Posts by Dagney

47

How did you break the news to your parents?

by tootired2care in

jw
friends

so one of the things both me and my wife are faced with is breaking the news that we've stopped going to meetings to our parents.

my wifes parents could go either way, they have made several critical remarks of the wt over the years, while my parents are die hard jw's.

i tossed the idea around of sending a letter or doing a phone call or just not saying anything.. we've decided that were just tired of having to hide our true feelings and play pretend.

Dagney

Say nothing. Ask about THEM. Go someplace -sightsee during meeting times. Say short prayers and mention THEM in the prayers.
If it comes up...say you where a bit stumbled...have no issue with god, the bible or Jesus..just some men (GB) and you are "Waiting on Jehovah" to fix it (at home..in an easy chair ).
If it comes up they will be pissed someone stumbled you...if pressed...."I don't want to gossip". End of conversation. Works for us..so far.
Take the high road be pleasant..respect their beliefs. my 2 cents.

Excellent advice. This has worked for me also. Always turn convo to be about them, work/house/hobby/sports/anything about them. I said I had no issue with the people/congregation, but with "the corporation." (I get baffled looks but they never question me.) When they say something is good about the meeting/assembly/Watchtower, I say "THAT'S GREAT!!! (Again baffled looks but the convo about it ends.)

For the time, I have no respect for the WTBS, in fact I detest it. But I show JW's respect for their right to believe, because I was there. If a JW does not show me respect, then I am D-O-N-E with them. Period.

Act with kindness and wisdom, it will go along way.

119

worn out ministerial servant!

by El_Guapo in

jw
friends

Dagney

Welcome El_Guapo!

Good advice here. Remember, don't go into too much detail or say too much, and always say you have "taken it to Jehovah in prayer." Elders usually leave that alone. Use your health as a reason and stick by it. They don't need to know anything else.

Wish you the best.

15

MSN report on false end of the world predictions includes JW's

by joyfulfader in

i thought this quote on msn regarding all the interest in end of the world stuff because of today's date 12/12/12 and the 21st as the end of the mayan calendar.. "figuring out when it all comes crashing down isn't easy, though.

the jehovah's witnesses, for example, have predicted the end of the world at least four times, only to be forced to backtrack.

".

Dagney

Great find!

One of the turning points for me was a PBS special on the "Apocalypse," which followed many apocalyptic religions and predictions for 2000 years. Of course JW's were included. What it pointed out was each religion had its set of calculations based on the Bible, and none any more strange than JW's. I never knew any of this being raised a faithful little JW. It really affected me.

I ordered the tape and made some JW's, including an elder watch it. It didn't phase them one bit in fact they said they doubted the PBS show was true! I said well the segment about the JW's was true. They didn't care.

106

Confidential Materials!

by Atlantis in

all documents of important nature such as, our kingdom ministry, boe letters, forms, or other materials will now be sent only by email or private message communications.

they will not be posted out here on the board.

if someone else wants to post them, be my guest.. .. we have no other choice in this matter, and sending out confidential documents is better when it is done privately.

Dagney

PM sent.

22

Facebook message from ex brother-in-law

by jeremiah18:5-10 in

jw
friends

my ex bil (who is df'd for 3+ years) sent me this message saturday night:.

"...it is with a sad heart i write this.

after seeing your post concerning celebrating halloween and running into christi and her telling me that you guys were celebrating christmas with a tree and everything ... along with other postings you have made and testimony from others it is apparent you have chosen the path of apostasy.... i write this wishing that wasn't so but the fact is the fact... i wish you and your family the best in this system but i can not associate or be friends with you anymore... i am chosing to be on jehovah's and his organization's side... thanks for the friendship thru the years and may you enjoy the time left in this system... :'(".

Dagney

I think your answers and approach were great!

i totally believe in taking the empowered, offense approach whenever possible. He may not "get" your points, but you have put him in his place set the rules of the game, which is what it is.

I subscribe to "less is best," however. Too many points and too many words can dilute a message. I love the fact you called him on "gossip." I've done that and threatened a family member (a MS), I would take him to his elders if I heard so much as a peep from him that hinted of slander or gossip. And if his elders did nothing I'd write the society. I do emphasis my life is between me and "Jehovah." Most elders will back away from pressing further on that.

Good luck to you.

80

France : no more local bank accounts for congregations

by fifth.column in

i just joined a few days ago.

still in (physically, not mentally...) for family reasons... how many attendees at the kh in the same situation ?

currently living in france, wont say more on me for the moment.... .

Dagney

From a corporate standpoint it is not unusual. A very large corporation I worked for had one bank account. All receipts went into that account and each division had their own checks drawing on the same account. The corporation could manage cash flow to their benefit in a more efficient way.

This is a printing and publishing corporation under the guise of "god's divine channel." In the end, it really will just be a corporation.

10

Funeral Service for JW's Killed in Bus in Miami --- The Kingom Hall Has PEWS ????

by RubaDub in

jw
friends

on the local news in miami on saturday, they reported that they were having funeral services for the two jw's killed in the bus accident at miami airport.

the reporter was standing outside the kh in the westchester area and you could clearly see the sign and the people entering.. they said approximately 750 people were in attendance which tells me that it must be a tri-plex kh like many others down here since there is no way you can put 750 people into a typical kh.

they likely had an audio or possibly an audio and video link into the other two kh's.. they showed the inside of the kh as people were entering.

Dagney

I've attended a hall with bench seating. It's just seating.

47

How did you break the news to your parents?

by tootired2care in

jw
friends

so one of the things both me and my wife are faced with is breaking the news that we've stopped going to meetings to our parents.

my wifes parents could go either way, they have made several critical remarks of the wt over the years, while my parents are die hard jw's.

i tossed the idea around of sending a letter or doing a phone call or just not saying anything.. we've decided that were just tired of having to hide our true feelings and play pretend.

Dagney

I just let my family find out from others. My mother was very elderly and I am the closest to her was looking after her. I didn't want her to worry more so I just skated around with her, because she would never understand and it was too painful to her to think I would be "destroyed." But with my elder brother, I just waited for him to say something to me, then I just told him it had nothing to do with the people, and that I had issues with the corporation, and it was prayfully between me and Jehovah. He couldn't say much just offered "encourgement."

Everyone's situation is different as has been mentioned. You know your audience. But if you put them in a defensive position, it usually doesn't turn out well. If you are firm, with full confidence about your position, that you are in charge and not "weak," they don't seem to press, usually. They seem puzzled.

Good luck.

19

Stones preparing to CRY OUT?

by irondork in

tracking the rolling stones of racetrack playaby: shannon dybvigit's the time of year when the sailing stones of racetrack playa in california's death valley are on the move.

no one has actually seen these huge rocks move along the flat, dry lake bed.

sometime, when no one's looking, usually after freezing weather or heavy wind or rain, the rocks up and scoot themselves leaving unmistakable travel grooves in their wake.

Dagney

@Rip: I thought the same thing!! Lol

26

Redhorsewoman from DriveslikeJehu

by Antioch in

hi redhorsewoman,.

i doubt you still log on here but i wanted to try.

i just wanted to thank you for arguing with me all those years ago on beliefnet.

Dagney

I remember your name also from my lurking around that time.

Good on you!! Continued success!