Posts by startingovernow

14

what to say?

by xig28 in

hello i just started a new profile here but i have been wandering around here for awhile.i have seen many stories somewhat similar to what i have right now.

i have read many post from people here and they have been somewhat helpful ,but now i need help with a little of my own problem.

for future refrences i apologize if my story isnt as descriptive as i want it to be but please read until the very end.. well for starters i am 16, yes i am young and have my entire life ahead of me to enjoy but idk if i can fully enjoy it but please just listen to my story.

startingovernow

You have much wisdom

44

Anti-College/Pro-Pioneering Convention Interviews

by Rohag in

here's the text of interviews from the friday afternoon "young people - walk by holy spirit in the congregation" presentation at a 2008 jehovah's witness district convention.

this transcription approximately covers the second half of the presentation.

i've omitted names and locations to preserve individuals' privacy.

startingovernow

I think college is about more than getting a job anyway. It's not practical to expect one to learn all they need in life from high school and the Awake! magazines. And not all of us will be happy for the long run at having a "trade." When I look back at all the families/people in the congregations I knew with financial problems, trouble managing their weight, marital unhappiness, trouble with their kids, trouble communicating with others, misconceptions about medical issues, etc. I think that we could all benefit from a college course in accounting, nutrition, marriage and family, developmental psychology, communication, and human anatomy and physiology at the very least. I think I would add religion and philosophy/critical thinking to that list also.

44

Anti-College/Pro-Pioneering Convention Interviews

by Rohag in

here's the text of interviews from the friday afternoon "young people - walk by holy spirit in the congregation" presentation at a 2008 jehovah's witness district convention.

this transcription approximately covers the second half of the presentation.

i've omitted names and locations to preserve individuals' privacy.

startingovernow

Recycling experiences. There was an elder in a former congregation of mine that was interviewed as a great example because he used his job's shift change to pioneer. He worked nights and pioneered during the day. What a great example for the rest of us. Nothing was mentioned that he wasn't very awake out in service, didn't talk much to us, the car group, not very friendly. But, a great example nonetheless. Well, he made it through pioneer school and then stopped pioneering. The next year there he was again, up on the stage at an assembly being interviewed on how he put spiritual things first by taking advantage of his job change to pioneer, yet he was not pioneering. What's worse? - that the elder giving the interview couldn't find or didn't bother looking for someone else who was "putting the kingdom first by pioneering" or the brother giving the experience to pioneer in order to go through pioneer school but not for the long haul?

And how long ago did this sister find a trade school that was so wonderful? 39 years ago? Is such a guarentee of a part-time job that will sustain someone still available? And the young brother- what's going to happen if he ever gets married, has a family.. how active will he be able to be with what -- homeschool diploma, GED?

44

Anti-College/Pro-Pioneering Convention Interviews

by Rohag in

here's the text of interviews from the friday afternoon "young people - walk by holy spirit in the congregation" presentation at a 2008 jehovah's witness district convention.

this transcription approximately covers the second half of the presentation.

i've omitted names and locations to preserve individuals' privacy.

startingovernow

What I think is so sad is that the view of education changes depends a lot on where you live or who you listen to. When I lived in one area the C.O. gave a part on an assembly interviewing and commending those who had left college to pioneer. When he visited my congregation he encouraged young people to get an apprenticeship. That's what he did (and how long ago was that?) How many apprenticeships take high school students who have not taken trade type classes? He said that when people ask him if a 2 year school would be OK for their child he replies that he doesn't know what state their spirituality will be in after two years. Nothing on what their economic state will be ten years from then with no education. Shortly after this I moved to another state and at the cirucit assembly there was a young girl being interviewed telling us how she was pursuing an assoiciates degree at the community college while auxiliary pioneering. Why does this girl get to go and probably be able to sustain her pioneer service while others have to come off the list because of financial reasons due to not being educated enough to support themselves part-time?

18

NEED ADVICE opinions wanted.

by burningbridges in

jw
friends

ok, i need advice, i put this originally under a different thread but definitely not angled the right way.... opinions wanted!!!!!!.

i really want to have another baby right now, but i'm going through a divorce.

the guy i'm with right now is great (been with him eight months ok, stop, don't judge, listen to the whole story!!!

startingovernow

That's a tough situation. And while I am hestitant to offer advice because I equate it with telling someone what to do, I'll say this - If you want your children to be close in age and yet have not had your daughter spend time with your potential husband, wouldn't it be a tough adjustment for her to have both a new father and a baby sibling in such a short time span. How would she deal with his natural affection and gaga-ing over his birth child while possibly disciplining her/getting used to/ frustrated with her behaviors? Your husband is still JW? - then you might be faced with his attempts to alienate your daughter from you and that's going to add even more challenges to your new marriage. Anyway, I hope you have plenty of support, both professional (more family classes/therapy) and I hope the new (but old) guy's family is a loving family to you.

62

RECENT REVISIONS TO THE KH DRESS CODE?

by navytownroger in

i was told by my former book-study conductor recently that a new 'dress code' had been handed down by the wts, because people had been 'getting too casual' with their styles of clothing.

one item he mentioed was a new rule for women prohibiting denim skirts.

and, when a woman wore a denim jacket, she was also told this was not appropriate for the kh.

startingovernow

I've heard the disapproval from a couple C.O.'s about "some sisters" wearing denim skirts out in field service.

The trouble with such "rules" at Bethel is that some take it to mean everything that is done at Bethel is what we should be doing. Some study the Watchtower on Mondays because that's when the Bethel family does. Sisters are not to wear tank tops at Bethel, so we shouldn't either...and on and on.

When I got married and moved to serve where the need was great on Witness told me I should not return for a vist for 3 years because that what Gilead graduates do.

Whatever.

28

The lengths a closed mind will go to.

by dietequiladie in

jw
friends

check this out.

this is what we're up against.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/1kiruj6v7sb8n/ref=cm_syt_dtpa_f_1_rdsssl0?pf_rd_p=253457301&pf_rd_s=sylt-center&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0941813053&pf_rd_m=atvpdkikx0der&pf_rd_r=0r7kvqvgpv0ddbnzn1hb.

startingovernow

Wouldn't posting such a comment imply she read these books, and wouldn't reading such books mean she is going the way of the apostate? Or is OK to post like she did as long as she counted her time while typing? Does her time continue each time she checks to see who replied to her comment?

5

Higer Education Value

by wunce_wuz in

i know this subject has been discussed over and over again on here.

an article i came across, which i'm sure enough know based on prior comments.. lifetime earnings soar with educationlifetime earnings soar with education.

masters degree worth $2.5 million income over a lifetime .

startingovernow

What I think is so sad is that the view of education changes depends a lot on where you live or who you listen to. When I lived in one area the C.O. gave a part on an assembly interviewing and commending those who had left college to pioneer. When he visited my congregation he encouraged young people to get an apprenticeship. That's what he did (and how long ago was that?) How many apprenticeships take high school students who have not taken trade type classes? He said that when people ask him if a 2 year school would be OK for their child he replies that he doesn't know what state their spirituality will be in after two years. Nothing on what their economic state will be ten years from then with no education. Shortly after this I moved to another state and at the cirucit assembly there was a young girl being interviewed telling us how she was pursuing an assoiciates degree at the community college while auxiliary pioneering. Why does this girl get to go and probably be able to sustain her pioneer service while others have to come off the list because of financial reasons due to not being educated enough to support themselves part-time?

25

bad experiences with C.O.s?

by startingovernow in

jw
friends

i am still trying to recover from an experience that i had with a c.o.

reading other discussions has helped me to start getting other bad experiences into a better perspective and since the experience with the c.o.

was really the final straw i was hoping that reading that i am not alone would help me in moving on.

startingovernow

Hello. I am still trying to recover from an experience that I had with a C.O. (Christ/Crist). Reading other discussions has helped me to start getting other bad experiences into a better perspective and since the experience with the C.O. was really the final straw I was hoping that reading that I am not alone would help me in moving on. Long story fairly short - After a long history of faithful service despite great opposition outside congregation and pettiness and ridiculous cattiness inside, I became ill and couldn't attend meetings. Add to this that I read every article in every WT and Awake! and reading about such wonderful experiences of how others were supported by the congregation emotionally, spiritually, in practical ways, etc. and then seeing the opposite in the congregations I had been a part of made me more ill. When the C.O. spoke to me he did not take into consideration that I came into the "Truth" all by myself, had pioneered, gave up going to college for the sake of the good news, etc., etc., but told me since I had not been to meetings it was a case of out of sight, out of mind. He did not ask me anything about what led up to my not being at meetings. He did not pray with me or read a scripture until he was getting ready to leave after a long accusatory discussion that was the opposite of what I had needed - encouragement, upbuilding, strengthening aid, etc. At the time I was in such shock over the things that he was saying, things that indicated that he wasn't very bright as regards as to his position in the congregation, or on how to treat members of the flock but I had been trained that to speak against elders was to speak against the holy spirit. So I sat there trying to wait for some encouragement, since surely Jehovah had heard my prayers for such encouragement. I had been told at pioneer school that even a broken clock is right twice a day and so I felt stuck, that Jehovah was answering my prayer and that maybe once I listened to his "counseling" he would move on to the encouragment. He took my explaining my situation as complaining against the elders when I was really trying to explain what had happened to get me in the situation I was in, that I had gone to the elders first, explaining that I needed help and got nothing but a few e-mails saying how great the meeting was, sorry we missed you - no scriptures were read, not prayers to help strengthen me. My submissiveness and lack of training in assertiveness led me to sit there and not say, "brother, I've studied, I've prayed, I've gone to the elders for help. None of that has helped me and I was hoping you, as a C.O. could offer me some encouragement. If you are not here to do that, please leave." But I did not have the sense to do that because at the time I thought that to turn him away would be turnign Jehovah away.

Could you share your similar experiences, especially with this person. When he left he told me he heard "this" a lot. I'm not sure what "this" was but looking back, it seems he came with a preconceived belief about me- that I was a complainer, didn't want to hear anything contrary and yet did not follow the WT counsel to not dwell on negativity about the congregation if someone is complaining, but instead stick to scriptural and upbuilding conversation - he did not do that al all. I'm wondering how many people he has helped to give up going on in the "Truth."

Thanks for your help.

29

Why was the "Manking Search For God" publication never a study book?

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

any takers?.

i'm guessing it's because people might get too curious when covering the material and wonder about different religions..

startingovernow

I remember reading this book cover to cover and being disappointed I had no one in the congregation to talk with about it. "Too busy to read it" was one comment I heard. It's sad that people who claim to be interested in helping others don't have time to see where the people they are talking to at doors, streets, etc. are coming from. I remember how sad I felt when Taoism was mentioned in other publications for study and I made a comment with the proper pronunciation (more like dowism) and the conductor either "corrected" me saying " you mean TAY O ISM," or said, "Is that how that is pronounced?". They would have known if they read the Mankind's Search book (or at least a dictionary). I've recently found some audio courses at my public library from the Teaching Company that gives AWESOME lectures on such subjects as philosophy of religion, science of religion, origin of life, buddism, islam, judiasm, etc.

This is my first post so hello to all.