Posts by onesong

(i was shunned by my family when i finally left though, so i know a little of what a dfed person goes through, although i didn't put myself through going back to meetings and being shunned) .

i was publicly reproved, and was not allowed to answer in meetings, but i was not shunned.

onesong

Dfed--

Disfellowshipping is discipline not punishment?

I was df'd because I don't believe "da troof" anymore---how is disciplining me going to help me now?!!

25

Are JW's closer to their creator than other religions?

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

i was thinking the other day, why so many xjw's become atheist or agnostic.. is it because the wt admonishes us to "draw close to jehovah" so much, that when a witness finally does see the "light" regarding the watchtower, they feel that god has failed them?

think of the publication, "draw close to jehovah" - the book is practically a step by step guide to being god's friend.

because witnesses believe that jehovah and the watchtower are entwined, almost like a duality, then the closeness they feel with jehovah god must be a catalyst for deep discord in the event that the truth is discovered about watchtower teachings and dogma.

onesong

Just before we began studying the "Draw Close" book I had a service meeting part about it in which I stated that it should be the goal of all of us to be truly closer to god by the time we're done. I had NO idea at the time the path I would take- leaving the cong. But I can say I'm so much closer now by ridding myself of the Witness version of god.

For me knowing my Creator is realizing that nothing about him/her/it is concrete and the same for everyone. I find a new and expanding idea about my Creator everyday by living. Read everything, laugh , dance, sing, cry, explore, challenge, seek and listen--God is everywhere!

Don't limit God to any person, religion or creed---don't limit god at all and enjoy the journey.

Kahlil Gibran " If you want to know God, get to know people."

Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" has profound insights to how he saw his Creator.

Neal Donald Walsh's " Conversation's With God" series presents great ideas as well.

13

What would you want Madzay to make for ex-JWs?

by AuldSoul in

jw
friends

i was just thinking about all the crap madzay makes for jws, and i think it would be very good to have some of those scripture greeting cards they have for writing to jws.

just with different scriptures than they use now.. what do you think?

could we get some madzay stuff that would help wake up jws?

onesong

How about a JW retro calendar having old assembly themes or great quotes as:

"Millions now living will never die!"

"Religion is a snare and a racket!"

"Deliverance is at hand!"

283

Time again for........ Congregation roll call

by Jourles in

it's been a while since this topic has been brought up.

use it as a chance to see if there is someone you might know from years past.

1973-1976 --- lakeside, ca??

onesong

1970's Groton Mass.

!980's--Milford NH

7

Stress-relief; corny but try it

by sass_my_frass in

jw
friends

hi all, the goods coming from sir's appraisal of the elders school (great job, btw!

) are very upsetting... i know i'm very angry about what the leaders are being told to do, and i can see it in everybody elses comments too.

just thought i'd try an exercise to bring a bit more joy into our lives at this time..... what have you achieved since escaping the cult?

onesong

I've played guitar and sang all along but now I've been able to pursue it more. Going to music camp and playing open mics ect.

I'm now in a more harmonious relationship.

I've gotten more involved in volunteer work in my community.

I get to read everything and anything!

35

Two weeks 'til DA day?

by AuldSoul in

jw
friends

if you have been following anything about my situation (likely not), i have been baptised for 20 years.

my profile (as of today) says:i have committed no immorality.

i have only stopped believing that the christian congregation of jehovah's witnesses represents the interests of god in any way.

onesong

I care Auldsoul and can sympathize. I struggled for nearly a year knowing how wrong things are but not wanting to be df'd. I avoided the CO and DO when they visited me and the elders up until 2 months ago. I finally let them in, talked with them, explained many of the things I thought were wrong and 2 weeks later found out I was announced as no longer a Witness.

It was obviously difficult and still is-I never even got to say goodbye to my family, but I am glad it reached a head and it's over. I now feel relieved and totally liberated.

Hope all goes well, Onesong

5

Higher Education Story

by onesong in

jw
friends

here's a sad story of what happens when we take man's advice on the education issue.

my ex-wife ( we went thru a very amiable divorce after 13 yrs.

and leaving the borg) is(was) a third generation jw.

onesong

Here's a sad story of what happens when we take man's advice on the education issue.

My ex-wife ( we went thru a very amiable divorce after 13 yrs. and leaving the Borg) is(was) a third generation JW. Her grandparents were annointed- whatever that means. Her parents followed the advice and lived like the big "A" was coming tomorrow. No education, no savings, no future planning. As a result they now live in a 1 room "apartment" with no money. My father in-law has diabetes, can no longer walk and afford the meds he needs. My mother in-law is caring for her aged , ill mother--all three living in this tiny hell hole. They are all sad, depressed and basically helpless.

What's so sad is that these people could have lived amazing lives. They have (had) larger than life personalities and could have done or been anything they wanted to. They are an example of the absolute tragedy that takes place following the Society.

I recently sent them a letter explaining my continued unconditional love for them and their daughter and why I chose to leave. In talking with my ex after receiving my letter they could only express sadness at my "disillusionment". My father in-law saying that he had been doing this for 53 years and wasn't about to give up now.

Meanwhile my ex and I decided a few years ago that while I was busy being an elder and supporting her she should go to school. Obviously this did not go over well with the cong. and her parents be we went ahead anyway. Now she is just a few credits from her fine arts degree and has a great job at the Institute she attends. She is now in a position of having to ( and being able to ) help out her parents financially. All because of going against the Borg and her parents, and unbelieveably they still don't support her life course!