Posts by david

185

News About 2006 Memorial

by Severus in

this is a call to action.

please read.

jehovah's witnesses will be celebrating the memorial of jesus death on wednesday, april 12th.

david_10

"And everyone is only a mouse-click away from the truth about The Truth™."

Auldsoul, that statement is something that everyone can agree with, no matter what opinion one has. I agree 100%, although I would apply in in a slightly different way: When one of the faithful is finally at the end of their rope and when they are finally ready to get help and look for the way out, it's never been easier. Not "easy", for sure, but "easier." One little mouse click, and the journey has begun. And this terrifies the Society more than anything, and they're at a loss as to how to handle it. I'm certain of one thing, though: their threatening, strong-arm tactics won't keep a lid on the Internet. They can't stop it, and it will eventually be their undoing. All because of one little mouse-click.

Rabbit, my heart goes out to you, but sometimes there are no answers or solutions, and we cope the best we can. I have seen this type of situation many times, though, and based on the limited information that you've given, I would point this out. I would speculate that your situation is out of your control and there's nothing that you can do. It's as simple as that. That realization alone might help you to see your way. I'm reminded of that old prayer, the so-called Serenity Prayer, that says: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference." This is one thing that you can't change, and you'll have to accept it. The Witness mindset is too strong and too entrenched for you to break it down, and it's probably best if you give your kids some room and don't pressure them. You won't change them, and if you push it too hard, you'll alienate them. They'll have to figure it out on their own. That's the downside to this. The upside is, unless your profile needs to be updated, you aren't disfellowshipped. And that's a biggie. As long as you're not disfellowshipped, then you are accessible to them. If and when any of your kids reach that "tipping point," when they're ready to raise questions (horrors!!), and find answers, they'll know they can come to you. But you'll have to be patient and hope for the best. Please forgive me if I'm stepping out of line here, I may be totally off-base, but I've seen this type of thing many times, and it appears your situation is pretty typical.

I don't know what to say about your ex-wife, but it's awfully sad. The Society is a master at breaking down self-esteem and laying on the guilt-----------------------------they are so proficient at it that a person can become incapable of sorting out his own emotions-----------------------------------he (or she) will feel the way the Society tells him to feel. When that unending barrage of propaganda from the publications, the elders, the meetings & assemblies finally convinces one that he (or she) has been rejected by Jehovah, then suicide becomes a viable option. I've been there and, apparently, so have you. I hope you can help her----------------------------maybe getting her in for professional counseling would help, I don't know. I hope you can help her.

Lastly, I'm very sorry about your Mom. I lost my mother a couple of years ago, too, and it's something you'll never get over. My mother was also a victim of the organization, but in a different way. I wrote about her a few months ago:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/91932/1.ashx

You can read it when you get a chance.

Take care, Rabbit----------I wish you well.

David

185

News About 2006 Memorial

by Severus in

this is a call to action.

please read.

jehovah's witnesses will be celebrating the memorial of jesus death on wednesday, april 12th.

david_10

"I would look at those loser apostates out there pestering us and I thought: "See there-----------------Jehovah's organization is the only place to be. Where else can we go?"

When I made the above statement, it was not my intention to insult anyone and I apologize to any who have taken offense, especially SSSN and Rabbit. I certainly regard myself as an apostate, and I wouldn't want to give the impression that I'm a "loser" or that anyone else here is, either. However, if you'll go back and read the context of what I wrote, I said it from the viewpoint of a faithful witness on the inside looking out, and that is an entirely different matter. When I was a Witness, I definitely regarded apostates as losers. Didn't you? And the various shenanigans that a few would pull only bolstered that opinion.

One noteable incident that I remember extremely well: At one Memorial around 1985, a well dressed couple that no one recognized came into the Kingdom Hall, and, in the effort to welcome them, it soon become obvious that something was wrong. They were asked to leave, PDQ. They had smeared copious amounts of dog shit on their shoes and they tracked it into the Hall and stunk the whole place up. It was awful. If the goal was to ruin the Memorial, then they succeeded. "Losers", indeed. If the goal was to reach out to the misled faithful, they did not accomplish it. I can guarantee you---------------absolutely guarantee you------------that not one single person in attendance thought: "Hmmmm.................looky there-------------------the Society has lied to me all these years. I'm going to start investigating further." Didn't happen. And whether you're passing funny money or spreading dog shit, it will make no difference, although, if given the choice, I'm sure that most would prefer the money. Either way, though, those in attendance will regard you as a loser apostate. No offense intended.

What is the best thing to do? In my opinion, the best thing to do is leave the Witnesses alone. Everybody has to figure it out for themselves and they have to reach a certain point where they actually want help. That's the way it was with me, and that's the way it was with everyone else that I've ever known who has left. If you're honest, you will admit that that's the way it was with you, too. You have to recognize that something is wrong, and you have to figure it out. Unfortunately, most will never reach that point, and there's nothing you can do about it. Trying to force treatment on victims of Watchtower addiction is as useless as trying to force treatment on an alcoholic or a drug addict. If they don't want it, you can't help. I figure the least I can do is not to make it worse by trying to rain on their parade. Leave them alone. Life is very precious and I feel like I've given more than enough of mine to the Witnesses. I would like to mention that when I left the organization, I plunged into a major depression that at times was suicidal, but, damaged as I was, I survived. I won't waste another second on the WTS trying to get even. Life is beautiful----------------------enjoy it somewhere else on Wednesday night. That's what I think.

Once again, I sincerely apologize to any whom I have offended.

David

185

News About 2006 Memorial

by Severus in

this is a call to action.

please read.

jehovah's witnesses will be celebrating the memorial of jesus death on wednesday, april 12th.

david_10

My my, this has been a rowdy thread, hasn't it? Threads like this are one of the reasons I love this place.

I've jumped on late, but here's my opinion:

Thank you, Mulan. Thank you, Undercover. Thank you Princess, Gumby and anyone else for showing some common sense and having the courage to express it.

If crashing the Memorial (even sneaky-like) or picketing assemblies or other things like this were effective techniques for getting the Witnesses to even start thinking, I would be all for it. But it doesn't help; in fact, I think it does more harm than good. I attended my last regular meeting and assembly in 1987; I attended my last Memorial in 1993. I would've left sooner, but I can honestly say that my departure was delayed by at least 10 years because of bad apostate reading material, assembly picketers, Memorial crashers, etc. (It might come as a surprise to some of you, but this stuff has been going on for decades and, apparently, hasn't affected the Society's bottom line. And it's not going to.) I would look at those loser apostates out there pestering us and I thought: "See there-----------------Jehovah's organization is the only place to be. Where else can we go?" I think that perhaps the Society has actually come to appreciate radical apostate behavior: they can go to town warning the faithful to stay away from those crazy demonized apostates, and the faithful will actually see tangible reasons for following that counsel. It worked with me for a long time, anyway.

But the question I ultimately have is this: Why would you want to spend even one minute in a Kingdom Hall if you don't have to? Why? Come Wednesday evening, leave the Witnesses alone, and do something constructive for yourself: Take your kids to a ball game. Better yet, play ball with your kids. Visit your aged parents or grand parents. Go to a symphony concert. Call or write that person you've lost touch with and have been thinking about lately. The list is endless. Instead of wallowing in bitterness and revenge fantasies, do something constructive for yourself. You'll feel better for doing it.

That's my opinion.

David

53

Strangest Local Needs?!?!?!?!

by thepackage in

jw
friends

what was the starngest local needs topic you ever heard???

?

david_10

During the mid 1970's, there was a population explosion in our congregation and I recall that we had around 35 kids of pre-school age. Needless to say, the path to the side door was well-worn, if you know what I mean. The neighbors called several times and spoke with the elders and left messages that they were noticing our hard-line stance with the kids and felt that we were being too harsh. However, the elders paid no attention, and the beatings continued.

Imagine the shock and surprise, though, when the police came into the hall one Thursday night and stopped the meeting. They stayed for around 20 minutes and interviewed some elders and parents, but they finally did leave with only a warning handed out. It was a different world 25 or 30 years ago, but if this were to happen today, I don't think the police would leave so easily. I think that Child Welfare Services would be called and a lot of parents would be on the hot seat.

Anyway, at the next Service Meeting, a local needs talk was given discussing the situation, and the elders decreed that we should not take our children outside to discipline them anymore; instead we were to take them into the library and give them their whippings in there!!

David

27

do you think the end is near?

by drew sagan in

i will say that the "evidence" for a drastic change in mankinds history (end of the world, the great day of god the almighty, what ever you want to call it) seems likely when doing a survey of where mankind is a the current point in time.

nuclear weapons, wars, technology, globalization, and ecological destruction all seem to point towards a place that mankind has never been before.

mankind is unquestionably in a position differant from any point in human history.

david_10

"The future's uncertain, and the end is always near." The Doors

Truer words were never spoken.

"but i have to ask: why worry about it? there is nothing you or I can do about it..." Tetrapod

Also, quite true.

David

135

My Dad died this evening

by Mulan in

jw
friends

i thought i would let you know that my dad, passed away a little while ago, tonight, january 23. they called me at 6pm to tell me.

he had been failing rapidly for the past month, and had completely lost his hearing and was totally blind.

the dementia was extreme too, and he still knew me on thursday, but didn't wake up to know me in the following days.

david_10

I know what you mean, Marilyn: in a way, it's a blessing. But no matter how look at it, it's still a huge loss. My condolences to you and the family.

David

23

anyone have/had this problem?

by lonelysam in

jw
friends

im nearly 19, im right in the middle of leaving the borg, and i dont really know how to say this, (this is gunna sound stupid) but.. i havnt had a girlfriend for over 3 years, am still a virgin, and feel as if im never going to find the right girl for me, because i still beleive in sex after mariage.

not to mention i dont know where i stand on the whole bible thing.

now i know 19 is very young to be looking for a sort of 'serious' relationship, but im starting to feel a bit lonely, anyone have simalar problems after you left?

david_10

No need to apologize-----------------------you're not being corny at all.

I think that this is a situation where you can't hurry things along too much. Just be patient, keep your eyes open, and, when you least expect it, she'll come walking into your life. So hang in there. Patience. Good luck.

David

22

Does anyone know the Circuit Overseer, Randy Letcher?

by PaNiCAtTaCk in

jw
friends

we had him in our circuit around a year ago.

he was a very arrogant pianist/circuit overseer.

he came along when i was starting to have strong doubts and after his visits i had no choice but to pursue my doubts.

david_10

PS....................................Panicattack, I just read all the posts a little closer, and it looks like we might be talking about the same circut----------------------Texas, about a year ago or maybe a little more. Wow, small world, isn't it?

22

Does anyone know the Circuit Overseer, Randy Letcher?

by PaNiCAtTaCk in

jw
friends

we had him in our circuit around a year ago.

he was a very arrogant pianist/circuit overseer.

he came along when i was starting to have strong doubts and after his visits i had no choice but to pursue my doubts.

david_10

I never met him, but my brother, who still attends occasionally, knows him real well. Letcher served this area (Texas Circut # 10) until around a year ago when he was rotated out. He went to somewhere in Missouri, if I'm thinking straight. My brother pretty much confirms everything you say: he was one arrogant bastard.

You know what's funny, though? I remember my brother told me that he pulled that same thing you told about---------------------------the 82 year old sister, the 5 scriptures on faith, the thunderous applause at the assembly. Except in this case, it wasn't an 82 year old sister-----------------------------it was a retired schoolteacher in her 60's and her daughter. They both had some health problems and they both had some spare time on their hands, (and they were both a little weak in the faith department), so he did the same thing to them! It' s the very same story, and I remember my brother telling me about it a year or more ago. He said it was pretty sickening when Letcher brought them out on stage at the assembly. By the way, both mother and daughter are still pioneering.

So it would appear that ol' Randy looks for opportunities pull this trick and gets a lot of mileage out of it.

David

37

Help! My parents want to take my daughter to meetings!

by montana96 in

jw
friends

i have a problem that im hoping you can all help me with.. my daughter who is now 11 was devastated when we left.

she loved it, our fault we did everything by th book.

she wants to go to the meetings with my parents.

david_10

Hello Mercedes. As the Texan ahead of me said: "You're in a very hard spot." Wow, are you ever. Well, I don't think that letting her go to meetings once a week, say on Sunday, or go once a month, or whatever, is such a bad thing. As Witnesses, we were taught that the word 'compromise' is one of the dirtiest words in any language. In reality, however, compromise is necessary in any and all areas of life. I don't think that by compromising here you would be doing such a bad thing, especially since this something that your daughter wants to do.

Be aware, though, that she is at an age when pressure to get baptized starts being applied. I would let both your daughter and your parents know that this is not going to happen. Not until she is an adult, on her own, and capable of making adult decisions, will she be allowed to get baptized. I would make that very clear.

Good luck.

David

david_10

Posts by david_10