Posts by AnneB

56

JW Sister Missing near Portland, OR

by tresdecu in

jw
friends

AnneB

I saw the news story yesterday, listed with several other headline-only items at the end of a web page. Of all the headlines listed, I clicked on that one simply because I felt sad that someone was missing. It wasn't until the end of the article that I discovered she was a JW.

I had to stop and think about the response it engendered in me. It was definitely more than it had been a moment before I knew she was a JW. Now why should that make any difference? I'm not a JW, haven't been in many, many years. I no longer believe that the worst JW is better than the best "worldy" person, yet knowing that she is a JW left me momentarily breathless. Conditioning? Remember the announcements at the KH after some tragedy struck and word would filter back "thousands were affected but no JW was killed or injured", as though JW lives are somehow more precious than others?

I'm very sad that this young woman appears to be in harm's way. That's "normal". What's bothering me is that I care more about her situation than any of the non-JW similar situations that I read about almost every day. I'll know I'm OK when I care equally about all the persons that go missing no matter what their affiliations (or lack thereof).

I do hope that she returns unharmed.

AB

46

That bus driver in Cleveland should get an award. Beautifully executed uppercut.

by Theocratic Sedition in

jw
friends

she had that one comin to her.

she's lucky he didnt stomp her out as he had plenty of time to really hurt her.

.

AnneB

When you put up with crap, all you get is more crap. The driver put a stop to the crap. Good on him!

AnneB (Former Clevelander and lifetime bus rider)

Note: I've said what I have to say and I'm not planning to come back and defend my position. Say what you want, you're entitled...but so am I.

94

Light a Candle for Oompa

by BabaYaga in

jw
friends

there is a lovely site where one may light a candle for a moment of silence.. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles.

i set up a group, where they may all flicker together, if you like.. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=oompa.

(we love and miss you, oompa.).

AnneB

Not forgotten.

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=Oompa

94

Light a Candle for Oompa

by BabaYaga in

jw
friends

there is a lovely site where one may light a candle for a moment of silence.. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles.

i set up a group, where they may all flicker together, if you like.. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=oompa.

(we love and miss you, oompa.).

AnneB

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=Oompa

Re-lit. Some of the candles are getting low...

27

Poor homeless Bro. Larry Jackson

by ShirleyW in

jw
friends

theres a story in the ny daily news today that says this jw is homeless and was denied shelter after having a brief conversation with the woman who helped him with his application after he mentioned he was a jw.

her reasoning of why she denied his application was that she thought he would go door to door in the 45-unit facility!

i myself find that hilarious, he just mightve done that to get his time in!

AnneB

Several years ago (1980's) there was a sister in Massachusetts with two young sons who lived under a bridge for nine months. She was not a substance abuser, she did not have serious mental issues, she was just unfortunate enough to have a broken marriage.

Nine months! She lived through the winter without proper shelter with two children!

28

Make Them Prove That You Were Baptized!

by VM44 in

jw
friends

this might not work for everyone, but it might for some.. if a person faces disfellowshipping, the person should make the elders prove that they are baptized!.

as far as i know, baptism records are not sent to bethel.. without two witnesses to the event (and the witnesses have to remember seeing the person immersed), and no photos, there would be no proof.. if someone did this, the elders would of course contact bethel for instructions, but what could they do?.

it would put a stop to the elders proceeding with any action..

AnneB

Blondie: I wondered about that myself (unbaptized publishers). The difference is that an unbaptized publisher is already known to the local elders while a person who hasn't been in the same congregation since baptism might not be known, thus require outside evidence in the form of testimonials.

28

Make Them Prove That You Were Baptized!

by VM44 in

jw
friends

this might not work for everyone, but it might for some.. if a person faces disfellowshipping, the person should make the elders prove that they are baptized!.

as far as i know, baptism records are not sent to bethel.. without two witnesses to the event (and the witnesses have to remember seeing the person immersed), and no photos, there would be no proof.. if someone did this, the elders would of course contact bethel for instructions, but what could they do?.

it would put a stop to the elders proceeding with any action..

AnneB

There's another part to the story...

If the elders can't find two witnesses to your actual baptism they can fall back on "proof" that two people have heard you identify yourself as a JW and are living as a JW (going out in field service, "making disciples").

I got this info from the Bethel Service Desk about 6 years ago. During the same phone call the brother/elder told me that baptism records are kept only at the local level.

10

weird "shepherding" phone call

by snakeface in

as many of you know, i recently wrote a letter to the elders telling them to make sure the congregation stays off my property.

in the letter i mentioned that i "left the organization several years ago.

" i have not had any contact with any witneses for about 5 years even though i was not disfellowshipped and not even counseled; i just stopped showing up.. well last night a brother called me (not an elder, just a publisher) but i let the call go to voice mail.

AnneB

Be careful. Sometimes these "random" calls actually have more than one brother on the line so that they have "two witnesses", thus trapping you.

If you do get a call from a JW, my suggestion is to disconnect without saying a word.

12

Does it look like a fraud to you?

by Iamallcool in

jw
friends

thanks for the mail...as they say, punctuality is the soul of business.

i believe promptness is key if any business is to thrive.

i want to thank you for your prompt response.

AnneB

Google "Reshipping scam". Never mind. Saved you the trouble. Click on the link:

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&biw=1366&bih=598&sclient=psy-ab&q=reshipping+scam&oq=reshipping+scam&gs_l=hp.3...61240.63739.1.64118.15.13.0.0.0.0.363.1374.2-3j2.5.0.les%3B..0.0...1c._im1x4YiQg8&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=ed99c3aad9b27cff

Edited to add: Make that paste in the link....can't find the little link-y icon to make the thing clickable.

20

One smart householder!

by man oh man in

jw
friends

you might enjoy this lady's experience with a jw visit.

she is too nice but also more smart!.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vgug6sbppy.

AnneB

When they asked her if they could read her a Bible verse, she should have responded "Why?" instead of saying yes. "Why?" asks "What's in it for you?" and that's what needs to be understood to make a sound decision on whether to continue in a transaction (or relationship!)...not, "What's in it for me?" but "What's in it for you?" That simple "Why?" could have exposed the fact that JW's are there for their own benefit (saving their necks at Armageddon, not yours).

She also gave them 'wayyyyy too much personal information. What right do total strangers have to ask about someone's life and lifestyle? She lets two strangers in her house, then tells them exactly what she believes, how she lives, and how she is training her children? Why???