StAnn

Joined

• started 69 topics
• posted 3,251 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by StAnn

• 
  58

  Have you gained more than lost?

  by compound complex in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  greetings, my friends:.

  the above question is not in regard to one's weight.

  that would be a rude question .... in terms of your jw experience, have the losses you've suffered been offset by the good you've gained?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StAnn

  CoCo, this is a hard question. I was raised a JW and lost my entire family and all of my friends. Although I've moved on and made a good life for myself, I carry the scars of being raised a JW with me everyday. No matter how hard I try, I still can't be "normal." I feel that I have been permanently injured by my JW experience.

  When I got married, I didn't even invite my mother. I had a church wedding and knew she wouldn't come. So, on a very happy day there was alot of sadness because she couldn't share it with me. So no joy is ever completely joyful; there's always an accompanying sadness because I can't share my happiness with all of those I love.

  Also, because I know how much better life is on this side of the Borg, I find it quite distressing to see my family still stuck in it, particularly my little neices and nephews who don't know any better. I wish I could communicate with them in a meaningful way to let them know the JWs are a fraud and that there is something better out there but they won't listen to me.

  I have a good life now and am as happy as I'm probably capable of being. However, there was so much damage done and so much time lost growing up in the WTS that I feel what I've gained is somewhat eclipsed by what I've lost.

  My husband says that I've gained some valuable skills from my experiences, such as empathy and compassion and the ability to talk to anyone, anytime, anyplace, and that my raising is just my cross to bear. I'd be able to bear it better if my family weren't trapped in it.
• 
  19

  JW policy on Girl Guides and Scouts?

  by HB in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have come to this forum on the recommendation of an ex jehovah's witness who has been very helpful.

  although he has given me some useful information, he suggested i post my question on here too to see what others have to say.

  being new, i am not sure if i have chosen the right topic heading but if not forgive me!.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StAnn

  WTW, since the OP is not an ex-JW and is new to the board, you may wish to redo your post without using the jargon that makes so much sense to the rest of us but would be completely confusing to an outsider. You have good points. I'm just afraid that terms like "boasting session" may completely confuse the OP and your points will be missed.

  OP-I wanted to be in Girl Scouts but was prohibited because they are considered a patriotic organization. JWs are not allowed to be patriotic or participate in anything patriotic. If your friend has been a guide for many years, she probably has a strong sense of patriotism which she will have to surrender to become a JW. Appeal to her patriotism!
• 
  28

  That Martin Luther? He wasn’t so bad, says Pope

  by Deputy Dog in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  from the timesmarch 6, 2008 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3492299.ece according to vatican insiders the pope will argue that luther, who was excommunicated and condemned for heresy, was not a heretic.

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StAnn

  When I became christian, first I was Episcopalian, then became Lutheran, and then finally progressed to Catholicism.

  It is generally accepted among Lutherans that Luther never intended to start his own church but, rather, to reform the Catholic Church, which needed reforming. Unfortunately, Luther had a temper, as did the Pope, and things got out of hand. It is generally accepted in Catholic circles that there was plenty of sin to go around re: the Reformation. However, Luther seemed to have a few very strange ideas, wanting to delete many books of the Bible (such as James and Hebrews) because they didn't agree with his theology and rejecting the deuterocanonical books altogether.

  The real issue now is that all of the items Luther complained about have been resolved, and in ways that would have satisfied Luther. So, why do Lutherans remain Lutherans now? If the complaints have been satisfied, what is left to protest? Seems like they should reunite.

  Yes, Luther was anti-semitic. No, Luther wasn't perfect. But I still admire him.

  I thought the Catholic Church had acknowledged this stuff publicly back in 2001.

  The Church may be slow to acknowledge error but at least they don't make up "new light" to try to make their errors look like they weren't errors.

  Oh, and priests will never marry. It just won't happen. Here's an article about it by Archbishop Pilarczyk: http://www.cincinnativocations.org/women_celibacy.shtml
• 
  40

  No birthdays doctrine destroyed

  by DoomVoyager in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  not sure if anyone has pointed this out before, but behold the january 8th awake!, 2008, pages 26-27;.

  are customs?.

  customs are practices that apply to social life and are common to a particular place or class of people.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StAnn

  For one who might still consider him/herself a christian, there's also that "honor they mother and father" thing at play. I know that I don't want to play the JW game. I don't think I'm obliged to play by their rules. I faded and I know my mother doesn't want me around but I know that I did nothing wrong in leaving, so I'm not going to play the JW game and abandon my parents. Just because I've left doesn't mean I have to rub her nose in it. Also, despite everything, I still love my parents and don't want to be completely out of their lives. I love them because I love them, not because they treat me well. My mom and I have a "don't ask/don't tell" thing going on and it's fine with me. I don't want to put her in a position where she has to be "loyal" to the WTS, so I'm nonconfrontational. We all have to do what suits us in our journey out of the WT.
• 
  30

  I got my invitation did you?

  by RR in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well here i am having a bible study at my home and the doorbell rings, the door opens and closes, i hear a few voices.

  she comes back and hands me the march 1 watchtower, march 8 awake and a invitation to the memorial on march 22, 2008 and a special talk to" who is qualified to rule mankind?

  " on april 6, 2008.. so did you get yours?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StAnn

  Undecided, that must be difficult. Hopefully he'll wise up!

  I haven't received an invite, don't care, I'm going to the Easter Vigil Mass on March 22.
• 
  34

  About me

  by Bryce in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been doing the home study with the jw's for almost a year now.

  i've never attended the kingdom hall meetings because i didn't want to -- i used my parents' objection as an excuse.

  but now i'm at a problem - i believe more as the christadelphians believe, and i no longer want to do the study with the jw's i know.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StAnn

  Bryce, unfortunately, these people aren't really free to be your friends. If they want to remain JWs in good standing, they aren't supposed to associate with people who aren't JWs, unless they're in the conversion process. It doesn't mean they don't truly like you. It means they are completely controlled by their belief system. Don't be surprised if they drop you when you tell them you don't want to be a JW, even if they sincerely enjoy your company, but remember that they aren't in complete control of their faculties.
• 
  30

  What is your favorite thing about not being a JW anymore?

  by megaflower in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would have to say the nagging feeling that iam not good enough (in thier eyes) does not bother me anymore

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StAnn

  Not being told what to think.
• 
  28

  Another Snow Storm

  by JH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this is the 2nd one this week, and we received close to 400 cm of snow this winter..... .

  .

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StAnn

  Don't have a conversion formula but we've received 15 inches of snow in the past 24 hours and have had blizzard conditions, so we're housebound. Although my husband went to work tonight, even though we're at a Level 3 Snow Emergency.

  But we did sneak out into the yard today and fill a bowl with snow and make snow cream. Made our captivity seem a little more festive.
• 
  17

  Check out this HOT offer!! .... only 25 cents!!!

  by Frequent_Fader_Miles in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it truly belongs in the bargain bin ...... .

  http://www.ministryideaz.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=29&cat=bargain+bin%2f+clearance+items.

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StAnn

  Oh, gag. Did you see they're offering a Watchtower and Kingdom Ministry holder with the slogan, "Don't lose your study copy!" I guess if you lose it, there's no replacing it in their new secret society.
• 
  134

  Here kitteh kitteh.......LOL

  by Tatiana in

  1. social
  2. humour

  i am just having a seizure lmao at these cat pics.

  i had three gorgeous "kittehs" before i moved to madison, and had to give them away.

  i cried for a month.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  StAnn

  Is that "Alice Cat fell down the rabbit hole" one real? Such a tiny kitten! I've laughed until I cried over these!