hillary_step

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Posts by hillary_step

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  6

  Faith?..... Schmaith.....

  by SixofNine in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  caller, you say?

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  hillary_step

  lol - think.....schtink! I think.

  HS
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  24

  Lefty/YK & Any Other JW's - ???

  by pettygrudger in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm extremely confused by the answers in some of your posts.

  you keep refering to "new light" and have also explained why the wtbts has made errors along the way, even though it has caused the "stumbling" of thousands.

  your logic makes sense except for 1 questions that continues to go through my mind.. although all of god's messengers, apostles, disciples, etc.

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  hillary_step

  Lefty,

  Welcome to the board, but you are really going to have to do a little better than this:

  Yes, there have indeed been adjustments … and readjustments of some of THOSE adjustments for that matter. Seems silly to some, but not to those who are just as determined as the writers of the publications of the WTS.

  Nuff said.....with logic like this in action imagine the state of the 'New World'. Square wheels, chocolate barbecues and numerous conferences discussing the many uses of 'creative clapping'.

  Best regards - HS

  Folly consists in drawing of false conclusions from just principles, by which it is distinguished from madness, which draws just conclusions from false principles Locke
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  7

  Music For Mountaineeers

  by hillary_step in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  any of you who have ever read the electrifying book by john krakauer into thin air, that related the tragic events of 1998 expedition to conquer everest, will appreciate this work in progress song.

  it needs polishing and you will need to turn up the volume.. it is named 'ghosts of the ascent'.

  : http://www.dannyokeefe.com/sound/dok_ghosts.mp3.

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  hillary_step

  Undine,

  Thank you for your comments, I will pass these on to Danny.

  Best - HS

  Josephus,

  Yes, I have. Alberta has some stunning scenery and good climbs. You will love it when you move. I believe our illustrious host Simon is heading for Alberta at some stage.

  Take care - HS
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  19

  How long out? Why still here?

  by hillary_step in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  some posters to this board, who perhaps are bored posters, have been out of the wts for a long while, some for decades.

  i think i understand why you still feel the need to meet here but just wished to hear from you personally.. how long have you been out?

  why do you still feel the need to discuss and involve yourselves with jw issues?

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  hillary_step

  Hi Introspection,

  Me, simple. No life.

  I find that very hard to believe, your posts are always among the most interesting on the Board. Glad to see that you have moved on with life.

  Simon,

  Because the WTS has had such a deep and long term effect on my life and my familly, even after leaving for any length of time it is still 'pert of your life'. It doesn't mean you aren't 'over it' and don't move on but for me, it's good to try and do something positive (and computer stuff is really the only thing I'm good at).

  Yes, Simon. The conditioning we have gone through has been honed over a century. Sadly, I somehow think that elements of it will be with us until we die and that these posts are a refelction of that.

  I just hope that in ten years time, if I am still living, as age is not my best friend these days, I will not experience an emotional shudder when I drive past a Kingdom Hall, or a group of JW's moving door to door but be able to put all these events into some sort of historical perspective.

  Thank you all for your enlightening comments - HS
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  19

  How long out? Why still here?

  by hillary_step in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  some posters to this board, who perhaps are bored posters, have been out of the wts for a long while, some for decades.

  i think i understand why you still feel the need to meet here but just wished to hear from you personally.. how long have you been out?

  why do you still feel the need to discuss and involve yourselves with jw issues?

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  hillary_step

  Hello Tina,

  I hope that you are well too and I enjoyed hearing your tale of survival, thank you for relating it.

  Can you clarify this for me? Was it just my cong? Can anyome just walk back into a cong after afew years like nothing happened? With no study w/ the elders or one appointed by them?

  The strange fact is that you can if you know the game. Arms will be flung around you, spontaneous slobbery kisses, numerous invites out to eat etc. I genuinely believe that JW's do sincerely love people, at least at first!

  After a few weeks things settle and there may be an attempt or two to entice you on service or to attend a few 'get-togethers'. The elders will mention how nice it is to see you, discuss you in minute detail at the elders meeting, assign sombody, who you may be seen to be getting along with to 'help' you. If you make it clear at this stage that you are happy just doing what you are doing, you will be left alone to inhabit the back rows and providing you do not answer up at the meetings very much and adopt a low profile, you will be left alone until you die. If you are mousy and have a blendable face it is so much easier. Given our shared national heritage which I am sure in both our cases brings with it a natural beauty! and a large personality Tina, it would be tough for people like you and I to do much blending though!

  In theory the answer to your question is yes, if you have no demerits (DF or DA ) you can go back on your own terms and pretty much be left alone if you so wish. Most elders breath a sigh of relief when a publisher asks to be left alone, it saves them much work.

  I remember around 12 years ago a female JW from a local congregation telephoned me in distress as one particular elder was continually trying to 'shepherd' her. I told her to tell him firmly and confidently, 'No thank you XXXX, I am fine without one'. She was never visited again!

  Kindest regards - HS
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  38

  How Long???

  by Xena in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have been drifting for about 1 1/2 years now and was hoping that in a year or two i would have distanced myself enough from the org.

  that i can actually start living my life exactly the way i want to...aka celebrating the holidays by putting lights on the house, not having to tell my daughter not to say anything about going trick or treating, getting birthday presents or going to cheerleader camp.

  but i read some posts in the disfellowhiping thread started by somebody where people have been inactive for 3 years and are still disfellowhiped!

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  hillary_step

  Radar,

  Click my 'threads started' you will get a little history.

  HS
• 
  19

  How long out? Why still here?

  by hillary_step in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  some posters to this board, who perhaps are bored posters, have been out of the wts for a long while, some for decades.

  i think i understand why you still feel the need to meet here but just wished to hear from you personally.. how long have you been out?

  why do you still feel the need to discuss and involve yourselves with jw issues?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  hillary_step

  Hello,

  Some posters to this Board, who perhaps are bored posters, have been out of the WTS for a long while, some for decades. I think I understand why you still feel the need to meet here but just wished to hear from you personally.

  How long have you been out? Why do you still feel the need to discuss and involve yourselves with JW issues? How has you life been since leaving?

  Thank you in anticipation of some interesting answers. Fred and YK, as you are not really JW's by WTS definitions, you may join in this conversation if you so wish.

  Best regards - HS

  edited for grammatical piggies
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  38

  How Long???

  by Xena in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have been drifting for about 1 1/2 years now and was hoping that in a year or two i would have distanced myself enough from the org.

  that i can actually start living my life exactly the way i want to...aka celebrating the holidays by putting lights on the house, not having to tell my daughter not to say anything about going trick or treating, getting birthday presents or going to cheerleader camp.

  but i read some posts in the disfellowhiping thread started by somebody where people have been inactive for 3 years and are still disfellowhiped!

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  hillary_step

  Radar,

  One of the things that seems to keep people coming to this board even after having left the WTS decades ago is the problem with non-communicative families due to shunning, DA, etc.

  Does your not rocking the boat, so to speak, make things better in the long run?

  The fact is yes, it does make things better - much better. A person is able to leave the WTS and still have the friendship of the people that they often hold to be the dearest thing in their lives.

  The diplomatic course is not of course for everybody, but people should think very carefully, and count the costs before taking another path.

  HS
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  38

  How Long???

  by Xena in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have been drifting for about 1 1/2 years now and was hoping that in a year or two i would have distanced myself enough from the org.

  that i can actually start living my life exactly the way i want to...aka celebrating the holidays by putting lights on the house, not having to tell my daughter not to say anything about going trick or treating, getting birthday presents or going to cheerleader camp.

  but i read some posts in the disfellowhiping thread started by somebody where people have been inactive for 3 years and are still disfellowhiped!

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  hillary_step

  Xena,

  It very much depends on your body of elders.

  There is an unwritten five year rule with the CO's but I have continually seen this breached over the years. I will say that 18 months is not long enough to avoid the processing of a JC even with an understanding body of elders. I you want to share friendship with your family, a little patience shown now, frustrating though it is to do, will be of much value to you in your future and that of your family.

  The process is eased by not discussing anti-WTS matters with any JW and just being viewed as a spiritually weak person. Pity will then be your friend rather than judgment your enemy.

  Be good - HS
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  12

  What really gets me going

  by ballistic in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have gone through various emotions including anger at the wtbts for all that i went through while growing up only to be disfellowshipped at 22.. my net result is a dead father due to the blood issue and a split family and, of course, years of wasted time.. i would like to say, however, that i am not angry with all witnesses and i am not a conspiracist who believes the leaders have a hidden agenda.. i believe that informed persons should be able to join the witnesses if they believe it is right for them.. what i hate though is the fact that thousands of children, like i was, are still indoctrinated from birth.

  they are told "we don't baptise babies because they are too young to choose it for themselves.

  " but in reality, what choice are you really giving a child who by the age of 13 would have experienced: 3380 hours of meetings, 832 hours of larger assemblies, possibly 1560 hours of field service, at least 2028 hours of personal study (watchtower, book study and personal study) and more importantly, what choice does a child have who is told they have an open mind but who is never allowed examine religions or persons with opposing views?.

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  hillary_step

  Think41Self,

  but I FIRMLY believe that they recognize the error of their ways in regards to some of this, but the fear of LOSS OF POWER keeps them from changing it or admitting to it. Just my opinion. And to me, that makes them contemptible human beings.

  A more accurate summation of the reality of this problem I have yet to read.

  Rest assured however, while the GB are running the 'unity at all costs' slogan inherited from their forefathers, dissidents are becoming bolder by the hour.

  The WTS is presently deeply concerned about the 'persecution' that has erupted in the post internet days. It has to be mentioned that the more problems seen to be heaped at the doors of the WTS the more many become affirmed that the end is nigh. TJ of course is highly excited by governmental and social resistance thinking that the Big 'A' is on the doorstep and that they were correct in their theology after all, but many have a much more realistic grasp of the situation.

  Waging a battle of insults against the JW's has imho no point when their leaders who direct and confine their thoughts are the true culprits. Individual JW's become the 'soft target' but not neccessarily the important ones. The UN/NGO fiasco is clear evidence that people power reaches deep into the corridors of power in Brooklyn and perhaps point to the true avenue for change. As time goes on more of this type of issue, which is frankly the tip of the iceberg will follow.

  Best regards - HS