minister amos said .
>>oh and brother and sister co. don't eat such and such food.<< .
brother co would send us a letter about a month in advance stating his dietary requirements and what sort of accomodations he would prefer.
Circuit Overseers and their wives must be among the unhealthiest group of people on the planet!
From reading the posts from around the world, I am amazed at the number of occurences where they have health or allergy problems!
Perhaps JWs have a higher rate of hypochondria than the rest of the population?
(DISCLAIMER DISCLAIMER - Before I get a load of abuse about my comment I KNOW that there are sincere individuals (JWS) who have a genuine health problem).
if you are an elder who frequents this site, please let me know.. i am trying to connect (completely anonymously - your privacy is assured) with as many elders as i can.
i know that there are hundreds of elders in the same position as myself (have had our awakening and have come to realize that "the truth" is a sham).. i encourage you to continue to serve as an elder and for you to work together with other like minded elders as a collective force for true good.
there is much we can do from the inside to help the cause.. there are thousands and indeed millions of kind and honest hearted people whose only crime is that they have allowed themselves to be deceived and are still active jws.
I am not who you need - am a woman so therefore never worthy of such a privilege!
However good luck with your plan!
i came here expecting to find a range of jw's and check out their beliefs and thinking.
however, what i find is largely disaffected or ex jw's and atheists etc.
with hindsight i am not that surprised either!
Dear TLK
As an ex JW (JW for 20 yrs) I can tell you that JWs are not allowed to openly think, discuss and debate doctrine and opinion.
Yes they have book studies and bible studies, but the only literature and content JWs are allowed to discuss is that produced by the Watchtower society.
To have personal opinions is seen to be "weak in faith" and a JW would be condemned for that.
To live a true JW life is to live in a closed, insular world. To have no friends outside of the religion. To undertake no secular work that will have a negative impact on meeting attendance. To undertake no further education. To marry within the religion.
Anyone who leaves the religion is shunned and cast out from JW family and friends.
It is no wonder that these forums thrive because it is the only way that many JWS air their thoughts and opinions and discuss them with ex JWS.
purps' wonderful thread about love made me wonder about something else.
what have you achieved/become since leaving the organisation that proves there is a happy, successful life outside being a jehovah's witness?
for me, although it's only been a very short time, too short to achieve much, i count becoming: non-judgemental of my fellow man; a mum that can give her kids all the room to grow and blossom without fear of 'sinning' or being kicked out for bad behaviour; a person that can feel comfortable worshipping in a church or not, depending on whatever i feel like doing; someone who can love and give freely and celebrate life in all it's glory (i just love birthdays!
I love having the ability to make my own decisions without fear of reprisal or repercussions from the elders and others in the congregation.
Particularly around healthcare decisions - the ability to weigh up the pros and cons of proposed treatment without having the added (and completely unnecessary) complication of "no blood" policy and the guilt that goes along with it.
I also enjoy using my free time in a way that benefits my family, and not feeling obligated to attend meetings and to out on the ministry, pre study etc etc etc etc etc!
I like being able to make career choices without having to consider whether I can fulfill a vocational role without it conflicting with meeting attendance.
I like being able to socialise properly with genuine friends.
I love being free!
how about this as an anthem for those of us exjws????!!!!.
artist(band):diana ross.
(mchael masser/c.
Regardless of each individual ex JWs interest, we are all free of the cult influence!
how about this as an anthem for those of us exjws????!!!!.
artist(band):diana ross.
(mchael masser/c.
How about this as an anthem for those of us exJWS????!!!!
"It's My Turn"
Artist(Band):Diana Ross
(Mchael Masser/C. B. Sager)
I can't cover up my feelings
In the name of love
Or play it safe
For a while that was easy
And if living for myself
Is what I'm guilty of
Go on and sentence me
I'll still be free
It's my turn
To see what I can see
I hope you'll understand
This time's just for me
Because it's my turn
With no apologies
I've given up the truth
To those I've tried to please
But now it's my turn
If I don't have all the answers
At least I know I'll take my share of chances
Ain't no use in holding on
When nothing stays the same
So I'll let it rain
'Cause the rain ain't gonna hurt me
And I'll let you go
'Though I know it won't be easy
It's my turn
With no more room for lies
FOR YEARS I`VE SEEN MY LIFE
Through someone else's eyes
And now it's my turn
To try and find my way
And if I should get lost
At least I'll own today
It's my turn
Yes, it's my turn
And there ain't no use in holding of
When nothing stays the same
So I'll let it rain
'Cause the rain ain't gonna hurt me
And I'll let you go
'Though I know it won't be easy
It's my turn
To see what I can see
I hope you'll understand
This time's just for me
Because it's my turn
To turn and say goodbye
I sure would like to know
That you're still on my side
Because it's my turn
It's my turn
It's my turn
To start from number one
Trying to undo
Some damage that's been done
But now it's my turn
To reach and touch the sky
No one's gonna say
At least I didn't try
It's my turn
Yes, it's my turn
It's my turn
It's my turn
It's my turn
we all hear stories an experiences that happened to a "friend of a friend," and the witnesses are no exception.
they even have their own urban legends.
here are my favorites, and please post yours as well.. 1. watchtower theologists according to one of the old guys i used to pioneer with, there is a super-scary-secret organization of apostates called "watchtower theology.
I have heard the one about the two sisters and the angel!
have you ever wondered what goes on at an elder's meeting?
after a prayer, the presiding overseer will state what the purpose of the meeting is.
if it's a quarterly meeting, the elders will discuss the spirituality of the congregation, its spirit and any dangerous trends that may be observed.
I have been told (on extremely good authority) that after a decision was made at an elders meeting that they were not going to recommend a certain MS for appointment as an elder, the biggest topic for debate was not "who is going to tell the MS he is not being recommended", but rather "who is going to tell the MS's mother that he is not going to be recommended"!
Apparently none of the elders had the bottle or b**lls to tell her!!!!!
Hahahaha!!!!!
ps - That MS is now a PO!!!!!!!!
for some reason, we havn't been going to the meeting as regular as we should... .
mom's as brainwashed as they come tho.....i dunno what's going on.
we havn't been going to sunday meetings especially, but mom's work schedule messes it up a a bit.
You may find that unless "illness" is given as an excuse for your non attedance at the meetings over the last week then the elders may take a special interest in your and your mum. Perhaps receiving shepherding visits!
Don't feel intimidated by them. The elders hold no power over you!
The power they think they hold is all in their heads!
i just missed two meetings for the first time in five years.. this past week i went "on vacation", housesitting for relatives nearby.
i told my bookstudy overseer i'd be "away", even though i was only a twenty minute drive from the kingdom hall.
i spent the entire week away from my insane family, away from the meetings and away from my "brothers and sisters".. it felt great.. coming home felt... not so great.. but the first brick in my fade has been laid.
Well done you!
Also - don't get involved in any KH cleaning days, maintenance at district convention halls, or JW social "gatherings" (which, by the way, make a labotomy look painless!!).
