Posts by AudeSapere

11

How many elders, HLC members know CPR?

by just n from bethel in

anyone who has ever taken a first aid class knows that cpr training and first aid training are basic life saving requirements for anyone in the professional medical community.

if you were ever discussing any medical choices with someone who wanted to advise you on a medical / health decision, you would want to be comfortable that if something were to happen to you all the sudden, that this person you were seeking advice from could provide basic medical aid, like cpr.

if it's a nurse or a doctor or a paramedic, you would expect that they would know what to do.

AudeSapere

You are right. Just the title made me smile as it's something I've never thought about.

I have been CPR certified (but past time to renew my training). On a very basic level, it shows love and regard for the people that you care about (children, family, friends, neighbors, parishioners/congregation members) as, more often than not, the person that will need your assistance is someone you already know.

I would venture to guess that not many elders have taken a CPR course. And even less are current on their certifications.

My dad was an exception - sort of. Back in the early 70's he took CPR and First Aid courses (and Dale Carnegie courses) in order to advance his 'Theocratic Career'. We kids were told to keep quiet about his classes as he didn't want the 'brothers' to know. He got his wish - about a year or two after baptism he ran the infirmiry for our circuit (reported to an untrained but established elder and they both got counsel and assistance from an MD who was also in our circuit).

We kids took the admonishment to not tell anyone so seriously that I think this is the first time I'm telling ANYONE about it~!!

I don't think my dad *ever* updated his training, though. But he still considers himself trained to handle emergencies.

And maybe he is more capaple than most. I have no way of knowing.

-Aude.

73

You ever go through extended moments where nothing satisfies you, to the point you wouldn't mind dying?

by miseryloveselders in

jw
friends

don't get me wrong, this isn't a call for help or anything like that.

i'm not about to do anything stupid, just feeling a little down and exhausted tonight.

i feel defeated, even though i don't feel as if i'm battling anything.

AudeSapere

Yes. And I went to therapy for it. When it got really, really bad I was on meds. Hated the first prescription. The second was OK. Haven't used any for about ten years.

Also, you mentioned winter weather for a few sentences.

I am in no way trying to diagnose you, but the weather comments made me think of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Could be making things more difficult for you.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195

It may or may not relate to you, but some of the 'fixes' might help elevate and/or stabilize your mood.

I am interested in other comments that you may get.

-Aude.

16

ExJWs and NonJWs Ask: Should I Try to Change My Mate?

by pirata in

jw
friends

i put this together more as a collection of my thoughts.

i would appreciate hearing your thoughts, disagreements, rebuttals, etc on this subject as it has been weighing a lot on my mind lately:.

after reading a lot of heart-breaking stories over the years on this message forum about mates who no longer believe in the jw religion, the common thread seems to be a desire to get the jw mate to see the same thing; with usually dissapointing results.. i am currently of the opinion that maybe the best thing is not to try to change your mate's religion.

AudeSapere

Cutaway wrote: I remember every situation like this being given the same scriptural admonition;, "Win your wife/husband over, without a word".

The end results of 10, 20 , 30 years of this spriitual "silent treatment", can be alienation, unhappiness, wasted lives, and many times, the death of what God had joined together.

Wow. I NEVER heard this scripture interpreted to mean 'give them the silent treatment'. In fact, just the opposite. I always took 'without a word' to mean 'without preaching, harping, nagging, etc'.

In context the scripture does not seem to indicate a dispassionate shrew but, rather, an involved and attentive spouse (wife) trying to win over an 'unbelieving' spouse with kindness and radiant inner beauty.

The more-loving interpretation of this scripture was a running theme in my family when asked how they came into the 'truth':

Before my parents started studying, we hosted some international visitors for the 1969 convention in NYC. Four adults stayed with us for 3 weeks. My dad had just one rule for them: No Preaching.

And so it was. They could talk about any other subject than the Bible and their religion. Because of the respect they showed for my father's request (demand?), it softened my parents to the message that was later presented by other local witnesses with the result that they were baptized at the very next summer convention.

I cannot imagine what it would be like to live for a week with someone who is so distant and alienated from me. After a month I would want to hang myself - or leave. Cannot even begin to imagine what 10 - 20 - 30 YEARS would be like. OMFG~!!

But back to the OP. Finding fun, upbuilding, interesting activities for each of you is a much better use of time than harping on the dissonance. Letting the 'believing' spouse have their space and creating a 'safe' environment where they can let their hair down can be a much easier path than forcing them to keep on alert for breaches in their spiritual armor.

Good Post. I think it's an important discussion. One that should be BTTT'd often.

Cutaway - Welcome to JWN! Really nice to have you join us and join in the discussion. Looking forward to hearing more from you in the future.

-Aude.

23

Why do the JWs have such an aversion to philosophy?

by Darth Eowyn in

i mean, they seem to avoid it like the plague.

i know people will say that they only need the bible to guide them in life...etc...but i contend that you cannot simply read the bible by yourself; at least without knowing where the philosophical principles contained within the bible come from.

is this aversion of confusing philosophy with faith way over the head of most jws?

AudeSapere

Philosophy discussions require critical thinking.

Critical Thinking causes people to question the status quo.

The fear for the org is that questioning will bring dissention and insubordination in the congregation.

They cannot win in a fair fight so they either play dirty, or outlaw anything that will encourage questioning of any sort.

-Aude Sapere (meaning: Dare to Know; Dare to Have Wisdom/Understanding; Dare to Think for Yourself)

12

Anyone from the Hudson Valley/Mid- Hudson valley (NY) Area?

by Invetigator74 in

jw
friends

anyone from the hudson/ mid-hudson valley (ny) area?

this area is probably considered wt country (wallkill, patterson and probably monroe) lol..

AudeSapere

I'm originally from Bergen County (Northern NJ) near the NY State border along the Hudson. (Between GWB and TZB)

-Aude.

53

My First Post on JWN- Hello!

by Philadelphia Ponos in

jw
friends

i'll give some background information before i introduce myself.

i faded from the organization three and a half years ago.

i have no family members who are jws and haven't thought about this religion at all over the past three and half years.

AudeSapere

53

My First Post on JWN- Hello!

by Philadelphia Ponos in

jw
friends

i'll give some background information before i introduce myself.

i faded from the organization three and a half years ago.

i have no family members who are jws and haven't thought about this religion at all over the past three and half years.

AudeSapere

It will be interesting to see what skill you are looking to acquire.

But for the life of me I cannot think what skill that may be.

Public Speaking = Toastmasters; Dale Carnegie; Community College

Door-to-door Sales = Various Sales Companies; Political Campaign Volunteer

Submission = Bondage/S&M Club; Date a Shrew

Headship = Bondage/S&M Club; Date a Doormat

Hall Cleaning = Janitorial Service

Stay awake during mind-numbing talks = Local poetry readings

Seriously. I cannot think of what skill that could possibly be that you could not get from any number of volunteer organizations in your area.

I look forward to hearing more about the plan.

-Aude.

53

My First Post on JWN- Hello!

by Philadelphia Ponos in

jw
friends

i'll give some background information before i introduce myself.

i faded from the organization three and a half years ago.

i have no family members who are jws and haven't thought about this religion at all over the past three and half years.

AudeSapere

haven't thought about this religion at all over the past three and half years.

Hard to believe. Not even ONCE?

why am I returning

My guess it's a girl.

Welcome to JWN. Look around. Read Blondies weekly series: Comments you will NOT hear at the Watchtower Study. That will at least catch you up on the Sunday meetings.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/member/1573/started/44

-Aude Sapere (meaning: Dare to Know; Dare to Have Wisdom/Understanding; Dare to Think for Yourself)

21

Is anyone on here from Milwaukee (or Wisconsin for that matter?)

by Joliette in

jw
friends

milwaukee, wi, born and raised!

but leaving in two years.

AudeSapere

About 5 or 6 years ago, it seemed that half the board was from either Texas or Wisconsin.

There were some well-publicized Apostafests in both areas.

Seems that most of the old Wisconsin people don't post much anymore but here is link to one of the Apostacheesefests:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/members/meetups/88482/1/1st-Annual-Apostacheesefest-in-central-WI

If you are hoping to meet up with some on this board, you may want to consider re-posting under the heading of 'Get-Togethers and Apostafests' or asking a moderator to move this thread to that section. Threads like this one often get buried quickly and once buried rarely come back to the top of active topics. However, when others are looking to meet up with posters near them or when travelling, they can go to the 'Get-Together' section and see who is nearby.

I've done it myself many times with happy results!

-Aude.

34

my story, would like some advice

by deservingone26 in

im looking for some advice.. so i grew up as a witness was baptized when i was seventeen, which by the way i was pushed into baptizm cuse my parents kept asking me when i was and threatned to not buy me a car if i didnt get baptized.

since it was never in my heart i was never very dedicated and was disfellowshipped by nineteen i started the process of coming back but after bout four months i moved out.

i started partying alot mainly with my other disfellowshipped friends and nonactive jw frien, we were drinking alot and smoking weed but soon i started feeling the need to go back so i started up at the meetings but i got bored and went back to my old ways, this has been what i have been doing for the last five years, partying getting drunk and drugs and then stopping and going back to the meetings for a couple months, the same process for last the last almost five years.

AudeSapere

alot of the exjws youtubers are bornagain

Alot are born again.

Alot consider themselves athiests.

Many get involved in self-destructive behaviors.

But I really think that MOST just get busy living good and interesting lives.

I hope you find a path that makes your life good for you.

Welcome to JWN. This is a really good place to sort out all things JW-related.

-Aude Sapere (meaning: Dare to Know; Dare to Have Wisdom/Understanding)