Ordinarily I figure people are going to find their own way and that their life course is a matter of personal responsibility but occasionally I run into something that smacks me upside the head a little bit. Yesterday I heard something about a young man that I knew decades ago.He was from a prominent family in the Organization, the father was a successful businessman and you would see them frequently on the platform at Circuit Assemblies, etc. To be honest, I didn't particularly like the young man, I preferred the father, but the guy was bright and capable, we had mutual friends. He looked like someone with a future but very much an Organization guy who pioneered and all the usual approved stuff. The father eventually quite his business and ended up in the Circuit work, I suspect that's where most of the money went. Anyhow, yesterday I heard from one of the mutual friends that he was going to be visiting the guy. Turns out that there he is, in a not particularly nice part of the country, at 73 years old and working full time at Home Depot to get enough money to support himself, still a good little Witness. I keep thinking, 73 and killing himself at Home Depot, 73 and killing himself at Home Depot!. It gives me the chills! I guess at the back of my mind there's the "but for the Grace of God there go I" thought or something. What a waste, this guy could have been so much more. I didn't even like the guy but it's just wrong that he is where he is.
Jazzbo
JoinedPosts by Jazzbo
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3
Disturbed
by Jazzbo inordinarily i figure people are going to find their own way and that their life course is a matter of personal responsibility but occasionally i run into something that smacks me upside the head a little bit.
yesterday i heard something about a young man that i knew decades ago.he was from a prominent family in the organization, the father was a successful businessman and you would see them frequently on the platform at circuit assemblies, etc.
to be honest, i didn't particularly like the young man, i preferred the father, but the guy was bright and capable, we had mutual friends.
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Jazzbo
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Losing a loyal friend of 14 years
by Still Totally ADD inthis last tuesday was one of the most stressful and sad days of our life when we had our lab morgan put to sleep.
she was so sick and out of it we just had to do it.
when i called the spca on monday to make a appointment to have her put to sleep i felt like i betrayed her.
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Jazzbo
So very sorry for your loss, been there and done that. They ask so little and give so much, it's always really hard but when they're in pain, or won't eat anymore a responsible owner will do the best thing he can for them rather than prolong the suffering. Even so, I still find it hard to talk about.
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Why do CO's refuse to strip Elders of their position?
by Tenacious inin several congregations i attended many elders were downright evil and flat out drunk with power.. many times i personally knew of things done by them that would have been a disfellowshipping offense had they not been elders.
and even though many times these issues and spiritual atrocities were reported to the co's and hq they would many times (if not all the time), get off with a mere slap on the wrist or a forced apology.. why do you believe elders are so protected?.
my theory is the authority integrity within the congregation.
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Jazzbo
Many COs are flat out evil and drunk with power. They support kindred spirits.
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Political leaning since leaving the Org.
by Olig inas you are completely barred from talking or being involved in politics while in the org, since leaving has anyone started any political campaigning or activism?
also what way would you lean?
left?
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Jazzbo
Very conservative. I find the Left both dishonest and dangerous, kind of like the Organization.
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Who shoots 223 AR15s?
by rockemsockem ini have a few and built two 80% lowers.
just got a larue two stage trigger.
i can get 2moa out of it at 100 yards with a nikon 223 scope.
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Jazzbo
I do, but mostly I shoot something that uses the 7.62 X 51 round. I just like bigger holes. I have an M1 Garand that was modified from 30-06 for the Navy and it's maybe my favorite.
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Should Reparations Be Given To Relatives of Slaves?
by minimus insome people say that’s the least we should do while others say no way!
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what do you think about dispensing reparations?
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Jazzbo
Enormous amounts of money have already been thrown down this rat hole with little to no return. Enough already! I would support one way tickets to Africa with no return but anyone that looks at Liberia very quickly realizes what the awful results of that would be.
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Do Celebrities Influence You In Making Your Decisions?
by minimus inwhether it be sports athletes or hollywood heavyweights or talk show hosts—do these people influence your thinking?.
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Jazzbo
Whatever they are supporting I oppose, whatever they are opposing I support, at least that's my starting point. The sheer gall of uninformed morons whose claim to fame is looking good or possessing some entertaining talent believing their pathetic opinion should impact society offends me deeply.
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Who was a member here back in the late 1990s?
by MebyonKernow ini often wondered over the years what happened to a lot of the old posters from this group.
going back to the late 1990s a few of the names i recall...blacksheep, gypsywildcactus (i know she's ok as we're friends on facebook still), onacruise, minimus, veniceit, flower, prisca, bendrr, refinersfire, kent, englishman, shit...dare i say it evilforce lol, snittlesnacks (what a twat), scully, mouthy, talesin from nova scotia, xenawarrior.
littletom (from glasgow in scotland), outlaw, goaty, bisous, uncle brucey (australian character who loved his wildkife photography) - struggling now to remember more names.i know there are many more.
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Jazzbo
I was here at the beginning though I started with a different name. I only show up a few days about once a year because I frankly don't define myself as an ex-Witness but occasionally curiosity about what's going on and who is talking sends me back here. Personally, I am doing fine and living the life I want to live.
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What Do You Think About The Police?
by minimus insome people are very suspicious of the police.
some folks value policemen and women.
i’ve had experience with some.
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Jazzbo
A difficult and very dangerous job with nothing approaching the level of appreciation they should get. Not every one is perfect but who is. The percentage of bad ones is vanishingly small and the ridiculous level of criticism they get is mostly from people that don't want the Law enforced. They get my support every time.
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What is the inside info on "Reasoning From the Scriptures?"
by stillin ini understand why the witnesses won't actually "reason" from the scriptures; because they will have to come to grips with the fact that others have their own reasons, scripture-based, for believing differently than the jw's.. the "reasoning" book was supposed to arm the r&f with solid scriptural backing that could withstand most in-depth conversations.
so, why is it gathering dust now?
was there some doctrinal issue specifically?.
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Jazzbo
From what I've seen most of the current crop of Witnesses seem to be simply incapable of engaging in an actual discussion. Then there's the fact that for quite a few years now many that did try to "Reason" with people ended up with their rear end in a satchel because people are now much more familiar with what they're going to say and what is wrong with it. Consequently, "Reasoning" with people has gone out of fashion.