Posts by LearningMore

35

Observations about dubs as people...

by Princess Daisy Boo in

jw
friends

i was thinking back on some of the people i knew growing up, as well as my own family - many of whom are dubs... tell me what your own experiences are of these kind of people, did you notice a large prevalence of these types of people in the congs you attended:.

1. health nuts: into all sorts of alternative health theories like iridology, reflexology, homeopathy etc?

2. get rich quick folk: always getting involved in this scheme or that, this business or that - especially pyramid type things?.

LearningMore

Yep. Both. I actually was just talking to someone about the health nut thing. I think more than health nut, it is the alternative medicine like you mentioned. My theory is that many witnesses do not have the best jobs, thus no insurance, thus alternative medicine....

With regard to get-rich schemes, I have certainly seen that as well. I knew one family (father was/is an elder), and they were always hatching some strange plan on how to earn money.

I am really curious as to why the witnesses are attracted to such things.

54

Sisters with Kleenex on their head

by LearningMore in

so, i keep hearing reference to this.

was this just taking place in really small congregations?

i mean, i know the philosophy behind it; my mom would put a hat on to pray in front on my "unbelieving" dad.

LearningMore

Thanks. I think I am able to conjure up a brief recollection of a sister with something covering their head at a meeting for field service, but that is about it.

I thought a lot of the actions of JWs were degrading to women. Elderettes had to take a back seat, although many of them were so well read and understood the bible very well. Not to mention, they were sometimes much more approachable and compassionate! I also REALLY didn't like the idea of having to be in subjection to a husband. That probably has something to do with me waiting until now to even consider getting married! (I'm in my 30s, by the way.) I was at a wedding of a young "sister" I knew about 2 years ago. The "brother" giving the wedding actually said something like, "If SHE is out shopping all day, and you (THE MAN) come home from a hard day at work...." So stereotypical. I think even the bride rolled her eyes.

54

Sisters with Kleenex on their head

by LearningMore in

so, i keep hearing reference to this.

was this just taking place in really small congregations?

i mean, i know the philosophy behind it; my mom would put a hat on to pray in front on my "unbelieving" dad.

LearningMore

So, I keep hearing reference to this. Was this just taking place in REALLY small congregations? I mean, I know the philosophy behind it; my mom would put a hat on to pray in front on my "unbelieving" dad. But, I don't really ever remember seeing in this in the congregation. Perhaps my halls always had enough "qualified" brothers. When did you all see this? Just curious...

Also, I keep hearing the society referred to as "Mother." I actually don't ever remember this, and I was a "born in." Perhaps it was regional?

Since coming onto this board, these two things have been curious to me. Thanks!

19

The Ark of the Covenant

by sacolton in

jw
friends

.

do you think it could be found?

when was it last seen in the bible?.

LearningMore

Wow. The title of this thread brought me back to being at the hall as a pre-teen and reading about whoever it was that got struck down for touching the ark. I just couldn't wrap my head around that...he was just trying to keep it from falling over! I used to look this scripture/passage up just to freak myself out when I was bored of the talk. LOL. Sorry for hijacking the thread, I just had to share.

44

Hi I'm new here - a bit about me

by Fishbulb in

well where do i start?

i am 34, male and gay.

when i was about 15 i was exposed to the witnesses teachings.

LearningMore

Welcome!

Your comment about voting struck home. I have been faded for 10 years, and I can't bring myself to vote. It is pretty much the last lingering witness thing where I think, "Please don't ask me about voting!" when I talk to people. (I used to have that same feeling around the holidays. Inner voice pleading: "Please don't ask me what I am doing over the holidays. I have to think of some way to change the topic.") I think it is the idea of registering...putting your name on paper directly disobeying the organization.

13

Does anyone have parents who have left the BORG after you did?

by Alexia in

im thinking about my mother today.

shes been in the truth for over 30 years now baptized in her mid 20s.

she had been faithful the whole time despite being married to a severe alcoholic (my father only studied) for 27 years.

LearningMore

I agree with these comments. It also sounds a bit like my mom. I've wondered if I ever made her question enough if she would leave. But, then I thought, I don't know if that would be the best for her. It provides her social network, and fills her spiritual side. She has never had "issues" in the congregation...never been called to the back room or anything. I do think she has been excluded from things simply because my dad is not a witness, so she is alone at the meetings. I think women attending alone often get the shaft. But, she has her circle of friends, and I think she would feel lost without the witnesses.

39

Noah's ark - Can't believe I once actually thought it was true

by sam_sane_now in

when i was a jw i didn't even question that the noah's ark story might not be true.

i didn't realise that it wasn't achievable for a handful of people to gather literally millions of animals - two of each kind - and fit them into a boat where they would all survive for many days.

i didn't think about the fact that if the highest mountain was covered with water then how could plant life like trees and flowers come to exist again, especially so soon after, with the raven grabbing an olive leaf was it?

LearningMore

I have just recently started to question this type of thing. I am surprised I didn't wonder about it long ago. I mentioned to my mom that I didn't understand how it could have really been global, and she sent me some of the society's information. I pointed out to her that all the references were decades old....like from the 30s and 40s. I told her that a lot of science has changed since then, and it would be good to see updated references. I wonder if she will send me this new WT. I read it here on JWD, and it really does ask one to take a leap of faith. There was no scientific proof in there. I wonder why they don't just restate their reasoning from earlier literature...the ones with the really old references.

I think what also got me thinking was my "worldly" fiance saying, "The flood is just a parable!" I never really thought of it that way.

23

why do jw look down on someone going to college?

by jetery in

jw
friends

i wil never forget how when i graduated from high school in 1988 i had the opportnity to go to college.

all expenses paid.

my dad didnt approve of it and he was so emotionally abusive that i didnt go because i was told that i had to pioneer.

LearningMore

My high school teachers were probably very frustrated with me. I always did really well, but never planned on going to college, so I never really applied myself. I never took the SATs (of course!), which I think surprised both my teachers and my classmates. I got out of school early, and one of my teachers (a witness) tried to discourage me. Actually, he said if I were a boy, he would really, really discourage it implying that I would need a "real" high school diploma to support a family. Anyway, fast forward a couple short years, and I realized I needed to get some higher education just to be open up some doors. Long story short, it took about eight years, but I ended up with a Master's degree. I think getting an education was the best thing I ever did for myself.

I have to think that the WT does discourage higher education for the obvious reason (bad association), but also because of the training to use your brain. They say that reading the magazines and other literature is the same as getting a college education, but it is not! You are discouraged from critical thinking in the organization, and college ENCOURAGES it.

37

New Here

by LearningMore in

i have been lurking here for a couple of months.

i was born and raised as a witness, and am a little weirded out to even be posting on here (you know the paranoia).

anyway, i faded about 10 years ago, and after reading so many posts, i am so happy that it was a pretty uneventful experience.

LearningMore

Thanks for the welcome everyone. After 10 years of fading, I never was tempted to look at an "apostate" site. Then, I was home sick one day, and googled "young marriages + jehovah's witness" (one of my pet peeves) and this site came up. I was so nervous to read anything, but then I got hooked. I was amazed that there were so many elders, bethelites, and even Gilead-ites posting.

Awakened at Gilead:
"If you've been out for a while, then generally the elders won't touch you (per society's instructions in the elder's book)"

I hope this holds true. My "worldly" fiance suggested that since I've gone to memorial (for my mom's sake), maybe I would still be considered a witness. However, I went to the memorial out of my hometown, and I didn't say a word to anyone there. I am sure they thought I was a disfellowshipped person. LOL. But, I am getting married in my hometown, and a few old witness friends may attend. I am just trying not to worry about it. If they really want to df me, okay, fine. I won't be showing up for the jc. In all reality, I don't think they will try to "catch" me. And, if they did try to get me to come to a jc, I think it would be a big stumbling block for my mom.

Thanks again for the welcome everyone!

37

New Here

by LearningMore in

i have been lurking here for a couple of months.

i was born and raised as a witness, and am a little weirded out to even be posting on here (you know the paranoia).

anyway, i faded about 10 years ago, and after reading so many posts, i am so happy that it was a pretty uneventful experience.

LearningMore

Hi all,

I have been lurking here for a couple of months. I was born and raised as a witness, and am a little weirded out to even be posting on here (you know the paranoia). Anyway, I faded about 10 years ago, and after reading so many posts, I am so happy that it was a pretty uneventful experience. My dad was never a witness, and my congregation was dissolved at the same time I started to fade out. So, all in all, it couldn't have gone any better.

I still worry a bit about getting an out-of-the-blue call from the elders, but I now live in a different area and only my fiance and family know of my witness past. Even if I did get df'ed, my mom is liberal enough to still talk with me. I don't know if I ever really believed that it was the "truth." I don't even remember the year I got baptized nor the year I got reproved. I actually think I have learned more about the "truth" since I have been reading on this site. I just blindly accepted things and went on with my life. I got reproved (the jc was humiliating), and just decided that going to meetings was making me miserable, so I stopped. I don't remember any shepherding calls after that or anything...just poof.

My fiance doesn't quite understand my fascination with this board, but then, he was never a witness. It really does "take one to know one."

Thanks for letting me share.