an elder phoned me up the other day to see how i was.
he does this every couple of months, as part of his shepherding routine i suppose.
(at least this elder takes shepherding seriously) i have not been to a meeting for a few months.
slimboyfat
I like to respond whenever I can to fellow Scots on this forum...
I DAd myself in 2003 when I knew I wanted nothing more to do with JWs/WT organization, any religion, or any god. Not once has any elder ever tried to re-establish communication with me. For that, I'm grateful. My wife's still in, so maybe they check up with her and then decide that I don't ever want to go back?
How come you receive so much attention? Just curious.
lifelong humanist
first time poster.
i guess this makes me the scary a word.
arent apostates jealous?
NewChapter
Welcome to the forum.
I look forward to reading more from you. You're a witty writer, something that I like!
lifelong humanist
no call to invite me to a committee meeting...no notification of deciding i should be df'd....no telling my jw wife of the announcement...not a chance to appeal what i did not even know what was going on...my mini-serve son is devasted....he even researched it....told me to go to page 153-154 of the od book...never heard of it but it is a green hardback given to all who are to be baptized.
wow...the elders broke every rule in this book as to my case.... i have no respect for these men that can take away your jw family without even telling you they are going to.
my jw son has now begged me to meet with my committee...even though there is prob zero chance they can reverse the decision...that chance is from when they let you know...and you have to appeal by letter within 7 days (i cant make this stuff up!!
oompa
You're experiencing a lot of problems, right now. You're lucky to still be alive, after your bad accident. Coping with life's many problems can often be really tough.
LIke the many other well-wishers here, I'm thinking about you, and the countless others whose lives have been so messed up as a result of joining and/or being exposed to the wacky ways of the WT.
So, please try hard to keep on coping - knowing that so many care about you as a person on this forum must help a little bit to continue to endure?
lifelong humanist
i've been suffering from a really bad cold, with flu-type symptoms, for almost a week now.
very unusual for me.. it couldn't have come at a worse time, as i've just started working as a self-employed person, working outdoors in all weathers.
no sick pay, so no money coming in.. i expect that i'll be ok for monday, though.. i'm right in the middle of making a homemade lamb curry.
Thanks to all posters on my thread offering various remedies - I appreciate you taking time to respond.
The vindaloo seemed to help, and I've been using Olbas Oil - it aleviates most of the symptoms. Feeling like I'll be able to go to work tomorrow, now!
lifelong humanist
yesterday and today have been extra hard days.
as most of you know i am trying to releive my wife and family of the burdens of the watchtower, thus staying semi active in the org.
recent happenings in the world have caused the witnesses to tighten the grip on the peoples minds.
im stuck in
Doing the right thing is often not the easiest option - in fact, it is usually the most difficult.
Try to be patient. Realize that achieving a worthwhile goal is worth a lot of pain and grief along the way. Persevere in your resolve to continue working to assist your loved ones free themselves from the WT. Even if you seem to be failing, keep planting those seeds.
Good luck in your endeavours!
Incidentally, I've been trying for 8 years to asssit my JW wife leave the cult. Some days are better than others. Progress seems very slow, but I'm never going to give up!
lifelong humanist
PS I've started quite a few threads on this forum over the last couple of years asking for help to 'free my wife' from the cult - you might like to read some of these...
i've been reading this thread for some time and finally had the opportunity to create an account.
i am anxious to meet you all and have a support group/active audience over the next crucial months and years following.
background: long-time doubter, giving way to frustration and skepticism beginning about 10 years ago and finally to total admission that this is a cult and that atheism is the way to go.
DarioKehl
Just read your introduction, body & conclusion. Now, all you need to do is work on your swift exit. Sounds like you know exactly what you're doing and how best to achieve it. I'm sure that you'll post your success story in the very near future for us all to enjoy.
Welcome, and I look forward to hearing from you again.
lifelong humanist
i've been suffering from a really bad cold, with flu-type symptoms, for almost a week now.
very unusual for me.. it couldn't have come at a worse time, as i've just started working as a self-employed person, working outdoors in all weathers.
no sick pay, so no money coming in.. i expect that i'll be ok for monday, though.. i'm right in the middle of making a homemade lamb curry.
I've been suffering from a really bad cold, with flu-type symptoms, for almost a week now. Very unusual for me.
It couldn't have come at a worse time, as I've just started working as a self-employed person, working outdoors in all weathers. No sick pay, so no money coming in.
I expect that I'll be OK for Monday, though.
I'm right in the middle of making a homemade lamb curry. I prefer to use my own freshly prepared spices, when possible. Lots of garlic, onions and chilli heat. Eating a vindaloo type curry seems to help me feel just a bit more human. I used to rely on hot-toddies as a pick-me-up, but now think that they are a waste of a good malt whisky!
What about you? What raises your spirits when you are at a low ebb?
lifelong humanist
talk about courage.
these people are literally risking their lives.. .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1a3j3lqhus .
whereami
I enjoyed watching the clip you posted. The Arabic speaking participants present their views clearly and confidently. I'm sure that many radical Muslims would be only too happy to punish, or, even murder them for being so brazenly outspoken.
I find it truly heart warming to know that there are an increasing number of humanistic people like in the world. Their courage does tham a lot of credit.
lifelong humanist
herbert and catherine schaibel of the first century gospel church in philadelphia were convicted in december of involuntary manslaughter of their son, kent, who had a lung infection and they tried to pray the problem away as their church sees the use of meds.
as a lack of faith in god and therefore a sin.
the poor lad died.. i found this comment on the case , as reported in the guardian (u.k) newspaper thurs 3rd feb. pg 25:.
wobble
How tragic for the son, Kent! I have not read or heard anything about this sad tale previously.
I don't believe that it is good medical practice to force adult people to have medical treatment against their will, or beliefs, but was the couple's son old enough to have the right to be heard and have a say as to what treatment (if any) he was prepared to accept?
Sounds very cult-like, to me.
lifelong humanist
or what are the forces of inertia that keep jehovers witnesses from changing?.
acolytes.
Intersting thread, acolytes.
Many here have been reading the most recent thread started by Roberto di Stefano, alias Nick!!
If the WT were suddenly to face trouble in the legality of their 'right' over how they insist on JWs shunning former JWs in a legal battle over the European Union Court of Human Rights, this could lead to WT having to tread carefully on a new path - at least in EU countries, to start with. The mass of negativity could then spread to the USA after time.
My opinion is that the religion would then be forced to become more mainstream in its practices. Much less confrontational. The one-off 'differences' would gradually be less peculiar. The religion would then 'appeal' to not just the most gullible in society. New members would be better of financialy, leading to more revenue being donated. The WT would lose much of the 'cultish' image, and just become a more extreme version of Christianity.
However, any such changes would have to be won in an ever changing world where education, the power of the internet and critical thinking is becoming more the norm in even poorer countries. I believe that this will inevitably lead to more people giving up their 'weak' religious affiliations, and embracing a more humanistic approach. Belief in any god or gods would surely suffer. Much as I'd like that to happen, I don't expect anything so dramatic any time soon! More the pity.
lifelong humanist
