nugget

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Posts by nugget

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  62

  Should all elders be painted with the same brush?

  by Socrateswannabe in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  an hour or two ago, i was reading a topic on this forum that welcomed new elders to jwn.

  there was some criticism aimed at the op and i understand that elders shouldn't be singled out as special.

  one poster said he/she hates all elders.

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  nugget

  Not all elders are bad I knew some that I truly respected and could see that they were trying to set a good example in their own lives. These men were compassionate, reasonable and loving shepherds. I also knew some who were in it for the power and control and unfortunately these ones are the ones with the greatest influence and control in the congregations.

  People are people, there are good and bad everywhere. Elders who learn TTAT are in a difficult position since they may feel that remaining in that position gives them the ability to help. However this may not be as easy as imagined since other elders also bring their own agendas and influence into the mix. There is also the problem that as an elder you will be under more scrutiny than the average publisher and it is harder to walk away or reduce involvement.

  I found it very hard to go on the ministry, answer up or even sit through a meeting once I was aware. Having to do talks, counsel others or discipline people would have been beyond me.
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  57

  The Elders want to meet with me ... (Judicial Meeting)

  by Oubliette in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  the elders want to meet with me.

  at least that's what they keep telling me, and they've been saying it for more than a month and a half now.

  just so you're clear: this is a judicial committee.

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  nugget

  This is just to reinforce to you how utterly unimportant your life and concerns are to them. The fact that your family and friends are distanced from you whilst theirs are not is irrelevent to them and the fact that they can share fellowship with other witnesses and you cannot is of no consequence. Whilst you are in this state of sin you are less than nothing so unless there is no sport on TV or something they would rather do then this meeting is an inconvenience to them rather than a necessity. The fact that they keep postponing may be that they are not going to reinstate you and wish to avoid the unpleasantness.

  It tells me it is better to walk away than wait forever.
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  15

  What would you say?

  by nicsfreedom in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i pondered on a rather strange idea (sort of a divided feeling) today after reading an article and i wondered how all of you would react.

  in the unlikely event the ivory towers of wathtower came crashing down (not literally) lets just say there was a mass awakening.

  for those of you who have suffered from atrocious behavior from friends and family, how would you really react?

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  nugget

  I'd welcome my sister with open arms you don't get many opportunities for a really good "I told you so".
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  5

  How I Feel Today

  by LouBelle in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  sick to my stomach!

  agitated!

  angry!

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  nugget

  failure to pay or late payment may be a sign that they are in financial difficulties. I would seriously look for alternative employment. This happened to my husband when a company failed to pay him as they went into liquidation. He had no salary at all but couldn't claim benefits as technically he was employed.

  I would also let the bank know about the delay in payment and request a formal overdraft to cover the direct debits going out so they don't bounce as this will cost more.

  I would also go to your boss and highlight that you will be passing on any bank costs to them if their late payment results in bank charges. Keep it to a statement of the facts and maintain professionalism if at all possible.
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  24

  Help me in my quest to free my sister

  by Ed Daly in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi there everyone, looking for some advice on helping my sister who is studying the bible with a jehovahs witnesses to escape.

  shes been studying for over a year now and attends meetings occasionally.

  i have been looking for a way to help her for a while now and the answer fell into my lap last week, during her study last week she mentioned that her son was going to a birthday party.

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  nugget

  Your sisters motherly impulse may be the saving of her. The non celebration of birthdays and christmas is a means to separate witnesses from their peers and is particularly damaging to children. I saw my own children increasingly marginalised from their peers because they did not share in any of their key experiences. Birthdays are important for bonding and also for teaching them sharing with others without expectation of receiving.

  Be careful how you guage things with your sister though and if she seems to be getting defensive back off a bit

  The witnesses supply enough causes of concern for parents:

  Non celebration of holidays

  Evening meetings

  Stern disapline during meetings with no allowance for a child's age of capabilities

  The blood issue

  Lack of education

  emphasis on service and denying of ability

  No sports or out of school activities

  Social exclusion
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  64

  Julia gets hit with the Shun Gun for the first time...and it really hurts.

  by Julia Orwell in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my jw friend of 20 years, the first one i ever met, the one who got me into jwism in the first place, unfriended me from facebook without explanation.

  other jws who have unfriended me at least called me names (apostate) and told me they were unfriending me, but they were no loss.

  but someone who's been your friend since you were 13...and no explanation...i'd think 20 years- 20 years!

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  nugget

  So sorry we always hope those we care about will be different and yet they so often disappoint.
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  13

  Something better than Xmas

  by zound in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  saw the title of this recent watchtower and it reminded me of the standard response to b'days and xmas celebrations:.

  "we don't limit giftgiving to a specific day, we give gifts all year round!".

  did anyone growing up a jw get gifts all year round?.

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  nugget

  I can remember being given gifts very rarely as I was growing up. Certainly in comparison to my schoolmates we did not get regular presents. Everything was very low key and sporadic at best. We had no special present days.

  In comparison our children received wrapped gifts on our wedding anniversary and we did look for opportunities to reward them, certainly they did not lack for things they wanted. However now we have Christmas and Birthdays and I try to make them special and memorable with our own family traditions so that when they grow up their childhood memories are rich and colourful.
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  21

  Is Blind Obedience to group of men supported by Scripture?

  by nugget in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i have been pondering over the demands made by the governing body for absolute loyalty and unquestioning obedience to their interpretation of scripture.

  is this a reasonable request and is it in line with scripture?

  alternatively is there in fact a scriptural defence for taking personal responsibility for beliefs and having a questioning attitude when being told what is to be believed.. there are ample scriptural warnings about trusting in men psalm 146 v 3 warns us not to put our trust in nobles or earthly men and galatians 1 v 8 goes even further stating that even if an angel were to preach to us something contrary to the teachings of christ it should be ignored.

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  nugget

  Many of us were the same. I would look for any weakness in the argument or contradiction and focus on that one area whilst ignoring all the valid points they made. Now I love debate and the flow of ideas. I have learnt to respect other people and listen to their point of view properly.
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  11

  I have a answer to those on why we are no longer part of the Cult.

  by TotallyADD in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  since our episode with our oldest son and his wife we know the word is out that we no longer want to be jw.

  the other day an elder from fl tried to call us but our fax machine was on during his attempt.

  i quess when he heard the fax noise he thought he may have had the wrong number.

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  nugget

  I would say to him that the call seems like entrapment and he would do well to consider Mat 18v6 since it would appear that his own eternal salvation is in danger. He knows that no sin has been committed otherwise he would not be fishing for evidence and stumbling one of 'the sheep is a serious sin. I would say to him I feel deeply sorry for you since my relationship with Jehovah is as solid as ever whilst yours may need some serious repair. Goodbye.
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  21

  Is Blind Obedience to group of men supported by Scripture?

  by nugget in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i have been pondering over the demands made by the governing body for absolute loyalty and unquestioning obedience to their interpretation of scripture.

  is this a reasonable request and is it in line with scripture?

  alternatively is there in fact a scriptural defence for taking personal responsibility for beliefs and having a questioning attitude when being told what is to be believed.. there are ample scriptural warnings about trusting in men psalm 146 v 3 warns us not to put our trust in nobles or earthly men and galatians 1 v 8 goes even further stating that even if an angel were to preach to us something contrary to the teachings of christ it should be ignored.

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  nugget

  Punk of nice it is true that JWs do not listen they merely wait for a gap in the conversation to leap in. Only those who have active doubts will be willing to process the thoughts stated in my post. Itis truly sad that you can only see the religion for what it is when you are outside.