Posts by TJ - iAmCleared2Land

With all due respect, I would like to point out one of the hidden issues of child abuse -- spirituality. When a child first learns the concept of god, the child oftentimes thinks of god as something like Santa Claus. So when the child asks for a toy, or some other treat, and that prayer is not answered, the child may be disappointed but learns something about how god works.

When a child of abuse makes that same prayer, there is always one thing that child asks for -- Please make it stop. When that prayer is not answered, the child of abuse experiences a side of god no one else does. That child experiences a cold god, a god who doesn't listen and doesn't care.

This is the type of scar a child of abuse carries into adulthood, and the type no one else sees or is aware of. Again, with all due respect, the simple answers of Jehovah's Witnesses do not address the complex problems of child abuse. To give a simplistic answer that all human suffering is laid at the feet of an invisible and silent creature, while at the same time encouraging the same person to seek help from another invisible and silent creature, only serves to set the abuse victim up for failure. It teaches the abuse victim that god is capricious, capable of helping others but not them. And, even worse, it serves to reinforce feelings of worthlessness and guilt. It teaches them that god doesn't love them, or views them as dirty or contaminated or that somehow the abuse was their fault. How? Because the victim hears others talk of how god helped them conquer this or that problem, and in their heart all they know and feel is the cold unresponsive god who stood by uncaring while they were raped.

Of course god will not answer their prayer. Of course the abuse will not stop. To tell them god hears all prayers, or even more sadistically, to telll them god hears only the prayers of true believers (and then put conditions on the defintion of a true believer) only serves to condemn the victim to more disappointment. They take in that sense of failure and make it about themselves.

It does no abuse victim any good whatsoever to ever lay blame for their rape at the feet of an invisible, remote and silent creature, anymore than it does to tell the same person to pray to another invisible, remote and silent creature for aid, comfort and/or encouragement.

Believe me when I say, all this does is to re-victimize the poor individual who has already been screwed over physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Believe me when I say Jehovah's Witnesses have nothing, absolutely not one word, of anything beneficial to say to a victim of child abuse.

I nominate this as " Post of the Year ". Those who've suffered abuse will know that what Big Tex writes here is spot on true.

Well written, my friend.

18

2009 Sing to Jehovah Lyrics--PDF----by request!

by Atlantis in

2009 sing to jehovah lyrics--pdf----by request!

request from researcher: i heard about this file but never received a copy and wondered if you had it.

can i get a copy?

TJ - iAmCleared2Land

They entirely changed verse 2 of the old standby "We're Jehovah's Witnesses". Now it reads:

2. Proudly we declare God’s name,

Bearing witness to his fame.

News about his Kingdom,

Boldly we proclaim.

Others thus may come to see

Truth from God that sets them free.

As they grow strong, their voices they’ll raise,

Joining with us to sing his praise.

It used to be:

"You’re my witnesses," God said, "Other Gods you need not dread.
I am God Jehovah, Sovereign Lord and Head.I both saved and showed to you When no other gods you knew.
Keep publishing my name near and far; Prove that my witnesses you are."

88

Layin' some heavy stuff on ya'

by AK - Jeff in

three days ago i became aware that my daughter was arrested.

again.. here's a little history.

we adopted this child when she was 2 months old.

TJ - iAmCleared2Land

Well, heros we aren't.

To those kids, you are. Do they call you Grandpa and Grandma?

There are personal benefits too. They may actually keep us a bit younger. The years ahead will be filled with HS football and basketball games, cheerleading practice maybe, perhaps a few field trips [beyond the ones we have already been involved with]. It will keep us hopping, and joyful I hope. To be honest, we missed a lot of that the first time around, since we were Jw. So it is not all one-sided.

Great attitude!

Life is a lottery. Lemons are best used for lemonade.

As my daughter says, "when life hands you lemons, make chocolate milk."

88

Layin' some heavy stuff on ya'

by AK - Jeff in

three days ago i became aware that my daughter was arrested.

again.. here's a little history.

we adopted this child when she was 2 months old.

TJ - iAmCleared2Land

Jeff, you and your wife are amazing.

Others have spoke sufficiently about your daughter; I want to focus on my thoughts re: your grandchildren, and the care you and your wife are providing.

I'm in a situation myself (sisters-in-law and mother-in-law living with us, dependent on us) that can make me relate to how one can begin to feel imposed upon by having to care for others that are not truly your responsibility. Yet, the goodness and kindness in your heart leaves little option--it's all that can be done, so you do it.

I just want to say that you and your wife are forever heroes in my book. While it would be easy to become bitter about how "inheriting" this responsibility has eaten into your free time, your plans, your funds, and your dreams, I sense none of that in your story.

You, my friend, while doing what "must be done", are doing it with the admiration of others and the love of those kids. You deserve all the love and admiration that we and they can muster. I tip my hat...

9

You know you are rich when....

by wouldacouldashoulda in

jw
friends

the memories of you playing barbie with your sister always include you buying up all the other barbie's houses and foreclosing on their mortgages.. .

do you have any other signs?.

.

TJ - iAmCleared2Land

...you're no longer afraid of elders, your money stays out of the contribution box, and you stay in bed on Saturday mornings without guilt.

126

MY BROTHER-IN-LAW HAS DIED

by Mary in

jw
friends

this is one post i had always hoped i would never have to do, but after a long and brave battle, my beloved brother in law has died.

i have done a couple of threads on this in the past, so many of you know the battles he was facing.

he had been diagnosed earlier this year with myelodysplastic syndrome and the mortality rate of this disease is quite high.

TJ - iAmCleared2Land

I just saw this thread, Mary... I'm so so sorry. A beautiful and kind man he was, as evidenced by your memories of him. My condolences.

63

I need a hug

by wouldacouldashoulda in

jw
friends

without posters asking why.. .

w.

TJ - iAmCleared2Land

bear hug

5

Ranch life

by TJ - iAmCleared2Land in

a montana rancher got in his pickup and drove to a neighboring ranch and .

knocked at the door.. a young boy, about 9, opened the door.

"is your dad home?

TJ - iAmCleared2Land

A Montana rancher got in his pickup and drove to a neighboring ranch and
Knocked at the door.

A young boy, about 9, opened the door. "Is your Dad home?" the rancher asked.

"No sir, he isn't," the boy replied. "He went into town."

"Well," said the rancher, "Is your Mother here?"

"No sir, she's not here either. She went into town with Dad."

"How about your brother, Howard? Is he here?"

"No sir, He went with Mom and Dad."

The rancher stood there for a few minutes, shifting from one foot to the other and mumbling to himself.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" the boy asked politely. "I know where all the tools are, if you want to borrow one. Or maybe I could take a message for Dad."

"Well," said the rancher uncomfortably, "I really wanted to talk to your Dad. It's about your brother Howard getting my daughter, Suzie, pregnant."

The boy considered for a moment. "You would have to talk to Pa about that," he finally conceded. "If it helps you any, I know that Pa charges $500 for the bull and $50 for the hog, but I really don't know how much he gets for Howard."