4 not counting my family. The 1st was baptized in 1968 when i was only 16. The next was a couple who were baptized in 1973. The next was baptized in 1974. All but one left after 1975 came and went. I should have followed them out the door. Instead, I stayed until a few months ago. So other than my children, I had a dry spell of 36 years!
Posts by 3rdgen
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31How many people did you bring into the borg?
by jam indo not count family members.
how long did it.
take to bring in each sheep, are they still in?.
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7
The gossip card - a tool for control among elders?
by cedars ini was having a few flashbacks today to my time as a die-hard publisher, both when i was "reaching out" for the transition from servant to elder, and from my time as an elder.
both of those positions bring with them an often unsavoury insight into the habits and methods of elders when it comes to controlling the congregation, particularly those in higher levels of congregational responsibility whose methods aren't always popular or appreciated.. it struck me as inappropriate at the time that the "gossip card" was brandished by certain elders all too readily, especially if it was an unpopular elder who had a bad reputation for making people's lives miserable.
the elder would speak in a sombre tone about the seriousness of people gossiping about him, and how this urgently needed to be brought to an end - with stern words to be meted out to anyone "caught in the act".
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3rdgen
I can speak to this personally. At one time I was in a cong where a close realative of mine was the PO. He ran the hall like a Natzi.He had said and done things that had many (including myself) very discouraged. I confided some things to my best friendin strictest confidence. She thought these things were so outragous that she decided (without telling me), to tell her father who was the PO in a neighboring cong. He, in turn, called up my realative and reported what I had said to his daughter. the next thing I knew, I was in the back room in a committee meeting for slander and HE (my relative)was prisiding over the meeting
I was very respectful but stated that I believed every word I said to be true so I didn't see how I could be accused of slander. He was very angry and demanded,"Where did you get your information?" I calmly and honestly replied, "From your wife." She had been trying for years to get other elders and COs to recognize how he was abusing his authority both in the cong and in his own home. He always got out of it by saying his wife was mentally ill. (she was simply severly depressed).
At any rate since the source of the info was his own wife, and since I was able to fake an apology, the matter was dropped. About a year later he was removed for (of all things) betraying confidences! Which was the LEAST of his many offences!
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3rdgen
Welcome! There are many warm and loving people on this board with countless years of combined experience with Jehovah's witnesses. There is much good advice found here.
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45
I am speechless over the latest tactic to get people to Pioneer!
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3rdgen
The Service overseer in one cong I used to attend made an announcement from the platform that his goal was to have ALL the elders and MS and their wives pioneer in April. One of the wives was angry that she was publically put on the spot like that.( the whole fam eventually left the borg)
I have been handed aux slips many times in various halls. I also resented the pressure that put on me. Hopefully, this tactic will backfire on more and more Dubs who are close to having their carts loaded!
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183
What are your favourite movie lines/quotes????
by karter in''well there's one thing you got ta ask yourself punk....you felling lucky...well do ya punk".....clint eastwood dirty harry.. "it's life jim but not as we know it" capt kirk star treck..
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3rdgen
" Do you know what you're talking about?" "Why, do I sound Like I do?" Clueless
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66
Would/Do you wear a Cross around your neck ??
by Prisca inafter all that we had drummed into us about not the cross, and particularly about not venerating the symbol itself, i have been wondering about this issue.. so, what are your views about wearing a cross around your neck ?
is it just a fashion accessory, or does it mean something to you ?.
inquiring minds would like to know
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3rdgen
Like most here I respect anyones decision to wear a cross. Some are beautifully designed and as a fashion statement I think they are cool.
As a mother whose 21 yr old son was in a motorcycle race, forced into a tree and killed, the idea of wearing a motorcycle around my neck is repugnant. But that's me. I suspect though, that Jesus mother did not wear a cross. To each his own.
BTW, I do wear a necklace that has silver initials with the 1st letters of both my childrens names.
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71
Letter to the Writing Department from Barbara Anderson
by Dogpatch ini thought i knew you.
an open letter from barbara anderson to watch towers writing department.
in 1517, martin luther wrote in a letter to archbishop albert of mainz: you must graciously forgive that i, that scum of the earth, am so bold as to dare to address a letter to you.. yes, i know, you think of me as scum, just like mainz believed of luther, wondering how i dare write you a letter, someone jehovahs witnesses disfellowshipped back in 2002. i was accused of being an unrepentant sinner and condemned for causing divisions, then labeled apostate because i spoke out publicly on nbcs dateline tv program aboutthe child sexual abuse policies that protected pedophiles policies that you helped formulate.
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3rdgen
Pissedoff
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71
Letter to the Writing Department from Barbara Anderson
by Dogpatch ini thought i knew you.
an open letter from barbara anderson to watch towers writing department.
in 1517, martin luther wrote in a letter to archbishop albert of mainz: you must graciously forgive that i, that scum of the earth, am so bold as to dare to address a letter to you.. yes, i know, you think of me as scum, just like mainz believed of luther, wondering how i dare write you a letter, someone jehovahs witnesses disfellowshipped back in 2002. i was accused of being an unrepentant sinner and condemned for causing divisions, then labeled apostate because i spoke out publicly on nbcs dateline tv program aboutthe child sexual abuse policies that protected pedophiles policies that you helped formulate.
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3rdgen
@ Pissedoff, True, there is no way to prevail if the intent is to convince the GB or 7 million braindead followers to reform. However, an open letter is just that, open. There is no way to know how many Jws will read the letter and file it away in their minds only to pop up when a personal doubt/problem arises with the WT$. This letter could be a straw that becomes the tipping point for some.
How do I know? Because her story on her website was just that (tipping point) for my hubby and me. It was literally the LAST STRAW that made us leave mentally for good. Hubby e-mailed this latest letter to some dubs we know with doubts. ALREADY it is having an effect on them. It is bringing people to this site and they are reading. It's only a matter of time.........at least for some. If only ONE person is helped out isn't it worth the time it takes to write a letter?
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13
Sometimes writing to myself is therapy. I thought I would share
by Indian Larry ingrowing up.
taught that the whole world will end any time.
everyone in the town i live in will die.
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3rdgen
Indian Larry your post reveals emotions most of us have felt. The war within us between what we believe, who we love, and the actual facts.I am so sorry you are hurting. Does your wife give any sign of being receptive to some JW info? Keep writing. We will keep listening.
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71
Letter to the Writing Department from Barbara Anderson
by Dogpatch ini thought i knew you.
an open letter from barbara anderson to watch towers writing department.
in 1517, martin luther wrote in a letter to archbishop albert of mainz: you must graciously forgive that i, that scum of the earth, am so bold as to dare to address a letter to you.. yes, i know, you think of me as scum, just like mainz believed of luther, wondering how i dare write you a letter, someone jehovahs witnesses disfellowshipped back in 2002. i was accused of being an unrepentant sinner and condemned for causing divisions, then labeled apostate because i spoke out publicly on nbcs dateline tv program aboutthe child sexual abuse policies that protected pedophiles policies that you helped formulate.
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3rdgen
I agree with Balaamsass