Posts by looking

22

Depression and disassociation

by lily of the valley in

first posting.

just a brief question, is any one on the site actually qualified to deal with issues of depression and other non pyschotic mental problems?

if so would they help without being directly asked ( very unlikely is someone is depressed )?

Dear Lily - I must apologize for the group if we ever said anything intentionally or unintentionally that wounded your fragile husband. The problem with these forums is that they are not filtered so as to shelter the one who is less whole and in turn that one is hurt far greater than the rest. Again, I do hope the best for your family. Peace to you and your family during this troubled time.

324

RICHIE RED ALERT

by RichieRich in

jw
friends

i was on the phone speaking with verne thoren, presiding overseer of the willow springs, nc congregation of jehovah's witnesses.

he tells me he knows of my possesssion of the flock book.

he knows of my involvement on this site.

looking_glass

My main concern is the reason RR did what he did. I do not know RR like Conf. so I may be projecting onto him motives that are not his own. But it would appear to me that he is seeking acceptance from someone - he was and has been rejected within the JW religion so he goes somewhere that he can feel "normal" and in turn he does something to get a lot of people's support and admiration. I am sure there are many ex elders here that have the same book? Those are only questions he can answer.

Regardless of the moral issue, the main issue now is making sure RR is ok. It is my understanding that he has a lawyer, however the damage is done. There are post that describe his every move as well as pictures of him. A judicial committee is not a legal one, so they do not have any authority over him. However, a court of law does. So if the owner of the book choses to purpose legal action, he can. If RR starts improperly quoting from the book or not giving the proper cite reference he may get pursued by the WTBTS. Who knows with those guys what their motivation is. As was proven by Elsewhere's site, if they can shut you down they will.

Also, unless RR is copywriting or selling part of the book, reproducing the book with out proper authorization, then the issue is now just one of having possession of it. Yes, the WTBTS can go in on a Motion for Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and get a Preliminary Injunction (PI) but again, the consequences are not do or die. As long as he does not violate any type of TRO or PI that a court has issued, he will be fine. The JC is just a group of old men who wish they had the power to rule the world. The issue of the book is theft and chancery. If he turns over the book and apologizes (I can hear the screams now) the chancery issue will be most likely be dropped. If a TRO or PI is entered, RR may be stopped from posting or speaking against the WTBTS for a while (depending on how well the JW lawyer argues the issues). He may also be issued a fine if he does not abide by the order entered in the case. I am sure that his lawyer is handling it the best way possible.

I think in the end it would be more harmful for RR to be cut off from the frienships he has formed here and on other sites, because he will really be "cutoff" and that maybe more then he can handle.

I hope the best for him. He should tread carefully as this rises and falls on him and regardless of the "storm the castle walls" that he may get from various people, they are not the ones that will have to deal with the consequences of his actions (and I am not referring to the JC consequences, I am referring to the possible legal actions that could be taken).

RR, LISTEN to your lawyer, you may not want to agree with him/her, but they know the law and want to keep you out of harm's way.

22

Depression and disassociation

by lily of the valley in

first posting.

just a brief question, is any one on the site actually qualified to deal with issues of depression and other non pyschotic mental problems?

if so would they help without being directly asked ( very unlikely is someone is depressed )?

looking_glass

Dear Lily - Lady Lee has a background in therapy, as well as I suspect some others who have not come out and talked about it. However, it would be in the depressed person's best interest not to try and get therapy thru the internet, but rather face to face or a group setting. Also, there are therapists out there that deal with religious issues and can help with depression associated with religious guilt and other religious maladies. Lady Lee may be able to direct you to specific places in your area. Good luck in your search. Peace to you.

71

Intro

by mavie in

jw
friends

hello from mavie.

currently happily married for a number of years to a great jw wife, i currently serve as an ms in our local kh.

my wife and i have been told we are pillars in the congregation.

looking_glass

Mavie - I am so sorry to hear about the troubles you and your wife are going through. I am sure some of the pressures also relate to the fact that a lot of JWs still have problems with the idea of mental illness. Right now your main concern should and must be your wife. My grandmother whom I love so dearly passed away. During her life time she suffered with great mental illness and was institutionalized because she was deemed to be a risk to herself and others. This could be a really long story, but in the end, my family (all good strong JWs, except for me) did what they thought was best regardless of whether those in the congo accepted the idea or not. My grandfather was never a MS or an elder and part of the reason was due to his concern for his family. He knew that he could not be there for everyone all the time like someone who holds a position in the hall. That being the case, to him it was more important to take care of his family because Jah would understand and he did not care what those in the hall had to say about it. Also, keep in mind that God has greater love and understanding regarding these types of problems and no imperfect human (regardless of their intention) can ever have that deepth or love like God. Again, I am so sorry to hear of your woes and I hope that you will be able to reach a happy medium and in turn reach peace in your decision.

55

Strange Aussie Language...

by zeroday in

jw
friends

so i'm out in california a while back visiting my father and sister.

my fathers 4th wife is from new zealand (no he's not a jw).

at the same time her son and wife are also visiting from new zealand and they have 2 children 6 and 9. well the wife is out in the back yard and me my sister and father are in the kitchen when the daughter in law comes running in saying, "i need a plaster, i need a plaster" i just thought "yea i need to get plastered too.

looking_glass

What I noticed when I was in New Zealand was that no one was originally from there. I ran into a ton of Irish people there, but very few Kiwis. Very strange. And according to my friends in Vic. and NSW - Kiwis say "six" as "sex".

19

Your acts of kindness

by greendawn in

jw
friends

what do you consider to be some of your greatest good acts to help family members or other fellow humans?

looking_glass

Yup, Unc, JWs don't teach unconditional love which to me is what f's up everyone. It is actually a catch 22, JWs teach we are imperfect therefore we are sinful .... if you are sinful you cannot be loved unconditionally .... only based on god's great mercy will a JW be saved in the end. Therefore, no matter what you do it is not enough. Unfortunately, many religions teach this theory as well. But some of them allow people to become forgiven of their sins if they do [fill in the blank here]. JWs don't have that policy, so if you are one you are pretty much screwed.

55

Strange Aussie Language...

by zeroday in

jw
friends

so i'm out in california a while back visiting my father and sister.

my fathers 4th wife is from new zealand (no he's not a jw).

at the same time her son and wife are also visiting from new zealand and they have 2 children 6 and 9. well the wife is out in the back yard and me my sister and father are in the kitchen when the daughter in law comes running in saying, "i need a plaster, i need a plaster" i just thought "yea i need to get plastered too.

looking_glass

Hey Aussie and Kiwis, wouldn't you say it is better to be confused with eachother then being confused with the British? I know too many people who say they cannot tell the difference between "the lot of yous". But then again, those people did not have all their teeth and were wearing wife beaters. So I don't know if we can go based on their impression.

19

Your acts of kindness

by greendawn in

jw
friends

what do you consider to be some of your greatest good acts to help family members or other fellow humans?

looking_glass

I also agree with Karma. I also started volunteering at mission houses once I stoped associating myself with JWs. Often times they are run thru a church, so when I was a JW it was a huge no no, so I never did it. I also have done pro bono work for a catholic youth home. But to me the most important thing, is being a good friend to all the people I call my friends. I think it is important for people to know that regardless of what is happening in their lives, I will always be there for them with no judgments, only love.

2