I know lots of JWs with lots of pets...and never heard that it was discouraged. Only that the 'cost was counted' and tbat no one took on too much responsibility, be it pets, career or kids.
Maybe that person was one of the alzhiemic annointed.
Eyebrow
JoinedPosts by Eyebrow
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Spreading False Rumors
by KSJordan ini remember when i was a child we had dogs.
anyway, this "annointed" person spread this rumor that we were sleeping with the dogs and worshipping their pictures.
i have also read in the awake that the wtbs frowns on pet ownership.
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Hi Again
by tattoogrl333 inwell the elders do not accept me.
i do not fit the mold and nor will i change too.
they asked for a book for me to see the questions answered for baptisim but they wouldn't give it to me because they have to decide if i can join???
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Eyebrow
Oh yesseriiiiii bob!
I think you are speaking of the Organization Book as it is referred too. God forbid anyone sees that before the elders think they are ready!!!
This book has all the questions in it, and some information about the organization of the congregation. There is nothing very secretive in it, I often wonder why they require approval before someone gets it.
As far as denying people who want to join....they may think that you are not yet serious if you still have pink hair and body piercings. There is nothing that can be done about the tatoos, but you can remove piercings and color your hair. I am not saying that these are the reasons...but it could be a start.
I never had a problem with any group denying someone to join per se, that is what defines a group. I would not be upset because they won't let you have the book; however, I would look at it as an opportunity to really examine WHY you want to be baptised as one of JWs.
I am curious as to how long you have been studying and attending meetings. Did you grow up in and around the faith...or are you a newly interested one that has been studying for a short time, say 6 months or a year? If you decide to become a witness, that is your choice, but please take your time to make sure that this is what you really believe and really want. This is an incredible life change. It will affect your relationship with everyone you know, especially nonJWs.
Please keep us updated on how your study conductor answers you. I am curious.
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Are there books you still keep?
by Eyebrow ini have found that the following books are still of interest and use to me, although i have 'walked away' from jw:.
1. greatest man whoever lived.
a lot of nice general info about jesus' life that is easy to read.
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Eyebrow
I have found that the following books are still of interest and use to me, although I have 'walked away' from JW:
1. Greatest Man Whoever Lived
a lot of nice general info about Jesus' life that is easy to read2. Mankind's Search for God
this was the first book I had read that covers (albeit lightly) other religions. I learned how so many are similiar, and it piqued my interest in learning more about them.3. The Great Teacher Book
a great book with to use to show how kids can apply bible lessons in their own life. Again, I don't agree anymore with all the lessons, but still a nice read book geared to be read out loud.4. My Book Of Bible Stories
Easy to understand book that takes kids through the bible chronologically. Again, there are a few stories that many nonJWs may object too, but overall, it gives a really good overview of characters in the bible.I have kept most of my books....partly because I am a packrat, and partly out of nostalgia. I chucked my back issues, but kept the bound volumes, cordances, bibles, etc.
What have you kept?
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Best urban legends, you heard in the org?
by Nicolas inpersonnally, i heard a lot of urban legends about the presence of a devil in a house.
it was always the same kind of story about a devil who lived in a house and then the jw arrive and they pray jehovah and suddendly, the demon go away...
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Eyebrow
Here is a personal one...
While I was studying to get baptised, I was having trouble with depression and mood swings. The sister asked if I had anything demonic in my apartment. I thought really, really hard, thinking that this may be the answer. Finally, I came up with a short story I had written a few years before that had a brief Satan cameo in it. Convinced that was what was causing the problems, we decided I should get rid of it.
Of course, I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. I also was convinced that I should destroy my Grateful Dead tape collection and other tapes that the society deemed inappropriate. (I made this decision on my own.)
I am still kicking myself in the head for throwing away the story and the tapes.
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Psalm 50: JEHOVAH'S JUDICIAL RULINGS
by You Know inthe 50th psalm is one of jehovah's as-of-yet-unrevealed judicial decisions that will become operative upon his people during the tribulation.
the following is a brief overview of the chapter.. "the divine one, god, jehovah, has himself spoken,.
and he proceeds to call the earth.
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Eyebrow
Oooh...one more thing..
I do enjoy when those that are JWs post and debate...but YOU KNOW, are you being hypocritical when you say that we should obey those taking the lead? The fact that you are reading and posting to this very board (filled, as you claim with apostates) is doing just the opposite.
In fact, if you were to go to the elders in your congregation and say, 'look how many I have reached, brothers, on this board alone!' do you think you will be praised?
I certainly hope you are not counting this as field service time!
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Psalm 50: JEHOVAH'S JUDICIAL RULINGS
by You Know inthe 50th psalm is one of jehovah's as-of-yet-unrevealed judicial decisions that will become operative upon his people during the tribulation.
the following is a brief overview of the chapter.. "the divine one, god, jehovah, has himself spoken,.
and he proceeds to call the earth.
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Eyebrow
Bottomline:
If I am wrong, and the witnesses are truly God's true religion, then worst case scenario I die after living the life I have chosen to live. No Hell, No Heaven, No Paradise...but also no more regrets.
This is the beauty of FREE WILL.
I don' believe I am wrong, but I stopped worrying about it a few years ago. Now I can live without guilt everytime I accidently slip and let out a swear if I drop a rock on my foot. I don't feel guilty that I allow my son to be in Boy Scouts and play football. I don't worry about celebrating the birth of my children just because the only two people mentioned in the bible happened to be jerks.
I live the life that Jesus describes when he says to treat others as you want to be treated. To not steal, murder, show affection for one another and honor your parents. I don't cheat on my husband or even my taxes. I even try to put the grocery cart in the cart pen at WalMart when I go shopping even if the car is way across the parking lot.
Basically, I do my best to live the life of a good person. Let God judge me...I have no problem with GOD judging me...not a group of humans.
Living and enjoying life to the fullest does not necessarily mean "eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we shall die" it means taking the life we have been given, and truly appreciating it. I don't think spending 5 hours a week studying for the meetings, another 5 or 6 actually at the meetings and another few hours a week in field service is really living. Forget about the hours during the week spent feeling guilty because you can never do enough spiritually.
No thanks.
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Who/What Preached at Your Funeral?
by Sam Beli insomeone started an interesting thread about what music wed like played at our funeral.
the logical next step is to ask of what the funeral itself would consist.
since becoming an ex-jw i have been wondering what my wife (also now an ex-jw) would do if i preceded her in death.
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Eyebrow
My father was not a witness, but my mother had an elder give the talk at his funeral. There was no eulogy about my father or anything like that. It really pissed quite a few of the many non JW relatives off.
My poor mother didn't realize this until a few years after the funeral. I helped her make the funeral home arrangements, but neither one of us had the presence of mind to think about an actual eulogy. Shame on the brothers for not speaking about this with her!
My advice to ANYONE that has a witness relative that will be responsible for the arrangements is to make sure you discuss what you want ahead of time, prefably in writing, and also talk to a non witness relative or friend and give him/her a copy. Let your spouse know that this friend will be there to help with the arrangements because few really have the prescence of mind to deal with these things when the time comes.
I have been to a few witness funerals, and they have not all just consisted of the talk. When my mom dies, I will let the brothers do their talk, but they will have to do it at the KH, or only AFTER she is properly eulogized by her family. This is out of respect for her.
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Best urban legends, you heard in the org?
by Nicolas inpersonnally, i heard a lot of urban legends about the presence of a devil in a house.
it was always the same kind of story about a devil who lived in a house and then the jw arrive and they pray jehovah and suddendly, the demon go away...
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Eyebrow
I remember hearing about Smurfs at an assembly in a talk! And of course, Troll dolls were mentioned in the magazine as early as the late '60s, heehee.
Besides Ouija boards (which I will never use...I have heard too many first person accounts by nonJWS), my mom would not buy anything at a yard sale if she noticed anything she considered demonic there. In fact, there are a few people I have heard won't buy furniture from yard sales just in case.
Of course, my mom would not let us eat Mars Bars because the lecithin in it was supposedly from blood, not soy, hahah!
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JW Kids Leave the Organization: Facts
by Maximus inthe october 1 watchtower 2001 features articles on training children "properly" and dealing with a "prodigal child.
the latest inside u.s. figures reveal that 86% of jw children leave the fold, with some 29% who eventually come back for reasons of family ties, most never "reaching out.
" that means over half leave permanently.
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Eyebrow
My experience that was by the time I was 14 years old there were two other teens in the hall that I felt I could trust, because like me they were NOT living a double life. There was another two sons of an elder, but they were snobby to me. Unfortunately, neither one went to my school and I did not have transportation to get to be with them very much.
I agree that most leave not because of beliefs but because they want to have fun. As kids in my family we were discouraged from associating with non Witness kids, even when there was no one else to play with. I made friends secretly in high school around sophmore year because I could not take the lonliness any longer. After a year or so I just stopped going to the meetings because I did not want to lead a double life. However, after about 4 years I came back. I had no doubts the time I was gone that it was The Truth.
It was interesting to note that out of about 15 kids that I grew up with in the truth, only those two that were my age group were still there. (And the two elder's sons.) Many were reproved and came back, baptised, and then disfellowshipped. As a result, many parents of younger kids started to become a lot more restrive of whom they let their kids hang out with, etc.
Growing up we had quite a few acitivies, such as organized rollerskating, talent shows, cook outs, and square dances. Of course, there were several talks over the years about certain dancing, etc., but since these were all family events and well supervised, it was not a problem. These were things that were open to all in the congregation. However, there were a lot more get togethers that were more informal and that I was hardly ever invited to because I was not that popular amongst the double life leading kids.
If my mother had allowed me to participate in sports and other school sponsored activities more I really believe that I would have not been so anxious to find friends anywhere I could. One of my older sisters is studying, and the sister that studies with her allows her two sons to play organized sports because she realizes that they NEED activity. Meetings and field service are NOT enough!
When I finally left as an adult, it was for matters of conscience, not for social reasons. In fact, I miss many of my JW friends. I am not DF'd or Dis Assoc., but that does not change the fact that many view me as bad association. If I started going back to the Hall this Sunday, I could invite several of them over for a visit a few weeks from now and they would come. But I will not lead a double life. I wish that teens would not lead a double life, even though they feel they are forced too. If you parents make you go, then go, but don't answer at the meetings, don't go out in field service, and if you are asked, you should respectfully say that you are here for your parents.
Yes, that is unrealistic for some, but maybe for others their parents will stop making them go.Max,
I would like to know exactly where you get your figures from. Thanks!
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!!ONE MORE ELDER FACING WTS EXECUTION !
by exodus inwell, 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.
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Eyebrow
ummm...what is H2O? I thought it was another member. Was it another board? Just curious.
A little note about hidden microphones, etc. In some states you have to be careful because taping audio without the person's consent is illegal. I know in NH it is. So, if any does decide to do that, you may want to check out the laws in your state. I am not saying don't do it, just make sure if you do decide to tape audio you do so with eyes wide open as to what the consequences may be. Just a thought.
As far as You Know's comments about Exodus being an apostate elder. I really did not get the idea that he was spreading apostate ideas. As for stepping down right away, I got the impression that he was searching as earnestly as he could to prove his religion correct. If he had stepped down earlier when he was not so sure, he may have actually ended up stumbling others at that time. From the elders I have known that have stepped down (they were for personal reasons, nothing to do with faith...ie., one had a new baby and a new job and could not balance everything any longer, one had sever illness, etc.) the other elders try to do everything they can to get the brother to stay an elder. This is not always a bad thing...but it can be hard for a brother to step down.
You Know did have a point when he (I am assuming You Know is a he) said that you should not be surprised that you were rebuked. But, it always does, doesn't it, when it happens to us.
Anyway, do not let this experience make you too bitter. That does not do anyone any good. It will be a long time for you to recover from this experience, but I personally would be careful of taking things public so soon. Remember that you want people to listen to the facts, and not just accuse you of holding a grudge.
Good luck to you....and keep us updated on your situation!