Posts by pettygrudger

was there any particular event, teaching, experience where it all came together for you when you really questioned the "truth", or believed it wasn't it couldn't be god's organization?.

when did you realize and say to yourself, this just doesn't add up?

My "adding up" didn't begin until after I had been out for 7 or so years, when I finally felt good enough about myself again to start reevaluating my spiritual side. I began with trying to "relearn" my JW teachings, but by this point I had a few friends that also had their own religious beliefs. As I began discussing "God" with friends, I realized that some of the things they were saying made much more sense then anything I had been raised to believe. Even Hindu based beliefs started making more sense.

I guess I just realized that it is an individual experience, and God bases his judgements on what we as individuals do, not what religion we happen to practice.

17

These Are the Best of Times (Or Are They)

by pettygrudger in

jw
friends

just heard a very interesting discussion on the rush limbaugh show today - first time i think i've ever heard rush become speechless from a caller.

anyways, the discussion was regarding whether or not the generation of today (30 somethings & younger) have it better or worse then generations past.

economically, socially, etc., are we better off now then other generations?

pettygrudger

I also agreed with the caller Devon.

Yes, prior generations have all had to work hard - but the "work" that is performed today is (imho) taking away from our most precious asset - our children.

With both parents working outside of the home - very little time is being devoted to the kids - everyone is just too tired. T.V./video games etc. - they're both so necessary to keep the children occupied.

Also, the hard work that was performed was done by the enitre family - children right along side their parents. The U.S. in particular is raising (imho) a crop of spoiled, fat, undisciplined children that have no seeming sense of anything/anyone other than selves. I go to schools for my son and listen to what teachers today have to deal with in the classroom - it's appalling.

So yes, although medically we are doing better, I don't believe these are the best of times. Economically - maybe (?) there is better opportunity out there - but the jobs that are available seem to be percentage wise actually less than what prior generations earned - at least for raising a family and making ends meet.

24

Is this true?!!! No way!!!

by Doubtfully Yours in

a couple of childhood friends of mine, henry caban and alberto caban, both bethelites at one time, were said to be going to law school compliments of the wtbts.

is it true that they put some 'cream of the crop' bethelites through college depending on what field the society needs?

i can't believe it?!!!

pettygrudger

Theocratic warfare at its finest

17

Are we just being "sifted" out?

by micheal in

jw
friends

this is an expression all of us heard and read about in the wt.

this is also an agrument someone used on me because i am not and have no desire to go to meetings.

i for one believe this agrument that i as well as all of you are just being "sifted" out of "jehovah's organization" because we are "hard headed" is nothing more than a pile of crap.. .

pettygrudger

How can one be "sifted" out of the true religon when leaving means living a more fullfilled happier life.
Just doesn't add up.

Ah, the usual comeback for this is because when we leave the org., we do so because of selfish human desires.

Growing up, I was sure that all worldly people were inheirently EVIL - in my head they were all doing wicked evil selfish things (i.e. lots of sex, drugs, rock & roll - whatever they wanted they selfishly indulged in, thus thinking they were happy - by being rewarded by Satan).

What a suprise I had coming to me!!! And what a contradiction my life has turned into - I honestly view myself as more "Christian" than anyone that I ever remember as being a witness. I honestly "searched" for Christ/God, and also tested my belief structures. That's what we were admonished to do.

Being "sifted" out is just a way for the JW's to continue to sit on their pedestals of self-righteousness. If one were to truly believe in the Bible, they would most likely eventually realize that this "sifting" process is for every human being in all religions. In all religions you will find "true" Christians (believers) and you will find ones that are there for either the wrong, or truly wicked reasons. God judges on an individual basis.

This argument is also blown out of the water by the JW's themselves, now that they are forced to admit (based on their own belief system) that it isn't JUST JW's that may be saved at God's judgement day. In the end, it is god that judges - not any human being or religious organization.

73

MAPLE LEAFS WIN STANLEY CUP!!!!!

by iiz2cool in

can you see the headlines?

toronto maple leafs win stanley cup!!!!!.

yonge st. will be closed after the all night victory bash, the first such bash since 1967!

pettygrudger

True Aztec - but if we took the beatings they have for the last 12-20 years, we'd probably be considered "old" too - as Stevie's injuries prove. The Red Wings are definitely an older club, and I fear for the next 10 years after our best are worn out - we simply are not enfusing enough new blood to ramp up our future stars NOW.

But, I still think we got enough to take those silly little maple leafs

17

These Are the Best of Times (Or Are They)

by pettygrudger in

jw
friends

just heard a very interesting discussion on the rush limbaugh show today - first time i think i've ever heard rush become speechless from a caller.

anyways, the discussion was regarding whether or not the generation of today (30 somethings & younger) have it better or worse then generations past.

economically, socially, etc., are we better off now then other generations?

pettygrudger

Interesting bit of information I gleened - Our "fathers" in their prospective employment paid 20% or more LESS in taxes than bread earners today - so therefore a son who does the same thing as his father, although making more money generally brings home less. In order to compensate, more women have entered the workforce for the duel income just to afford the same things single bread earners were once able to afford.

If this is a trend of things to come, who will be the third "bread winner" in generations to come? The children?

73

MAPLE LEAFS WIN STANLEY CUP!!!!!

by iiz2cool in

can you see the headlines?

toronto maple leafs win stanley cup!!!!!.

yonge st. will be closed after the all night victory bash, the first such bash since 1967!

pettygrudger

Bows head in shame I forgot about the tigers.

God - Detroit Sucks!!!! I'm moving out of Michigan.

73

MAPLE LEAFS WIN STANLEY CUP!!!!!

by iiz2cool in

can you see the headlines?

toronto maple leafs win stanley cup!!!!!.

yonge st. will be closed after the all night victory bash, the first such bash since 1967!

pettygrudger

Let's just leave the Lions out of this okay? All cities with sports teams must have some level of shame - keeps them in balance!

Besides - Just give Steve Mariucci a couple of seasons - we'll come back someday - and I'm betting it's within my lifetime!