Posts by Dawn

39

does anyone remember being a child as a JW and not having holiday?

by franklin J in

jw
friends

i am curious to know how many others shared the same experiences as me as a child, growing up as a jw.. surfing this board has brought back a flood of memories ( i am secure enough to deal with them) not all good.

i have been away from jws for sometime, and remember being a child in school and having to explain why i do not salute the flag, why i have to leave the room when there is a birthday or christmas party, why i had to explain when i was seen going door to door ( i grew up to be a pioneer).

being "different" is hard for a child.. now that i have 3 children of my own, who are fortunatelly not growing up as jw, to see how secure and well adjusted they are in school is comforting.

Dawn

I always had to go sit in the library when there were birthday or holiday parties at school

And yes.....going out in fs in your own school neighborhood was the WORST! Truthfully though - while I remember it all and remember how akward it was - I don't really feel pain over it. In my line of work I have seen extreme child abuse cases that make my childhood look like an Ozzie and Harriet episode.

Christmas is my favorite time of year because I can see all of the holiday's magic through the eyes of my little girl - I remember how it was to be left out, but instead of being sad I am embraced with the joy of what I have now. Life is good - just keep looking forward.

13

Why should I go back to the Kingdom Hall?

by Nosferatu in

jw
friends

this is a question for all lurking jws.

why should i go back to the kingdom hall?

Dawn

You tell me why you should not go back to the kingdom Hall?

Because.......

(1) ... you will not find God there.

(2) ... you will not find truth there.

(3) ... you will not find strength there.

(4) ... you will not find protection there.

(5) ... you will not find the "abundance of life" and "rest for your souls" that Jesus promised

11

Keep on knocking and the door shall open

by JH in

jw
friends

jesus said these words thousands of years ago meaning that if you insist, finally things will work out for you.

he also meant to pray to god continuously in order to receive.

praying or not, did you have the impression that by knocking continuously that things finally worked out for you in life or did you find that the door remained closed no matter what?

Dawn

Yes. When I was sincerely trying to find out if the JW's were right or not - to decide if I should return after I was DF'd. I prayed a lot about it because I was afraid to read "apostate" material ...I started getting this feeling that someone somewhere was telling me "ask your questions - don't be afraid". So I started searching - it took some time but I eventually did find my answer and now I'm free of the JW guilt trip.

I would say that getting rid of the guilt was the one door I knocked on over and over and over again. I don't know - maybe the door was opened a long time ago and I was just too scared to step over the threshold.

52

The reality of obesity

by Lady Lee in

jw
friends

when i was a jw there were a few sisters i knew who had serious weight problems.

i now have a couple of friends who are obese.

i have a weight problem also (about 40 pounds over my best weight).. i was out with my girlfriend today.

Dawn

I've been doing weight watchers since the beginning of Summer. I was suprised at how many women there have had problems with weight only after menopause - I was not aware of how that could affect your metabolism!

Mulan and Lady Lee - hang in there. It's sooooo frustrating when you get stuck at one weight for a while. In fact, I was tempted to start smoking again since that always kept me skinny. But I found that even when I wasn't loosing I could keep motivated be documenting all of the positive things I was doing for my health (ie: all the fruits and veggies). It has definately made a difference in the way I feel physically - I used to be a real fast food addict.

55

Vicki Boer and Donations

by hillary_step in

jw
friends

if any of you wish to kindly make donations to vicki boer, we are formulating a vehicle to attend to this as we speak.. we have been in touch with vicki, who is understandably deeply distressed at the turn of events that have forced her to relive much of the trauma which she hoped that this court case would put to rest, and are wresting a plan which would allow her to receive personal donations aimed at her well-being rather than enriching either the wts or her advisers.. an address will be forthcoming shortly, together with a paypal email address which will allow you to send your donations or well-wishes to vicki, scott and the girls.

it will not be a canadian address or bank account.

there are a number of important points that any donators would need to assess before donating any cash:.

Dawn

Thank you Hillary - I'm awaiting further instructions.

My 2 cents.....I would hate to see any of my donated $$ go to the WTBS - but I would hate even more to just ignore the situation out of hate for the organization and leave Viki to carry the load on her own. I guess I can sacrifice some $$ even to the WTBS if it helps Viki to know that others are available to help shoulder the weight.

In the end - it is we who are better off even if we loose some more $$ to those @ss-wipes because we are no longer a slave like they are. We are free to live, free to believe, and free to support whoever WE choose to support.

32

"Besides, We Give Gifts Throughout the Year!"

by Swan in

the jws always give a lengthly explanation as to why they don't celebrate christmas or birthdays, and then always add the final statement "besides, we give gifts throughout the year!".

yeah, right!

okay, lets get an unofficial count of all the people who actually did get gifts on other days of the year.

Dawn

I think I need to celebrade Christmas every day during this coming December to make up for lost time. Honey? You hear that? Buy me lots of toys!

I start making my homemade Kahluah in November - I'll have to bring you some to ring in your first Christmas Season! (ps.......drink carefully......it's approx 60 proof Kahluah )

62

How many have left the WTS and joined another church/group?

by BLISSISIGNORANCE in

jw
friends

at this point in my life i don't think i could trust any religious group.

i don't even feel the need to be a part of anything like that right now, and maybe never will.. but i know of some who have joined other churches/groups since leaving the borg.. why do some join another religion and why won't some ever get involved again?.

what makes us so different?.

Dawn

The above statement may be brash, but it is not at all arrogant

Sixofnine: I don't see this as a brash or arrogant statement. Just an honest one. I know where you are coming from.

22

The Society's View of Women

by minimus in

jw
friends

the watchtower society has regularly spoken about the role of women.

the publications have given strong hints that women are to be considered inferior to men.showing special consideration to a female has been expressed as "from the devil" tipping one's hat toward a female in a respectful gesture was viewed as wrong.the may 15, 1952 watchtrower stated the following: "we can be sure [jesus] did not get in any line to kiss the bride either-- so we leave such woman-exalting practices back in the creature worshipping world, where they belong".......did you feel that women were treated as equals or lesser ones in the congregation?

Dawn

Did You feel that women were treated as equals or lesser ones in the congregation?

Of course minimus.....you silly man!

But really - the way I feel now....who gives a rip what they think.

Dawn.......from the "~~Eat my shorts~~" "KISS MY @SS" class

Ok.....edited to say that "Eat my shorts" doesn't really express what I feel about them. So with an advanced apology to anyone who might be offended by vulgar language.................. I have edited the above line to express my TRUE feelings.

Cussing........the tobasco sauce of language

44

What Do You Miss Most About Having Been A Witness?

by minimus in

jw
friends

anything??

?

Dawn

there was this great donut shop we always stopped at in field service..........

wait............the donut shop is still there. In fact, I still get donuts from there from time to time..........

so.............I guess I haven't missed a thing

There was a lot I THOUGHT I would miss. But now that I am out and have built a new life - I don't miss it at all. There is not ONE person from my KH that I considered my friend whom I miss today. Sad hu?! I guess that somehow I always knew they were only surface aquaintances and not true friends.

62

How many have left the WTS and joined another church/group?

by BLISSISIGNORANCE in

jw
friends

at this point in my life i don't think i could trust any religious group.

i don't even feel the need to be a part of anything like that right now, and maybe never will.. but i know of some who have joined other churches/groups since leaving the borg.. why do some join another religion and why won't some ever get involved again?.

what makes us so different?.

Dawn

I don't believe in "religion" any longer. Religion is man's attempt to explain God and somehow fit ourselves into categories of "approved" and "unapproved".

I do however believe in God, and Jesus. I go to a non-denominational church because I learn a lot about the bible there, they do a lot of great charity work, and it's been a good source of healing for me. I have found a lot of love and acceptance there.

As for doctrines - some of what they teach I believe, some I don't. But there is no pressure to conform and that's the way it should be. Each person should be free to make their decision about who God is and how to worship him.