What right do any of us have to shame anyone? (Ok maybe with the exception of child molestors)
Didn't we get enough of the whole shame thing when we were in the org?
Cog
cognizant dissident
JoinedPosts by cognizant dissident
-
35
Would you shame someone for going back to the Witnesses?
by free2beme ini was thinking about this, as i have a former witness friend who is showing signs of wanting to go back, even though they have expressed over the years a lot of frustration and lack of belief for the faith.
as much as i find their decision to be a mistake, i do understand why.
after all, unlike myself and family, i have never been shunned by the few family members left in and i moved on over the last decade to build new friendships and hobbies.
-
-
-
38
I got off easy because my father is an Elder
by Pwned ini was reading the story of james caputo on his site disfellowshipped.org when i came to the realization that i received favorable treatment because of who my father is.
i was 17 when i told my father that i didnt want to be a jw anymore because i just didnt really believe in it, i think i said something along the lines of i just don't "feel it" anyways he told me that since i was a minor i would have to keep going to the meetings and that i would have to tell the elders how i felt.
so a few days later 2 elders who had known me since i was 6 years old came over and talked to me, although they made it clear from the outset that it wasn't a jc.
-
-
cognizant dissident
My father, the PO, wanted my disassociated sister to be reinstated so we could all socialize with her without getting into trouble. So he practically wrote her letter for her, making sure it said all the right things and got her to sign it. Then he sent it off to his buddy elder's in her territory. A few follow-up phone calls later and presto she was reinstated. She never even had to set foot in the kingdom hall, and still hasn't to this day. Oh, sorry, she did once, for the one meeting with the elders where she told them that yes, she was rash in sending a DA letter to them and regretted it. Talk about despotism at its finest. She's my own sister, and I love her, but even I have to admit, that was totally unfair.
Cog (Of the well-connected, it definitely IS who you know class!)
-
98
Say something Philosophical and Deep
by JH insay something philosophical and deep so that we can all benefit from what you're going to say.
-
-
cognizant dissident
"Fear is the motivator of everything"
(I think that was from the poet, Walt Whitman, but I'm not sure)
"The Bible says Christians should be willing to die for their beliefs, it doesn't say anything about being willing to kill for them." (not sure who said this first either)
-
45
How do you handle extremely rude people in public?
by Virgochik ini'm so upset by two vicious women who came to my work today.
i was helping a man in my line and they tried to cut in front.
i politely explained that as soon as i finished with my customer, i would help them.
-
-
cognizant dissident
Virgochick:
You handled it perfectly! You made your point and showed up their rudeness without being rude yourself. You have absolutely nothing to apologize for and if your boss asks you to, then he is being unreasonable.
As far as that woman being a nurse, well so was Nurse Ratchet! Thank goodness you weren't her patient when you were in the hospital. Did you really have a hysterectomy or did you say that just for effect?. If so, then you are a really quick thinker as well!
As far as rudeness in general is concerned, in my entire life I have encountered rude sales people maybe half a dozen times. The one year I worked in a retail store, I had rude customers on a daily basis. Some people think that if you are in the service industry, you are their personal servants to abuse as they wish.
Cog
-
17
name calling and bullying in the name of religion
by lovelylil ini know myself, although i have not been disrespectful to anyone and have tried to enter conversations explaining my beliefs only, not to put anyone elses beliefs down, have been called self righteous, condescending, a hypocrite and tiresome today.. i had a similiar problem at another site and chose to leave because it was not encouraging.. come on everyone, lets listen to reason here.
many of us have been thru a literal hell of the wt organization.
and have had our lives in total turmoil because of it.
-
-
cognizant dissident
Lovelylil:
You have a gentle and kind spirit. If there were more believers and atheists like you, the world would be a nicer place. Please don't leave the forum. We all need reminders of how to more respectful to others. People like you provide them.
Cog
-
-
-
cognizant dissident
I love calm, silence, stillness. I seek them out at every opportunity and gravitate towards people of a calm and gentle nature. I think that's why I'm a nightowl. I love it when everyone goes to bed and I'm the only one up. Sometimes I stay up to greet the dawn.
I also hate cell phones, pagers, call waiting, faxes and doorbells. Although they are a necessary part of my business, when they all go off at the same time, which happens regularly, I become very techno streeeeesed! Sometimes, I just take off out of my office and drive to my favorite beach a few miles away. I used to live 2 blocks away from it and loved it. Then I get a latte at the coffee hut and just sit in the sand and listen to the waves lap at the shore. It's my healing place. I love it so much, I have even been know to sit down there in the pouring rain, in the dead of winter, and in the middle of the night!
Aaaah, the beach. I feel calmer already.
Cog
-
81
How closely does your online personality match the REAL you?
by nicolaou ini think i come across as a bit agressive online but in reality i know i'm extremely chilled - lazy some might say.
i'm greek you see and we do so love to argue the toss - loudly and insistently - and then have a game of tavli (backgammon) afterwards.
thing is most of my family are still jw's and as i can't do it with them you guys end up getting both barrels!!.
-
-
cognizant dissident
Miss peaches:
You come across as someone who sees the best in everyone, a peach of a friend to have!
Cog
-
81
How closely does your online personality match the REAL you?
by nicolaou ini think i come across as a bit agressive online but in reality i know i'm extremely chilled - lazy some might say.
i'm greek you see and we do so love to argue the toss - loudly and insistently - and then have a game of tavli (backgammon) afterwards.
thing is most of my family are still jw's and as i can't do it with them you guys end up getting both barrels!!.
-
-
cognizant dissident
Diamond Blue: You come across as and intelligent and balanced nice guy.
Jnat: You come across exactly like you described yourself! Good self-awareness skills!
Auld Soul: You come across as someone I would not want to be on the other side of a debate with. (said with the utmost revereance and awe!)
Gumby, Unclebruce, Ballistic and Dr. Jekyll: I don't know why, but the words "randy" and "incorrigible" come to mind.
I have no idea how I come across. I think I'm too new to give a firm impression.
Cog
-
37
Congratulations (belated) to Randy Watters on reaching 2 million!
by Deleted inwhen i was in nyc in spiring of 1999 (there on biz) i asked a bethelite friend who was the biggest pain to the wts and he said randy watters and his bethel ministries.
i flew home to oregon and i read everything on randy at www.freeminds.org (watchers of the watchtower world).
truly a life saver for me and my family!
-
-
cognizant dissident
Before I found Randy's site, I had lurked on many "apostate" sites. Most of what I read was full of bitterness and hatred against JW's that somewhat clouded the logic of their arguments or else there was an obvious religious agenda attached.
"Freeminds" was very different. It was an insider's view that was totally believable to those who were insider's themselves. The intent seemed not to be one of revenge or malice but simply an expose of the facts. Those who were willing to open their eyes and ears to see and hear the testimonies, could not deny their ring of "truth".
Randy, you are on my list of people who have changed my life in a big way! Thank-you! There's no way I can ever repay you!
Congratulations,
Cog
-
18
Were you a BRAT during your family bible studies?
by kid-A ini was a monster!!!
lol.....i would always ask extremely difficult questions about the "troof" to my parents during our "watchtower family indoctrination hour"........ my parents often got so pissed off i would sent to my room without supper!
my favourite memories of our family watchtower studies involved.
-
-
cognizant dissident
My brother and I were such brats at the family study. We fought, made fun of each other's answers, acted silly, made fun of the material. My father (who was an elder and should have had more perserverance IMO) got so frutstrated he just stopped studying with us at the age of 13 and 15. He never did beat us for that at least, although he did for other things. I knew other JW kids in the hall who were beaten for giggling at studies.
Cog.