Posts by Mr. Falcon

14

Just something I've noticed that makes me wonder...

by Mr. Falcon in

i have found it very odd how much in-fighting and back-biting go on among certian boe's.. and it's rather strange that several (not all) of them will vent to me about how they can't stand this one, or they think this other one is out of line, or that elder's wife talks too much, etc.

or they whine about how many elder meetings they have to go to, or how they are frustrated because they have to deal with sister loudmouth-who-pisses-off-everyone-else.. and i sit there wondering why they would ever want to continue to do this job?

it's thankless, offers no compensation, rips you away from your family, and forces you to rub shoulders with company men and puts you in a position where you have to render judgement on someone with little or no understanding of what the psychological consequences to that person could be.

Mr. Falcon

I have found it very odd how much in-fighting and back-biting go on among certian BOE's.

And it's rather strange that several (not all) of them will vent to me about how they can't stand this one, or they think this other one is out of line, or that elder's wife talks too much, etc. Or they whine about how many elder meetings they have to go to, or how they are frustrated because they have to deal with Sister Loudmouth-Who-Pisses-Off-Everyone-Else.

And I sit there wondering why they would ever want to continue to do this job? It's thankless, offers no compensation, rips you away from your family, and forces you to rub shoulders with Company Men and puts you in a position where you have to render judgement on someone with little or no understanding of what the psychological consequences to that person could be. I'm having difficulty seeing proof of God's Spirit at work here. I understand the whole arguement, "well, it's imperfect men, yadda yada..." but all I really see is politics. Just politics, campaigning and complaining about one another. It's like an episode of The View.

I realize that this topic has been beaten to death, but I just wanted to make this observation.

27

2011 Yearbook: Singing Praise to Jehovah

by pirata in

2011 yearbook, singing praise to jehovah, p.17-21:.

singing songs of praise to jehovah is an integral part of our worship.

at the 2009 conventions, therefore, god's servants were overjoyed when they were told of a new songbook, sing to jehovah.

Mr. Falcon

that kid at the 0:20 mark is like "screw this, I could be riding my bike right now. But no, I'm here listening to a Lawrence Welk wannabe in this creepy house that looks like the set of a David Lynch movie."

27

2011 Yearbook: Singing Praise to Jehovah

by pirata in

2011 yearbook, singing praise to jehovah, p.17-21:.

singing songs of praise to jehovah is an integral part of our worship.

at the 2009 conventions, therefore, god's servants were overjoyed when they were told of a new songbook, sing to jehovah.

Mr. Falcon

brotherdan - What's with that dude all checking his song book beginning at the 1:19 mark? He looks like he's going to start singing, but can't get up the nerve. Or is he checking to make sure that the guy playing isn't "straying" too far from how it was meant to be played?

Either way, that guy is bizarre. It's like JWs don't even know what's proper etiquette during a recital. You don't stand awkwardly behind the musician pretending to read sheet music. Like he can even read music and would even be able to follow the guy playing. Funny.

27

Ladies: were you often left to deal with the children at assemblies/meetings?

by JimmyPage in

jw
friends

especially those of you married to servants and elders?

how did you feel about that?

did you wish the society would make more accomodations for dealing with children?.

Mr. Falcon

Ashamedly, I did this. Numerous times. And to be honest, and I know I'm not alone in my reasons for doing this, but I saw it as a way to make the time go by quicker. Running around, doing this, that and the other things was such a welcome break from sitting in uncomfortable seats. She had the kids, whatever. I need to look important. Shameful.

Strange how I would wonder at the end of the day why she was all upset with swollen feet. But I had my Sacred Service Blinders(tm) on so I thought I was doing important work, when in reality I was just being an insensitive tool.

So all you ladies who had to suffer through this situation, I beg your forgiveness. Now I turn down assignments. It's tough enough that we have to go at all to these 85-hour religious seminars, but helping my wife manage children is more important than working in some pointless, glorified department run by some guy who wants to give a talk on the program.

Again, I'm sorry, ladies.

18

DON'T SAY THIS WHEN YOU ARE PRAYING!!!!

by brotherdan in

i was recently talking with my good friend ding via pm on jwn, and the subject of legalism in prayer came up.

ding has much experience with jehovah's witnesses.

he was never one himself, so i get to teach him some things about the organization that he occasionally does not know.

Mr. Falcon

great points, here.

I always thought some of my father's dinner-time prayers were strange, almost "conversational" God. He would be like, "We appreciate this nice weather, Jehovah; it's been nice, hasn't it?" and stuff like that. Like he's stuck on an elevator with God and just trying to make friendly small talk.

I've always read in the Watchtowers concerning prayer that we should have the attitude of waiting on God and just grinning and bearing whatever it is that crushing us, until God "fixes" the problem.

As brotherdan pointed out, the Bible has numerous examples of rightous men who were "upset" that God was allowing them to suffer (not blaming Him for the suffering, but upset that He was permitting it). Yet if you tried to give a public prayer that had a similar tone to the dirges of Moses or the Psalmist, then you'd better get ready for the beat-down that will surely follow.

27

2011 Yearbook: Singing Praise to Jehovah

by pirata in

2011 yearbook, singing praise to jehovah, p.17-21:.

singing songs of praise to jehovah is an integral part of our worship.

at the 2009 conventions, therefore, god's servants were overjoyed when they were told of a new songbook, sing to jehovah.

Mr. Falcon

Not sure if anyone else has noticed it, or if this has been posted before, but there is one new song that sounds EXACTLY like the theme music to Jurassic Park.

elderelite - If you want to learn how to sing the songs correctly, be sure to check out the Choir editions. You know.... the same kind of religious choir music that JW's used to always bash "Christendom" for.....

what's next? Daily Mass?

7

untitled

by Lunatic Faith in

jw
friends

from the feb 15,2011 study article "gaining god's approval leads to everlasting life".

this is because jehovah.

22:29) jehovah.

Mr. Falcon

If I was a massage therapist working on some ex-elder who judged me, I would make sure that he got the "Moe Green".

BANG! right through the eye!

13

How do I get them to leave me alone?

by Mr. Falcon in

why does every ex-elder who went through so much turmoil while being an elder always whine to me about how much it sucked, yet when i mention that i don't want to be one, they suddenly get all nostalgic and tell me what a blessing it is to serve as an e-man?.

elder.. period.. maybe i might have a change of heart one day if they actually require these men to have some sort of actual psychological/communication training or if they start handing out paychecks.

but until then, i respectfully decline.. .

Mr. Falcon

Flipper - Thanks for pointing out that important aspect. Family. My family comes first and will always. In the past I have gone above and beyond to be a "yes man" (before I came to my senses) and this was done at the expense of my family.

It's ridiculous how they yak on about how family is a priority, blah blah, but most of these cats will abandon their wives and kids to go rush off to help some other JW family/assignment at the drop of a hat. I'd prefer to concentrate on spending time with my kids, so maybe, JUST MAYBE, they can have some semblance of a "normal" life.

Misery - my old man gives me grief about my current attitude towards serving, yet when I ask him if he'll serve again, he's like "NO WAY!" ummmm.... am I missing something?

13

How do I get them to leave me alone?

by Mr. Falcon in

why does every ex-elder who went through so much turmoil while being an elder always whine to me about how much it sucked, yet when i mention that i don't want to be one, they suddenly get all nostalgic and tell me what a blessing it is to serve as an e-man?.

elder.. period.. maybe i might have a change of heart one day if they actually require these men to have some sort of actual psychological/communication training or if they start handing out paychecks.

but until then, i respectfully decline.. .

Mr. Falcon

Well said, Giordano.

The last time the CO came around a few elders were all suddenly interesting in "talking" to me about my "future goals". make sure I'm still "reaching out".

I told them if they ever approached me about being an elder that I would run screaming out the Kingdom Hall. They started laughing but quickly stopped when they realized that I was quite serious.

@ Open mind - haha "Brother Recruiter". It's like they are selling time-share properties or something. They remind me of Ricky Roma in Glengarry Glen Ross. Thanks, but I'll pass.

22

Wow this sucks

by ranmac in

my decision to de-program my mind, about a year ago, has been fairly uneventfull, despite a few intense but very real conversations with my wife and parents.. however in the past couple days my father has pretty much made it clear to me that he will put the gb (not god, although they are pretty much viewed the same) before me.

also tonight the inlaws, who have probly gotten whiff of my inactivity and who never get personal, started to give a lecture on the extreme importance of the family worship arrangement so lovingly arranged for us by the fds, and how if we are not taking advantage of this wonderful provision will not be prepared for armagedon.

i swear blood was gushing from biting my tounge.. im starting to sense that consequences are coming for my sin of independent research and study.

Mr. Falcon

Black Sheep is correct.

Just because some of us have managed to put 2 and 2 together, you got to remember back when/if you were a hardcore J-dubb. ANYTHING that even remotely resembled a question or doubt is thought to be.....(gasp) Apostasy!

I'm kind of in the same boat, ranmac, and I've already had some relatives comment about how I seem a tad "cynical" as of late.

I guess I ain't got my mind "right". So i've decided to tone the cynical comments down.