I think that there are a lot of people trying so hard not to make waves theocratically that they forget tht it isn't a sin or a shame to tell people that you are not interested in speaking with them. I like direct. One does not need to admit anything, simple excuse yourself from any conversation that is accusatory or an interrogatory.
JWdaughter
JoinedPosts by JWdaughter
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8
This really felt great.Just a little memory.
by kairos inabout two years ago after i had resigned as a ms, two elders came by to "encourage" me.. the first line of questioning was if i still believed the gb was directing the org.. i asked him "not to interrogate me".. they tried to open to a series of scriptures.. i cut them off with this tasty zinger: "i'm not interested!"..
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they have not asked to see me since.. being direct has it's advantages.. .
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Is It Just Me??
by What Now? inwe're 2 years in to our exit from the witnesses.
we're not disfellowshipped or disassociated ... just inactive.
none of our friends speak to us anymore.
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JWdaughter
I am editing out my post. You not only got a lot of the same suggestions, but you have tried them or can't to much of a degree. Your best bet is your neighbors and neighborhood and just getting out there and meeting folks. And yes, even old ones (who might need help with their groceries or something). Just keep making connections, and you can do good and if something else comes of it, then great. If not, you did something good (excellent example for your little one)
I wish you all good things!! I know things are more of a challenge with a little one. Just keep your head up and smile at all the NON JWs you see in the grocery store. Not everyone is evangelizing you (although JWs are wrong in that many Christians DO-they just aren't keeping records and counting time and they are doing it informally without extraneous literature!)
If someone is harrassing you about your "religion" and you want to maintain good relations without playing that game, here is a line to try, "I can't talk about religious things because of deep trauma that it has caused in my family. I respect your faith and I know the Bible well. If I am ever interested in going to your church, I will sure talk to you about it, but please respect that it is not something I can go into now, it is just too painful"
Our society has a lot of people who TRY to be sensitive. If you are alcoholic or allergic or a recovering addict, most will be nice and your friend but will carefully not feed you nuts or offer you a beer or joint. We can have any kind of malady or trauma and people try to accomodate.
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Are you afraid something horrible will happen to you now you have left the Wt.
by Still Totally ADD ini remember many years ago we would talk about those who leave the org.
something bad will happen to them.
because god was mad at them for turning away from the wt.
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JWdaughter
Nope, but I am a very pragmatic kind of person. My husband (and lots of other non JWs)has all kinds of superstitions built into faith in weird ways. . . I gently point out that no matter what understanding of God that one has, none of the superstitions are built into his religion (or any faith) but rather they are instilled by culture and individuals who for good or bad reasons, told people stuff to "inspire" them to obedience. And he (and billions) have bought into it.
That being said, I have a "lucky" number (that has never brought me any luck). I just decided it is my favorite number.
I don't think my day will be crappy if I miss a prayer and I don't think bad things that happen are from anyone giving me "the evil eye". I do think that people can deliberately sabotage others' lives and I do think that our own mind-set (OOOOH, I woke up late, God will doom my whole day!!!) can and often does influence our lives dramatically. We have to watch out for that self fulfilling prophecy stuff-THAT can bring horrible things into ones life.
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Finally Free!!!
by ADJUSTMENTS inmy wife and i are finally free of this horrible cult we will be leaving the south east for the north western part of the us to start anew!!!
our friends and family have no idea of our new beliefs and feelings on the cult so it should be a nice clean break!
hope to connect with some in that area pm me if you'd like.. .
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JWdaughter
Congratulations.Enjoy the PNW-its beautiful!
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Sipping our drinks at the track..part 2.". I didnt tell them anything," she said
by MissFit in...as we were enjoying our weekly sunday "no meetings margaritas.. my friend and i have been meeting for lunch and margaritas ( okay mostly margaritas, we throw lunch in so we dont feel like alcoholics lol ??).
instead of going to meetings.. ( we discovered we could have lunch*margaritas* without the meeting first.).
my jw lady friend still goes out "in service" and stays in touch with her "service buddies" who also know me.. so she was telling me that they asked about me and mentioned that they would like to stop by to see me.
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JWdaughter
I hope your friend is better soon!
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HOW A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS participated in one of the great art FRAUDS of the 20th century
by Terry inhttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/oct/26/art-fraud-margaret-walter-keane-tim-burton-biopic.
excerpt:.
"theres a sweet, small suburban house in the vineyards of napa, northern california.
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JWdaughter
I think the Keane pictures are charming enough-in moderation. Not as the exclusive genre in a home (and I know people who decorate that way. My aunt has a weird combo of Kinkaid and Eagle/military theme in her house. Disturbing!)
I was told about the Kinkaid pictures many many years ago-he didnt sell originals and I don't know that he ever claimed to. . . I went to a gallery around his death(there was one in my small hometown and I just wandered in) and they discussed the painting system with me. Even my aunt (who is generally kind of clueless about that kind of thing) knew (it was she who clued me in to ask the questions at the gallery). I like his stuff too-but it is way overpriced esp considering that no one gets anything original and now it is really overdone and cliched anyway. Too much popularity takes from the beauty in some sort of way.
I just get what I like, and if I pay too much, well at least I like it. I have no Keanes or Kinkaids. I buy the little artists showing at local fairs and galleries. I bought one thing on a cruise ship that while probably overpriced or not up to others standards, is absolutely something that makes me happy to see. So, I have a Dorit Levi reproduction of some kind. I love the subject, the colors and the feelings that it engenders in my soul. so there! My kids will probably sell it for $5 at my estate sale, but I have already got the value of it. (but I hope my daughter keeps it)
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NEWS : New developments in the London Bethel relocation story
by raymond frantz inlondon bethel relocation the story so farthere are new developments in the relocation of the london bethel development .
a landowner has agreed unconditionally to sell her rundown car breakers yard to jehovahs witnesses for their new uk headquarters, it emerged this week.. the international bible students association (ibsa) paid a deposit, agreed a final price and swapped contracts with charmaine small this month for temple farm in ship road, west hanningfield.. ms small has promised the ibsa the charity used by the religious sect to distribute its literature that dozens of car dealers will vacate the 50-acre farm over the next few months.. speaking to the chronicle, stephen morris, of the ibsa branch relocation department, said...(read full article here ).
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JWdaughter
The money guys probably resent how much they have to play at the bit about being a religious organization. I imagine it slows develpment problems to some degree. If they just rid themselves of all pretense of religion and started turning properties. . . they might do better for JWs then all their stupid religious values do. Give them some real jobs, let them share in the profits. But they started this game and now they have to play by the rules they bound themselves with. Too bad they have to bother at web development and printing presses. Obviously, that is just a vehicle for making money. But who is enjoying it all? Still wondering.
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baby or no baby?
by Dudu inthat is the question for the next months ... i am 32 and i will turn 33 on december....i am freaking out!!!
my hubby and i have no children and we are not looking for one right now because im studying a masters.
i will finish subjects in june and after that i will write my thesis (6 more months).
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JWdaughter
Do you actually want kids? Soon would be a good time to start-biologically. It might not do your career any good-but women get past that all the time. You have a little over a year before you are done with thesis (if all goes as you plan. Don't get too comfy with any plans you make).
I had a baby at 33. No biggie. It's not really old in this day and age-but its also a good time to get on with your biological plans. Do not try to get through a pregnancy with 2 jobs and your final classes/thesis on the line. If you can't stop working, you really don't have time for a baby anyway. Prioritize your life-its more than just your thesis. You don't/shouldn't work 24/7. You will retire in 30 years and it will be too late for kids.
Can I suggest a simple test from your doctor to measure your fertility levels/baby readiness? I don't think it is exhorbitantly expensive and it will give you an idea of if you have the luxury of time in this.
What do you want to do after your thesis? Anything exciting or particularly challenging? (now I am just being nosy and interested in you!)
The worst thing about pregnancy after a certain age is having it called a geriatric(!) pregnancy. Oy!
If you quit work when you are doing your thesis, I don't think a pregnancy would be that overwhelming. Don't try to do that and your job(s). I know women who have gone through residencies and/or medical/law school while raising a family. Don't count out the idea of a thesis after or during a pregnancy or while raising a family.
You are doing awesome this far! I see no reason why that would not continue with or without a family.
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Positive proof that prayer works!
by 3rdgen inabout a week ago my adult daughter called me crying.
it seems her beloved expensive cat had jumped out of her second story window and disappeared.
"oh dear!
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JWdaughter
Cat got hungry. It came home after catting around-as cats do.
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"The Waters" of Jehovah are drying up in Australia...65% young ones leave!
by Witness 007 inat the international convention last week i caught up with my old congregation and asked about the young ones...there were 2 answers.
1. they flat out left got a boyfriend etc.
and 2. havent seen them for awhile meaning they faded or went off the grid so as not to be disfellowshipped.
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JWdaughter
Sad, but inevitable. My aunts congregation was just assimilated by another. There had been 5 congs. at the hall she met in. There are now 3 with the latest assimilation. Its a poorer area in an area of high property values and at one time, 5 congs were necessary. No more. There are still 2 at the hall that separated when I was about 7 or 8. Same two. Dont know if there was any branching off and re-approachments in the meantime. I get very little info. In our family-used to be lots(dozens) of JWs clear into my generation. So many so that family reunions were getting really awkward there for awhile. There are now 3 including the distant murderous cousin (never charged or dFd for it).