independent_tre

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Posts by independent_tre

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  29

  Thanks and Who Am I...

  by trebor in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  first thanks to all for this board and forum and all the stories, information and thoughts that are shared.

  i have been a lurker now for almost a year, and now that newbies can get on board, here i am.. here's my story.

  baptized at 15 and made ministerial servant by 19. my father, mother, siblings and entire side of my mother's family are jehovah's witnesses.

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  independent_tre

  Welcome Trebor, thanks for posting your experience. The influx of newbies gives new life to an already wonderful resource for those leaving the org. Hope to read more of your posts.
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  35

  Not a Lurker anymore!!!!!

  by Ohio Nana in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have been reading your posts the last couple of weeks and wanted to post and talk to all of you and at last i can.. first i am (or was)a unbaptised publisher but have jw daughter (really into it)and jw granddaughters and df son in law(for smoking).. i studied for 2 yrs and tried field service(hated hated hated it).anyway reading your posts helped me to make the decison that.

  i just couldn't go on going to meetings even to be with my grandchildren(who i love dearly)and living a lie.

  i believe jw's are a cult and the.

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  independent_tre

  Rolls out the another welcome mat.... Hello!!!
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  36

  I'm Finally Registered!

  by SuspiciousMinds in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  wow - finally!.

  after several months of reading this forum daily, i'm finally registered and able to post!

  i know many of you well from reading current threads almost daily since last summer.

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  independent_tre

  Well Howdy!!
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  47

  Jehovahs Witnesses - Mainstreaming, Like It Or Not

  by metatron in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it used to be that pioneers supported themselves with free literature and magazines and put in 100+ hours a month.

  then 90, then 70.. a publisher had to put in at least an hour a month to be counted.

  now 15 minutes.. they used to hand out a written review and collect it and grade it!

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  independent_tre

  I agree with Password Prot. While many JW can spout certain overemphasized verses ( Matt 24:14 comes to mind) I find that few are familiar with anything Scriptural and only familiar with the most recent WT studies or other publications.

  Lady Lee's points also stand out as well. Many of the cost saving tactics are unimportant in comparison to the continual dogmatic pressing of dubs not straying, doubting or being critical of anything the WTS prints. There's also the WT constant reminders about "rebellious talk" and "independent thinking", that stops even the mildest of witnesses from asking questions.
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  22

  Favorite Martini?

  by Bubblie in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  ever had a blue smoke martini?

  it is great not sure what it in it but really pretty and tasty.. kit.

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  independent_tre

  Lemon drop martini
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  23

  Doesn't this quote ring a bell?

  by WingCommander in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "when our own thoughts are forbidden, when our questions are not allowed and our doubts are punished, when contacts and friendships outside of the organization are censored, we are being abused for an end that never justifies its means.

  when our heart aches knowing we have made friendships and secret attachments that will be forever forbidden if we leave, we are in danger.

  when we consider staying in a group because we cannot bear the loss, disappointment and sorrow our leaving will cause for ourselves and those we have come to love, we are in a cult.

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  independent_tre

  my first time reading that quote; and I agree - truer words have never been spoken.

  Thanks
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  37

  Choosing Death (for born ins)

  by brinjen in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  it's a powerful weapon isn't it?

  death.

  it was used on all of us at one stage when we were inside of that cult.

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  independent_tre

  All of us here had the most powerful weapon used against us... and they still couldn't break us. Yet, they call us 'weak'.

  That makes it so weird trying to 'fade' from the org, because I feel that dubs around me try to look down on me as if I am weak, when I feel anything but weak. I feel full of life, like I've regained some lost freedom.

  Great post.
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  9

  Spirituality WT style: it's all business

  by JimmyPage in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  isn't it funny to think the wt claims to have anything to do with spirituality?

  i mean, here is a business that measures how "spiritual" you are by the number of hours you spend each month serving the corporation.

  its most respected "spiritual" leaders have business titles like "circuit overseers" and "district overseers".

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  independent_tre

  Very business-like, lacking any emotion, spontaniety or feeling. That's why they're called meetings not worship.

  Don't forget to bring all of your documents ( WT, Books, KM, etc) calendars/schedules, highlighters and pens.

  And don't worry if you get sick or ill in the middle of giving a part, they will continue as if nothing happened. Gotta stay on schedule.

  And please keep your kids quiet!! They should learn to sit for hours at boring adult oriented meetings.
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  49

  For Valentine's Day I made my wife cry

  by JimmyPage in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  well the fit hit the shan today.. i was lying in bed and my wife was trying to get me up for service.

  i kept telling her no.

  she kept asking why not.. when i felt the moment was right i talked to her calmly.

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  independent_tre

  I agree with JWdaughter in that this thing will come in waves, so even though she may be okay now, it may not be so peachy on meeting night. Nellie's advice seems on point. PasswordP'd stated:

  You're exactly right. I know for a fact (personal experience) that JWs would rather hear of a man cheating on his wife than hear that a man has doubts in the transient teachings of a New York-based publishing corporation. They'd rather you were blatantly working against black and white Biblical principles (committing adultery) than questioning the latest interpretation of the generation.*

  That is so humorous and sad at the same time. It's amazing that people, including myself, at one time gave this group of men power over their lives and power to destroy families.

  All in all, I think you're on the right track and I hope things work out for the best.
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  20

  Update: Mrs. Chickennest's cancer

  by Thechickennest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my dear wife has undergone three rounds of chemotherapy as an inpatient at the mayo clinic in the past two months.

  we are returning to minnesota/mayo clinic this saturday.

  she will begin seven weeks of chemotherapy/radiation.

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  independent_tre

  I'm glad to hear that she is responding to the chemo. Sending positive vibes her way for a speedy recovery!