i seem to have a bit of confusion concerning the purpose of this website and the people in it.
perhaps i am not computer savvy and do not understand some of the expressions used.
could someone comment and help clarify.. .
Bobld,
I have to think about that.....
Yes I feel abandoned and horrified by the brothers and sisters that acted unlike "Good Christians". I am coming to terms with Humans in general but I do feel that need to provide a childhood similar to mine with out the "bad". Can it be done? I am not sure. I think I am afraid that a am too diffent to "Fit".
i was raised by a wonderful and close family.
i loved my congregation growing up.
when i would go to the meetings, i felt i could go to school the next day and deal with the pressures of that day.
Braveheart Thank you for your encouragement. It does mean alot
Mrs Jones I will take that under careful deliberation. You mentioned you would not raise you children as Witnesses. May I ask why? Was your experience different from mine?
has anyone tried online dating?.
i travel constantly and feel like i'm only home on weekends....tough to meet anyone near me..... any success?
waste of time?.
OMGoodness HotChocolate That Ad was hilarious. Online dating can't really be any diffent then blind dates. I went on dates my sister set up for me. Talk about Weirdos. I had one that thought I could be paid for. I'm not sure what bottom of the barrel my sister got him from. She apologized...it was a friend of a friend of a friend that had met him online. He said he was 6 foot. Try 5'7 and the rest hair. Really tall hair. ROFL
i was raised by a wonderful and close family.
i loved my congregation growing up.
when i would go to the meetings, i felt i could go to school the next day and deal with the pressures of that day.
Mrs Jones5 Feedback given and received. Yes I assumed Dumni had not been a Witness. Well if he was that he understands the complexity and the difficulty of finding others like me and having my children associate with their children.
i was raised by a wonderful and close family.
i loved my congregation growing up.
when i would go to the meetings, i felt i could go to school the next day and deal with the pressures of that day.
Dumi,
You mentioned:
"The truth of the matter is that in time you will understand that your children can enjoy their childhood without having to grow "in the buble" and there is nothing stoping you to teach them about god and the bible, and to encourage them to use their mental capacities when it comes to issues of faith.
Above all else, teach your children to "live life aboundantly", afford them all that is in your strength to enjoy every moment "alive" in every sence of the word (free of guilt or control)... it is the least you owe them." I wanted to address a little further and get your insight.
There is nothing stopping me from making any decision I want for my children. But there are many considerations that I must ponder. If some thing works then why would I discount it? Don't get offended: but you have to have been a Witness to understand the complexity of growing up as a Witness. You mentioned my childhood as "fond memories", but it was more than that. It made me who I am now. I am not "brain-washed" nor believe was ever in a "cult". I didn't drink any coolaid(sp?). I know that I have always been "open-minded". It was my parents that taught me to give people the benefit of the doubt and understand the motives that influences peoples decisions.
My parents always drilled into me the need for education and higher learning. Yes there were those that did "look down" on it. I did drop out of college, but I was making almost 6 figures. I am finish my degree.
I think no matter what religion or belief system you have, it is the influences of your parents that help to create your values. And those values were mostly based on being a JW. You mentioned filling a void and teaching my children about god and the bible. Yes, I can influence my children, but they need to be able to see other people and peers putting those teachings into practice.
i was raised by a wonderful and close family.
i loved my congregation growing up.
when i would go to the meetings, i felt i could go to school the next day and deal with the pressures of that day.
Outlaw,
what is WBT?
i seem to have a bit of confusion concerning the purpose of this website and the people in it.
perhaps i am not computer savvy and do not understand some of the expressions used.
could someone comment and help clarify.. .
TheLoveDoctor thank you for the information. I think I am not ready to have a avator follow me where ever I go. It seems a little creepy
Lduh thank you for the link
Debator Thank you for your insight. I do realize that there are alot of ex-Witnesses and inactive Witnesses and active Witnesses. Since I do not have a any Witnesses to confide in and speak with, this site provides some needed feedback. Some comment mirror some of feeling and others do not. It is up to me to wade through all these responses. I appreciate your comments, and I hope you do provide me insightful comments in regards to my feeling that I am posting.
the-illuminator81 Thank you for your greeting. But instead of hypnotic eyes you enjoy a horn and pink tenticles?
Black Sheep/Chris Yes I do believe that is what I am finding. There are many different views and feeling. I respect everyones right to feel or believe what they want.
Isaacustin Its ok. If people want to post as different individuals to reflect their many different personalities? or just feel like it, I think it's up to them. It sounds exhausting and confusing. Thank you for your many postings.
Now I have completed the greetings. Yesterday, I didn't really think about my dilemma, and I did not post. I am organizing my book shelf, and I realize how many boxes of literature I have. I'm not sure what to do them, but I joked before about ebay. I don't want to do anything disrespectful to them, but I am boxing them. I did throw away my notes from all the conventions. The person that wrote them does not exist, and I want to start fresh. I want to make all decisions with whatI feel now. I posted on "...bubble burst" about my mother's thoughts of this website. Has anyone else had relatives and friends that do not want them to post?
And To the Witnesses on this website, what should I do with the boxes of literature I have?
i seem to have a bit of confusion concerning the purpose of this website and the people in it.
perhaps i am not computer savvy and do not understand some of the expressions used.
could someone comment and help clarify.. .
Smiddy Thank you Smiddy for your words
Cyberjesus funny - "may the swartz be with you"
Bangalore Thank you for your greeting
MMXIV Hello again. Didn't I just post a comment to you on "...my bubble burst"? I didn't address the other issue you brought up. It is sad that peopole misunderstand ME or CD-Bipolar or many mental or auto immune diseases. With that said, many people in this world do not understand. Some feel that someone with RA or ME or D should just get out of bed and shake it off. Some people believe it is fake and just in their heads. Witnesses are not the only ones not to understand. I think most people in this world do not. They misunderstand how and why this conditions occur. Some people are predisposed, genetics, triggers (tramatic events), and quite simply bad luck (my thoughts).
i was raised by a wonderful and close family.
i loved my congregation growing up.
when i would go to the meetings, i felt i could go to school the next day and deal with the pressures of that day.
To all the authors...thank you.
MMXIV: Thank you again for your insightful comments. Your right my decision is not about me but for my children. I wish my children can enjoy the special connect with other Witnesses. I wish my children will find others with strength and honesty to listen to council and avoid worldly pit falls (my husband dislike the term "wordly"). The kids I grew up with did not have issues with drinking, dating, smoking, drugs, not to say that there were not kids that had that issue. But I personally did not have any in the Congregation I grew up in - that I know of.
Perhaps as I get to know this site and the people in, I will be able to talk about more private issue.
I spoke with my mother and asked her about this website. She was not thrilled about my posting. She thought I should talk with the elders about my questions. While my mother understands about why I don't attend meetings, I think she feels that it is a private issue. I think other Witnesses posting on this site would agree that Witnesses keep Witness issue private and out of the public eye. For me I think this is unreasonable. I don't attend any regular meetings. I don't have a Congregation that I attend, and I don't have any Elders that I can confide in.
i was raised by a wonderful and close family.
i loved my congregation growing up.
when i would go to the meetings, i felt i could go to school the next day and deal with the pressures of that day.
I posted this on my previous thread today (Confused) I did not realized anyone posted anything on this thread. I think my computer did not refresh. Unfortunately, I am sleepy so I will have to read everyones comments tomorrow. Here was my comment to MMXIV. Thank you again for allowing me to stay and work through issue for a solution. And its nice to have intellectually stimulating conversations. LOL
MMXIV,
Some of what you say do have merit.
First I am definately not a celebrity.
Second, it is not unusual for social groups including religions, College Alumni, Neighborhoods, Professions, and Society Men and Women that stay within their social groups. Infact some social groups target children and start as young as 2yrs old (jack and Jill). Most find it comfortable, stable, connected, support systems. Infact this group has its own social group. I believe many people attack religion or other different religions because of past wounds or ideology. And thank goodness that we live in a time and place that allows a certain amount of freedoms including thoughts and beliefs (of course I'm not sure about privacy). Of course, there are some social groups that are derisive and promote illegal things. These groups control the standard and expel any unwanted influences that go against their agenda. The desire to group with like minded people is in all of us, but it is up to us to define what kind of like minded people we want to be connected to.
My exposure to other groups is limited due to how I was raised, but I have a good worldly friend who is Mormon. We laugh at how we grew up, and both were weirdly similar. Both of us have married unbelieving mates. I think I got the better deal. My husband fell in love with me (he sees ME) and I fell head over heel in love with him ...even before he met me. He believes in God, and he willing to go to the meetings but not actively participate. He sees it as like going to the movies. He loves my family, and they love him. My parents warned my future husband that I was spoiled and it might be a hard road ahead. But I also support him and his needs. I attend lunch or dinner with his family's Bday, Fathers Day, Mothers Day, Christmas and Thanks giving. I don't have any presents, but I am there enjoying the conversations. And he likes having his family with him.
Every where I see good and bad people in the Truth and out of the Truth. All those bad things I experienced at the Kindom Hall, I have experienced it in the world. Hatred, Bigotry, Malice, Gossip, Liars, thieves, covertness.
Even after saying all this. I can not say what I will do. I have not made up my mind. I tried to have my husband assist but he smiled...kissed me and said I need to decide since it is my personal choice. I love him. i am trying to read all the advise I have been given but it may take me awhile. I want to try to make one decision or choice each day and hopefully my path will follow. I'm starting to get sleepy and I hope this makes sense. I think this post I just did belongs under family.
Whether you agree with what I have said or shaking your head (as you can't believe it), I want to thank everyone for your input. All your experiences is making it easier to make one choice at a time. I guess I really am in the right place. This is the only thing I am really working through and I appeciate any support given. When I first started to post, I was fragile and afraid but after posting a couple of days. I don't feel scared anymore. No one is cursing at me and wishing me to the deepest reaches of space. So Far So Good. Thank you. And that includes you Apostate and others.
