Posts by Podobear

310

Mill Hill Disfellowshippings

by BorgHater in

jw
friends

a few months ago there was a thread about a couple of elders at the mill hill bethel being disfellowshipped because they disagreed with some wt doctrine (i can't recall exactly what it was) and that several other betheliteswere under 'investigation'.

i haven't heard anything since, does anyone know anything more about this?.

borghater xx.

Podobear

It is what comes when you have the balls to stand up for what you believe in.. which I thought was the object of the subject of this thread?.. It is my first one.. Have I missed the point.

Good stuff Testosterone... ought to be licensed. The Apostle Peter had plenty of it. Spunky man.. lopped off the ear of a soldier.. worked hard at fishing to feed his wife and kids.. denied his Lord no less than 3 days. AND STILL HAD THE COURAGE TO BOUNCE BACK AND ADMIT HE WAS WRONG.

Got up there and was thumping out his testimony for Christ after his tears were done.

How to be a winner when you are defeated!..

310

Mill Hill Disfellowshippings

by BorgHater in

jw
friends

a few months ago there was a thread about a couple of elders at the mill hill bethel being disfellowshipped because they disagreed with some wt doctrine (i can't recall exactly what it was) and that several other betheliteswere under 'investigation'.

i haven't heard anything since, does anyone know anything more about this?.

borghater xx.

Podobear

Thank you for the warmth of your greetings Aligot, Cofty and Stillwondering. One of the reasons I have looked in and never signed up to any of these forums, is the deviation that takes place from the thread started.

I must agree with jookbeard here. It has been my experience that these "Reachout" trusts do little more than stir up old contentions in doctrinal matters. Many former JW's, myself included, are tired of this murky and sinister posturing.

In recent times I questioned the knowledge of a so-called ex-jw who had formed an Evangelical Reachout Trust in Craven Arms in Shropshire. When I tried to get him to stay on the doctrinal point, I was amazed at his LACK of real knowledge on JW teaching on the matter. His presentations spun off with allegations and false assumptions to the point that it actually reinforced my understanding of the subject as taught in WT literature. (For the record only this was the difference between PAROUSIA and ERKHEMEMNON.. sorry haven't got my Greek lexicon with me.)

It will be interesting to hear another presentation from those who maintain their need for a "God Slot" but I have yet to see or hear one that doesn't eventually descend into a true Evangelical v Pentecostal Cat Fight. We wait with baited breath.

Meanwhile my encouragement to all former JW's here would be: Be like the honey bee, extract the good out of all you visit.. and as I said before, try in some way to turn your lemon into lemonaid. That is what brought me back from the brink of despair and suicide.

For those of us/you who retain a spirituality.. draw close to God and Christ in your personal relationship.. strengthen your OWN conscience before them. Try to channel your Frozen Anger into a power for good. IMHO.

Podo

310

Mill Hill Disfellowshippings

by BorgHater in

jw
friends

a few months ago there was a thread about a couple of elders at the mill hill bethel being disfellowshipped because they disagreed with some wt doctrine (i can't recall exactly what it was) and that several other betheliteswere under 'investigation'.

i haven't heard anything since, does anyone know anything more about this?.

borghater xx.

Podobear

I do understand Borg, and for the record, I found Dave's comments a bit presumptuous.

I too experienced much emotional pain. My Father has been an Elder since 1972, my mother has opposed bitterly since the mid-60's and my sister almost succeeded at her 3rd attempt at suicide 2 1/2 years ago.. because (although not baptized) she cannot measure up to the exacting standards of the WT.

It has taken me some time to pluck up the courage and share my own experiences and within two days I have met a few decent human beings and felt despair at the comments of Mr Brown... who presumes a lot about the people on this site.

What individuals do with the authority and power they have is indeed a cause of much concern. Believe me I was on the brunt end of it, stunned by it and left disillusioned. It wasn't doctrine at the time that influenced my decision. Matters have moved on since and I chunder at some of the extremist attitudes and views that come in.

I am an ex-Pentecostal.. have seen enough of conflict in religion. The JW's don't have the lion's share of many of the problems Mr Brown lists. The WT Society needs cleaning out... I agree. From the corrupt and power/control freaks.

Please excuse my analogy but I prefer to turn my lemon into lemonade... much nicer to suck on, and better for long term healing. IMHO

All the best

310

Mill Hill Disfellowshippings

by BorgHater in

jw
friends

a few months ago there was a thread about a couple of elders at the mill hill bethel being disfellowshipped because they disagreed with some wt doctrine (i can't recall exactly what it was) and that several other betheliteswere under 'investigation'.

i haven't heard anything since, does anyone know anything more about this?.

borghater xx.

Podobear

Putting it in your own Bristolian bluntness, Dave...

Be careful that you don't treat others like they are a pile of shit and you are a tin of Ajax.

Many were hurt by other PEOPLE, spiritual thugs, who feel they have the upper hand. I believe in triage and salvaging the wounded from the dead.. when has a bomb in a High Street ever solved anything (if you get my Northern Ireland metaphor). Therapy given, depends on the wounds and the psyke of the patient. May your care be palliative as you attempt to cuartarize.. be careful you don't stitch up the vulnerable.

Best wishes too.

310

Mill Hill Disfellowshippings

by BorgHater in

jw
friends

a few months ago there was a thread about a couple of elders at the mill hill bethel being disfellowshipped because they disagreed with some wt doctrine (i can't recall exactly what it was) and that several other betheliteswere under 'investigation'.

i haven't heard anything since, does anyone know anything more about this?.

borghater xx.

Podobear

Fair enough, Dave. Who is criticizing your technique.. please allow others the flexibility to deal with their personal circumstance in the way they see fit. That is all.

I am the director (and clinician) of a medical practice in your home city.. not 1/2 hour ride in a car from you. I treat and counsel at least a dozen Active, Inactive and disfellowshipped JW's amongst my 4,000 patients.

Tact and persuasion through hard fact, one on one, is SOMETIMES better than full ballistics and devestation. (IMH0).

310

Mill Hill Disfellowshippings

by BorgHater in

jw
friends

a few months ago there was a thread about a couple of elders at the mill hill bethel being disfellowshipped because they disagreed with some wt doctrine (i can't recall exactly what it was) and that several other betheliteswere under 'investigation'.

i haven't heard anything since, does anyone know anything more about this?.

borghater xx.

Podobear

Bonjour Aligot.. Astonishing I lived for 10 years in Greyhound Lane Streatham Common, perhaps you called on me in my "Inactive" state! Have I missed the point of this thread.. if there has been a cull at the top, why is noone naming those who have left? Great to see blasts from the past and thank you for the greetings. People leave for different reasons, Dave Brown. Some of us prefer to reason, rather than level charges.... It is more effective in the long run. (IMHO)

310

Mill Hill Disfellowshippings

by BorgHater in

jw
friends

a few months ago there was a thread about a couple of elders at the mill hill bethel being disfellowshipped because they disagreed with some wt doctrine (i can't recall exactly what it was) and that several other betheliteswere under 'investigation'.

i haven't heard anything since, does anyone know anything more about this?.

borghater xx.

Podobear

I was around at the beginning of the eighties jookbeard and many of the names that you and hotspur mention are familiar to me. Noone seems to know who has gone from the committee, as I said I know all but one of these from 25 years ago. I consider myself removed so far now that none would know me well. I became a religious recluse shortly after leaving Bethel.. disillusioned but still spiritual at heart. It has taken a long time to heal. All the best.

310

Mill Hill Disfellowshippings

by BorgHater in

jw
friends

a few months ago there was a thread about a couple of elders at the mill hill bethel being disfellowshipped because they disagreed with some wt doctrine (i can't recall exactly what it was) and that several other betheliteswere under 'investigation'.

i haven't heard anything since, does anyone know anything more about this?.

borghater xx.

Podobear

Has to be West Ham, the Hammers! hotspur were you around in the days of R. Brice??.. Boreham Stiff?

310

Mill Hill Disfellowshippings

by BorgHater in

jw
friends

a few months ago there was a thread about a couple of elders at the mill hill bethel being disfellowshipped because they disagreed with some wt doctrine (i can't recall exactly what it was) and that several other betheliteswere under 'investigation'.

i haven't heard anything since, does anyone know anything more about this?.

borghater xx.

Podobear

Thank you for the welcome jookbeard: I have blasted in from the past, seems we may have been circulating in the same era.

John Blaney used to wander at will into my room before breakfast most mornings. Several of us became almost carers as the poor chap gradually lost the last of his marbles. Amazing recovery though when it was time to go to the Adam & Eve. Many a Bethel boy parted with hard earned and precious cash to help him with a pint or two. None begrudged it. What a character! He once stopped a train out of one of London's mainline stations, claiming he was an Ambassador on an important mission.. the guard obeyed! He gave his baptism date as his birthdate and wangled his way into Gilead.

He wore a mac like Columbo in Field Service, laced with WT literature. No book bag. The house holder was often stunned and he "placed" shed loads of literature. The young pioneers on our circuit were inspired by him. With no kith and kin to look after him, WT was obliged to house him, as no individual JW's could cope with his eccentricity. He was assigned to read the Newspapers and cut articles out of the National Press for use in the Publications.

I am amused by your reference to Count Dracula and can only place the desciption to Phil Rees, Bethel Factory Overseer and Heavy.. who was in fact Ozzie. As far as I am concerned that was an awful period in Bethel history. I hold back on comments on alcohol abuse as someone else made wry comment to it. Slurring your way through a presentation at Twickers is not a good way to stem gossip!... if you were around Security at the time you probably know what I am talking about.

Are we saying on this thread that there have been departures from the current Branch Team or just speculating? Can someone clarify this please?

310

Mill Hill Disfellowshippings

by BorgHater in

jw
friends

a few months ago there was a thread about a couple of elders at the mill hill bethel being disfellowshipped because they disagreed with some wt doctrine (i can't recall exactly what it was) and that several other betheliteswere under 'investigation'.

i haven't heard anything since, does anyone know anything more about this?.

borghater xx.

Podobear

I remember Hetty and John Wynn well. Hetty was Dutch and loved her flowers, would talk to them regularly each morning as we started work. Then she would throw open the windows for some fresh air. This usually started an office war with Ted F-B who disliked the "cold" intensely. You may think John was not a hard liner. He was a true Gloucester boy with country values. He refused to buy in Horlicks for the Bethel family, as he felt it was priced extortionately (and he was right).

I vividly remember him in a shouting match with one of my roommates named Jimmy (aren't they all!) for all to hear. John was influenced by Hetty's Dutch turns of phrase and eccentricity. Workmen were smoking whilst effecting repairs to the home,and the whole corridor wreaked of tobacco. John had accused Jimmy of having a shag under the stair well. The day Scotland and England clashed head on I recall. Jimmy left soon there after.

Wynn, Rees, and Gooch have long since gone, leaving two very hard liners in pole position.. Drage and Ellis. Cold as ice.

A c/o I loved especially was Jeff Young and his wonderful wife Vee.

Spoke to Dad yesterday.. no news yet of any departures in his neck of the woods, the London suburbs. Are you sure of the facts here? I know all of the committee as listed with just one exception.