Retrovirus

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Posts by Retrovirus

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  195

  Is Forgiveness Overrated?

  by leavingwt in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  is forgiveness overrated?.

  if i'm being completely honest with myself, there is a short list of folks who i haven't forgiven.

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  Retrovirus

  As a non-jw who has a lot of issues with family, thank you all very much; this thread has clarified my thinking.

  On sin and not-sin, I'm still uncertain. But for me, forgiveness comes with understanding where the person-who-needs-to-be-forgiven is coming from. This certainly does not mean instant return of trust (wish it could! )

  It can also mean understanding what I did to contribute, or allow it to happen. And forgiving myself, which is the hardest of all.

  To bring things back to something relevant to the forum, I'd also say that my fixation with keeping contact with my jw SIL had a lot to do with avoiding these painful areas. And I can see how attractive the wt could look to someone lonely and trying for a new start without doing the hard work of forgiveness.

  Retro
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  20

  Earthquakes....

  by SatoriCE in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the topic of earthquakes marking the "last days" was brought up with interactions i have had with a few different witnesses.

  can someone please explain the exact significance of earthquakes that jw's have?!

  can you please also include any links to actual facts that contradict their views of earthquakes.

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  Retrovirus

  Hi SatoriCE,

  I used the information on jwfacts to tell my jw ladies that there hadn't been an increase in earthquakes in the last 100 years. They did think otherwise, because the wt said so many times, and then did a deliberately obscure retraction (it's all in jwfacts).

  And yes, in 2009 they make a big deal about eathquakes, but just don't specifically say that they are increasing. Sneaky!

  The jw ladies were quite happy with the wt's suggestion that earthquakes caused more grief these days because of higher populations affected, and this was the part of the "compound sign".

  Retro
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  10

  The Watchtower Society of Secrets

  by 3Mozzies in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  we say things we do not believe.

  we think things we do not say.

  we wear honesty as a neck tie.

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  Retrovirus

  We are the Watchtower Society of Secrets
  We send children to the doors of strangers
  We protect our own who abuse them
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  77

  I told my daughter I was leaving "the truth" this weekend.

  by whathappened in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  last week, i told you i was going to tell my daughter that i was leaving the truth this weekend and you all gave me sound advice.

  but, i cannot keep a secret this heavy from the person i love most on this earth, my only daughter, who is beautiful inside and out.. well, i have always had an open and honest relationship with my daughter, and i guess it paid off.

  this weekend i visited my daughter (who lives in another state) and i told her i was leaving "the truth.

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  Retrovirus

  What a wonderful mother you must have been! your close communication with your daughter is inspiring!

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  10

  what is the procdure for baptism?

  by Aussie Oz in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible
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  Retrovirus

  Hi Aussie,

  I understand you are very worried, and seem to remember that you don't have a lot of contact with your son(have I got that right?).

  Any chance you can get a young ex-jw to make friends with him?

  or possibly the "ethics" of doing field service to convert others, not because he believes, but to get married, might worry him a tad?

  Retro
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  60

  Why is there so much nastiness on the board lately???

  by Lozhasleft in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i dont get it ... one minute we're all mooching along happily and then we get a big wave of insulting horrible behaviour....?.

  .

  loz x.

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  Retrovirus

  Genetic defect, I think
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  60

  Why is there so much nastiness on the board lately???

  by Lozhasleft in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i dont get it ... one minute we're all mooching along happily and then we get a big wave of insulting horrible behaviour....?.

  .

  loz x.

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  Retrovirus

  Only a newbie myself, but just wondered. from what I read here being in the wt is all about pecking orders and keeping control. When people come out, especially those born in, wouldn't it be natural to go over the top about these issues? Until they find a balance, perhaps?

  I'm not condoning rudeness, just seems that patience is needed.

  Retro
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  7

  Choices have Consequences

  by AggieNostic in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my wife and kids are inactive/trying to fade - see my previous posts for our story - last meeting for me was over 5 years ago.. in laws and parents active - fil and dad are elders, fil and mil are pioneers, mom just follows dad's lead.. anyway, my wonderful son is finishing up college and is engaged to be married later in 2011 to a beautiful young woman who we all love dearly and have welcomed to our family.

  ceremony to be held in a public space - no denominational identity.

  when engagement announced, my wife and i's parents reacted positively and assured their attendance.. however, phone calls a few days after the elders school over xmas advised us that they would not be attending since our son - although inactive - is baptized and his fiancee is not a jw.

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  Retrovirus

  Hi AggieNostic,

  You've clarified something that has been bothering me for ages, yet I never understood it. I'm a non-jw, and over many years have made every effort to keep in touch with my jw ex-SIL, even to "discussing the Bible" with a couple of local jws she sent around without asking me first.

  In all that time and letters (she won't email), I've censored myself to avoid mentions of birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Mothers Day etc, but she never hestiates to proselytise or to tell about conventions or meetings. And I'm beginning to wonder why I bother.

  If our "friendship" is only to draw me into her religion then it isn't a friendship.

  It does seem to be all "their way" and yes, that has consequences.

  Thanks, and I really hope the wedding is a great day for all who attend. Perhaps if your soon-to-be DIL learns to understand the jw religion better, she'll realise it's not because of her, it's because they choose to keep their blinkers on.

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  4

  Moving to Melbourne. Bit of advice please.

  by bigmouth in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  oneoftwelve and i are moving to melbourne with our 15 year old son soon.. she's transferring to one of the spotlight stores and my boy's looking to further his footballing (soccer) career.. can anyone recommend a secondary school and a good suburb/area to live?

  somewhere safe for my pussycat.. what is reasonable for a 3br house rental ?

  we're comfortable travelling from outside city limits.. thanks all.. pete.

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  Retrovirus

  I'm a bit closer in. Melbourne is a big sprawling city. I'd recommend checking public transport availability; your son will need it.

  Please PM if I can help more.

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  180

  Brotherdan seems like he really DID leave

  by sabastious in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  he was an interesting presence on this board.

  he had integral knowledge about bethel and the like.

  i am an emotional guy too so i can kind of relate to why he left.. but, you gotta get thick skin on the forum.

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  Retrovirus

  This site has helped me so much; i really could have been in danger of drawing too close to the JWs.

  Ziddina, thank you for your kindness and insight.

  BrotherDan, your posts were the first things I read on this site, and I admired your openness and trust.

  Outlaw, your pics and comments worried me bit made me think.

  Please, friends, don't give those that say people are bitter and angry after leaving jws any more ammo.

  Retro