Posts by LennyinBluemont

48

Wow, I can't believe I'm doing this....

by megawatt in

welp...

it's been a crazy ride for over 25 years, pretty much raised as a witness (ever since i could remember), rebelled against my parents, came back, straighten out for a little while, married within "the truth", but the last 5 to 7 years, i've been seriously questioning the changes and doctrines established by the wts.

never thought i would be looking from this side of the fence.

LennyinBluemont

Welcome mega and all newbies and lurkers, to the cyber refugee camp known as JWD and hosted by the gracious and generous man behind the curtain, Simon. As the effect of the drugs (read indoctrination) begin to wear off, there will be periods of disorientation and anxiety over loss of personal identity, as well as guilt feelings. Walk outdoors. Feel the breeze. Feel the sun. Listen to the birds or whatever noise there is. Realize you are a unique, intelligent being residing in the ecosystem of planet Earth. Begin the journey of finding yourself, discovering who you are, defining your new identity. Many here in the camp have been through exactly what you are experiencing, and far worse. We will share our provisions with you. All we ask is that you in turn extend love and kindness to fresh escapees as you gain strength. When you are ready, it is strongly recommended that you get a view of the "inside" at the highest level (Governing Body) by reading "Crisis of Conscience" by Raymond Franz, a GB member for nine years. This book, unlike any other available, has been like a strong wind in the lives of so many, blowing away the thick fog and erasing the guilt, allowing you to see clearly for miles and miles. For a women's perspective, your wife might enjoy "Awakening of a Jehovah's Witness" by Diane Wilson. (Both should be available on Amazon.)

"One thing I can tell you is you got to be free." John Lennon ("Come Together")

Peace, brother.

50

Dumping out my purse

by sweetface2233 in

ladies, how many of you have had this happen?

your cell phone is stashed in your purse and it starts ringing.

you plunge your hand in, hoping to grab it and begin the call.

LennyinBluemont

Hey Sweets, I found one answer to my cellphone problem. I got a purse with a little cell holder on the strap. You never have to look for it, it is right there. Also, when I don't use that purse since it is black & I change it out for a lighter one every so often, that one has many outside pockets. The one on the back side of the purse has a zipper. I keep my cell there for easy access. It can really cut down on stress since I receive many calls from our answering service whenever I leave the office. BTW everyone her purse isn't that big, at least the one she's carrying today isn't. If that is what she had at work she is an amazing packer.

Karen in Bluemont, Lenny's wife

13

Dinner in LA?

by LennyinBluemont in

jw
friends

hi folks.

i'm in la for a few days, staying in canoga park.

anybody wanna get together for dinner tonite?

LennyinBluemont

Hey lurkers, so far we got Dagney, wha happened and me. Sounds like a spontaneous apostafest happenin tonite! Anybody else wanna join us? Dagney's pickin a place out and we're gonna afest California-style! PM Dag or me

Shalohm out!

13

Dinner in LA?

by LennyinBluemont in

jw
friends

hi folks.

i'm in la for a few days, staying in canoga park.

anybody wanna get together for dinner tonite?

LennyinBluemont

Hey Dagney and package, you have PMs. Sassy, sorry to miss you this time around!

Lenny

13

Dinner in LA?

by LennyinBluemont in

jw
friends

hi folks.

i'm in la for a few days, staying in canoga park.

anybody wanna get together for dinner tonite?

LennyinBluemont

Hi Folks. I'm in LA for a few days, staying in Canoga Park. Anybody wanna get together for dinner tonite? Or breakfast tomorrow?

Lenny

84

I sure hope Obama is our next President

by Elsewhere in

jw
friends

LennyinBluemont

One of the most pressing needs in this country (besides removing military bases from other countries and ending policies that force other countries to do things "our" way) is for universal health care. It is shameful that people die every day in this country - not for lack of treatment being available - but for lack of insurance coverage. And for those who have some aversion to universal health care, let's not forget that it's already in place - for everyone in the armed forces and all members of congress. Yes, all those folks get free healthcare, just like any citizen of Canada, France or England. (I know it's not really "free", someone's paying for it. Oh yeah, we are.) In those countries no one is refused healthcare because they can't afford it or don't have insurance. But in this country, even people with insurance are denied treatments necessary to save their lives. There is only one beneficiary here: The healthcare industry.

Mr. Obama (as well as most other candidates) has accepted huge sums of money from the healthcare industry to finance his campaign. So the question you have to ask yourself is: Is Mr. Obama more likely to act for or against the financial interests of the healthcare industry if elected?

John Edwards, on the other hand, has refused to accept contributions from the healthcare industry and speaks with a strong voice against their practices. He is not beholden to them as Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton are. Yeah, I know. He's a sleazy lawyer. But let me tell you something. I've been in business for over 30 years. Sometimes you need a sleazy lawyer to get the job done. Ever wonder why so many politicians are lawyers?

12

Answer to the ? Do you believe this is Gods Organization?

by darth frosty in

jw
friends

it seems that this is the catch all question that elders like to use to prove apostasy or just to get rid of you.

i was thinking that this is a possible way to answer the ?

and turn the tables on them.

LennyinBluemont

Understanding the purpose of the question, as highlighted in the initial post here, to determine whether or not they can make an accusation of apostasy stick, I answered, "I don't know if I'm in a position to make that judgment." In my case, it deflected the conversation onto other matters. Of course, if they try follow-up questions, you just continue repeating the above statement like a mantra.

58

Current & Former Elders- Will You Help Witnesses - Get Out of the Cult ?

by flipper in

jw
friends

i know ,at first glance it seems like an impossibility .

i really haven't lost my mind here folks.

hear me out on this one.

LennyinBluemont

If you're no longer associated you're instantly viewed as "off limits" to any dub with a modicum of loyalty to the borg. I was in for 28 years, elder for 14 and was highly respected by hundreds in this area as I was "semi-prominent". (kinda like being "semi-professional"?) I crave to be able to talk with so many I have deep affection for. I managed to avoid DFing (as far as I know). But when we sent out letters to all those we had been close to, some for decades, regarding how I was being "hunted" by the elders because I had the gumption to speak confidentially to one person about the UN affair, and then provided all details of the UN matter with an accompanying evidence packet in the letter, the lack of response was disturbing. One sister to whom I had been very close told me I was "dangerous". One emailed us to say how hurt she was that we were trying to "destroy her faith". Another wrote an email that was an attempt to empathize, but simply attributed my position to "bad treatment" I had received. Out of over 50 letters we sent, not one, I repeat, not oneperson responded in any way to the issue that was the focal point of the letter. Now these were all people that I had felt we were very close to for 10, 20 and even 30 years. I realize this is not the approach Hassan recommends. It was kind of a sledgehammer. But at the time I felt my DFing was imminent and that this was my last opportunity to warn them. Out of over 50 people, not even one wanted to either (a.) take issue with the points in my letter; or (b.) express concern over the issues I raised.

It's true, someone who is an active elder can use that deception to have some effect, but I have a problem with the ethics of that method. I don't believe the end justifies the means. In the end, the ones who stay in do so by choice. We know they've been conned, as we were. And we really want to help them. Especially if we had a share in getting them involved or in encouraging them to stay loyal when we were in. To that end I do feel we have a responsibility to discharge. Whether it's paying them a visit (which we also tried with a few) or writing them a letter, I think we owe them that. But if they refuse to respond, we can't force them.

If someone finds a method that works, even with only a 10% success rate, I think their thread will be the most heavily viewed in the history of this forum. And I will salute them. But the dark side is strong.

297

BETHELITES - Whatever Became of?

by Black Man in

jw
friends

i often times wonder what happened to certain bethelites that i ran around with during my 1990s tenure there.

while there are still a few left there, the greater majority of them aren't there for various reasons (marriage, disillusionment, left the borg, etc).

a couple of cats i wonder about - there was one brother who i believe was from kansas, who got his fingers cut off in a printing press.

LennyinBluemont

Used to know Geoff Hearney up at the Farm. We used to organize small "tours" (8-10) people to take up there and Geoff was always our contact. We'd always take him a few six-packs. (No, we didn't do it to make money. Everybody paid their share, nothing left over.)

Knew Chuck Liebensperger, Jerry Beck, David Smith, Jeff & Karen Malone, et al, mostly as a consequence of being involved with Mighty Distributing (Dick Wallace) when they were headquartered up here in Jessup, MD, before the move to GA.

4

Who's near Philadelphia?

by LennyinBluemont in

jw
friends

there is a possibility the wife and i will be in philadelphia on 6 january to see a folk singer that night.

anybody there up for lunch?

of course you'd need to catch the morning meeting.

LennyinBluemont

Thanks Gopher!