mine are, in no particular order:.
"the friends".
"glean".
do a Presentation
have your comments...
aux. pioneering
week-end service
publisher of the good news
spirit anointed congregation
Part in the meeting
in Jesus name
book study
mags...magazine offer...literature counter...
month's offer
return visit
coffee break
example to the congregation
strong spiritually
hall cleaning
...ad nausea
didn't know if this has been addressed before , but it's kinda interesting.
when we were witnesses we were always told,oh!
don't look at horoscopes or read anything about your sign because it's demonized !
Let me get this straight… A person is born at a particular time of the year and by virtue of that particular time that individual is endowed or some how acquires certain common traits and characteristics exclusive to a corresponding astrological sign? That so many people concur with such astrological “findings” puts this phenomenon beyond coincidental. If these findings are sound or factual than we would need to look at the human species as nothing more than a biological packaged product complete with barcode and ingredient label. Do you know what I mean? I am a Libra. Your description rings soundly of my general outlook and behavior also. Especially as it pertains in association with other sun signs, as with Aries in Your example. I am dumb founded to say the least. Very interesting but way too weird. Martini
if they won't,at what point did human have a belly buton.. what is jw viewpoint on subject?
.
HI,
Abnormal looking if they did not...don't you think? Plus not very sexy!
Actually anyone who has had a tummy tuck loses there belly button. Some opt for a belly button surgically cut out!! Leaves you with a slightly disgusted feeling to look at, especially disgusted if as some suggested this would be an area for sensual stimulation.
Considering how much thought Gawd put into sex...I think Gawd would have designed them with a proper belly button!!
Haha
have you seen this movie?
if not, watch it and let me know what you think.
you can watch it all right here, no need to rent it.
As an "x" brain washed religious cult follower of the WTS...I watched this movie with interest. At the conclusion I felt a sickening feeling in my gut. I started to panic with my own thoughts. I felt at a loss, that perhaps I did not have the mental capacity to decipher where the deception lay. Was it with the Elite Bankers who are seeking world domination at all cost? Or with the producer of this film...who is perhaps too smart for his own good? With information like in this movie...are the common people truely awakening from deception or moving deeper into a spiral of deceipt and control???
Although this movie presents possibilities that the entire human race is being manipulated by a few men behind the curtain, I will not be "rushed" to join any revolution or movement to save the world!
I suppose as the saying goes "once bitten twice shy" applies...I was once duped by those claiming to possess special knowledge about "salvation" (WTS)...so now I am very skeptical about anyone coming as a "Savior" of the world!
There I've said my piece now I feel better,
Martini
finally said it out loud even though my actions have been showing it for quite some time.
a fight ensued and now she isn't talking to me.
the wierd thing is when i just didnt go she didn't say much (she hasn't been for over 2 mos for a medical reason) but god forbid i should actually vocalize that i don't want to go... i didn't want to give her any fuel to call me an apostate so i just blamed discouragement and my dislike of the elders which she already knows.
Oh boy I feel for you...but you know in your gut that once you get over the hill...relief will come.(for a while)The advice many presented, will work but there may be an easier way.With respect to stepping down as an elder you need simply to be very ASSERTIVE in what YOU want to do with YOUR time and life. Yeah that's it! No big reasons...no lenghty explaination...heck just say "that's it I'm done...if they ask why, be evasive , be vague BUT be pleasant...AND speak with resolve. YES....because between us...we know the reason why they try to bully you into staying as an elder... it is because they are Envious!!!! They are Jealous of you...they themselves have a gut feeling that you are the 'smart one'..you will no longer be slaving for a lost cause...and so they don't want you to get away scott free with what they also want!!! hahaha... Let your body language tell them that you are onto to this little secret! You will look like your reasons are VERY SELFISH...but hey isn't this the better of all evils? haha
Have a smile on your face...walk tall...be happy...and let your YES mean yes, your no mean NO. Keep your replies simple yet free from suspicion... except that you are taking charge of your life and that from now on...you will be doing thiings your way...that's it! This will help in doing the SLOW FADE AWAY...OUT to where they too would LOVE to be.
Oh and it's better to do this while you are still some what "ignorant" about the truth regarding the "troof".
Ignorance is bliss!
just my 2 cents
Martini
class consciousness is defined as identification with other members of ones own class and awareness of its relationship with other classes.
a remarkable change has happened in the last ten years among jehovah's witnesses, and this is largely due to the way we communicate.. .
the internet has brought about huge social changes in the way we think, do business and research, and how we spend our free time.. .
Hi,
Interesting comments. I'm not an authority on this subject,however if I may ,I could tell you that your words are an echo of what was already known back in the mid to late nineties, perhaps earlier. You are correct, the advent of online discussion boards broght to the surface an entire 'class' if you will of sincere doubters or better identified as witnesses experiencing "cognitive dissonance ". Individuals who could sense something was seriously wrong with theocratic (Watchtower) teachings,rules and regulations but could not pin point what was wrong. In my opinion many of the "bold ones" who dared visit "apostate" websites 5-7 years back, like myself probaly numbered 5 to 10,000 . These I believe have moved out of the WTS and have moved on with normal life. I say this because I have noticed a gradual fade of these early participants from these sites. I could be wrong.
How many are there today who are experiencing "cognitive dissonance"?Judging from the fact that several of these websites like JWD continue online tells me there are yet 100's of thousands experiencing the same feelings regarding this Religious/Cult. In my opinion like a stream of water as opposed to a torrential rain this exodus will continue until wide spread reform occurs. My belief is that JW will be as fun a religion to belong to as any other fun one. I imagine this will occur in several decades from now, but one day going to a Kingdom Hall will be all about meeting good friends, short sermons and lots of singing.At that time there will actually be a reversal in membership.If I'm still alive, I may actually return to the fold!! (choke)
Martini
allright let me tell you what happened yesterday.
i went to the meeting yesterday because my cousin was visiting and wanted to know where the kh was located.
i finally offered to go with her to avoid any issues.
Hi NC,
Give them a call tell them you know exactly why they want to meet with you. Say that you appreciate their desire to encourage you back to regular meetings,service etc etc. BUT you are not ready to go back to those very things and that if you were to meet with them they may very well succeed in getting you back on schedule!
Tell them like it is. That JW life style is tough. Stressful and very demanding on all things selfish. Tell them when you are ready to go back perhaps when you retire that they will be the first to hear from you. Tell them how well you have it. No not that you love the wicked worldly things! (blink,blink) But that now you have more time for hard work and to play hard. To do the neccessary things in life, like house work , uninterrupted chores.Sleeping in on week-ends. Getting a hobby and working out at the gym on a regular basis.
Tell them that for the first time, in a long time it feels good to be you. YOU enjoy the personal space and time. Soon (WTS definition of soon)you may wish to return but for now it's feels good, very good. Maybe Jah is not happy with this temporary decision. But it's only temporary! Besides tell them they have done their job well to have warned you, however you are willing to assume running the risk of being killed in the Big A if it were to come anytime soon. They are free from blood guilt, you must tell them.
Each and every time you meet with witnesses. Tell them how good and well you are but thank them for their good thoughts and prayers.
Anyway it has worked for me,
Later Maritni
as jw?s we were taught that the day of jehovah was always near.
we were to keep it close in mind.
those using the world were not to ?use it to the full?.
Gopher,
I have to agree with you totally, where you say the JW 'end time urgency' made the less rational even less rational,when it came to life planning.
My greatest regret is absolutely this point. Like many I suppose, oppportunities for material advancement were suppressed in favor of so-called kingdom interest! (read WT$ interests)
Now like yourself I too am playing the catch up game with enormous odds against. With a young growing family and many unfullfilled dreams I don't know how best to invest my time. I feel the sand in my hourglass is gravely disporportionate between what I want to do for myself (that I could have done 25 years ago), and because of life's expenses what I have no choice to do than to continue with a job that does not pay ( considering my age) and that I do not enjoy.
I am disgusted when I think how this religion has robbed us of precious TIME. So much so that I have a difficult time shifting my focus to the present with hopes that I can find some personal success. My only purpose at this time is to provide for my family.
Good topic Gopher,
Martini
just wondering if any here are from the vancouver bc canada area?.
if so, drop me an email.
orbi
Hi Friends,
I am certain to have run in to some of you anglophones in around Montreal. I have been in 90% of the of 'les petit villes',
some of you have mentioned already.Sorry I cannot blow my cover, but when that day comes I will be "one out-spoken son of a
gun"!
Martini
P.S. Any of you remember the St-Luc Assembly Hall?
jehovah's witnesses/wts have reached "critical mass" - says ex-circuit overseer.
------posting copied from h2o-----.
posted by xelder [seeker4] on july 13, 2000 at 12:00:52 {rn3hpwrs1eubi2tgjvegd9bhhxgwag}:.
Firstly I would like to say a BIG hello to some "men/women of old" like Seven, Path, Red and last but never least Waiting. Sure would be nice to have a GREAT Apostofest some day!
Anyway this topic again, good god surely with all that's been written about the 'WTS FATE' someone will make a blockbuster movie some day! '
"THE GREATEST FRAUD EVER TOLD, The day the WTS spoke" or some other synonymous title.
Complete with sequels to time everlasting.
KAGLOO mark my words the journey you have embarked upon is a circle. What many will tell you is that you have to come full cirlce so to speak and then you will understand all things religious.
For many JW's the cirlce goes something like this. My version anyway,
Seeking the true "GOD", QUESTIONS, Finding the "'true"' God, QUESTIONS, Seeking the true "GOD", QUESTIONS, Finding "a god", QUESTIONS Seeking for "GOD", Finding 'no god", QUESTIONS, Seeking no more for 'god'.
Everyone is at different degrees of understanding somewhere between 0 and 360.
So expect that the journey may be a long and tiresome one. Mine is ongoing so I'm taking a break.
Wishing you health,
Martini
