Posts by NYCkid

2

Question about WTS Star Columbia Univ. Students

by yknot in

jw
friends

we have a re-visiting eldum who is cozy with do coming to enlighten us with his brillance for my last meeting june 1st.

he is a company line pushing little brown noser (all of 27).

last visit we had a tit for tat about college.

NYCkid

Yknot,

You are correct, GS in the Columbia University world is an ancronym for General Studies, one of the four undergraduate schools at the University. GS is for "non-traditional" students defined as having at least one-year break from H.S. to college. I attend this school. If anyone wants information about attending this school, please let me know. It's a great school and an amazing experience...the scholarships are getting better.

Joel graduated from GS in 2006 and according to the University directory, he currently is a graduate student. I have not heard his name before. Believe it or not, there is a small contingent of JWs at the school. I ran into them during an orientation event where they were representing one of hundreds of students group (their table was next to the Gay Protestants, it was hysterical). I could feel the heat rising in my face, but I approaced them and asked them what they were about. Really just a group of JWs who are trying to get an education despite what their religion tells them. I applaud them and hope that the experience is a catalyst for leaving the religion. Once a month or so, they set up a table in the student center with JW Bibles and literature. It's cute, but no one pays them any attention.

I had a class with a JW woman, who was a former bethelite, she and her husband. She is extremely brilliant and it was sad that she spent the prime of her life cleaning bethelite rooms. I came out to her as a former JW and she was very friendly throughout the semester and even studied with me on more than one occasion.

Hope this helps,

NYCkid

22

Graduating from collge next week

by NYCkid in

jw
friends

i just wanted share that i am graduating from columbia university next week with an undergraduate degree in sociology at the age of 39. see, it's never too late, for anyone out there considering attending college.. my partner and around 10 of my closest friends will be there to cheer me on, which is overshadowing any disappointment that my family will not be there, or as of today, yet to acknowledge this accomplishment that means so much to me (i sent grad announcements a few weeks ago along with an invite).

in all honestly, they live across the country so it is an expensive trip.. anyway, despite the student loans, hard work and sacrifices, it has been well worth it.

i remember back in h.s in the late 1980s, i begged my parents to let me attend college, but of course, the end was coming and it was a waste of time.

NYCkid

Thanks everyone for your warm congratulations Loved the cupcake..yum

Congrats also to A@G and White Dove on your accomplishment! You should be so proud of yourselves. White Dove we should talk...did you specialize in any area. For me, it was race/immigration and public policy. Good job for all those attending school, keep at it.

BenV- I'm sure you would excel in a supportive academic environment...go for it.

The plan is...find a job in research/non-proft/government for a year or two before applying to grad school for an masters in public affairs. I would greatly appreciate any leads in these areas if anyone has contacts in the NYC.

Since there seems to be a lot of you in the NYC area either graduating or are in school, we should have a summer celebration get-together!

Best,

NYCkid (A@G - True but you're only as old as you feel - LOL)

22

Graduating from collge next week

by NYCkid in

jw
friends

i just wanted share that i am graduating from columbia university next week with an undergraduate degree in sociology at the age of 39. see, it's never too late, for anyone out there considering attending college.. my partner and around 10 of my closest friends will be there to cheer me on, which is overshadowing any disappointment that my family will not be there, or as of today, yet to acknowledge this accomplishment that means so much to me (i sent grad announcements a few weeks ago along with an invite).

in all honestly, they live across the country so it is an expensive trip.. anyway, despite the student loans, hard work and sacrifices, it has been well worth it.

i remember back in h.s in the late 1980s, i begged my parents to let me attend college, but of course, the end was coming and it was a waste of time.

NYCkid

Hi,

I just wanted share that I am graduating from Columbia University next week with an undergraduate degree in Sociology at the age of 39. See, it's never too late, for anyone out there considering attending college.

My partner and around 10 of my closest friends will be there to cheer me on, which is overshadowing any disappointment that my family will not be there, or as of today, yet to acknowledge this accomplishment that means so much to me (I sent grad announcements a few weeks ago along with an invite). In all honestly, they live across the country so it is an expensive trip.

Anyway, despite the student loans, hard work and sacrifices, it has been well worth it. I remember back in H.S in the late 1980s, I begged my parents to let me attend college, but of course, the end was coming and it was a waste of time. I sucked it up and enrolled as a regular pioneer, while washing dishes in the evenings and weekends...I was miserable - long days in the field service, long nights in the back of a restaurant kitchen (except meeting nights of course). A week after pioneer school, I moved East, worked in mindless jobs but eventually got an opportunity and worked my up the corporate "ladder." Even though I had attained some measure of financial and professional success, I reached a salary ceiling because of not having a college degree, plus I had always felt inferior, EVEN though there was no reason to. So 7 years ago, I enrolled in a Community College that embarked me on an amazing journey, which is now ending at Columbia. I can't believe it. I want to add that school is more than just learning, the entire experience is enhanced if you get involved in student organizations and meet people. The networking aspect opens so many doors.

I just wanted to share what I've learned or how it has changed me....

Eliminated or reduced personal sentiments of racial and other prejudices
Most social issues/attitudes repeat themselves over time (no we are not that special..this has already be argued before LOL)
Improved my writing, analytical skills
Importance of examining context, evidence and observation before making conclusions
College graduates are more likely to have higher salaries (contrary to what WT anti-education literature says)
Education is more than to learn specific skills
Religion has many loving and universal qualities, people make it hateful and divisive (I'm still an atheist tho)
Camus, Kafka, Mill, Shakespeare, Foucault, Nietzsche, Weber Rule...need I same more? LOL

For those who have attended/completed college, please share how the experience has changed you!!!!

Regards,

NYCkid

119

What Its Like To Be A Gay Ex JW....

by str8?so is spaghetti..until you heat it up in

i guess its time to throw my little story out there.

i keep reading everyones stories and thinking how brave you have all been, coming out of the organisation and facing all the repercussions of doing so.. .

i only last august disassociated myself.

NYCkid

Hey "Curved Spaghetti"

You articulated your struggle very well and is quite similar to my struggle, although I mistakingly approached a good friend and "liberal" Elder about my gayness and well, he referred me to a judicial committee...oh well...LOL You made a graceful exit...!!!

Anyway, I'm so glad to hear you persevered, did not end your life and are on a fantastic journey. Best wishes to you!!!!

By the way, you may already be aware, but there is an mostly on-line support/network group for gay ex JW's called A Common Bond...there is a chapter or at least some individuals in Australia if you feel you need to connect to others (www.gayxjw.org).

As for the family, well that is more of a challenge, I'm not in communication with mine either so I know it's painful, but that is the sacrifice we all make when we leave the org and become self-actualized. It hurts terribly, but over-time we develop friendships, that really develop into "family" extended kinships...It's great!! I have friends and a loving partner (of 10 years) who would do anything for me and vice versa.

I recall attending my first gay pride march/parade and was having a good time with friends, when all of a sudden the PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) contingent marched by me with parents holding signs that exclaimed they were proud of their gay or lesbian children. I began to cry and sob uncontrollably, alarming my friends...I realized at that moment, that would never be my parents...but there is still hope, perhaps my mom won't march in a gay parade, but that someday she'll love me for me.

Hang in there, and again, all the best to you!

Best,

NYCkid

143

President Obama and a Democrat Congress Will....

by owenfieldreams in

jw
friends

1) raise taxes, and not just capital gains.

income taxes will be raised as well.

and if you make more than $200k/yr, you are "rich", and defined as such you will get soaked; thus, you will have little incentive to keep earning what you do now,--the opportunity to make a nice profit will simply not be there....and all of us working stiffs fortunate enough to make over $50 k/ yr, you better hold on to your wallets as well... we are going to pay for the social security bailout.

NYCkid

OwenFieldDreams, I'm surprised number 8 wasn't, "Obamba is a Muslim and is the AntiChrist foretold in the Bible," which seems to be circulating among radical rumor mills. If you're a former JW, you need to avoid letting poltical pundits put radical and untrue ideas in your head just as the Watchtower writing department did. Think for yourself for a change, because you sound like a puppet (word for word) for pundits featured on Fox News, CNN and the like. Many of the ideas of the current Republican and Democrat candidates are far from perfect, especially in the wake of the mess Bush Jr. is leaving behind, but we need to recognized that the power of the President is limited by the checks and balances placed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Any substantial changes to the tax or health care systems will need to be approved by Congress. Bush and Cheney did have some success in expanding their executive powers, but thanks to a Democratic congress, some of those attempts were thwarted. By the way, what's wrong with a black president of the U.S.? Do you have a problem with blacks? NYCkid

18

Film "Worlds Apart," screened in NYC - GO SEE IT

by NYCkid in

jw
friends

hello, just want to highly recommend the danish film, "worlds apart" now being screend at the tribeca film festival in new york.

the acting is superb and the filmakers represent the witnesses accurately (to the "t") withoug making them appear fanatic.

after all, these are people sincere in their beliefs no matter how absurd.

NYCkid

By the way, here is the film's trailer:

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/videos/17362569.html?page_type=small

18

Film "Worlds Apart," screened in NYC - GO SEE IT

by NYCkid in

jw
friends

hello, just want to highly recommend the danish film, "worlds apart" now being screend at the tribeca film festival in new york.

the acting is superb and the filmakers represent the witnesses accurately (to the "t") withoug making them appear fanatic.

after all, these are people sincere in their beliefs no matter how absurd.

NYCkid

I want to see it again, I saw you guys were going on that date, but I have a final exam the next morning, I will try though.

Best,

NYCkid

18

Film "Worlds Apart," screened in NYC - GO SEE IT

by NYCkid in

jw
friends

hello, just want to highly recommend the danish film, "worlds apart" now being screend at the tribeca film festival in new york.

the acting is superb and the filmakers represent the witnesses accurately (to the "t") withoug making them appear fanatic.

after all, these are people sincere in their beliefs no matter how absurd.

NYCkid

Hello, just want to highly recommend the Danish film, "Worlds Apart" now being screend at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. This is a MUST SEE!

The acting is superb and the filmakers represent the Witnesses accurately (to the "T") withoug making them appear fanatic. After all, these are people sincere in their beliefs no matter how absurd. It's a story about finding love and ultimately oneself, and the unfortunate consequences facing those in the JW religion.

The judicial committee scene places a knot in your stomach, especially if you've had the pleasure of surviving one of these.

The screenwriter and producer hosted a Q & A aftewards and said that the film is based on the young woman's life and is fairly true to her story. In fact the "real Sara" makes a cameo in the film.

If you're anywhere in the NYC tri-state area, go, go go, if not, buy the DVD.

67

God dammit!!! I hate this cult!

by bluesbreaker59 in

jw
friends

so my girlfriend and i are getting very serious, and i've bought her engagement ring, should be done being built sometime in may.

then at some point later, i'm going to ask her to marry me.

she was with me and picked out her ring, so she knows its coming.

NYCkid

Bluesbreaker,

Congrats on your pending engagement.

I totally hear you, but I'm on the other side of the situation. My one JW brother got married last summer and my other JW brother is getting married in 26 days and needless to say I wasn't invited, actually that's not true, my bro did invite me last summer to fly across country, rent a car, stay in a motel so I could go to the ceremony, but not the reception. Needless to say I declined. To this day I still don't know what excuse my mother said to her "worldly" co-workers, all who know me very well. I'm sure she lied with her forked tongue even though I asked her to tell the truth. Funny how lying can be justified in the "truth" to avoid giving a "bad witness." Anyway, the other bro emailed me yesterday to say that the invites were going out in the mail. 26 days before a wedding and this is the first time I'm hearing about this? Hmm, anyway I wished him the best and asked that he not contact me again (I've decided months ago to put my foot down with them...I'm not up for the "by the way announcements" without any consideration for me or any interest in what's going on in my life).

Oh, and I'm graduating with a B.A. from a top school next month, and I have to explain to my deans, professors and friends why my family isn't there.

I really really really hate this cult.

10

What to expect of the upcoming Memorial?

by Shadow1 in

jw
friends

can anyone tell me what to expect of the upcoming "memorial"?

i know it is on march 22nd, but what will actually take place?

is this something that my wife will be away at, all day again?

NYCkid

Hello Shadow1,

Sorry to hear about your situation. It's too bad your wife wasn't exactly truthful to you during courtship. I'm just curious if the general descriptions of the memorial and assemblies you are receiving here are similar to what your wife describes to you?

As others have, I feel I must warn you that as your wife becomes more devoted to this religion, you are placed lower and lower on her list of priorities. My mother puts her religion before her own children. It's just par for the course with them and other cults.

Good luck!

Best,

NYCkid (fellow atheist)