Posts by tinker

31

Age wise, what are/were the best years of your life?

by oompa in

jw
friends

i'm thinking mid 20's to mid 30's..........although i had a hell of a 15.......................oompa

tinker

I've never a bad time. I've loved the ride and looking forward to the next 56.

I know, I know, you think I'm nuts. What about that time your husband was Dead in a car crash and you had a little baby and no money and then your dad was DF'd and your brother died and then your sister was nuts and her child was taken away and your daughter got knocked up in hight school and was DF'd and your son grew pot in the back yard and got DF'd...ect ect... so it goes.

shit happens and I learned from every experience. I know for sure that I came through a better person.

Rock On!

25

Sheri from THE VIEW absent AGAIN as CULTS are hot topic...

by sf in

seems this woman is always, and i mean always, absent from topics related to religious conflicts.. again, today, when cultic behavior [ lds raid in texas] is discussed as a hot topic, she's not there.. a few weeks ago, there was the topic of the child that died due to the parents thinking god would heal her.

sheri was not there.. it's really starting to piss me off.. there have also been ample opportunities for her to speak out about abuse that goes on in jw religion.

she never takes it.. yesterday she reveals that when she had an opportunity to look at princes credit info, she took it.. i'm about to fire off an email and ask point blank, why she keeps avoiding (by being absent) these topics.. anyone else notice this about her?.

tinker

I watch The View most days. When Sherri first became a host there were a few comments reguarding JW's somewhere in her past. So I emailed her and asked how or when she knew of them. To my surprise she wrote back saying she was raised a witness but left at 18. Her parents and some relatives are still JW and wishes to keep a good relationship with them so is very careful of what she says about the religion. In her defense I have seen the show when she has explained some JW teachings, such as disfellowshiping as the reasons she is no longer a member.

Yes, sometimes she has made very dumb comments but if you watch often you see that she is 'no dummy' She is very quick, articulate and a talented comedian.

She told me one of her close friends is trying to leave JW's and they now attend a Christian Church together. She was never a very active witness but through her friend she now realizes that the organization is a cult. When she has the opportunity she has and will expose the truth about them.

65

The Watchtower Society Shows Their True Colors Again

by TooBad TooSad in

in the new may awake magazine there is an article "is philanthropy the answer?

i knew what the answer.

was going to be before i even read it.

tinker

I WT discourages members from giving money to any charity yet, I know many MANY JW's who have accepted help from Childrens Hospital, Red Cross, Cancer Society, Hospice Care, etc, the list is long.

I know an elder, self employed and made a good living but no health insurance. His daughter needed surgery on her shoulder and they took free medical service from Childrens Hospital in Seattle.

One JW family lost their home to a fire and Red Cross put them into a hotel until they could repair the house. We offered to take the family in but they refused because the Red Cross was paying.

A sister with breast cancer accepted free clothing and wig from the Cancer Society.

I always felt terrible that I passed on giving to these organizations. These days I step up with a buck and a check because I know the good work they do. I may need them someday myself.

And when I think of all the money I gave the WTBS, I truely feel ashamed.

25

Do You Know Any Active Elderly?

by compound complex in

jw
friends

hi fellow jwders:.

i've just returned from playing piano duets with one of the community's .

premier accompanists.

tinker

My Mom will be 89 in May. A very active JW, sorry to say, attends all meetings and field service several times a week. She lives alone in a 2story house and keeps it perfectly. Drives, cooks and shops and LOVES cloths and makeup. When I asked her how her Memorial was, she told me all about her New Outfit and how beautiful she looked.

Her health is great but her mind is going. I do see that she is 'losing it'....she gets confused sometimes and repeats the same story over and over. I live far away but try to visit a couple times a year and I know she will be needing more help soon. Her congergation elders offer NO HELP at all. One sister takes great interest so I am grateful for that.

I am so angry that she has dedicated her entire life to an organization that has no interest in her. She was always first to bring food, clean the KH, organized funerals, weddings,baby showers, every social activity oh AND Pioneered for 10yrs. Now in her old age they pass her off to her 'worldly' and 'apostate' children. So it goes......

56

Were You Ever Counseled Because Of What You Wore (or didn't)?

by minimus in

jw
friends

after reading the thread about what is acceptable to wear and not wear in a factory run by jehovah's witnesses, i wondered whether any here ever got counseled or in trouble because of their fashion sense or attire.

tinker

I got everything from skirt too short, color too bright, outfit to trendy, no bare legs, ect ect......

But the you know what, hit the fan when my husband wore and sport coat and slacks for an Circuit Assembly demonstration part. Not the speaker, just a magazine demo. They actually have a printed instruction list of What to Wear but neglected to give him a copy. The CO made him trade jackets with another bro, a dark one that sort of matched his pants. It was such a ridiculous issue and waste of time.

37

Who lets it be known that they were once a JW?

by lfcviking in

jw
friends

i am curious, for those of us here who have left the jw org, who actually lets it be known to people that they were once a practicing jw.. for me, this is something i tend to keep quiet because it is something i'm not particularly proud of.

anyone else feel the same way?.

lfcv.

tinker

I told a new friend for the very first time. I explained why, at age 56 I needed to make all new friends. She didn't ask but I decided to try out saying the words, I was once one of Jehovah's Witness' Boy O Boy did that feel good. And I said, 'will you add us to your Christmas Party list' She agreed and in fact invited us to an Easter Brunch this weekend. Very Exciting!

10

I went to church for the FIRST time...

by zeroday in

jw
friends

i was out in california visiting the folks when my father and his wife invited me to their church for sunday services...well being out of the borg for 4 years and a devote atheist i said "why not"... they go to a nondenominational foursquare church...i first asked if this was snake night to my suprise no... so off i went...the service started with a christian rock band playing christian rock for about half an hour (not bad actually) everyone either standing or kneeling with outstreached hands the whole time...then the pastor got up and began his sermon titled:.

"the right way to die" ok i'm getting a little weirded out here and expect a punch bowl of koolaid to appear at anytime now... not so it was about getting right with god at the time of our death to meet the lord in heaven...all in all a very nice service and very nice people but i did not get the "tap on the shoulder" i was expecting i guess it's for the believing only....

tinker

What is it about visiting California and going to Church? I entered my VERY 1st Ever Catholic Church this past Christmas Eve. We were out and about and near mid-night and passing a lovely old Spanish style church and said, Why Not pop in. Just out of curiosity you understand. We felt a little weird but then it was really nice and very beautiful with candle lite and a choir singing.

It was a full house. Must be a popular tradition for whole families to attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, who knew? And my favorite part, at the end everyone turns to their neighbor and shakes hands and say, Peace be with you.

12

Should I register to vote?

by tinker in

i have been asking myself this for several months now.

i have no idea even how to do it.

but since leaving the wtbs i have a new interest in the political process.

tinker

Wow, thank you everyone for your comments. I had no idea so many people here were passionate about politics. I'm so glad I asked. Yes, I do have plenty of time to gather the facts on important issues and that is what I will do.

Gopher; your links are just what I need. The evening news and local paper only carry the latest dirt slinging incident. I need a list, in clear words on each candiates position.

And is that true, gas is $10 a gallon in England.....sheesh, now I feel bad for every time I'm cursed the gas pump. Like I said, we American's have nothing to complain about.

Does anyone vote completely along party lines?

12

Should I register to vote?

by tinker in

i have been asking myself this for several months now.

i have no idea even how to do it.

but since leaving the wtbs i have a new interest in the political process.

tinker

I have been asking myself this for several months now. I have no idea even how to do it. But since leaving the WTBS I have a new interest in the political process. For the first time in my life I feel a surge of national pride. I love being an American Women. We are the luckiest people on the planet. Yes, there are a whole lot of problems but overall the freedoms and rights we are guaranteed are awesome.

So about voting, here is my problem. I know little to nothing about the candidates. I read a little and listen to some talk radio but it all sounds so redundant and repetitive. I do belive voting is a right but how important is it to participate in the election. I can't seem to decide who I would vote for. I like some parts of all of them and equally disagree with some things. I am part tree hugger. part conservative, I can go left as well as right.

I am against the war but then we have not be attacked again since 9/11 so is that because of our strong show there.

The economy, I don't like paying $3+ for gas and the jump in grocery prices pisses me off. But then I also think we are very wasteful and greedy. I own a home, dirve a nice car, gourmet food in my fridge, and designer cloths in my closet....so who's complaining.

Bottom line.....should I vote? Is it my responsibility as a citizen? Or should I want until I understand the issues, maybe the next election?

3

Eschatological Laundry List

by chickpea in

eschatology (from the greek?s?at?

?, eschatos meaning "last" and -logy meaning "the study of") is a part of theology and philosophy concerned with the final events in the history of the world, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world.

( wikipedia).

tinker

ah, the 70's. I didn't go to college but everything I really needed to know, I learned from The Hitchhickers Guide to the Galaxy.

So long and thanks for all the fish.