Posts by NiceDream

20

Anyone get divorced because of differing beliefs?

by NiceDream in

lately my husband has been miserable, but isn't talking.

he is really upset that he is "stuck with me" now that he knows i question my beliefs.

i thought we could explore the bible together and i hoped he would come to the same conclusion as me, but he won't do that.

NiceDream

Lately my husband has been miserable, but isn't talking. He is really upset that he is "stuck with me" now that he knows I question my beliefs. I thought we could explore the Bible together and I hoped he would come to the same conclusion as me, but he won't do that. He seems severely brainwashed and shuts down before I can say anything.

The trouble is we have a young child, and I'm currently not working. I wish I had realized this wasn't "the truth" before I had a child, because I don't want to get a divorce, or split up our family. My son loves my husband so much, and I would hate to break up their bond.

Has anyone been in this situation? Does it get better?

146

What Stupid Things Were You Counseled For?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i've always been told that i have a very good personality, that i'm humorous, etc.. one elder called me over and said that i was "smiling too much".

the other elders talked to the elder who counseled me and he came back to say that i should be like i was .

.

NiceDream

Mine is the stupidest time I was counselled...at my sibling's judicial meeting!!! I guess they wanted to bring me down while they had their chance.

They said I was "bringing down my husband" so he couldn't "reach out" and advance as a servant in the Hall. *sigh* They couldn't use him unless I started going out in service more.

48

Did you ever feel let down by the Bethel tour?

by maninthemiddle in

jw
friends

reading jeff's thread about dress made me think of my one and only trip to bethel.. i can't remember if i was babtised at the time, but i went with a bus load of jws.. like someone said in the last thread, printing presses and empty rooms.

i was very disapointed, however i don't think i had any pre-concieved notions of what it would be like.

what i was diapointed in was so much of the "tour" was walking hallways looking at exhibits behind glass.

NiceDream

We went to Patterson and Walkill a few years ago with some family members that used to serve there. I was a bit creeped out by all the happy people working in the factory. We were shown a "very exciting" page from a new Bible translation that was soon to be released. And then a bethelite woman came over and chatted with us and was touching me and my husband. She seemed kinda tipsy and mentioned she had enjoyed some wine. She reminded me of Stepford wife...too happy to be for real.

I also saw a picture of our circuit overseer on the wall and the creepiest feeling came over me. My subconscience was picking up on the cult vibe I guess!

49

Would any of you DESTROY ones faith and life as a JW if they were your dying grandparents?

by EndofMysteries in

jw
friends

this is a serious question, trying to decide the right thing to do.........i do believe in god, i am sorting out what i believe and true from lie and such.

have question on how atheist and just ones belief in god would respond to this.. .

if you have a grandparent, (or even some relative) who spent their entire life as a jw.

NiceDream

No. I was with my grandpa as he passed away recently, and I think it would be better to let your grandparent die peacefully with the purpose they've always believed in. Learning "the truth isn't the truth" is a process that takes time, but also a willingness to question things. Having spent their entire life as a JW, your grandparent most likely won't listen...and probably would be very upset.

Because I didn't know what to believe, I just prayed to God to let my grandpa die peacefully and not feel alone because he was surrounded by his family (he wasn't a JW or religious at all).

Take care of yourself

175

The facts on crucifixion, stauros, and the "torture stake"

by Leolaia in

finally, i will look at biblical and patristic evidence bearing on the crucifixion of jesus in particular.

we need to examine the earliest known descriptions of the kind of crucifixion adopted by the romans and the specific terms they used to refer to it.

apparently the society believes that crux still meant "stake" in the second century a.d., when tacitus composed his annals.

NiceDream

Saving for future reference as well. Thank you for your researching and posting this.

30

Giving deserving ones Jehovahs undeserved kindness

by OnTheWayOut in

a youtuber, 21crosscheck21, has an excellent point.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jlsfmbtt7e.

the kingdom ministry, december 1993, page 7 says:.

"we want to give *deserving ones* the opportunity to learn of jehovahs *undeserved kindness* and the kingdom hope.".

NiceDream

Great post.

I remember hearing how we need to "search for deserving ones" often...now I can think about it differently.

17

Another point missed by oblivious JWs - this week's Book Study

by sir82 in

jw
friends

this week's lesson for the book study covers chapter 4, paragraphs 18-24 of the "come be my follower" book.. in paragraph 24 we find this snippet:.

"...many have stood firm in the face of ridicule, persecution, arrest, imprisonment, torture, and even death.

where do imperfect humans get such courage?

NiceDream

" we once had this elder who was called in for jury duty back in the early 80's.

During the stage where they pick out the jury members and ask if you have any problem serving, (remember that this is in a crowded courtroom)

he talked about how he, as one of JW's he could not judge somebody because of bible principals."

Interesting how being on jury duty isn't allowed...but this elder could judge fellow Witnesses at "judicial meetings."

30

Not Sure What To Do....HELP!!!!!

by lostinnj83 in

hello..i have been lurking for quite some time and am finally ready to make my first post!.

i was raised a witness and am still "active" in the congregation and am married to husband who is also and have been having some doubts for some time and voiced some of them to my husband a few months back and he immediatly called the elders who provided a sheparding call.

doubts were mainly on the harshness of the disfellowshipping and the blood issue.

NiceDream

Welcome!

I'm also on my way out, but my husband is still in. The blood doctrine worried me because we have a little one, but I figured the doctors would probably favor the parent that wanted their child to have a transfusion.

There are others here in your situation too. PM me if you would like to chat.

4

Baptizing in the name of the holy spirit?

by make yourself in

this came across as really interesting to me seeing as how they change up the baptismal questions so many times.but thats a lie as a matter of fact the updated questions look like this: .

1.on the basis of the sacrifice of jesus christ, do you repent of your sins and dedicate yourself to jehovah to do his will?

2.do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of jehovah witnesses in line with god's spirit-directed organization?

NiceDream

This really bothers me, I feel like we should be baptized how the Bible says...not into an organization.

45

Honest Question..........

by thraxer68 in

well, first off, iam new to the forum here, i registered maybe a week ago???

sometime around there, but anyway, i do have an honest question.

i guess a little background about me might be helpful and if not, at least therapeutic.

NiceDream

Welcome!

I'm currently in a similar place, I want to serve God and live according to His word as well. Doing research I've also found doctrinal issues I can't fully understand - blood, 1914, 607, and the new overlapping generation. So I started reading a different Bible translation and found that helpful. I actually feel like I have inner peace reading the Bible. Not sure what to make of that yet, but I've found comfort for now.