hi all, i've been reading this site for about a month now and decided it was time to jump in.
it is truly a blessing to have people who know exactly what we are going through.
some background, i'll keep it short:.
Welcome WildFlower!
I too was the 'sister' with the unbelieving mate. Half the time, while I was in, I couldn't tell if I was looked down upon or just pitied because of that. But like you and so many others, The Internet opened up a world of information I never had access to and within a few months of reading and researching, I broke free of the WT chains.
You're in good company and thanks for posting!
i did, but i have never told my story, i could not tell you my story here because it would be too revealing as to who i am.
if i did not experience like what i have experienced, i would probably avoid those damn apostate sites like this site!
well, i think it is a blessing for me to join this site because i have learned alot!
There was no specific incident that I can think of, but I found the whole df'ing process to be unjust. Not just the shunning, but the process was so arbitrary and inconsistent. I would see people df'd, and then never miss a meeting. Others would somehow skate by for similar transgressions. It was all contingent on a group of imperfect men determining how repentant the person was. It didn't seem right to me that they could make a decision that could affect another person's life so deeply.
Keyser, you were reading my mind as I was just having a discussion about this with my husband as we just had a similar scenario happen in our family. While the person came out with minor injuries ( private reproof), yet another, less popular dub would have probably been DF'd for the same transgressions. It's like a 'who-you-know' type clout. And very inconsistent.
Shalimar - I'm sorry, but the 'we're all imperfect' argument goes right out the door, when you explicitly state that your religion is the only right and true one, that JW's are morally cleaner than people in other religions. JWs love to exult themselves and their religion above everyone else, with heaping boastfulness as they condemn everyone in "Christedom" . - you can't have your cake and eat it to. Dubs love to say "tsk, tsk, look at all the sins of wordly people' out one side of their face, and then when a JW commits some wrongdoing, say 'but we're all imperfect'. It's the rafter in the eye scenario ( Matt 7:3).
about a year and 12 ago, after much conversation with a jw co-worker, we began a formal study.
we studied religiously (no pun intended) almost every week unless i was on business travel or there was a sickness or other item that precluded us from getting together.. .
during that process, we became very strong, close friends... at least that is what i thought was happening.
Welcome!
I will echo what many others have said already,...in that you probably weren't progressing. But I'd like to add that JW's are made to feel incredibly guilty and sinful if they develop a close relationship with a 'wordly' person. Your study conductor ( that's JW lingo) probably did genuinely like you as a person and if religion weren't involved, you sound like you may have had a really good friendship. But 1 Corinthians 15:33 is rammed down the throats of JW's making them feel afraid of being around anyone who is not a JW. JW's are not supposed to associate with 'worldly' workmates, schoolmates, neighbors, relatives, or any JWs considered 'weak' in the truth. Not very Christ-like at all.
I'm sorry for your pain, but definitely considered yourself lucky that you didn't get dunked. (baptized)
Take care
it shows people running away crying, and fire balls coming from heaven, with angels firing arrows at them.. i really don't think this kind of picture is neccesary.. i don't know how to paste a picture here, i'd appreciate if someone could do it for everyone to see what i am talking about.. .
gb.
it's incredible that they place this stuff in the 'members only' version, yet hide it from the public watered down version. hmmm I wonder why?
The poster who hinted that this is just to keep the rank in file in line is def. on to something.
i am in my early forties.
grew up in the truth.
i remember talks at the assemblies by the governing body in the 80's.
Excellent post Mary ~ this is a great thread.
i had the last in a series of tests and scans today and the verdict is that there are no signs of recurring cancer showing up!
needless to say, the day was very long (as has been this entire week) and i am still quite tired out.....but i am so relieved and so grateful that the healing hand of my precious savior has touched me once again.
he has blessed me.. thank you all for your loving prayers and your good wishes that have been so encouraging to me along the way.
Great news!!
i hope this is the right section to post this!
i just finished a new video discussing the july 2009 awake article, is it wrong to change your religion?.
most of us have been pretty shocked over this one, so i think it's important to get the message out there as much as we can.
Excellent video.
as some of you know my husband became ill and we lost our house in indiana.
my parents offered to help and although i really didn't want to do it knowing that my parents have limited resources i really didn't have a choice.
i also wanted to come back to a place that was familiar and where most of my family and friends are.
Hi,
Just read your about what's happening and I totally feel for you. It sounds like you have a toxic relationship with your parents and you just have to keep them at a distance for sanity's sake. I hope things get better. Let those who build you up and support you into your life, and like you said.. kick all that other mess to the curb!
may 4th was the 15th anniversary of my mom's sudden death as a result of a brain aneurysm.
she died near the arkansas-tenneessee border on a tour bus headed for the brooklyn headquarters.
there were a number of over jws from my, then, local congregation with her and my dad.
- (((HUGS)))
I'd say yes as I've been accused of 'overthinking' things.
