Posts by wantstoleave

56

Just worn out

by EmptyInside in

jw
friends

i thought it best i stay a lurker.

it's just right now, i'm going through some doubts and just plain discouraged.

sometimes, trying to do everything just wears me out, and i feel like i'm suffocating.

Welcome to the board :) Reading your story, I could sympathise completely. I felt exactly as you did, in my early 20s. I would cry myself to sleep, wondering what was wrong with me that no brothers had taken interest. I was spiritual, though had a weak family at the time, but tried my very best. I'm not unattractive, yet I couldn't seem to find anyone. I must admit, I never actively sought anyone, rather I prayed that Jehovah find me someone when the time was right. That was what I was always told to rely on, so I did. Unfortunately (in my case and maybe not others), I found a brother via the internet, who turned out to be a total idiot. I was now more lonely being married then I was being single. It happens.

I don't know what to say, because my sister is headed down the same track. She doesn't say much, she's very quiet, but I know she wants to be married and she'll be 24 next month. Searching for a mate within the organisation can become a very small channel. If you indeed want to remain a witness, but marry a non-JW, then you will still be lonely at conventions. You may eventually marry a brother, but chances are he'll be alot older than you, and divorced. Unfortunately for sisters there isn't the same ratio of brothers, so brothers can be choosy, while sisters generally have to take what comes.

I am now a single mum and I find conventions terrible. I am all alone. But, you must remind yourself that even those who profess to be happy aren't always. Sometimes what goes on behind closed doors is an eye opener. My advice would be to enjoy the freedom you have, because if you marry a brother, headship comes into play (Im talking in a JW sense here folks) and you will be expected to tow the line. I don't know you enough to know how you are with authority, but there are some real doozies of brothers out there who take the headship thing to extremes.

There's alot to be considered. But please don't for a second think that there is something wrong with you. I've been there, thought that and married the first one that came along - and it was a crock. Be choosy. But be happy. And, we're all here for you :) I too am still exploring things, having only just begun visiting this board. It's been a real help so far :)

17

1914 - what is the gist?

by wantstoleave in

so, i'm totally confused about the whole 1914 thing.

maybe i missed out on hearing the new line of thinking regarding it, i don't know.

so what is the latest thinking regarding it?

wantstoleave

So, I'm totally confused about the whole 1914 thing. Maybe I missed out on hearing the new line of thinking regarding it, I don't know. So what is the latest thinking regarding it? Is it that those of the remnant will not die? Some will see Armageddon? Or that they will all be 'taken' just before it? What is the 'generation' thing? Sorry for the questions if it's already been answered. Just trying to piece the puzzle together :)

13

Garrido was a "very absorbed" Jehovah's Witness

by skeeter1 in

the most disturbed people flock to the most demanding religions..... this article gives me yet another perspective as to why the jehovah's witnesses attract and retain child abusers and molestors.. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/09/12/us/ap-us-garrido-and-god.html.

garrido's twisted path led often to god.

by the associated press .

wantstoleave

I heard his mother is still a witness (she was living with him but bedridden) but that he no longer belonged to the faith.

I know this because I know someone who lived in the same town (some time ago), and knew the mother personally. She hadn't had anything to do with her for a long time however, since she became bedridden. I presume the elders visited her though, right?

12

Do you play the lottery?

by asilentone in

jw
friends

if you do, would you let me choose the numbers for you, if we win, we can split the money.

deal?

.

wantstoleave

This is where I dont agree with the whole JW lottery ticket buying no no. To me, its no different then going into a store, buying a particular product because you can 'win' on it. Often, you dont even need or want the item you're buying, but only do so in hopes you may win a prize. Im sure most witnesses do that, yet to me, its like a lottery. There are no guarantees you'll win anything. I think I'll buy a lottery ticket one of these days :)

13

My First Kingdom Hall Wedding

by garyneal in

during our last "bible study" session with the elder and his wife, we were invited to attend a wedding of a dear and close 'brother' and 'sister' of thiers at their hall.

my wife made me where a suit .

the wedding overall was nice.

wantstoleave

Lol....Ive learnt, only go to weddings that invite you to the reception...hehe

50

How Did You Handle Sitting At The Meetings?

by minimus in

jw
friends

did you pretend to listen?

did you actually follow along, listening intently?.

at the end i was listening more intently and getting more irritated by the whole sham..

wantstoleave

The Sunday meeting is much shorter these days. Goes for about an hour and a half now. Still hard to sit through though...LOL!

26

Watchtower Quotes on Mind-control

by OnTheWayOut in

many are not sure or deny that wts is a dangerous mind-control cult.

here is some food for thought on the "dangerous mind-control" part of that.

(cut and pasted from http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=122936768817 jehovah's disfellowshipped witnesses/facebook).

wantstoleave

Are there any more recent articles? I notice alot of those mentioned date way back. I wonder if they have changed their stance on some of those things since?

50

How Did You Handle Sitting At The Meetings?

by minimus in

jw
friends

did you pretend to listen?

did you actually follow along, listening intently?.

at the end i was listening more intently and getting more irritated by the whole sham..

wantstoleave

Speaking of elders being so busy at the KH to be bored sitting down, there have been a few talks over the years regarding mothers. I've heard many a time a brother from the stage berate mothers, saying in most cases they choose to have children so they don't have to sit and pay attention at the meeting. How rude! Forget the fact that most KH's now have a 'parents room', which caters to moms and dads caring for kids, but also that there's usually a switch you can turn on to listen to the talks. They implied that while the mother is up and about with the child, she's not listening to instruction and having fun. Whatever!

As for me, I used to listen intently, take lots of notes. Once I had kids, that went out the window...lol. Not by choice but because it's a very busy time being a mom, at the KH or not. I had no time to look up every scripture mentioned, or take down notes. Nowadays I sit there like a zombie. Nothing goes in. I mostly can't help but silently huff and puff at certain comments from the stage. I don't mean to be disrespectful, I just don't tolerate ignorance very well.

13

My First Kingdom Hall Wedding

by garyneal in

during our last "bible study" session with the elder and his wife, we were invited to attend a wedding of a dear and close 'brother' and 'sister' of thiers at their hall.

my wife made me where a suit .

the wedding overall was nice.

wantstoleave

If the Df person is living under your roof, then yes, they are not to be shunned as typically normal. That is the only instance where you do not have to shun someone. You still wouldn't talk about spiritual matters with them, but you can treat them as normal. If they do not live under your roof, then the shunning takes place.

Btw, not all witnesses have long, drawn out wedding talks. Some are so quick you could blink an eye and they'd be over...lol. It depends on who you get to do your talk, and what you'd like to include.

32

Even in their prayers they prove that they are a cult.

by Sour Grapes in

at the meeting sunday the brother giving one of the prayers said.

"that we than you for your organization because people who are outside.

of the congregation are corrupt and wicked.".

wantstoleave

When my father prays, he still mentions my brother, who has been inactive many years. He says 'please bring him back'. He's learnt to accept that my brother isn't in the truth (even though he doesn't celebrate birthdays or holidays) but still holds out hope. There was a time there when my brother would visit and as he was leaving dad would always yell out 'think theocratic'. It used to make me feel awful. Eventually my brother told my dad nicely to stop saying it. So he would occasionally say 'T T' as brother left. My brother again asked him please, don't say anything like that. My dad took that as my brothers conscience working, and felt good about it. He did respect my brother though and dropped it altogether.