LearningMore

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Posts by LearningMore

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  23

  Can we get a Newbie head count?

  by kzjw in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i haven't been here long...so is it just me or are the long standing jwd members noticing an influx of newbies?

  to me it seems they are on the rise!

  newbies stand up on this thread, be counted -- and welcomed!

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  LearningMore

  Newbie here.
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  24

  Do you feel smarter than the dubs still inside?

  by Samuel Thorsen in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i do .

  am i wrong?

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  LearningMore

  Yep. Because I've gone to college, and none of my witness school friends did. I don't think college inherently makes one smarter, but it certainly encourages you to look more critically at issues. And, for me at least, it did make me smarter than I was. I definitely feel more well rounded.
  
  Also, I'm think I have more street smarts like Casper said (although I was a "born in"). When you are afraid to do so much as a witness (i.e., brothers giving the example of the young woman who wanted to see what having a drink in a bar was like only to be drugged and assaulted), it really closes you off from reality. Obviously!
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  35

  Observations about dubs as people...

  by Princess Daisy Boo in

  1. jw
  2. 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?.

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  LearningMore

  So, that is a thought. Maybe people who are into homeopathy and/or pyramid schemes are drawn to the witnesses? I was thinking of it the other way around....that witnesses are drawn to it.....Interesting. Makes sense with some of the people I know....
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  35

  Observations about dubs as people...

  by Princess Daisy Boo in

  1. jw
  2. 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?.

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  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.
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  54

  Sisters with Kleenex on their head

  by LearningMore in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  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.

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  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.
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  54

  Sisters with Kleenex on their head

  by LearningMore in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  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.

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  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!
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  19

  The Ark of the Covenant

  by sacolton in

  1. jw
  2. friends

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  do you think it could be found?

  when was it last seen in the bible?.

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  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.
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  44

  Hi I'm new here - a bit about me

  by Fishbulb in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  well where do i start?

  i am 34, male and gay.

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

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  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.
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  13

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

  by Alexia in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  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.

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  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.
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  39

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

  by sam_sane_now in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  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?

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  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.