freedom96

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Posts by freedom96

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  28

  Hello all. Just introducing myself

  by JamesThomas in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this is my first introduction post and my second post all together.

  i hid in the corner for some time, just watching.

  i was raised from about the age of five in the "truth".

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  freedom96

  Hi, and welcome to the board. Look forward to reading more posts from you.
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  16

  Hello to all of you...

  by ExpandedMind in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been visiting this website for months and decided it's time for me to say hello to all of you... so "hi!

  i have been away from the wts for a while, but lately have felt a need to get in touch with others who have travelled the same path.

  until relatively recently, i thought that all was "well" (relatively speaking) in the organization, but have found it facinating to read the comments of those who are still associated with the wts and how they are dealing with it.

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  freedom96

  Welcome to the site!
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  14

  When is it not worth helping JW's out of the org?

  by sleepy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  being an ex-jw who would love to see my friends and other out of the jehovahs witness organisation i face a dilemma, is it always in a persons best interests to know the truth about the truth?.

  when i first decided to leave the organisation, i was happy to speak to my family about why i disagreed with the organisation.then about 6 months ago my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the lungs (due to asbestos poisioning.if you think the governing body are corupt they are nothing compared to the people who produced this stuff).i have desided it best not to mention anything about the organisation untill my family recovers from my fathers death.. so since then i have not said a word about the "truth".that would be so counter productive to my fathers mental health, his and the rest of the families happiness can be only be found in the hope of a resurection , no matter how unfounded that hope is.. i have bumped into some elders from time to time who are in their late 70's and spent all their adult lives in the truth, how about them?there are many in the congregations suffering from depression and other mental problems, what would our knowledge do to them?should we be taking the intiative to help these out, or could we do more harm than good to them?of course i can't know how knowing what know about the truth will effect some people.will it make their lives better or worse.will it free some to fufill their ambitions and desires living a full and happy life or will others be full of regret , deprestion and sadness, maybe even some would comit suicide.. what part will i have played if its me that persuades them?should i wait to be asked about the organiasion, or should i take the initative, is it really up to me to judge who can "take" it and who can't?

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  freedom96

  I agree, that it is tough to decide whom to talk to. I have also had the chance to talk to some elderly witnesses, but, I sit and look at them, and their entire lives have been wrapped up in this religion. It is their life. I cannot sit there and take that from them. I think many could not handle it.

  For those whose personalities are just plain assholes, and have no regard for anyones feelings, I have no problem with blasting them on issues.

  You must be aware of the circumstances and why someone is in. Many are in for emotional reasons, and you take that away from them, the results could be bad.
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  8

  Poverty and JW life style

  by JH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  tell me, can a person on welfare earning (6000$ a year canadian) or ($4000 american) follow the watchtower life style.

  can that person buy suits, ties, shirts, shoes, trench coats, books, suitcase, magazines, follow to assemblies out of town, put money in the contribution boxes, buy books, watchtowers, awakes, pay the rent, eat, etc... can this be a good reason not to go to the meetings, if the elders ask why you havn't been to the meetings?

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  freedom96

  I does indeed take quite a bit to live the WTS lifestyle, for sure. That being said, think of how many times people went to the meetings, (especially the old timers) wearing the same ol' stuff. How about that brother who wore the circa 1960's suit, in the 90's. The same grungy shoes, old ties, etc.

  I think the flashy types, who buy new suits and dresses, are usually the younger crowd, who are a bit more ambitious in making money. They were not aware too much of the 1975 ordeal, and there has not been the push like the end is coming as it was then. They may have grown up a witness, but pursued a career like many didn't have the opportunity years back.

  But with many of the middle income witnesses, I just did not see much extra money, and drove the same cars, wore the same clothes, etc, yes, because being a JW and having to live cost money.

  As far as the original question, could someone be a witness making that kind of money? Doubt they really could do much of anything. At the same time, however, I don't think someone in that postition of making 4,000 a year, would see anything atttractive about the witnesses. Being a witness means getting out of your comfort zone. You must go door to door, you must go to meetings, etc. Someone who is willing to do that, usually, in my opinion, will be willing to go out and get a job. Hence, I believe most witnesses out there do indeed have jobs of some sort, to at least fit the JW lifestyle.
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  17

  How much did you give to the WTS?

  by freedom96 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there is a lot of talk about the wts wealth, and even perhaps the idea that they are running out of money, hence the reduction at bethel.. i grew up a witness, so most of the time i really didn't have money to give.

  i really preferred toys and things like that.

  as i got older, and got a job as a teenager, then again, my money was spent on more expensive toys, and spending money hanging out with friends.. i got married young, and stayed active as a witness for about 4 more years.

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  freedom96

  JH-

  Thanks for the info on the WTS status, and I realize that a lot of money is brought in with publishing, so ultimately, yes, I don't think they are hurting too much.

  Just wondering really how much money is being given out of "love" for the organization. My assumption is much like what Scully said, that after spending money on living expenses, and then the cost of just even going to meetings, and putting on that JW smile that there just wasn't much left over to contribute.

  Money in publishing, yes! Money given for the sake of just giving...... interesting to find out.
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  17

  How much did you give to the WTS?

  by freedom96 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there is a lot of talk about the wts wealth, and even perhaps the idea that they are running out of money, hence the reduction at bethel.. i grew up a witness, so most of the time i really didn't have money to give.

  i really preferred toys and things like that.

  as i got older, and got a job as a teenager, then again, my money was spent on more expensive toys, and spending money hanging out with friends.. i got married young, and stayed active as a witness for about 4 more years.

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  freedom96

  There is a lot of talk about the WTS wealth, and even perhaps the idea that they are running out of money, hence the reduction at bethel.

  I grew up a witness, so most of the time I really didn't have money to give. I really preferred toys and things like that. As I got older, and got a job as a teenager, then again, my money was spent on more expensive toys, and spending money hanging out with friends.

  I got married young, and stayed active as a witness for about 4 more years. Then I spent money on bills and basic living expenses.

  During this entire time, I never gave more than $5.00 for the "worldwide work" or whatever it was. Everytime the assemblies said they needed more money, I never gave. When the hall needed money to pay electricity or whatever, I did not give. The only exception would be when I purchased the magazines or books. And that was when they required it.

  I wonder how many are like I was. I mean, lets face it. To raise a family requires a lot of money. A lot of hard earned money. I was not about to piss it away without getting something in return. And when I was younger, there just was no extra anyways.

  Now of course, we hear about the zealous old brother or sister who gave their life belongings to the WTS in their will, but really, how much is that? Did not happen that often, and most witnesses have no money anyways.

  Now, as I have grown a little older, and hopefully a little wiser (still have much to learn) I would be happy to contribute towards a cause or charity that I believe in. But not the witnesses of course. But back then, there was no way in hell I was going to give any money to the WTS if I didn't have to. And I was a fairly good productive little witness. I did my talks, I went out in service, I did the part. Just gave no money.

  So, how many of you actually did donate? Was it a regular habit, was it a lot? Change in the bottom of the pocket? Other than real estate, maybe the WTS is hurting for money these days.
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  38

  Question for fade-aways.

  by bay64me in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well, i panicked, i prepared and had excuses ready.

  strategies and contingency plans up and running.

  i have been awaiting, nay willing my "inactive persons' shepherding call" (whatever) and it hasn't happened yet!.

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  freedom96

  I really don't think they will hunt me down. I am local, in the same area, but have moved several times.
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  15

  Hi All

  by ELHOIM in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  !, what a god- dam excellent site.

  i left the jws 7 years ago and still have a sister in there.. my mother has also now left and as a result has been banned from seeing her grandchildren by my sister, yet her father inlaw a jw and convicted peodophile ( he repented so its all ok now!!!

  ) can have unrestricted access because he's part of jehovahs wonderfull organization.

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  freedom96

  Welcome to the site, and enjoy!
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  45

  Is There ANYTHING That Would Make You Go Back?

  by SpannerintheWorks in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  could the wbts change anything about it's beliefs that would entice you back to the religion?.

  or are you firmly against the wbts no matter what?.

  even if it changed it's rules on shunning, blood, "worldly things" ?.

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  freedom96

  Not a thing.

  Ever.
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  5

  kh blow out today

  by johnny cip in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ok so i'm driving my truck at 169st and college ave bx this morning at 9:30 am ... what luck i have about 30 + wtites going into the fs.. i stop and talk to a group of sisters , and get them to commit that the wt mag is the word of god etc.

  then i ask for a mag ,and how much ... you know the line to pay for the printing and so on.. at this point i give 10 cents and ask for 3 cents change... and get it lol... as this is a all black cong.. i go into all the racist that was taught by the wt ... the girls are getting upset... i let them know the wt said that if they pray hard enough they could become white... a couple of the bro's came over ,one was intersted in what i said ,,i slipped him my phone # he said he would call...after the sisters ran away the leader of this pack saw me talking to this bro and chased him off... then i started with him telling the kids he was with that by following the elder he was leading them to death.

  that he should put a millstone around his neck and jump into the hudson river for stumbling the childeren what these false prophecies... he asked me to give him a date of false prophecy...ho ho i threw about 20 at him and asked him which one he wanted to study.. as we are at the hall now lets check out the library ... well his head started spinning... i said come on you are calling me a liar in front of your cong.. now back it up... all the while i'm telling the kids the wt is satan... well i shut him up fast, he was running in and out of the hall fumbling for his keys... and i didn't let up the whole time.... i left a lot of food for thought only hope a few may open their eyes..... john

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  freedom96

  Hopefully you were able to plant some seeds! Good job!