To megaflower / asilentone,
Thank you both for your replies, good advice!
Truth and Justice
JoinedPosts by Truth and Justice
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6
Searching for names of elders?
by Truth and Justice ini don't know if anyone can help me on this, but my question is this- is there a website in which there is a list of kingdom halls with the names of elders from that congregation in a particular state?
i don't want anyone to go thru too much trouble for me, but i sure wonder if there is.. the reason i ask is because 2 of my brothers in the family are po and elder located in a sothern state that i know.
my curiousity is to know which hall there in, maybe it would give some sort of clues as to whether there on this site.
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Searching for names of elders?
by Truth and Justice ini don't know if anyone can help me on this, but my question is this- is there a website in which there is a list of kingdom halls with the names of elders from that congregation in a particular state?
i don't want anyone to go thru too much trouble for me, but i sure wonder if there is.. the reason i ask is because 2 of my brothers in the family are po and elder located in a sothern state that i know.
my curiousity is to know which hall there in, maybe it would give some sort of clues as to whether there on this site.
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Truth and Justice
Hi,
I don't know if anyone can help me on this, but my question is this- Is there a website in which there is a list of Kingdom Halls with the names of elders from that congregation in a particular state? I don't want anyone to go thru too much trouble for me, but I sure wonder if there is.
The reason I ask is because 2 of my brothers in the family are PO and Elder located in a Sothern state that I know. My curiousity is to know which hall there in, maybe it would give some sort of clues as to whether there on this site. I would do anything to help my brothers, I miss them dearly.
Or, maybe you have another suggestion!
Sincerely, Truth and Justice
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Hello to all, can I have a moment of your time? Thanks!! from Truth and Justice
by Truth and Justice inthought i would properly introduce myself, being that i have posted here about 6 or 7 times since march of 2008. i do not want to create any sense of insecurity among the guests.. my name is truth and justice.
i have been reading this website since march of 2008 with great interest.
many times i have wanted to write and kept putting it off, because i just did not know how to put my thoughts on paper, especially when millions of people will read what i have written.
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Truth and Justice
Hello!
To those of you who responded, I want to say "Thank you!!", great comments, you all sound like good people.
Hubert - in answer to your question, she is doing well, and has always appreciated what I did for her. Thanks!
Parakeet - very nice thought!, never did consider a clicker in the corner.
Take care!! Truth and Justice
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Hello to all, can I have a moment of your time? Thanks!! from Truth and Justice
by Truth and Justice inthought i would properly introduce myself, being that i have posted here about 6 or 7 times since march of 2008. i do not want to create any sense of insecurity among the guests.. my name is truth and justice.
i have been reading this website since march of 2008 with great interest.
many times i have wanted to write and kept putting it off, because i just did not know how to put my thoughts on paper, especially when millions of people will read what i have written.
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Truth and Justice
Hello to All,
Hello! Thought I would properly introduce myself, being that I have posted here about 6 or 7 times since March of 2008. I do not want to create any sense of insecurity among the Guests.
My name is Truth and Justice. I have been reading this website since March of 2008 with great interest. Many times I have wanted to write and kept putting it off, because I just did not know how to put my thoughts on paper, especially when millions of people will read what I have written. I have enjoyed reading many interesting stories on this site, some have been very enlightening. And then ther are those stories which I feel a tremendous amount of empathy and sorrow for those who have suffered a great deal emotionally and mentally. I am in that class, and it had been a struggle for me. I would like to put my story this way:
I was born into the JW religion in the early 60's. I considered myself to be a spiritual person, and then between 1974-1984, I felt that I was just going in motion just to fulfill the obligations, with no enthusiasm or motives involved. But then, it was said that Jehovah's holy spirit resides among the witnesses and its flowing. There were many straws that broke the camel's back with me, that told me to make that difficult decision. This is the one: My sister was disfellowshiped for "conduct um-becoming a christain," as they like to put it. It was drinking. She had lived a distance of about an hour and a half. When I had found out about it 3 weeks later, I a (Ministerial Servant) decided that I would go visit her without telling anyone. She and I talked a while and read some encouraging scriptures, and then I prayed with her which she also wanted, a good visit in my opinion. A week later, PO talks to me after the meeting is over to ask about the situation regarding my visiting with my sister. I wonder to this day how he found out, but he did. I said my reason for visiting her is she is my sister, she's family! I said that I was encouraging her and praying with her. He began to say "Are you aware that, that is the responsibility of the elders and that you are putting your position as MS at risk and setting a bad example in the congregation? I said "Yes, it may be job of an elder, but she is family to me. As far as me setting a bad example, I don't agree on that. Since when do I have to be an elder to help my sister." My last question to him was-"Can you show me from the scriptures where I went wong, because she was repentant in my view? "I don't want an answer from a publication." He mentioned there would be another meeting which was with the CO.
A week later, I was removed as servant, especially when I took the matter in prayer and felt it was acceptable in my mind to do what I thought was right. For about 2 weeks, going to the meetings was hard, because everyone is saying to each other, What did he do? What sin was he involved in? What's he guilty of? To sit in my seat and hear my name mentioned in front of all in the congregation just sickened me. No more, you can not serve 2 masters.
One week later, I (Literature servant) gave my duties to my assistant, and then walked over to the PO and told him that " I was taking a leave of absence permanently." Surprisingly, he did not talk me out of it very hard. So I have been out all these years. I and my parents have considered ourselves the lost and scattered Sheep as the scriptures call it. The society will not share this scripture with you in Jer. 23:32, so may I, it says "Here I am against the prophets of false dreams," is the utterance of Jehovah, "who relate them and cause my people to wander about because of their falsehoods and because of their boasting. "But I myself did not send them or command them. So they will by no means benefit this people," is the utterance of Jehovah. Everything the society said was like a rubber stamp, the bottom of the stamp said- "Jehovah Approved", so we got to do what they say.
The people have certainly "wandered" about as you can see from what has happened in just the last 5 years. Yes, their boasting, well thats a subject for another day. When I left the religion, I decided to read Ray Franz's book "Crisis of Conscience", when it first came out, what an inspiring book. Especially when you read about some of the decisions that the Governing Body made and how they came to their conclusions, you'll probably be shocked. I read a few more of his books which were quite eye opening as well, and would encourage others to read.
As time goes on, I have had to deal with many emotional thoughts because of the fact that I miss the other half of my family. I miss them dearly. I love them. There have been days in the last 23-25 years where I have cried emotionally, and I'm a grown man. I have prayed for them every day since I been out that they will be free. I feel they think their doing what is best, but they are mixed-up and confused. They are probably afraid because of the circunstances that will confront them if they get out. They all have families. The only thing that has helped me to endure this and other things is my personal reading of the bible without constraints and help of WTS publications to analyze it for me. Second, is Prayer, those 2 things have been my help and always will be.
In conclusion, I have gained happiness and a peace of mind, by being free, free to think, using my conscience without all the restrictive orders from a body of just men. As it is said, in Eze. 34:27-"And they will have to know that I am Jehovah when I break the bars of their yoke and I have delivered them out of the hand of those who had been using them as slaves."
To all of you, it has been a pleasure writing this! I look to the day when we will all be together in True Love and Unity and not have to hide behind our computer User names on this Forum.
Take care!! Truth and Justice
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Needs of the Congregation......"Raise Your Hands Higher!"
by bronzefist in"friends" have lost their jobs......so what.
"friends" are depressed.....so what.
"friends" are being kicked to the curb, because they're not in the clique...so what.. the local needs talk was, raise your hands higher for the wt conductor who will not call on those with names he forgets.
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Truth and Justice
Anator,
What an analogy, I like it!
T-n-T
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"The Elders"
by minimus inwhen i think back of how the elders were viewed, even when i was a kid, i recognize that many people were deathly afraid of the elders.
my brother had been appointed in the 70s shortly after the elder arrangement was put into effect.
so my family always had an "in" because of our theocratic connections----not that my brother was very forceful.
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Truth and Justice
Hi Everyone,
Good Thread here! I realize the difficulty that Elders have to face each time there at a meeting. I certainly would never accept the responsibility, because we are all Brothers working together equally under God's roof. For the life of me, I could not sit there and disfellowship someone who is begging or asking for forgiveness. If they are sorry, they are sorry. I can not peer into their heart, only Jehovah or Jesus are able.
I find that these Judicial committees are so outrageous that if Jesus was sitting there, he would have choice words for those men, (they are just men).
I once knew an individual, a brother who was disfellowshsiped because of an affair he had with a young woman. His father of course, being an elder excused himself from the case. So anyway this young brother sits with the elders and says " I want to say that I am guilty of wrong doing in that I committed fornication, and that I am deeply sorry for my sinfulness."
This young brother tells me that the elders asked him a bunch of questions, for example, "Whom did you have this affair with?" "Where does she live?" "When did this happen?" "Where did this take place?" They also asked- "Were you enjoying this?"
THIS WENT ON FOR 3 HOURS. This is what I call a thirst for dirt and gratification on the elders part, disgusting in my opinion! The young man sinned in regards to fornication, what more do they need to know.
I can only imagine what "Christ" would have done if he had heard about this situation.
What I can say is that true shepparding involves a personal closeness to the individual, listening to them, nuturing them. Visiting the brothers and sisters in the nursing home, those in the hospital, taking a young boy who does'nt have a father out for some fun, tending to the needs of those that just plain want some company, and by all means, if they have a problem that they want help on, to only and strictly use the bible, not some publication full of men's ideas (and perfoming this in a matter of confidentiality).
These days, I am glad to be on this side of the fence.
Take care!! Truth and Justice
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How to fade quickly and get off the JW "radar screen"
by sir82 inso you want to fade quickly, and keep the elders off your back?
here's an easy way to do it:.
1) recruit a sympathetic friend - doesn't have to be an elder, heck, doesn't even have to be a jw - to pose as the secretary for the "xyz" congregation.. 2) tell your congregation secretary you are moving to the "xyz" congregation.
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Truth and Justice
When I got out many, many years ago, I told the PO who was also the secretary that I lost interest and did not want to be involved in it anymore. About a week later he showed up, and I then told him politely that if he showed up again, I would press charges. He never came back.
After so many years have passed, we finally cross paths again. I shake his hands-he shakes mine, we both smile and say a few pleasantries. We both communicate very freely and it has been that way ever since.
In short, I felt my attitude torward him was not right, so I sort of tried to mend the situation by at least giving a sincere, friendly smile.. I have prayed for him on occassion. I really feel that he agrees with my reasoning, but it is up to him. Now his family and his relatives are coming around. TIME is the healer.
As far as the records are concerned, I could care less! Jehovah does'nt need my numbers or statistics to see if I will make it, he's going to be checking my heart, and I hope it's good.
Good thread- Sir82
Your Friend, Truth and Justice
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Thankful Not To Be An Elder Anymore ( KM)
by metatron ini count my blessings.
i picked up a kingdom ministry for february and saw, once again, the mindless horror that the organization has evolved into.
there's the grade school reading level.
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Truth and Justice
Hi Alligator,
Welcome to you too, and Thanks!!!
Truth and Justice
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Thankful Not To Be An Elder Anymore ( KM)
by metatron ini count my blessings.
i picked up a kingdom ministry for february and saw, once again, the mindless horror that the organization has evolved into.
there's the grade school reading level.
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Truth and Justice
Hi Metatron,
I can certainly understand your feelings even though I didn't get to the next level, that of being an elder. I was only an MS. Even though I felt truly genuine about helping others, I felt that rules and regulations were telling us how to love when it should have been natural and from the heart. I have been out for a long time and am glad to have the chains loosened from my body. This scripture was never used hardly at all by the wts, if it was it was applied to christendom. Anything bad it was christendom, if its good then its Great Crowd or jws. It made me sick. This scripture they hardly ever used, you know why?
Here is your answer- says in Jer. 23:32 "Here I am against the prophets of false dreams," is the utterance of Jehovah, "who relate them and cause my people to wander about because of their falsehoods and because of their boasting."
Look at all the people that have wandered about on this site. And the word boasting, thats a word you hear alot on these forums. I want no part of it. I still believe in Jehovah and pray to him daily as best I can. So yes, I do understand your thoughts and your heart is in the right place. My definition for an elder or shepard has always been this: visit those in nursing homes, hospitals, those in congregation who are less fortunate-helping them either monetarily if can be done, or perhaps just having a nice visit without a Tie on and some publication in hand. They just want somebody to talk to and have some enterchange of thought.
Sincerely, Truth and Justice
P.S. I hope to properly introduce myself on another thread with a little bit of back ground, until then "Take care"!! T-n-J
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LURKING JW: Thinking of leaving? Learn from my experience.
by SnakesInTheTower in"mental wondering in the wilderness"... uh oh.... it's a long post from snakes.... lol.
yep... i think that is the best way to describe where i am at in life right now.
if you have read my past posts (mostly in the private section) you know some of my history as a life-long (now former) witness.. i have been away from the jw religion, for all intents and purposes, since dec. 06, though it was not until sept 07 that i stopped attending meetings.
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Truth and Justice
Dear Snakes,
Hello Snakes, before I give some thoughts on your situation, I want to say that I have'nt properly introduced myself as is the custom when people send replies. I would hope that I will have some sort of story line for all to see within a 30 day period.
In regards to your situation, I certainly have empathy and understanding for you. There are times when I have felt a lull, sort of in the middle because there are no friends to speak of on either side. That was a problem for me and my Folks. What did sustain us though was a determination not to let it beat us. One very important point that seems to be left out is (Prayer). I may have left the wts, but I absolutely never left (Jehovah). I prayed about the matter and poured my heart out to him and eventually got some resolve. The result was I was able to find nice decent people to associate with, and second, my personal health seemed to be refreshed. Jehovah has never become a failure in my sense, because I never left him. He is God to all people. Please be assured that I have you in my thoughts.
The Sun will shine on you! Sincerely, your friend- "Truth and Justice"