Very interesting reading especially the dip in memorial attendance and the difference between the number baptised and publishers.
I think it shows a religion treading water with an ineffective approach to recruitment and retainment.
Posts by nugget
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12Links to analysis of the 2012 Service Year Report
by cedars ini am amazed by the speed with which jwfacts has been able to update the graphs on his website.. please check out his statistics page on the link below.... http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/statistics.php.
i have also published an article with my own analysis of the 2012 report which you are welcome to read through.... http://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/2012-service-year-report-available-on-jw-org-but-what-do-the-numbers-really-show.
if anyone can think of how i can improve my article in any way, please let me know!.
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nugget
Your husband has never been truly free of the society, even for years when he wasn't attending meetings he also wasn't free of their influence which made it easy for him to be sucked back in.
As his first wife tried to save the marrige by becoming a witness and it didn't work then I would suggest that this is not the way to go. A witness wife is not an equal in the relationship in any case. It is extremely hard to get through to someone who is convinced that their religion is right. Witnesses find it incredibly difficult to process anything negative about their religion so normal discussion and debate will be difficult. Asking questions and requesting proof of what sources say can help.
This is a slow process and there is no quick fix since you are dealing with years of conditioning. This religion has a poor track record of preserving marriages where only one believes. I am truly sorry for you.
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135
I Think My Marriage Is Over...
by cognac ini know exactly what happened... he thinks i'm going to die at the big a and wants to be with someone he can live forever with.... we have two girls, ages 3 and 1... i really thought we'd make it despite the religion, now i really don't think so... not sure what to do... .
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nugget
I am so sorry to hear that things have become so bad. It seems that he has already checked out the marriage and as you say is lining up wife number two. She is as bad telling a married man she loves him. Your husband may wish to divorce and start again but he is forgetting that divorce for anything other than adultery does not leave him free to remarry. Him and his floosie have no right to a relationship unless immorality occurs under his rules. He is setting a bad example for his daughters. I am truly sorry for you but he seems very immature and you do deserve better. It is natural to mourn a relationship especially one where you have children together. What is important is to think about what is best for them and for you.
You have received a lot of good advice only you can decide if you want to give your marrige another shot. If you think it is over then take control of the situation and make sure it is as stable as possible for the children. They are young enough now to make a transition and adjust.
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34
So, What Did You Get For XMas?
by minimus ini got a few items of clothing, candy, a brand new mattress and boxspring, tea scented cologne and tea scented soap.. what did you recieve??
(good or bad).
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nugget
I had a glass sculpture, an aztec style necklace, some christmas decorations, some pampering gifts and a CD I have wanted. Truly awesome christmas this year.
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nugget
I hate gadgets I don't even have a microwave. I always find a knife is so much easier to wash up than a complicated chopper.
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39
First time back to the king dumb hall in a year!
by BreathoftheIndianNose inhey everyone,.
so it's been over a year and this saturday i'm going to the hall.
can you help to prep me for what sort of emotions and feelings might come rushing in?
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nugget
If you can take someone with you that may be a good idea. Your family may be there but may chose this occasion to show their disapproval for your inactivity by giving you the cold shoulder. If you have someone with you there is the option to make arrangements to go for a drink or a meal together whilst your family go on to the reception.
This is a tough situation and you have my pity a weding should be a joyous occasion bringing family together. Remember it is the faith that they are following which is causing the rift and that without it you would be welcome. There may be a time in the future when other family members feel as you do.
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72
Which of the 5 weekly meetings did you hate the most?
by RULES & REGULATIONS init was always stressed that the five weekly meetings were like the fingers on your hand.
each one was just as important as the next.
which of the meetings were the most boring,bothersome and difficult to listen to?
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nugget
I struggled with all of them. My level of dislike was relative to what else I could have been doing and how disruptive they were to the children.
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When you were a jw....Christmas day...
by carla inwhen you were a jw did you get together with family or other jw's on christmas day?
most people have off so it would be convenient.
in my mind, if you got together with family or jw's shared a meal or drinks, perhaps watched a movie or played games you did celebrate the day.
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nugget
We sometimes used to visit calls on Xmas day that we knew were on their own and would appreciate a visit. We didn't talk about the kingdom message but asked after them. It was usually a quiet family day and we hated it when it fell on a meeting night. We went and felt miserable and resented all those who weren't there.
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100
Need Some Tough Love & Help
by Simon Morley innot sure how to approach this but here goes.....my wife discovered a porn site on the computer tonight.
yes, i was going to them, and i was foolish to think i could never get caught.
i have been visiting them for some years, not a daily problems, but occasionaly every month or so - still a problem wethere its once or a hundred times.
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nugget
Women react differently to pornography. However as you have said it is the hypocrisy she objects to more than the the act itself. For a JW woman status is wrapped up with the status of the husband, humiliation for you is humiliation for her. Throwing you under the bus raises her status as by sacrificing you she is shown to be loyal and super spiritual. By broadcasting your failings she ralies support to herself receiving affirmation that you are a pig and she is a saint. This is what the religion does to people.
However it is early days and she is in the ranting and vindictive phase, she is giving her own predicament a greater moral dimension to feed her outrage. You probably need professional help to work you way through this. All you can do is apologise and admit blame and reassure her of your love and regret. Whether she accepts this or not is up to her. She needs some time and space, if you push too hard for a swift resolution you will force her hand.
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xmas at my house
by ellderwho inhave not posted in years but i had to share.
long story short: my jw folks sold house in fla. and basically forced to stay at my house.
i forwarned mom that will have xmas decor up and the whole nine.
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nugget
Whilst we were children we had austere Christmases whilst being told how lucky we were to get presents all year round. We were forced to accept their home and their rules. It was a good lesson to learn since now it is your home and your rules. Take pleasure in your lights and your tree it is a season to celebrate and joy to the world.