i have always kind of dreamt about being a peacekeeper, or some sort of humanitarian aid worker overseas.
of course, as a jw, this was a no no.
instead, we were supposed to help spread fear, ignorance and guilt to the rest of humanity.
This is something I've thought about too. But my only area of skill would be in something like micro-banking! A military career would almost have been worth it to have been in a position to stop something like a Rwanda from happening (if only we could have had Lew McKenzie over there instead of Dallaire!).
I still hope to do something substantive one day (more than donating a couple of bucks now and then) but that'll be down the road for me. Best of luck on your search and keep us posted!
W.
i am hoping a little balance is allowed here, or at least the coin's flip side.
this is my story so far, but i am fairly sure it is going to end up a bit differently than most i have read on your site.
the brothers couldn't help my husband, he didn't want help.
Almost,
I find it a little hard to believe that you've carefully read that many posts on this forum. Faith is the assured expectation of things to come (a WT definition from years ago). Do you really still feel there is enough evidence for such assurance after researching the doctrinal mess and continual "adjustments" as well as the cult style control mechanisms the GB resorts to?
Going back to the org. may be better for you than plunging into hardcore drug use (a sad path taken by many people who feel a void and inability to find a degree of relative contentmant in their lives) but hopefully you won't stand in the way of your children getting their educations and making their own decisions.
Like you, I do have many fond memories of JW life (even some Elders!) but then again, I'm sure there were lot's of nice, charming NAZI's in Germany too! As far as intellect goes, any group of old men who tell me I'm not allowed to think (or read books) are welcome to take a long walk on a short pier! Truth cannot, by definition, be afraid of facts.
All I ask is that you is to continue to research some of the points others have made and don't be afraid to ask questions since I hope you noticed that there are a lot of intelligent people on this board who don't throw stones just because somebody doesn't agree with them (maybe a pebble or two from time to time but hey, we're all human!
W. (another former lifer)
i hope this thread receives a lot of responses.
not because i am egotistical.
heck, really, i like any sort of film.
Funchback,
My favourite "foreign" film is the Australian flick The Nostradomus Kid. It's a coming of age film (autobiographical for the writer/ director) about a young man in the Seven Day Adventist outfit who starts to reject his programming and his faith (the "assembly scene" in which they talk about the "last generation" is priceless!).
Set in 1962, this film is a must see for JW's! (hard to find though)
W.
well, the reporter came over today, and interviewed kwin for about an hour, and rolled some tape.
they have the info.
from silent lambs, and have apparently contacted 'local jw representatives'.. so , tune in to the supper/evening news, folks, if you are in atlantic canada.
Shoot.. We probably won't get it up here in TO then. Hopefully there'll be something on Global website.
W.
this is an email forward i got from a friend.
interesting.
you make the choice don't look for a punch line.
Oops, I forgot to respond to your question.
Yes, I (and my sibs) would have let him in the game and would have done our best to let him get a ball in play and but would have done our best to get him out by second base! (But I sorta sucked at sports to so I never got overly competitive-fun was more important and as JW kids, we all felt the pain of exclusion at various times and we're still sensitive about it when we observe it in our presence)
W.
this is an email forward i got from a friend.
interesting.
you make the choice don't look for a punch line.
My thanks GBL!
I understand the editorialist's picque (sp?) over the boys patronizing the little fellow but I hate to castigate kindness even in excess!
W.
had a bizzare experience last night.
i went to see the movie mr. and mrs. smith (which, by the way, was pretty decent).
my girlfriend and i showed up about 20 minutes before the show started, so we picked out some seats and then each went to the restroom in turn while the other watched the seats.
SNG,
I think you handled a very awkward situation perfectly. I haven't run into (no pun intended!) this sorta situation in TO but I ry to be extra polite and "non-threatening" when I bump into old acquaintances on visits back home. Kill'em with courtesy!
W.
.
when i read some of the posts i cant help wondering that things do not go always the same everywhere.
.
WoW Danny!
Maybe if I had been in your cong. I'd still be in! The Atlantic Canadian version was very puritanical even with the Irish cultural influences in these provinces but fairly laid back for all that when it came to class structure (my Dad was hardcore but never went in for the shunning thing and didn't mind tackling "the powers that be" over moral/honesty issues).
I'm very interested in third world congs.. Anybody have some knowledge of what's going on in Africa/Central America?
W.
i have some serious questions here.
i am still a jw but fading away slowly.
still have some privileges etc, but that will not be too long i suppose.
Danny,
I see it as a moral imperative.
1. You offer them the truth of reality as general human society struggles to comprehend our Universe. Given how far we have to go yet, it's no comfort blanket you're offering them but it's real!
2. It is the duty of every human to think (learn, rationalize, ponder, evaluate, debate, etc...) for themselves to the best of their ability (I'll even give Ms. Rand a nod in this regard!) even though it's uncomfortable .
3. Each of us have an individual responsibility for our actions.
4. Yes, you're probably not going to change the world, but that arguement could be extended to AIDS donations or emergency relief- Even small actions can have effect whether it's immediately measurable or no.
You can have an effect just by being the best human you can be (especially if you're in a smaller community). You don't need to be confrontational (it doesn't seem to work anyways) in trying to help other JW's. The best argument I 've found that makes'em think is the statement: I just wanted to be honest and I couldn't do this in the Organization. It will make them think even if you don't see any results for some years.
W.
.
well basically it was aimed at youths and was all about timothy and the apostle paul.
it was rammed down everybodys throat --no college- get pionerring just like timothy
Gawd!!!!
They're still laying these guilt trips on kids? I think DanTheMan hit the nail on the head regarding the org.'s attitude towards working class kids. I still remember the guilt job Franz did on us at the Montreal International Assembly back in '84 or '85 (I remember feeling like a "terrible" christian when I was 18 that summer) . Cost me a lot of years!
Given the reality of today's marketplace, I hope many families won't be influenced by this kind of drivel though (especially when it doesn't work on their "betters").
W.
