's that weren't born into the cult.. were there any teachings, doctrine, etc.
that you still had a hard time accepting, even though you were going to be baptised into the org.?.
which policies and teaching?.
I was a TRUE BELIEVER.
I remember my baptism in slow motion, goind down under the water, and coming up, how the water felt, and how different I felt after coming up from the water.
It was quite an experience for me.
Yeppers, it was about 6 years later when I left, having totally lost the faith in the FDS....no major regrets though,. I really believe in what I was doing, so I did the best i could with the beliefs I had at the time.
since so many misguided people don't acknowledge the wonder, beauty and magnificence of the invisible pink unicorn, i was wondering if she has an opposite number?
any deity worth it's salt ought to have, indeed has to have, an enemy to blame stuff on.
any nominations?
The flying spagetti monster is the best....and should be included in ANY curriculum that wants to include Intelligent Design.
i have been reading a lot here and there the past year about humanism, etc...and i am curious who else on this board that have left jwism has gone that route?.
it took me a few years, but this is where i am at now, and i have been looking into local groups in my area (dallas, tx) that meet together.
i will probably be going in september when the next meeting is.
ahhh razorblade...thanks for posting.
I guess a lot of us don't feel the need for a "group", but it is so nice to be able to talk about online at least.
i have been reading a lot here and there the past year about humanism, etc...and i am curious who else on this board that have left jwism has gone that route?.
it took me a few years, but this is where i am at now, and i have been looking into local groups in my area (dallas, tx) that meet together.
i will probably be going in september when the next meeting is.
Peaceful Pete:
hmmm I have never head of roots and shoots..that sounds neat.
You have a good philosophy...that is one that I have to agree with, and have been trying to try new things.
Rebel8...I have heard of that group, been to their website a few times...alas, they are in Austin, too far from me. But thank you for the link. I had forgotten about them. I am putting together a list of links for a blog I hope to roll out in the next few weeks.
Katiekitten:
I don't like to think about my funeral, but I hope it is like your uncle's, one that offers inspiration.
When you say Humanist registrar, are you referring to someone that can do funeral and marriage ceremonies? I have not heard that term before
i snitched on a sister who used to spend a lot of supposed field service time in a local cafe, but she still counted the time.
she was spoken to by a couple of elders and was never seen in that cafe again.
of all the things i did as a "loyal" jw, i feel worst about my snooping on this really nice lady.
I read my sister's diary, searched downtown late at night with a picture of her, going around to all the kids there saying "Have you seen this girl??" (picture robert patrick as the cop in T2 hahah)
Yeah...I was a real nazi then...she was 17 I think, and dared think for herself.
hope springs eternal in the wts.
despite having left before even being baptized, i would have to say my parents still wholeheartedly believe i will someday come around, .
get baptized, become active and maybe even become an elder !
Thom,
my mother is also convinced that so many of her kids are out of the truth is because she things we have grudges against certain people at the KH.
Well, my brothers and two of my sisters DO....but that is not why they left. She just thinks we are all pig headed and need to show more love in our hearts..so sad. I don't know how many times I have to say I AM NOT BITTER with the elders at our hall, or the crappy way my family was treated by them. Seriously, I'm not...but my brothers and sisters are. I really, I can understand it.
I do feel bad for my mom sometimes...so many children, and only 2 that are in...oh well. I don't know what she thinks about me coming back. I think she gave up a few months before we moved when we had the "No matter what you say you won't convince me and I won't convince, so I won't discuss it with you any more mom" talk.
i work in a bookstore that specializes in buying its goods directly from the public second-hand and reselling them at half price.. .
it is a large chain of 83 stores in 8 states and does about 100 million a year.. .
i'm in charge of the religion and the philosophy sections.. .
Google...you are so bad....
i work in a bookstore that specializes in buying its goods directly from the public second-hand and reselling them at half price.. .
it is a large chain of 83 stores in 8 states and does about 100 million a year.. .
i'm in charge of the religion and the philosophy sections.. .
Terry,
I want to say two things:
1. I think I am familiar with the book store chain you work for, and they are AWESOME!!! one of the reasons it was worth moving down here...well besides family reasons hahah;
2. Yes, I think maybe you did over react a wee bit.
However, at least you kept your temper. That is easier said than done. Kudos to you for that.
And as for some of the posts bashing all Christians as freaky push people that are full of piety...yeah...that is definately a sweeping statement.
I have known many christians that are not like that AT ALL...although, I think I find it a lot more down here in the bible belt of Texas.
So, in Terry's defense, he may get that a lot more than some of you in other parts of the country. Up in New Hampshire where I am from, you get a little bit of it, but usually it is from a Witness...not the other christian groups. Even the Baptists are usually well behaved up there hahah (my mom's family is baptist and her brother a minister. They will talk to her, but never her kids about it)
I do find it interesting when people get offended when someone offers to pray for them. I can only speak for myself, but I am not sure why someone offering goodwill is offensive.
Regarding Andi... I would like to say that I have met her before, and Little Toe, and I found neither one of them as an "in your face" Christian. In fact, I think they both give Christianity a good name...not that I am going to join the club, but still, I just had to say that. If either one of them offered to pray for me, I would be touched, even though I am not a "believer".
.
ok, i keep coming across vague references to jw fear of these,.
please explain what are the actual factual stories,.
My mother is a devout JW...and she has avoided aluminum for years, but it has NOTHING to do with being a witness.
She has read several articles, I think starting in the 80s in various health publications that have spoken of the dangers of aluminum. She even avoids certain types of baking soda because some contain aluminum, and she rarely will buy canned beverages.
I have no idea if there is a link or not to alzeheimers...but my uncle was a raging alcohilic that only drank from cans for over 50 years...so when he was diagnosed with alzhemeirs, my mom figured, well we cannot be sure...but you never know.
I have never heard of it being a witness thing...but that is funny.
oh the smurfs....I heard urban legends about them from the platform at circuit assem....unbelieveable.
i think that conflicts do strengthen friendships or relationships.
it sets boundary lines and defines what's acceptable from what's not acceptable.
naturally it will strengthen the friendship or relationship as long as both respect the boundary line of the other one.. or, maybe conflicts mean that things aren't going right and the relationship/friendship isn't going good, and that the tolerance level has become very low, and arguments errupt for little nothings.... .
It used to irritate the hell out of me that my husband wouldn't argue with me when we disagreed about something.
It took me a long time to understand that was because he and his ex used to argue...screaming matches, etc...a whole lot. To me, you don't have to yell to have a arguement.
Sometimes I think people may need a civil arguement to really get the others point of view. It depends on the personality.
I guess it really depends on how you view arguements..to me it is a heated discussion, not necessarily a fight. My husband used to fight a lot with his ex...we have had a few arguements, but never any fights.
I think the difference is that through these arguements, we both have learned what buttons to push that would really REALLY put the other over the edge...AND WE DO NOT PUSH THEM.
(k, I am occaisionally tempted....)
