Posts by CommonBondTim

57

Is JWD a healthy place to be for those who have left the Watchtower?

by AK - Jeff in

everyday, that i read, write, think and talk about the watchtower society makes me think whether or not i have really left it for good.. .

i fail to see the good in reliving the past in this way.

the discussion board features individuals that have 3 to 6 years on the board and individuals who have left the organization more.

CommonBondTim

Just as we can't change the color of our skin or where we grew up we can't change the religious upbringing we had. I consider my Witness years as my religious heritage. Not all pretty - not all bad. There's a poem by Tennyson that I love and feel sums up my life so far:

I am a part of all that I have met...

Tho' much is taken, much abides...

That which we are, we are-

One equal temper of heroic heart...

To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.

I have been out of the Organization for over 10 years, never joined another church, yet have found peace with God. I truly get excited meeting former JW's. When you put many years into something of course it is going to be hard to let go. Personally I feel pretending it never happened is not the way to deal with the experience. I miss many of the brothers and sisters whom I truly considered friends and I miss the close relationship I once had with my Witness family. I think this forum is a wonderful way to talk about the good and bad about having been a JW.

32

Do You Have The Desire To Move On From Your JW Past?

by minimus in

jw
friends

sometimes i wonder if some might actually enjoy staying in a rut.

do we forsee ourselves being totally liberated from our former religious past??

personally, i have no issues feeling bad, angry or hostile toward where i am now.

CommonBondTim

I was raised a JW and baptized in 1975. Pioneered out of high school, served as a MS, came close to being appointed an elder. I left the Organizaition in 1992. It was a very painful time since I was disfellowshipped and lost family and friends. My family has been supportive over the years but I know they would love to see me come back. I consider the years spent as a Witness as my spiritual heritage. Just as I can't change being part Irish neither can I change how I was raised. Over the years I've come to see some of the good that came from being raised JW and have put into perspective the issues I had with the Organization. My big thing was this notion of being God's Organization. I remember how some truly considered themselves superior because they were JW's. In reality many were a-holes. And there were some truly special people I was privileged to know over the years. And certainly I've learned the same about "worldly" people. Some are great and some watch out for. People are people. But this mentality of being special because you were a JW really really bothered me and still does. I am thankful that God has given me time to see both sides of life - as a Witness and many happy years out.

3

Anyone from Alleghney or Westmoreland county???

by Mindyemt in

looking for someone nearby to talk to or if its anyone i know

CommonBondTim

Originally attended the Butler Congregation for many years. Left the Organization in 1992 and a few years later moved to Avalon - about 7 miles from downtown Pittsburgh.

24

Why I Loved the 2007 Convention "Follow the Christ"!

by V in

i attended friday's part of the 2007 district convention "follow the christ" with my believing wife.

we survived the limited parking and crowded seating (although large sections of the auditorium had been shut off).

we suffered the monotonous program delivered by robotic speakers reading rehashed outlines.. so why did i love this convention?.

CommonBondTim

Haven't gone to a Convention since 1991. I miss the little food tickets you used to have to purchase. Wonder if I could find any on e-bay?

1

Scottish Rite Cathedral - New Castle, PA - Circuit Assemblies

by CommonBondTim in

my mom became a jw in the mid-60's.

i remember as a kid going to the old scottish rite cathedral in new castle for circuit assemblies.

it was a really neat building.

CommonBondTim

My mom became a JW in the mid-60's. I remember as a kid going to the old Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle for Circuit Assemblies. It was a really neat building. My favorite memory is of a Brother falling asleep during the program and jumping up and hollering "Amen" when it had only been read as part of a Watchtower quote. He was embarrassed to death!!! I also remember working in the kitchen drying pots and pans. Later the Pittsburgh area built its own Assembly Hall but I remember us having assemblies at various high school auditioriums and even the Civic Arena. Does anyone else remember these assemblies?

23

Documentation on Russell's Grave

by teenyuck in

jw
friends

i know that there were some pics of russels grave posted sometime back.

does anyone know the link or where i can find some info on russell?

i am trying to send this to my mother.

CommonBondTim

Live about 3 miles from Russell's grave. Have visited many times. For years it was rumored to be filled with Russell's writings. However a few years back a heavy rain caused part of the pyramid to shift downward - revealing an empty pyramid. Seems appropriate. Russell's actual tomb is a few feet back from the pyramid. On the pyramid they started putting the names of the "annointed" at the time - most are faded - but a few can be made out. Many of the origianl directors of the Society are buried around Russell.

Has anyone any information on Rutherford's grave?