Posts by tinker

38

R&F Rumblings

by biometrics in

so i had a good conversation wth my brother, who i thought was a devout jw.

he eventually asked "are you going to the meetings?

", i said "no" then he said "why not, you know we're near the end".

When we left many of our closest friends tried to 'encourage' us back while at the same time admitted their own doubts and misgivings. Some came straight out and said they did not believe any of it but it was a good clean life and where else can you go. I have come to understand it is a culture and like it or not you are part of it and it's just too hard to leave. So they continue to 'go to meeting, D2D, assemblies and conventions and Shun me.

Also there is some degree of power for the men and the women have a pecking order. You can climb the ladder and gain importance even if you are a window washer by trade. Wear a white collar even if at your secular job you are low on the totom pole.

And it's really pretty easy to be a Jdub, I mean where can you go and get away without ever buying a Christmas or Bday gift for anyone. Everyone 'in the World' is evil and only you are worthy. It all about arrogant supremacy.

15

WT Indulging In Nostalgia, Soliciting Memorabilia; What's Up?

by Room 215 in

you may have notice in a recent kool-aid watchtower, the announcement of its creation at headquarters of an archive of photos, objects, memorabilia, etc.

i noticed that the lavishly upgraded assembly hall in buckingham, pa. now display in the lobby, glass cases with all sort of such objects.

it wasn't long ago when they disparaged nostalgia as the preoccupation of spritually bankrupted wordlings who, bereft of any hope for the future, pitiably cling to memories of the "good old days"..... what's up with jehovah's "forward looking" people??

tinker

Years ago when my congo was remodeling the KH, I was asked to help 'decorate' the library/2nd school/back room. We had a lot of old timers and I thought why not display some of their memorabilia. I collected old pioneer cards, pictures of the sound car, the oversized old WT, even a old lapel pin with the cross. I made up a collage of these items and had them framed in a shadow box. Everyone including elders thought is was great to have a sort of mini JW museum of our own. Uh Oh....along came the CO and without a word to me it was taken down and never seen again. When I asked about it I was given a stern look of "it is not you place to ask questions" I never got an explaination but I certainly learned more Truth about the Troof.

41

What did your personal big AHA moments look like when you saw through a LIE or suddenly understood a TRUTH?

by Fernando in

"what is an aha moment?

it's a moment of clarity, a defining moment where you gain real wisdom - wisdom you can use to change your life.".

(from a financial services company - http://www.ahamoment.com/what-is).

tinker

Getting past the LIE is very difficult and painful but there is another AHA momnet that is delightful. It is when you discover that Worldly People can be nice and good and you can develope friendships with them. It did take a few years to process the grief and move on to a new life but I have done it. I had always been interested in the art of Bonsai but never had the time and others would tell me 'you can have that hobby in the New World' HA! So I joined a local group of the brightest and nicest people ever. The WT world is small in number and mindset. Outside there are non-judgemental people who are interesting and intelegent, kind and thoughtful. I encourage anyone who is feeling lost and alone to get out and join a club or volunteer in something you are interested in. Librarys, hospital, park or community gardens draw cool people and possible new friendships.

43

Question for you atheists...

by MrFreeze in

or agnostics too.

are you open about your beliefs (or lack thereof i should say)?

when people talk about anything religious, do you mention that you don't believe in god?

tinker

nts: between beliefs right now = perfectly explains where I comfortably sit if anyone is asking Thanks Puff

11

Talk 36-Is this life all there is... Does anyone have it?

by jamir in

jw
friends

hello,.

does anyone here have the talk "36 - is this life all there is", in audio format, that could share / send me?.

i'll have to do it next month, and not in the mood / dont want to spend time with this.... .

tinker

Can't help with any talks but could suggest you expose yourself to the Flu or come down with a terrible case of hoof and mouth disease. ANYTHING to get out of teaching the public the WT LIES. My heart goes out to you for the position you are in re your family relationships. Ask yourself what is more hypocritical pretending to be sick or going on pretending to believe.

41

What did your personal big AHA moments look like when you saw through a LIE or suddenly understood a TRUTH?

by Fernando in

"what is an aha moment?

it's a moment of clarity, a defining moment where you gain real wisdom - wisdom you can use to change your life.".

(from a financial services company - http://www.ahamoment.com/what-is).

tinker

Even as a born-in child I didn't buy all the nonsence. We got that orange Paradise Lost book in 1958 and when I looked at those pictures I knew for sure it was all just a gruesome fairytale. Yes I pushed it all down and walked the walk and talked the talk pretty well for almost 50yrs!!! OMG, 50 Fxxx'n years. @Sapphy I still do not feel comfortable with the curse words :-/ After some very difficult years of raising children and teaching / grooming them as Jdubs, they rebeled and many many judical meetings insued. Heartbroken because I saw 'the truth' as a Good CLEAN Life. Who wouldn't want to just be NICE and CLEAN and enjoy dinner and the Brotherhood. AS IF ! The AHA moment hit me: I cannot teach this to others. Even if I liked the 'nice life' it was not for everyone, my children included. They wanted the freedom to think for themselves and I recognised I had no right to take that from anyone. The 'troof' is like that bowl in the Revelations book, shiny on the outside but filty dirty on the inside. Not going to force other to drink from when I don't myself.

18

RIP Levon Helm

by undercover in

jw
friends

levon helm (the band) died today at 71. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaqdfk0fdtk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoi0tc00luc&feature=fvwrel.

tinker

I got to see The Band in concert at the old Long Beach Memorial Auditorim WAY BACK in the day. We always had our 'assemblies' there so it was surreal to be in my Jdub Hippy Wannabe outfit. But I will never forget the show and how that music moved me. They also played a film of Dylans 'Subterrainian Homesick Blues". @ Designs....I watch The Last Waltz at least once and year and then play it over and over and sing along and pretend "I'm with The Band"

47

Memorial Bragging Rights: We Had a "Bethel Speaker"...Ooooooo..

by Open mind in

jw
friends

so was your congo affluent & connected enough to have a "bethel speaker"?.

at least one congo in our area had one.

om.

tinker

I recieved a call from my Son the Elder last week, inviting us to the Memorial. He was very excited to tell us they were having a Special Speaker from Bethel. We declinded the offer but thanked him for thinking of us. I have never understood the gushing over a speaker from Bethel. I do appriciate Barbara sharing her experience from the other side but the local pubs act like a Celebraty Rock Star will be performing. They might get an extra bit of 'the spirit' if they breath the same air. As If! Sorry to hear about the 'cat hair incident' but in our area the Special Guest is treated like royalty. We have a wealthy local elder who pays the expenses and sets them up in a posh guesthouse on the hill. They are taken to the best resturants and wine tasteing even. I never resented these hard working 'slaves' a nice getaway, it's the SuperStar status the locals pour on. As others have said, it is all about the Bragging Rights IMO.

42

Ok one more time...How do YOU view Jesus???

by 3dogs1husband in

so i tried to start a thread here... www.jehovahs-witness.net/social/humour/223581/1/untitled-topic.

and i left it untitled - duh and now i cannot reply to it, and am having trouble opening it.

i thought i would try this again.

tinker

just have to say Thanks to the creative people who print up these parodies. I love the send ups on WT covers too. They really do set themselves up don't they.

btw: speaking of mud in the eye, all the 'miricles' can be explained away by science. So that sister that argued with me for hours, Look it up.

47

How 'Bout A "Show Off Your Pets" Thread?

by Low-Key Lysmith in

jw
friends

group photo.

from l to r: ripley, ronin, gus.. .

gus helping pack home groceries on a snow day.. .

tinker

Too Late, you are Incriminated man. Your kids look just like you = dark and mischievous. I'm too lazy to post pic of my furballs but yours are adorable.