GLTirebiter

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Posts by GLTirebiter

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  38

  A sad call from an older brother

  by life is to short in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  we got a call a couple of days ago from this older brother in the hall.

  he is a great guy who is in his eighties.

  he has a very hard time walking and just getting around because of old age but he is the kindest man.

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  GLTirebiter

  I admire the old man's determination and dedication to do what he feels is his duty. Those are admirable traits!

  The problem is that somebody is taking advantage of that man's courageous spirit. I cannot condone how the teachings, writings, and actions of the Watchtower Society use guilt and shame to induce him and others like him to do more than he is physically capable of. "We must strive harder in the field work, the goal is very near, there is so little time left!" There is a huge difference between encouragement and exploitation.

  Imagine a High School coach who yells at his players that they're not working hard enough, that they aren't doing all they should to help the team, that they should stay out in the hot sun practiclng far past the point of exhaustion--then a player drops dead of heat stroke. What do you think of a "leader" pushing his charges so hard? Such behavior is inexcusable! It is loathsome! It is sinful!

  That is how I see the Watchtower behaving when they push for more, more, and even more field service. That tired old man has already given you more than his fair share. Instead of asking to do more than his body allows, why not show him appreciation for what he has already done and allow him his well-earned rest?
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  74

  I need answers to so MANY questions.....

  by Confuzzled in

  1. jw
  2. friends

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  GLTirebiter

  Confuzzled, he may be "lapsed" for now but it seems to me he's having a re-lapse. Witnesses are not supposed to marry outside the organization. He's already going to meetings and wants you to "study", so you can become a "publisher" and then be baptized. He wants to marry a Witness, not the person you are now! Please read the article Dating a Lapsed Jehovah's Witness at freeminds.org, and compare your experience to what that writer says.

  So the questions you need to answer include these: Are you willing to change to please him? Are you willing to give up who you are now to be who he wants you to be? Is what he is asking you to do something that you will be comfortable with for the rest of your life?

  You're wise to ask questions and proceed with both eyes wide open. You're the one who must decide whether to stay or to leave. Whatever you decide, do so after careful consideration. And whatever you decide, my thoughts are with you.
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  15

  what did you do after leaving or separating from JW's in regards to religion?

  by kriptonian7 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i have been struggling to find my place.

  i still consider my self christian...but the more i have been learning about my old faith, its been making me feel like i need to find something else that makes sense to me.. i know im not aethiest.

  i have always felt that there was a higher power out there.. agnostic?

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  GLTirebiter

  I agree with Blondie and Finally Free: don't jump into anything just for change's sake. Take time to get aquainted with your real self again, to find out what you really believe and what's important to you. Then take a good long look at any group you consider joining, see if their creed is what you really believe and the way you really want to live your life. Resist the temptation to make a quick committment to any congregation, proceed at your own pace and join only when you know it's the right one to follow.

  This takes effort, no doubt about it. Beware of any group offering a quick and easy solution to your problems, if you'll just let them do all the thinking for you. You've been through that once, don't be fooled again!

  Good luck!

  --GLT
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  25

  What Halloween costumes should the dubs wear?

  by rebel8 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  if you could pick out a costume for a dub to wear, what would it be?.

  i would dress the gb in this.

  except i'd put flip flops on his feet.. .

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  GLTirebiter

  They don't need costumes. They'll be hiding in the basement with the lights out, so they won't have to face those Wordly urchins knocking on the door during the Feast of All Hallows.
• 
  26

  What made you think?

  by greenie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i know this topic has been covered, so feel free to ignore me or point me to another post for your response, but i'm just curious: what made you first think the jws didn't have it all?

  what it a slow process or like a lightening strike?.

  for me, a non-jw, it was like a lightening strike when i started reading about the blood issue..

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  GLTirebiter

  I married one. Living under the watchful Watchtower eyes was enough to convince me!
• 
  40

  WHY am I the last to know?

  by babygirl30 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  about 2 mos ago...my parents decided that because i refused to continue my 'reinstatement' process and quit going to meetings - that they were now going to shun me after having regular contact for 10 mos!

  i was upset, but accepted it.

  although their method was harsh!

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  GLTirebiter

  Guess I'm upset because I should have EXPECTED this from my mom ... but not my dad.

  Just a hunch: maybe your dad acts like that because he doesn't dare to defy your mom. Imagine the stress that led to his heart attack. Would you be able to stand up to her under those conditions?

  Count another "Aye" vote for JO's advice, stay in touch but be kind about it, and allow them their breathing room. Don't make the Watchtower's teachings come true by being hateful to them. Whenever you run out of cheeks to turn, retreat and recuperate instead of lashing out. And show your bf what the folks here are saying, so he can understand what's going on and how you're trying to mend the fences without giving in.

  Best of luck to you, babygirl!

  --GLT
• 
  18

  Evidence In Favor Of Bloodless Surgery Mounts

  by Bangalore in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  evidence in favor of bloodless surgery mounts.. .

  http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/281102.

  bangalore.

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  GLTirebiter

  On a scale of 1-10

  Rate me at 7 = Blood should be used where medically appropriate, but not otherwise. Transfusions have low but not negligible risk, and should be considered carefully with other medical options.

  Paraphrasing the linked article from rebel8's post, transfusions are not appropriate for patients who don't need them.

  --GLT (a proud member of the Blood Donor Class)
• 
  33

  Does the Watchtower KNOW they are using mind control techniques?

  by finding my way in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've read a few other threads about cult mind control as well as steven hassans book comabatting cult mind control.

  i also read a thread questioning the watchtowers motives.

  are they in it for the money or what?

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  GLTirebiter

  I can't say if they know what they are doing, but I do say that anybody in a position of power and authority has an ethical duty to aware of their actions and the ensuing consequences for those who trust them. If a doctor doesn't investigate symptoms and effective treatments in medical texts and journals, if an attorney defending a client does not read the statutes and precedents applying to case, they are committing malpractice. Like doctors and lawyers, religious leaders are making decisions with serious impacts on those who trust them. By seeking and accepting a position of authority, they are assuming the duty to act responsibly in their expert role. The same civil laws may not apply to religious leaders (First Ammendment, etc.) but the ethical principles are no different.

  It doesn't matter if the GB, DO, CO, and elders realize they are using mind control control techniques. What matters is that they are doing so, that those techniques have serious consequences for the rank and file, and that it is the obligation of every leader to carefully avoid practices harmful to the followers. Ignorance is not an excuse for those in authority, rather it is evidence of negligence.
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  32

  Living With Regret - what do YOU regret about being in the org?

  by babygirl30 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  1. getting baptized at 14 and not knowing what the heck i was 'signing' up for.

  2. dating worthless, lazy, no work ethic, selfish 'brothers' who were supposedly approved all because they were baptized - but in the end - were a waste of my time and younger years in dating.. 3. subjecting my bf (back in the day) who was a non-jw to the whole jw experience!

  i demanded that he study, i demanded that he change his religion in order to be with me, i made him sit with my parents and listened to them berate him (and myself) while they fed him all their haughty beliefs and requirements in order to date their jw daughter.

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  GLTirebiter

  I never studied or joined, so I will offer you the regrets of this Un-Believing Ex-Spouse:

  • I regret not getting our verbal understanding in writing: that we acknowledge having different religious upbringings and beliefs, that we would accept those differences, and that we would respect each others' right to hold them.
  • I regret not realizing that it is impossible for a Witness to make and keep that promise while remaining a faithful Witness.
  • Most of all, I regret that Watchtower teachings separated me from the mother of our children, a woman I love to this day.
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  14

  JACKSON FAMILY TO HOST FIRST CHRISTMAS

  by Gayle in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  michael's sister la toya, says, "we grew up as jehovah's witnesses and so didn't celebrate christmas.

  but i think it's very important that michael's children celebrate it, because that's what he did with them.

  i want them to continue to have that.

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  GLTirebiter

  They are going straight to HELL!!!

  No, only to annihilation!