Posts by jamiebowers

12

Lucky 13

by z-monster in

jw
friends

this is my 13th post and my last.

i had lurked on this site for years, joining to offer my condolences when oompa passed away.

i told little about myself and will offer more now, as i am leaving, in the hopes that it may help someone else.

WOW, your parents had no contact with you unless they needed money! And then the siblings who shun you had your mom's funeral director call you to pay the bill! That really takes the cake! I can't help but wonder about your nieces and nephews. With two-thirds of young people leaving the cult, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if a few of them don't contact their "apostate" uncle.

I'm so glad you've been a success in life! Your family's actions have provided a powerful anti-witnes to your wife and her family.

I have absolutely no interest in debating Watchtower doctrine, right or wrong. As for politics, debating never changes people's minds. It brings out the worst in people whether it is at a cocktail party, backyard BBQ or an internet message board. To those things, I really have nothing to add.

I couldn't agree with you more. But you will have some valuable advice for young people who are now standing where you have stood. I hope you have the time and inclination to share your experience with them.

In the meantime, good luck to you. You sound like a real stand up guy with a good head on your shoulders!

8

memorial day - Vietnam

by Glander in

jw
friends

they called me in to the draftboard for an interview shortly after i turned 19 in 1964. i had registered at 18. got married at 18 yrs.

and 10.5 months.. i sat at a long table before five uniformed officers.

they asked me if there was any reason i could not serve.

jamiebowers

Don't feel guilty. You did the best with what you knew at the time. My husband was drafted at the age of 19 in 1969. Despite being a star athlete in baseball, football, and wrestling in high school, he failed the physical. He worked in a factory between graduation and the draft and developed a double hernia. The military didn't want him even after he had it repaired. He feels guilty to this day.

2

Birthday - Thanksgiving to Christmas

by so confused in

jw
friends

so my son is going to have a birthday this month he is going to be 3 (this is the 1st time we have celebrated).

i spoke to his day care and arranged to bring party hats, cupcakes, cars plates and napkins, noise makers.

then his daddy and i will take him to chucky cheese for dinner, games, cake and presents.

jamiebowers

As a stepmom to two and grandma to four, I think your birthday plans for your son are fine. As for Christmas, it's not carved in stone that you celebrate it on December 25th. Greek Orthodox observe the holiday the first week of January. If your jw relatives will be gone by then, celebrate accordingly. If you can find a sitter, go to your company's evening party. Most if not all of your co-workers will be happy to hear that you're widening your social life to include them, at least at work functions. I've found most "worldly" people to be accommodating to newcomers in society.

30

Badge of honor - for apostasy!

by Vidqun in

today, i have attended my jc meeting, courtesy of three local elders.

all three had their "shepherd"-books on their laps.

i carefully and meticulously proved to them that their interpretation of dan.

jamiebowers

Congratulations of the highest order!

46

Quick question, did you feel lonely at the meetings even though you were part of the action?

by Theocratic Sedition in

jw
friends

just curious, something i've noticed only lately.

i'm in the mix within the congregation, stay late after the meeting is over, converse with quite a few people afterwards, make plans for saturday and sometimes sunday service and yet i feel so awfully alone walking to my car afterwards.

i feel lonely when i'm talking and laughing with people after the meeting.

jamiebowers

Wow, I REALLY want to thank you for your insight, laughs, and hugs. Mostly your insight and experiences. I thought I'd been through all the emotions typical of this dual agent role, but this sort of loneliness is new to me. I hope any lurkers viewing this can see they're not the only ones going through this or have went through this.

Miz, just from our private messages I know you're such a good person...a little rough around the edges, but still you have such a loving heart. Maybe your loneliness will help you to build a social network outside of the cult. I hope so, because you need to be appreciated for who you are, not what you are as a jw. Having "worldly" friends, and maybe even a girlfriend, will do that for you.

56

I've been thinking the Bible isn't legitimate--long indoor mat-rant

by sd-7 in

jw
friends

i'm not sure where this thought came from (believers will no doubt say 'from satan'), but it has started to coalesce in my brain lately.

i've often referred to the bible and argued from it to debunk jw beliefs, and still tried to consider it as a great piece of literature at the very least.

but as my wife was listening to the meeting on a loud speaker phone at home this weekend, i just had this thought.

jamiebowers

I suppose I'm still evolving without even being conscious of it.

Welcome to the world without mind control!

56

I've been thinking the Bible isn't legitimate--long indoor mat-rant

by sd-7 in

jw
friends

i'm not sure where this thought came from (believers will no doubt say 'from satan'), but it has started to coalesce in my brain lately.

i've often referred to the bible and argued from it to debunk jw beliefs, and still tried to consider it as a great piece of literature at the very least.

but as my wife was listening to the meeting on a loud speaker phone at home this weekend, i just had this thought.

jamiebowers

I think many people, both ex and non jws have come to the same conclusions. You have a wonderfully loving heart and brilliant mind and don't need a religion to be your moral compass.

46

Quick question, did you feel lonely at the meetings even though you were part of the action?

by Theocratic Sedition in

jw
friends

just curious, something i've noticed only lately.

i'm in the mix within the congregation, stay late after the meeting is over, converse with quite a few people afterwards, make plans for saturday and sometimes sunday service and yet i feel so awfully alone walking to my car afterwards.

i feel lonely when i'm talking and laughing with people after the meeting.

jamiebowers

Miz, my heart aches for you and people in your same circumstance. Even if you feel that you can't leave this cult, please form a social structure outside of it. You deserve to feel comraderie and love. Life is nothing without those things.

29

Hi! Life story of young, 23-year-old (gay), disassociated, non-baptized publisher

by HillCountry in

jw
friends

hello, this is my first post and the first time i have told my entire story, albeit abridged, to anyone.

it will be a long story, sorry.. my grandparents were brought up with different religious backgrounds but converted to bible students around the depression era.

later, my grandfather met my grandmother through the congregation and got married until his death, having a marriage that lasted over four decades.

jamiebowers

Thanks for your story. Please get some counseling for being raised a jw and to reconcile yourself with your sexual orientation. You deserve to experience romantic love and a satisfying sex life. You also have the right to a commited relationship despite whatever your family's reaction may be.

11

Yorkshire Ripper (brother Peter Sutcliffe) vouches for Jimmy Savile

by oldlightnewshite in

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4629105/peter-sutcliffe-claims-jimmy-savile-is-innocent.html.

according to the yorkshire ripper, a repentant psychopath who is now a jehovah's witness in prison, jimmy savile is just being exploited because he can't refute any of the 300 allegations of molestation and rape.

there are some who think that jimmy savile may even have had a psychopathic personality.

jamiebowers

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4629105/peter-sutcliffe-claims-jimmy-savile-is-innocent.html