Posts by greenie

AwSnap said: So I said to her that, in my own experience, whenever I volunteer at functions throughout the year, the ratio of those "in the world" vs. those "not in the world" is quite vast.

SO TRUE!!!!!! I was horrified when I heard that in humanitarian crises, JWs limit their help to other JWs - like rebuilding JW houses after Hurricane Katrina, or saying that no one (read: no JWs) in Samoa died during the recent tsunami. Ack.

And I don't think it's anyone's fault that the "season of giving" happens to occur during some of the coldest and toughest months in NOrth America when people need more help (higher heating bills = less money for food; or money for food = less money for heat, etc.). We have food drives, but also coat and toy drives, etc. this time of year.

100

To you what was the Watchtower Socity's biggest lie ?

by The Almighty Homer in

yes, what was the biggest lie that you can think of, that persuaded you to realize that they were not who they said they were ?.

for myself it would have to be the year they picked as the destruction of ancient jerusalem 607 bc.. i have an assumption this was done purposely to coincide correctly with making 1914 an a important pivotal date.

in human history, which by all factual evidence it was not.. unassuming and deceiving manipulation for self marketing purposes.

greenie

@Drew Sagan - I perused that booklet last night and it was so disturbing I had to stop.

@everyone else, if you haven't read it YOU SHOULD! It is crazy. They really do suggest that lawyers put JW youths on the stand who are involved in extracurricular activities, and it actually tells the young witness to describe an array on non-JW things he/she is involved in. It's insane.

My main problem is that they say they're the only true religion. And all of the stuff they demand but isn't based on scripture (like turning in field service hours...huh?)

21

Democrats WANT Babies to Die

by AwSnap in

jw
friends

hahahahaha!....i heard this from a jw today!

they said, "i don't know which is which, but one of them is more conservative (i said 'i think that's republicans) and tend to do things more along the lines of the bible.

and then the other party (democrats) is kind of wild and pushes for abortions and gay marriage.

greenie

Alright! We're discussing politics instead of religion! Or wait, we're dicussing both...this should be interesting.

Anyway, first observation: like the OldHippie said, people in Europe have had universal health care for years and seem to be doing well. And there are still rich people in Europe, even though they have to pay extra taxes.

Second, re: the welfare argument...is it still true you can make more on welfare than at McDonalds? If I had a family to feed, I might stay on it as well. Some people don't have the same opportunities as other. Yes, yes, I know that thought will incense some, I had a college friend that got mad when I told her that. She got a full scholarship to college for playing the violin. So she thought anyone could/should do it. I agreed with her to a degree - I think you can work REALLY hard and try to make things happen - but then I asked her the following series of questions:

Me: How did you learn to play the violin. Where you a natural?

Her: Ha! No silly, Greenie, I had lessons!

Me: Oh! And where did you take those lessons?

Her: A tutor.

Me: Oh, and how many years did you take lessons?

Her: Oh, since as long as I can remember.

Me: Ah, ok. And your violins? Where did you get them?

Her: My parents bought them for me of course!

Me: Oh, and I suppose they paid for the lessons, too?

Her: Yep!

Me: So let me get this straight, you were able to 1. have an instrument to play; and 2. take private lessons for years in order to get good enough to get a full ride to college, because your parents paid for it?

Her: (Slowly realizing my point that there'd be no way an inner city kid's parents could afford all of this) Right...

Me: Still think you guys had the same opportunities to "make things happen?"

No answer.

OKAY! I'm off my soapbox!

28

Thanksgiving...feelin' a little annoyed...for now...

by AwSnap in

jw
friends

why are there so many 'debbie downers' in this world?

you'd be *shocked* as to how many jw's are saying on facebook about "why do people choose one day a year to show thanks?

you should really show thanks everyday" .

greenie

I looked into this too as I am hosting Thanksgiving today, wanted to invite my JW family, and needed to know in advance if that was ok, or if there'd be objections. While I actually agree with the reasoning stated above (namely, that they just use it as another way to isolate and thus control their followers), the stated reasons are that it could be too nationalistic. So they circumvent the pagan problem (i.e., that there aren't pagan origins) and instead pin it on swearing allegiance to a worldly government - the same as the Fourth of July. So for those of you not from this side of the pond, just read what your WT says about national holidays and apply it here. OH, OH, OH, and of COURSE they use the stumbling argument! "You can observe it, but if it would stumble your brother..." REALLY? They make them sound like such wimpy Christians. What would stumble me is if I saw Preacher Brown out drunk and making out with ladies that aren't Mrs. Preacher Brown, NOT if I saw him eating matzo ball soup at a bar mitzvah.

Of course this day is bittersweet for me, per usual, but I'm trying to power through the bad feelings and set a good example. Here's what I mean: JW family *can't* come over today, but may come tomorrow for leftovers. Hmmmm... This really, really, REALLY frustrates me for reasons I'm sure I don't have to explain to all of you, but I am trying to be the bigger person and be just as enthusiastic when they come tomorrow as I would've been if they come today. I'm sure my actions will speak louder, right? I need some encouragement here, people, because really what I want to say is "Well, if this food that I have slaved over, missed sleep for and burned myself while making isn't good enough for you on the day it's meant to be eaten and you don't want to join in fellowship and friendliness with my family, I'm afraid I'm not interested in sharing it with you on the next." I know, immature, right? But I find their logic so silly, and I find their actions insulting and frustrating. Oh well! I'm determined to make it a Happy Thanksgiving and my place is smelling delicious!

35

How do I help my kids not buy into the JW thing?

by Judc in

jw
friends

first a little bit about myself.

i'm not a jw.

but i'm married to a jw lady who is very dedicated to it all.

greenie

Thanks for the shout-out, DGP! We really should create a "Worldlies' Worldview" section or something. The life and times of non, never-were-or-would-be-witnesses and their witness mates, relatives, etc. I think our experiences are pretty unique.

Judc, this is a critical question for me, too, and I hope we can keep the conversation going. It's great to hear from non-JWs with kids, from ex-JWs who had non-JW parents, etc. We can help each other by dicussions, I think.

That said, I don't think I have any advice yet as our child is still very young. I do think you should read up and learn as much as possible because their doctrine is very ingrained from a young age and really hard to shake off. I saw a baby in a stroller going door to door the other day, for goodness sake. You need to teach them. And for me, I'm also never letting my child read their "kids" books. I think GaryNeal started another thread about it. I'll see if I can hunt it down.

Also, of course, talk to your wife if you can. She married you for a reason, right?

11

"Spirituality" Part of JW Jargon?

by greenie in

this is something i've heard lately.

i have a feeling like other seemingly innocuous words, that this one actually has special meaning in jw speak.

or am i wrong?

greenie

You guys make me laugh. Thanks! And happy Friday!

11

"Spirituality" Part of JW Jargon?

by greenie in

this is something i've heard lately.

i have a feeling like other seemingly innocuous words, that this one actually has special meaning in jw speak.

or am i wrong?

greenie

I KNEW it! It is a little sad that when you hear a few JWs use the same word, you start to get suspicious as to what it really means to them. So if someone is "working on their spirituality" it means they are starting to read JW lit, etc.? Or if they're told they "should work on their spirituality," it means they should go to meetings/read lit/etc.?

11

"Spirituality" Part of JW Jargon?

by greenie in

this is something i've heard lately.

i have a feeling like other seemingly innocuous words, that this one actually has special meaning in jw speak.

or am i wrong?

greenie

This is something I've heard lately. I have a feeling like other seemingly innocuous words, that this one actually has special meaning in JW speak. Does it? Or am I wrong? I can't remember now the other terms that are like this - that when I first heard them I thought nothing of them and only came to understand later as I learned more about the WTS that they had a different meaning to JW R&F than what Webster puts out there.

7

Conscience Matters

by greenie in

jw
friends

has anyone ever compiled a list of things that are now conscience matters for jws?

if not, do you guys know what things are currently considered conscience matters?

is the list too long or obscure so that this is a bad question?

greenie

Has anyone ever compiled a list of things that are now conscience matters for JWs? If not, do you guys know what things are currently considered conscience matters? Is the list too long or obscure so that this is a bad question? If so, don't worry about responding and I can do some research and report back.