if someone came to your door with a religious message and you were attracted to it, would you immediately google the religion and find out its pros and cons?.
Lavendar said, "You would think anyone with common sense WOULD do that."
That's sometimes the problem. I can only speak based on the new recruits that have come into our cong the last few years, but I can tell you that most, if not all the new recruits are a bit squirrly and common sense (among others) is an attribute that these ones are missing.
the other day our meeting was cancelled and we didn't even get a call from the elders to advise us.
i take that as a sign that our fade is working.
the next step i would like to implement is not turning in a field service report.
Sad isn't it? When I saw people leaving the org as a kid, all you used to hear is how hard the elders worked to get that lost sheep to come back. Now I finally know the truth. They could care less. Actually I'm probably doing them a favor by disappearing. Thanks for the advise to those that replied thus far.
the other day our meeting was cancelled and we didn't even get a call from the elders to advise us.
i take that as a sign that our fade is working.
the next step i would like to implement is not turning in a field service report.
The other day our meeting was cancelled and we didn't even get a call from the elders to advise us. I take that as a sign that our fade is working. The next step I would like to implement is not turning in a field service report. I'm getting tired of submitting one even though we don't go out. But I know that will surely bring, at the very least, a telephone call asking for our time. Here is a question for you successful faders out there. How did you handle that conversation the first time you didn't report? What do I say?
Besty this is the exact reasoning I used with my mom about a month ago when she drilled me about going to one of my best friend's wedding. He's been inactive for about 10 years and he has a disfellowshipped brother that was also in attendance. My mom told me that the bible says we shouldn't even eat a meal with the disfellowshipped. I replied," well why would Jesus eat with tax collectors(the most hated group by Jews) and sinners, if it was wrong? He even corrected those that were trying to tell him it was wrong, saying these are the ones that truly need my help why would I turn my back on them. "
Of course as usual I don't get a reply when she gets stumped, but I think it left an impression. When she's stumped, she pauses for a few seconds and makes this really weird face, as if she's constipated, and then she just changes the subject.
i just thought of something the other day as i was ironing some of my meeting shirts.
it kinda of sucks, all the money i have invested in suits, shirts and ties, that i solely use for meetings, (not required for work).
what the hell will i do with them when i leave the org once and for all?.
I'm just being smug. We always donate clothing we have no use for. I was just a little upset at the amount of money I've spent on suits that carry one function for me. I always avoided the cheaper route of blazers because the unwritten rule for those going on the platform was to wear a full suit. I'll get over it!! Thanks for listening.
i just thought of something the other day as i was ironing some of my meeting shirts.
it kinda of sucks, all the money i have invested in suits, shirts and ties, that i solely use for meetings, (not required for work).
what the hell will i do with them when i leave the org once and for all?.
I just thought of something the other day as I was ironing some of my meeting shirts. It kinda of sucks, all the money I have invested in suits, shirts and ties, that I solely use for meetings, (not required for work). What the hell will I do with them when I leave the org once and for all?
I know....pretty useless post....just sitting here, bored.
don't you just love watchtower study questions that start by saying "in your own thoughts....." or "how do you feel about....", and then they still give you the answer in the paragraph, and the audience of course always gives back the approved answer from the magazine rather than expressing their own thoughts.
this used to irk me as a kid as well..
Don't you just love Watchtower study questions that start by saying "In your own thoughts....." or "How do you feel about....", and then they still give you the answer in the paragraph, and the audience of course always gives back the approved answer from the magazine rather than expressing their own thoughts. This used to irk me as a kid as well.
inspired by the other thread on the family worship arrangement and by a request for printed information here are scans from the latest wt about this arrangment.
the article starts off by using a favourite wts tactic - fear!.
hopscotch.
Skeeter wrote,"This article not only instills fear in the parents, it instills a terrible amount of guilt as well."
A few weeks ago, one of our more mightier than though elders said in one of his talks that the elders know for a certainty which families were not following the direction on family worship night. He said the evidence is painfully obvious, and it manifests itself in everything we do.
I wanted to stand on my chair and flip him the bird with both hands, as I knew I was among those he was talking about.
yesterday as our family entered the parking lot of our kh, we realized it was not our congregation entering.
soon afterward we remembered that this week was our co visit and we had missed the tuesday night meeting.
i think it's the first time in over 20 years that i missed a meeting with the co. tonight is our bookstudy/co talk, i wonder if anyone will ask where we were (not likely, everyone is so over us).. it's weird though because a large part of me could care less, and we were laughing about it all the way home.
Thanks to those that came to my defence here.
Spike, I'm positive that the guilt is not from a troubled conscience, because for that to happen there would have to be some sort of lingering doubt as to whether the JWs have the truth or not. I can tell you for a certainty that there is not a shred of doubt in my entire body. As a matter of fact, the longer I ponder over things and research facts, the more I am finding myself doubting the validity of certain bible accounts that I found were instrumental in shaping the type of person I am today. (Kinda sucks....I know)
I believe most here are right, meeting attendance is so ingrained in my head that I just can't shake it. Growing up, my dad was opposed to the meetings so it was a constant battle to attend, and I think that conviction just drilled it in that much deeper. I think part of the struggle too, as was mentioned here as well, is, if this is not the true form of worship, than what does God want back from me? Personally, I am coming to grips with the fact that God wants me to live a good moral life and to try and help those around me whenever the opportunity presents itself. He's entrusted me with a family, and I think my number one task from him is to take care of them
Meeting Junkie asked why it's taking so long to get out. As I've mentioned in other posts, my wife is not yet ready to take the plunge and she's asked me to give her some time. I obliged, but I told her I do not want to carry on the sherade when the children understand what's going on. So in my estimation we have less than 2 years left. The good news is she is coming around, and she is starting to drop a few hints here and there with her family about her displeasure with the WTS. I think my oldest is starting to get annoyed with the meetings too. As we're getting ready for yesterday's meeting she starting throwing a fit saying she didn't want to go. She actually said, "I hate the meetings". My wife and I looked at each other in the eyes, tilting are heads to the side and just smiled.....we have never been prouder of our little girl!!! LOL!
yesterday as our family entered the parking lot of our kh, we realized it was not our congregation entering.
soon afterward we remembered that this week was our co visit and we had missed the tuesday night meeting.
i think it's the first time in over 20 years that i missed a meeting with the co. tonight is our bookstudy/co talk, i wonder if anyone will ask where we were (not likely, everyone is so over us).. it's weird though because a large part of me could care less, and we were laughing about it all the way home.
You are right BluesBrother, a few sessions on the board usually does the trick.......for the night anyway.
I think a part of me also doesn't want to miss too much warranting a shepparding call from the elders. I'm trying to avoid that confrontation like the plague. But I guess it will eventually happen no matter what. Actually to tell you the truth it's kind of disheartening that it hasn't happened already, it's been 2 years of downward spiral and it seems as though we've been written off. I am messed up!!!!
I'm just thankful my wife and I share similar feelings....I know there are many here divided in the home. I can't imagine how tough that must be.
