Posts by HAL9000

26

Newbies Introduce yourselves!

by Sparkplug in

jw
friends

ok, i have been in and out of here lately due to schedules.

each time i log in there is a new member on the board.

when i go to see who they are...usually there is nothing and everyone is doing great and jumping right into conversation...but i for one would like to know your stories...anyone care to share or just introduce themselves to everyone?.

HAL9000

Been here for a while, but access severely limited due to work firewalls and not wishing to attract attention at home. (Tuesday night - guess why I can post)

Not a JW never have been. My wife has been studying since about 2000 but not baptised. She is the ultimate procrastinator - resson for nor being baptised. I have issues with some of the stuff that the JW's put out, especially false prophecy and their "we are the only path"mentality - I hope to put a more balanced view to my wife, & so do not wish to be "sprung" on this board. Also have had some experiences in trying to help kids of JW's who try to witness in science class and present regurgitated crap to their teacher - & especially when the parents regard the minimal mark that their junior acolyte receives as discrimination.

I do tend to get worked up and come here whenever I can to let loose. Bur not often enough! Details provided are accurate though!

ninertriplezero

39

Perfect, Nearly Perfect, and Mostly Perfect....Religion

by jgnat in

kero-kero's goodbye post brought me to mind a common complaint amongst jw apologists, that all we do is bring up the bad stuff and old history.

after all, "nobody's perfect".

well, that would be fine and dandy if the wtbts hadn't set themselves up as the sole mouthpiece for jehovah in these 'last days'.

HAL9000

I frequently get informed of the shortcomings of various religions, especially the Catholic Church by my "bible study" wife. Great explanations of how things went wrong from the days of Constantine etc.

BUT

Don't raise any questions re false prophecy, or unloving behaviour. After all it is God's Organisation.

jgnat, can't agree more.

9k

10

Star of Bethlehem

by HAL9000 in

jw
friends

last night my wife came home from a book study at which the topic of the star of bethlehem was raised.

she asked me (ubm) whether i was taught that the star of bethlehem was from jehovah (god) or the demons.

the response from her was that it was from the demons as (i think that this was the response as my interest was evaporating faster than ether) "the light shone on herod first" plus 1 or 2 other reasons.. first time i've heard this line.

HAL9000

Last night my wife came home from a Book Study at which the topic of the star of Bethlehem was raised. She asked me (UBM) whether I was taught that the star of Bethlehem was from Jehovah (God) or the demons. The response from her was that it was from the demons as (I think that this was the response as my interest was evaporating faster than ether) "the light shone on Herod first" plus 1 or 2 other reasons.

First time I've heard this line. Is this a "local interpretation" or a "published fakt"? Your comments please to this increasingly perplexed UBM!

PS I owe some people reply PM's - sorry for long delay, but will respond soon (I hope!)

9K

8

Blood matters - unbelieving spouse

by HAL9000 in

i am well aware of the jw attitude to blood transfusions - one would have to be deaf dumb blind and stupid to have missed it.

where i am coming from relates to my personal situation as a rational being and not one of the chosen.

i am sure that this question has been asked before, so you must excuse me on that count!.

HAL9000

Thanks for your observations. My decision to carry an advance medical directive was the outcome of a lengthy discussion with a close friend who is a barrister. His concern was that in an emergency, and given the highly litigious nature of our society, anything could happen.

Other influences are a concern. The CO at the local congregation (lovely person) has what I regard as an extreme view on blood: he will is a vegeterian and does not condone the use of fertiliser containing blood products in his garden (all biblically justified, mind you, but is viewed as extreme by the congregation). Given this type of influence, perhaps you may understand my concern.

By the way, I am on "reasonable" terms with the local elders, although I am certain that they know my reluctance... no it is more than that... my rejection of any overture on their part to engage in their activities. I am civil to them and engage with them in a normal non-religious sense (as much as it is possible with a JW). At least I have, to date, avoided the problems of active interference in my relationship.

How do I feel re her involvement - not impressed at all, I can assure you!

The manner in which she came to be associated with them is a bit involved, and probably better decribed in detail elsewhere but suffice it to say that she was "searching for spritual fulfilment" when the dubs walked in one day. Perhaps she does have deep seated reservations - there is a quarterly gab fest this weekend to which she is not going but a desire to be baptised eventually has been expressed. Enough said on that for the moment - I will discuss this elsewhere.

Check_your_premises - you are right in that it can be difficult and problematic - I appreciate whatever assistance I can get! In the early stages, I thought that I was fixating on the JW issue and my colleagues at work thought that I had gone over the top - I did as much research as I could manage (know your enemy). Most of what I know I cannot discuss directly with her, but use it to manage a difficult situation.

I really appreciate your views - they tend to confirm what I feel abut this issue .

By the way, If my responses are slow, it is due to difficulties in being able to go on line without being sprung - still early Saturday here!

Regards,

HAL

8

Blood matters - unbelieving spouse

by HAL9000 in

i am well aware of the jw attitude to blood transfusions - one would have to be deaf dumb blind and stupid to have missed it.

where i am coming from relates to my personal situation as a rational being and not one of the chosen.

i am sure that this question has been asked before, so you must excuse me on that count!.

HAL9000

I am well aware of the JW attitude to blood transfusions - one would have to be deaf dumb blind and stupid to have missed it. Where I am coming from relates to my personal situation as a rational being and not one of the chosen. I am sure that this question has been asked before, so you must excuse me on that count!

In case you missed my intial posts, my wife has been studying with the JWs since 2000 (or so) but is not baptised nor a publisher. She has strong personal beliefs relating to blood transfusions predating her association with the Dubs arising from her experiences - she will not accept blood under any circumstances.

My dilemma is this: I have utterly no objection to blood transfusions as if I am faced with the prospect of death or disability arising from blood loss I will accept the transfusion. What's more, in an emergency I would expect that treatment to be applied. In an attempt to satify my curiousity I asked my wife what she thought that the JW position would be. This is important as I may need to rely on her in an emergency. She knows my wishes for my own healthcare. Hmmmmm. Deep thought. Got to consult with Cleaner's spouse.

The answer that came back was that if she knew my wishes, as a JW she would be bound to observe them: ie to allow a transfusion. Is this correct, or is this Theocratic warfare? I personally suspect the latter but I lack the background to work it out. Perhaps someone could clarify this for me.
My level of disquiet on this has led me to carry a "blood card"" that is somewhat different in intent to the Dub one. It is double signed attesting to my wishes and carrys an appropriate contact.

While I trust my wife, I do not know what the future will bring nor what pressures would be brought to bear in an emergency.

My friends, I await your counsel!

34

No Natural Affection

by misspeaches in

jw
friends

i was talking to jh about this the other day.... this year will be the 3rd memorial i will have missed.

i've faded not disphellowshipped or disassociated.

to date i have not recieved an invitation to come along to the memorial for any of them.

HAL9000

You are probably right in your observation. This will be the 4th memorial that Mrs HAL has gone to. In the early days, there was a concerted effort to get me to attend (highly unlikely) but there has been no invitation issued to me by the visiting elder's wife for the past 2 years (I get to see them on a weekly basis). Early attempts at "love bombing" me also failed. It seems like they are either concentrating their effort or have simply given me up as a hopeless case (which is the truth).

21

While the cat's away....................

by HAL9000 in

jw
friends

its tuesday night and the

before anything else, i would like to thank all those who have so freely passed on their experiences and knowledge it has helped me in recent years more than i can possibly (and succinctly) express.

before coming to this forum, i spent some significant time trawling through kent steinhaugs excellent site to him and the members of that board i owe a great deal for providing much needed information at a critical time.

HAL9000

I tried to post this earlier today, but managed to embed some control characters which terminated the message (very) early. I will learn…If nothing follows this line HELP!!!

Honesty: I have picked up the pieces before and I will no doubt do it again

Luna2: Thanks for the welcome

DB74: Appreciate your welcome

Unclebruce: Funny that you should mention I attempted certain to place certain facts before her some time ago, but the dangers of apostasy had been burned in by that stage. Re taking the plunge: I am not sure. She has said that she will do it, but does not appear to have progressed. By the way, there is little that is too personal on this forum when it comes to it!

Freedomlover: If I can help or at least provide some direction re aspects of science PM me. I do have some good resources available for (scientific) research through my work My own background is chemistry & radiochemistry

BluesBrother: (A strangely appropriate alias - missions from God etc...) Commiserations. Mrs HAL is contemplating doing book studies.

James Woods: I can remember that song too (from Dr Chandra), but it has been a while since anyone wanted to play chess.

Ballistic: I have spent the past few years reading....and reading...and more reading so I have some appreciation of the lingo. Access to the "forbidden planet" ie the Elders books has helped enormously in my understanding of the structure and mode of operations of the Borg. By the way, you are correct re 2001: it was a watershed in many ways and (IMHO) the pinnacle of optical cinematography (ie no computer assistance in any form).

jgnat: Thanks for the welcome. I have noted your comments and experiences and note the common thread (funny about that!)

stillajwexelder: I have appreciated your candour and views from the inside.

MerryMagdalene: Happy belated birthday and thanks for the welcome!

justsomedude: I cannot help but state the obvious and the reduction of their young people to the lowest common (work) demoninator....ooops denominator (Freudian slip??). I have seen the poor light in which scholarship is regarded by the BOrg (personally) and the race to get kids out pioneering. Sick.

bikerchic: I would tend to agree with your observation in general, but they have caught a bright one here - she has a high level of education, but has her own issues. The original WTBS damage was done while she was under treatment for severe depression as well as chronic illness: caught with the pants down, so to speak!

Serendipity: Thanks for the welcome !

Sad emo: Glad to be here!

Ferret: It is probably more a case of indecision than anything else. Add to that chronic ill health any you probably have it.

Regards,

HAL

21

While the cat's away....................

by HAL9000 in

jw
friends

its tuesday night and the

before anything else, i would like to thank all those who have so freely passed on their experiences and knowledge it has helped me in recent years more than i can possibly (and succinctly) express.

before coming to this forum, i spent some significant time trawling through kent steinhaugs excellent site to him and the members of that board i owe a great deal for providing much needed information at a critical time.

HAL9000

Thanks for your comments and observations. I have sometimes doubted my own sanity over the past few years, and people think you are mad (or fixating) if you talk about the Jdubs. If the formatting of this post is strange that is because I have to work off-line and paste the text in.

21

While the cat's away....................

by HAL9000 in

jw
friends

its tuesday night and the

before anything else, i would like to thank all those who have so freely passed on their experiences and knowledge it has helped me in recent years more than i can possibly (and succinctly) express.

before coming to this forum, i spent some significant time trawling through kent steinhaugs excellent site to him and the members of that board i owe a great deal for providing much needed information at a critical time.

HAL9000

Thanks for your comments and observations. I have sometimes doubted my own sanity over the past few years, and people think you are mad (or fixating) if you talk about the Jdubs.

21

While the cat's away....................

by HAL9000 in

jw
friends

its tuesday night and the

before anything else, i would like to thank all those who have so freely passed on their experiences and knowledge it has helped me in recent years more than i can possibly (and succinctly) express.

before coming to this forum, i spent some significant time trawling through kent steinhaugs excellent site to him and the members of that board i owe a great deal for providing much needed information at a critical time.

HAL9000

It’s Tuesday night and the

Before anything else, I would like to thank all those who have so freely passed on their experiences and knowledge – it has helped me in recent years more than I can possibly (and succinctly) express. Before coming to this forum, I spent some significant time trawling through Kent Steinhaug’s excellent site – to him and the members of that board I owe a great deal for providing much needed information at a critical time.

I have been encouraged, touched and at times dismayed by your words and experiences – I appreciate the openness of this forum’s members.

OK, who am I?

Firstly, I am not a JW – never have been and never will be. I was brought up in the Church of England but left at about 18 due to hypocrisy, self interest and a total dissatisfaction with organised religion. I have not changed my opinion on this matter in the ensuing years.

Secondly, my wife is studying with the JW’s – has been doing so since 2000. Not baptised, not publishing, but going to the and the Public talk. Oh yes, a weekly “Babble Study”. For various reasons she has been searching for answers to life, the universe and everything. There have been many issues along the way which have required consultation with the cleaner, the window washer or the hedge trimmer to clarify: I am now well aware of Theocratic Warfare so I take the conveyed “doctorines” with more than the proverbial grain of salt, especially when it comes to blood matters. In some ways, I am prepared for her to go along this path (for various reasons) but I am certain that if baptised she will end up Dfed or DAed. I will be there to pick up the pieces if that happens.

While I do not actively discourage her involvement – which would probably be a futile exercise at this time – I am well aware of some of the “spiritual food” dealt out. While I can maintain my composure, it is, without doubt some of the most puerile drivel that I have had the misfortune of encountering. I am afraid that I also take great exception to the illustrative material – I am not 8 years old and do not appreciate this type of infantile illustration. Pure unadulterated crap.

I do take exception to misrepresentation, lies and distortion – I have seen plenty of it over the past few years in JW material, but can appreciate how a susceptible individual can be totally sucked in. By the way, if I hear they are “lovely people” again I will scream.

Where I hope to comment in the future is on the pseudo science that the BOrg dabble in. I have a strong science background and take particular exception to this type of misrepresentation.

I do seem to have strayed from my original line of thought – sorry about the dump, but I do need to let this loose.

Regards,

HAL

PS I have limitations in my ability to logon so responses may be delayed.... and don’t read too much into my alias or the avatar - I am a science fiction tragic and after all, HAL (in Kubrick’s 2001) was a victim of his programming…..