Posts by Nickolas

41

Are Witnesses encouraged to talk about their non-JW mates?

by Nickolas in

14 years ago

my wife and i don't discuss the watchtower too much.

i'm atheist, and she knows there's nothing she can say to change that.

besides, she knows i've been doing a great deal of research into the society and could decimate any argument she could put forward that the wtbts is what it says it is, so she doesn't want to go there at all.

14 years ago

Nickolas 14 years ago

Nickolas, if I were a gambler I would lay all my material assets on the table and bet that your spouse told the elders that you constructed a building on your property sans building permit.

Actually, no. I called the city before building and was told I did not need a permit because the shed was within a certain maximum size. It's quite legal. When the elder came to buddy up my wife looked uncomfortable - not because she had set it up, but because she didn't want the guy there. Sort of like poking a bear with a sharp stick. I have been known to "bite". Our relationship isn't in the least vindictive. She doesn't play games but I do believe that my wife would just do what is expected of her by the Society as a devoted follower, and if that is to be forthright about the atheist she's married to, then it may be happening. If so it elevates the conversation to a different level, hence my OP.

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41

Are Witnesses encouraged to talk about their non-JW mates?

by Nickolas in

14 years ago

my wife and i don't discuss the watchtower too much.

i'm atheist, and she knows there's nothing she can say to change that.

besides, she knows i've been doing a great deal of research into the society and could decimate any argument she could put forward that the wtbts is what it says it is, so she doesn't want to go there at all.

14 years ago

Nickolas 14 years ago

Well, blondie, OUTLAW and NewChapter, your advice begs another question. If, indeed, she harbours some unrealistic hope that I will someday joyously surrender my brain at the door of the Kingdom Hall, what happens if she suddenly comes to realise it's futile? No, she's already there. We've talked about how painful it is for her to think about living in the New System with me not there. She knows where I'm at. I think she's more worried I am going to try to deprogram her, because she knows I have the ability but she is just so much in love with the delusion and afraid to die that she can't let it go. We've been together a long time, going on 40 years since we met and became an item, and can just about read each other's thoughts. We have had a kind of détente thing going on for much of our marriage which got spoiled when a disfellowshipping cleaved her family and our values clashed. There's a new/old tension in our relationship, but we're still lovers.

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41

Are Witnesses encouraged to talk about their non-JW mates?

by Nickolas in

14 years ago

my wife and i don't discuss the watchtower too much.

i'm atheist, and she knows there's nothing she can say to change that.

besides, she knows i've been doing a great deal of research into the society and could decimate any argument she could put forward that the wtbts is what it says it is, so she doesn't want to go there at all.

14 years ago

Nickolas 14 years ago

Of course, I'm in here talking about her. But I don't talk about her disparagingly - she's a wonderful person and I adore her - I talk disparagingly about her association with the WTBTS, which is likely interpreted as the same thing, even if it is anonymous. Regardless, setting a quiet example can't be part of her strategy because her example of quietly shunning her DFed nephew doesn't impress me too much and she realises it, as much as she realises how much I detest the WTBTS. I am quite sure she harbours no hope for me to join her in the Society, so why should she be discussing my intransigence with anyone in the Society?

I think I just may have to ask her directly.

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41

Are Witnesses encouraged to talk about their non-JW mates?

by Nickolas in

14 years ago

my wife and i don't discuss the watchtower too much.

i'm atheist, and she knows there's nothing she can say to change that.

besides, she knows i've been doing a great deal of research into the society and could decimate any argument she could put forward that the wtbts is what it says it is, so she doesn't want to go there at all.

14 years ago

Nickolas 14 years ago

My wife and I don't discuss the Watchtower too much. Not because I don't want to but because she doesn't want to. I'm atheist, and she knows there's nothing she can say to change that. Besides, she knows I've been doing a great deal of research into the Society and could decimate any argument she could put forward that the WTBTS is what it says it is, so she doesn't want to go there at all. But a minor event has me wondering about how much she discusses our philosophical disconnect with the elders at the hall. We were paid an unannounced visit by one of them many months back. This guy's pleasant enough but not someone I would hang around with, even if he wasn't a Jehovah's Witness. We have nothing in common. Anyway, he shows up and decides he wants to walk around my backyard with me. My wife meanwhile is looking uncomfortable and, being the poker player I am, I can't help but wonder why. He starts asking questions - nothing to do with spirituality, just questions about secular stuff, like - "I see you built a garden shed. Did you get a building permit?" My silent reaction was "WTF? Are you some kind of bylaws enforcement officer?" but I simply informed him that the city doesn't require one when the footprint of the building is less than 100 square feet, etc. There were other questions of this nature, like he was trying to catch me up on something, and when my voice took on an edge to it he muttered something about me being "blessed" for having so much talent and resources to do the things I do, yadda yadda and that was the last time I saw him. He called awhile back to invite my wife and me to a social gathering but I declined. Being surrounded by a bunch of Watchtower elders and their wives with my wife looking on nervously lest I say something untoward is not my idea of a fun evening.

It seemed to me to be a fishing expedition. He didn't get into anything that pushed a hot button but it was still odd. It makes me wonder how much fishing for personal details about non-JW mates goes on in the Kingdom Hall. Anybody in the same situation care to elucidate?

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10

Why I was disfellowshipped

by truthseeker1969 in

14 years ago

in 1996 i was approached by elders asking me if i had at any time been inside a "gay bar' in the city center to which i replied "yes" since i had, i was renovating it on behalf of the brewery that owned it.. i advised them smugly that i go there daily and that i did not see a problem with it.

it was well known in town that it was closed for renovations and that no one other than contractors were in there.. i was told that there had to be a judicial meeting and was invited to attend which i did not and was given a note through my letter box stating that "the decision has been made to disfellowship you".

i kindly sent a letter telling them that the bar in question is not a "gay bar' since the bar is inanimate and therefor had no sexual orientation and that the bar was not a bar since it was gutted and therefor had no bar for it to be called a bar.. i further told them that the extent of my work was on behalf of the brewery who sublet the building to the landlord.. my work was to provide detailed interior redesign and nothing more.. therefor the judicial committee was formed in error based on assumption with no foundation and null and void.. oops, sorry please dont mention this to anyone was the reply, too late.. .

14 years ago

Nickolas 14 years ago

You're in good company, truthseeker. Ray Franz was disfellowshiped for having had a meal with someone who had disassociated. Such is Watchtower justice. God's Chosen People, indeed. Shake the dust out of your sandles and tell them to f*ck off.

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70

What is your standing in a congregation if you're a man of 40 and never married?

by dgp in

14 years ago

on a different thread (http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/members/private/211210/3/my-life-well-the-first-part-at-least.

someone commented that.

as a sister especially you are nothing when not attached to you husband.. this made me curious.

14 years ago

Nickolas 14 years ago

Freddie Franz made a personal vow but still took a glance at Asian women (short like him and supposedly submissive)

Fascinating. Can you cite sources, metatron?

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12

Man finds $17,000 cash and turns it in ... JW?

by wannabefree in

14 years ago

despite this man's facial hair and no mention of religion, he must be one of jehovah's witnesses, cuz surely no worldly person would be so honest.. serioulsy, he credits his parents.

it always irritated me that whenever a witness does something good they have to throw in "as one of jehovah's witnesses ...." as though they were implying they would otherwise not have done the right thing.. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-man-finds-17000and-turns-it-in-20110609,0,6950954.story.

14 years ago

Nickolas 14 years ago

mob rule tends to influence thoughts.

as do cults.

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22

Hello everyone

by wasblind in

jw
friends

14 years ago

ole was is still on the mend but feelin' better,.

home pc is down, hope to be back on soon, take care.

postin' from library.

14 years ago

Nickolas 14 years ago

hey, wasblind. Was wondering what was up.

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12

Man finds $17,000 cash and turns it in ... JW?

by wannabefree in

14 years ago

despite this man's facial hair and no mention of religion, he must be one of jehovah's witnesses, cuz surely no worldly person would be so honest.. serioulsy, he credits his parents.

it always irritated me that whenever a witness does something good they have to throw in "as one of jehovah's witnesses ...." as though they were implying they would otherwise not have done the right thing.. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-man-finds-17000and-turns-it-in-20110609,0,6950954.story.

14 years ago

Nickolas 14 years ago

I'm atheist, and I would have turned in the money, too. No question. Genuine honesty has nothing to do with faith or lack thereof, or some flimsy hope for eternal life on the basis of how well you behave in "this life". If you're honest because of your religious beliefs, then you would not be honest if you lost your faith and you are not really an honest person.

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42

Do You Think It Is Wrong To Stereotype?

by minimus in

jw
friends

14 years ago

i know we are supposed to be politically correct but i don't always feel that this is warranted.. i do think that certain things might be generally true and could be viewed as stereotyping.

for example, if i see a young person driving a car very slowly, i might think that they are texting and driving (or else are asian).

now that might not have sounded proper, but i do think it's generally true, from my experience driving in the city.. if i see a "butchy" looking woman, i generally assume the woman is gay.

14 years ago

Nickolas 14 years ago

Yes Minimus everything really is bigger and better in

Then there was the story of the big Texan visiting the UK for the first time. Having finally found a pub that sold Lone Star beer he propped himself up at the bar and started to expound about his beloved state. He said "Things are purdy small here, y'ever notice? Rinky dink little cars driving on the wrong side of the little, narrow roads, teeny, tiny little houses spaced two inches apart with ittle bitty yards and such. And you folks are pretty small, too. Look atcha. Why, back in Texas everything is bigger than life. That's because we's the biggest state in the Union. We have big cars and trucks and 10,000 square foot houses with 100 acre lots and our folks are all big and strong, not like here at all."

A smallish, elderly gentleman wearing a tweed jacket with leather patches at the elbows looks over his Guinness and says quietly, "Yes, I have heard that, too, and I am certain that it is all true." The Texan smiles and tips his glass toward the gentleman in appreciation. The gentleman continues, "In fact, I am told that there was a Texan who was so big that when he died recently they could not locate a coffin large enough in which to bury him .... so they gave him an enema and buried him in a shoebox."

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