here is an email i received from one of my friends who is still a jw.
she would like to know my feelings on the matter of organisation now that im disfellowshipped.
i have written my thoughts below the email.
I think it’s interesting to note that Jesus never said that people had to be part of a congregation or organisation to be saved.
The counter-argument you'll get here is the command to "nor forsake gathering together....."
ALSO, I agree with a couple previous posters that your reply is a bit lengthy as well. Don't blow the opportunity to plant some seeds.
Hopfully, she'll reply and you'll have another opportunity.
DOC
there is no scripture that ever said "thou shall not gamble.
" the bible never mentions gambling.
yet it's a disfellowshiping sin.
But petty gambling among friends such as a poker party is harmless fun and should not be treated in the same manner as something as serious as buying a (that's right!) LOTTERY TICKET!
The elders do well not to involve themselves in what individuals do with regard to petty gambling solely for entertainment . They may need to give counsel if this becomes a cause of stumbling for others or affects the spirituality of the individual or the congregation.
So if it's the PRINCIPLE involved, what determines "petty". If I can afford to risk $500 (say, a day's pay) on a roll of the dice, is that "petty" for me, but not for you if you get government financial assistance? Who decides?
DOC
(sorry this got to be longer than i expected).
attention born in lurkers- 3rd and 4th generation.
a fictional account- ...... .
Fictional?
If only it was fiction.
tempers flare over prayer in schools.. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/09/18/toronto-prayer-protest.html.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/cnews/canada/2011/09/18/18702961.html.
bangalore.
AS LONG AS THERE ARE FINAL EXAMS IN SCHOOLS
THERE WILL BE PRAYERS THERE AS WELL.
i was at the assembly a little while ago.
my baby was acting up during the closing prayer and for the first time i looked up on stage.. it really looked like the brother was reading the prayer.
he had his head turned to one side of the podium where his notes lay.
Wouldn't be surprised if a speaker had "notes" for a prayer where he'd be nervous under pressure.
here is why, even though i no longer agree with most of what the gb/wt/jw's teach, i still feel especially close to all of us who were apart of this group.
born in or converted.
we all have had the same life experience of being raised in a over bearing mind controlling cult.
I'm not even an "X", but I don't think there is any other group of people who could possibly relate to the emotional rollercoaster that I (and obviously many others) have found myself on from having the blinders taken off. Everything in my life revolved around meetings, service, reaching out, etc. You know what I'm saying. I owned more suits & ties than a banker.
Then, the foundation for it all came crashing down. Maybe it wasn't a crash -- maybe it eroded over a long haul. IDK. If it wasn't a crash, there was a final straw. My emotions rocket back and forth from anger, disgust, self pity, sadness, depression, regret, grief, hatred (is that too strong?) etc etc, I can't even describe it with words. But I really don't have to, as YOU KNOW what I'm talking about.....you've been there.....
Yet, I miss the warm & fuzzy that I had in the WT community....even if it was delusional. Know what I'm saying there too?
DOC
i miss some of my old watchtower friendships.
usually i can just put the people out of my mind but when a big event comes up like me expecting my first child, i did reach out a bit.
this one friend in particular was kind of like an older brother to me.
I did a successful fade.
LEAVINGWT SAID: Unless you want to be DF'd, you should attempt to have little or no contact with any JWs. When you do have contact, you should never, ever express anything negative about the WT Society.
I wholeheartedly agree with LWT. Do not put down in writing anything that come back and bite you.
If you feel compelled to reply, thank him/her for their note as you can see their sincerity in what they said.
Then BYE BYE
i was born and raised a jw and left the "truth" as soon as i was 18 - but never baptized.
my mother and i have agreed to disagree and have a decent relationship (she is still jw).
whenever i see any people from her congregation they are nice to me and speak to me, and are aware i am not a witness.
Since you can associate openly, you will have to bubble over with what a motivating encouragement she is to you. You might even get involved in a Home Bible Study with one of the elders that she has on her new reinstatement committee (actual OLD committee at OLD congo is who has the call on reinstatement), but of course, you would never consider taking the plunge until she could enjoy the celebration too.
DOC
i was reading our study article for next week's wt study there is a subheading in there about treatment of disfellowshipped ones.
in one paragraph they slam the term, "necessary business" when dealing with a family member who is df'd.. this is so confusing.
in one hand they have coined that phrase "necessary business" with relatives that have df relatives.
The sad part is they apply this 'Necessary Family Business' to me and my wife and kids, and we are inactive.
Ask them when they decided that they have the authority to "go beyond the things written" (even what is written by the WT Society)?
Total lack of humility to the F&DS.
DOC
i was born and raised a jw and left the "truth" as soon as i was 18 - but never baptized.
my mother and i have agreed to disagree and have a decent relationship (she is still jw).
whenever i see any people from her congregation they are nice to me and speak to me, and are aware i am not a witness.
They have no control over you, since you were never dunked. Once your are married your fiance'/'wife will officially be "family" and the "family business" exemption will apply for your mother. I would think there might be some split opinions about your mother attended the wedding. After all, at that point, he son's wedding would clearly be "family business". Your fiance' should probably lay low for the next few weeks and take the pressure off of your mother.
Not immediately, but at the end of the season, I'd have your mother tell the gardener that she can no longer afford his services. Times are tough all over.
Once you are married, you could both start attending and she could eventually request reinstatement. LOOK WHAT GOOD INFLUENCE SHE IS ON YOU!
DOC
