Posts by Joel Wideman

15

Singer finds her voice after leaving JW's

by Gopher in

good story about rene marie.

she speaks frankly about a good effect she found by joining the jw's, and how and why she left never to look back.

http://www.pacpub.com/site/myzwire.cfm?newsid=15292956&brd=1091&pag=461&dept_id=343157&rfi=6

Joel Wideman

jgnat
I wonder what positive impact it would have on the WTBTS if they abandoned the cruel shunning policy?
It would be the beginning of the end for them.

38

~How did/do you personally feel about the headship arrangement?~

by FlyingHighNow in

jw
friends

i feel that headship is one of the most damaging doctrines taught in the wtbts as well as other fundy religions.

it is promoted as a way to have happier, healthier marriages and families.

in theory, maybe so.

NIV, Genesis 2:18, The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Someone can look up the NWT, but I bet even that doesn't say "slave" instead of "helper". That said, I believe headship is a fine arrangement when the husband is truly a man. Husbands who abuse their wives are by no means men, merely males.

22

Well, I handled that amazingly well...

by Joel Wideman in

as my wife predicted, my mother heard that she da'd herself.

she called, and spoke with my boy for awhile.

(she needs her medication adjusted.

Joel Wideman

You got me, Goldminer. I get quite a rush from confrontation. I just wish I didn't have to hold back with her.

22

Well, I handled that amazingly well...

by Joel Wideman in

as my wife predicted, my mother heard that she da'd herself.

she called, and spoke with my boy for awhile.

(she needs her medication adjusted.

Joel Wideman

As my wife predicted, my mother heard that she DA'd herself. She called, and spoke with my boy for awhile. (She needs her medication adjusted. She's hearing things over the phone again.) Then she wanted to talk to me.
Get this - she's "worried" about the kids and wants to take them to a meeting.
I must say demonstrated increbible self-control and merely said "No."
"Why not?"
Do I tell her I want them to grow up to be functional adults? Do I explain to her why Andrea DA'd? OF COURSE NOT! Forget the medication, she'd be in the mental ward again.
Instead I calmly deliver the time-honored parental statement "Because they are my kids."
So she asks if she can take them out to dinner. Alone. Aha! I was a JW long enough to recognize "theocratic warfare". But again, I simply say "No."
"Why not?"
BECAUSE YOU SUFFER FROM PSYCHOTIC DELUSIONS AND ARE A DANGER TO THEM BECAUSE OF IT, NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT YOU ARE LYING TO ME!!!
NOOOOOO!!! I can't say THAT!
I say "We would love to have dinner with you as a family. Myself, Andrea, the kids, and you."
And that pretty much ended it, at least for now.

14

THE NEW ATTACKS ON EDUCATION ARTICLES

by kristyann in

jw
friends

hey all... i'm new to this forum... i was wondering if anyone could help me out.... i have been reading all over the place that there are a bunch of new articles out attacking higher education/college.

which issues are these in?

i heard that they're in more than one issue.... is it watchtower or awake or both?

Joel Wideman

Welcome to the board, and while the Dubs annoying, questions about them generally are not. :D

34

another recovering exjw....

by knot4me in

i was sooooo happy to find this site the other day.

i have been free and happy for a little over 6 years now.

i too grew up jw, pioneered, blah,blah blah, until around the time i moved out.

Joel Wideman

Welcome. Your life has certainly been tragic, but they say living well is the best revenge. It sounds like now you're living well. :)

29

Please don`t read if you are a current witness and have doubts.

by void in

jw
friends

well i am new to the board, i have faded away from the truth lies about 6 years ago.

it still has an effect on me today, so much so i gave the warning in the title.

this is because one of the things drilled into me, was that its far worse to lead a member of the flock away.

Joel Wideman

Welcome, void. First, don't worry about the writing - your meaning comes through, if in a bit of a random order. :) Secondly, I can relate to your experience. It took a long time of being away from the influence of the WTS for me to be able to see it for what it really is.

17

Ever wonder what life would have been like if you hadn't been a witness?

by tfsm in

jw
friends

i had a scholarship that i didn't take because... well i'm sure you know.

i did eventually go back to school and get a degree but i feel like i lost ten years.

Joel Wideman

I missed a few opportunities that would have put me in a better situation today, but I might not have the family I have now. And that I'm not willing to trade.

12

I wish my former friends would leave the "lie" I mean "truth"!!

by weinermcgee in

jw
friends

i still dream about this often!

some of my childhood friends stop being jw's so i can have them back as my friends, it would be like a dream come true.

but some of you might say: "you would take them back as friends?

Joel Wideman

Hmmm... friends... JW friends... nope, I'm getting nothing there.

13

MY NAME IS EARL

by Cygnus in

last night i downloaded the first two episodes of this show and the last time i laughed so hard was when i watched jay and silent bob strike back, a movie from 2002 which happens to include jason lee who plays two characters resurrected from past kevin smith movies, mallrats and chasing amy.. who else thinks this is the best thing to happen to television since seinfeld got really good?

if you're familiar with jason lee and mallrats, you can see some of his character brodie in earl.

the only thing that disturbed me was when i saw jason lee on carson daly's show and he said some disparaging remarks about movies he's been associated with, which makes me wonder if he's had a major falling out with smith.

Joel Wideman

I saw the first episode. I'm with fairchild on this one. Meh.