Posts by hartstrings

75

Were YOU Gossiped About In The Congregation?

by minimus in

jw
friends

do you know who the worst offenders were??

the elders.

the elders, because they were "shepherds and overseers" believed they had the right to talk about you, your family, your job, your personality and so forth.....they pick apart any male in the hall under the guise of seeing whther someone "might qualify for privileges".

hartstrings

This was actually the first big thing that made me question whether it was the "truth." The people who were looked up to the most were the worst gossipers and slanderers. The thing is (as my JW husband clings to) it just wasn't an isolated incident. From the minute we became pioneers and were invited into the intimate circles of the "elite," it became abundantly clear that the key ingredient: love, was completely missing from the equation. It happened in congregation after congregation; curcuit after curcuit.

I remember coming home from these gatherings and days in the ministry feeling just disgusted and dirty.

HS

6

THE SECRET - worth watching

by jwfacts in

a couple of months ago behindtheiron curtain posted a thread about the secret.

i inaccurately said it was by the raelians, who also made what the bleep.

i was wrong on both counts.

hartstrings

I certainly believe that how we approach life has a big impact on how it turns out. However, I am interested in the line that said that there is a very large energy field. So basically this movie was examining the scientific standpoint and not just the psychological component.

I wonder if my movie rental place has it? I'm not too excited about watching a full length movie on my laptop.

Thanks,

HS

61

Rate Your Happiness On A Scale Of 1 To 10

by minimus in

jw
friends

i'd give myself a 7.

hartstrings

As a whole my life is a 9.

The thing that brings it down is that my dh is a JW and he brings our girls to the meetings. I am a firm believer that you are in control of your own happiness (how you view life's struggles), but this is one I can't get over.

44

Is There Any JW Belief That You Still Believe In?

by minimus in

jw
friends

would you have any qualms about taking blood??

do you believe in a paradise earth?

do you think there is only one "truth"?

hartstrings

If it is a specific teaching of JWs, I don't believe it. There are many things that JW espouse to that many other good people do, and of course that is just common sense.

HS

17

Bethel Coach Trips--Is there a Dress Code?

by LDH in

jw
friends

http://www.bethelcoachtours.com

31. is there a dress code?

the society suggests a dress code be set up for the trip because everywhere we stop we give a witness.

hartstrings

Barf...

I love to dress up, but purposely wear pants anytime I'm around JWs. It's the principle... I will no longer let any man (or anyone for that matter) tell me how to dress, speak, or behave.

13

Elder's son no longer piano tuner - Dr instead!

by WingCommander in

jw
friends

i am just sickened at the irony that befalls some people...... we all know the wtbs looks down heavily upon those wanting a "worldy" education, right?

at least, that's how everyone acted at my congregation!

i remember the talks from the platforms seathing about some young one running off to college to join satan's world and then his life ending in ruin and then he'll end up with no hope for the paradise...blah, blah, blah, blah.

hartstrings

It's never too late Wing Commander! I'm a part-time college student, mother of two preschool-aged children, and a business owner. They stole the first part of your life, don't let them steal the rest!!

HS

21

Is there new light on separation/divorce?

by somebodylovesme in

i had a chance to thumb through the bible teach book (which was a waste of fifteen minutes of my life that i'll never get back ...) and i had a question about the section on family life.

i believe it stated that separation was allowed in some extreme situations (not named), but that divorce was only allowed in cases of fornication..

i was never a jw, but i'm currently watching a jw family member go through some crap in their marriage.

hartstrings

They allow seperation in cases of abuse, neglect (physical or spiritual), and one other that I can't remember. The point being that you wouldn't be free to remarry because adultry had not taken place.

HS

20

Ok, so I'm going to my first church service this Sunday.......

by WingCommander in

jw
friends

i thought it appropriate that my 100th post be about the attending of my first "worldly" church service this sunday.

it is at a friends methodist church.

they are having an open house, so i thought it the best day to go.

hartstrings

I've gone to the Unitarian Universalist a couple times and really like it. It is hard for me to explain all that it entails, but it is very liberal. They are based on acceptance of all the world's religions, believe in peace, stewardship of the earth, and keeping an open mind. They have various topics each week that are more of way to get the group discussing vs. it being a preaching session. I sat next to a agnostic last week and it was very interesting and really sparked my curiosity. They believe that spirituality is a journey and that there really is no right or wrong answers.

HS

15

WTS profiting from Katrina Disaster

by finis_mundi in

i apologize if there is already a thread concerning this but the following article is intriguing: http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/society/jehovah_s_witnesses_katrina_disaster_relief_fund_donation_or_profits__36046.html

hartstrings

Does anyone know if this article can be backed up? I heard that this practice was just a rumor.

Thanks,

HS

33

this is what I did at the Memorial

by Synergy in

first i went to the blood center and gave blood.

i got the "i gave" sticker.

i also wore my cross necklace and walked in the doors speaking to everyone like i never left.

hartstrings

Wow! Simply amazing! Great job standing up for yourself. I thought my wearing pants was a small stick in in your face. Your giving blood sticker was great!

HS