If a publisher consistently asks questions during a meeting, then an elder would talk to them, and I have seen a conductor ask if he could answer the question after the meeting.
As alluded to, don't break the structure, its all about the structure.
AllTimeJeff
JoinedPosts by AllTimeJeff
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24
Don't ask questions
by linp24 inseveral weeks ago, a witness poster said that the rank and file at his cong were told by elders not to ask questions.
i may have misunderstood what the poster was saying.
has anyone on the forum heard anything like this?
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AllTimeJeff
Yes Doe, I love you. But not as much as Shamus.
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15
What would you all do in this situation?
by EndofMysteries in- a married ex from a few years ago who has a kid now too, who after being with you got married within a few months, seems to decide they may have made a mistake, and want to meet you for a weekend but supposedly not to do anything wrong just for closure.
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AllTimeJeff
Hmmm
Be careful. Unless you want something out of it to. Come to think of it, if you want "something" out of it, I would run. Like hell. Off a pier, through a wall....
She needs closure, and the best way to do that is to be with you for a weekend?
How's your life been since you have been apart? Is it worth wrecking over this closure? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Only you know best.
Flings can be expensive. Be careful.
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How I know what I know...
by AGuest into the household of god, israel, those who go with... and those who are considering perhaps going with... may you all have peace!.
from time to time i have confessed here that the things i share are not mine, that i don't know any of these things on my own, but that they are given to me by my lord, the holy one of israel, jaheshua mischajah, who is the son and christ of the most holy one of israel, jah of armies.
i want to share with you an experience that might help you grasp just what i mean.. a little over a year ago i was contacted by someone who professes to be of the body of christ, but who was still in the wtbts organization.
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AllTimeJeff
Here's a couple of things I know.
I know I am in a mood tonight.
I know that internet boards are great ways to get to know people, esp of similar backgrounds.
I know that it is at the same time impossible to really get to know a person typing away behind a computer screen on said internet boards.
I have met a few former JW's on these forums (its been a while) and I can tell you that while we all have our "styles", it doesn't necessarily translate to real life. I have been pleasantly surprised upon meeting various ones. Hell, we apostates shower daily! The GB made it seem like we all smell of rotten Ragu sauce.
I know I get to think and type out at times what I wouldn't be able to say quickly on this board. Who knows how your impression of me would be different if you met me, and visa versa.
So for me, try to take what you can about a person, but be careful about reading too much into these posts. These are just parts of us we offer on topics, based on how we are feeling on any given day.
For all I know, Shelby talks to Jesus while listening to Metallica on her Zune. It's all good. And I guarantee you this, if we all met each other for real, I am sure for the most part we would get along, and that we would be surprised at how much we would learn about each other.
Shelby, tell Jesus I said hi, and that we need a break from the snow? Please? ;)
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So where do you do the research?
by ConnieD29 inok so i'm really trying to figure out what i believe about the bible, god, religion, etc... where do you research or find something to study that isn't tainted with someone else's beliefs or opinions?
this might be a dumb question, but i seriously don't even know where to start.. .
thanks,.
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AllTimeJeff
The problem with trying to discover who we are, is that as we discard the agendas of groups, we find little that we have actually thought through.
My only advice is, take your time. Whatever "answers" are out there won't come in a month, and if they are packaged that way, you should reject them quickly.
Education education education. If you aren't afraid to enter another persons frame of reference, you can learn something even from theists. Atheists as well. There is no need to judge, only to listen.
Take your time.
I am fond of saying that over time, the fortunate ones discover who they already are. I am not saying that my beliefs haven't changed drastically since I left JW's. Far from it. But at the core of me, I discover parts of me that were untouched by the GB indoctrination efforts.
My biggest value of all is honesty, esp intellectual honesty. I made a promise to myself not to lie to the person in the mirror ever again, or to lie to another person just to spare their feelings. If I might be so bold, I suggest that as a possible core anchor for anyone who is rebuilding their life and "belief" system after exiting JW's.
How can you tell if you are being honest with yourself or not? If you refuse to listen to someone you disagree with, and reject it without question, and without considering it, then you aren't there yet. (among other criteria....)
Lastly, may I suggest a strong dose of pragmatism? This quality helps me to not be too idealistic, and to read the world I inhabit a little more accurately then I used to as a JW.
Good luck!
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66
Gerrit Losch (take a look at his pic!)
by asilentone inhow does he keep up with his hairstyle daily?
shampoo?
( alots of hair in between!
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AllTimeJeff
Thats an old picture of Losch. At least 10 years old. Btw, yes, he does sunbathe on top of a Patterson car garage in his speedo's whenever he can. That is a well known, giggled fact around bethel.
Just for the record, he is married. No word on if she is a hairdresser.... :)
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6
Some Civility
by ufo1 init is with some hesitation that i post this as i dont post too often, however i am on here every day and i do read about 95% of all threads.
i also want to say that this is not meant in any way to insult anyone, or to single out any point of view.
the reason i post this is that this site has been and continues to be a great place for helping those of us who have been hurt by the wt, and i dont want that to change.
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AllTimeJeff
Hi ufo1.
In giving my opinion, I forgot to say that I appreciate this post, and in general, I do agree with what you say. My new religion is pragmaticism. (small joke there, but not by much) I do my best to deal with reality when I can.
I think I can be a bit negative sometimes, but I am who I am, and I am where I am at, and I didn't parachute to this point in life, I lived it one day and one decision at a time. Nothing can change that fact. So my thoughts aren't likely to always be positive. That in my mind is a failing, because I don't think anything is accomplished by being negative, but I battle it a lot.
Good thread!
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Some Civility
by ufo1 init is with some hesitation that i post this as i dont post too often, however i am on here every day and i do read about 95% of all threads.
i also want to say that this is not meant in any way to insult anyone, or to single out any point of view.
the reason i post this is that this site has been and continues to be a great place for helping those of us who have been hurt by the wt, and i dont want that to change.
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AllTimeJeff
You know, I have to say that the threads that get heated generally are in the Politics or Heated Debate threads. There is a place for that, and I think its a good thing for former JW's to stretch their muscles.
Speaking for myself, I learn as much as I give on some of those debates. To work through the issues and learning to be a responsible informed citizen is an important step for people who leave JW's.
It's also a good reminder to me that the world is a rough place. One selling point JW's use quite a bit is their utopian view of their "spiritual paradise", and how arguments and heated emotions really shouldn't exist.
I agree that sustained bad feelings and anger are bad for anyone. But I know many who leave JW's are surprised to deal with the world on a different level. It's tough out there. Being a JW doesn't prepare you for that reality at all. So when I read of hot headed opinions, and people getting upset because (surprise!) people disagree with them, there is another lesson that is learned. Don't expect everyone to fall over for your thoughts. You've got to earn your way in this world, and the fact that you show up with your mere presence isn't enough to change anyone's mind.
To me, these debates reveal those who have at least thought through some of the issues and can explain them on some level, and those who inherited them from others, and want to parrot what they hear without giving it due thought, as a responsible citizen should. (both sides politically)
Religiously, the theistic debates that go on are just as important, for obvious reasons. Former JWs have a ton of stuff to work out on the whole god/worship question. No surprise that arguments will sometimes occur.
I do agree though, that a more civil, less hostile tone, could be taken by many. There are times I have failed in that, although I try my best to be civil. Sometimes I fail too. Still trying to improve there.
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1914 A Significant Year - Not Just For the Jehovah's Witness Religion!
by donuthole inwas doing some reading on the teachings of the nation of islam (the religous group that malcolm x originally belonged to).
thought it was interesting that they believed that 1914 marked the end of 6000 years of the white man's dominance in the world.. previous research on the group informally known as the 2x2's or cooneyites revealed that their ousted founder, william irvine, preached that 1914 would be the end of the age of grace and a cut-off point for the saved and the world would enter a time period of judgment.. does anyone else know of any groups where 1914 is held to be a biblically significant date?.
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AllTimeJeff
I just had an interesting thought about 1914. Esp for us former JW's.
To illustrate a point first, what are we going to remember 2001 for? 9/11.
1941? Pearl Harbor.
1914?
Most sane people remember or know that it was all about the start of WWI, the first modern 20th century war, complete with tanks, airplanes, flame throwers, and mass casualties the likes of which we hadn't seen before. Until WWII.
But JW's and ex JW's still have 1914 as that goddam prophecy the GB keeps trying to maintain, thanks to the odd coincidence that WWI started that year.
As Terry mentioned on another thread, a stopped clock is always right two times a day. Doesn't mean it works.
The real legacy of 1914 for the world is that tragic war. JW's are just a freak footnote to that year, but it doesn't matter in the least to the real significance of that year.
Of course, those who have escaped the JW cult have an entirely different view of that year, and we should honor that. But some perspective in restoring what that year really means for mankind and our planet is never a bad reminder, imo.
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Ever want to punch a Dub?
by kurtbethel inyou can, on facebook.. http://www.facebook.com/vw?pageid=45870804&adid=222309385.
disclaimer: no person of any religious order was harmed in producing this message.
causing physical harm to any religious person is not endorsed by the poster..
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AllTimeJeff
Ever want to punch a Dub?
Yes. I can never make up my mind if I want to beat the shit out of Circuit elders as Batman, Spiderman, or Thor.