Posts by TheListener

60

Well I'm Out!!!!

by ImFreeatlast in

it took a long time, but i can finally say i'm out and i took my family with me.. this is my first post but i have been reading here for a while.

i was brought up a witness, in a family that was very 'strong' (or so everyone thought).

i didnt have a relationship with my perents at all other than the 'family study'.

TheListener

CONGRATULATIONS FREEATLAST

One of my greatest hopes is to get my wife out. I hope I can learn something from how you did it.

Welcome.

26

Dirty joke in the Awake magazine!

by TJ - iAmCleared2Land in

jw
friends

ok, not the awake!, but in consolation, it's predecessor.

refer to this thread: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/10/128918/1.ashx.

there appears to be a "dirty joke" in the first issue (november 29, 1939) posted in the thread.

TheListener

I just have to say this thread had me laughing like crazy. Funny and amazing research at the same time. Classic.

23

this is really torture sometimes.... he made a run for it from this site, went out in service for 2 days and is back into full-fledge more jw.... that totally sucks... ackkk... i wouldn't care so much if he wanted to be a jw, it's just he's always pressuring me to be it also and live my everyday life the way that he wants to me to live it.

i feel like i'm being totally controlled... .

this is not going to happen like this forever.

TheListener

Sorry to hear that Cognac. It seems that dubs go back and forth like rubber bands. Give him some time and perhaps he will tire of his new zealousness.

Just remember to keep yourself happy, even though that's tough to do.

5

Conference Call starts in 15 min w/ Rick Fearon & others

by Gayle in

jw
friends

phone 712-432-8710 pin 9925,,no charge except for your phone lone distance service,,i have free long distance with my service,,so i'm on.

TheListener

Did I miss something? What's this about?

49

Predict How JWs Will Accept The New Announcement

by minimus in

jw
friends

will they be disturbed?.

happy?

thinking this proves the end is nearer than ever??

TheListener

If you're supposed to use the free night for a family study and you have a disbelieving mate how will that work?

I'll bet further clarification will come to the body of elders that instructs them to follow up more on families to ensure that the night is being used as an at home worship night.

49

Predict How JWs Will Accept The New Announcement

by minimus in

jw
friends

will they be disturbed?.

happy?

thinking this proves the end is nearer than ever??

TheListener

OTWO, you have it right. It's all about the money.

Like any business they need to balance how much or how little they can require from the R&F members AND still make the most profit.

They seem to be tinkering with their formula in order to increase membership and maximize profit. Or they may wish to maintain only a hardcore following of dubs and see how profitable that can be.

If they can get the same cashflow from a 2 day convention and 2 1-day assemblies they'll increase their profits quite a bit. (keeping in mind that they must maintain mental control over their members so Sunday only worship probably wouldn't work).

I wouldn't be surprised if at some point they start pushing how good and helpful the tithing system in Israel was. I'd say it would never be mandatory but I can see it being recommended. It could turn into a prestige thing. "I give 8%" or "I give 10%, how about you?" - something like that.

28

Why does BETHEL NOT ALLOW district and circuit overseers to get-together.

by yesidid in

jw
friends

some time ago a district overseer i know decided to have a social gathering of the do and co's.

after a district convention.

when bethel found about it, the do was told to, and did cancel it immediately.. i have often wondered why they don't want the do's and co's to socialise.. what do you think?.

TheListener

COs and DOs getting together? That can only spell bad things for the WTS.

Limited association is, of course, excepted. For instance, several COs attend a District Convention and they can secretly meet each other in the bathroom to discuss spiritual matters.

Or when a CO and DO visit a host congregation. They are free to fraternize with any who can afford it. Of course, you have to follow the two conflicting lists of special dietary requirements. Which basically means you serve them lobster and filet mignon.

I once saw a gathering of COs and DOs. It was at a parking lot near a Denny's restaurant. I would swear I heard them talking about disfellowshipping a brother and his family over their poor choice of restaurants.

49

Predict How JWs Will Accept The New Announcement

by minimus in

jw
friends

will they be disturbed?.

happy?

thinking this proves the end is nearer than ever??

TheListener

Perhaps a year from now they'll announce a new arrangement and a new meeting for Thursday nights (or Tuesdays)?

You never know what they have up their sleeves.

27

If anyone else is tired of the announcement, bible study change

by dinah in

jw
friends

please sign here............................ why do we even care?.

.

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.