i have 2 jw's coming every freaking saturday to my auto repair shop (going on for about 9 weeks now) trying to get me to come back into the organization.
any suggestions on how to let them down easily?
a lot of them are my customers.
Possible reply: Hi! I've been watching for you--I found some really interesting articles I'd like YOU to read; that's fair, isn't it? Then whip out some copied pages of Crisis of Conscience or some articles from Randy's site...freeminds.org
Yep, that ought to do it...
once i left the jw social scene and started hanging out with "worldly" people a lot more, i realized that these "worldly" people don't gossip nearly as much as the witnesses.. i didn't realize it at the time but now i can see how much of a gossip-based social structure it all was.
jws absolutely thrive on gossip.
has anyone else noticed this?
My experience was the opposite, but I credit my parents' integrety for that. My mom couldn't and still can't say one negative or gossipy thing about anyone--and makes it a point not to listen. She can cut me off faster than anything when I fish for info! Only positive things about anyone...
But I have a cousin that can be a wealth of info...
I think it's the nature of a socially isolating group to talk about what they know--each other. And when someonee else sins, it's confirmation that you are better than they are. For folks who don't get a lot of positive reinforcement, I think that's a big factor.
I am so thankful that I have found unconditional love and a real relationship with God.
so, we left the org.
back in december.
i went & visited my mother in february & shared with her some of the research i had found.
Boy, am I sorry you are going through this! I agree, she read the article cited above. Also, did she just get back from the assembly? Nothing like a revival!!!
Hang in there, and remember that the insanity stops with our generation, if we don't take the bait. Nancy
i had not planned on having a fouth child.
i had an iud and i got pregnant with my boy while it was still inserted.
luckily that iud was nowhere near my baby.
Happy birth day, Joshua! And happy birthin' day, Josie! Nancy
we brought his body home to bury on our property next to his brother cat that died about six or seven months ago.
we think he had an aneurysm and that is why he went out so fast.
he was a very sick kitty for six months.
I can't see him, either, but I'd like to. I'm so sorry you lost your dear pet.
i went down to help my daughter move back here and while there i stopped by the kh.
they were cleaning up the lawn and parking lot.
another car drove up beside me about the time i got out.
Katie, "wistful" is the perfect word.
i'm a bit reluctant in writing this post, for i dont feel i should be here.
even a bit nervous... .
i've never officially dedicated myself to jehovah, but i was brought up in the truth, very strong, and at times when getting older, there were lulls in my attendance... yet to this day i still attend.
Dear Saki,
Welcome! I really appreciate your sincere and thoughtful posts, and I can only imagine how torn you feel even being here.
I too was raised 'in thetruth', never baptized, and had a very secure childhood. But do you realize that we were taught that only witness children enjoyed that love, and that other families therefore must have empty and unfulfilling lives? That is not true. I have found many wonderful Christian people whose children are loved unconditionally, who love and worship God without guilt or embarassment, and minister to others without knocking on a single door.
You said that you were afraid of losing Jehovah, as all those here have done. But I don't think I lost him. I found him. Finally.
Change is uncomfortable, but it's a process. Be patient with yourself. You might want to get in contact with some of your family members who are no longer witnesses. You all shared both the good and bad in your childhood, and you might need to hear them out as to why they left.
I'm so glad you are praying for guidance. Keep it up. Just remember that the answer is often "wait".
I know I was really turned off at first by the folks here who are really negative and angry, but one nice thing here is that we don't all agree; we don't have to. Lots of people here are 'in transition' and still trying to figure out just what they do believe.
One thing that helped me initially was reading a 'neutral' translation of the Bible, (NIV), just the book of John at first. And re-reading it.
Hang in there. It's great to meet you! Nancy
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i cant email everyone ....dont have time.
my brother committed suicide.... have to be out of town for awhile.. purps
I'm so sorry you have to go through this, purps. Come back to us soon. We'll be waiting.
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anything in particular?
?
nancy
all to often, my mind drifts to my mixed feelings for my mother.
the deep love that burned in my heart for the woman who had given me life.. the suicidal remorse i felt for bringing such guilt and reproach on her good name.. the blinding anger i felt for her never questioning her beliefs, but always questioning her son.. and so i'm left with a vacuous emotional chamber for a large element that is missing from my soul.. and when you've lost your most valuable possesion, everything else is gravy on an empty plate - pointless.. and so i hurt too, and i love my mom, but does she love me?
the unanswered question haunts my mind.. we recieve, we give, and sometimes, we just plain screw up.
Richie,
Bless your heart. You are the most eloquent kid I 'know.'
Arthur, check out his post histories. He's got a story to tell.
