Posts by Free Eagle

17

What Should I Do (JW that Mentions Birthday)?

by Free Eagle in

i have become somewhat friendly with a jw lady (i am also a woman and have gotten to know her over the past four years).

i am unsure of her status in the religion.

i am not a jw but have educated myself regarding jw customs, etc.... in conversation we found we were born in the same month, and she told me when her birthday was.

Free Eagle

A bit of caution never hurts. There are many people who consider religion a very personal issue.

17

What Should I Do (JW that Mentions Birthday)?

by Free Eagle in

i have become somewhat friendly with a jw lady (i am also a woman and have gotten to know her over the past four years).

i am unsure of her status in the religion.

i am not a jw but have educated myself regarding jw customs, etc.... in conversation we found we were born in the same month, and she told me when her birthday was.

Yes, I agree it is difficult for people to give answers to somebody regarding a situation they are unfamiliar with. I realize that - I was only raising the question out of curiousity - no different than what anybody else does on this board. And yes, we may never become friends - I never said we were - she is an "acquaintance".

And people had their choice on a response - not answering because they do not know the situation or simply stating, "I do not know either of you nor the circumstance, so I am unable to answer your question."

I am a good person and fair. However, I feel I did not deserve the type of response I got from you - it was uncalled for. You could have answered the question getting the same point accross, but without the crap. I respect honesty, and I am a cut to the chase type of person. What I do not respect is name-calling.

It is hard to tell what type of person you are dealing with via email. And that is why I do not participate in chat rooms very often. I like dealing one-on-one in person. It is very easy to hide behind a computer and give strong words. Does not seem you are a very diplomatic person. Your response seemed hostile and abusive - if that is how you deal with people on a normal basis, you must be a very lonely person.

17

What Should I Do (JW that Mentions Birthday)?

by Free Eagle in

i have become somewhat friendly with a jw lady (i am also a woman and have gotten to know her over the past four years).

i am unsure of her status in the religion.

i am not a jw but have educated myself regarding jw customs, etc.... in conversation we found we were born in the same month, and she told me when her birthday was.

Free Eagle

Well, the lady I know asked me the day after Thanksgiving, how my Tksgiving went. I told her all my activities. She then proceeded to tell me her activities - that she had relatives over, and that they had Chinese food rather than turkey (she said she did not like turkey). So I was in total surprise (I tried not to look at her as if she had two heads), she brought up the subject and offered the information, I let her talk.

You do not know how badly I wanted to say, "I thought JW's did not observe holidays". - but I did not - as I said before I do not know her status or what's up with her. The husband could be a non-JW - who knows.......

I'm questioning the motive behind her conversation I am unsure if by her saying they had Chinese food rather than turkey that was OK because it was not a traditional Thanksgiving food like us worldly people have; or she could really not like turkey - but by mentioning her family did something on Tksgiving Day, she would appear like everybody else - a double life? Or she is a very lax JW..... The odd part of the whole thing was her initiating the conversation.

Anybody have any opinions? I would be glad to see them.

17

What Should I Do (JW that Mentions Birthday)?

by Free Eagle in

i have become somewhat friendly with a jw lady (i am also a woman and have gotten to know her over the past four years).

i am unsure of her status in the religion.

i am not a jw but have educated myself regarding jw customs, etc.... in conversation we found we were born in the same month, and she told me when her birthday was.

Free Eagle

Hello Kat. No, I would never try to push her into any type of situation - that is not fair. I believe in "to each their own" - as long as a person is not being mean or cruel to others. I respect other's feelings and beliefs, and I expect the same for my own. The lady I know is not a people person, but it seems as if she is trying. Sometimes she is more outgoing, other times she is more withdrawn. I do not think she knows how to be a people person.

It does not bother me that she is a JW (well as long as she does not think I am an evil, "doomed" person - that I would not like). She could be praying to tree stumps for that matter, the type of religion a person is in is of no consequence to me.

It will be very interesting now that Thanksgiving is approaching, and will be interesting to see her reactions. Last year, she told me to have a nice holiday. I just told her to have a good day (I felt I could not wish her a happy holiday, when it appeared she did not celebrate Thanksgiving - I was trying not to put her on the spot.) But she did tell me what her family did do that day - eventhough she did not go into detail, I knew it was not eating turkey.

In conversation yesterday, two ladies I know wished me a happy Thanksgiving, and I returned the greeting. The JW lady was in the same room. She did not say anything, and I did not wish her a holiday. Then we started to talk again - she asked me about a day off I was taking. I told her that I always took the same day off each year because we celebrated Thanksgiving dinner at my house. I did not ask her what she was doing on "T" day. If she offers me any information this year, I may ask her a question or so (tactfully, I hope) - I do not want to "scare her away."

17

What Should I Do (JW that Mentions Birthday)?

by Free Eagle in

i have become somewhat friendly with a jw lady (i am also a woman and have gotten to know her over the past four years).

i am unsure of her status in the religion.

i am not a jw but have educated myself regarding jw customs, etc.... in conversation we found we were born in the same month, and she told me when her birthday was.

Free Eagle

Yes, she must be marginal for sure. From what I have learned, it is another "big no-no" for a JW to be friendly with a "worldly person" such as myself (especially when you discuss personal things). That is a possibility also about the husband being a JW...... I often wondered if he was - he also could be a "worldly" type of guy also. But that is also a not-so-good thing also for a JW to be in that type of situation. It is not very favorably looked upon, so I understand. Maybe she is not baptized either. What a mystery..... Really tough for me because all of this makes me want to ask her. But, I know there are some things you just don't ask about (like asking a woman how much she weighs, etc.) However, if the right situation came up, I would ask.

The other interesting thing is her children are all heavily involved with school sports/activities. I thought JW's were not supposed to be "part" of those type of activities. Which has really increased my curiousity also. She does not seem to fit the "mold" of serious JW's that I have read about. However, some of her personality traits do (looking very unhappy/miserable, never smiling/laughing, not speaking to people often, sometimes seeming to be in a trance walking past you as if you were not there, if someone did speak to her barely answering them, etc......). She also used to be that way with me, but over a long period of time - things changed. I can get her laughing and smiling - don't know why (I am a serious type person but can be carefree and high spirited at times). And maybe the change occurred because I would greet her anyhow; eventhough she would "be in one of those moods". Did not care one way or the other how she reacted as I am very independent; which she now knows.

My birthday is coming up in a while (she knows when it is). I am curious to see if she will mention anything to me. If she does I will then use that opportunity to casually mention receiving of gifts, etc.

Maybe she is "drifting away".... The mystery.

17

What Should I Do (JW that Mentions Birthday)?

by Free Eagle in

i have become somewhat friendly with a jw lady (i am also a woman and have gotten to know her over the past four years).

i am unsure of her status in the religion.

i am not a jw but have educated myself regarding jw customs, etc.... in conversation we found we were born in the same month, and she told me when her birthday was.

Free Eagle

Yes, interesting you both mentioned the "double life". The thought of the possiblity that she might be doing so has crossed my mind. This lady knows I know she is "some what affiliated with the JW's" because one Sunday a couple years ago, I had stopped my vehicle to let her and her children cross the street in front of me to get to their car. She and the children were leaving the local KH. That day she looked at the ground when she passed in front of me. It was as if she was "ashamed or very uncomfortable" that I saw her leaving the KH. I had heard some rumors before that she did not observe holidays, and some people were wondering "what the heck type of religion was that?" Nobody knew she was a JW. I was wondering also, because I had no idea about JW customs - only that they were the people who came to your door and tried to convert you. Well, out of curiosity I did research and was shocked by the outcome!

I never brought up her religion to her (I consider religion a very personal matter). I do not think she knows how much I really know about the JW's. I think she may suspect I know about holidays and birthdays, because eventhough I have talked with her about both, it was only recently. And I let her bring it up first - I did not. In talking we find we have much in common (not religion though, we do not mention it). She does know that I am a very inquisitive/analytical person by nature, will ask much questions and will research the answers to questions (I am not good JW material - I think I would be considered "trouble). I also do not think this woman would try to convert me. Some professional dealings I have had with her on other matters have led me to believe she would not (for awhile I was wondering if she would ever try - I now know she would not). Part of my inquisitive nature wanted to ask her when she brought up her birthday and holidays, "why are we talking about these two subjects, it is my understanding JW's do not recognize either one?" But I refrained, maybe some other time one day.

Yes, Xena, it would be nice if she would give up the JW side; I would be very happy for her. I would not ever try to sway her; just be a friend, if she will allow me.

17

What Should I Do (JW that Mentions Birthday)?

by Free Eagle in

i have become somewhat friendly with a jw lady (i am also a woman and have gotten to know her over the past four years).

i am unsure of her status in the religion.

i am not a jw but have educated myself regarding jw customs, etc.... in conversation we found we were born in the same month, and she told me when her birthday was.

Free Eagle

I have become somewhat friendly with a JW lady (I am also a woman and have gotten to know her over the past four years). I am unsure of her status in the religion. I am not a JW but have educated myself regarding JW customs, etc.... In conversation we found we were born in the same month, and she told me when her birthday was. She brought it up again a few weeks ago, and we spoke of things we do on birthdays. She also mentioned to me a few days ago that she had her fingernails colored a particular color because she thought the color is a nice holiday color. I do not know what to make of this (as I am unaware of her status). Seems strange.... I talk to her as I would anybody else. She has also began to talk to me about her personal life. This woman is a very much to herself type of person.

I am not sure how to take her, given JW's do not recognize birthdays or holidays, and do not usually discuss their personal secrets with worldly people.

Does anybody know why she may be talking this way to me? I know it is hard because you do not know either of us - I am looking for some outside perspectives.

15

RE: "Special Meeting"

by Quandary in

jw
friends

i'm very surprised that my family has not heard about this "special meeting".

we are a 3rd generation jw family, dad is the po, mom has been a reg pio for 25 yrs, brother is a bethelite.

can anyone tell me the date of this supposed "special meeting" and if there is a chicagoland location.. thanks

Free Eagle

Anybody know if there are going to be any of those "special" meetings in the southern NH area?
Like around Derry, Londonderry?

15

DO-NOT-CALL Campaign: US Legal Basis

by MadApostate in

jw
friends

for those who are interested in "actually doing something" in the fight against the wts, other than posting to dbs, here is a recent us court opinion which does a good job of explaining that us homeowners have the legal right to forbid solicitors (including jws) from entering their private property, including explaining all the constitutional and legal issues.

although this case deals with an newspaper/advertising distributor, jws and "freedom of religion" are also addressed by this lengthy opinion.

it is well worth the read for anyone interested in fighting the wts using this avenue.. ... http://www.cmcnyls.edu/public/uscases/tillman.htm.

Free Eagle

Interesting.... In my town, the last time I can recall JW's going door-to-door was about five or six years ago. My husband always seems to have the pleasure of dealing with them.

They would ask him if he wanted to hear the "Good News". He did not know what they were talking about, and said sure, "I wouldn't mind hearing some good news every once and a while." Oh he knew that they were JW's and that they were looking for new recruits (but at the time neither of us knew the entire story, as we do now). Then they would get into the saving part - what would get them is when he would ask, "What exactly are you trying to save us from?" He would tell them he thought he was a good person, and then ask them, "Do you consider yourself a good person"? The JW's were probably shaking their heads in frustration. I wish I had been around to see the encounters. They would leave a pamphlet and probably had a headache.

We live between two cong's - each about 6 miles away from us - to the north and south. The door-to-door visits ceased. However, around March in each year, we receive in the mail a pamphlet, and a handwritten invitation to receive a "free bible study" and a schedule for the cong's weekly services and meetings. I think my town has an ordinance regarding door-to-door visits, etc.

33

Heres a dub who knows how to milk the disaster

by GWEEDO in

jw
friends

from the gc.

desert rose knows what to do:.

at our meeting last night, we had quite a few more in attendance than usual.

Free Eagle

Well, I strongly disagree with you ITGUY.

You had stated "the JW's were only doing what they do because they were raised and
trained that way".

That does not justify their actions! To prey upon people in their most vulnerable moments is
never OK. There is no excuse!

THOSE TERRORISTS WHO KILLED ALL THOSE INNOCENT PEOPLE AND BY THEIR ACTIONS ARE
ABOUT TO CAUSE ANOTHER WORLD WAR WERE ALSO DOING WHAT THEY WERE RAISED
AND TRAINED TO DO! THEY WERE BRAINWASHED AND PROGRAMMED FROM CHILDHOOD TO KILL!