Thanks 4! I am proud of myself for living life to the fullest on many fronts, now. I would just rather have a degree out of the way by now. But, no regrets. I'm thankful for what I have.
Thanks again,
Bridgette
Bridgette
JoinedPosts by Bridgette
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151
active and happy jw
by scumgrief ini 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
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51
Crisis of Conscience: POLL
by Grout inwell, i'm finally reading coc, and i must tell you that despite already being an ex-dub i was *shocked*.
the thing that got me was the gb's apparently unselfconsciously acting above all the rules that they would apply so harshly to everyone else.
maybe i'm naive, but i didn't expect that level of hypocrisy.. so what did you find most shocking in coc?
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Bridgette
I was surprised by the calloused attitude of the GB. Deep down, even after leaving, I thought to myself, "I think they're hearts are in the right place, even if they are misguided". But come to find out, they are just a cold, greedy, american corporation that uses religion, politics, etc. to further their agenda. They could care less about the R & F. And anybody who does express concern over individuals doesn't last long--they're not being loyal to/waiting on Jehovah.
That they took very little or no time to go over facts, etc. regarding life devastating decisions: The Malawi/Mexico being a prime example. Then the oral sex being a disfellowshipping offense. I lost all respect for them even as human beings, at that point. They don't give a crap about people. All they care about is peddling their magazines, gathering more real estate, and growing their publishing empire.
Bridgette
p.s. I would sincerely be interested in any fallacies the book contained, as well. I will seriously entertain substantiated accusations regarding its lack of authenticity. -
48
I've Had It - I Just Can't Do it Anymore
by troubled inwell, it seems we're back to the same "you're a troll; you're not a troll" thing.
it seems that my posts make too many of you "uncomfortable," you have an "intuition," you "can't put your finger on it," whatever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
i thought this was a place where people can post and be heard.
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Bridgette
Dear Troubled,
My e-mail is open as well. Please feel free to write. I would welcome your thoughts.
Peace,
Bridgette -
151
active and happy jw
by scumgrief ini 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,
This evolution makes me happy and saddened at the same time. I mean, ultimately, I'm happy that the organization would be loosening its chokehold on people's spirits, even if it is begrudgingly, and probably because of us nasty ole' aspostates who speak up after having left.
But again, sad, because so much youth here was wasted. Even if you dismiss the deaths due to refused blood transfusions, organ transplants, and suicides (you might, at a later time want to investigate these), I grieve for my lost youth. I was never meant to be a witness (it's like a gay person trying to assimilate into a straight society--you always just "know" you're different from the collective). I would have jumped on a college education with both feet, and, btw, my parents could've afforded it (my dad had the good fortune of completing his education before being converted). I would've loved Christmas, sports, a normal childhood, etc. This was not allowed. For those of us raised in the truth, Malcomb X's words speak volumes on our behalf: "WE DIDN'T LAND ON PLYMOUTH ROCK, PLYMOUTH ROCK LANDED ON US!!!!!!!"
Alas, however, I know that feasibly the organization cannot be sued for reparations. And how could you quantify lost youth? Best just to live the best you can for today, and be glad for the possibly few good years you have left and live them to the fullest. I'm in college at 31 with 2 children and a full time job (would've been easier at 18 and childless, but...) Oh well, perhaps my voice, in some small way loosens the chokehold on you--the younger generation. Sometimes I muse, though, if everything they taught me was true, (which it isn't), they would sure have amassed a lot of blood guilt for all the lost souls they left in their devastating, loveless wake.
Love and peace,
Bridgette
p.s. I'm glad you're sticking around and still not sinking to attacks. You're what a witness (or anyone who claims to speak for god) should be. You're someone I might not slam the door on, if I knew nothing about witnesses, and you were my first exposure. -
25
We finally had the child!
by Eyebrow in17 days overdue...but we finally had our daughter!.
we now refer to her as the child formerlly know ans fetus.. 8lbs, 5 ozs...
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Bridgette
Congratulations! Little girls are special. I have a 9 year old daughter at home and a little boy due in February.
I agree with expat regarding the books. You can also just go around to used book stores and collect them like mad. I read to my daughter (and now, this little one) in the womb. Now, she loves to read and is the top in her class. It works!
Love,
Bridgette -
151
active and happy jw
by scumgrief ini 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
I am just wondering if Scum is a reflection of the mainstreaming that we have discussed. I think it's great to see someone who's somewhat getting on with life, doing what he likes to do, acting his age, and not being a judgemental ass. We are so shocked because this is not the norm of what many of us grew up with.
I've said before, the org will evolve, or die. The youth of today will not stay in the coffins we were raised in (or they attempted to raise us in). I think they will opt for evolution. She is, in the end, totally dependant upon her adherants.
B. -
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JW & SUICIDE CASES
by bj ini need all cases that you know about.
if possible, names and dates.
if you have newspaper articles, photos, court cases, web-reference, would be glad to learn about them.
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Bridgette
I knew of 3 attempts by witnesses. One a child of 13, who planned on saving Jehovah the time and effort at Armageddon.
I knew of MANY, MANY cases of severe, confirmed cases of chronic depression.
And, I know of 2 cases of confirmed suicide. One an elder--hung himself. And another sister had something like 5 kids; just couldn't do it anymore. She kept going to the elders, and they kept saying, "more service, more meetings, blah blah blah" she did all those things, and the pain worsened, not got better, and she put a gun in her mouth, and ended her pain the only way she knew how. The elders were encouraged to "cover it up", esp, the fact of her going to them repeatedly. My dad was one of those elders at the time, and it is the only negative comment I've heard from him even though he's df'd.
This thread has reminded me that since I've been out, away from Jehovah's Witnesses, I have not met one person who's on meds for depression, or complains of depression, etc. Most of the people I know anymore are pretty balanced people with good senses of humor, plans and goals, and like themselves, pretty much. Whereas when I was "in" the org., depression was rampant. You couldn't go to any cong. anywhere without seeing rampant depression and mental problems. It was like, that was the norm, even with myself. For 3 years now, I haven't had one single episode of depression.
hmmmmmm.....the fruits of the spirit are love, joy....PEACE........Love,
Bridgette -
22
Survey: How many want me to keep posting?
by troubled insince 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 -
81
Education Survey
by larc ineducation 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 -
151
active and happy jw
by scumgrief ini 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