Posts by LisaRose

44

Should I get babtized?

by BlackWolf in

jw
friends

i know this sounds like a ridiculous question but i was talking with my mom in the car today and of course we got on the topic of getting babtized again.

she told me that jehovah holds me accountable for my sins regardless of wether i am babtized or not so i have no reason to be holding back because it won't change anything.

my parents are the type of super strict jw who will shun you just for not being a witness.

LisaRose

Here is what you need to say to your parents:

Mom and dad, I love you and appreciate the sacrifices you have made in raising me. That being said, whether I dedicate my life to Jehovah is entirely my own decision and one I do not take lightly. I can't do it for you, I can only do it when it is in my heart and mind to do so and when I am ready. If I did anything else I would just be living a lie, and you did not raise me to lie. Jesus did not get baptized until he was thirty and his parents did not shun him, so I think you can be more patient. If you choose to shun me for not choosing the same religion as you, well that is your choice, but know that it is you who would be choosing that, not me, I will love you no matter what. You had the right and choice when you were young to choose your religion, I am simply asking for the same right.

As far as your friends, getting baptized might make a difference, and then again it might not, but it would also put you in the sight and control of the elders, there are higher expectations and tighter controls, so think about that. In my experience being a young adult and finding friends is always hard, you might shorten the process by getting baptized, but then how much would you have in common with them, since you don't actually believe? The further you go on that path the harder it will be to ultimately break free, you might them find yourself married to a JW girl with children and thirty years old and stuck. Don't limit yourself.

Is there an interest you have that you could explore online and possibly meet others that way? Music, or art or something like that? My son found his wife that way. Please don't limit yourself, you are young and can do anything in life, as long as you don't give in to the temporary pressure.

475

What is the alternative to JW?

by Formerbrother in

i mean this with all due respect, i would like to hear from genuine people who think jw have it wrong and then what is the truth?.

im not talking about silly little quibbles here and there.. is jehovah real?

the the bible is word?

LisaRose

I understand your feelings, but can you perceive how many of them are due to what religions have said to you? Blame those who form the religions - blame centuries of bad direction also - but in all honesty God is completely separate from them.

I am not anti religion, I think most are sincerely attempting to do Gods will, it's not their fault the instruction book is bad. And if God is separate from them, then that is his fault, not theirs, they were trying.

I thnk the notion "what God wants" is part of the problem - religions preach that God wants this and God wants that, but He has made perfectly clear what the issue is - only nobody likes it.

You are creating a false premise, that others know what the issue us but don't like it. Do you really think those who believe in God all are deliberately choosing to get it wrong? That is absurd.

I can show you if you like why God cannot intervene, why His omnipotence is not enough to let Him do whatever He wants, and what that issue is - none of which involves belief or religion.

Why do you imagine you alone understand God? What makes you so special? Sorry, I don't buy it. You are simply going through mental gyrations in an attempt to explain away why an omnipotent being wouldn't simply tell us what he is about, because you need to believe in such a being. Then you come up with some reason that makes sense to you and imagine you have been gifted with some special knowledge. If that makes you happy then good for you, but don't expect anyone else to buy into it. As they say, extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. Unless you can perform miracles or predict the future (in a way that can be proven) then your ideas are just your ideas, you have no more idea of God than anyone else.

46

My cat died suddenly!

by Fisherman in

jw
friends

i did not realize that they were symptoms that something was wrong with my cat -but i did notice that my cat was breathing a little differently for a period of about a few days.

i also noticed prior and after to that, that on occasion, my cat would cry at the litter box, but that was a very seldom event.. anyway, about a week ago i noticed the symptom that my very loved cat was breathing heavy.

so i called a taxi and i was going to rush him to emergency room for cats.

LisaRose

Thank you magnum, but Lizzie survived and is back to being her devilish self.

2

Get On Board The Time Machine A Look At Your Future And Your Pass.

by new boy in

jw
friends

have you ever thought back at how your mind worked 10, 20, 30 years ago?

all of your different believe systems you had.. all the things you believed in back then.

the people you liked or disliked.

LisaRose

Namaste

56

GB bites off more than they can chew!

by biblexaminer in

the gb bit off more than they can chew.

they promised that the nwt revised would be available in so many languages by now, and they have failed miserably.. english stands alone.

as a result, they are in damage control mode.

LisaRose

We all bite off more than we can chew at times. Human nature.

Also human nature to lie about it when we do, but a religion should be better than that, especially one that claims to be the sole channel of communication between God and man.

Total fail.

46

My cat died suddenly!

by Fisherman in

jw
friends

i did not realize that they were symptoms that something was wrong with my cat -but i did notice that my cat was breathing a little differently for a period of about a few days.

i also noticed prior and after to that, that on occasion, my cat would cry at the litter box, but that was a very seldom event.. anyway, about a week ago i noticed the symptom that my very loved cat was breathing heavy.

so i called a taxi and i was going to rush him to emergency room for cats.

LisaRose

I am so sorry for your loss. I almost lost my cat two weeks ago, so I understand how hard that is. My Lizzie suddenly stopped eating and drinking, she had a high fever. The vet gave antibiotics and intravenous fluids. The test came back as indicating a liver or gallbladder issue. At first she still didn't eat, I had to force food and water. She started getting better a few days after the vet visit and an ultrasound showed no issues. I realized she was on the mend when she started milking the attention. They said she had a gallbladder attack, likely something she ate that didn't agree with her? I have switched to a higher quality food, apparently some cats cannot tolerate the traditional commercial cat food. The vet said it's like McDonald's food, it tastes great, but there are better foods out there, regular commercial cat food is high in acid. I also used to give her a lot of treats, she loves her treats, and would do tricks for them, but they are higher in fat. So, Trader Joe's cat food, holistic treats and not many of them.

It's hard to say what went wrong with your cat. Possibly she ingested a poison or toxin somehow? Or she is one that cannot tolerate cheap cat food? It could be she had a genetic defects. Who knows?

This whole thing made me aware of how attached I am to my cat. I have always been an animal lover, but my husband works long hours and she is my companion. She is smart and funny and loves me madly. She works hard at communicating her wishes, plays little jokes on me (grabbing my ankles under the bed, sneaking up and giving me a scare, etc.), she even enjoys music. I almost want to distance myself from her so it won't be so painful if something happens, but I don't think I have it in me.

Pets really worm their way into your heart that's for sure, so I get how hard this can be.

51

I lied to the elders

by atacrossroads in

jw
friends

i stopped attending meetings all together in january 2015. before that my attendance was irregular at best.

my husband followed suit a few months ago after months of research, agony, and indecision on his part.

from the very beginning i laid low and did not share with anyone what i found out about the witnesses because i did not want to be df'd.

LisaRose

According to their own teachings it is not a lie if those inquiring are not entitled to the truth, so there you go.

It probably was never going to turn out any different with your mother's attitude. She just wouldn't leave it alone, and there is only so much a person can take, so don't feel bad.

You don't owe those elders the time of day.

475

What is the alternative to JW?

by Formerbrother in

i mean this with all due respect, i would like to hear from genuine people who think jw have it wrong and then what is the truth?.

im not talking about silly little quibbles here and there.. is jehovah real?

the the bible is word?

LisaRose

There's this lingering feeling in many, though, that to do so would be short-sighted, that they would be to throw out the baby with the bathwater - that God isn't at fault ( infact is very precious and there for them ) but some horrible poison has corrupted His reputation.

If nobody understands what it is he wants or who he is, how is that NOT gods fault? How is he precious and there for anyone? I earnestly prayed to God for thirty years, and got nothing back, so how was God there for me?

If God is all powerful, his reputation is entirely in his control. He is either not all powerful, therefore not God, or he doesn't exist. I violate for doesn't exist.

31

Midweek meeting

by loneranger in

jw
friends

almost two months into the change in format of the mid week meeting from the school and service meeting format to the christian life and ministry (clam) format.

in my congregation, seems attendance is down 10-15% over the normally low attendance for the mid week meeting before the change.

some indicate that the meeting under the clam format is very "intense"...you really need to study and research to be able to participate or get anything out of the meetings.

LisaRose

The religion has always asked a lot of people, hours of meetings, study, field service, etc., but I think the pace of life is faster now, people have a lot of demands on their time and energy, maybe they are just tired and it's getting to the meeting itself is all they can manage.

And the organization doesn't seem to give any thought to making the meetings enjoyable or rewarding in any way, they are dry, boring and predictable. It's like the old joke "the beatings will continue until morale improves".

105

Does anyone think Jehovah is protecting the org. despite all the talk about THE ARC ?

by tor1500 in

jw
friends

i've been thinking this for a while.

even before the arc scandal.

it seems no matter what, the org.

LisaRose

I LisaRose,
You make some great points...I do understand where you are coming from. But everything that the org. teaches isn't wrong, just like everything our parents told was not all wrong yet not all right either.

Well, no offense, but not being 100 percent wrong is a pretty low bar to meet. Most religions could say that.

I much rather believe that the media is making this up. Wow. I guess they don't care if they ruin lives as long as it's not theirs.

What makes you think the media is just talking things up? I guess they are not perfect, but what would be their motive?

Amazing. I think that is why I shy away from having a study, because I know TTATT. Plus I have a lot on my plate anyways...having a bible study is like having a child...you have to put a lot of time in. I like field service because I get a chance to be out with the friends & most of my group, they are nice and easy going. We have a good time...most of the time, nobody opens the door or even takes a magazine, but that's life.

But what is the point of your going out in service if no one listens? Sure, it's not horrible, but isn't there something more productive you could be doing with your time? This is one of the things that made me crazy about being a JW, the horrible inefficiency of field service. This is supposedly life saving work. If you really believe you could be saving lives you would find a way to connect with more people. If you aren't looking for a way to actually connect with more people, then you are just "getting your hours" and what is the point of that, other than to make mother happy? (Mother being the organization). At some point in a person's life, making other people happy loses its joy, you have to find meaning for your own self.

My body is there but I don't drink all the kool aide...I drink some then spit out what I know not to be true...I have a hard time swallowing Jesus is Michael the archangel & that Jesus is the one on the horse with a bow & no arrows. To me they are calling Jesus the anti-Christ...aren't those horses going out are bringing in the apocalypse ? Plus how could Jesus open the scrolls ride out & come back to announce the next horseman.

You know thinking is considered a dangerous thing in this organization? Be careful that no one notices you are actually doing it, lol.

I think the Org. dug to deep into the scriptures & saw stuff that wasn't there. I can read the bible & know sometimes or most of the time they way they present the scriptures isn't really true. But one has to read for themselves. But most don't because the org. tells you & for some it's better that way because they are too lazy to find out if it's true...All their answer is, is Jehovah said so...& so does the bible. I know some of them know what's going on that is why they are suppressed not depressed....Someone wrote on this forum....I don't mind questions I can't answer but I don't like answers that I can't question....Profound

Yeah, that's the problem. At some point these questions you have will bubble up and come out in some way. Just be careful, because there is very little tolerance in this organization for independent thinking. Frankly, most elders have not given this as much thought as you have. If you start asking questions, don't be surprised if you get blowback, because you will make them very uncomfortable, they will have to shut you down, no matter how nice they seem and how sympathetic they might be initially, Just Saturn's.