Posts by blacksheep

23

I wrote a letter of complaint about a Witness....

by Dolllie in

and sent it to the watchtower society.

the witness was/is a "racist".

i was told by her that i could not go to the local kingdom hall, or have a copy of the watchtower or awake because i was black.

blacksheep

Hi Dollie, and welcome.

Sounds like this woman is not playing with a full deck, JW or no. I think you did the right think in writing the WT Society, but I agree with the above post. I would contact the local congregation and let them know your experience. With your other scam experience, you might want to contact the Better Business Bureau.

I think the main thing that people want to do with this is to 1) Stop the Behavior 2) Let someone in power know and 3) Stop this from happening to anyone again.

You've already taken the first step. I am an ex-JW and have no apologies for them, but I can say they, in represented the society, would never say the things that you heard this person say.

Good luck. Hope you visit here often and let us know what happens. You don't need that kind of trash in your life.

25

Qualities to look for in a marriage mate? Let's get real...

by findingme in

jw
friends

doodle-v's thread regarding our own ypa questions got me thinking about this.

recall when we were past the "bloom of youth", and we could start the dating process (with only the possibility of marriage in mind, of course).

i was reminded again and again to look for that brother who possessed "spiritual qualities", ie, who could take the lead, had the goal of becoming a pioneer, or already was a pioneeer, etc.

blacksheep

Totally on board with the try-before-you-by theory to see bedroom compatibility. Just reeling from finding out my 21 yo JW newphew is engaged. Big surprise...how long can people wait for sexual experimentation? Is it still true that JW's have one of the highest divorce rates? Maybe an urban myth.

Beyond that, I think the entire question of "what to look for in a marriage mate" is still an offshoot of JWism. I mean, most of us just look for some basic compatability/friendship/partnership/fireworks/chemistry from a relationship. Women used to look for someone who could provide for them and their children; men were basically looking regular on-tap sex...

Things/society has changed so much since the 1950's (but the JW org has not), that I don't think most people think about what they look for in a "marriage mate." They're just trying to find love, and all of the above mentioned things...

46

Daughter Has Lump On Throat

by Corvin in

jw
friends

last week, my middle daughter, 15, found a large lump in her throat.

it was about the size of a quarter.

when she pointed it out, it was very visible.. the doctor said, after viewing the ultra-sound pics, that it was either a cyst with an unusual hardened mass inside or a carsanoma, [not sure of spelling] a cancer attached to her thyroid.

blacksheep

((((Corvin)))):

I can understand your worry. Others here have a lot more information on the possiblities. I'll be thinking of you and your daugter. I'm sure things will turn out fine. I'm glad that she's open-minded as to possiblities, as well.

Probably won't ever be needed, but perhaps as your father, you can help her see what a Father, heavenly or no, would REALLY want for his child if that child was in need of life saving treatment? You love her very much, and any parent would rather see their child get the treatment they needed, as opposed to standing on some symbolic "symbol of life."

Best wishes, and please keep us posted.

45

A copy of Bush's Resume just hit the net!

by amac in

with the help of my father and our right-wing friends in the oil.

i am the first president in u.s. history to have the united nations.

bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public.

blacksheep

Countryguy:

The misery index is essentially the combination of the inflation rate and the unemployment rate. The data I got was from the Wall Street Journal, hardcopy, dated 2-3 weeks ago. I'll try to get the exact date for you. I believe it went back to Carter, through to GWB. Bush's record is the lowest (which is a good thing), lower even than Clinton's.

I'll see what I can find.

41

Stop! Stop Or I Shall Shout "Stop" Again!

by Englishman in

jw
friends

just a bit o' friday afternoon fluff.

a question for the 'mericans, of which we have one or two here.

you've probably communicated with more brits here than you had in all your life before joining this board.. leaving aside the stereo type brit of the movies, stiff upper-lip, unarmed policemen, morris minors and mini's, are we just as you expected us to be?.

blacksheep

Is Catherin Zeta Jones Brittish?

Welsh, I believe.

41

Stop! Stop Or I Shall Shout "Stop" Again!

by Englishman in

jw
friends

just a bit o' friday afternoon fluff.

a question for the 'mericans, of which we have one or two here.

you've probably communicated with more brits here than you had in all your life before joining this board.. leaving aside the stereo type brit of the movies, stiff upper-lip, unarmed policemen, morris minors and mini's, are we just as you expected us to be?.

blacksheep

Lived there; loved the people. I found them to be extremely friendly; but then my dh and I were a "novelty" living there. We lived in a neighborhood where we knew everything about everyone, and we'd hang out at the pubs for some interesting conversation. In many ways I felt more comfortable there than in the US. I still watch BBC a good portion of the time.

13

Do JW parents ENJOY watching their kids struggle ???

by run dont walk in

jw
friends

.

speaking from my observations in my family .... have an uncle, very successful travel business, very well off, both kids in their 30's 40's never had a job, both in bethel and have nothing.. another had 5 kids , did very well, all kids are pioneers and or bethel kids and have nothing, one just left bethel and now living in a one bedroom apartment with wife.. and they have no future or skills, .

even my one brother, 2 kids both work part time, and pioneer, yet he would never quit his job and go into the full time work, in fact his wife just got a job.. and what bugs me about this, is, they shove it down their kids throats, and yet they would never give up their jobs, they would never pioneer, i find it disturbing and sad.. and i saw this at the kingdom hall as well, anyone have similar experiences ??

blacksheep

I see where you are going, but not sure it's entirely a JW thing. Years ago I read a great book entitled "Toxic Parents." (One wonders why I read it). Anyway, I recall something about toxic parents not wanting their children to do better than they have done.

Now, I was raised as a JW (mother believing and controlling the house, father the unbelieving supportive breadwinner). My mother, ironically, always used to "brag" on how smart, successful my dad was: how he made more money than most people. Now I come to find out that *I* (inflation factored in) as his daughter, make far more, have achieved far more both educationally and economically, and own a much better home (bought by myself) than he did. Not putting him, down, but...

I really do think there is something in Toxic Parents that makes them want to constantly feel superior to their children. The children should not aspire to, or certainly not achieve, better weath than they have.

But, you know, the fact the JW's are SO screwed up...I can see where the "toxic parent" syndrome comes into play.

Great point.

23

Persecution of JW's Imminent?

by blacksheep in

jw
friends

probably dating myself, but remember all those assemblies/yearbooks, etc., that focused on the possibility that jws would suffer persecution at the hands of nazi-like regimes?

i remember attending an assembly which dramatized jw's being held, as in wwii, as having to make a choice to either "renounce?

" their jwism or die.

blacksheep

Great points everyone. Sorry, can remember who posted it, but you're absolutely RIGHT about JWs thinking they are the center of world, and everyone is persecuting them. It's further signs of their "unique" status in human history.

I remember years back (before the internet and these great forums), my JW mom talking to me about some Canadian case involving JW's and blood transfusions. I was disassociated at the time, and my mom just obviously assumed I had heard about it. I really got the sense that she felt the rest of the world was following/watching JWs and hoping for their demise. That was a moment of truth: the world DOESN'T center around JWs, although they want to pretend that it does.

I also think people who sugggested that they want to be known as "the persecuted" are right on. Obviously, no one else in human history has been persecuted as they have been. Again, formula for a good therapist...

This board amazes me. Wish it would have been around years ago.

398

Wasn't Saddam ousted for doing precisely this sort of thing?

by Simon in

utterly disgusting.

those responsible should be lined against a wall and shot.

publicly.. i think that would win more hearts and minds than bombing cities and using gunships on civilian areas.. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4855930/.

blacksheep

I'm off to the pub.

Ah, wish I was there with ya. I miss the English pubs; all I have here are yuppy wine bars :(

45

A copy of Bush's Resume just hit the net!

by amac in

with the help of my father and our right-wing friends in the oil.

i am the first president in u.s. history to have the united nations.

bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public.

blacksheep

I agree.. the attacks on what kind of vehicles Kerry owns/drives are simply pathetic.

Ah, but the point being...if he lied about what he owned and tried to present himself as some SUV-avoiding environmentalist, then what else will he lie about.

Same thing with his hue and cry about the US losing jobs to overseas. When his heiress wife's Heinz business outsources 72% of her inherited Heinz business, makes you wonder how sincere this guy is. THAT'S the point. Not, who's alledged "sins" are worse than who else's.