Posts by AllTimeJeff

Weeping, you seem confused, and I think it would be best for you to spend more time being introspective. The answer you seek won't be found on the internet.

You have a dillema, either stay with a group whose doctrines you sometimes disagree with, or leave your friends.

I have no idea what "Satan" music has to do with your choices.

24

Don't ask questions

by linp24 in

several 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?

AllTimeJeff

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.

40

Do you love me?

by John Doe in

jw
friends

prove it!

.

AllTimeJeff

Yes Doe, I love you. But not as much as Shamus.

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.

.

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.

71

How I know what I know...

by AGuest in

jw
friends

to 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.

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? ;)

22

So where do you do the research?

by ConnieD29 in

jw
friends

ok 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,.

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!

66

Gerrit Losch (take a look at his pic!)

by asilentone in

jw
friends

how does he keep up with his hairstyle daily?

shampoo?

( alots of hair in between!

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.... :)

6

Some Civility

by ufo1 in

jw
friends

it 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.

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!