoat
