well, here it is, after almost 20 years 12 of those serving in position of responsibility it comes down to my spiritual execution(jw style).
allow me to explain.
for those who you who still remember me from h20 under the name truthexodus i came to post my experience as an elder of local congregation in nyc area.
Hang in there man. If I was you, I would show up with a letter of disassociation with the content being you are “stumbled” by the lack of due process in your alleged situation. Don't let them have the last word! You can have the last word and the last action!!
Erasmus (1520 AD): "If we want truth, every person ought to be free to speak what they think without fear."
what song do you want playing at your funeral?.
i'll be having "going underground" by the jam.
i was too far out... and not waving but drowning - stevie smith
I like the new song from the new JW song book called: “Awaiting Reinstatement.” A song with a great tune, for all those who are trying to get back in, but still need some wup’ass before mercy is extended.. What a loving provision!
Erasmus (1520 AD): "If we want truth, every person ought to be free to speak what they think without fear."
hello to all today:.
just reading in the book of isaiah 55-....and came across chapter 58. .
wow!
Brother Ray Franz sure addressed the JW misuse of Disfellowshipping in his second book, stating That Paul said the rebuke of the “majority” is sufficient, he says nothing about disfellowshipping the “minority” who choose not to rebuke the wrongdoer.
Also, disfellowshipping occurred to persons who “are” fornicators, who “are” drunkards, not persons who “at one time” were these things.
Also, the whole congregation was involved in the issue, not some elders in a back room, in secret.
Elders are given the authority to serve, not dictate to or rule over.
Erasmus (1520 AD): "If we want truth, every person ought to be free to speak what they think without fear."
keeping a balance in what is allowed and what is not is very difficult and is more difficult if i have to take action against one person when i have let other things go by others.. it would help a lot if we could stop the personal attacks and some of the name calling & insults that are thrown about.
i know personalities do and will clash but please disagree about the subjects being discussed and not get personal!.
if you think someone is deliberately trying to cause arguments please do not respond to them as this is giving in to what they want.
Well, how about this:
1: Start a new "Forum" where “anything goes” as to remarks and such, with the warning that if you open it, read it, respond to it, you get what you deserve.
2. Explain to all that other current Forums will NOT tolerate violations.
3. Give all a clean slate to start over, with the new rules in place
Erasmus (1520 AD): "If we want truth, every person ought to be free to speak what they think without fear."
Greetings from Yucca Valley, CA!!
Erasmus (1520 AD): "If we want truth, every person ought to be free to speak what they think without fear."
ever since i was a kid i wanted to be a pioneer and go to pioneer school.
i remember how every summer a crop of pioneers would come back all excited from the school with a "pioneer book" that no one was allowed to read except pioneers that had gone to school.
seriously, even as an adult a good friend of mine would not even let me take a peak, as it was taboo.
The Flock book is on a web page. Go to Yahoo search and type "flock" and you will find it. Full of legalisms and other works of law stuff. However, it can help you if you are before a committee. “Rules of evidence” and other loopholes the Elders sometimes forget to tell the investigated/accused.
Erasmus (1520 AD): "If we want truth, every person ought to be free to speak what they think without fear."
i thought that to be fair, i should probably list some good things that i personally got out of my 20 year jw experience:.
1. i was taught that if you believe something you should live your life to reflect that; (of course, i was not perfect in this and saw a lot of hypocrsy).
2. i personally experienced acts of kindness towards my family in many times of need;.
Very positive! I also feel that I took a lot of good things away from the JW experience. Public speaking was very helpful. Sometimes I wish that I would have stuck around longer to plant some more “seeds” before disassociation
Erasmus (1520 AD): "If we want truth, every person ought to be free to speak what they think without fear."
for the most part, i am but a lurker here.
you all have wonderful things to say, and i usually can't top any of the advice or good comments, so i just read a lot.
this place has been a god send for me.
Your sister must choose her own path. As Brother Ray Franz points out, you can be a JW and still be a honest hearted person. Let go. Be there for her when needed
Erasmus (1520 AD): "If we want truth, every person ought to be free to speak what they think without fear."
this present system is definitely finished.
the present system being the anglo-american dollar dominated system.
it is in the final stages of collapse as is becoming more obvious by the day.
Where was that verse in Luke that said ".....If they say the End is near, do not follow them......."????
Erasmus (1520 AD): "If we want truth, every person ought to be free to speak what they think without fear."
i've been out for a year and miss a couple of my friends a lot.
someone told me a saying yesterday, though, that some friends are for a reason, some are for a season and some are for a lifetime.
i'm usually not into corny sayings but that one made me think.
Ray Franz second book, In Search of Christian Freedom, gave great encouragement about the loneliness we my feel from time to time. Also, as one Brother put it: “I was going through JW withdrawals” from time to time. I still do.
Yes, they were just “institutional friends” However, I know from experience that some just do it out of fear of getting Df themselves. Some, have even contacted me from time to time, “under the cover of darkness,” to see how I am doing.
Hang in there, and don’t give up. Want to be more determined than ever? Then go back to the Hall for a visit! I did, and it really turned my stomach to re-hear the twisting and legalism of the Public Talk and the WT study. It really gave me a “lift” to help keep in mind where I came from!
Erasmus (1520 AD): "If we want truth, every person ought to be free to speak what they think without fear."
