Posts by TheListener

Personally, I wouldn't call an announcement that may cause the cessation of my wife and family leaving me each and every week for a one hour brainwashing session trivial or meaningless.

A lot of us here don't have many real life people we can talk to that understand our particular situations. The mere fact that many threads have been started and commented upon by others shows how much this forum helps heal individuals.

36

My intruction on JWD. Hi!

by easyreader1970 in

jw
friends

i posted this in my profile but since i've never formally introduced myself, i thought i would print it here as well as my official "hello" message.

i am currently an active jw.

i don't want to be but the situation i am in doesn't allow me to do anything differently.

TheListener

Welcome to the board.

I faded away over the course of several years. It was long and painstaking. My wife and other family members are hardcore believers. I went for a long time and maintained my congregational duties in order to keep friction between myself and family down. I was especially worried that my wife would take our children and leave me.

I was becoming so unhappy about my situation that it became worth it to fade away fully and take the consequences. I couldn't bear to be miserable any longer and knew I had to be more open to my children about the WTS in order to help them not get sucked into the dubs.

My wife freaked out. Each fading step I took made her angrier and angrier. At the end when I was completely done and not going to meetings or service - ever again she calmed down and we've had this sort of non-discussed peace agreement. I don't bash her religion and she doesn't bother me about how I feel, and she doesn't rat me out to the elders for anything I do.

The thought of losing my children crippled my decision making process for a long time. In my case it has worked out and I've maintained my marriage and am able to help influence my children in the life course decisions. Even my wife isn't as zealous anymore and more goes through the motions than anything else.

Hang in there and keep up hope. In the end you need to remember that you are a human being and you deserve to be happy too. Sometimes we need to learn to be happy even if we're alone. I hope everything works out for you. Posting here may be a real help to you.

12

American Idol and JDubs

by skeeter1 in

so, what is the "inside scoop" on how the society & friends view american idol & such "competition-type" shows.. i am wondering as my ultra jwdub relative turns up a nose to these shows.

.

skeeter.

TheListener

I know a lot of dubs that love American Idol and have never mentioned being uncomfortable with it.

It must depend upon someone's conscience.

I wish American Idol would be bashed from the platform or watchtower. I would love to see the dubs reaction and how all of a sudden they change their minds about something they used to like.

31

Next big announcement: All Circuirt Overseers Sacked!

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

so what is the ending of the congregation book study really all about?

surely the biggest winner in this new arrangement is the circuit overseer.

now he only has to take two meetings during his visit and will only "work" from thursday to sunday.

TheListener

WTWizard,

I think the idea is not eliminating the hounder-hounder position but giving the hounder-hounder position/authority to a non-paid elder who roams the circuit looking for trouble.

Title: Circuit Roamer or Circuit Elder

31

Next big announcement: All Circuirt Overseers Sacked!

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

so what is the ending of the congregation book study really all about?

surely the biggest winner in this new arrangement is the circuit overseer.

now he only has to take two meetings during his visit and will only "work" from thursday to sunday.

TheListener

Auld Soul is right. The DCs,CAs and SADs are the money makers. They won't get rid of them.

They won't need to. The roving elders under the control of the District Overseer will be able to handle parts and pass parts onto those they know. My guess is that nothing would have to change - the dubs wouldn't even miss the Circuit Overseers. The roving elders can get all the green handshakes and dole out the juicy assignments.

31

Next big announcement: All Circuirt Overseers Sacked!

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

so what is the ending of the congregation book study really all about?

surely the biggest winner in this new arrangement is the circuit overseer.

now he only has to take two meetings during his visit and will only "work" from thursday to sunday.

TheListener

I like your speculation Slimboyfat.

District overseers could manage the oversight of these roving elders similar to the way they manage the Circuit Overseers.

140

huge announcement after the Watchtower study on the 27 of April?

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

there will be a huge announcement after the watchtower study on the 27 of april.. for what it's worth, this was just sent to me anonymously.. randy.

www.freeminds.org.

.

TheListener

An additional free night? I can't imagine the WTS will let that happen.

I hope so. I'd love to have one more night to spend with my family, but....

If they actually do roll the bookstudy into the school/service mtg. then they'll do something else on the empty night. I don't see them allowing everyone an extra night off.

25

My life - A brief history. Part 3 (conclusion)

by Galileo in

this is part 3 and the conclusion to my journey out.

part 1 can be found here, and part 2 is here.. .

truth.

TheListener

I haven't welcomed you yet Galileo. So, Welcome.

Your story really made me stop and think about my own situation in life. My wife hasn't moved on emotionally, yet, but I know the chance exists. You've been through a lot and I give you credit for keeping your sanity and I really appreciate your posts.

Hang in there. It's a lonely road you're walking. But, you will find company from some of us from time to time.

66

What do you do when you exit and your wife stays in?

by Quirky1 in

i have recently left the wts and almost have my da letter ready to send.

my wife is still in and is higly upset by my stand.

she is afraid she'll lose her parents because they are still jw's and refuses to leave the wts, she still beleives it.

TheListener

Hi Quirky. Welcome to the board. You'll get tons of great advice (and some not so great).

I'm a bit tied up these days but if you have time review some of my older threads. I went through a situation very similar to yours.

Hang in there and always remember - you are not alone.