Go for it!!!! - Think of the 'witness' you will give - All the dubs look at Oprah :) Seriously, just tell the truth, and you'll be fine. Besides, with all the support and references you have in here, how could you go wrong :) Peace - LL :)
Posts by Larry
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59HELP!!!! I NEED FEEDBACK PLEASE!!!!
by Prisila ini really need your feedback .
i am really down on the dumps regarding being shunned and torn apart about da (i haven't yet).
a week ago i wrote to dr. phil on oprah and wrote briefly about jw practices on shunning.
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Let The Dead Bury The Dead
by Larry inyesterday was the first time me or anybody else visited my father's grave site - he died in 1977. he was a non-jw and never liked the them, but he liked the fact that my mother was.
ironically, i think he died the same day as nathan knorr.
anyway, this experience has helped me to see the real meaning of 'showing respect.
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Larry
Yesterday was the first time me or anybody else visited my father's grave site - He died in 1977. He was a non-jw and never liked the them, but he liked the fact that my mother was. Ironically, I think he died the same day as Nathan Knorr. Anyway, this experience has helped me to see the real meaning of 'Showing Respect.' Back in the Borg day - I can recall folks on the job telling me they visited a grave site and I was saying 'What a waste of time, they can't acknowledge you - As the scripture says 'Let The Dead Bury The Dead.' NOW I know why folks do it - 'Out of Respect,' just to name a few reasons. That was a moment I really needed to experience. Did anybody ever have that expereince - Visiting a grave site after you left the Borg?
Peace - LL :)
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Larry
When I first came on-line to these kinds of site, I read this poem (c. '97-'98.) I thought it captured the JW world. I never found out who Cyber-Psalmster was/is, but my regards to the talented poet.
Peace - LL
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SPIRITUAL FEAST
By Cyber-Psalmster
Voices in conversation, meld into an amorphous hum. The whiteness of the
lies are blinding: "Hello. So nice to see you. I love your dress."
The blackness of the heart is hidden: "Why are you so annoying? I hate you
with all my might. When can I leave your presence? I'm getting sick just
looking at you. Self-righteous pig. Jezebel influence. Vessel for
dishonorable use. Unspiritual you are. Haughty. Materialistic. Flake. Bad
Association. You could have pioneered last month like I did, but you decided
to take a vacation instead."
Call from the podium. Meeting about to begin. Take our seats like
ballbearings in a pichinco machine.
The music arises. A hundred voices whispering familiar melodies they can't
sing. While one or two of the least endowed bellow the chorus boldly in
tone-deaf splendor. Take pride. Better sounding to Jehovah than anything in
Babylon.
Then prayer. Quiet time. Children looking around in a forest of adults with
bowed heads. Slap! Slap upside the head. Father was looking too, and saw his
child, head not bowed. Discipline. Head bowed. Tears on cheek. Jehovah's
love. Thank you.
The Amen.
Meeting is now in God's "care and keeping." Where does he keep it?
Man at Podium with a Grinch-like grin. Risen. Above the rest. Invites
answers to his questions.
But, only answers that he wants. Try to get it right. Think of what he wants
to hear. Say it.
Question asked: Arms outstretched in a German salute. Pick me. Pick me. May
I do my penance.
Mic handlers scurry like beetles up and down the isles.
Eyes look over people's shoulders. "So-and-so didn't study." snicker. I
underlined in florescent colors, 5 of them, so that all may know I studied.
She studies well. Look at all those colors. Look at all that writing in the
margins. Spiritual. Yes. Spiritual.
Read from the paragraph, see how best to rearrange the words. What did I
underline? Oh. What am I supposed to say? Oh yes. Now read. Now paraphrase.
Thank you very much sister. Oh no. I read one sentence too many and answered
the next question. The shame. The embarrassment. Must read the correct
sentence.... Must stay in the arrangement....
The colors ran through to the other side.
Conductor thrown off track. Asks an already answered question. One day, I'll
be a master commentor. I will quote from old Watchtowers, and the Insight
Book, and impress-people with page numbers and dates. Spiritual. Yes.
Spiritual.
Next paragraph.
Rinse, Lather, Repeat.
Keep up with the Chariot.
The light is getting brighter as Armageddon is getting closer. It won't be
long now.
Such timely information. Just what we need.
They are giving us our food at the right time. Such a faithful slave. It's
Jehovah's Food. Listen to what it says.
May we continue to go in service.
May we continue to avoid bad association. May we continue to be magazine
conscious.
May we continue to support Jehovah with our valuable things. May we continue
to avoid the spirit of the world.
May we continue to not misuse blood.
May we continue to be obedient to those taking the lead.
Concluding remarks. Ain't this the best Watchtower Study ever? Yes, it is.
So encouraging. Such fine information. The Brothers sure know how to give us
what we need at the right time.
Hum of conversations rise after the last amen, like the sound of many
waters. That was a fine talk. I enjoyed your handling of the lesson. I
enjoyed your comment. It was very fine. It was very encouraging. No where
else can we get this fine information that is so encouraging. Oh did I say
it was fine information? The articles just get better and better. More
encouraging, and more fine.
Listen in on a conversation...
Listen...
Listen...
"So nice to see you."
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The Advent Of The 'Net
by Larry inin reading many on-line post by ex-jws since 1997 i have to admit that i never knew there were so many people who were dfd / dad before the computer age.
you guys have my deepest respect.
the reason being - you didnt have a support group like this one to fall back on - you guys were on a solo mission.
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Larry
In reading many on-line post by Ex-Jws since 1997 I have to admit that I never knew there were so many people who were DfD / DaD before the computer age. You guys have my deepest respect. The reason being - You didnt have a support group like this one to fall back on - You guys were on a solo mission. That took real courage - I salute you.
I think I was part of the first generation of disappointed JW on-line. Once I came on-line and discovered that many folks had the same doubts as me I was elated! Thats when my transformation started. The support was grandiose. In fact, I have to admit being here really helped me resign as an Elder and finally leave the Borg, since I dared not share my views with anybody but my new on-line association. My wife didnt even know what I was going through - out of fear of losing her, but things worked out perfectly.
I stopped posting on the previous Ex-Jw web site (H2o) and this site for a while b/c it wasnt the same. Originally, it was all about expressing feelings, doubts, and sincerity. Then it became, to a degree, a personal battle ground between Ex-Jws with the a JW mentality and lurking JWs with a worldly disposition. I think much time was wasted in frivolity. In any event, the sites has definitely served its purpose, and Im grateful for that. In fact, this site is becoming like it was in its infancy stages. Ive seen a tremendous increase of participation since the Dateline and other exposes - folks are coming out and opening their eyes!
I guess the purpose of the message is to thank the many web-sites that have provided a network of support for JWs who are ready or even thinking of leaving the Borg. With the advent of the Net many doubters are finding the strength needed to leave the Borg. We all know there are so many JWs that want to leave but feel they have no where to go. Hopefully, in time they will discover these sites and see the light :)
Keep up the excellent works folks, your work is not in vain.
Peace - Larry :)
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How Far We've Come
by metatron ini just wanted to add a note of optimism on the occasion of silentlambs.
disfellowshipping.. some of us have known about sites like these for a few years.
of us used to post on the old h2o site.
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Larry
Excellent Post - A Damn Good One - So true. Reminds me of the civil rights struggle - It's takes outside pressure to change things. Also, we have come so far, but we have so far to go.
The struggle continues - LL :)
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The Privilege of Handling the Microphones
by minimus inone of the most unbelievable privileges that a brother could have was being a microphone handler.
elders would discuss brothers for hours and see whether or not we would allow them to mow the lawn or handle a mike.
i always felt that these brothers were doing us a favor but if they didn't get a minimum of 10 hours in per month, they were dog crap and couldn't have any privileges.
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Larry
Wow - The was the ultimate privilege. Interestingly, that opportunity helped many male youths stay in the organization. It give us something to do and reach out for. The peer pressure was strong. I remember how parents would praise all the young mic handlers, so of course if you're a kid in ear shot of this praise, you wanted the same thing. We even had mic and stage rehearsal - teaching how to roll the mic cord, how to correctly plug in the jacks, where to stand, etc. It was serious business. I remember when I was a 'sheep dog' and we were debating whether 'so and so' could do the mics and one 'sheep dog' said "No, don't forget 5 years ago he grew a beard!" What a lame reason. When the CO visted, only the best mic handlers were selected. Oh, the mic handlers would have their watchtower lesson highlighted with different colors - for show of course. If your 'Tower was highlighted you were real spiritual. Ah Yes, the politics of being a mics handler :)
Peace - LL
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Do zealous witnesses make zealous apostates?
by sleepy inwhat were you like as a jw and how does that compare to now?.
were you an elder , min servant(if a bloke)or, pioneer, regular publisher ,iregular , almost never there?.
now what are you like as an apostate?very active as one, quite active or not much bothered.. are you as zealous in the opposite sense, as you were as a witness or have you changed?.
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Larry
Interesting question. Thanks for making my wheels turn :)
I was a loyalist elder. Loyal in the sense of personal duty. I was pretty lenient and merciful towards other people's weaknesses, but I always had to do the right thing. So yes, I was over zealous. On the flip side (apostateville) I guest I'm the same. It really doesn't matter what others do, as long as I do what's right for me.
I will not go out of my way to get people to leave the Borg, I think most of them belong there. Besides, who I'm I to judge, it took me over 25 years to wake up and while I was in ignorance I loved it. However, I'd rather be in the 'know-class' and live life than the 'not-know class' and be a spectator of life.
Peace - LL
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We Disassociated Ourselves Tonite!!!
by LyinEyes inlocal elder called tonite, with a witness on the phone to ask if it is true we were smoking ?
we said yes, and we know who told on us.
it was a ms who was at the club just last week with another woman, not his wife of course, while she was at the meeting.
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Larry
Whoa, Major Move - Good For U 2 !!!
That MS is a jerk!
I remember my kids first X-mas & birthday, they were sooooo happy. I'm sure later on in their life they will see the hypocrite in holidays, but why deny them their childhood happiness.
I remember one day my daughter told us how bad, sad, and embarrass she felt when she had to go to another class when one of the students had a birthday party, or when she couldn't have any birthday cake or x-mas present. While she was telling us how she felt, she started crying on the spot. I felt so much like a heel for denying her the right to be a child.
Oh well, thank goodness we left while our children were still young.You guys are the real heroes.
Peace - LL
PS - What music do you dance 2 @ the club?
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Why God......?
by kat7302 inwhy did god plant the tree of knowledge right in the middle of the garden of eden if he didnt want the two people he'd created to eat the fruit?.
why did he, the almighty god who created heaven and earth, lead his creatures into temptation and force them into obedience?
(ironically enough, the lords prayer says.."lead us not into temptation!).
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Larry
Kat - Very interesting question. I was just reading about this subject - A friend of mine sent me a couple of speeches, although I'm advocating this line of thinking, I thought some good points were presented. So for what it's worth, here's some excerpts:
The Story of the Eden that you have not been told about...
The story is about the Garden of Eden, but it is going to expand to the revelation of the techniques of religion and its use of repression to exploit and enslave you. The message of Eden is about two trees and only one is in your experience and memory. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is what Christianity focuses upon. If that tree is the important tree, why does God tell about the other tree in the midst of the Garden? Surely God did not tell of the tree without a cause. There is a cause and it is a welcome to the other Tree by God, but religions wont tell you about that. Religions will do everything to keep you from life, from that Tree of Life. How? I will tell you...
The Tree of Life
is the tree religion does not even tell about, but it is there in the Genesis text. Why? Why does religion leave it out of its never-ending indoctrination process? It is really easy to understand when we think about what religion does even today. Religion is against life. All religions teach that this life is a punishment. Christians teach to renounce this life in favor of the afterlife; this life's ills are your fault for being born with original sin. Hindus teach that in previous incarnations you did wrong and you must suffer now in this life - it's your fault. Buddhists teach that the ills of this life are a result of YOUR bad Karma. You get blamed no matter what you do or dont do. Ask a Christian what happens to a newborn infant that dies at birth. To hell it goes because it is born bad! What about the other tree?...If Adam and Eve had partaken of that tree they would have realized that life is for living, loving and laughter. Rather than to go for life, Eve and Adam went for the knowledge! Religions have used that to instill fear of and shame by knowledge. Religions oppose knowledge.
...That is why they dont teach about that other tree in the garden
. God gave His directions to the midst of the garden and pointed out those two trees. You could interpret that another way if you liked. You could believe that God wanted Adam and Eve to get to that Tree of Life. When an angel drove the two from the garden the approach to the two trees was blocked so only you can imagine the use of the Tree of Life. Life is important to all living things. Science still does not know what life is. Science knows the chemicals which make up living cells, but they just dont know the "spark" that creates life. Last year representatives of the "life sciences" of biology and physiology assembled major religious denominational leaders and created a document that lists the things the scientists cannot do in their experiments to "create life" and that list has ruled science for the past year. It surely will not hold for long. Science has no borders and knowledge grows and builds upon itself rapidly. If the scientists create life, that would eliminate the religious doctrines of creation. The same situation exists with UFOs and aliens. If governments know of such beings, they surely would not release the information because of its effects upon religions around the world. If man can create life, there needs not be any fear of God and any punishment or afterlife. Can you understand the reasoning?Had Adam or Eve tasted of that Tree of Life would they still be around and would you be able to expect to live forever?
Why did God tell about two trees? It is forever a mystery and there is nothing wrong with a mystery, the problem comes when someone claims to have solved the mystery and forces you by repression or any other psychological device to become enslaved by a story....Rejoice in life, live life to the fullest and eagerly enter each day filled with the living of the day before. A mystery is each days joy waiting to be enjoyed. Renounce fear, shame, guilt and sin. Sin cannot exist in the real world, only in the religious worlds. What may be a sin for one is a pleasure to another. A pleasure to one may be a sin to another. Such silliness has to end if you are to enjoy life.
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HOORAY for LIES!...I will tell you why man's greatest invention has persisted since the beginning of recorded time; supposedly the Bible in its account of Creation where we have the accounting of the first lie, but it really was not a lie it was a deception by question. Make sure you understand the difference before you take out your anger upon the snake. Remember the snake was supposedly the Devil or Satan, God's best friend angel, the most beautiful, the smartest, the finest example of "angelography" ever created.
Who is to say that the snake did not turn his self into the hunk of the world at that time, one hunk of a man - better than Adam or at least a quickie by virtue of the few lines the snake is purported to have spoken. Which would convince you more a talking snake or the partner of partners of all time no matter your sex? Think about it. That is where "sin and death" entered the genes of mankind...at least that is one theory that Reverend Hensley came up with thirty years before cloning ever was thought of.
...Rev. Hensley's belief was that the serpent, the Devil - Satan, had turned himself into a handsome man, well muscled, of sturdy build, quick of mind and hot of breath aching with desire created by the most beautiful woman the world had ever known - the only one ever known! Well, so much for that sermon that lead on and on to the act you could anticipate and that is what Reverend Hensley stated was the time "death" entered into the seed of mankind - through Eve's entanglement of emotion and sex in the middle of the Garden....
Peace My Sis - LL
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Is elvis costello still a JW?
by haujobbz ini always wondered how elvis costello (the singer from the shadows if you dont already know) managed to be committed to being a pop star and being a jw, any way i wonder if he is still one.i mean b4 i joined the jws i was a popular dj and the elders told me i had to stop doing it,so why wasnt elvis costello stopped i mean you cant serve to masters can you!!!
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Larry
Wow - I didn't now Elvis C was a Dub. I use to play his stuff all the time - I'm not really feeling his new stuff just the vintage Elvis (Watching the Detective, Everyday I Write Book, Allyison, Radio, etc) you know, when when he had 'soul' :)
Peace - LL :)