i'm new here and probably missed the latest discussion of the beard topic.
what's the latest on beards in jw society?
i'm 2 weeks into a beard and just got to wondering about it.
The stigma is still there, sadly...
I'm a girl who loves me some scruff so it was always something that bugged me no end that men aren't allowed beards. My ex used to grow his on vacation and it was super sexy then back to the KH and he had to shave.
something that always bothered me about jw doctrine, perhaps the thing that bothered me the most about it actually, was the notion that people who die before armaggedon are, for the most part, entitled to a resurrection, regardless of their religious inclinations or crimes, while the vast majority of those same people, if they happened just by chance to be living at the time of the end, would be destroyed eternally.. i mean some jws were actually debating over whether infamous deceased mass-murderers and genocidal maniacs(hitler, stalin,pol pot,etc) would have any chance of resurrection, whilst at the same time almost casually accepting that basically most non-jws alive at armaggedon were to be for the chop!
so i was given the distinct impression of the armaggedon scenario that while the bodies of average, decent, everyday people littered the streets, seriously nasty and despicable individuals who had formerly committed henious crimes would be being brought back to at least 1000 yrs of extra life, if not eternal life.
it didnt seem just.
In my JW past, I used to resent the fact that i was living in the 'time of the end' and that I had all of this wonderful knowledge that led to incredible guilt. How great it is to be free of that 'knowledge' and see it for the fairy tale that it is...
i dont believe in creation anymore.
according to the evolution theory we adapt based on our needs.
but the human brain is far superior than our needs.
Here's an article that may help with that question..
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=people-only-use-10-percent-of-brain
hello - can i ask you all for your opinions?.
if your partner (husband/wife, gf/bf etc) was phoning and texting someone approx 20 times per day,would you find it unacceptable?
for example, if your wife was texting/phoning another brother (also married) 20 to 30 times a day, would you get suspicious?
The sad truth is that if one of the partners in a marriage is unhappy and is looking for an out, that's when the potential problems start - texting, instant messaging, emailing, phone calls, whatever, is only a symptom and the other partner cracking down on it will only exacerbate the situation. I'm not in any way condoning infidelity or the steps that lead up to it, but perhaps a more frank conversation about where they each are in the marriage is called for. If it turns out to be nothing, at least words that can't be taken back will not have been exchanged.
what is the youngest person you ever heard of getting dfed?
did they come back?
because they wanted to or had to?
I know someone who's currently df'd for the 5th time and working their ass off to get back in because it's 'the only way of life that makes any sense'
i am so thrilled to find this forum.
it is such a relief to know that all of us 'apostates' are normal people who had the nerve to question what has been crammed down our throats.. i am 4th generation ex-jw with family members at bethel, doing missionary work, and pioneering.
even though i have been out for almost 20+ years, i still had guilt admitting to myself that this was a cult-like organization until just recently.
ooops, I hit enter too quickly - I just wanted to add that what you went through seems quite horrific and I'm so sorry that anyone has to deal with that level of emotional hardship. There are many here who have been through similar situations and are more than willing to provide any support you feel you may need.
i am so thrilled to find this forum.
it is such a relief to know that all of us 'apostates' are normal people who had the nerve to question what has been crammed down our throats.. i am 4th generation ex-jw with family members at bethel, doing missionary work, and pioneering.
even though i have been out for almost 20+ years, i still had guilt admitting to myself that this was a cult-like organization until just recently.
Welcome from another newbie. There are some amazing stories on this site and some incredibly intelligent thinkers. Enjoy!
why are gossip and slander tolerated?
is this part of the master plan to control the masses?.
It's interesting that while slander and gossip are supposedly wrong - at least according to the publications - the reason they are so rampant is because there are an inordinate amount of juicy scandals to yap about. I've known more whacked out behavior, such as affairs for example than I've ever experienced among 'wordly' people...unless I'm watching Desperate Housewives, of course. I agree with the above statements that life can be dreadfully tedious as a JW so drama is created by bored ones trying to live outside of the control grip and by those who observe and relish in it. Gossip and slander is one of the most destructive things about human nature and stems from the tacit encouragement to be judgmental.
honestly, i can't remember if i told some of this already, so if i repeat myself, please allow me this.
i am practicing for old age..... it is now 6 years since i got the "long form" application for gilead, with over 120 questions to answer.
5 years since i got my notice that we were selected to attend the 119th class of gilead from april-september 2005.. prior to this, i really wanted to be a co. i won't belabor the point about my ex jw wife wanting to go overseas, but suffice to say, her goal won out over my goal.
Hi Jeff, I just wanted to let you know how important I think your posts detailing your experiences are to me. Such an eyeopener!!
i expect a major confrontation with my mum in the near future regarding my non-association with jws.. i plan to discuss my unwillingness to associate based on 'things i have discovered' about the org.
i would like to prepare in advance for a lengthy argument and for this purpose i would like to compile a list of issues.. however, i want to discuss using only jw publications.
mum has the wt library (2003) and some books but not the rare or uncommon ones.
You're welcome, MeL....I found Paul's site when I had already been out for a few years and was toying with the idea of going back in because of lingering feelings of doubt and guilt - it was a lifesaver to me and I think everyone should have the opportunity to go through it, especially my family members who still believe that the JW's have the 'truth'. I'm struggling with how to make that happen since I'm being shunned something huge but I do believe that a way will present itself somehow, someday.
I sincerely hope that you can help your mother see the real light.
