Posts by Retrovirus

49

Anyone wanna place a bet on what will happen to me when I have to go to the Kingdom Hall this Saturday??

by Coffee House Girl in

jw
friends

well since there is no "betting" (as it reeks of gambling) in jdub land, lets place a friendly wager on what will happen to me when i go to my father's "memorial" service at the kingdome hall this saturday..... to give you newbies background info: i am neither df'd or da'd- i left 2 years ago with no explanation.

i have been hounded by elders in my cong because they have suspicions that i am living with a man, but they have no proof (well, no proof in jdub land- you know...two witness rule).

after many attempts to get me to meet with them- i finally sent the elders a "cease & desist" letter after one of them spied in my miniblinds to see me eating breakfast with someone (they couldn't identify who).

Retrovirus

As a non-jw, I'll disqualify myself and just have a for you!

My deepest sympathies on the loss of your father, and kudos for going to the KH with your mother!

160

I'm new here..... Studying with the Witnesses

by PenelopePaige in

jw
friends

hi- i just wanted to say that i have been checking the website out for a few weeks and have read some horror stories and some sad ones.

but i have been studying with witnessess for about six months and can't help but feel that they're completely sincere and maybe even, the true religion.

i love the watchtower and awake and to me, none of that seems crazy.

Retrovirus

Hi PenelopePaige and welcome!

I can relate to a lot here. I've had an unexplained experience that affected me profoundly, and I've also "studied" with two very pleasant and sincere jw ladies. Since I failed to make satisfactory progress, I'm now "bad association" and very rarely see them.

My take on "supernatural" events is to regard them as "unexplained". Science has taught us a great deal but there are still unanswered questions and always more to learn. And as with Sizemik's example, something can affect us profoundly at an emotional level but have a simple, prosaic explanation.

The jw literature is easy to read and seems to provide authorative answers - at first glance only. Here are a few aspects you might consider when you could be persuaded by any source of information:

Does it persuade or provide a balanced perspective? Is it complete? Are all reasonable objections addressed or only the "easy" ones?

Are sources given for quotes? (and not just Bible quotes). If they are from authorities, are they authorities in that exact field? Are they representing the mainstream viewpoint?

Is it objectively written or is the language loaded? (eg, "honest hearted people will. . .opposers deny. . .)

If the Bible is quoted as an authoritative source, which version is used? is the quote in context and applicable? If the bible itself is "infallible", why does it have internal contradictions?

Most important of all - keep thinking,learning and questioning. The wt will not want you to do that, but if we don't grow, we stagnate. . .

Best wishes and hope you keep posting,

Retro

61

Never, ever posted to a site before-Scarec silly

by PaintedToeNail in

jw
friends

hi, i'm scared to death writing this that i will be discovered and have major problems.

i had a good life being raised as a jw child.

many good memories of people, places and times.

Retrovirus

Hello and welcome, PaintedToe Nail!

I'm a non-jw with some family in the org, and also "bad association" because I didn't progress well with my "Bible" study.

However! I'm a also drug-free, VD-free non-smoker who raised my children equally healthy in mind and body. I can relate to the "addictve personality" thing - I enjoy good food rather too much, and that means a lot of exercise!

It's great to hear that your child will go to college!

I'm very sorry to hear you were abused as a child, and am sure that going out in service on Christmas must have been a nightmare.

I know some genuine, good people among the jws and I'm sure there are some good things to be found in the religion. I wish they would let me be a friend; I'd be entirely happy to avoid any contentious subjects.

I respect your courage in reading and posting here. Remember, truth has nothing to fear from examination and discussion.

Hope you stay around, Retro

59

New to this site. Scared, Lonely and in a lot of pain due to shunning by my family.

by wonder*woman in

jw
friends

this is my very first post to this forum.

i am begging for some much needed encouragment and support by those who are kind hearted and know exactly the pain shunning causes.

i am a 30 year old former jehovah's witness and a mother of two beautiful girls.

Retrovirus

Hello and welcome, Wonder*woman!

I'm a non-jw with some family in. I'm also "bad association" because I failed to progress with my "Bible" study.

I wonder if your sister was prompted by the horrible July WT article about apostates.

I've slowly learned that there is no reasoning with beleiving jws, and no compromising either. The only hope is to connect when they are in "soft" mode, have a good time together, and just wait out the times they need to toe the wt line.

I'm so glad your mother rang you, and hope she keeps in touch.

All the best, Retro.

20

Oct 15, 2011 WT on jw.org now

by Gayle in

i could only scan quickly,,but some could point out other things there:.

(quote) we can create opportunities.

to rejoice with them by occasionally inviting.

Retrovirus

From the last paragraph on Page 7, exquisite irony

We have many reasons for rejoicing together!

Let us resist this world’s isolationist

spirit

"This world's" isolationist spirit?

29

It's my Birthday on Thursday

by nugget in

jw
friends

i am having my second birthday out of the jws on the 14th of july the first after disfellowshipping and just need a few ideas for the day.

we went to arudel today to do pre birthday shopping so i am really looking forward to see what goodies they found.

there was much whispering in the corner of shops.

Retrovirus

Hi Nugget!

Best wishes for your birthday!!

My kids and I are foodies, and we usually go to a good restaurant. Now that we're all adults together I also love cooking up a feast with them and inviting friends over.

A surprise is also wonderful. We took a work friend out to the spas for a day of pampering and country life and all had a really special day.

Enjoy!!

47

'BELIEVE IT OR LEAVE IT' - a long time faders dilemma.

by nicolaou in

i've noticed a lot of newbies aren't bothering with long fades from the wt.

good for them, perhaps this younger, more savvy generation are more comfortable sticking two fingers up to the organisation and forcing their families to make the uncomfortable decisions about associating with them.. i applaud you, you were happy to believe it or leave it.. me?

i submitted my last field service report more than 11 years ago and have been 'fading' ever since, and i'm sick of it.

Retrovirus

Welcome, MrDarkKnight!

Retro

34

I have decided to leave

by umadevi in

i have read coc, ccmc, isocf and captive of a concept.

i have been fading since april.

i have nothing to hold me back in wbts so i have decided to leave it.

Retrovirus

Congratulations! A very courageous decision.

You and your son will enjoy the life you deserve!

Retro

27

Pentecostal Madness: Panties, Wife swapping, aggression and epylepsy

by Wonderment in

though i have never been a pentecostal, i remember well the frequent stories i heard of this religious movement while going from house-to-house in the past.

i wonder if you guys heard similar stories.

one story i heard a few times was about the confession of some males going to pentecostal churches to peek at girls throwing themselves all over the floor in epileptic movements, and some mention the word "panties" being exposed as an attraction to them.

Retrovirus

Christianity is evidence based as a historical space-time revelation in Christ. God's creation and His dealings with Israel and the Church are also reality

. .. and Lord of the Rings is a historical space-time revelation of hobbits.

Perhaps you need education in what "evidence" means. It doesn't mean written in a book.

27

Pentecostal Madness: Panties, Wife swapping, aggression and epylepsy

by Wonderment in

though i have never been a pentecostal, i remember well the frequent stories i heard of this religious movement while going from house-to-house in the past.

i wonder if you guys heard similar stories.

one story i heard a few times was about the confession of some males going to pentecostal churches to peek at girls throwing themselves all over the floor in epileptic movements, and some mention the word "panties" being exposed as an attraction to them.

Retrovirus

Godrulz wrote:

Just because there are corrupt lawyers and doctors does not mean all are. Just because there are medical quacks does not negate the truth of evidence based medicine. Jumping to conclusions/stereotyping is not fair.

Setting aside that nothing religious is "evidence based", and therefore this is a false analogy. . .

This sounds to me exactly like the argument that people should stay in the wt and not be put off by a few "fallible" people.

There's not much to choose between dogmatic religions.