Lee Elder

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Posts by Lee Elder

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  42

  Are You Influenced By Looks?

  by jack2 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  on friday night i watched a report by abc tv's john stossel (in the normal 20/20 time slot) that dealt with how humans are influenced by looks.

  it was a re-broadcast, and even though this was the second time i've seen it it was still fascinating.

  to demonstrate whether we are influenced by appearance, several scenarios were set up, involving people considered attractive and those considered more 'plain'.

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  Lee Elder

  Very interesting thread. I think we are naturally drawn to what is beautiful whether
  we happen to be aware of it or not. I'm 6'2" and an average looking man but ended
  up with a gorgeous wife. In fact, my friends are all good looking too. Luck of the draw
  I suppose. I think JW men have a larger pool to select from then the average non dub.

  One of our good looking female friends made an interesting point. She thinks that
  one of the downsides to being very attractive is that it intimidates others at times
  which can making forming relationships more challenging - probably especially
  true in same sex friendships.

  As a JW youngster I didn't give a hoot about looks - JW culture. Dress and grooming
  were always a priority. However, when I met the lovely creature that was to become
  my wife, she was so beautiful I fell in love when I laid eyes on her.

  Lee
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  14

  Have I Learned to Think Outside of My Box?

  by IslandWoman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was thinking today ( as i have many times) of those days in the jw world.

  over and over i now find it incredible that i could have thought that shunning was "good", that the door to door work was "productive", that to plan on allowing my child to die rather than to take blood was "god's will", that "worldly" people cannot know god, etc.

  etc.. it all seemed right, it all seemed good, it all seemed god approved.

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  Lee Elder

  Unfortunately, we are always making choices with limited information. We do the best we can.
  I think its important to educate yourself and consider both sides of an issue. Something JWs
  rarely do. It's also not a bad idea to maintain a healthy dose of skepticism - it will serve you well
  most of the time.

  Lee
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  27

  DID AN ELDER EVER HELP YOU?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there are so many horror stories about elders.

  many people dislike or can't stand elders, in general.

  a number here have been truly hurt by some.

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  Lee Elder

  I've seen elders run the whole spectrum from being extremely helpful, kind and resourceful to others who were mean spirited and stupid. In my view, the trend strongly favors the latter description.

  Lee
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  110

  On The Art Of Fading

  by expatbrit in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in october of 2000, i faded away from the watchtower.

  like most people, i have family and friends who are jw's (including my wife and parents).

  fading is generally the best method for people in that situation.

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  Lee Elder

  Yours is a very good description of a properly executed fade. Moving to a new congregation, combined with "poor health" and/or being
  "stumbled" over some issue (just watch for an opportunity - mean spirited, stupid elders are always providing them) is the perfect recipe to disappear. Building the proper foundation in advance is essential. Extracting family members and friends is complex and risky. I had a fair amount of success but it was not easy and came close to backfiring several times - primarily when ones I assisted getting out tried to get others out and mentioned my name. I don't see much to be gained by formerly disassociating oneself.

  Lee
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  68

  Sheila Bowen's Letter To the GB!

  by Ranchette in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i knocked on the locked door of the appeal hearing last night after they had dismissed bill and told the six elders that i had something to say to them and told them it was summed up it a letter i had written.i then asked them if i could read it to them and they could have their own copy when i was finished.they said that would be fine.. here it is.

  governing body,.

  25 columbia heights.

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  Lee Elder

  Hi Sheila,

  That is one terrific letter. Kudos!

  Lee
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  19

  CAN YOU BE DISFELLOWSHIPPED AND STILL BE EFFECTIVE

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in view of the fact that bill bowen and others who have supported the silentlambs agenda have been disfellowshipped, do you think this means the end of their effectiveness?

  comments on the board suggest that now, jw's won't come forward to bill because witnesses won't want to talk to a disfellowshipped person.

  and some have said that this was the reason why they were fighting their disfellowshipping.

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  Lee Elder

  I believe that abuse victims looking for support are already pretty disillusioned by their WT experience. Most of them will not be greatly concerned that the Silent Lambs folks are disfellowshipped "former" JWs.

  Lee
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  69

  Who Here Believes in God?

  by The_Bad_Seed in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  personally, i do not believe god ever has or ever will exist.

  i have my reasons -- i guess i could be considered an agnostic, rather than an athiest.

  i was curious to see what the larger part of the former borg community believed, now looking from the outside in, rather than the opposite.

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  Lee Elder

  Do you believe in God? Its an intriguing question but perhaps the wrong question. Without some reliable context or basis to define what God is, the question is somewhat meaningless. Roughly equivalent to: Do you believe it _ _ _ ? (Fill in any three letters).

  If by your question you mean do I believe in the God of the Bible my answer would have to be no. That God is the invention of the ancient Hebrews and a compilation of various ancient tribal entities. As for my personal belief, I am a Fideist and also consider myself a liberal Christian.

  Lee
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  7

  leaving well enough alone

  by spider in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  its late and i am tired but i'm kinda stirred up.

  i forgot it could get like this.

  i left the religion behind and its fine really - nicely in the past - of course i got issues and i get angry sometimes but i left it all behind - all the friends.

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  Lee Elder

  It may well be that its impossible to maintain a meaningful relationship with a JW
  in your situation. We are only human.
• 
  11

  Ok, I'm Drunk and Angry

  by ChakkaConned in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  .

  that's about it...

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  Lee Elder

  My thoughts exactly.

  Lee
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  37

  Pedophilia and the WTS 's Irrational Arrogance

  by Lee Elder in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am shocked and outraged by the recent actions of the watchtower society to silence child advocates who's only agenda is to stop the rape and molestation of jehovah's witness children and protect them from the known pedophiles operating within the organization.

  those in the organization who are responsible for these reprehensible actions must be sanctioned.

  i sincerely hope that voting members of the watchtower society will insist on the removal of all corporate directors who support the current policies that harm children and protect pedophiles.

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  Lee Elder

  Marvin, I agree with your remarks. The WTS's action is one of "extreme and obscene immorality". There is something very, very wrong in Watchtowerdom. They would have to pass out "Kool-Aid" to the friends for there to be any stronger indication of the depth of the problems in the organization. The wheels are coming off the cart and it is careening out of control. As the last remnants of sense and reason escape, the vacuum is filling with stupidity, arrogance and fanaticism. It is time to leave.

  Lee