Posts by deddaisy

so, on dec. 17, a spiritual brother and i, both jehovah's witnesses, called on the mayor to present an important article in our magazine that contained a recent landmark decision by the u.s. supreme court that gives us and others a legal right to visit the homes of the people to express our views.

deddaisy

What's weird is that they talk about their "magazine." They were meeting for an interview ? Why are they interviewing a mayor ? It would seem they are indeed referring to Stratton:

that contained a recent landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that gives us and others a legal right to visit the homes of the people to express our views. ----------Witness letter

what irritates the hell out of me about Stratton, is that Stratton NEVER said that Witnesses, or anybody else for that matter, couldn't "visit the homes of the people to express" their views. Stratton only wanted anyone that was going to call on the residents to sign in with the town prior to knocking on doors. This was because a substantial number of residents are elderly and had been getting ripped off by door to door scam artists ! I'm not saying if this was right or wrong, but the WTS now attempts to make it appear they were fighting to knock on doors and champions for everyone's rights ! This wasn't the case ! They just did not want to sign in first ! Even the cable companies have to sign in at gated communities ! And if the cable companies took this to court, it wouldn't be because they were concerned with everybody's rights.

83

Judge Bans Shunning

by Farkel in

today i spoke with a former jw i've been in touch with for several years and discovered what i think could be a major bombshell for the wts.

as we all know, shunning is the most powerful weapon the wt cult has over its members and for decades the wts has been able to get away with practicing it at their whim.

the us and other courts have permitted them to to use it, even though it destroys families and has ruined countless lives.

deddaisy

woooooooohooooooooo ! definitely in the right direction ! I wouldn't be surprized if WTS fights it as their constitutional right to shun ! Either way they lose. Putting rights above a child's welfare will sit real well !

I especially liked this quote taken from the WTS site that Beans posted:

What of a man who is disfellowshipped but whose wife and children are still Jehovah's Witnesses? The spiritual ties he had with his family change, but blood ties remain. ------The WTS

gee, how big of you WTS to allow the blood ties to remain ! morons.

Edited by - deddaisy on 21 December 2002 21:55:11

91

Lurkers

by Yizuman in

jw
friends

seems that the page view out number the posters who actually reply to the thread.. my guess is that there's alot of active jws who are still active within' the so called "truth" are visiting this forum and reading all the threads.

i don't blame them for not wanting to reply for fear of being found out.. how many of you were still active when you found a forum like this one and lurked around for a long time?

how many of you left the organization as a result of reading this forum or other forums like it?.

deddaisy

jonadab, you said:

But answer a question for me or for yourself. If it was God's original purpose to have mankind live forever in a beautiful home on earth and his purpose has not changed, how could this be accomplished if wickedness was not removed?

If this was, and is God's purpose, then I agree wickedness would have to be removed. We would then have to define "wickedness." The WTS's definition of wickedness is any person that does not agree with it's doctrines. I do not agree with this definition.

For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be." It wasn't so much that everyone was wicked and evil, but that they were so caught up in their everyday lives they had no time for their Creator.

So if one is eating, drinking, getting married, or giving their child in marriage, which I believe are all gifts of life, it means one is not spiritual, doesn't help others, cannot possibly be leading a decent life ? And when God flooded and destroyed all that "wickedness," which by the way included slaughtering babies while preserving two swine, why didn't God set about restoring paradise at that time ? Too convenient, maybe there should be yet another population brought about to suffer, only to be destroyed?

Doesn't God deserve our consideration, our attention and love if he is the one we owe our very lives to?

I most certainly agree that the one I owe very life to deserves my love. And I, along with many people other than JWs, are most appreciative of this life, even if this were to be the only life we were given. It makes no difference if it's 30 years of life, or eternity, I would live my life in the same way, with an appreciation and humbleness. How about nurses that spend their lives in Third World Countries in order to care for dying children and the elderly? Who is anyone to say or believe that they don't have a true love for God or life just because they are not of your faith ? They are not JWs, therefore according to your religion, they will be slaughtered at Armageddon. Do you truly believe this to be a Christ-like attitude ?

Doesn't God have the right to preserve life and take a life that he has created?

I agree God can do whatever he wants. So do you feel that I have the right to take my child's life because I gave it to her ? How about a right to get an abortion?

But where are you going to draw the line at who enjoys this future and who doesn't? I wouldn't want to be the one who makes this decision and I dare say that most of us don't want to be in that position either. I'm glad that Jehovah has set the standards, can read what is in our hearts and is in the position to judge righteously.

You can't have this both ways Jonadab. On one hand you say that Jehovah is in the position to judge, but on the other hand you allow the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses to instruct you to believe that if one is not a Witness one will die at Armageddon, which is right around the corner. If that is not "judging," what is ? And Witnesses go along with this, saying nothing !

There are some truly decent people in the "world," just as there are some truly decent people that are Witnesses. This is the point, the WTS would have one believe that it is cut and dry. If one is not a Witness, they cannot possibly know God or be a spiritual person. They have Witnesses convinced that to abandon the WTS is to abandon God. This is utter nonsense and self righteousness and a, successful I might add, attempt to its members. You sound like a thinking, sincere person, you should check into the history of the religion you practice. pyramids, etc. better yet, ask someone in the hall. I bet they don't even know !

peace, christina

Edited by - deddaisy on 20 December 2002 22:7:34

Edited by - deddaisy on 20 December 2002 22:27:48

91

Lurkers

by Yizuman in

jw
friends

seems that the page view out number the posters who actually reply to the thread.. my guess is that there's alot of active jws who are still active within' the so called "truth" are visiting this forum and reading all the threads.

i don't blame them for not wanting to reply for fear of being found out.. how many of you were still active when you found a forum like this one and lurked around for a long time?

how many of you left the organization as a result of reading this forum or other forums like it?.

deddaisy

Jonadab, it looks like you've had alot of questions asked of you. Don't worry, LOL, I don't have any questions. I'm just responding to your last post so you know that I saw it. I could go on and on about why I would never consider walking into a Kingdom Hall again, but I'll spare us both. I do want to clarify a bit though, only because you sounded almost shocked by what I said. First, it seems almost ironic, funny actually, because in my second post I stated that the original problem which I encountered as a non-baptized publisher, being raised from 9 years old in the "truth," was:

When I began reading the Bible without the WTS "aids," I found myself with sincere questions. Yet when I would seek sincere answers, I would be directed to yet another WTS publication...

and in your latest reply to me you stated:

I don't know whether you have any Witness contacts or not, but may I suggest a bit of reading for you? It couldn't hurt and it might help you to get some incite and a better perspective. Last summer the book Draw Close to Jehovah was released

Do you see what I mean? (It's not your fault, I did it too as a Witness, without even realizing it at first.) I had sincere questions when I read the Bible on its own because it didn't jive with the WTS literature alot of the time ! Then I was directed not to read the Bible without the aid of WTS publications ! Only when I got away from WTS literature did I feel like I was sincerely understanding.

All my siblings are still Witnesses. My parents have both passed away. My father was df'ed, reinstated, than da'ed himself. He died very, very unexpectedly. I believe if not for my brother's small children, my brother would've committed suicide after my father's death. Because the guilt of shunning his own father, to the point of having his dad not attend his wedding because it would make the "brothers" uncomfortable, was too much for him. And why Jonadab, why so much hurt ? Because the WTS told my JW family, and all the friends to shun him. Why ? Because he had been seen smoking a cigarette. At this time, unknown to the elders, my dad's business was going bankrupt, and then my mother's tumor was diagnosed as cancer. After hearing the news, my father bought a pack of cigarettes, smoked a few of the pack and threw the rest away. One of the "sisters" was behind him in line at the convenience store and most likely told. It doesn't really matter. He was df'ed, not for the smoking, but for not having the "right attitude." I'm beginning to ramble, so I'll end by letting you know that my father turned to the Bible for comfort. He found it, but no longer accepted the WTS. He was reinstated only to be able to communicate with his children, but was then going to be df'ed for apostacy for discussing his beliefs, it was then that he da'ed himself. And it goes on and on and on. The WTS running lives, dictating who members will associate with, how they will spend their time, what they will read, what they will be, who will live, who will die. "So and so can't be in her sister's wedding because she's not baptized," on and on...... such hurt over decisions that the WTS should not be a part of.

One more thing and I'll be gone. You said:

Christina, your comments left me a little speechless. From belief in God to disliking God to not being sure of or feeling it's important "who or what God is" is quite a distance to travel. It makes me think that you, like many others, never got to fully understand who Jehovah is, how he thinks and how he feels.

I believed in God, this loving father that lived up in the clouds, as a kid. I had a wonderful feeling regarding God as a kid. My mother gave me a good, yet open for thought, spiritual foundation. It was after I began attending meetings as a 9-year-old when my father became active in the JWs that made me begin to question God's love! It was what I heard at the meetings, what I read in the literature ! A God that would destroy good but imperfect people simply because they weren't JWs ? My friends? My grandmother ? This is when I didn't even know if I liked this God. How is it possible that a perfect God can break one of the commandents that he handed down to imperfect man to keep? That commandment being, "Though Shall Not Kill." Yet this perfect God is going to break his own commandment by killing imperfect creatures for not keeping these very commandments? Let's even say they kept the commandments, he would KILL them for not being JWs?

No Jonadab, I do believe in a god, I just am not sure what form, or name this god goes by. But I have complete faith that this god knows what he is doing. And I feel secure not knowing all the mysteries of this great one. Everything is not for us to know. It is enough to live this life, to appreciate this life and not treat it as if it is a dress rehearsal for the "new system." I am much more spiritual now than I ever was as a Witness. And as I said before, I don't have to know each and every one of god's plans, I have faith that he knows better than I, even without the WTS directing him.

This is a link to a cover of the Watchtower. This is like the illustrations that I remember as a Witness kid. Nice God, nice religion. So tell me, do you think the children that see their parents slaughtered by "God" in Armageddon will be smiling with these JW survivors? Sure, just hand them a shovel and a mask like the workers at the WTC, welcome to a perfect world.....

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=42640&site=3

Edited by - deddaisy on 20 December 2002 2:43:8

29

I graduated from college today

by ChrisVance in

jw
friends

.

at the age of 53 i graduated from arizona state university with a bachelor's in spanish.

when everyone stood for the national athem i felt a little guilty at first, but i soon got over it!

deddaisy

WAY TO GO CHRIS ! ! !

CONGRATULATIONS

I lived in Tempe for six years. Loved Canyon Lake, Loved South Mountain, Miss the desert (except in the summer!)

51

Lyin/Dede's Birthday

by WildTurkey in

jw
friends

ok i think i made a mistake.

tomorrow is dedes birthday, and since i will not be here tomorrow i want to give her gift today and post it here.

well this is what happened.. i was talking to a buddy, and i told him, "i don't know what to get my wife for her birthday.

deddaisy

ANOTHER DECEMBER BABY ?! !???????

(SAGITARRIUS, THE SIGN OF THE APOSTATE ! ! ! )

WOOOOO HOOOOOOO ! !

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEDE ! !

(and I got to light the candle !)

83

What if the U.N doesn't find anything in Iraq?

by kril in

jw
friends

it hit me a few days ago.

what happens if the u.n. searchs iraq and they find nothing?

i mean it's kind of scary to think what will happen to bush's job approval rating if that happens.

deddaisy

It looks like the UN isn't too happy with Iraq's 12,000 page declaration. They just spoke on it, the UN, and said it was a material breach.

just to let you know, carry on........

24

Alone at new years eve again

by Pleasuredome in

new years eve 1996 was the last time i enjoyed a new years eve with a girlfriend.

even though i wasnt into celebtrating it in a major way because of the jw influence on my life, it was a really great time to be with someone i cared about.

1997 onwards i became involved with the jws and of course i couldnt become involved with a worldly girl, so i became celebate.

deddaisy

looks like i'll just have to sit in home and watch tv again. hhmmmm....

oooooh, don't sound so blue there must be something going on that you can go check out !

if nothing else, grab a really good book ! sometimes our own company is the best around! ( there were a few New Year Eves when I wished I was at home reading a good book! )

peace, christina

91

Lurkers

by Yizuman in

jw
friends

seems that the page view out number the posters who actually reply to the thread.. my guess is that there's alot of active jws who are still active within' the so called "truth" are visiting this forum and reading all the threads.

i don't blame them for not wanting to reply for fear of being found out.. how many of you were still active when you found a forum like this one and lurked around for a long time?

how many of you left the organization as a result of reading this forum or other forums like it?.

deddaisy

Do you feel that you still have one or has your faith/belief in God been destroyed?

Jonadab, I believe there is most likely a higher force of some kind, I can't honestly say that I feel this force is the God of the Bible. I feel somehow, how we live our lives, whether it be refusing to compromise our values, or spending our time making someone smile, is more important than "who" or what God is. All through recorded history people have needed a hope of life after death. The Egyptians packed a bag for their eternal lives after death, sun gods, fountains of youth, heaven, nirvana, reincarnation, human sacrifice. Some ancient beliefs sound incredibly uneducated generations later and one wonders how anyone could have supported such a belief. Yet most beliefs can never be completely disproved and who is to say that a so-called "civil" belief system won't be considered an uneducated, ancient belief in the future. Whatever God is, be it karma, nature, collective energy, Jehovah, I have trust that "God" will know what to do with me after my body quits. Now to my point. When I quit attending meetings, at 18, it wasn't because I was sure that the Witnesses were wrong. I felt some of the practices and people were self-righteous, but in spite of that I still felt for a long time after I left that the witnesses may be right, that Armageddon would come. I even defended the Witnesses adamantly when anyone would trash them in conversation. So why did I stop attending meetings? Because after studying and attending meetings for years, I grew to dislike God. I definitely believed in him, but my beliefs regarding God would swing back and forth between: 1) the Witnesses must be mistaken about Jehovah, he could read hearts so why would he kill based on religion and not on one's heart? 2) God must be unloving and unyielding to destroy even the people that have given to others while they have not much to begin with, only because they aren't JWs. So I figured then that either 1) God would read hearts not religions at Armageddon, or 2) God was unloving while demanding love himself and, in that case, he could kill me because I didn't want to live forever under his rule.

I no longer agree with any WTS teachings, accept maybe the denial of the trinity, but having all the answers is not of consequence to me so even that really is not of enough importance to me to debate. What is to be, will be. What I do know is that I am much more respectful towards life now than when I attended meetings.

peace, christina

hurt, you don't sound "spiritually weak !"