Posts by SnakesInTheTower

6

Elders Given Too Much Freedom to Destroy or Conceal JW's Secret Records

by flipper in

jw
friends

as a witness- i always thought elders had way too much ultimate authority over rank & file members.

i was always questioning things - which didn't make me popular with the elders.

there has been a lot writen about secret database files containing information about jw child molesters .

SnakesInTheTower

When I was a congo secretary anything related to child abuse was marked "do not destroy" and supposed to be kept forever. I will tell you that files have a way of disappearing and/or being opened by people (elders) who have no business looking at it. Even as secretary, if I did not have a specific purpose in opening one of those sealed envelopes, I left them alone. I did not want to know everyone's business, but I was an exception unfortunately. I knew of elders who, when they became secretary, went into the files and purged anything of their family and friends. Some things are copied to the Society so it doesn't completely disappear.

Once when I was cleaning up badly organized files, a lot of envelopes were so badly deteriorated that they were not sealed revealing very personal information about current and former JWs. I had a "envelope resealing party" right before an elder's meeting. All the elders participated. I had already organized manilla envelopes and relabeled them properly. If the original elders on the JC were there, then I had them transfer and seal the envelopes. If none of the original elders were there, one elder was given the material and it was resealed in front of all of us. One elder tried to read some of the case notes, but I and/or other elders stopped him and it was resealed. Since I had found envelopes unsealed for no reason, I also had seals put on the flaps and signed by two elders and dated. If it was reopened, the seal would be obviously be broken. If there was a reason to revisit a case, then a new seal would be applied and dated with the names of the elders opening it. A lot of work to protect confidentiality but I felt it important. I took my responsibility seriously.

Stopped a lot of the underground gossiping among the elders and their wives... no access to the goods .... for awhile. About a year later I was deleted... and a ... lets say less than careful elder became secretary.... and the gossip began to flow again.

Ironically, most of this BOE is now either DF or at least no longer elders. A**holes. LOL At least I don't have to worry about such mundane s*it anymore.

Snakes (Rich )

105

Sept.15th WT - WT Society uses Guilt & Fear to Avoid Friendship & Internet

by flipper in

jw
friends

once again my wife and i were sent the " witness only " wt version by our lurking jw friend that they study at wt study meetings.

and once again wt society is showing very controlling tendencies towards it's jw members.. do any of you remember the " old days " in the 1970's or early 1980's when witnesses used to have goody night after book study ?

or you would have a " potluck picnic " with about 30 to 40 people getting to know one another to draw close as friends outside the confines of the kingdom hall ?

SnakesInTheTower

I remember once organizing a congregation picnic where we stopped at this abandoned/quarried out area along the river. It was known there were lots of fossils, trilobites, etc. I think we were studying the Creation book at the time and it talked about them. The goal was to find enough of them for each CBS group to have one to talk about the following week. We succeeded. Then the groups all went further up the river road to a state park. While some of the older ones with a disabled sister in a wheelchair prepped the BBQ in the picnic area, we all went hiking. Came back, ate, all had a great time.

Unfortunately, one or two pairs of young teenagers went off on a side trail away from the main group. Whether anything actually happened or not who knows. That was the beginning of the end of such large scale picnics.

The CBS group that I conducted toward the end we had a goodie night once a month. Best attended of all the nights and we had a close little group.(Side note: donuthole, do you remember that group? You were part of it until you were DF. Do you know what ever happened to that family? The host of that home was an elder that you confided in... and the elders attacked him and you. )

Things started falling apart in the congo and the book studies when the socializing was discouraged/out right banned.

stupid cult. glad I am out.

Snakes (Rich )

11

Can I request my own Disfellowshiping?

by Joshnaz in

jw
friends

just want to know, and how to do it.

i've been out of the religion for 12 years now and just want a reason for my parents to not talk to me, seeing how they don't anyhow i don't think it'll hurt any..

SnakesInTheTower

yep. just tell em you do not believe in the FDS and its GB anymore. that should do 'er. Or just tell them you are disassociating. It will be the same announcement: "Joshnaz is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses." Half the audience will look around at each other and say "Josh who?"

In all seriousness...12 years? Who cares what your status with WTBTS is. And for your parents, hell my JW mom rarely talks to me anymore and I am not even DF.

Snakes (Rich )

47

Hello fellow apostates

by gumby in

gumby here, thought i'd say hi to everyone.

my nutbag is still intact but it's a tough road to please others in order to keep a family.

really tough.. i'm glad this place is still here as it's a haven for you ex-es and a means to help others to see that when man (governing body) is a mediator between christ and oneself, it becomes a cult.. .

SnakesInTheTower

glad to see you still pop in once in awhile gumby....

Snakes (Rich )

ps to funnyface...hiya granny grace...still cant get into your mouthy account?

39

Got a visit from door-to-door JW's!

by donuthole in

today while i was home for a quick lunch break i got a knock at the door.

i opened the door and was surprised to see two elderly jehovah's witnesses women.

i haven't been called on since i've been out for four years, so this was a bit of surprise.

SnakesInTheTower

dh:

Yep, there it is. Oh rats, her white car isn't there. I guess I'll try the door anyway since we came all this way."

so is that why we both always had not at home return visits when we worked together? LOL In reality, I had a fancy schmancy RV book.... kept very organized..... and almost none of those RVs were interested. Most of them were scratched out. Lots of dates, fake notes from previous "successful" RVs...until they were finally determined "NI" (not interested).

My trick was to work with those older ones who had lots and lots of return visits. I would volunteer to take them to their calls all over town...especially the ones out in the country.....take lots of time to get there. The older ones appreciated that I did not speed. I appreciated that I controlled the car not them. In reality, most of their calls were mere social visits with a sprinkling of magazines.

I think that is why my JW mom goes out 5 days a week... socializing.

Snakes (Rich )

23

Please ring in if you have currently hold a "rank" in the WTBTS

by stillin9 in

just wondering how many active pioneers, elders, ministerial servants, or perhaps even co's visit this forum.

no need to disclose any personal information just what you serve as.. i am sure other threads similar to this have existed but what the heck.... i'll start off.... i am currently serving as a ms in a congregation in the us.. .

so what your's rank?.

SnakesInTheTower

currently and forever more....... nothing (though I dont like the whole "non-practicing JW" thing. maybe I should just up and DA. I left 3+ years ago.

When I was an elder/pioneer, I frequented this site as a visitor, a lurker. I needed answers. I got them. I left. (Oh, I was a doubting JW even while attending MTS....upon graduating, I was no longer doubting.....I was sure it was all BS...it only took me 5 more years to leave.

Snakes (Rich )

38

Sign on WT Building... make your own!

by Mastodon in

jw
friends

here's a pic with the sign removed... have at it!

let's do this right!

.

SnakesInTheTower

oh my God....FSM... I am laughing so damn hard right now... I needed that laugh... thank you

Snakes (Rich

39

Got a visit from door-to-door JW's!

by donuthole in

today while i was home for a quick lunch break i got a knock at the door.

i opened the door and was surprised to see two elderly jehovah's witnesses women.

i haven't been called on since i've been out for four years, so this was a bit of surprise.

SnakesInTheTower

quentin:

at least 3min attempting to get someone to the door. Rang bell, no answer, knocked door, no answer, rang bell, no answer, well, you get the picture. Heh, heh, sometimes we even went to the back

the only reason I do this now is in my job as a bill collector. sometimes I even knock like a cop. When I was a "pioneer" (though by 1986, what were we really pioneering?), I had the fake door bell ring, light knock, leave a tract, hit and run down pat. I hated pioneering and door to door in general...even admitted it from the platform during public talks and service meeting parts. That got people's attention. I was not kidding.

On a similar front.....I seen a whole bunch (gaggle, flock, group?) of dubs in a QT (QuikTrip) convenience store today (Granite City, IL). One older (50s?...so older than me) sister was waiting next to me in line for the restroom (the men's room was closed for cleaning). Do you think she would take the opportunity to share The Good News of the Kingdom® with this poor sap? No...but I am certain they did not recognize me....even though I had given several talks in their KH. Mostly sisters, but one older brother.... all buttoned up in his suit and tie...suit coat buttoned all the way.... not sure if he looked dapper or lost. He sure did not look like he wanted to be there. Mostly they stood inside of this store between the donuts and the coffee stand yakking.... sure not much "urgency" in their message.

Snakes (Rich )

166

MUST READ AlanF's email to Knocking.org

by sf in

this is a must-read that, hopefully, will stay an "active topic" for all seekers and lurkers, by bumping it to the top as often as possible.

alan wrote it in randys {dogpatch} thread regarding knocking.org documentary and in reply to the email mr. engardio sent to barbara anderson.

however, it is so vital a read that it indeed needs its own thread:.

SnakesInTheTower

bump and marking... excellent.... wonder how I overlooked this excellent nugget both here and on randy's site. It was a link from Freeminds to JWD that got me on this board.

maybe I should forward this to my mom... nah...she is blind. I am not df and she is already all but shunning me.

c u l t

Snakes (Rich )

61

FlyingHighNow's Nephew's shunning - tragic ending

by Incognito in

jw
friends

flyinghighnow (heather) updated her thread last evening about her nephew's shunning treatment by his own mother.

this story has now taken a tragic turn and because heather had updated the original thread, it has been buried and has not gotten the recognition it deserves.. the third page of the original thread is here: http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/members/private/196991/3/my-lovely-jw-sister-just-said-this-to-her-oldest-son last evenings post is about half way down.. .

please provide heather some kindness and support that she needs at this time.. .

SnakesInTheTower

heather....

I am saddened and horrified. I cannot imagine what is going through your sister's mind now.

Our family went through this lesson 16 years ago. I know my JW dad treated my little brother, never baptized, badly. The last time they were together (my brother was a teenager), they had a heated argument (about what, the fog of time has wiped out) dad threw him off the porch step and dislocated his shoulder. That weekend, my dad went on vacation and died of heart failure. That was their last words and actions. My little brother lives with this to this day. Fu*ked him up more than he already was. My JW mom and dad argued (about my brother) the night before he died...in the morning dad was dead. Screwed up my JW mom too. My JW dad was an ass to his family and was judgmental as hell...much like your sister.

I use this lesson with my 9yo (soon to be) step son. I tell him and his mom (never JWs) never let the last words we say to each other before going to sleep or parting ways to go to school or work be harsh. Always let them be "I love you." Unconditionally. We have been together a little over a year. It is words the three of us live by.

I hope your sister learns from this harsh life lesson and that your nephew did not die in vain.

(((heather))) RIP DAVID....

Snakes (Rich )