when i was growing up in dubland, i always felt like i never "fit" in with the other kids in the cong or their families.
i always knew deep down that i didn't like being a jw and their had to be more to life than meetings and field service.
i just wanted to be normal, like the other kids and have sleepovers, birthday parties, after school activities and christmas etc..... my folks were and still are devout dubs and my dad in particular is the nicest man you will ever meet, he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, no questions asked.
Many congregations as well as others in life have their own little cliques, for whatever reason.
I felt a part of some halls, and not in others. That is one reason I don't think anyone will come after me in the hall I attended last, because no one really took the time to know me. Same with me, I didn't care to know any of them either.
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honestly, do you think that jw's really like going to 3 or 4 day assemblies, especially when it's out of town, far away, and you have to take a motel room, and all the gas money and food money it takes, as well as having to sit down all day listening to endless talks...and that for 3 or 4 days in a row.. and often, they have to take a day off from work, to attend the friday meeting, so no pay for that day.. i think that the jw's are glad when it's finally over, not before.. .
I think many witnesses dread going to the assemblies. However, there are many others that have absolutely no life whatsoever, so they may actually enjoy them.
But for the majority, I don't think they like it. But they will never admit it.
the stuff on the news is fascinating me, so i just had to start a thread about it.. yesterday i saw online at the guardian that tom cruise had hired some sort of cult bodyguard (tongue in cheek) to accompany his new girlfriend (katie holmes, an actress) around to continue her inculcation into scientology.
they are allegedly saying they're best friends now, though they met very recently.. i'm now reading the 6/17 issue of entertainment weekly magazine.
it says:he had a scientology massage tent on the set of his newest movie (his retort is he had a capuccino tent too)he compares psychiatry to nazis and claims jung (famous psychiatrist) was editor for nazi papers (a claim a jungian group denies)he says methadone was named after hitler (also refuted by the magazine)he slams brooke shields for using anti-depressants
Cruise used to have dyslexia, which he feels scientology helped him overcome. He feels very strongly for the benefits that he has gotten of it.
To each their own.
He is passionate about it, but then again, many witnesses used to be very passionate about "the truth" too. In fact, many witnesses went as far as shunning their family members and friends who didn't believe like they did. I don't see Cruise shunning people because they don't believe as he does.
Tom has done a lot for people in need, and so I won't slam him for his beliefs.
some have indicated that this might be coming.
based mostly on the new book - some think maybe the org is positioning itself to remove all possible 'doubters' and 'inside apostates' this way.. i mean - having spent four decades watching the actions of this organization as a witness, i can see something like that happening perhaps.. service meeting announcement;.
having had six months to renew his association actively with jehovah's witnesses, and having not been to a meeting or out in service for that same time span, we must announce that ____________ has left the organization and shown by his actions that he is no longer one of jehovah's witnesses.. the brothers and sisters need to be reiminded that he should be treated 'as a man of the nations' - full shunning is in effect!.
I don't know what they will do with long time faders.
I find it difficult to believe they would kick someone out whom they have not had a chance to talk with, even briefly.
But besides that, I do believe we are in the middle of a crackdown that very well could get tougher. The WTS must react to the wealth of information found on the internet. More people are fading and leaving now more than ever due to the accessability of the net.
what type of person are you?
are you outgoing, charming, sweet, thoughtful, humorous?
all right.
I am highly ambitious, loving, good friend, husband, and dad.
i can't help but wonder if mj is trying to get in good graces with jehovah's witnesses in order to be re-instated.
or, whether he feels attending kingdom hall gives him a better image.
or whether he just wants his children to have some type of religious following.
I think Jackson during his trial didn't know what to think, and was willing to go anywhere if he thought it might be bring him inner peace.
Plus, I am sure his mom was begging him to go.
the full list of charges faced by michael jackson at his child abuse trial.
count 1: conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion between 1 february and 31 march 2003. not guilty.
count 2: lewd act upon a child between 20 february and 12 march 2003. not guilty.
If Jackson is actually innocent, he needs to not put himself in these type situations again.
I don't know about the past issues and accusations, but I do not believe this particular kid was molested. There is just too much room for doubt with the entire family, and their history. Not enough to convict, on this charge.
Remember, whether we like it or not, legally, he cannot be found guilty just because he may have done it before. This case was for this kid, and this one only.
Legally speaking, I think the jury got it right.
As far as what he has done in the past, I don't know. I fear that maybe he did do it. At which point, that is when he should have gone to trial. However, even that family was more interested in the money than justice.
i'm just curious.
i know this is a wts discussion forum, but by some posts, it seems as if the wts never leaves some heads.
also, a lot seems to be conspiracy theory.
I stay on this site because I am still interested in what goes on within the WTS organization. I still have relatives involved, and I get a kick out of knowing more about what is going on than they do.
Second, I enjoy reading posts that include thoughts of others that have nothing to do with WTS things.
Goals? Tons of them. Happy life, happy family, health, good career, and much more. My life in no way centers around the WTS. I gave them 18 years of my youth, and then some.
i remember going to the assemblies and conventions and feeling encouraged by the information that was presented.
in hindsight, i may have just felt that way because that's how you were supposed to feel.
i was a 100% brainwashed fool for many years, if the gb said it, i did, i felt it and i believed it .
I never in my life felt encouraged by attending any assembly. The only thing enjoyable was visiting with friends and lunch time, which was always much too short.
i am hoping a little balance is allowed here, or at least the coin's flip side.
this is my story so far, but i am fairly sure it is going to end up a bit differently than most i have read on your site.
the brothers couldn't help my husband, he didn't want help.
As human beings we all need to feel secure, and in a safe place.
I sincerely hope that you are able to find that in your husband, career, and new home. There is so much more to life than many of allow ourselves to enjoy, and guilt brings many back to the WTS.
I encourage you to read much more of the stories here, and really investigate the teachings of the Watchtower. If you knew in your heart that this was not the true religion, would you still return to it?
Please, check out the facts.
Some postings you will not relate to. Ignore them. Find the ones that you can read, and allow yourself to check out what is said.
Even the WTS tells newcombers to check out their own religion vigorously, until you become a witness, and then you are not allowed to look into it. That right there should tell you something is wrong.
For the sake of the rest of your life, please, check it out.
Then do what is best for you and your family.
