sweet pea

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Posts by sweet pea

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  45

  Is the Watchtower Crumbling???

  by R.F. in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i'll start with my congregation....... there have been about 7 disfellowshippings in my congregation alone within the last year.

  over half the congo is inactive and many more are irregular pubs.

  young people in the congo are dropping like flies.

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  sweet pea

  I hope so, although for now it is just in my dreams.....
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  58

  Newbies - Give us your stories....

  by AK - Jeff in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  most of old posters have hashed and re-hashed our backgrounds, history, and method of discovering the 'truth about the truth'.. your turn newbies!.

  those who are lurking without the benefit of registration - it only takes a minute, and you too can give us your stories!.

  those registered lurkers - what holds you back?

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  sweet pea

  Keep them coming newbies! All of you are amazing brave souls to share your stories - I have never wanted to pm so many of you in one thread before! Welcome to you all, we look forward to hearing more from you.
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  19

  Thank you all

  by sweet pea in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well, i'm sitting here on what should be a meeting night (how wonderful is freedom?

  ) with a stiff drink.

  it's been a hell of a crappy couple of weeks and many tears have been shed but i'm feeling at peace tonight (even though brother in law yesterday informed us they only want emergency contact with us from now on - can you believe they want nothing to do with our two beautiful little ones, their nephews?!

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  sweet pea

  Nvr, it was 51 (pastis) when I posted then it became Rose wine - I'm such a girl, I know.
  
  What's your choice of tipple while JWD'ing?
  
  and Sad Emo, thanks for the tip but the smiley face doesn't appear whilst I'm in reply - is that 'coz I use a MAC?
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  19

  Thank you all

  by sweet pea in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well, i'm sitting here on what should be a meeting night (how wonderful is freedom?

  ) with a stiff drink.

  it's been a hell of a crappy couple of weeks and many tears have been shed but i'm feeling at peace tonight (even though brother in law yesterday informed us they only want emergency contact with us from now on - can you believe they want nothing to do with our two beautiful little ones, their nephews?!

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  sweet pea

  Guys and dolls, hope you've all enjoyed your drinks tonight - tell me - I'm still a JWD virgin - how do you put a drinks icon in your post, or any other icon for that matter?
• 
  43

  Do Witnesses have a Stronger Brotherhood than Christendom Does?

  by gumby in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this came up in discussion between me and a fellow ex-dub buddy of mine.. as jw's, we had a brotherly unity.....at least many of us did.

  if we were going somewhere and needed a witness to watch our place....even stay at our place, we had no reserves about being ripped off by them.

  they were closer than some families members oftentimes and we even preferred being around them as opposed to "wordly" family members.

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  sweet pea

  IMHO, I think that the JW's feel strongly drawn towards each other (only whilst remaining faithful) as they all 'suffering' together and feel that only JW's understand what it's like to be a JW. They know if they talk about what it's truly like on the inside to someone on the outside, people would think they were nutcases. So they have this secret club bond. But once that's broken and you leave, they couldn't care less if they never saw you again so it's a weak brotherhood appearing to be strong.
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  19

  Thank you all

  by sweet pea in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well, i'm sitting here on what should be a meeting night (how wonderful is freedom?

  ) with a stiff drink.

  it's been a hell of a crappy couple of weeks and many tears have been shed but i'm feeling at peace tonight (even though brother in law yesterday informed us they only want emergency contact with us from now on - can you believe they want nothing to do with our two beautiful little ones, their nephews?!

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  sweet pea

  Well, I'm sitting here on what should be a meeting night (how wonderful is freedom?) with a stiff drink. It's been a hell of a crappy couple of weeks and many tears have been shed but I'm feeling at peace tonight (even though brother in law yesterday informed us they only want emergency contact with us from now on - can you believe they want nothing to do with our two beautiful little ones, their nephews?! Besty phoned him back and asked him if he'd changed his number to 999? LOL. Check "Is a Rapid Graceful Exit Possible?" for full update...).
  
  My JW father can't believe how hateful people (our friends of over 70 years combined) have been to us but he remains a faithful JW. At least his attitude isn't one of hate (wrapped up in what they call 'love') like most.
  
  Jgnat's post today made a real impact and many other sentiments (how everyone feels about NVR, R.F.'s journey and contributions especially) so I just wanted to say how much I love, appreciate and respect all of you.
  
  Thank you Simon for setting up this amazing site - I've dipped in on a few other sites but this one surpasses them all. We do have a fantastic community here, even if we all are a bunch of misfits! :-)
  
  If it weren't for all you lot I don't think I would be sitting here at peace right now and feeling confident that a happy successful life was possible outside the JW's.
  
  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
  
  
  (and yes, this may be the alcohol speaking...)
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  43

  Do Witnesses have a Stronger Brotherhood than Christendom Does?

  by gumby in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this came up in discussion between me and a fellow ex-dub buddy of mine.. as jw's, we had a brotherly unity.....at least many of us did.

  if we were going somewhere and needed a witness to watch our place....even stay at our place, we had no reserves about being ripped off by them.

  they were closer than some families members oftentimes and we even preferred being around them as opposed to "wordly" family members.

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• 

  sweet pea

  I've been wondering this too lately. So, last night at my Alpha Course we were discussing the 'Church' and I asked some other church attenders if they considered other members to be their 'brothers and sisters'- the response sounded like a witness's: "they are closer than my actual family members who aren't Christians - I trust them completely, they are there for me whatever and whenever". So, yet again, it appears that there is nothing unique about being a witness.
  
  However, I do believe that it takes quite some time to build up these relationships and, together with all the poison that we've been fed about people in church or just 'worldly people in general', as ex-witnesses it probably takes us longer to make new friendships where we completely trust people like we used to trust our 'brothers and sisters'.
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  56

  Do you know how strong you all are?

  by jgnat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm thinking this morning at the enormous effort required to leave the witnesses.

  that you all found your way here is amazing.

  you are a select group of strong people, who will not allow life or any organization to knock you down.

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  sweet pea

  Amazing, moving words. You are a very wise and compassionate woman Jgnat. Thank you for all you say to help us deal with our pain.
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  126

  I want to apologize to everyone, for everything.

  by nvrgnbk in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm sorry.. we've all been through alot.. .

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  sweet pea

  Nvr, good to have you back, you had us worried for a minute. This place is definately the richer for having you on it. Please don't ever feel you are not appreciated - you very much are. And, as someone else said - Let's hear your story!!!!
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  27

  New Here, My Personal Story

  by johannahw in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i have thought off and on about the jws for years.

  my little sister brenda converted about 30 years ago and raised two sons in the truth as she called it.

  one boy, mason, is still being raised as a jw (he is 15) and my other nephew, aaron, left the organization on his 18th birthday.

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  sweet pea

  Hi Johanna, great to have you here. It's all been said already practically but just to add my two pennies worth - there are some great churches out there. You could try and find one that is affilated with the Alpha Course - I am attending one right now in the UK and, although it was weird attending at first due to the 'poison' I have been fed the last 36 years (you definitely had a lucky escape!) I now love it! and remember Jesus said "believe in me and you will be saved@ - no more or no less - his grace covers your slip ups so don't feel bad - you are a very special person regardless of whether you smoke or not!! We're here for you too 24/7. Hope you find the happiness you deserve.