Posts by r.a.m.

114

What Assembly were you baptized at...

by vilot in

jw
friends

i was baptized at the 1976 "sacret secret" dc at inglewood ca there must have been 50,000 people there..

r.a.m.

1996 convention. Springfield, IL Not sure of the date. Maybe July 12 or 14. I could be way off. I don't think I wrote it in my bible like so many others because I didn't want to be that person. I didn't want to be like everyone else. I have some of my convention and assembly programs. Maybe that one is in it.

Now I'm kind of irritated because I went to look for the program and I don't have it. That means I've lost it. I like memoralia. I won't throw away my Revelation book because I used it as a journal of when my boyfriend, now husband, and I kissed, as well as just weekend gatherings.

47

Are You Still 'Politically Neutral'?

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

are any of you still 'politically neutral' for biblical reasons?

just curious.. .

lwt.

r.a.m.

I am basically nuetral. I hate war and I hate abortion. I can't follow, what is it, the green party or something???? I watch the news. I think all politics stem from the same source and are all working for the same goals ultimately. I have never voted and will not be, as far as I can see.

Do you ever hear people say that you, as one person, make a difference? That every vote counts? Well, I feel the same way but on the opposite side. If I vote and lives are lost, either because of abortion or war or any number of things, my one vote added to that, and I would be partly to blame.

Politics are one big game that I don't want to play.

47

WHAT HAS HELPED HEALED CURED YOUR BITTERNESS WITH THE BORG?

by freewilly01 in

jw
friends

is there or has there been anything that has aided you in your quest to rid yourself of the bitterness and resentment of the jw's .

i know for some it has appeared that they have a newfound religion or religious belief, but that is not the case with myself.. for some maybe visiting these sites encourages them to shed those miserable memories?

for me it just builds more resentment.

r.a.m.

Seriously, love. But that love only came from God. Without God, I wouldn't know His love and that I need to return that love to others. Forgiveness is a must. Real forgiveness. Not the kind where you just say it, but where in your heart you have forgiven whoever has hurt you. God loves them as much as He loves you and Jesus died for them too.

So I'd say love those who hurt you, not what they do. Forgive them freely, meaning that you expect nothing in return.

This may not be the answer you're looking for, but it's a really good one. And I say that with no haughtiness because it doesn't originate from me.

75

A good friend of mine was df'd this week.

by wha happened? in

a good friend of mine was df'd this week.

he did so much for this organization.

as an accomplished musician and composer, he has contributed so much over the years.his work is in most of the homes of an avg jw.

r.a.m.

whoknows- Did your husband write the music and lyrics?

I am totally weirded out that 191, Make the Truth Your Own, will not be in the book. I mean, this is a song symbolizes conventions and assemblies. It was sung all the time. I can hear the crowd singing it in my head. This is weirder to me than if they admitted that they didn't believe in Jesus anymore. Okay, not really, but seriously, I'm absolutely shocked and jolted. I haven't been to a meeting in 3 years, and never want to go back, but WOW!

27

What crazy demonstrations did you see on the Service Meeting?

by BonaFide in

jw
friends

i had a couple of pretty good ones, i thought.. my first one was theocratic news.

i know a lot of congregations that did this one.

we had a long table facing the audience, and we gave the "theocratic news" from the km as if it were a tv news broadcast.

r.a.m.

We had a period of time with some really crazy ones --

One that stands out is where a brother made his service meeting part into a game show. He starts by saying, "I think I would to do a game show ... if only I had some contestants."

Voice comes out the speakers -- "You have contestants Brother L----" and the calls some kids out of the audience who come to the stage Price-Is-Right style. Then they proceeded into some kind of mock game show with Brother L asking the kids the questions and them buzzing in with the answers.

Good times ...

7

Need References for Article I'm Writing re Spain Bethel

by donuthole in

i'm looking for the following items for an article i'm writing regarding the current situation at the madrid bethel.. a scanned copy of the letter to the us congregation in 1990 regarding the "donation arrangement".

i have a vague recollection that something was said to the affect that the donation arrangement was a loving provision to help the poor who couldn't otherwise afford the literature to get a copy.

this isn't in the initial 1990 letter announcing the "donation arrangement", which speaks more about "simplification".

r.a.m.

For those who are interested, here is a rough translation of that letter --

Jehovah's Christian Witnesses

September 4, 2008

TO CONGREGATIONS

Dear Brothers,

It is our pleasure to write and bring to your attention news that is of particular significance for Jehovah's Witnesses in Spain.

Witnesses have been active in this country since the beginning of the twentieth century. However, we did not obtain legal recognition of our work until 1970. Since then the Lord has abundantly blessed this part of the world's territory. We have now spent several consecutive months exceeding 100,000 publishers.

Mid-year 2006 we got another historical recognition. We were declared Religion obviously rooted in Spain. This recognition provided for in the law regulating the exercise of religious freedom is given to the Witnesses due to their presence in the country, scope, number of believers, historic presence and influence, among other reasons. This statement is the culmination of a process that began in the year 1990 and allows us to hold strong hopes of improving our legal status in the near future. We will inform you timely of further developments in this regard.

The other issue which we wish to inform has to do with the Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses, composed of missionaries, special pioneers, bethelites, assembly hall caretakers and traveling overseers. In the year 2003, the world order was legal in our country through its entry in the Register of Religious Entities of the Ministry of Justice. Subsequently, the Governing Body approved the request for integration of members of the Order in the General System of Social Security as "ministers of religion."

As a result of a request by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs for that purpose, the Council of Ministers approved last December by a Royal Decree which included members of the Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses in Spain in Social Security. This standard ratified the status of religious ministers ordered the special full-time servants appointed by the Corps Gobemante. It also recognizes that any activity that takes place within the Order represents an altruistic religious service designed to promote the witnessing work. Those brothers are now able to benefit from the protective action of Social Security, such as health care and other related public benefits. Finally, given the religious nature of the activities, several exclusions were incorporated in the price that should make the confession to Social Security by each member of the Order.

We hope that these developments have a positive effect on the work of preaching the good news of the Kingdom during the "last days" in which we live. We have good reason to look to the future with optimism as we continue to strive to render service to our Creator who deserves praise (Psalm 107:31,32,38).

Have our gratitude for your support and cooperation while we send our Christian love.

Your brothers,

NOTE TO THE PRESIDING OVERSEER: Please have an elder read this at the first service meeting upon receipt. Thank you very much for your kind cooperation.

19

My wife rejects Jesus

by JimmyPage in

jw
friends

i was leaving the dmv the other day when a man hands me a piece of paper.

my wife says, "i wouldn't have taken that.

she says, "i saw the word 'jesus' on it.

r.a.m.

Just the other day I was talking to my sister. She said they her family was going to be having their "Family Worship Night" on Thursdays since the Org. told then that losing a night of meetings could give them time to study as a family more. So let me address that one first. What the heck!?!?!?!? Family Worship Night??? I capitalize it because it seems so fake. That's not the kind of language witnesses use. They barely even use the word worship. And really, are they going to worship...sing, praise God...no. They night read the bible. But it just sounded so ridiculous to me. Like the org. just started calling it Family Worship NIght and all the witnesses are going to start saying this.

That leads to this, which actually is about Jesus. The bible reading is the last few chapters of Revelation. They are planning on reading all the chapters with their children. I opened up my bible and said to my sister "You know what one of my favorite scriptures is? It like the last scripture almost." She says is a sort of deadpan and boringly irritated way "Amen. Come Lord Jesus"? Which I just ignored and said "Yes, I love that scripture." And I said something about it being so simple and meaningful. I know how witnesses feel towards "worldly" people who talk about Jesus. So I'm sure she puts me in that category, which is either a "Jesus freak" or the fake christian. Thank God she isn't my judge and I'm not hers.

But really. Family Worship Night? Come on!

Michael Travesser Cult member turned JW?

by r.a.m. in

jw
friends

i was reading about michael travesser/wayne bent, who is the leader of the lord our righteousness church cult group.

last year he was arrested for sexual stuff, of course, with minors.

anyway, not the point.

r.a.m.

I was reading about Michael Travesser/Wayne Bent, who is the leader of the Lord Our Righteousness Church cult group. Last year he was arrested for sexual stuff, of course, with minors. Anyway, not the point. I went to a website, I guess run by a lady who used to be a member. She has letters that Michael/Wayne has sent her and some other people too. One is from his son, Jeff. It seems to me that he's writing to her, but also addressing other people in that letter as well.

Read the third paragraph. http://www.travesser.info/site/letters/jeff/jeff.php

I'm wondering, does this seem to you that someone called Watchman used to be in this cult and left to become a JW...or maybe I'm missing something. By the way, I'm not making a connection between this Watchman and e-Watchman, since the events in the letter seem fairly recent and e-watchman has been out of the JW religion for years. But hey, I guess you never know!

2

Paradisecafediscussions.com

by tresdecu in

jw
friends

is anyone a member?

seems decent...i've read it a few times.the wt section is kind of slow, one poster named bangalore seems to be the primary guy there that gets topics going.. i know because of the name, it wouldn't be appealing to many though..

r.a.m.

I would not recommend paradisecafediscussions.com. They have a spiritual facade. In actuality, the administration group of people are incredibly hypocritcal and two-faced. They also hinder Holy Spirit, which I'm sure many here would be happy with, but it doesn't make it alright for them to do.

Not only that, but the thing I feel most people would not like about paradisecafediscussions.com is that although the admin team likes to have spiritual discussions, they only allow you to say things that they agree with and will threaten you with a "time out" or ban you if they feel that you aren't in their line of thought. They do claim to be Christians, so it is not a place for athiests or whatever, or for people who are trying to push their own religions on them. Yet, if you are still a JW, they will allow you to push that religion on people. I believe, from what I've seen, that they enjoy many of the JW teachings. They are still connected to the religion, if only in their hearts.

If that suits you, go for it.

22

SOMEONE STOLE MY SCOOTER

by Burger Time in

jw
friends

oh my god so i wake up this morning to find my scooter has vanished.

this freaking sucks big time.

someone had to break the wheel lock then dragged it through the grass a little ways when they noticed the back wheel had a chain on it.

r.a.m.

Two days ago my daughter was riding her Razor scooter and left it at the front steps of our porch. This is at 2:30 in the afternoon. We were in our house with the blinds open. She went out there a little after 5:00 and it's gone. I cannot imagine someone just coming all the way up our yard, right to the porch in the middle of the day, when it's obvious we're home, and take a child's toy. Unless it was another child. I've driven around and can't find it. At least it was only $30.