Posts by Jeannine

42

An Invitation to a Wedding

by lisavegas420 in

yesterday, i received in the mail a wedding invitation...well not actually a wedding invitation, it was more of a re-newal of vows invitation.

with me so far...ok, i'm fine with that.

i even visited her church a few years ago, it was nice, but i don't want to join a church.

I don't like gift registries because I am an old fashioned person. I just don't believe that any mention of a gift should be made because it implies that the inviter was expecting a gift. I know that gift registries are popular and becoming very acceptable. Yet, there are many things that are becoming popular and acceptable in this day and age that I will never agree with or be comfortable with.

I also understand that gift registries make everything easier for the person buying the gift. I believe that if you don't know someone well enough to be able to choose a gift that they would like, then you can always give money. In fact, if you don't know a person enough to select an appropriate gift for them, why would you be invited to the wedding in the first place? I guess I am not all for the 300+ wedding guests list where the happy couple hardly knows 30% of their guests. I have been invited to weddings by people I barely know with a reference to their gift registry. I cringe. I would NEVER want people I barely speak to during the year to feel pressured to buy me a gift that I SELECTED from the store that I CHOOSE. The job of the wedding couple is not to make gift giving "easier" for their guests. No, that is not their job because nobody should be expecting gifts to begin with. Instead, the wedding couple's job is to make sure that the guests attending the wedding are comfortable and have a nice time. Most people, including myself, will always bring a gift or money in a card. I always give money because that is what I find to be "easier". I don't need the bride telling me (through a registry) how to make my gift giving "easier". I can figure that out myself. If the bride/groom wants certain gifts at certain stores, then they can take the money I give them (under no pressure) and go shopping after the wedding. This is simple, and it doesn't rub some people the wrong way, like gift registries do.

42

An Invitation to a Wedding

by lisavegas420 in

yesterday, i received in the mail a wedding invitation...well not actually a wedding invitation, it was more of a re-newal of vows invitation.

with me so far...ok, i'm fine with that.

i even visited her church a few years ago, it was nice, but i don't want to join a church.

Jeannine

Not only does this coworker disregard the fact that you have a HUSBAND that should be invited, but she then asks you for money to support a vacation she wants to take with her husband of an entire decade? What the hell? Does she also want you to make their mortgage payment for them also? These people have had 10 freaking years to save up for a vacation. I would not go to the "wedding" or give them a dime. I wouldn't even respond to the extortion......I mean...invitation. I know that times are changing and people have relaxed traditional manners. But, this girl is really taking it too far. I absolutely cringe when an invitation mentions a gift or money. I don't do gift registries either. The nerve.

35

Former JW now Atheist...

by zeroday in

jw
friends

any others out there?

Jeannine

I was never a JW, but I was raised in a Christian religion. Now, I am heading towards atheism. The idea that there is a god somewhere keeping tabs on us seems so silly. The only difference between the story of God and the story of Santa Claus is that my parents finally told me when I was about 9 years old that they "made up" Santa Claus.

16

This was weird

by Purza in

jw
friends

so i started my new job today.

i work for a government agency in a local town.

my boss received a package via ups and she had no idea who it was from.

Jeannine

This kind of reminds me of when a guy I work with gave each and every employee a copy of the bible as a gift. There are over 200 employees were I work. He stated that an organization he belonged to helped him to pay for the bibles. I don't think he was a JW. I never asked him what religion he was. My guess is that he was a born-again something or other. Anyway, I walked into my cubicle one day and found a brand new copy of the bible. My first thought was that the gift was given with good intentions and that I should thank him. But, then I learned from other coworkers that when they thanked the guy for the gift, he launched into his preaching. I never thanked him to avoid the preaching. Looking back on it now, I am a little disturbed at the nerve of this guy to think that he can interupt my workday with his religious beliefs. If the bible was given as a Christmas/holiday gift, I could brush it off. That wasn't the case though because it was during the spring time. These bibles were handed out purely to recruit employees into a particular religion, or at least pressure them into talking about religion with this guy. Oh, the rudeness.

9

JWs and Lawsuits

by Jeannine in

another jw thing that boggles my mind...... my mother-in-law, a super-jw, was crossing the street when she was hit by a car.

she was fortunate enough to sustain very minor injury (bruises and maybe a minor sprain or two).

i would describe the accident as very minor.

Jeannine

Freedom96: I never thought that JWs were more prone to lawsuits than anyone else. But, I would have thought that JWs would be more reluctant to file lawsuits (especially one where the "relief" sought is money that is compensating for nothing). I am aware that JWs have used the legal system in the past for lawsuits based on freedom of religion, or access to public places, etc. However, those type of lawsuits seek injunctive relief, or a legal opinion that allows them to operate according to their wishes. On the other hand, suing for $10,000 because someone bruised your knee by mistake is an entirely different motive for a lawsuit. Obviously, personal injury cases are for monetary gain. Sometimes money can compensate for injury, loss of wages, etc. Yet, my mother-in-law didn't suffer those lossess and she is STILL SUING someone. If JWs are suppose to be non-materialistic and "no part of the world", why is it o.k for them to benefit financially from our legal system? They seem to be so two-faced.

1

National Effort to Help Other JW's in Katrina Effected Areas

by Kenneson in

jw
friends

"the jehovah's witnesses 90 regional building committess across the nation are taking the lead in organizing the relief and rebuilding effort in new orleans and along the gulf coast..." .

"the fact that officials at jehovah's witnesses international headquarters in brooklyn, n.y. are calling on all 90 regional committees to pitch in is an indication of just how major a rebuilding effort it will be," garcia said.

the article mentions 22 kingdom halls damaged by flood waters and 8 completely destroyed in the new orleans area alone.

Jeannine

The reporter who wrote this article should do a follow-up article in a few months. For the follow-up article, JWs should be interviewed and asked this question, "Now that your great friends from the 'relief effort' have rebuilt your home for free, what are your plans for the insurance money you recieved? Will you be doing anything special with your extra funds?" That ought to tease out the real reason behind the "relief effort".

37

Aren't we great? JW's lead the way at the Astrodome

by Bonnie_Clyde in

jw
friends

a letter that was just passed on to me by e-mail.

it's important to follow the elder's directions:.

hi don,.

Jeannine

I am sure any ant can operate a PA system. I think all you have to do is follow the wire from the mic and it leads you to a box where you PUSH A FREAKING BUTTON. Maybe all the other religions in the Astrodome where too busy feeding ALL people and organizing for ALL people to be bothered with a PA system "call out" for only specific people. Other religions remained at the Astrodome day and night to assist ALL people. Other religions didn't need to get on the PA to perform a 30 minute "hit and run" relief gathering. There would be no need to get on the PA system if you are there to provide assistance to EVERYBODY. Geesh....if I were a JW I would be embarrassed at the way they handle their humanitarian efforts.

9

JWs and Lawsuits

by Jeannine in

another jw thing that boggles my mind...... my mother-in-law, a super-jw, was crossing the street when she was hit by a car.

she was fortunate enough to sustain very minor injury (bruises and maybe a minor sprain or two).

i would describe the accident as very minor.

Jeannine

Another JW thing that boggles my mind.....

My mother-in-law, a super-JW, was crossing the street when she was hit by a car. She was fortunate enough to sustain very minor injury (bruises and maybe a minor sprain or two). I would describe the accident as very minor. She hardly needed any medical attention and did not lose one day from work as a result of the accident. Therefore, she is FINE. No real damage, except to her self-esteem after learning that she is unable to "look both ways before crossing the street" :). Anyway, she is now suing the driver of the car that hit her. She is suing for as much money as her attorney is able to get for her. She speaks of this lawsuit, not as a victim trying to compensate for real losses, but as a person who insists that she is owed money because SHE WALKS INTO CARS. Now, I have nothing against anyone suing anyone else. I would probably sue myself. However, I am not a "non-materialistic, god-fearing, neighbor-loving, Jehovah's Witness !! I am a normal, opportunistic person who would be pissed that the car didn't slam on their brakes to avoid hitting my perfect person :)). What would the JW organization's position be on my MIL suing for money that clearly isn't to compensate for actual losses? I believe that other JWs in her congregation are aware of this lawsuit and nobody says anything to her about it. Are JWs allowed to sue people? If so, I thought that JWs were "no part of the world". Someone englighten me please.

38

I Can't Believe JW Relative Called

by Jeannine in

my husband and i have been basically ignored for about 15 years by most of his jw family.

his mom calls once every few months, but only to ask for money (yes, she is a mooch).

both of his brothers are elders.

Jeannine

Well, we'll see how it all goes. My hubby is suppose to be meeting up with his brother in three days. Hubby now fears that his JW fanatical mother will "ruin things" by condeming his relationship with his brother. His brother is easily swayed by the mother. For this reason, hubby is afraid to call his mother and tell her about the "reunion". I told hubby that his mother is bound to find out anyway through his brother, so don't sweat it. Hopefully my bro-in-law will have the guts to stand up to his mother, if necessary. This "loving" religion has got this family SO SCREWED up it is hideous. Hmmmm, I wonder what will be going through my bro-in-laws mind the next time he stands before his congregation in his role as Elder and has to give a talk on "associating with non-believers". Hmmmmm, how is that going to work out for him?????

38

I Can't Believe JW Relative Called

by Jeannine in

my husband and i have been basically ignored for about 15 years by most of his jw family.

his mom calls once every few months, but only to ask for money (yes, she is a mooch).

both of his brothers are elders.

Jeannine

My hubby finally got in touch with his brother early this morning. His brother said, "I called because I miss you in my life. I am sorry we've been so distant....I am sorry that I've treated you so badly over the years...I am sorry that I haven't accepted you....I want us to reconnect. I want to be part of your life again....I want to be your brother.." My hubby was all choked up with tears and in shock. His brother apologized for specific "shunning" events that took place 15 years ago....events even my hubby has long forgotten about. After they got off the phone, my hubby was elated, yet bewildered by these sudden turn of events. He is SO HAPPY to have his brother back it is almost painful for me to watch. I've got a feeling that if his brother continues with his Elderhood in the organization, sooner or later he will start treating my hubby like crap again. I hope I am wrong.

So, what is up with the change of heart from this Elder/blood brother ? Do JWs usually do these 360 degree turns? Could this be a sign that his brother wants "out" of the organization, or is it acceptable for an Elder to remain with the org. and associate with a long lost brother? My hubby was never baptised, so there was no disfellowshiping or action taken against him. Hubby just refused to go to meetings and join in their shannanigans.

From what I can tell, my bro-in-law is still knee-deep in the org. (Elder, goes to all meetings, field service, etc), so there is no change there. But, I suppose one can have doubts while still keeping up appearances. I am thinking that one thing that may have brought on my bro-in-laws guilt is all the images he has seen lately in the hurricane Katrina areas of family members who have "lost" other family members and are crying into the television with pain. Those are difficult images to get out of your head when you know that your own "lost" brother is only a phone call away. Besides that, I can't think of any reason why after all these years my bro-in-law wants to be "family" again. I am hoping that my hubby doesn't expect me to go with him when he reunites with his brother. I don't know if I can stomach it.