we used to have this guy that came to bookstudy drunk and he would mumble all through it, and fall asleep and wake up yelling an answer.
i never went to meeting drunk, but i certainly drank a few to get me through sometimes, took the edge off the continual damnation spewing from the stage.
another "sister" used put kahlua in her coffee cup in service.
Well, I never came to the Hall intoxicated on alcohol, however, I took a nice dose of pain killers before going a few times. I sat there during the public talk/WT drifting into pleasant, euphoric dreams. While the conductor rattled on about "dress and grooming" (WT buzz phrase) I was walking through a beautiful garden and having tea with a beautiful Russian blond. lol ... yeah, those were the days.
alienagent
.
my first cars were all "manual" and they were small cars, cheap on gas.. then later on in life, i spoiled myself and bought automatic cars.. last week, i tried a manual yaris, and wasn't that comfortable with the manual transmission.
maybe it's the fact that i didn't drive a manual car in 6 years.. just wondering if anyone here after driving automatic transmission cars since many years, if you would come back to manual..
My first car was a manual. Hated it at first but once I mastered it I learned to love it. However, now that I do a lot of city driving I do prefer an automatic. Yes, I too am a coffee sipper, not to mention a cell phone chatter (yeah, dangerous I know) so I may forever own an automatic. I love my '98 Nissan Sentra. She has been faithful up to 120k miles so far. I hope the pic came over over ok. I was dating a Russian exchange student and she returned to her country she sent me her expired license plate. I placed it on my front bumper. **sigh** I miss her.
alienagent
it's only when i lose myself in someone else.
it's only when i lose myself in someone else.
it's only when i lose myself in someone else.
Great band DiamondBlue. Always been a Depeche Mode fan (among other bands from your country as well). That song had a few different versions. My favorite is the "Josh Abraham Mix". Great lyrics - thanks for sharing.
Currently I am in the office listening to my ipod. I just got back from dinner with my girlfriend and found this DM song appropriate for my mood.
Shine - Depeche Mode
Put on your blindfold
And a dress that's tight
And come with me
On a mystery night
Open your eyes
Follow our stars under a painted sky
We'll leave the world behind
We're learning to fly
We used to get by
Forget the pictures on your TV screen
We'll steal the visions
That you keep for your dreams
You can turn me on
I was blind and I saw the light
My angel coming
In a brilliant white
Shine for me
You've been hanging from a rope of mediocrity
Strung up by your insecurities
You can shine for me
Somebody has to
Shine for me
It's difficult not to
Shine for me
Follow our stars under a painted sky
We'll leave the world behind
We're learning to fly
We used to get by
Forget the pictures on your TV screen
We'll steal the visions
That you keep for your dreams
You can turn me on
You've been hanging from a rope of mediocrity
Strung up by your insecurities
You can shine for me
Somebody has to
Shine for me
It's difficult not to
Shine for me
Somebody has to
Shine for me
It's difficult not to
Shine for me
alienagent
i am rather new here, so i may be repeating a worn out subject.
however, for me it is rather a new experience, since i have only just recently stopped going to the kh.
my heart has never really been in it, though i am not in total disagreement and have made some nice friends in "the truth".
I am rather new here, so I may be repeating a worn out subject. However, for me it is rather a new experience, since I have only just recently stopped going to the KH. My heart has never really been in it, though I am not in total disagreement and have made some nice friends in "the truth". I simply cannot maintain rigid lifestyle required to be acceptable - from the assocation with "worldy" friends (and I have several) down to the rediculous petty rules (like facial hair/grooming) that the WTS, not God, actually impose. My marriage to a sister was a fraud and her elder father supported her violent behaviour toward me (I had my faults too, of course, but I admitted them). She came out clean, I was reproved and stripped of priviledges for separating (now divorced). Anyway, let me get to the point ...
When it was evident I was fading and attendance was at an all time low, suddenly "the end is coming" and "this isn't the time" lectures began - mostly from my mother. It all starts off rather gentle, but as time goes on they turn up the heat. Have you noticed that over time JW relatives go from "we love you, we want you back" to "your going to perish in the end!" Love turns to anger very quickly. My mother recently approached me red-faced and said "for all I'm concerned, to us you are already dead." Wow ... what a beautiful spiritual paradise. I cannot imagine Jesus using those words, yet they call themselves Christians.
Now that they realize that talk is futile, other methods are now being used. I am currently in the process of moving out of my mother's home (for obvious reasons) and when she picked up my mail at the PO, she wrapped it in a WT that was open to an article entitled "Have you Left Jehovah?". When she realized I have a "worldly" girlfriend, she left a WT (or Awake) about immorality on the counter next to my car keys. She has collaborated with fellow JW reliatives (particularly my elder brother-in-law) to create methods to get me to return. They would rather me fake my way through and go through the motions rather than just be honest with them and with myself.
Everything that is happening makes me feel like I have been a part of a cult. Think about it - interrogation, methods of intimidation (death threats - armageddon), harsh judgements and labels.
The thing is, I never said that I was going to go out and start living some decadent, immoral lifestyle. I have a good job, supportive friends, a clean appearance, etc. But I am made to feel so dirty.
What are some of your experiences with this?
for those of you who tried to follow the no rated r movies "suggestion", what rated r movie did you run out and get after you decided the society could shove their "suggestions"?
i was dying to see both matrix movies, so they were the first i rented.
swam
Think my first "R" (in the theatre) was "A Few Good Men". I remember clearly running into a MS after the movie in the lobby. By the way, this guy was arrogant - thought he was on top of everything in the congregation. When I ask him what movie he saw, the blood drained from his face when he realized we were in the same theatre watching the forbidden R rating.
"You can't handle the truth!"
yep
i have been away from the meetings for about a year now.
i recently attended a funeral and the witnesses mostly avoided me even though i am not disfellowshipped.
my problem is i need to replace my old friends because they look at me with such suspicion now.. i never had trouble making friends before i was a witness,but that was 30 years ago.
I agree with some of the others that it is hard for many of us in the social sphere. I have always been the artsy misfit among my peers growing up, and while the guys were talking about football I was thinking about my next art project or writing poetry. I am practically out of the "truth" and will make a Sunday meeting on occasion (mostly to please my devout JW mother). I understand where you are coming from! It is so hard making that transition from a rigid lifestyle. At one time, the WTS dictated every move I should make, regulating my behaviour and making my life living hell with another "back school" interogation room counseling session. Currently I am dating a "worldy" woman (yeah, the fire and sulfer will be raining down on me) and I honestly just don't know how to act in certain situations. As already stated, the WTS has placed so many disparaging labels on non-JW's, assuming that ALL "worldly" people are BAD, materialistic, etc. I think the key is really appreciating people for who they are, and choosing your friends based on a mutual respect for each others interests and beliefs. My girlfriend will tells me that I seem a lot different from other guys she has dated. It is as if I just don't have those social "smarts". Years being assimilated by the Watchtower Collective has made it difficult, but trust me, it gets better.
alienagent
`choose life to keep alive'.
christian--once.
israel chose to obey...willingly gave...their exclusive devotion.
Ooops not sure what happened there, lets try again...
Blondie
After reading your post again, I must say you have summed up the lunacy of the WTS in a nutshell. So much arrogance just permeates each paragraph. During the study (and when I was not dozing off), I asked myself many similar questions, such as where Jesus falls into play here. Why don't they just blatantly say "listen to JW's or you face destruction. They are the only intelligent beings on Earth that can save your life." Only a select few at in the congregation will comment - usually those who's minds are completely eaten away by the propoganda.
Thanks for taking the time research those articles.
`choose life to keep alive'.
christian--once.
israel chose to obey...willingly gave...their exclusive devotion.
Blondie
`choose life to keep alive'.
christian--once.
israel chose to obey...willingly gave...their exclusive devotion.
Blondie
`choose life to keep alive'.
christian--once.
israel chose to obey...willingly gave...their exclusive devotion.
Jehovah created humans with free will to make their own decisions. While elders are to counsel and even to discipline, they are not to take over the life or faith of another. Paul said: "Not that we are the masters over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for it is by your faith that you are standing." (2 Corinthians 1:24) Yes, "each one will carry his own load." (Galatians 6:5) Jehovah has given us much freedom within the bounds of his laws and principles. Thus elders should avoid setting rules where Scriptural principles are not violated. And they should resist any tendency to offer their own personal opinions as dogma or to let their ego get in the way if someone disagrees with such views.-2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Peter 2:16.
I went to the Hall this morning with a neatly trimmed beard just to see how the brother/sisters would react. I rarely make the meetings but I make an occasional Sunday mainly to just please my mother. I received many looks of disproval and some would not even ackowledge me. When I was walking outside to the car, my elder brother-in-law approached me with a sour look on his face and said: "Haven't you learned anything? I need for you to make sure you are clean-shaven before you come into the Kingdom Hall" My response? "Haven't YOU learned anything? Did you not listen to the Watchtower study?" He gave me a puzzled look. Since when does the "organization" follow it's own advice? That is, Elders should avoid setting petty rules and regulations or offer there own opinions. My mother commented: "I can't believe you came into Jehovah's house looking like a worldly person!" I guess Jesus should have shaved before walking into God's temple. It is all just insane.
