Posts by TheListener

194

Bethel Rules

by brotherdan in

this was brought up just in passing on another thread.

but i wanted to see if there are any bethelites or ex bethelites that remember some of the crazy rules we had to follow when we were there..

TheListener

If they use or used saltpeter it didn't work. Almost every person I knew was as horny as could be (myself included).

I always found that you were best friends with the other guys you worked with. Then, as a secondary layer of friendship came your roommate (if you didn't work together also) and then your tablemates (not the married guys).

It also seemed that if you came to bethel with a group of guys on the same day and went through entrance school and the lectures together you also had a special bond of friendship whether you worked or roomed together. There was something about sitting through that torturous school and lecture series that bonded people.

I remember the constant counsel that sports were not to be taken too seriously. Of course, that is exactly what we did. Which department or group won/lost a sports game was a point of major discussion and trash talk.

Some have already mentioned brother Couch and how everytime he opened his mouth it was to talk about hooooommmmooooooooosexuuuuuuals. (long and drawn out - I swear it took him a minute to say the word).

I also remember the counsel, fairly regularly, to keep bethel family matters within bethel. We weren't to talk to our literal families or congregation friends about bethel related stuff. The bethel family was likened to our real family in that some things are just not meant to be discussed with others. I think most of the wrestling in your underwear and brothers found with pornography fit into this category.

194

Bethel Rules

by brotherdan in

this was brought up just in passing on another thread.

but i wanted to see if there are any bethelites or ex bethelites that remember some of the crazy rules we had to follow when we were there..

TheListener

We used to refer to witnesses who were not at bethel as "worldly witnesses"

Back when there was a charge for the literature we would get to submit a list each year of who we wanted to receive an early yearbook - it was expected/hoped that the individuals on our list would send us some money.

Does anyone remember the laundry bags?

How about the stickers with your key and room numbers put on every single article of clothing? Even your underwear.

Remember being totally excited about the special pre-gilead graduaton meal?

You had to pay for your telephone calls. That was ok, but if you had a girlfriend who was a long distance phone call you could really rack up the bills.

Remember making your lunch on Sunday morning so you would have something later (perhaps during service). I remember them leaving out lunch meat, sliced cheese, etc for making sandwiches.

Dish duty, night watchment (with those stupid key clocks).

But, most of all, I remember the camaraderie that most of us felt. We were in it together. Most of the young guys took care of each other and helped each other out. We'd cover most things (not gross sin as defined by WT) for each other.

73

Alot has Changed and I'm going BACK

by Butterflyleia85 in

jw
friends

i bet people has forgotten me but thats ok because i know they have helped me a lot on here.. .

anyways i think the last time i been on here i mentioned my jw sister not going to my wedding.

for those that do remember my story, the wedding was beautiful on the beach in key west, fl!

TheListener

Good luck butterflyleia85. I wish you all the best, and remember, you are always welcome here.

10

Just Saw "Inception", what do you think of the ending?

by StAnn in

spoiler alert!

if you haven't seen the movie, don't read this thread.

.

TheListener

Why couldn't his Father in law meet him in LA? They spent a while preparing the job. His FIL would have had a ton of time to fly to LA to be with his wife (the kids grandma who hung up early in the movie).

There were a few things that tell me he was in reality at the end:

1. in dreams he always wore his wedding ring but in real life he didn't. at the end he didn't wear the ring.

2. the kids were older in the end (yes, wearing similar clothes) but in the credits there are two sets of children actors and their ages are given as about 3 years apart.

3. I read a couple of the actors interviews and they said it was their understanding of the film that it was as portrayed and not a gimmicky "all a dream" type of thing. One actor in particular said that the director (Nolan) didn't want to cheapen the film or the audiences experience by making it all a dream but wanted people to think and feel something at the end.

On the other hand:

1. Once DiCaprio told Ellen Page the secret of his spinning top (remember Joseph Gordon-Levitt wouldn't even let her touch his loaded die) I think he could have given her the power to make him think a dream was reality.

2. I read somewhere that Ellen Page may have been a psychiatrist trying to get the truth about DiCaprio's deceased wife and/or to help DiCaprio deal with her loss and move on. She always seemed to be pushing him to discuss his wife and his emotions and circumstances surrounding her.

Anyway I loved the movie; the action and drama and comraderie and the music.

17

attendance/baptisms ratio

by Dold Agenda in

jw
friends

in sweden we are now checking the attendance/baptisms ratio at some conventions by simply divide the number of baptisms to the attendance number.. far ago in the 70-ies it was like 5% before 1975. last year we was around 0,55%.

(quite like the italy in fact ).

this year we have counted only 2 conventions this far.

TheListener

The DC I know about had a .5% baptism rate. USA.

5

Pioneer Assist Others Program End

by garlic81 in

jw
friends

i wonder if the pioneer assist others program being discontinued in august 2010 is one of the first service department changes, that has been implemented since theodore jaracz passed away?.

i wonder if they will also be considering the requirement for pioneer hours in hopes of getting more individuals to sign up to pioneer?.

TheListener

Wow, that program may officially die in 2010 but in actuality (except for the diehard few) I think it died 6 months after it was announced.

91

Newly Exiting JW's ( Last 5 years ) How are you Doing in Life? Let Us Know

by flipper in

jw
friends

considering the fact we've had so many newbies here i thought it would be good to just open it up to you folks to see how life is going for you since you exited the witnesses ?

it's hard many times to move on- however with lots of ex-witnesses on the board here who have been through similar experiences - perhaps those of us who have been out awhile can give you someideas on how to move on in your post jw life to make it a little easier .

so fire away newbies and recently exited jw 's.

TheListener

I wanted to comment on other's posts but I seem to be in a seriously selfish mood and can only think about my own problems and issues.

Leaving the Witnesses was the best thing I could have done. Living with a Witness spouse and kids doesn't make it easy.

But, I hope that my experience can help someone else who may be going through similar things or about to start the journey.

I always knew as I began the fade that I needed to love and support my wife throughout the process. I mentally understood it but I don't think I actually came through and did it. I knew that her foundation in life was the WTS with her family and husband a part of it. When I began to doubt and research she felt her foundation shifting and cracking. She responded accordingly. I KNEW that I had to provide a new foundation for her to step onto. In the beginning before my fade was inevitable and even old news I had my chance to provide her a new foundation that she could be safe and sound with. I didn't.

A complaint my wife has always had with me is that I am not caring or considerate enough. I don't actually believe this is true, but it is her perception. I needed to work with that and make positive changes that she could see and grab onto. I didn't do that. I remained the same person out of the truth as I was in the truth. For some spouses that's enough; it's great even to see their once witness spouse leave the truth but remain a decent human being. It goes against a lot of what they are taught. For my wife, though, it wasn't enough. I truly feel that in order for her see what I see in the truth she would need to be much more comfortable with me as a person.

It sounds odd because if something is illogical or wrong it shouldn't matter who presents it. Wrong is wrong. But, when someone is committed or tied emotionally to a belief system they need emotions to bring them out. Actually, an old poster from this board (Winston Smith) once said that a person will leave the truth through the same door they came in. I believe on that account I failed my wife. I knew what to do and didn't do it. Her tie is emotional not logical; I appealed to logic but failed to appeal to her emotions.

I love my wife. She loves me. We are frustrated with each other and the anger from that frustration lurks just beneath the surface. I don't know if it's possible to reset and try all over to provide her with the emotional foundation that she needs or if her view of me is just too damaged. I have been posting here for a long time but haven't been active with posting much in recent years. I think I fell under the illusion that just loving my wife was enough and that time alone would bring about her eventual fade from the truth. I don't think that will work. The seeds I planted landed on good soil but didn't take route because I failed to provide the needed nurishment. It's time for me to begin again. I am going to strive to appeal to her want/desire for an emotional foundation with me included to help her see the light of the truth.

Why not leave well enough alone? Because, I know my wife very well and she is not truly happy. She suffers from all the typical ailments that most witnesses have. She feels the stress on our marriage because of religious differences. AND my children; I do not wish my children to grow up as witnesses. I would also like them to grow up in a religiously unified home - if possible. I have no illusion that this will be easy. If it was easy I would probably have done it long ago. I am not even sure it will work. I have the right basis though. I do love my wife and want only the best for her. I am not trying to fool her or trick her. I want her to see in my actions how I feel in my heart. Yes, I get frustrated and angry inside (which does show on the outside) when she involves the kids in Witness things or gets overly Witnessy herself. It is my sincere hope that by better managing my emotions, showing my wife how I feel inside more consistently and regularly in ways that she sees, feels and understands that she will gain respect for me and once again see me as part of her foundation.

14

Demons and Their Children

by Darth plaugeis in

on the urban myth post someone mentioned a story how the demons hated jah's children in the truth, because jah killed the demons children during the flood.

i have heard that story about the flood, and the nephilim, millions of times and never made a connection that god actually destroyed the fallen angel's offspring.

the nephilim were always portrayed as monsters and evil, but who really knows.. interesting point.

TheListener

I thought it was the lioness that hunted and the lion just slept and ate?

108

Fight with wife over watching Avatar escalates to near-separation--true story

by sd-7 in

jw
friends

it's true because it happened to me last night.

i knew it was trouble when she started looking at my kindle.

once she got to the short stories i wrote 3 years ago, autobiographical, some of it involving her, i knew i wouldn't be going to bed before 1:00 (it was 11:40 p.m. by then).

TheListener

I'm passive aggressive and it ain't pretty.

She locks the bedroom door at night? That's not cool. What if you just wanted to stand over her and stare at her while she slept?

It feels easier to stay and stick it out and blame yourself for what's wrong. It feels easier but is isn't. You need to get a professional counselor to talk to so you can get this stuff off your chest and get some seriously professional advice.

Always feel free to vent here.

91

Newly Exiting JW's ( Last 5 years ) How are you Doing in Life? Let Us Know

by flipper in

jw
friends

considering the fact we've had so many newbies here i thought it would be good to just open it up to you folks to see how life is going for you since you exited the witnesses ?

it's hard many times to move on- however with lots of ex-witnesses on the board here who have been through similar experiences - perhaps those of us who have been out awhile can give you someideas on how to move on in your post jw life to make it a little easier .

so fire away newbies and recently exited jw 's.

TheListener

I would just like to say that reading everyone's posts is very encouraging. It's so great to know that I'm not alone in my situation.

It's so easy to get a "poor me" syndrome and lose sight of all the others who are undergoing something similar. There is strength in numbers, even if we only know each other through this website.