Murray Smith

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Posts by Murray Smith

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  8

  Elders Approaching . . . What angle is best?

  by Murray Smith in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hiyall .

  i've been out for over 6 years now, and moved back to my old "home town" a couple of years ago.

  i've had a couple of visits from an old associate.

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  Murray Smith

  Hiyall . . . I've been out for over 6 years now, and moved back to my old "home town" a couple of years ago. I've had a couple of visits from an old associate. This man was with me in a congregation from 20 years back and we pioneered together for a few years . . . even went into business together for a while. After I moved away we kept in close touch and even ended up serving together briefly in a congregation many miles from here. He moved to another country about three years back and we lost contact. He knew by then I had become "inactive" and I hadn't heard from him for some time before he left.

  Recently he arrived back in town (to look after his sick mother) and looked me up . . . we chatted for about an hour but steered away from anything spiritual and discussed nothing re; my status. I think he was just feeling things out, but it was basically small talk and nothing more. That was a couple of months ago, but more recently he turned up at my home while I was out of town and spoke to my wife. Once again our "status" was carefully avoided and the visit ended with a general invitation to get together sometime with another family who were mutual friends for a BBQ.

  I think he is intent on attempting to "snatch me out of the fire"

  Even though we have known each other for a long time, I never really felt that close to him. He always brings the whole family and things are getting mildly "cosy". He is 'born-in' and has been an Elder for 20+ years, as has the other brother suggested for the get together.

  I have no desire to rekindle any friendships, nor any fear in making my feelings on matters clear. But before the inevitable parting of ways, I would like to get the most "mileage" out of the opportunity in the sense of planting something that might set him to thinking . . . .

  Any suggestions would be appreciated

  Luvonyall
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  38

  Do you get hassled for posting here frequently?

  by sabastious in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  most people in my life that know how frequent i post on this forum find it very troubling.

  i have often been accused of "not being able to let go.

  " i don't agree that i post here because i'm not willing to let go, i think i post here because i think this place helps other people and i want to be part of it.

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  Murray Smith

  Main reason; to help others no matter what level their attachment to the wt is.

  Damn good reason if you ask me . . .

  Luvonyall
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  23

  Elder's Manual Question

  by satinka in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  my youngest brother is the family jw patriarch, and an elder, maybe even the po in a small northern town.

  in an email i asked him if he ever hears from my kids.

  i happen to know he lives in the same small town as my son, who might very well be an elder, too...by now.

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  Murray Smith

  I would post the "elder threat" letter if I knew how

  Feel free to type it's contents if it's not too long . . . I would be interested to see it

  Luvonya
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  39

  Went round and round last night

  by sinis in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so, my mother is still in.

  last night at my parents home she starts in with me on how she is going to ask my sig other to the memorial (puke), and that i should not forbid her to go.

  we went round and round about how the jw's are bs, gave many examples and it always came back to some twisted circular reasoning, that i still do not fully understand.

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  Murray Smith

  this is the first time where it got into a big conversation/debate/arguement.

  could be enough for you to be left alone for a while . . . sit tight my friend . . . it doesn't sound like your wife is rushing back soon . . . she may be just "staying neutral" as well
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  39

  Went round and round last night

  by sinis in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so, my mother is still in.

  last night at my parents home she starts in with me on how she is going to ask my sig other to the memorial (puke), and that i should not forbid her to go.

  we went round and round about how the jw's are bs, gave many examples and it always came back to some twisted circular reasoning, that i still do not fully understand.

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  Murray Smith

  Undoubtedly sinis . . . they got plenty to "beat" about at the moment. What about a quiet word to Dad? . . .
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  28

  Witness conversation stoppers...

  by Botzwana in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this was forwarded to me by a witness....what are some witness conversation stoppers though?.

  field ministry conversation stoppers.

  ***the householder said, "only those who have accepted jesus in their lives will be saved.

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  Murray Smith

  Hi . . . I'm an ex-Jehovah's Witness of 25 years and am now what you people refer to as an active apostate . . . what would you like to argue about today?
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  39

  Went round and round last night

  by sinis in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so, my mother is still in.

  last night at my parents home she starts in with me on how she is going to ask my sig other to the memorial (puke), and that i should not forbid her to go.

  we went round and round about how the jw's are bs, gave many examples and it always came back to some twisted circular reasoning, that i still do not fully understand.

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  Murray Smith

  If your over-bearing parents are a continual on-going problem you might consider moving? I know it's not always that simple and can be viewed as a "defeat" in principle . . . but if circumstances permit, it could solve the problem . . . and give you an exiting new life.
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  317

  Inviting djeggnog to discuss the blood doctrine

  by jgnat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  djeggnog invited me to start a new thread about the blood doctrine, which i am happy to do here.

  his objection was my statement,.

  "i've seen the blood video, a deceiving mix of scripture, fearmongering and pseudoscience, with plenty of lab coats in view.

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  Murray Smith

  At least his final post is an obvious retreat from an untenable position.

  I noticed the "escape hatch" was well established right from the get-go . . . perhaps he always knew it would have to be used when the "untenable position" inevitably arrived.

  I personally think that @Djeggnog's intent in posting is to bolster the faith of any lurkers who are still (mostly) in the "truth".

  I'm beginning to wonder if there is some truth in this (maybe he has a fan club?) . . . but mostly I think it to be a massive ego trip for him . . . "genius I am" . . . hahahahahahahaha

  The thread for me has mostly been an interesting study in human behavior and self-delusion.

  Luvonyall
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  41

  The Loving Disfellowshipping Arrangement

  by headisspinning in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  my youngest sister is the only person in my jw family who has had any real contact with my husband and i and our baby.

  for the first year she cut us off too but then after a while she seemed to realize how horrible it was and she opened up to us.. well, she is very easily influenced by the family and so she cut us off again.

  she tried to feed me the line about it being for our own good blah, blah, blah.. here is an excerpt from how i replied:.

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  Murray Smith

  Excellent letter.

  Unfortunately everything you say will fall on deaf ears.

  Sounds a bit negative . . . but sadly it's true. The arrangement is NOT there for your benefit, NOR your sister's, in spite of what she believes. The policy is in place to islolate "dissenters" and retain thier "voluntary workers" . . . nothing more.

  Your letter is written from the heart . . . that is why it will fall on deaf ears . . . JW's are programmed to discard matters of the heart in favour of what Jehovah (aka the GB) requires. They are the victims of mind-control.

  Your situation is heartbreaking and just makes me so angry . . . In a positive vein . . . there are good resources available here . . . if you need specific advice just start another thread. Also, take time to look over past threads on various matters. Some have some great advice and references, links etc you will find helpful. And don't be afraid to make personal contact . . . people (like OTWO) often have extensive personal experience which will also be of benefit.

  I sincerely wish you the very best headispinning. . . . wish I could offer more

  Luvonyall
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  53

  MY DISASSOCIATION LETTER please read

  by josephus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi all this is josephus here and im posting my disassociation letter minus any identifying details which ill leave blank.

  i would like thoughts on it if poss, but not spelling tips as my girl will check it 2morrow i just wanted to see if i struck the right balence .

  or maybe if i put something wrong.. thanks all josephus.

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  Murray Smith

  Thinking a bit more about that moshe . . . they probably get bundles of them every day.

  Luvonyall