Posts by freddo

133

The new service meeting

by John Aquila in

i wanted to relate an experience that happened this morning.

it is regarding the new format for the meeting on thursdays in my area.

its not word for word but im summarizing what i heard, the best i can remember.

What is your relationship with ALCOHOL?

by nicolaou in

here in the uk new drinking guidelines have been issued which suggest "no more than 14 units a week - equivalent to six pints of beer or seven glasses of wine.".

another piece of the advice which is getting a lot of attention is that "if people drink, it should be moderately over three or more days and that some days should be alcohol-free.".

already people are making cries of "nanny state!

freddo

I drink more and eat more when I'm stressed. Since resigning as an elder and being mentally "out" I have drunk and eaten less.

I've probably only been drunk a couple of times in my life - and once was at home in a drunk myself to sleep kind of way. The other was on holiday when me and a mate shared a bottle of spirits till it was gone one evening. Fell asleep in a chair by a log fire. Both times it was "Southern Comfort" funnily enough!

But not in the last twenty years or so.

7

CO Pet Peeves, and cowering eldubs & others!

by DwainBowman in

i have seen many over the years.

a new co comes to town, and during, after or just before his next visit, often little pointless things change, sometimes big ones!

and most of the time, there is no to very little of anything in the wt or bible to justify it.. the one that popped to mind while reading another post is this one!.

freddo

About 20 years ago I worked with "brothers" secularly. One of the partners was the PO of his congregation. I was a new elder in my congregation and we were both in the same circuit.

We were discussing what the new circuit overseer was like and as he had previously visited the congregation of the other brother he dished the low down. Apparently he had a thing about videos and DVD's that brothers had and would comment or counsel or get elders to visit those who had "unsuitable" videos in their collection.

I laughed because this brother had been to see "Silence of the Lambs" and I asked him what he was going to do about his own collection.

His response was priceless. "I'm not having him round MY house nosing through MY videos and DVD's!"

Although he is still a jw he resigned as an elder about ten years ago.

24

General health after learning TTATT

by Darkknight757 in

4 months ago i was conducting the watchtower study along with a long list of responsibilities that come with being an elder in a very goofy congregation.

during this time my health was going down hill.

i've always had a low blood pressure,(102/65 or abouts) but for the past year it had creeped up to 135/90 range.. so 2 months ago after learning ttatt, i'm still considered an elder because the brothers won't let me step down, but i haven't done anything in that time except comment once at a meeting a few weeks ago.

freddo

Hi Darkknight,

I'm in the UK and just starting my secular work as it is about 8.30 am over here. This evening (GMT) I will send you a pm. It may be helpful.

Freddo

32

How this Jehovah’s Witness feels about the Australian Royal Commission

by Simple Minds in

i know the arc is old news i know i am preaching to the converted but i had to express how i feel because most of my jw friends and family dont want to hear .

so this is how i feel.

i have faithfully served as a jehovahs witness for over 25 years..

freddo

Take your time and breathe "Simple Minds" - there is no need to rush.

9

Dis-association Vs Inactivity

by Listener in

is it just me or is this just really bad double talk?.

9.372 moreover, the suggested finding has no connection with preventing or responding to child sexual abuse and, furthermore, appears not to appreciate the difference between disassociation and inactivity.

as was explained, if someone decides to no longer associate with jehovahs witnesses that is a personal decision and no disciplinary action is taken against that person.

freddo

The Gruesome Twosome (Jackson and O'Brien) were squirming under pressure from a well prepared and competent lawyer and a "velvet hand in an iron fist" razor sharp Judge.

When they and their minion CO's are presiding over elders meetings it is a different story.

Yes, you can "go inactive" i.e. "fade" and after several years go off the radar. But if you live near your own congregation or anyone who knew you as a witness then don't hang up the Xmas lights or get your girlfriend pregnant or smoke in public because it can hang like the sword of Damocles. Nowadays a picture of you celebrating Xmas on Facebook may get you DF'd.

But fading is very often the best way to go because often the elders won't chase you down - especially if you weren't high profile or you don't have a spiritual policeman in your close family stirring up trouble - and if they do, by the time they DF you in absentia you don't care so much.

16

Geoffrey Jackson and the Australian Royal Commission's timing of events

by Tenacious in

i'm not sure why i was thinking this but does anyone else find it an incredibly rare coincidence that geoffrey jackson just so happened to be in australia attending to his father when the arc happen to be at the exact stage for him to be deposed as a witness?

what are the chances of him being in the country at that precise moment?.

divine intervention?

freddo

I watched the ARC and read its transcripts.

I believe that GJ's father was very ill (not so ill that GJ couldn't attend the hearing for a day) I understand he died on September 30th about six/eight weeks later.

I didn't get the luxury of having all my expenses paid so I could stay at the bedside when my mother was diagnosed terminally ill; I still went to work, meetings, busy elder, ministry and cared for my (then) young family. I continued with responsibilities of life.

The ARC was initially very compassionate - they believed the Watchtower lie that GJ was not needed and they gave him a free pass.

But then they saw how Toole and O'Brien tried to cover up for the GB and stop GJ appearing.

This was tacitly confirmed by the obsequious Tockley the lawyer's fawning and hand-wringing in a last attempt to stop GJ appearing. "He can't Your Honour ... "

McClellan kindly, caringly but firmly said HE WILL.

Let's imagine it was true that GJ just had to hold his parents hands in their time of need. Why couldn't one of that oh so God-like band of brothers - the Guardians of Doctrine - say "You know what Geoff? I'll come over and take one for the team! Jehovah's Holy Spirit will look after me. It's not like I'm going to be tortured and crucified by the Romans is it?"

G.B. = COWARDS!

Branch Committees/lawyers = Scared of being out on their ears.

13

What would you like to see the Watchtower Society implement that would give you a dignified way to leave/stop being a Jehovah's Witness?

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

jehovah's witnesses do not provide a dignified resignation process for members who wish to resign/quit being a jehovah's witnesses.you are not given any good choices.

you can either: disassociate yourself,fade,become inactive or move to another city/state/country where you won't be bothered or found out.. if you quit your job/employment, stop attending a book club or bowling league,or quit a lawn service company, newspaper delivery service,you wouldn't see your employer or friends sending out a written notice to anyone to stop all association with you or have little contact.you would sue them for slander.you have a right to quit any association or contract (when it expires or doesn't meet the terms any longer) whenever you wish.. what would you like to see the watchtower society implement that would give you a dignified way to leave/stop being a jehovah's witness?.

freddo

I'd like the CO at the start of his visit get up to give the "service talk" on the Tuesday evening and say:

"Brothers and Sisters, after 140 years the Governing Body have asked me to tell you they have realised that not one prediction Jehovah's Witnesses and their forbears made has ever come true.

"What about 1914?" I hear you ask. Nope! Even that one was wrong. Charles Taze Russell thought they were all going to heaven and it didn't happen. And Rutherford predicted 1925 and Knorr and Franz promoted 1975 and the 1914 generation.

None of it has come true; so why do you think the overlapping generation doctrine has any hope of coming true either?

So here's is what we are going to do. We are going to shut up shop right now. That's right! Go home! Turn on the telly; make love to your husband or wife; have a wank. Sieze the day! Make your life great and enjoy it. Go and find your disfellowshipped relatives and tell them you are sorry you got involved with this silly little cult.

We are going to sell all our buildings. Your Kingdom hall will be sold and the proceeds divided among all the publishers that use the hall. All the Assembly halls and bethels will be sold and the proceeds will be handed over to abused children.

Goodbye and good luck. I'm off to the circuit flat to have a beer, watch telly and make love to my wife and tomorrow I'm going to look for a job.

Have a nice life.

33

Elder continues serving as elder after his daughter got disfellowshipped!

by hardtobeme in

this is what is happening in a spanish congregation in our area.

this happened 3 weeks ago.

this brother conducted the school and after the school was over, another elder gave the announcement: "( name of the person) is not longer a jehovah's witness".

freddo

Each case is supposed to be reviewed by the BoE as bluesbrother says.

Some hang on by the skin of their teeth, others jump ship and still others have to be booted off screaming and kicking.

If the elder has several kids and say two have done good and then one goes bad (in jw terms) he might get a free pass. But if he has several and all of them goof up then he is likely to be out on his ear.

62

Umbertoecho here.

by umbertoecho in

hello people.. i'm tired and a bit sick at the moment but i can't let anyone think that this is going to go away.... i am able to tell you a few things in order to prevent any confusion in the minds of those who are thinking that nothing will come of this arc;that nothing will effect the wtbts in america and other places.. i have been there and given my testimony.

helen milroy and her assistants were there along with another group of people who are there to lend assistance if you crack up at any time during or after the hearing.

i did not crack up but can see how this happens.. security is tight and anonymity is sacred to them as they want to protect all who come forward.

freddo

Well done! Keep us informed - it is most encouraging.