Posts by exwhyzee

31

My act of REBELLION

by Gojira_101 in

jw
friends

well a picture says a thousand words!

i had a tattoo done today.. it was actually interesting because as i was chit chatting with the tattoo artist, she asked me if this tattoo symbolized anything....well actually it does i told her.. me: i was a jw and they are strongly against tattoos or anything that is really "normal" for people.. tattoo artist: i know all about jw, my ex-girlfriend's family was all jw, and i remember one time going over to her parents house and her grandma sat us both down and made us read some scriptures from her bible as to why we were going to hell.. me: actually you will due at armageddon, that is the jw thing.. tatt artist: oh right that is what her grandma said.

i forgot about that, you're right.. so then the rest of the conversation was just me telling her it's a cult and i told her never listen to any jw who comes knocking.. something else interesting that happened just before i came on here.

exwhyzee

Hi Gogira,

I was basing my comment on the short amount of information I read in the opening post . (Didn't realize Dad was a member here) You're right, I don't know you and shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. Then again, this is a discussion board and I was only sharing my thoughts on the topic and that's all they were...my thoughts. I didn't mean to make it sound like I was condemning you or judging you for having gotten a tattoo.

Based on the limited amount of information in the opening post, and based on what I've seen some people do when they first leave the Org. when I read the words" Rebellion" and "Tattoo" and "Crying" and "Almost had a heart attack when Dad said he was getting a Tattoo", my first inclination was to stick my neck out and voice my concerns. I saw all the "good for you" comments and wondered if I was the only one who was concerned that you might heading in a direction you might regret. I thought I'd take the chance and give an opposing opinion even if it meant I'd get people mad at me . I thought it might be improtant that you to hear another point of view in case it got you to think about things from another angle (in case you hadn't already) before you got more tattoos or made any big decisions.

No judging, no preaching...just voicing my opinion. (half baked as it might be)

31

My act of REBELLION

by Gojira_101 in

jw
friends

well a picture says a thousand words!

i had a tattoo done today.. it was actually interesting because as i was chit chatting with the tattoo artist, she asked me if this tattoo symbolized anything....well actually it does i told her.. me: i was a jw and they are strongly against tattoos or anything that is really "normal" for people.. tattoo artist: i know all about jw, my ex-girlfriend's family was all jw, and i remember one time going over to her parents house and her grandma sat us both down and made us read some scriptures from her bible as to why we were going to hell.. me: actually you will due at armageddon, that is the jw thing.. tatt artist: oh right that is what her grandma said.

i forgot about that, you're right.. so then the rest of the conversation was just me telling her it's a cult and i told her never listen to any jw who comes knocking.. something else interesting that happened just before i came on here.

exwhyzee

Well you certainly showed them didn't you? (Whomever "they" are) LOL!

Seriously though, you've only been out for 4 months...did I get that right? If so, I'd really wait before making any more permanent or big decisions...more tattoos,marriage,moving, job change etc. You probably don't think so, and won't realize it for some time yet, but you could be in one of the stages of mourning one is said to go through when a great change or upheaval (wanted or unwanted) happens in ones life. This could also explain the unexpected tears you experienced the other day. Something big is probably going on with your Dad too to have made such a turnabout in his thinking on this matter so quickly ..keep an eye on him, I'm seeing red flags. I'd hate to think of your lifes being permanently effected, yet again, because of your bad experience with the Watchtower. This act of rebellion sounds awfully like what a teenage girl might do to get back at her overly strict parents only to realize later they were only trying to protect her. Or the newly divorced woman who chops off her hair and takes up smoking just to get back at her ex only to realize she is the one being punished...again.You can get another tattoo any old time so why not wait a bit just in case? I know I won't be popular for saying so but I really really feel sure that there will be a wave of folks in the next decade who deeply regret having been caught up in the tail end of the current tattoo phase we've been seeing. Maybe I'm wrong(hope so) but in your case If getting a tattoo is an act of rebellion as you said, I'm guessing you might have regrets once you've come to grips with the life change you've recently been through. It doesn't seem like rebellion is a healthy motive for getting a tattoo.

Just my two cents...don't mean to be harsh,I just am a little concerned for you. Hopefully It's just the Dad in me,over reacting (again)

9

Here's To Fanatics And Raising The Bar

by exwhyzee in

jw
friends

a fanatic is a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal for something.

they take an activity,interest or belief and go beyond what would be considered normal or necessary by the majority of people.. .

having grown up as a jw and now having been away from it a few years, i better see how accustomed i had become to being involved with an organization run by fanatics of the religious variety.

exwhyzee

A fanatic is a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal for something. They take an activity,interest or belief and go beyond what would be considered normal or necessary by the majority of people.

Having grown up as a JW and now having been away from it a few years, I better see how accustomed I had become to being involved with an organization run by fanatics of the religious variety. They took ones simple desire to do good and to live a Godly life or even just to keep God from killing you and then raised the bar so high that one never felt one was quite good enough to benefit from Jesus ransom sacrifice. The only way to do so, it seemed was to force oneself into the role of a fanatic,no matter how unnatural it was to do. In the JW world... if you're a worldly Ax murderer...you're D @ A..... (D@A = D oomed at Armegeddon.) If you were given an opportunity to hear the message but didn't become a JW...you are (D@A ) If you did become a JW but didn't participate in enough theocratic activities ....you are weak and disapproved of and not likely to have the spiritual fortitude to make it into the new system....in other words, (D@A ) If you are regular in service but don't Pioneer, even though your circumstances would allow it, that makes you a "Token Witness" and you may be held responsible for the lives of all those you could have reached.... (D@A ) If you are a male, attending all the meetings and are raising you family in the truth, are capable but aren't reaching out for a position in the congregation....you're not being "whole souled" but are "lukewarm" and we all know what happens to those who are lukewarm... (D@A ) If you attend the assembly but don't take notes...you are not paying "more than the usual attention." and likely wouldn't have the recall abilities to survive under test during the tribulation .... (D@A ) If you show up on Sunday without having studied the Watchtower lesson...you are not showing appreciation for God's spiritual provisions and following the Societies recommendations. Why shoud God allow someone like you into the New System ... (D@A ) If you secretly think Christmas lights are pretty...you are loving something detestable to Jehovah.... (D@A ) If you buy a two door car not practical for service, you aren't putting the kingdom interests first.... (D@A ) Anyway, you get the idea. No one ever tells you this stuff out loud , in fact they'd flatly deny it but everyone knows what is implied and they're all trying to prove to eachother and themselves that they are good enough. It's one thing after another...constant opportunities to go wrong. Looking back I realize how exhausted I was from always having to second guess every move I made to keep myself in harmony with their version of God's requirements. I realize that as a Witness, I was only as good as my last act of obedience. Nowadays I feel that if there is a God and if there is to be a New System or some other plan for mankind, there is no reason why I shouldn't be included in it. I'm not perfect but I love goodness and I'm doing the best I can and that's got to count for something.

45

I heard Jehovah's Witnesses were the first ones on the scene in Boston providing assistance.

by Theocratic Sedition in

jw
friends

you know those articles from the wt are coming, along with emails from jw friends and family.

all the shameless self-attaboys, and fictitious observations by non-jws remarking on how jws provided the most and best assistance to the victims..

exwhyzee

Again, no JW I've known would not personally help someone in an emergency situation such as the one in Boston. As for what was done at Bethel, during 9/11 I can't say. I have only heard things....I have no real evidence of what actually happened there. As a former Bethelite, I can think of lots of reasons why they would close their doors when the trade centers were crashed into only a stones throw away from them. Mostly security reasons and protecting the residents of the buildings until they knew what in the world was going on.

As an organization I would say that they are quite unprepared to allow the unsanitary gritty world into their pristine spiritual paradise at Bethel. It wouldn't suprise me to hear that they didn't just fling their doors open and scurry those in need straignt into the Lobby of one of the hotels or into one of the many large cafeterias where food and aid could be administered. For all I know, they may have done just that very thing.

45

I heard Jehovah's Witnesses were the first ones on the scene in Boston providing assistance.

by Theocratic Sedition in

jw
friends

you know those articles from the wt are coming, along with emails from jw friends and family.

all the shameless self-attaboys, and fictitious observations by non-jws remarking on how jws provided the most and best assistance to the victims..

exwhyzee

Although I'm not really happy with the WTBTS at the moment and I don't always agree with their doctrine, to be fair, I must say ... No Jehovah's Witness I know or ever have known would ever be unhelpful or unsympathetic to anyone with the misfortune of having been caught up in a situation such as we've seen happen in Boston. I think it's unfair, even in jest, to suggest that JW's would in any way shape or form act in any way, but exemplary.

45

I heard Jehovah's Witnesses were the first ones on the scene in Boston providing assistance.

by Theocratic Sedition in

jw
friends

you know those articles from the wt are coming, along with emails from jw friends and family.

all the shameless self-attaboys, and fictitious observations by non-jws remarking on how jws provided the most and best assistance to the victims..

exwhyzee

Hopefully there wasn't one of those tables full of literature or anyone out doing street Witnessing near the blast zone.

31

JW's like when tragic events the Boston bombing happen.

by El_Guapo in

jw
friends

so i get a text message this morning from an elder (also an old friend) from my hall.

(mind you i haven't been to meetings in months) he says the following:.

elder: did you hear about what happend in bos?

exwhyzee

In the 70's , 80's and 90's there were IRA bombings in London practically ever week. In Syria and Lebanon and such places, it's been the same way as long as I can remember....this is not a new thing but when it happens in ones own country, it's a different story...things are getting a little too close to home now so this time it truly must be the end of the world, those other places don't count.

36

How to identify Publishers who know TTATT

by His Excellency in

jw
friends

since coming to know ttatt, i have always wondered if there are others in the congregation who also share similar experience with me, are there pointers to identifying others who are also faking meeting attendance and fs activities..

exwhyzee

The telltale signs are:

Not bothering to look up the connect the dot scriptures during talks anymore.

Still looking up the scriptures but continuing to read and compare the surrounding verses even when the speaker has already moved on.

Elbowing of ones spouse when scriptures are found that contradict what the speaker just said.

Slouching in ones seat and not having ones own magazine during the watchtower study or caring if anyone notices.

Barely concealed eye rolling when certain topics are covered or ridiculous comments are made.

Not singing along with the kingdom melodies or holding back of ones snickers when certain lyrics are encountered.

Looking around during the prayer and seeing all the others that are doing the same.

Not saying Amen anymore.

Vagueness in the form of shoulder shrugging and or a nailed on sickly smile when someone asks " Wasn't that the best Watchtower/assembly/talk-ever??"

Appreciating the individuals one is associating with yet experiencing a certain disconnectedness that occurs when one has has moved on mentally.This disconnectedness is often discernible in ones body language.

91

Your worst convention experience.

by zeb in

by a split second rescuing our handicapped son from being pushed down the stairs by a flood of sisters rushing out to see as the drama had started.. the main offender being a special pioneer..

exwhyzee

Got word that a young woman we know, flipped her car on her way to the "special assembly" yesterday. Her trip to the assembly was a two hour drive, part of which was over a mountain pass. As there is frequently this time of year, a spring snowstorm blew in and she lost control of her car suddenly on the snowy road.The car rolled over on it's top but she was able to pull herself out of the car and despite bleeding cuts, began hitch hiking home . Some young guys gave her a ride all the way to her town, no one thought to bring her to the emergency room even though her forehead was bleeding. She's ok, but I'll bet this is her worst assembly ever. It's also proof, that even on the way to an assembly,you're on your own as far as God or the myriads of angels helping you.

26

BOE Letter: Kingdom News No. 38

by pixel in

to all bodies of elders re: kingdom news no.

dear brothers: .

april 1, 2013. we are pleased to inform you that in november 2013 a month-long special campaign will focus on a wide distribution of kingdom news no.

exwhyzee

I remember as a kid around 1974 distributing kingdom news number three. They told us this third tract was a final warning to the world and likened it to the third time Joshua marched around Jerico before the final blast of the horns was sounded and brought the walls down. We loved doing this work because you didn't have to talk, in fact it was such an urgent message, we were told not to engage anyone in discussion but scurry to the next door and get the message out quickly. There was a fervor in the message back then that hasn't been seen since.