Posts by Had Enough

31

Superstitions

by Geoff in

jw
friends

i was reading through some of you guys old postings and i was laughing so hard.

some of you guys still believe the strange things your mom and dad said but didnt explain like not eating count chocula cereal.

didnt ever occur to you that maybe your parents thought that keeping you away from something as simple as a cartoon dracula might be in your best interests?

It truly amazes me how you and a few others like you seem like to try to stir things up by poking fun at things we have said, trying to appear so intelligent and mature. Then when you really get put in your place you just disappear. I'm sorry but you have a long way to go to match even a gram of the logic, wisdom and knowledge that is present in this forum. That's not an insult, it's just a basic fact. And coming here will open your eyes to a lot of facts. I hope you read them with an open mind.

BTW...You would accomplish a lot more if you tried to come across as wanting to have an intelligent conversation instead of starting off with an insult. Others have done that and get crushed.

Just MHO.

Had Enough

PS: I saw your website too. I think you have some ‘splainin’ to do!

31

Superstitions

by Geoff in

jw
friends

i was reading through some of you guys old postings and i was laughing so hard.

some of you guys still believe the strange things your mom and dad said but didnt explain like not eating count chocula cereal.

didnt ever occur to you that maybe your parents thought that keeping you away from something as simple as a cartoon dracula might be in your best interests?

Had Enough

Hi back eyes-opened:

You're welcome!!! It always makes me feel good to read someone's post about what I thought and felt too!

It totally amazes me how many stories spread like wildfire. Especially the posts on urban legends. I can remember hearing so many of them too. It makes me wonder why it took me so long for reality to sink in! It's actually embarassing!!!

Had Enough (of wearing blinders)

16

Commentaries perrleez.

by philo in

jw
friends

below is a paragraph from march 1st, 2001 watchtower.

as has been well said by homer simpson, "it works on so many levels.

" comments anybody?.

Had Enough

Such congregations are a protection even now, a place where Christians find safety among their brothers, under the loving care of the elders

A place of safety???? I've heard people say that "if you lock a bunch of JWs together in a room for indefinite, it won't be long before they kill each other".

That used to really bother me when I was a member. How scary a thought is that!

Had Enough (of their professings of love)

10

Freudian householder

by anglise in

jw
friends

ok hands up.

who really enjoyed playing the part of the irate or definately unbelieving householder on the school or demo items?.

i know i really did and its only recently struck me that maybe for years deep down these where my true feelings shouting to get out.. shame i didnt listen to them sooner.

Had Enough

Great stuff Duncan:

You guys had all the fun. I don't remember any fun demos like that at conventions.

The only one I'm reminded of was of 2 young brothers were assigned to give a demo of the 3-scripture "sermon" for the month's offer. The one started his presentation as rehersed until the 'householder' out-of-the-blue said, "I want to know what you believe about the Trinity?" with a twinkle in his eye. Somehow the brother recovered and got through it but so much for anyone remembering what the presentation was.

Had Enough

ps anglise: I too remember enjoying being the irate householder. I wonder why?

31

Superstitions

by Geoff in

jw
friends

i was reading through some of you guys old postings and i was laughing so hard.

some of you guys still believe the strange things your mom and dad said but didnt explain like not eating count chocula cereal.

didnt ever occur to you that maybe your parents thought that keeping you away from something as simple as a cartoon dracula might be in your best interests?

Had Enough

Hi eyes_opened:

I's so glad you said:

I remember hearing at a meeting that Jehovah is the only one who can read hearts and minds. Therefore Satan can only hear us if we speak outloud. I'm not really sure the point that they were trying to make with that one? I just remember being a teenager when I heard it, and being totally worried about everything I said out loud lest it be something that Satan might use against me

I remember that point and it really stuck in my mind. I always prayed silently for that reason. I didn't want Satan to do something to fool me into thinking something was God's answer. And you're right... it was a scare tactic and it worked so well it's taken me a long time to get past that thinking. I still find myself wondering about it sometimes.

I too wonder how many others thought that way!!!

Had Enough

18

Unconditional Love

by TR in

jw
friends

"i love my parents more than anything.

they gave me unconditional love.

they said, 'son, we love you whether you succeed or fail.

Had Enough

Hi riz: You read my mind.

They claim that if the df'd person is totally shunned by family and friends, basically made to feel as if they are 'dead' to them, then the df'd one will see what he/she is missing and want to come back

This has been one of my biggest sorespots for such a long time. What I felt from my family when I was df'd was the farthest thing from love. It felt more like their scorn instead of love. What hurried my return was fear of my father dying before I could spend some time him (he was very ill). My family "allowed" me to go to visit him in the hospital, when they weren't there, because they thought he was dying. I remember praying and crying one time all the way to the hospital fearing he would die before I got there. Even when I came back I didn't see any real demonstration of love from many family members and friends, only a few.

This same type of thinking is now supposed to be helping my son. I can tell you right now, it isn't.

Those experiences we hear of df'd ones reinstated because they saw the light because of the shunning, I'm sure are saying that because they've convinced themselves that's what they're supposed to feel, or else they know that's what they're supposed to say.

And this is not just those who have been stung by the effects of df'ing rejecting that teaching. I know ones who are active JWs and have not experienced df'd friends or family who feel the same way as we do. They say: "I can't possibly treat someone like that. That's not loving and helping one to want to come back to God."

Introspection says:

you also have this focus on behavior and conduct rather than being motivated out of love,

When I was growing up, I remember thinking we were so privileged to be in an org. that had so much love and was identified as the true religion because of it and being so proud when the CO would say what a loving congregation we had. I didn't take me too long to see your above statement become more true. The GB is so much more concerned with its public image in order to intice new members than to be concerned with actually showing unconditional love and that in turn rubs off on the JW members.

Had Enough

31

I want to know more about you. REALLY!

by jst2laws in

jw
friends

i so desire to know more about the people i am listening to, and occasionally talking to.

aol has profiles.

some other web sites have them.

Had Enough

Greetings back orbison:

See you're from Canada too. What part? The most I can say right now is S.Ontario.

BTW Roy Orbison was one of my favourite singers in the 60's!

Had Enough

12

Fascinating, Even to Me!

by COMF in

jw
friends

i found hourglass2 outpost, a forum "for jehovah's witnesses and interested ones", on the internet several years ago; as i recall, around november 1996. from that time on i have constantly seen references to ray franz's book, crisis of conscience.

i never felt any compulsion to read the book, however, having concluded simply through discussion and reasoning on the well-documented evidence in their own writings that the wbts was a sham.

i just didn't feel like devoting as much of my time and attention as it would take to read an entire 400-page book divulging in meticulous detail the corruption rampant in that organization.. recently, though, i decided to buy and read the book anyway.

Had Enough

To yardif:

Sorry for the delay. I've been offline until now.

I went back to read my post. First, to correct my type-o, of the article "Confident in a World Beset By Doubts" should have been W8/1,80, and I should have been more specific and said it listed the belief that "we are living in the “last days” and that we should “keep on the watch” for the coming of the Son of man" as among the important beliefs for anyone with doubts.

It stressed that in the first century "there could be no room for skepticism and doubt. Also that those early Christians needed ‘firmness in the faith,’ firm conviction" and that likewise that today "a Christian who is beset by doubts should recognize the danger and take the necessary steps so as “finally [to] stand complete and with firm conviction.”"

Also I should have included that the W1/1,83, in connection with showing the importance of believing in the last days, stated: "the most important meaning to attach to the ending of the “times of the Gentiles,” or the “appointed times of the nations” (New World Translation), in that war-stricken year (1914) is this: The antitypical spiritual Kingdom of God in the hands of his anointed Son, Jesus Christ, started there in the heavens."

and also stated: "the ending of the Gentile Times in the latter half of 1914 still stands on a historical basis as one of the fundamental Kingdom truths to which we must hold today."

So as I said, these are the kind of statements that were my foundation, the very basis of my faith, because the GB stressed its importance so much as a fundamental essential belief. People were df'd for not accepting 1914 as date they claimed it to be.

I hope this clears up what I meant.

Had Enough

12

Fascinating, Even to Me!

by COMF in

jw
friends

i found hourglass2 outpost, a forum "for jehovah's witnesses and interested ones", on the internet several years ago; as i recall, around november 1996. from that time on i have constantly seen references to ray franz's book, crisis of conscience.

i never felt any compulsion to read the book, however, having concluded simply through discussion and reasoning on the well-documented evidence in their own writings that the wbts was a sham.

i just didn't feel like devoting as much of my time and attention as it would take to read an entire 400-page book divulging in meticulous detail the corruption rampant in that organization.. recently, though, i decided to buy and read the book anyway.

Had Enough

I agree 100% COMF. I won't attribute the change in me (after 4 decades of being a true believer in the WTS being the ONLY true religion) to just reading the "Crisis" book, but it sure was a significant turning point for me.

I had many things nagging away at me for years but always shrugged them off as my own weakness, lack of faith and study, or selfishness in not enjoying time in the service.

When I started to have some serious doubts stemming from not being able to agree on the benefits of rejection of family members or of any who were mistreated who were df'd or da'd but I won't go into a lot of detail here.

Anyway....as I said the "Crisis" book was a definite turning point for me. I had NO knowledge (like you said), and as I'm sure most of the general JW members, of the inner workings of the GB, the inner squabbles, the 2/3rd majority vote nonsense, or of the lies and coverups, the witch hunts,the double standards for countries, the deliberate mistranslation of some scriptures, the coverup of the 607 lie, etc. etc.

All these things were a completely opposite picture I had been given of a GB who is directed in all decisions by God's holy spirit and were only dispensing love and concern and knowledge for us poor, floundering sheep.

Reading the book was actually very difficult for me because of the lack of knowledge I just mentioned. I remember reading a chapter and having to get up and pace, cry, going back to read more, get up and pace and cry more. My whole foundation I had based my entire life on, just crumbled away and I just felt empty.

Tha foundation, the whole basis for my faith, had been grounded on the Gentile Times prophecy bringing us to the 1914 date of the last days and armageddon to come within that generation. It had been pounded into me at a ripe age and as the W81 said, belief in that teaching was essential to all JWs. So I did and felt so proud we understood its meaning.

With these and all the others things opening my eyes, I feel a great gratitude for having all of it brought out in the open in such a logical, informative, caring,non-judgemental way.

I too would recommend reading it for the sake of finding out all the details of all that has been hidden from us for so long.

Had Enough

13

Taking time to smell the roses...

by Esmeralda in

jw
friends

i got a great gift today from someone at h2o.

it was a post.

in response to my "emotional bankruptcy" thread that i. posted here, and there as well.. it's a gift because it was just the kick in the ass that i needed.. the perfect reminder of why i am not only happy, but relieved.

Had Enough

Hello Esmaralda;

I won't burden you with a long reply in your state of health....just want to say I'm glad his response had such a positive effect on you (not the kind he was shooting for). I will go back to H2O to find your response to him. I know it will be something for him to ponder over for a while if he has any wisdom at all.

His "helping response" was just the kind of ministry school talk I would have given moons ago, just 'cuz we were trained to.

Rest up and get well. We all enjoy what you share with us.

Had Enough