Posts by DarioKehl

21

Finally out!

by fade_away in

jw
friends

i've been loggin in to this site for about 3 or 4 months on an almost daily basis.

i decided to finally make an account cause i just have to vent and connect with those who have been in my shoes.

"worldly" people don't understand completely when i talk to them about the hardship of being born into a religion/cult, growing up with people making decisions for me, and having them choose my future, goals, and dreams; all the while sacrificing normal childhood joys and replacing them with study, service hours, and 5 minute talks.

DarioKehl

"Conditional friendship"

WELL STATED.

50

What proof is there that Jesus chose the Bible Students in 1919?

by VM44 in

what proof is there that jesus inspected all the religions or the earth in 1919 and then chose the bible students?.

just because the watchtower says in its literature that they were chosen is not proof!.

DarioKehl

None what-so-ever! Unless you browse the Daniel book. It mentions 1919 in almost every paragraph. I remember, before realizing it's ALL BS, leaning to the brother next to me and saying, "What...is 1914 a thing of the past now?" and he chuckled.

21

J-Dub Gossip: How Do/Did You Handle It?

by DarioKehl in

perhaps the biggest fear i have of leaving is the ensuing gossip that will follow.

i know it's stupid to worry about what will be said about me once i'm "out," but it kills me inside.

of course, that doesn't mean that i don't already deal with my fair share of gossip as it is while still "in.

DarioKehl

Perhaps the biggest fear I have of leaving is the ensuing gossip that will follow. I know it's stupid to worry about what will be said about me once I'm "out," but it kills me inside. Of course, that doesn't mean that I don't already deal with my fair share of gossip as it is while still "in." I'll tell you this much though: since my fade, I haven't gossiped nearly as much as I used to!!! I'm soooo much less judgemental and have met so many interesting people from different backgrounds that were routinely villified in my Dub upbringing.

Without revealing too much about my identitiy, I'll share with this board the hurtful accusations that have been hurled my way over the years:

I'm a single, 30-something male. Never married, no kids. Do the math. What do YOU think I've had to deal with flying around the Dub grapevine my entire adult life? Much earlier, in my late teens/early 20's, I was hauled into the B-room while serving as an MS and asked if I was "a homosexual" because "some people may be wondering." That pissed me off. I had just turned this elder's daughter down after she asked me out and the next meeting, I was yanked to the back. I told them I was not (tee-hee!!! not active anyway, I am quite bisexual and desperately tried to conceal it for years--since 7th grade to be precise). But that was such a rude awakening for me and it bothered me long before my fade knowing that my sexuality was being discussed by everyone even though I was still a virgin and would remain so for years after. I switched congregations not long after that.

My parents were also very active with the younger people in the congregation. After they moved out-of-state in my mid-20's, I took over their effort. All of my bible studies were younger, I always reached out to the sad, lonely, "rebel" type young ones who everyone else avoided like the plague. I always took kids (and encouraged their parents to join but rarely with success) out in service on Wednesday afternoons when they were done with school. It really bumped my FS time and got kids out in the Cervix Menstruy who would otherwise never have gotten an opportunity to participate. I'd get the occasional "thank you" and "Oh you're so good to the young people" but then it seemed that I was the person who was expected to provide transportation or "babysit." Usually, I'd end up having to chaperone...at least it felt that way. One reason I decided to fade was hearing nasty rumors about me giving "too much attention to younger people" and that was very hurtful...especially knowing that there is an epidemic problem with child predators within this organization. I assure you all that is simply NOT the case with me. I grew up in a youth-friendly and very stable environment. I identify more with the youth than I do with the boring, stoic, "elder and pio-wife" crowd, anyway. My mom is the same way to this day! That's no sin at all, but some of the nasty slander that spread about me was very hurtful. Before my fade, I stopped ALL efforts to reach out to the teens in my congregation and became very jaded. I mean, here I was, giving my time, energy, resources and money to help these "weak" parents' kids become more active in spiritual activities and the only payback I got was either expected, unappreciated obligations to pick their kids' butts up every Wednesday or hateful rumors. It's apparent that genuine predators have more rights and protection from the BOE and WBT$ than a perfectly harmless, well-intended guy like me. It's sad, because the real victims of my discouragement were the youth of that hall. I had to cut them off because I was uncomortable. They were confused as hell, needless to say but it was so embarrassing and hurtful I couldn't bring myself to tell them why I ditched them. After my fade, many of them eventually left on their own accord (thank GOD) and now they are happy, stable adults who occasionally run in to me at hookah bars LOL. I suppose I'm ALSO to blame for their tattoos, facial hair and worldly spouses now??? Probably! Anyway, I have had the chance to explain what I had to put up with to the ones I ran in to and they agree--it's total BULL$#!t.

At one point, I was very interested in a gorgeous sister but dating within the congo was a nightmare. The scrutiny. The back-biting. The rumor. The gossip. Never again. Most of the people hurling the slander were the ones who complained to elders about us sitting together at meetings and holding hands. Now faded, I am finally able to pursue healthy relationships outside of that windowless brick box and I've never been happier!!! I cannot believe how much more enjoyable the dating game is when you're not under the giant magnifying glass! And the best part is, especially at work, I can scope chicks who are not only gorgeous, but emotionally stable, intelligent and educated like I am! I'm sorry, but a home-schooled pioneer sister is nothing but an emotional, financial time bomb. And yes, I've even had a few opportunities to play for the "other team" too--GUILT-FREE!

So, once I officially leave, the rumors will fly about Dario. And that concerns me, even though I'll be moving on. In the back of my mind, I'll still wonder what they're saying about me now. I'm almost tempted to show up at a memorial 5 years from now with a shiny convertible and a beautiful wife and kids just to prove them all wrong! Is that normal? I know it doesn't make sense, but is it normal?

What specific gossip/slander have you all had to endure? How did you cope? Does it still bother you knowing you're likely the topic of car group gossip and B-room meetings? How do you reconcile that??? Do you eventually get over it? I am like Ellen Degeneres, desperate for everyone to just "like" me and it kills me when my efforts fail. I want CLOSURE. I want to prove them all WRONG. I'm a decent, loveable guy and they'll never realize it.

40

"Johnny The Bethelite" FRAUD!

by IMPOSTORS ARE DOOMED in

i was just over on topix.com, when i see this to a "rick fearon"(?

) kool-aid man thread.

someone noted that rick fearon lost all credibility over his "johnny the bethelite" nonsense.

DarioKehl

"Kool Aid Man" reminds me of the scary bullhorning, placard-carrying fanatic, angry apostates who would show up at conventions and scare me as a little kid. Guys like him are "old school" and define the WT stereotype of "apostate." Rick, I know you mean well, dawg, but you gotta understand, the ExDub movement has evolved. We are a younger, more open-minded, more educated generation (albiet "overlapping" lol) and we analyze everything skeptically and critically. You gotta change your tone, bro. You scare people away (or back in to the bOrg) and when inaccuracies are discovered, you don't appear sensational, you appear dishonest. TRUST US... Change your tone if you want to succeed. Peace, bro.

29

Stunning new arial photograph of NOAH'S ARK on Google Earth!

by nicolaou in

.

wow!.

DarioKehl

Poor kuhala bears! What a long swim to Australia!

(still kinda new here... is nicolau serious or joking?)

148

Have you ever had a prayer answered?

by nicolaou in

prayer topics seem to be the bandwagon of the moment so i'm jumping on!

seriously, has anyone here asked for something specific in prayer and actually gotten what they asked for?

what convinces you that you wouldn't have got it in any case?

DarioKehl

That was not an actual experience I'd heard...just a typical, hypothetical example. You'll hear something close to that this summer tho, betcha!!!

124

Are JWs the worst restaurant customers?

by Alfred in

jw
friends

(a little background info before i ask my question...).

my sister-in-law (non-jw), who manages a popular chain restaurant near a kingdom hall, just found out that my wife and i have recently faded, so she decided to get something off her chest the other day... you guessed it: she wanted us to know that jws are the worst customers ever!

she then told us some really embarrassing stories about how jws would request a table for 15 to 20 people (after a sunday meeting) and then (when the bill came) some of the jws would start deliberating amongst themselves on whether or not the waiter was diligent or not (to justify the low tip he was getting anyway).

DarioKehl

I used to feel sooo bad for the wait staff. It was a weekly tradition: After meeting, "See you at Applebee's!" It was usually the broke 20-something pioneers who spent what was left of their 2 days' payroll and stayed for hours and hours while only ordering water and sharing a few appetizers. The best was when we'd get there at 9:45, ask for a table that can seat 12-15 and then have the poor gal wait to take our order after 10 PM so we can take advantage of the Late Nite $2.99 Specials. And then people would bitch about the "minimum gratiuity" automatically added for parties larger than 10. I am honestly and sincerely embarrassed when I think back at those days. What did it in for me was when an elder approached me privately to convey that a sister was "concerned" that I was observed ordering a (single) dry gin martini "every week." I was floored! "Yes, Dario, there's certainly nothing wrong with that, but, do you need one? EVERY week?" My brother and our guy friends finally wised up and started going to sports bars after meetings on our own and ditching the rest. And we always tipped well. I'd I could have as many martinis as I wanted!

Have you ever had a prayer answered?

by nicolaou in

prayer topics seem to be the bandwagon of the moment so i'm jumping on!

seriously, has anyone here asked for something specific in prayer and actually gotten what they asked for?

what convinces you that you wouldn't have got it in any case?

DarioKehl

To answer succinctly, nope. However, that's not to say I couldn't truthfully relay an anecdote about positive coincidences occuring after a prayer was said... but that would require some creative historical editorializing. I'd need my memory filter so I only recall the hits and forget the misses.

On a related topic, I've read many recent posts on here from subscribers who shared fond memories of the "better times" within the bOrg that have since been removed: delicious food at conventions and assemblies, being permitted to write an introduction, brief commentary and a conclusion on the #2 Bible reading during the TMS, wearing what you want at the hotel or restraunts after convention, book studies in private homes (followed by a monthly "treat night" where people could fellowship and share desserts or perhaps even change clothes and play volleyball or dip in the pool during summer months) and who could forget the new song book. Yes, even ExJWs who firmly oppose the doctrine still fondly remenisce the happy, marchy and proud anthems that once provided JWs with a small sense of pride, esteem and vigor. "We're Jehovah's Witnesses," "Life Without End at Last," "Move Ahead!" and "We Must Have the Faith" were catchy earworms that remind many of us of our happy, safe childhoods. Some ExJWs even recently admitted to me that they still keep these old songs around and occasionally listen to them because they just make them "feel good." But noooo, not even those are around anymore. We have the creepy, GB-worshipping, Mormonesque, churchy, scary, NWO, Cult, mind-control durges that give the remaining ones a sour taste of fear in the back of their mouths, upset stomachs and panic attacks.

Why am I brining all this up??? Well why stop there??? One thing I find particularly abhorent (and further validation that "answered prayers" in the feel-good romantic sense are bogus) is how the WBT$ and Fistful Slave have hijacked yet another enjoyable benefit to being a "believer." Like all those other things, they've hijacked "answered prayers" as well! Have you all noticed the experiences in the Yearbooks and interviews on the stage at conventions have been severely crippled??? I understand the GB probably wants to steer clear of the sensational urban legend experiences that pervade our Junk folders FWD'ed to us by zealous 'Dubs (many of whom send those annoying things while the rest of us are at a meeting...check their timestamps, it's true ). But I remember a time when people would share meaningful, convincing expereinces about how their prayers were answered and they were very enjoyable to listen to while my butt was wedged in a plastic seat in a poorly climate-controlled stadium. That was like one of the only things that would get me through conventions as a bored and doubting youth (besides the drama, looking for cuties with binoculars or reading the not-meant-to-be-arousing articles on sexuality in the YPA book during the most boring talks). But now days, listen to the interviews. Browse the experiences in the Yearbooks for the last decade and what do you observe??? We used to see "evidence" of Holy Spirit rescuing the failthful from danger, certain death or some other physical calamity (scary dogs, muggers, going broke, getting lost, being arrested, chased by mobs...). Now EVERY experience ends the same way. With a lame plug for expanding the preaching work. Here's a typical example:

Bro. Testimony: "I was depressed. I'd suffered job loss, a death in the family, my wife became pregnant and I lost my managerial job of 20 years."

Bro Interviewer: "Wow, Brother Testimony! Those seem like very difficult obstacles indeed! What did you do?"

Bro. Testimony: "Well, Brother Interviewer, I did the only thing I could do. I prayed to Jehovah."

Bro. Interviewer: "Certainly! Well, did Jehovah answer your prayers?"

Bro. Testimony: "Well (*chuckle*), yes! Yes, he did! Why, just a few hours later, I was walking down the street and saw a man and a woman who appeared to be in distress! So I approached them and asked them if everything was ok and the woman said, 'No! We just found out our nephew was in a terrible accident and we aren't sure if he will make it.' So, I turned to the man and said, 'I'm heading to the convenience store, is there anything I can get you?' and they decided to walk with me. I 'bought out the opportune time' and began sharing the Truth about God with them and his promise to rid the world of all tragedies, sickness and death! They became very interested and even offered to buy my items at the store! It turns out, I was able to feed my family that night with their kind donation! Shortly after that... a BIBLE STUDY WAS STARTED AND THEY ARE WELL ON THEIR WAY TO BAPTISM."

...Yeah. Anyone catch that shameless plug? Prayers now only seem to be answered when Jah tosses an easy recruit in your lap. Overall message: WE suffer, WE pray and our "blessing" is the "privilage" of converting another vulnerable soul. PLEASE tell me the rest of you have noticed this!!! It's gotten much worse over the last 10-15 years.

17

Is it Really a Worldwide Work???

by jakeyen in

from 2010 service year.

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DarioKehl

Nope! Our C.O. from a few years ago said that Witnesses have no presence in Somalia, North Korea or Afghanistan. But thankfully, now that Jesus beamed his Noo Lite ray at Brooklyn recently, we know that more than enough time is available to reach these people during the "Overlap."

Additionally, on the inside cover of one of the Yearbooks (don't ask me what year, I've since thrown them all out but I believe it was one of the last hard-cover ones), there was a color-shaded map of the world, indicating the activity in each country. Gosh--it's really upsetting me that I don't remember what year this book came out. Anyway, I used to show it to people lonnnng before the "overlapsation situation" came down the wire because there was a shade indicating "No Reported Activity" and it formed a swath from North Africa all across the Middle East and stopped in western Asia. I'd show that to people in the early 2000s when we all believed 9/11 meant HARDY-HAR-maggedon was imminent. It was a great way to refute. I used to say 10, 15 years ago that "We have all the time in the world left...look at all the uncovered territory." Of course, back then, that nearly got me run out of town. But now, with the Ova-lap Doctrine, I ended up being correct.

The entire inhabited earth will be preached and now that "generations" vaguely means "contemporaries" which vaguely suggests an "overlap," rest easy, everyone! This game just went into overtime!

13

Multiply by a time, times, and half a time: What do you get?

by ThomasCovenant in

jw
friends

1 time 8 = 8. .

2 times 8 = 16. .

half times 16 = 8. .

DarioKehl

I always wondered how "times" could be interpreted as 2. Just because it's plural???

a time = 1

times = 2 to ∞

half a time = 1.5

But if you're starting from 607 B.C.E., what difference does it really make anyway? lol