this weeks service meeting was typical.. "where were you?
" "i'm concerned about you".
then the typical song and dance of the parts/talks, all recycled notions of doing better in the service.
I haven't been for awhile and one lady asked me how my Mom was because she hasn't seen her for a long time. (I guess she doesn't wanna pick up her phone either.) It's nice to know that I haven't been missed.
We had a swell talk about being clean, keeping our house and yard clean as a good "witness" to our neighbors. Too bad our house isn't as nicely maintained as our neighbors...maybe I should join their church if they go to one...they sure have a well-kept home.
some questions....feel free to answer any or all of these.
have your views of gay people changed over the years?
do you have or have you ever had gay friends?
Have your views of gay people changed over the years?
Yes. My view of people in general has changed. I'm no longer afraid of "wordly people" or "apostates."
Did the Organization impact your views and interactions with gay people?
Definitely. I was told it was wrong, and that I wasn't suppose to watch any entertainment that had gay characters. I was so sad when my Mom told me I couldn't watch Ellen's sitcom because she was gay. We watched it before she came out, I didn't see what the big deal was. She was still the same person.
If you are no longer a Dub, what do you think now?
I think that being gay is something you are born with, and I'm not the judge. I feel compassion when I hear their stories and struggles growing up. And I want to teach my son not to be prejudice against anyone. If he was gay, I would want him to live a life that made him happy and support whatever choices he makes.
when a jw uses proverbs 4:18 what can you say to prove that he's wrong?.
"If we were following a man undoubtedly it would be different with us; undoubtedly one human idea would contradict another and that which was light one or two or six years ago would be regarded as darkness now;
But with God there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, and so it is with truth; any knowledge or light coming from God must be like its author. A new view of truth never can contradict a former truth. ? "New Light" never extinguishes older "light" but adds to it."
Zion's Watch Tower 1881 February pp.3, 188
Too bad they don't publish this in the Watchtower today!!!
sorry for the long title.. i don't belive this will happen for a second.
but its an interesting question.
there you are at armargeddon, and god asks you " why you left the jw's?
I would say I left because God doesn't need an organization that uses Satan's manipulative tactics to control its followers. And their identifying mark of love is sadly missing, plus they downplay Jesus.
I also don't want to live in a world where over 7 billion people have to die so I could live in paradise. I would rather serve a loving God and be a regular Christian.
please read the second-to-last paragraph.. ok, are you a man-made human organization, or jehovah's organization?
nice to be able to make both claims when convienient!
when it comes to running rough-shod over people on every other matter, its jehovahs organization.
"If the accused denies the charge, the two elders may arrange for him and the victim to restate their position in each other’s presence, with elders also there."
I was not aware of this crap. Who would want to be in the same room as their molester? And if that vile person still denies the charges, nothing will be done about it? How unloving!
And it's wonderful to see they are just a "human organization." I wish I had known that 15 years ago so I wouldn't have wasted my time serving a bunch of men.
well i figure since i have been posting on this site, i might as well share my little bit.
it's in no way unique or special, it just is what it is.
from the time i was a tot, my parents took us to meetings.
Welcome!
Thank you for opening my eyes. You have forever changed my life.
it seems there are sooo many who sense something is wrong, or not right.
everyone who just 'fades' or is dfed or no longer a jw, it's all assumed for immoral reasons or they just want to lead a 'worldly' lifestyle.
some do, don't believe in god and that's their choice.
I've made my exit in my heart, and I don't want to go to anymore meetings.
My husband is still a JW, and I don't want him to take my son away from me if I DA myself or something like that. I don't care about my inlaws shunning me, but I would hate not being with my son when he visited with them in case they tried to pull something funny.
It would be nice to ask those questions at the meetings, but the elders would probably want to chat with me about it.
Currently, I'm trying to make inroads with my Mom. She already hates going to meetings.
october 2009 .
this is the date when somebody, somewhere, somehow, switched the light on and i realised i'd been part of a cult.
21 years of my life wasted.... since then i have gone through what i can only compare to losing someone i loved in death.
It's not your fault that you were in a cult. When you're in a high control environment, you don't realize that other people are also controlling, that's what you're used to. But your friend doesn't sound loving, she sounds toxic, and toxic friends drain you.
I had to get rid of my toxic friends, and am just starting to make new ones. It's tough being alone sometimes, but I feel so free now that I'm not in toxic relationships. Real friends shouldn't put you down, that shows they are insecure, and you don't need people like that in your life. I hope you're able to find another job you like too, and maybe you'll find some new friends at work?
Now you have the freedom to do whatever you like! Apply for a new job, make new friends, be who you want to be. In time, you can create a new "you", maybe the "you" that you always wanted to be but were suppressed by the cult.
I agree with Lozhasleft, if you still like your friend, you can stand up for yourself and share your feelings with her to see if that improves things.
i know some who go to meetings because they feel they have to because of family or other considerations.. imagine going to a meeting and having your iphone with you!.
how would it look if you had a watchtower in your hands along with a tv guide?.
think about going to a meeting with strong booze breath.. any other suggestions?
I like to sit in the mother's room with my son and sing songs and play games.
the witnesses are worse than the pharisees ever were!.
if you don't turn in a time slip and record your "ministerial" activities, you are no good.. if you wanted to smoke, you would be kicked out, even though the bible says nothing about smoking (and j.f.
rutherford, the society's president regularly smoked).. you cannot go to a "quick build" project and give of your free services if you are wearing a tee shirt with a logo on it!.
Holding hands during the prayer at the KHall.
Not wearing shorts that are above the knee....even when at home.
Needing to remain dressed up when eating out after the convention.
