Bridgette

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Posts by Bridgette

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  22

  Survey: How many want me to keep posting?

  by troubled in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  since hawkaw and messenger (and others?

  ) have suspicions about me being some kind of informant or troll, i would like to know how the rest of you feel about my posts?.

  if it were up to you, would you want me to continue posting or not?

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  Bridgette

  Dear Troubled,
  You must, of course, do as you choose. I, for one, would like to continue to see you post. Please. I enjoy knowing a fellow Coloradan is here. Even though, I do not think that the WTBTS is the spokesperson for almighty god, doesn't mean we can't "be friends". And as far as you being a troll, I don't believe you are (not exactly sure what one is). Even if you were just a "plant" here, it doesn't change my mind about knowing I made the right decision about leaving the organization. And part of the very thing I LOVE about being out, is being exposed to different ideas and philosophies, and the allowance to read whatever I want to. This extends to ideas that are pro-WTBTS. I don't have to agree with them. I can openly debate it, if I wish to. If I wanted to be surrounded only by people who shared all my opinions, schemas, never have my beliefs or knowledge base challenged, I suppose I'd still be a witness.
  Please stay.
  Love,
  Bridgette
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  81

  Education Survey

  by larc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  education was strongly discouraged among the witnesses.

  i am curious as to how many of you went on for further education and in what fields.

  i will go ahead and list the ones i already know.. larc - advanced degrees in organizational psychology.

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  Bridgette

  I am working on my bachelor's in nursing. I wanted to become a physician and was told by a biology teacher (when I was younger) that had what it took, he would write me letters of recommendation, etc. Yep, you know the rest of the story....
  Anyway, now that I'm free, I plan to stay in school in one form or another all my life. I will use my nursing to volunteer in the underserved community locally and eventually, worldwide.
  Love,
  Bridgette
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  151

  active and happy jw

  by scumgrief in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am an active jw and was raised as one.

  i have been watching the site for a while and thought it could benefit from the opinions of someone who is happily a member of the jw's.

  i will not get into any argumets that lead to nothing except name calling, and will not talk with anyone who is just plain mean (plenty of them in here).

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  Bridgette

  Dear Scum,
  I'm glad you found your way to us. You seem intelligent, friendly, and reasonable. I'm glad you're here, and hope you stay. You'll find some here still working through a lot of justifiable anger towards what has proven to be a cruel organization. I hope, as you pointed out, it won't be focused on you personally. You have come here to discuss. You have attacked no one. Sorry, this is quite unusual for a self proclaimed good JW. They usually attack right away, we get defensive, they get offensive....round and round it goes. But good healthy debate is a wonderful thing.
  Glad you're here. It's refreshing, you'll find being able to say anything without censure. That's not to say some won't call you on the organization's teachings, prophesies, or puported lies, etc. but hang in there.
  Love and welcome,
  Bridgette
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  24

  The real facts about Islam

  by Rex B13 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this is a link to an article by salmon rushdie, who knows more about islam than all of us put together.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1634000/1634755.stm.

  discussion?.

  rex

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  Bridgette

  Gently Feral,
  Thank you for the link. I have not visited rawa for quite some time. I'll be going to Amazon dot com with credit card in hand! I also wrote my congressman yesterday, urging him to ensure that the powers that be place women's human rights on the forefront of any would be negotiations with either, the Taliban, or whatever government will be left to rule that devastated country. I don't want those poor women going from the frying pan into the fire.
  Anyway, thank you also for another useful site you pointed me towards (arachnia's). I've enjoyed it over there.
  Trying to be part of the solution,
  Bridgette
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  17

  How Do We Respond to the WTS on the UN?

  by hawkaw in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  oh hello, just little old me.. i want to talk about and ask a question about the watchtower's "spin" in the un fiascao.. based on my review of the case, there are 2 "spins" that need to be "counterspinned".. these wts "spins" that deserve responses are:.

  1) the watchtower did not keep this un "association" a secret and the leaders were not hiding anything.. 2) the watchtower used this "association" to help promote its educational and voluntary work through out the world.

  we only considered the support of the un charter in help our brothers get their religious freedom.

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  Bridgette

  The sad truth is, most of the rank and file will swallow anything they offer.
  However, the truth remains: They practiced blatant double standards here. Not just innocent double standards--ones that have gotten people killed (i.e. 25 cent political cards in Malawi). Why couldn't the brothers vote for so many years? Wouldn't that have assisted in helping the brothers gain freedoms?
  And as far as their education work: Like any good charitable organization, I would like to see them offer PROOF of what they teach. That the governments are minions of Satan (ESP the UN). That women are second class citizens. That about 6 billion people will die, unless they are baptized Jehovah's Witnesses. This is not education. It is propoganda.
  period.

  Bridgette
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  56

  If we were a congregation?

  by joelbear in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  if the group here was a congregation, what role would each person here play?.

  joel

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  Bridgette

  Oh, I want to be sister best of both worlds. Doesn't take the troof too seriously. Only goes to meetings when she feels like it, because she was raised in "it" by her mother, sister barely active. I have VERY FORTUNATELY married out of the troof (don't give a damn what the stupid elders think), and get to go to rated r movies, fabulous worldly parties, and wear nice clothes never have to worry about conventions (I stay in HOTELS that are not on "the list", not crappy MOTELS) and live in a nice house, and drive a nice vehicle--all because I didn't marry a good window washing brother (not that there's anything wrong with that--just trying to make a point). And for my kids, meetings are totally optional (they opt--NOT) "because their father doesn't like it", and we're saving to put them through college. I secretly pity all of the future little slaves I see sitting with their parents at meetings, adn try to encourage them to go to college whenever I get the chance. All the good little sisters (mostly poor, neglected elders' wives) talk behind my back, because they are secretly jealous as hell. I have very few friends in the congregation, but those who are my friends, are REALLY my friends, unconditionally, as there's no "political" gain to be made by associating with me. We get to share in many guilty pleasures (spas, facials, art museums, etc. while the "good sisters" are out peddling magazines). Soon after my mother passes on, I simply fade out. No one gives me grief, as I (thankfully) never mattered much in the congregation anyway. My REAL friends are still my friends.
  that was fun! Can't imagine going back, but if I did, it would go something like that.
  Love,
  Bridgette
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  7

  is there a trend?

  by Bridgette in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  is it just me, or is there a running theme with the plethora of newbies posting?

  i've noticed more than one ask about former elders, co's, do's, etc.. why the interest, i wonder....

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  Bridgette

  Interesting. Thanks for your comments. They all make sense. It just seemed odd. Actually, my first thought was that it was the same individual posting as different entities. Which matters not, the reasoning would probably still be the same for wanting the input of "older men".
  Thank you all for responding!
  B.
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  22

  Emergency !!!! Can Any One Help?

  by Ranchette in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this plea for help goes out to anyone in the st louis mo area.. okay this is the situation, my father and sister are both disfellowshipped and have been sharing an apt.

  since my mom and dad have been separated.. my dad was being kind to my sister who was in need after her divorce.. she was the typical jw just, high school education then depending on a man.

  dad agreed to let her live rent free till jan when she graduates from dental school.

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  Bridgette

  "In this case, almost total strangers showed more love than flesh and blood JW parents."

  Hey everybody! Alert the media!! The above is a shocking revelation indeed! NOT. pathetic, but not surprising. I've heard of 14 year olds being kicked out for not towing the line. In these cases, I wish there were some legal precidence where in the "society" could be sued for reparations (after all, those of us raised in "it" did not ask for it and would've jumped on college educations with both feet).
  How much longer does she have? Once she gets her license, she'll be okay. Especially as a hygenist, they make very decent money. Would she qualify for emergency assistance of any kind? Contact any and all local charity---from the red cross, to the government agencies. Look in the papers for older people needing someone to just stay with them. Many are not sick, they are just afraid to stay alone--they will trade room and board for company, and sometimes even pay a small stipend for housework, etc.
  Good luck to your sister. Tell her NOT TO GIVE UP!
  love,
  Bridgette
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  24

  The real facts about Islam

  by Rex B13 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this is a link to an article by salmon rushdie, who knows more about islam than all of us put together.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1634000/1634755.stm.

  discussion?.

  rex

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  Bridgette

  Dear Norm,
  Can I pipe in? Thank you. Before 9/11 I was very against the displacement of the Palestinian people by Israel. I would use my vote when applicable to make this known. Since 9/11, I do not beleive I will use my vote to aid and foster people who beleive their voices can only be heard via extreme violence. It's not a matter of I think they are worth less. It's a matter of I am frightened of setting the precedence of: "if you want to get my attention, or I'm not responding to you in the manner or efficiency in which you wish, it's okay to bomb the shit out of me".
  I will continue to do what I can as a world citizen to aid political prisoners (including Palestinians--I still disagree with forced occupation and displacement of the Palestinian people) and foster peace and secularism mostly via Amnesty International.
  Any other suggestions?
  Peace,
  Bridgette
  p.s. I admit that I am woefully ignorant of middle east politics and goings on. Could you elaborate on how the Israeli occupation costs the lives of children? You're not the first source I've heard this from, so my curiosity is peaked. I cannot tolerate the death of one more innocent!!! Especially children! I am determined to educate myself and find out what the F*#CK has been going on over there, and why is the world pissed as hell at us? Our government tells us that the world is just jealous because we're rich. I don't buy that. I give the world citizen a little more credit than that! Besides, many of us are or at least have been poor, and work EXTREMELY hard. So, it's something more. and I want to know what. And I'm tired of the average muslim being demonized in our culture. We can't progress until we see each other as human.
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  24

  The real facts about Islam

  by Rex B13 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this is a link to an article by salmon rushdie, who knows more about islam than all of us put together.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1634000/1634755.stm.

  discussion?.

  rex

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  Bridgette

  I enjoyed the link and the post regardless of Rex's religious or political stance.
  I'm interested in what we can constructively DO. So, I ask again, how can we, the average Joe Blow world citizen foster secularism in the middle east?
  Peace,
  Bridgette