lifelong humanist

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Posts by lifelong humanist

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  44

  ...Good Food at Assemblys.....What Happened?..

  by OUTLAW in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in a time before many of you were born... assemblys had a great food... i left before the food started getting bad... .

  i am totally amazed at reading... how food at assemblys got worse and worse... until finally food was`nt served at all... .

  back in the day... food at assemblys was pretty dam good... there was quality cooking back then... jehovah`s witness`s actually looked forward to meals at assemblys... .

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  lifelong humanist

  outlaw

  The good food stopped here in Scotland when the WT realized that it was a dodge 'made in heaven' for those that genuinely enjoyed working in one of the many departments, yet disliked the conventions! There were a few talented people, skilled enough and proud enough to turn out a decent, filling meal at a low cost.

  It was the ideal place to be as a teenager, for you didn't have to listen to any of the boring programme - for you had the perfect excuse! Latterly, the programme was blasted in over the loudspeaker arrangement, but it was relatively easy to turn it down. Some even sabotaged it by cutting the wires!

  Also, and more importantly, you were in an enviable position to check out the opposite sex in a friendly environment where like-minded people were to be found. I think that this was the main reason why it was abandoned!

  Happy days!

  lifelong humanist
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  35

  Which is your favourite single malt Scotch Whisky, and why?

  by lifelong humanist in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as a true scot, i'm deeply passionate about most things scottish, any possibly one of our small nation's most successful export is my main favourite - our single malt whisky heritage.. i'm writing this while savouring a 12 year old highland park - distilled in the orkney islands, the most northerly distillery in scotland.

  it is one of my favourites - it was my late father's favourite tipple.

  yet, only 500m from my house is scotlands oldest legal whisky distillery - glenturret, in crieff.

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  lifelong humanist

  As a true Scot, I'm deeply passionate about most things Scottish, any possibly one of our small nation's most successful export is my main favourite - our single malt whisky heritage.

  I'm writing this while savouring a 12 year old Highland Park - distilled in the Orkney Islands, the most northerly distillery in Scotland. It is one of my favourites - it was my late father's favourite tipple.

  Yet, only 500m from my house is Scotlands oldest legal whisky distillery - Glenturret, in Crieff. I find their 8 year old a so-so malt. Yet I recently tasted a 40 year old version, cask bottled strength (around 57%) - it was absolutely incredible! At over £100.0 70cl bottle, I doubt I'll be enjoying another one soon.

  How many posters here are also keen Scotch malt whisky drinkers?

  Which are your favourites - and why? Are you keen on peaty, earthy whiskies, or do you prefer more floral notes in your wee dram? Do the Islay malts do it for you? What's the availability like where you live, and the affordability?

  lifelong humanist
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  34

  Are you searching?

  by wantstoleave in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  when i expressed my doubts about my beliefs to my parents the other day, my mom said that 'no matter what people do, they are always searching for something.

  if it's not this religion, which one will you go to?'.

  she gave the example that practically since time began, people have been clinging to hope in some form or another, namely religion.

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  lifelong humanist

  wantstoleave

  Your experience of parental influence being brought to bear is a common, and natural one, from anyone that cares about you. Yet, in your dilemma, it is bound up in the cultish world of one of the world'smost mind-control religions.

  Take heart - thinking people always have, and will continue to, search for knowledge and enlightenment. Some simply quit JWs and align themselves with another religion. Some discover that they are totally non-religious (like me) and adopt a strong humanitarian viewpoint, or just abandon any belief system at all. The common thread seems to be searching deeper to try and answer the many philosophical arguments that have gone on for millenia.

  You have to do what's right for you. You have to live with the consequences of your own, personal decision.

  Perhaps, this challenge is extremely daunting and one that you don't yet feel ready to tackle? There is help out there, from countless sources, dependent on your conclusion to life's big challenges.

  Take your time, think deeply, analyse everything in detail, and formulate your own ideas. Discuss them freely with people whose judgement you respect. Then, and only then, decide when you're ready and mentally prepared for the inevitable consequences of living your own life free from fear and oppression from people trapped in any religious, dogmatic cult.

  Good luck on your future journey. Thousands have moved on and are living contented, happy and truly meaningful moral lives without needing any religious crutches to lean upon. Many posters here can testify to that!

  lifelong humanist
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  37

  Ex-Elders Outnumber Elders In My KH; what does that suggest to you?

  by Room 215 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  right now, the number of ex- elders (either resigned, pushed out or df'd) outnumber the present elders; what does this suggest to you?

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  lifelong humanist

  Room 215

  My view is that this is only to be expected for 2 reasons:

  1. Being an elder is not only extremely time consuming, but mentally draining (my stint was about 15 years - now out, having DAd myself 6 years ago). There are very few, if any, benefits to the elder or his immediate family, in fact more likely to be serious drawbacks. Disciplinary cases are increasing at an alarming rate, and very few elders enjoy being involved in the see-sawing politics associated with JCs.
  2. Many just don't want to assume the responsibility, feeling that the JW religion is far too restrictive already, and few want to spend a moment longer than necessary serving the WT. Looking back, in my opinion, many men of elder-age and ability want out of the JWs, some to quit, others to try and fade without any hounding. To then, acting as an elder is just a non-paying job working for a bunch of men to control the congregations and keep the followers down. They see through the politics of the WT. I knew many with serious doubts about the basic tennets of faith underpinning the religion - i.e., evolution, inspiration of the bible, a global flood, miracles, etc., quite apart from the 'JWs brand' of religion with so many peculiar viewpoints - i.e., blood, neutrality, sexual morality, holiday celebrations, going from door to door, etc.

  However, there is an upside - fewer elders will make future growth less likely. Fewer JWs can only be a better thing for a more enlightened, freer society!

  lifelong humanist
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  12

  How to teach a child?

  by GapingMouth in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have a daughter who is nearly 16 months old, and it won't be long before she starts understanding more and more of the rubbish at the khs my wife takes her to.

  she will be very exposed to a lot of creationist junk and i can just imagine her getting brainwashed just as i was a born-in.

  luckily i am in a position to reduce that or perhaps counter it completely.

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  lifelong humanist

  GapingMouth

  I don't know either yor or your wife's family circumstances, but...Have you considered excusing your daughter from religious education altogether? Why not reason with your wife to kindly refrain from taking your daughter along to any of the brainwashing sessions at the JW's Kingdom Halls?

  Good luck!

  llifelong humanist
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  26

  Young JW sisters in a hurry

  by asilentone in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  did you notice any young jw sisters in the past that did rush to get married too young and to have a baby right away before the end comes?

  did you hear any stories of regret?

  i was wondering if the watchtower is to blame for?.

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  lifelong humanist

  asilentone

  All active, paid-up, card-carrying JWs have to toe the party line in all things - or else.

  Marriage in JW land is officially the only approved way to enjoy a sexual relationship. That may lead to the birth of a child - normally, seen as a milestone, happy event. Often, though, not in JW land!

  This is why so many JW believers lives have been totally ruined with the indoctrination on JW marriage rules. I know that many JWs marry only to have 'approved sex'. What they might then find out might make them discover that they shouldn't have bothered. The wait wasn't worthwhile. Often, they then find themselves stuck in a nasty marriage, with absolutely no way out to stay loyal to the cult. It usually goes down-hill after that.

  Surely, there is a better, more informed way? People are far more moral than the men in the GB care to acknowledge.

  lifelong humanist
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  82

  Can you Believe Some of the New Posters on Here?

  by lifelong humanist in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in life, i usually trust new people, at least on face value, until i discover otherwise.

  yet, my normal belief system is now in doubt.

  i've just replied to a thread started by 'goldensky' - an alleged spanish lady with lots of history as an extremely devout jw in spain.

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  lifelong humanist

  In life, I usually trust new people, at least on face value, until I discover otherwise. Yet, my normal belief system is now in doubt. I've just replied to a thread started by 'goldensky' - an alleged Spanish lady with lots of history as an extremely devout JW in Spain. English, she claims, is her second language. Yet, her first post seem totally implausiable to me - her word choice, punctuation, style of expression just seem alien to me. I'd love to be proved wrong. I'd be the first to apologize unreservedly

  Have you, like me, noticed new posters here that just don't sound quite the real deal?
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  45

  New here

  by goldensky in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  dear all,.

  i discovered this site only a couple of weeks ago and i already feel affection for you.. i am a 48-year-old woman and i live in spain, where i was born and raised, so i apologize in advance for my inevitable lack of style and possible grammar mistakes, due to english not being my native tongue.. i grew up in the truth and jehovah and the congregation have filled my whole life.

  i've had little contact with the outside world.

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  lifelong humanist

  goldensky

  Welcome to the board. I read your first post with strange emotions...and, serious doubts about you as the poster!

  Please forgive me for stating the obvious , and also, please don't assume that I'm being rude, but your written English is far better than most university educated UK citizens - I'm totally amazed at your superb language skills! If your second language is this good, your Spanish must be absolutely immaculately written! Can we expect another Don Quixote, Cervantes?

  Why, you might ask, such a cagey introduction? Simply because I can't quite get my head around your first post.

  As a trusting type, I usually believe people on first acquaintance, unless I have reason to doubt their sincerity. I'd love to believe that you are 100% genuine, but can't quite accept that...

  Maybe you could elaborate on your sudden rude awakening to the nasty JW cult that was your main purpose in life for so long?

  lifelong humanist
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  33

  Dead JW found in bath after 6 days

  by wouldacouldashoulda in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi guys.

  i was a witness in sunny old london and was in a congregation where a brother was found after being dead 6 days (estimated).

  he was an older publisher who had no family and was a fairly odd character.

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  lifelong humanist

  wouldacouldashoulda

  Yet another depressing, sad tale...

  Most JWs that I knew bathed rather infrequently - BO in the hall was 'de rigeur' - deodorants were not for 'true christians'. This guy must have been a truly exceptional person - or did someone just decide to drown him in the bath?

  Still, the delay in finding him doesn't take away from the fact that he must have lived a rather sad, isolated life. Without knowing the facts, it is impossible to know the reason why no one called in on a regular basis and discovered the body in the tub. Regardless of this, if he was a JW, surely someone within his peer group would should have found him sooner?

  Not a good advert for the JW cult, and their usual total lack of concern, or fellow feeling, for their cult membership!

  lifelong humanist
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  196

  The struggle against the immediae danger from false teachers

  by mrsjones5 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  golly, i feel like a householder.

  you're counting time here, aren't ya?

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  lifelong humanist

  pjschipper

  I don't know you, nor can I fathom your reason to be here...

  I suppose that your threads are mostly uninteresting to the majority of people on this forum. Perhaps you just haven't grasped the fact that most posters here have (or are about to) quit the JW cult thing and have moved on with their lives since leaving?

  If you want to continue to play JW political games with JWs themselves, please contact them directly and stop posting on this site!

  Many thanks

  lifelong humanist