Posts by L_A_Big

60

What's the one thing you miss about the WTS?

by Naeblis in

jw
friends

there are times when ilook back fondly on my days in the witnesses, especially when i think on the congregation get togethers we would have every once in awhile (not too often) people from our hall and sometimes others would show up (not too many) and good times were had by all.

this is how the schedule usually went.. 8pm: arrive at the community centre.

8:05pm: scope the room.

L_A_Big_Dawg

Wow Becky,

You brought back some feelings that I hadn't felt in quite a long time.

These are real: I miss being allowed to grow up in a healthy, normal (according to my body's needs) way--being allowed to develop sexually, mentally, emotionally, physically in ways that were good for me, not a religion

This really resonated with me, since my abndonment of the Org. I had to go into counseling for anger-management. During that time I discovered that I had over issues. These were dealt with, and I am still trying to get healed.

The other thing I discovered was that I was not alone. That there are a lot of ex-J-Dubs out there that have sought out professional help.

Dealing with the multitude of negatives that my upbringing in the Dubs had given me was hard and tramatic. However, I am here. Not perfect, not completed but a more whole individual than I was.
So I prefer to look back at the positives of being a Dub (and there were positives, though few and far between).

It's too bad that most of us that were raised as Dubs had no opportunity to grow up in a normal sense. Instead we were worried about Armeggedon, not having "bad associations", and not pursuing our education beyond high school.

All I can say is that I am thankful that my children will not have to go through that. There is no way that I would allow them be a part of the Org.

"That's me in the corner. That's me in the spotlight, losing my religion." REM

And thank God I lost my religion.

The Big Dawg

82

Thank you for the support

by Erica in

jw
friends

i can't find the words that would express how grateful i am for all the support, not only for all of you to back me on the dateline show but for my trial as well.

i don't think i would have had the courage to go through the trauma if it wasn't for all your prayers and encouragement.

dateline was a huge help for many and i know this because i have recieved quite a few calls, one from a current jdub who wants out for the safety of his 16 month old baby, i was so excited that he lifted the veil and saw it for the pure truth that it was.

L_A_Big_Dawg

Ericka,

May God bless you for having the courage to stand up for what is right. I wish you and your family all the best.

You will be remembered as one that stood up to the tyranny of the Org. and came away with your dignity restored, and your faith evident for all to see.

I am reminded of the scripture in Isaiah...God will bring "treasures out of darkness." You are truly a "treasure ou of the darkness" of WT abuse.

May the Lord bless you, and keep you. May His face shine upon upon you.

"That's me in the corner. That's me in the spotlight, losing my religion." REM

And thank God I lost my religion.

The Big Dawg

8

a quick survey:

by dustrabbit in

jw
friends

all right, i'm still a newbie, but here's a great way for me to do some research: a survey!.

a. born into "the truth" (as the jws put it.).

b. joined between ages 4-12. c. joined between ages 13-21. d. joined after the age of 22.

L_A_Big_Dawg

All right, I'm still a newbie, but here's a great way for me to do some research: A Survey!

1. Were you:
A. Born into "the truth" (as the JWs put it.)
B. Joined between ages 4-12
C. Joined between ages 13-21
D. Joined after the age of 22

Adopted by JW parents at 6 months. Ergo "A"

2. Why did you become a baptized JW or associated with JWs?

My dad was giving the Baptism talk at the Circuit Assembly.

3. If you were a child in the JWs and are no longer in the church:
A. Why did you leave?

Disillusioned with silly doctrines.

B. Did you enjoy your time in? (God, that line sure makes the JWs sound like prison :X ) Give reasons why you feel the way you do.

Yes and no. Yes: assemblies, quick-builds, get togethers. No: Meetings, Service, Judicial committees.

4. If you are still in the JWs, why are you still in?

N/A

5. What is your highest education level? If you are a former member, what was the highest level of education you obtained while you were still in? And what is it now that you are gone from the Organization?

H.S. I have A.A. and am working on B.A.

6. What is/was your biggest complaint about the JW doctrine?

The micromanagement of individuals lives.

7. If you are/were part of an interracial relationship/partner as a JW or when you were one, what the reception you recieved from your "brothers and sisters"? What is/was the ethnic make-up of the relationship?
And what you do think is the attitude of the Organization towards interracial relationships?

I saw a number of inter-ratial relationships (black/white, black/latin, white/latin) Most of my JW family are interatial (white/latin) I never saw any overt or covert racism in the JWs.

8. If you are Asian/Asian-American, would you be willing to discuss with me through email about your experiences in the JWs?

N/A/

"That's me in the corner. That's me in the spotlight, losing my religion." REM

And thank God I lost my religion.

The Big Dawg

21

A question for XJWs. . .

by StinkyPantz in

jw
friends

how many of you are now atheists or agnostics?

how many of you have actually converted to another organized religion?

personally i find myself doubting anything and everything i learned about the bible and religion.

L_A_Big_Dawg

When I left I thought there was no God. How could I? All I was taught was that apart from the J-Dubs there was nothing. That lasted almost 2 years.

Then someone told me that salvation is not in an Org. or a group but in an act done. This piqued my interest, and I began to look into this Christianity thing. I started reading the Bible. The NIV cause it was easy to read, and I could get it at a regular book store, not a religious one.

My Christian experience has been marked by struggles. First, trying to deal with "stupid" Christians. Those that smile blankly and say, "Je-sus luvs you!" Secondly, trying to deal with Christains that are anti-intellectual. I began to wonder if modern Evangelical Christianity requires adherants to check their brain at the seat prior to the altar call.

I finally found a place to call home, and realize that Christianity is a thinking religion. That God wants us to love Him with our minds as well as our hearts, bodies and souls.

For those that have lost their faith in God, I understand what you have and are going through. Maybe one day God will show you what He is truly all about. That He is not some big ogre looking to smash you because you do not perform.

Best wishes on your spiritual journies.

"That's me in the corner. That's me in the spotlight, losing my religion." REM

And thank God I lost my religion.

The Big Dawg

58

Current JW Urban Legend about Dateline

by bboyneko in

jw
friends

apparantly it has been circulating that barabara anderson was wearing a cross in her interview :) (not true).

any others been going around?

L_A_Big_Dawg

Amen, Ms. Rocky

"That's me in the corner. That's me in the spotlight, losing my religion." REM

And thank God I lost my religion.

The Big Dawg

58

Current JW Urban Legend about Dateline

by bboyneko in

jw
friends

apparantly it has been circulating that barabara anderson was wearing a cross in her interview :) (not true).

any others been going around?

L_A_Big_Dawg

I realize that the fact that this has no relevence to the issue. I pointed this out to the host of this room and got promptly booted.

This is sad since the JW's claim to love truth so much.

"That's me in the corner. That's me in the spotlight, losing my religion." REM

And thank God I lost my religion.

The Big Dawg

58

Current JW Urban Legend about Dateline

by bboyneko in

jw
friends

apparantly it has been circulating that barabara anderson was wearing a cross in her interview :) (not true).

any others been going around?

L_A_Big_Dawg

Isn't this just kill the messenger, no the message?

Last night in a Dub chat room on MSN, I was told that one of the person's interviewed was wearing a pony-tail? Now, since I didn't see this show I can't comment, but is this true, or more bull cooked up by loyalists grasping for straw men or ad hominems?

The Big Dawg

77

Did the Resurrection really happen?

by thinker in

was written next and makes a brief mention of the resurrection and ascension; which includes a conspiracy theory about the body being stolen (matt.

where did jesus first appear?

where else did jesus appear?

L_A_Big_Dawg

I have seen too many of these post that supposedly disprove the resurrection. Well, those that have honestly gone and looked at the facts have come away with the beleive, BASED ON THE FACTS that the resurrection of Jesus ACTUALLY happened.

The list is long, but it starts with Paul. Included in that list is Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Frank Morrison, & Simon Greenleaf. That list also includes myself. I am not a learned scholar, just an average person of average intelligence, that looked at this Christianity thing with a jaded but open mind, and found that everything that I had been taught about Christianity was a LIE.

Instead of what the Org. said about Jesus and His resurrection, I discovered that Jesus claimed to be equal with God. He did this be forgiving sins, and by direct claim to that title. He also proved His divinity by raising Himself from the dead as He said He would.

I don't expect anyone to take my word for, as I said I am aveage, but if there are those that are intellectual "giants" and they accept the historical Jesus and HIs claim to Divinity as well as His resurrection, then why can't those that are not of the same intellectual status admit that there just might be something there?

60

What's the one thing you miss about the WTS?

by Naeblis in

jw
friends

there are times when ilook back fondly on my days in the witnesses, especially when i think on the congregation get togethers we would have every once in awhile (not too often) people from our hall and sometimes others would show up (not too many) and good times were had by all.

this is how the schedule usually went.. 8pm: arrive at the community centre.

8:05pm: scope the room.

L_A_Big_Dawg

There are a lot of things I miss. Also a lot of things I don't.

I miss the circuit assemblies...Abuquerque, NM; Yuba City, CA; & Santa Fe, NM. Especially Santa Fe, because the auditorium was close to the plaza there, quick getaways for Hagen-Daaz :)

I miss concession stand work. Checking out the hotties. My buddies and I wagering which were still virgins and which were not, all of us too scared to find out.

I do miss the frozen puddings at the district conventions. I miss seeing my first pro baseball game with my dad. The day before the convention started, we got tickets to see the Giants play the Expos at Candlestick Park.

I miss, well not really, but those Texas sisters :) Amarillo district conventions. Especially Friday nights at the Big Texan, I think it's called. Huge steaks.

I miss the "quick build" Kingdom Halls. Before the Society got involved and took all the fun out.

I miss my friends, Kevin, Mike, Matt & Jay. We ran around those assemblies and quick builds like we owned them. In fact, we did, All five of us were elder's sons, with tons of dirt on each other.

I don't miss the Saturday service. The Sunday meetings (being bored out of my skull), The only thing keeping me marginally aware is running the sound board.

I don;t miss the Judicial Committees. I had 3 of those. 2 Private reproofs (both for smoking pot) and 1 Public (for getting way drunk at my graduation party). Wish I had known then that "I didn't inhale" would be a legit defense against pot use.

If I can think of more, I'll post

29

Watchtower dissolves congregations?

by TheStar in

jw
friends

i have heard this from jws many times.

they say that when the whole congregation is corrupt it is clearly noticable that jehovah's spirit is not with them.

eventually if the whole congregation is corrupt the gb dissolves the whole congregation.. jws say this as if it were from personal experience.

L_A_Big_Dawg

I was part of a congregation in New Mexico where all the sitting elder body was removed (1 elder was DF'd_. Why? I can't say, as we had just moved into the area, and my father (Presiding Overseer at our previous congregation) was not involved in the comittee that removed them all.

L_A_Big_Dawg

Posts by L_A_Big_Dawg