i hope all of you are doing okay in light of this terrible tragedy we have witnessed.
it makes me want to join the army or something, it's hard to sit back and do nothing.
upon watching the watchtower's new pr video of the terrorist act in new york city, it is as far away from the reality of what happened as an isolated community can be.
I understand that the Society put up tent(s) near the Brooklyn Bridge and gave food/water to those walking across. Don't know all the details though.
FP
"The World is my country, and to do good, my religion." --Thomas Paine
Visit my Websites:
TruthQuest: http://beam.to/truthquest
Empower the Spirit: http://www.EmpowerTheSpirit.com
i think that they are making all this stuff up.".
this is the breakfast conversation that i had with my five year old daughter this morning.. "oh, really?
" i said, trying not to choke on my coffee.. "mom, what if i get disfellowshipped someday?
Hi Es!
It really gets to me when I read or experience the type of conversations you had with your daughter. I have had similar conversations with my son. He is 15, and is quite angry at the WTS for what they have done.
He too feels somewhat torn between his mother's love and all her Dub brain-sh*t. It is hard for a parent to take sometimes.
Keep doing what you're doing, and your daughter will be fine. She very well may back away from her father as she gets older.
I hope you are well!
Doug
"The World is my country, and to do good, my religion." --Thomas Paine
Visit my Websites:
TruthQuest: http://beam.to/truthquest
Empower the Spirit: http://www.EmpowerTheSpirit.com
last night the husband and i went out to dinner and a nightclub with the few remaining jw friends that we have, which are not many.
we laughed and drank (jw's know where to find the best booze) and had a good time.
this morning, i told the husband that maybe we should make an appearance at the kh on sundays only, so that we can hang onto the few remaining friends that we have.
Hey Richie,
I have reluctantly decided to go back to the meetings only on Sundays. The only reason for doing such a thing is so that I can get re-instated eventually...
Unless you have a REALLY, REALLY good reason to offer the elders as to why you can attend ONLY the Sunday meetings, it is unlikely that you would be reinstated.
They will likely see this as an indicator that you are not really serious and, therefore, not yet ready for reinstatement.
When considering reinstatement, elders are looking to see if you are doing ALL you can do. Of course, this is limited when you are DF'd. But they will expect you to attend the Sunday Meeting and the School/Service meeting AT LEAST for a substantial period of time. If a Book Study is held in the Kingdom Hall, they will want to see you there too.
This could go on for as long as the body that DF'd you determines... a few months, or over a year.
You have to decide if it is really worth it.
I, like most of us, have lost all my family and friends. My parents cannot understand why I do not at least get reinstated so they can "associate" with me. But to go back would be the ultimate betrayal: Myself. I cannot go back because I cannot compromise my values. This may or may not be true for you.
I hope this has not discouraged you. But I'd hate to see you spending all that time thinking you were on the road to reinstatement, only to find out you were spinning your wheels.
I wish you all my best.
FP (former elder)
"The World is my country, and to do good, my religion." --Thomas Paine
Visit my Websites:
TruthQuest: http://beam.to/truthquest
Empower the Spirit: http://www.EmpowerTheSpirit.com
it has been awhile since i posted this article here.
but with all the newer ones here, not to mention the new ones lurking, i would like to post it again.. it is an article i wrote last year, which i have received great response to.
i hope it might help you too.. you can find it at http://beam.to/truthquest .. there is a link right on the main page.. all my best to you!.
It has been awhile since I posted this article here. But with all the newer ones here, not to mention the new ones lurking, I would like to post it again.
It is an article I wrote last year, which I have received great response to. I hope it might help you too.
You can find it at http://beam.to/truthquest .
There is a link right on the main page.
All my best to you!
FP
"The World is my country, and to do good, my religion." --Thomas Paine
Visit my Websites:
TruthQuest: http://beam.to/truthquest
Empower the Spirit: http://www.EmpowerTheSpirit.com
well, just got back from a big talk with my parents.
i finally let them in on the fact that i question the society.
(dad is an elder and mother has been in it for 67 years since birth.
Hey Mr. Moe,
I feel for what you are going through. Tracy (Think41Self) and I went through similar.
Since we live almost "right next door," why don't you give Tracy or me a call? We'd love to meet you somewhere (indiscreet if you wish) and maybe give some encouragement. Of course, anyone who knows Tracy understands that she is just dripping with optimism and happiness!
Send me an email at [email protected] and I'll send you my phone number.
Also, check out my TruthQuest website below, and read the article, "Who Am I? How to Reinvent Yourself After Leaving the WTS." It might help.
All my best, and look forward to talking with you and hopefully meeting you soon.
Doug
"The World is my country, and to do good, my religion." --Thomas Paine
Visit my Websites:
TruthQuest: http://beam.to/truthquest
Empower the Spirit: http://www.EmpowerTheSpirit.com
i have been lurking for months now and want to say hello.
i was raised a jw and am now 46yrs old.
i stopped attending meetings at the beginning of this year for various reasons and only then gained the courage to check the net and see if anyone else like me was out there.
Hey Bridgette!
You have great taste in your signature quote!!! Good for you!
Doug
"The World is my country, and to do good, my religion." --Thomas Paine
Visit my Websites:
TruthQuest: http://beam.to/truthquest
Empower the Spirit: http://www.EmpowerTheSpirit.com
i have been lurking for months now and want to say hello.
i was raised a jw and am now 46yrs old.
i stopped attending meetings at the beginning of this year for various reasons and only then gained the courage to check the net and see if anyone else like me was out there.
Hi Cassandra!
I am happy you posted! Leaving the WTS is usually a difficult proposition at best, due to all the changes we individually go through. Trying to hang on to what relationships we have left adds to the stress. As the others mention above, many here have dealt with different situations and circumstances, and can perhaps be of encouragement to you.
The important thing is to continue participating here, meeting different ones (perhaps even in the chat room), and getting strength.
I invite you to visit my websites listed below. On TruthQuest, an article you may find helpful is called, "Who Am I? How to Reinvent Yourself After Leaving the WTS."
EmpowerTheSpirit.com is not religious in nature and features a free e-zine as well as personal growth articles.
I wish you the best and hope to "see" you around here!
Doug
"The World is my country, and to do good, my religion." --Thomas Paine
Visit my Websites:
TruthQuest: http://beam.to/truthquest
Empower the Spirit: http://www.EmpowerTheSpirit.com
jehovah's witness evangelist killed.
after hearing word man stabs sectarian with knives .
moskovskii komsomolets, 31 july 2001 .
Hey Circe!!!
I just saw earlier today that you had posted! (I was looking over Think41Self's shoulder).
It is good to see you here! We'll have to get into some heavy philosophical "stuff" now. Maybe Dedalus and some others will join in. (Haven't seen Radar or Axel here).
I haven't been posting much, but T41Self keeps me informed.
How is Felix? Tell him hello.
Good to "see" you again. Thanks for your comments too, it was a human tragedy.
FP
"The World is my country, and to do good, my religion." --Thomas Paine
Visit my Websites:
TruthQuest: http://beam.to/truthquest
Empower the Spirit: http://www.EmpowerTheSpirit.com
jehovah's witness evangelist killed.
after hearing word man stabs sectarian with knives .
moskovskii komsomolets, 31 july 2001 .
I feel very bad for this woman, regardless of poor judgment on her part. She was trying to help another person, and didn't prejudge him, even though he was a murderer.
What gets me is the insensitivity of some of the posts above. The fact is that the murderer was at fault. Yes, we must exercise caution; Yes, it was not a good idea for her to invite him in without anyone else present (or PERIOD for that matter).
But this situation is the same in principle as a woman who is raped because she was wearing a short dress. The rapist--NOT THE WOMAN--is at fault.
JW's are human beings first and foremost (at least most of them). Even though they can be cruel and unkind, they do not deserve to be killed. They are just as entitled to believe as they wish as we are. We don't have to agree, but nevertheless, they are still entitled.
And that is (or should be) the difference between them and us. They judge us as evil, and the rest of the world as bad. We must not reciprocate; otherwise, we are just like them.
I do not wish to be like them. I suspect you don't either.
Only when enough individuals begin to show deep respect and high regard for the human condition--regardless of beliefs--will humanity step up to a higher plane of existence.
FP
"The World is my country, and to do good, my religion." --Thomas Paine
Visit my Websites:
TruthQuest: http://beam.to/truthquest
Empower the Spirit: http://www.EmpowerTheSpirit.com
your last name stays put.. the garage is all yours.. wedding plans take care of themselves.. chocolate is just another snack.. you can be president.. you can wear a white t-shirt to a water park.. car mechanics tell you the truth.. you don't give a rat's ass if someone notices your new haircut.. the world is your urinal.. you never have to drive to another gas station because this one's just.
too "yucky".. same work... more pay.. wrinkles add character.. wedding dress $5000; tux rental $100.. people never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.. the occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.. new shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.. your pals can be trusted never to trap you with: "so, notice anything.
one mood, all the time.. phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.. you know stuff about tanks.. a five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.. you can open all your own jars.. dry cleaners and hair stylists don't rob you blind.. you can leave the motel bed unmade.. you can kill your own food.. you get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.. if someone forgets to invite you to something, he or she can still be.
You really out did yourself on this one! You are one sharp gal, and I'm one lucky "schmuck"!
Hey Comf: Just to reassure you, Tracy doesn't ever refer to men as "schmucks," and she is a total NON-member of the "Men-Haters Club of America."
Tracy is the most positive, cheerful, upbeat, intelligent, sophisticated person I've ever met. She has real class. It amazes me how people are so attracted to her beautiful smile, and kind spirit.
And BTW, "Chocolate" takes second place to me any day! Just ask her!
FP
"The World is my country, and to do good, my religion." --Thomas Paine
Visit my Websites:
TruthQuest: http://beam.to/truthquest
Empower the Spirit: http://www.EmpowerTheSpirit.com
