my daughter got an acceptance to her first choice in colleges last week!
she's leaving for nyc this tuesday to look for a job and a place to live.
(she'll be living with a friend while she looks.
That's wonderful news. May I ask what school she's attending? I'm attending Columbia University right now (I'm a former JW who's finally attending college at age 35). I transferred to Columbia from a NYC community college where I graduated with an A.A. in writing and literature. Let me know if your daughter needs any advice on NYC or college.
Best,
NYCkid
hi all, ive been disfellowshipped 11 years, and ive blindly went through life, but with in the past 5 years, getting married, having kids, ive started to want to learn of god.i feel being raised in the jw's i wasnt ever taught, and what i did learn was force fed, and i dont think it was 100% truth.truth to them, but not exactally biblical.
anyhow, ive started doing my research , im reading the book of john now, and its pretty amazing, mind u im reading some verses over and over, to make sure i am understanding them, but it feels great.
great to know i can freely read my bible, of my choosing, and benifit on my own.ofcourse, i think its freaking my husband out, he knows ill never be a jw, (its a cult ,i feel)and a holy roller im not.
Mandy,
That's awesome, doesn't it feel good to read at your own leisure and intepretation? I enjoy flipping through my New International Version and especially enjoy reading the 4 gospels because Jesus' words are printed in red ink. (My NWT on the other hand sits in a box and although I occasionally use it to compare with the NIV).
This is my opinion of course but I've discovered that the Bible is not to be read literally. It's sort of like a collection of short stories that have moral lessons and discusses human and godly nature and their relationship with each other. Because the writings were completed thousands of years ago, much of it's advice does not apply to modern living, it just doesn't regardless of what anyone says (we don't sacrifice animals to please God or kill women for having sex during their menstrual cycle anymore). Because I was raised a JW, I have to catch myself when I take something I read from the Bible literally. Keep in mind that the Bible is very contradictory and is such because it has many human authors and viewpoints. A human somewhere sometime decided which writings were to be included into the compilation that makes up the Bible. That's where faith that the Bible's compilation was divinely influenced.
With that said, I would encourage you to keep reading and learn to develop the self-confidence in yourself and realize that you alone have the human ability to make your life beautiful.
Best,
NYCkid
it is easy to get too curious and fall in.
you might wander around down there for years, have a family, make friends.
then you will find it is hard to get out.
Gregor:
Thank you Thank you Thank you...well said. I think what you say applies to all religions, otherwise why would educated men find it absolutely logical and appropriate to fly a commercial airplane into a building or to avoid specific foods while the men refuse to cut their hair? (to name a few).
From my standpoint, the very root of every single religion is it's mechanism to control people. So much for the "Jehovah didn't create us as robots, we have freedom of choice" theory. The very idea of good vs evil negates any opportunity for choice.
Thanks for sharing,
NYCkid
with two thirds of my sentence complete, i am almost ready for parole.. there was some unbelievable stuff said today - i think there must be some sort of hallucinogenic gas coming through the ac, because no one batted an eyelid over what was said from the platform.. as usual, i will highlight the main talks.. .
saturday.
"deliver us from the wicked one and from every sort of lawlessness" - matt 6:13, titus 2:14. .
SIDE NOTE: The mention of searching for JW news articles on the Internet AND the mention of the brother finding NEGATIVE TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNING BODY is the FIRST example I have ever heard given of what a witness could find on the Internet about JW's and not just the usual "half-truths and apostate lies" mentioned.
It seems there is some desperation there - how many witnesses must have found out negative things concerning the Governing Body?
It's interesting that they mention "negative talk about the Governing Body." I would think they should be more concerned with negative talk about the Bible or, Jehovah....NOT - What an excellent example of their self-seeking interests. By the way, since they can freely meet and proselytize; freedoms protected by our Constitution, then they must in turn allow their members and families of their members to freely criticize their theology and practices without reprisal or fear of reprisal. The fact that they forbid their members to see, read or hear criticisms smacks of communistic China, North Korea, Cuba as wells as fundamentalistic sects of Islam, Judiasm and Christianity.
Best,
NYCkid
this was a comment my jw mother recently relayed to my father.. i don't know if it was by an elder, co, etc.
... ... ... they must really be preparing for some "big announcement" next dc.
i know there have been rumors here.
I heard something similar from my mother this weekend. Apparently my brother attended a ms/elder meeting and was not at liberty to tell even her what the big announcement was (mabye they will start charging for the literature again). She did excitedly tell me about their recent tract campaigns. Apparently they are not to engage in conversation but to just distribute the tracts to as many people as possible. "See it just goes to show how close to the end we are."
I remarked that I remember similar "campaigns" as a kid and was quite satisfied the end was not coming, but once it does arrive at last to please let me know so I could throw a party. She wasn't amused.
It both breaks my heart and frustrates me. She and so many other JWs want the end to come so bad. The lifes decisions she and many like her made thier entire lives were based on beliefs that the end was coming tomorrow. Now that she's nearing retirement age without any substantial savings and has a plethora of health problems, "the end" is the only thing keeping them going. Bless their hearts, damn the WTBTS. If they could understand that they've been duped by an American born religion less than 200 years old....sigh
NYCkid
hi.. i have decided to join this site and hopefully connect with some people who will know what my story has been.
i guess it is best to read my profile, but the upshot of this new found technology is that i am no longer alone in my isolation.
i can hopefully reach out and connect with people who really understand what it is like in my head!
Hey Cordy,
Not sure if you're aware of A Common Bond (ACB) but it's an international support network for current and former LGBT JWs. We meet monthly in NYC (4th Saturday of every month) and this year we're hosting the annual ACB conference during Labor Day weekend. Check out our website at www.acbnyc.com. We also schedule informal social outings. You might also check out A Common Bond in yahoo groups as there is a discussion board there as well.
I hear your frustration. I was an m.s. while I discovered I was gay. Towards the end of my m.s. career I was asked to substitute for a brother who "called in sick" and couldn't give his talk on masturbation. It was hilarious lecturing the congregation on the evils of something that is quite normal and that I had participated in frequently myself...lol
It can be a difficult journey coming out as a gay man and leaving all you've known religiously, but I think most people will tell you that being true to yourself is quite rewarding....the possibilities are endless.
Best,
NYCkid
hi.. i have decided to join this site and hopefully connect with some people who will know what my story has been.
i guess it is best to read my profile, but the upshot of this new found technology is that i am no longer alone in my isolation.
i can hopefully reach out and connect with people who really understand what it is like in my head!
Hey Paul,
I was a 3rd generation JW and am gay. I did the whole thing, regular pioneer after high school, ministerial servant..blah blah. I've been out since the mid-90s and now have a partner of 8 years. It can be a roller-coaster journey, (coming out is an adventure in itself, let alone being a JW) but being true to oneself is so worth it. Long story short, I was df'd when I approached the elders about my homosexuality (I had sex at that point and was doing other sinful things) and was seeking their help to overcome it. Needless to say, they weren't very helpful...LOL
Anyway I've found friendship and support with A Common Bond (ACB), an international support group for current and former gay, lesbian, bi and transgendered JWs. I live in the NYC area we are hosting the annual ACB conference this year. Please come if you can find a cheap airfare as it would be worth the trip. For more info...go to www.acbnyc.com.
Feel free to email me privately if you want to chat.
Best,
NYCkid
i spoke to my mother who lives in another state briefly last night and some things she expressed to me have me once again shocked and dismayed.
i feel like i have to vent.
(im now allowed to contact them since my father is in serious ill health).
Ok, so now I have to vent about this cut & past issue...grrrrrr LOL I'll re-type the entire story directly when I get a chance...sorry
i spoke to my mother who lives in another state briefly last night and some things she expressed to me have me once again shocked and dismayed.
i feel like i have to vent.
(im now allowed to contact them since my father is in serious ill health).
Thanks guys, I did cut & paste from word, I'm trying notepad now. PS I didn't have the heart to duke it out with mom since she sounds and is exhausted from taking care of dad as she needs to wake up twice in the night to give him medicine.
I spoke to my mother who lives in another state briefly last night and some things she expressed to me have me once again shocked and dismayed. I feel like I have to vent. (I’m now allowed to contact them since my father is in serious ill health). My parents are good people (life long JWs) but in my opinion, the many of JW policies that adherents must follow are divisive and destructive to families and violate basic human rights in the very worst and are rude in the very least. Ultra right wing conservatives say that gays pose the biggest threat to family values, but in my opinion the greatest threat are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
i spoke to my mother who lives in another state briefly last night and some things she expressed to me have me once again shocked and dismayed.
i feel like i have to vent.
(im now allowed to contact them since my father is in serious ill health).
Is there a word limit, this site is not letting me post the rest of my story?
