Posts by Jewel

8

What's the scam?

by Jewel in

ok-so here's the situation in brief--note: i was a member of this congregation for all of my teen years, but haven't been to a meeting in years.... this takes place in a smallish city in iowa.

there are two congregations-north and south units.

both have nice, paid-for king.

Yeah...and my mom-who's elderly and been faithful for years has to drive that in all kinds of weather. I can't figure the financial thing, really. Mom has told me off and on over the last few years how tight money has been for the congregation...asking for extra donations so they can pay bills. They have a big elderly population who's on a fixed income. Where're the extra donations to pay the mortgage going to come from? Seems like you can only squeeze so much blood out of those turnips...but that's never been a concern in NY...

Jewel

8

What's the scam?

by Jewel in

ok-so here's the situation in brief--note: i was a member of this congregation for all of my teen years, but haven't been to a meeting in years.... this takes place in a smallish city in iowa.

there are two congregations-north and south units.

both have nice, paid-for king.

Jewel

So, the WTS holds the mortgages?? Mom had said something about the Circuit Over. putting pressure on the congregations to do this...that makes the whole thing make a little more sense. God moves in financial ways...

We're in far eastern Iowa...in the middle. Right about where the Mississippi makes that big curve...

Jewel

8

What's the scam?

by Jewel in

ok-so here's the situation in brief--note: i was a member of this congregation for all of my teen years, but haven't been to a meeting in years.... this takes place in a smallish city in iowa.

there are two congregations-north and south units.

both have nice, paid-for king.

Jewel

OK-so here's the situation in brief--NOTE: I was a member of this congregation for all of my teen years, but haven't been to a meeting in years...

This takes place in a smallish city in Iowa. There are two congregations-north and south units. Both have nice, paid-for King. Halls that have been in service for decades. The size of both congregations has remained relatively stable-numbers seem to be down slightly. They are suddenly inspired by "Jehovah's Will" to sell them both and build one new one for both congs to share. The reasons for this given to the congregations don't really make much sense, but of course the rank and file vote the way Jehovah wants them to--especially since the vote is one of those secret raise-your-hands-if-you-want-to-do-Jehovah's-will-like-the-elders-are-pushing deals.

This involves taking out a mortgage to buy the land (from a brother-but I'm sure he gave them a really good deal...) and, I'm assuming, another for the actual building. They have to be out of their KH (one is already sold) by March1 and the new hall won't be ready to use at least until Jan 2008. In the meantime, both congs are going to share a kingdom hall with a congregation in another town about 45 mins. away. Trips to be made twice a week. For at least 10 months.

Like I said, makes no logical sense. My mother (78yo) is distraught about the whole thing and bends my ear about it. I'm pretty cynical about this whole deal, but that's NOTHING to how cynical I am about WTBTS in general so I'm not exactly the place to go for comfort. I keep thinking that New York has to be making money on this somehow and am curious about the whole thing. Not going to share that part with my mother because she clings to her faith like a drowning person....

Any insights??

Jewel

11

Do JWs believe in "signs"

by Shawn in

do jws believe that god can use mundane everyday things to show his will?

my friend says she doesn't believe in signs, i am wondering if this is a jw mindset or her personal one.

it is something i have asked her and she said it was her beliefe but i wonder how much the wts had to do with it.

Jewel

Shawn-

Like others have said, they do believe in signs that they can use to their advantage...

However, the kind of things that you mentioned would probably be called (by a Witness) as demonic and of the Devil...

(Purge the house, increase your hours in service and put a little extra in the collection box!!)

Jewel

14

Why should Kingdom Hall sales proceeds go to the Watchtower?

by VM44 in

suppose a whole congregation decides it has had enough of the watchtower.

suppose also that they have paid for their own kingdom hall and the mortgage is paid off in full.. why should they not be free to rename the kh to some other name, or, if they want to, sell it and keep the money?.

legally, why should the watchtower think it has a claim on the kingdom hall property?

Jewel

I just had an interesting conversation with my Mom (a long-time and current Witness). She was all upset because the elders are pushing (again) to sell their Kingdom Hall and build a new one. In the town where she goes to meeting, there are two congregations. There's been this big push to sell the two Halls and build one new one for the congs to share. The "Society" sent out a brother to do a "Feasibility Study" who said they should sell both Halls for $130,000 (a HUGELY inflated value in our economy) each and then borrow nearly $400,000 from said Society to buy a new lot and build the new building. Both current Halls are more than big enough and paid off. Both congs are solvent, but just.

Of course, they ask the r&f what they think like, "Should we follow Jehovah's bidding and sell our KH to build a new one?" (vote by raised hand-very anonymous) or "Do you want to flout the advice of the Society?" (again indicate by raised hands). My Mom, who has fought valiantly over the last 20 years to stamp out her few remaining self-determinative brain cells so she can be a better Witness, gets really frustrated by the whole thing.

She tells me about it, because she doesn't dare say anything to any of her "brothers and sisters"-they'd turn her in for her heretical thoughts-but she needs to talk to someone because she gets so upset. Then she apologizes and says she shouldn't tell me because she doesn't want to further damage my faith. Since I haven't been to a meeting in 20 years I assure her that nothing she tells me is new news (I remember the congregational politics) and that my faith is beyond danger.

None of the "reasons" she tells me they are using make any sense whatsoever. I can only assume that the real reason will somehow benefit the Society financially. And I can be incredibly relieved that I left all that behind me a long time ago.

Jewel the Jaded

12

The "Visit"

by Jewel in

hey folks,

i haven't posted for a loooong time, but had an interesting experience the other day.... my mom is still an active witness.

i did the slow fade years ago.

Jewel

Well, I wouldn't care one way or another if it weren't for my mother. My sister is already disfellowshipped and neither of my brothers were ever baptized. We live near my mother and help her alot around her home and socialize and that would become very awkward.

A BIG part of me would like to have a really honest talk with this guy-tell him what I do think of the Society and it's minions. That's very tempting. On the other hand, I'm sure that they can't begin to imagine how unimportant the JW's are in my day-to-day life.

The book he wants to study was one from a recent assembly and he assumed that my mom had given it to me-she's long since ceased doing that sort of thing. One of the many layers to the whole thing was how insulting it was. As if I didn't understand or remember any of the concepts. Gods, I've heard everything a million times! It's not that I don't get it, but that I DO get it now! And the assumption that my inactivity is because somebody snubbed me! I mean the whole organization stinks of hypocrisy, but if I still bought the party line I'd still be going to meetings. My plan at this point is to be unavailable to any overtures. Obviously, I'm not going to answer the phone on Monday, but it'll be interesting to see how far they push.

I can imagine that some of you might understand what I can't explain. I actually had a physical reaction to the visit. It made me feel...what?? I guess it made me remember how it felt to be under the thumbs of these guys. It also made me realize how incredibly happy I am to be free. Like I said, there's a part of me that would like to clear up my status as well, and that wouldn't make their numbers look any better!

Thanks all-I'll keep you posted

Jewel

1

The Visit

by Jewel in

jw
friends

hey folks,

i haven't posted for a loooong time, but had an interesting experience the other day... .

i did the slow fade years ago.

Jewel

Hey folks,

I haven't posted for a LOOOONG time, but had an interesting experience the other day...

My mom is still an active Witness. I did the slow fade years ago. I haven't been in a Kingdom Hall for probably 13 or 14 years. I had an elder come knocking on the door. He's a nice guy in general-we share relatives so have occasional non-religious contact. However, he was definitely in "elder mode". He wanted to come in, but I didn't offer. He told me that The Society has "suggested" (yeah, right) that they contact "brothers and sisters" who aren't active and "encourage" them to come to the Memorial. Went on a bit about how happy he was sure this would make my mother. Talked about honoring my baptism. Said he'd come back Monday at 2:00 and asked me to read the first couple of chapter in a book (I have no idea which one...) so we could "discuss" it. He said that I shouldn't let any old bad experiences with "imperfect humans" come between me and "your father jehovah".

Since my mom is elderly and since my extended family is about 1/3 Witness, I've always maintained a polite sort of don't-ask-me-I-won't-tell-you-what-I-REALLY-think sort of relationship. It's always been kind of funny because I can tell that my unclassified status makes them uncomfortable-I mean it almost makes them have to figure the situation out for themselves and they aren't used to having to think...sorry, I'm getting snippy.

Anyway, I suggested he call before making the trip because I knew there was NO WAY I was going to discuss ANYTHING with this guy. I guess I'm wondering if anybody knows if there is a bigger picture here...

Do they need more numbers to pad out those Memorial figures??

Are they trying to tie up loose ends like me???

It scared my kids because I was polite and took the magazines-"Mom! You're not listening to them are you??" I assured them that the whole thing actually made me feel literally queasy and that there is no danger that I'd consider-in this life or any other-even if I had to burn for eternity in a literal hell-even if I was the last non-JW on earth-going back.

What do you think? What has anybody heard?

Jewel

PS-I posted this in Beliefs and Doctrines...but cross posting here too...

12

The "Visit"

by Jewel in

hey folks,

i haven't posted for a loooong time, but had an interesting experience the other day.... my mom is still an active witness.

i did the slow fade years ago.

Jewel

Hey folks,

I haven't posted for a LOOOONG time, but had an interesting experience the other day...

My mom is still an active Witness. I did the slow fade years ago. I haven't been in a Kingdom Hall for probably 13 or 14 years. I had an elder come knocking on the door. He's a nice guy in general-we share relatives so have occasional non-religious contact. However, he was definitely in "elder mode". He wanted to come in, but I didn't offer. He told me that The Society has "suggested" (yeah, right) that they contact "brothers and sisters" who aren't active and "encourage" them to come to the Memorial. Went on a bit about how happy he was sure this would make my mother. Talked about honoring my baptism. Said he'd come back Monday at 2:00 and asked me to read the first couple of chapter in a book (I have no idea which one...) so we could "discuss" it. He said that I shouldn't let any old bad experiences with "imperfect humans" come between me and "your father jehovah".

Since my mom is elderly and since my extended family is about 1/3 Witness, I've always maintained a polite sort of don't-ask-me-I-won't-tell-you-what-I-REALLY-think sort of relationship. It's always been kind of funny because I can tell that my unclassified status makes them uncomfortable-I mean it almost makes them have to figure the situation out for themselves and they aren't used to having to think...sorry, I'm getting snippy.

Anyway, I suggested he call before making the trip because I knew there was NO WAY I was going to discuss ANYTHING with this guy. I guess I'm wondering if anybody knows if there is a bigger picture here...

Do they need more numbers to pad out those Memorial figures??

Are they trying to tie up loose ends like me???

It scared my kids because I was polite and took the magazines-"Mom! You're not listening to them are you??" I assured them that the whole thing actually made me feel literally queasy and that there is no danger that I'd consider-in this life or any other-even if I had to burn for eternity in a literal hell-even if I was the last non-JW on earth-going back.

What do you think? What has anybody heard?

Jewel

43

WERE YOU CONSIDERED A GOOD EXAMPLE?

by minimus in

jw
friends

have you ever had to deal with the thought that you really weren't that good of an example?

perhaps, the congregation was encouraged to pioneer or reach out for bethel service or go to seldom worked territory, etc.

and when you applied, you were told that you didn't qualify.

Jewel

I was a very good example--until I went to college after high school. Went to the local community college, continued to live at home, went out in service, but suddenly was "marked". Odd thing was, my best friend at the time went to the same college and wasn't "marked". Big difference between us was that she was and elder's daughter and was taking nursing classes. The official explanation was that SHE was taking classes so that she could "support herself while serving Jehovah". Apparently I was taking classes so that I could get my hands on all those Satan-inspired textbooks...

After I graduated from college, I got a job at the same community college I had attended. I'd been out of high school six or seven years and was, by this time, Director of Financial Aid for the community college district and at meetings, the occasional elder would ask me how classes were going. I'd been out of college for a couple of years and they had no clue. I was already working on my slow fade so I just answered that classes were going just great (I assume that they were-we had lots of students in the classes anyway) I didn't mention that I WASN'T a student any more-just laughed at them silently.

Now I hope I'm a good example of how great life can be when you leave a mind controlling religion...

101

GETTING INTERESTING REAL SOON NOW

by You Know in

i don't have a clue how a computer works.

i just turn it on and point and click and i am able to do what i need to do, unless of course something goes wrong, or in the worst case scenario if my little machine experiences the dreaded blue-screen crash, then i am really in a mess.

that is the way the financial system is for most people.

Jewel

Oh SHOOT!!! Here I've been worrying about the "Peace and Security" thing being the Sign of The End(tm)...or was that "Wars and Rumours of Wars"...

I get SOOOOO confused.