i have found some powerful reinforcements when people have stated their " epiphany moment "... please share some.. my turning pointing began when i was badly hurt by a person i had always viewed as a literal brother.
i realized that if his.
love was conditional.... if it was the case with him , then how about those i had less affection for and trust in ?.
Roughly 4 or 5 years ago giving a Service Meeting talk all about reinforcing how great the Shunning Arrangement is. I included my own experience of how hard it's been shunning my DFed brother all these years, but how it's really for the best.
Got lots of kudos, hugs and handshakes afterwards.
Then I woke up.
om
i think of a reporter that breaks a huge story about some corruption in the government who won't reveal his source of information.
the government uses anti-terrorist laws against that reporter to try to force him to speak.
the laws are designed to protect the people and are used in a warped way to protect the government and allow it to hide it's corruption.
"I will grant that I wouldn't want to be alone with some of you ...OTWO"
I hear Midwesterners become positively insane at elevations higher than 5,000 feet.
Great thread Jerry. Hope to give you a big ol' ex-JW hug someday.
om
our family is part of the 32% unappreciative spiritual loser class.
not regular or auxiliary.. .
our congo has 51% aux pioneering in april.. .
@ moshe: "WOW-Looks like there will be a lot of JWs fighting for a spot on the sidewalk in front of the 7-11 convenient stores at 9:30 AM tomorrow- maybe I can help them start their time with a good kick in the shins debate."
I'm curious moshe, what % of the local JWs do you think recognize you on sight? If you try to engage in conversation with those who recognize you, do they leave their coveted 7-11 turf?
@ freddo: LMAO. That was excellent. Any journalism class would tell you there were about ten too many "thrilling opportunities" in there, but the Theocratic Ministry School would probably give you kudos for repetition.
om
our family is part of the 32% unappreciative spiritual loser class.
not regular or auxiliary.. .
our congo has 51% aux pioneering in april.. .
Anyone pick up on a subtle "spirit of competition" between neighboring congregations?
I have. It's kind of funny to watch because on the one hand, stirring up competition may be somewhat effective. OTOH, competition is a JW no-no.
om
our family is part of the 32% unappreciative spiritual loser class.
not regular or auxiliary.. .
our congo has 51% aux pioneering in april.. .
yknot!!: Good to hear from you! While you're crawling around in book bags, how about another dive into an Elder Bag for some more "Food at the Proper Time"?
sir82: "the program has been such a smashing suuccess that the only logical thing to do is shut it down." LOL.
I think the 30-hour April Aux Pioneer "Special Offer" is an interesting sociology experiment. I can see some similarities between it and the "Company Potlucks" we have at work. When they are frequent, everybody looks around, sees it's no big deal and hardly anyone participates. When they're only once a year, the percentages go way up. (Along with the e-coli & salmonella exposures.)
om
our family is part of the 32% unappreciative spiritual loser class.
not regular or auxiliary.. .
our congo has 51% aux pioneering in april.. .
Our family is part of the 32% Unappreciative Spiritual Loser Class.
Not Regular or Auxiliary.
Our Congo has 51% Aux Pioneering in April.
And 17% are Regular Pioneers.
How about your neck of the woods?
om
i can't see myself not attending.
i would feel horrible not to go.
i don't know where i'm going to land and if i had to look back and think i didn't go... well, i would feel awful..
Flaky Catholics have to go to Christmas & Easter Mass.
Flaky semi-faded JWs only have to go to Memorial.
To not attend the Memorial is a major non-verbal giving "the finger" to this organization. If it gives my hard-core elderly JW parents a bit of peace thinking that my wife and kids might actually make it into the land of eternal lion-petting, I'm willing to attend.
om
p.s. (But not without my Smart Phone!)
startfragment.
after fading away a couple of years ago and going through the stages of transition away from the wts anger, disappointment with them and with myself for staying so long and now disgust at their harmful doctrine i no longer think of myself as an ex-witness.. recently i have had a longing to check out other groups.. i recently went to a buddhist meditation but the religious symbols didnt feel right to me.
the people were warm, welcoming and genuinely interested in me.
Sounds like Cheers!
"Where everybody knows your n-a-a-a-me."
Seriously though, the UUs have always been at the top of my (very short) list of groups to check out.
Maybe I'll fly over to the Chatham Islands one of these days and join you.
om
cope with discouragement.
when holy spirit.
(b) what can power from jehovah help.
Blondie's WT comments and OUTLAW's pix & comedy.
Now that's what I call a good Sunday morning.
it's my anniversary !!!.
i just realised that three years ago, on 25th march 2008, i walked out of the kingdom hall and thought, "i can never go back".
it was a strange and worrying feeling that night, i knew (or thought) i was heading for being df'd, i had been in for 58 years, all my extended family were in, all my life-long friends were in, all my social circle were in, and as i walked away , i knew jw life was at an end, and i would have to start a new life from scratch... it is the most wonderful decision i have ever made in my life, second only to when i impulsively asked my girlfriend of a few months to marry me, she did, the fool, and we are still together after 40 years.. i have enjoyed immensely the feeling of relief, freedom and excitement that has been with me since i left, my journey since leaving has been a fascinating one of exploring ideas and visiting different religion's services, learning about evolution, philosophy, critical thinking, etc.etc.. three years well spent, and the rest of my life in freedom !!
Congratulations wobble!!
If we ever make it across the pond, my wife and I would love to share a pint with you and the wise fool who married you.
Cheers!
om
