I've never seen a kingdom hall in Australia without windows. T
he window furnishings - curtains/blinds are kept closed unless it is daytime and someone is using the kingdom hall.
some time back, i had a disagreement with my brother-in-law, who even though he has doubts about the witnesses, still wants to put on the cloak of being a believer for his mother's sake.
while he acknowledges the doctrinal errors and abysmal treatment of the flock by their elders, he doesn't want to assign a malicious, controlling motivation to it.
i told him that i believed the idea of not having windows in kingdom halls was part of the brain washing that occurs during meeting after meeting during the weeks, months and years.
I've never seen a kingdom hall in Australia without windows. T
he window furnishings - curtains/blinds are kept closed unless it is daytime and someone is using the kingdom hall.
hello everyone..i just wanted to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about my experiences.. i'm 23, have been raised in the truth all my life.
when i was 18, i made a foolish decision to get married, something i knew deep down i wasn't ready for, still being very much in the 'bloom of youth'.
i reluctantly saw my future as being one of jehovahs witnesses and with all my adolescent drives, i moved away from home to marry a man with about the same maturity as me.
Welcome Riko!
You said:
I never fitted in with anyone while growing up in the Truth and I wasn't allowed to associate with any of the 'worldly' kids which has left me in a state where I can't make friends or feel comfortable around anyone. I never developed any social skills through the restrictions imposed on me and I've suffered from depression for around 4 years, it becoming more serious in the last year. In short, I've lost my youth. I'm terrified of people, I'm even nervous about writing this, being told you've never done a thing right takes its toll eventually.
So many of us here can relate who were born/raised as a JW child. You miss out on so much. But personally I have learnt so much since leaving that organisation. Admittedly it has taken time. Its meant pushing myself to do things that scare me. But slowly but surely I have developed self confidence and learnt what makes me genuninally happy. This board can be really good for healing as well. We all have our moments of good days and bad days but talking to people and developing relationships with them when they understand you completely will help you so much.
I can tell your intelligent just from your posts. So if you can go to college do it. You have a brain just waiting to be exercised!
Again, welcome...
had to test.
i like some of the avatars here and i thought what the heck, i'll put up my favorite singer -- bruce dickinson.
is it up there or only on my computer?
Yep sure is....
but who is this guy? is he from a local/aussie band?
i have just been booked to be interviewed with man cow tomorrow morning.
he's syndicated and in 20 markets!
for those of you who don't know him, he's a crazy wacky kinda' guy.
Hi Bryan
How did you feel the interview went?
say what?
beards!
in my congregation it is frowned apon.
a male can have one but he wouldnt get any privilidges and would probably be labeled the black sheep.
I remember it was always a kick when a JW from Australia or Britain would be visiting Niagara Falls and made a tour of local congos and sported trendy spectacles and a cool goatee
Trust me beards in Australian JW congregations are DEFINATELY frowned upon. Brothers grow 'vacation' beards but shave them off before attending meetings at their local congregation again....
beards!
in my congregation it is frowned apon.
a male can have one but he wouldnt get any privilidges and would probably be labeled the black sheep.
What do you think about beards.... ... ... what is your thoughts?
I think deciding to sport a beard on your face is up to the individual. My boy likes to go clean shaven and I love his clean shaven handsome face... But if he told me that the hassle of shaving regularly was getting to him or he suffered from ingrown hairs then I would leave him to make his decision. It's his face.
If you have a beard that is groomed neatly then I don't think it is scruffy or portraying an undesired image.
On a congregational/JW level - I don't believe there is any scriptual basis for not having a beard. If you maintain it neatly then I would say go for it.
i am engaged to a wonderful man who is jw.
this wg has been bombarded by his mother.
father is pretty happy to us about us.
WELCOME KIDDOTAN
Stick around. Keep reading. I was a JW from age 3 - 28. A faithful little sheep . But then the big bad internet taught me the truth about the history and doctrines of this religon/organisation.
Check out the Best Of section by Lady Lee. I have no doubt you will find it VERY enlightening.
Miss Peaches
for those of you who will be disgusted that i even attended the meeting, let alone allow my son to give his first public talk tonight, please, spare me the shouting messages.
i take full responsibility for what i experienced this evening.
yet, i feel the need to share this experience that has me enraged.
You won't get any negative reaction from me.
I am sorry that this has happened to you. I am sorry that your congregation treats you so appallingly. I hope that your son can see the effects of it on you. Kids although young can at times be incredibly astute about matters involving their loved ones.
How dare they assume ownership of your son like that. I am sure you are an excellent parent. Hang in there!
i know i did.. we had a young fellow who used to live at my grandmother's place.
in may ways he was like family.
after he moved out of my grandmother's place i saw him frequently.
Hang out with us. We are a lot nicer to people
I know. I have learnt that in a very short time. I think I am having a bad week with 'mother' memories. But I am grateful for the support and friendships I can gain from this board.
Thankyou...
And you've set me off again LL and GGG....