Posts by contramundum

21

question for those who either aux pioneered pioneered

by enoughisenough in

how many of you would have spent the hours "pioneering" if it weren't for the pats on the back and being looked up to as someone special in the congregation?

i will admit that back in late 1970's i attempted to aux pioneer during a campaign because it was promoted and seemed the right thing to do,but i didn't get the hours and it was stressful trying to...and i didn't feel like a cheerful giver.

i never attempted it again.

contramundum

I always felt uncomfortable talking to strangers and disliked the D2D work.

It was only when I was experiencing a very difficult time in my personal life that I decided to aux pioneer for 3 months running to express my thanks to God for helping me through this period (as I saw it at the time).

I had 2 young children, a part time job to maintain and was going through a separation, but felt it was the right thing to do , to put God first rather than focus on my own problems.

A couple of months later, I applied to aux pioneer again but my application was declined by the elders because I had decided to finally divorce my serial adulterous husband. I was bewildered and heart broken because the elders were sending out the message to the congregation that I was "not in good standing" with God when I had done nothing wrong.

Even though they refused to officially recognise me as an aux pioneer and my name was not read out amongst the list of other pioneers, I determined to complete the hours because I had made a promise to God.

Even though the elders' harsh attitude cut me to the core when I was at my most vulnerable, I see now that they did me a favour. It opened my eyes to see they were nothing but wolves in sheep's clothing and it was this that started my exit from the religion.

CM

34

Here's a question that I guarantee no one has ever thought of!

by nowwhat? in

unlike men who took no note, surely the fallen angels knew of gods plan to flood the earth, so why didn't they build an ark(s) for their nephilum sons?

.

contramundum

@NonCoinCollector.

I have just watched your Noah videos and I'm still chuckling. Pure genius 😂

20

Moses, Pharaoh and the Exodus Fairytale

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

exodus 7. .

new king james version.

moses before pharaoh.

contramundum

Even as a child this concerned me. Why would a loving God interfere and deliberately harden Pharaoh's heart just to prove a point?

If he had let things take their course, so much suffering may have been prevented

Doesn't James 1:13 say 'with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he try anyone'?

I could see so many inconsistencies in what was being taught, sadly it took decades before I finally figured out the nonsense.

CM

39

What Does Prayer Actually Do?

by punkofnice in

if you think it works, what is your evidence outside of possible coincidence?.

contramundum

There are times in my previous life as a JW when I prayed desperately and fervently. I was always very specific in what I prayed about, thinking I could then be certain if my prayers were answered, instead of forcing events to fit past vague requests.

On three separate occasions my direct requests were granted, one within an hour of praying. My prayers were during times of despair, never for selfish reasons, but I still felt guilty that God answered me, while he seemed to ignore people with far more important needs.

Of course, it could have been coincidence .... 😏

CM

10

Reason why fancy dress up parties were totally band!

by Witness 007 in

we had a fancy dress up party in our congregation.

elders special pioneers and many others came, though some came as cowboys and pirates with guns and swords which was not in line with the watchtowers "beat your swords into plough sheers.

" some sisters were belly dancers....yes they exposed their stomachs.....shock horror!

contramundum

@slidinfast. Sorry, pressed dislike by mistake. I have liked twice to make up for my fat fingered mistake. Apologies again

CM

15

Letter asking for RV’s

by wasser30 in

hello, my elder cousin from brazil wouldn’t believe they asked for rv’s here in the us.

i’ve been out for 20 years and i’m soft shunned by my family.

now my mom got sick and they are all trying to talk me into going back(no way on earth) and they keep on telling me how close armageddon is 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ i was watching kim and mikey and they mentioned the rv’s for lodging the ramapo workers.

contramundum

George of England5 hours ago

I thought an RV was a return visit. I had to look it up!

Same! From fellow Brit 😂

27

Do local JWs want in-person meetings back in your congregation?

by JWTom in

jw
friends

i realize many here think that in-person meetings will return as soon as things are safe with covid.

but many acknowledge it will likely be 2022 or later when this happens.. surprisingly, many pimi jws in our congregation are not shy about saying they are fine with zoom meetings forever and do not want to go back to in-person meetings.

many speculate similar thoughts that are on this site....such as a combination of in-person and zoom meetings.

contramundum

My mother has been a staunch witness for the best part of five decades. During that time she never missed a meeting unless very ill. When she had no transport she would cycle 3 miles to the kingdom hall, or walk if the weather was too bad to cycle. This was also with two young children. She has often said recently that she doesn't miss the face to face meetings and would be quite happy if she didn't go back to the hall. She has not lost her faith or her loyalty to the religion, yet I found it telling that even she prefers the convenience of zoom or a phone link to meeting in person.

8

Praying for others?

by pixel in

i’m looking for an article, from the watchtower, where it says that we should not pray for other members from the stage.

does anyone remember an article saying this?.

contramundum

I vaguely remember something along the lines of not mentioning individual witnesses' names when praying publicly on behalf of the congregation. There was a time when brothers would include the names of members who were sick, however I think they put a stop to this. I cannot imagine what scriptural precedent they came up with for this change.

25

Just invited to a zoom memorial.

by Overrated in

jw
friends

walked away from the trooth years ago(over 20) my older sister sends me an invite to the memorial via zoom.

i have no interest in jwism at all.

should i ignore or respond?.

contramundum

I also received the invite from my cousin. He has not been in touch with me for over 5 years, then suddenly, out of the blue, he sends an impersonal, stock WT worded message along with the memorial invite.

I was initially hurt that he would send such a cold introduction when we had once been close. No words of affection, no enquiry about me or my family.

Once my initial feelings had subsided, I felt the best option would be to entirely ignore anything related to JW. I replied how lovely it was to hear from him, briefly updated him on my and my children's life and finished by saying that we were all happier than we'd ever been.

When I first left JWs, I would feel obligated to justify my reasons. I now realise that no logical argument will have any effect on a closed mind. The best course of action for me is to sidestep any religious discussion and focus on the way my life has exponentially improved since leaving. This says far more than I ever could.

28

Looking Back Were There Any “Apostates” In Your Congregation?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i remember knowing some jws that expressed their own personal viewpoints regarding what a scripture meant that was at odds with society teachings.

in the 60 and 70’s, that was pretty much tolerated until the great purge in 1979 and 1980. as a matter of fact, it wasn’t unusual for witnesses to get together and discuss personal questions and viewpoints they might have.

it wasn’t unusual to send letters to the society asking what was considered the right or wrong view.

contramundum

I remember a brother being removed as an elder in the late '70s. He was my book study overseer and when he announced it to the group after the meeting, he said something to suggest that the reason he was removed from his position was because some people didn't like some of the things he said. I was young and didn't understand what he meant at the time. Looking back I recall people whispering about him believing certain ideas that weren't in line with the GB's teachings

He and his family remained in the congregation until one Sunday morning, a few minutes before the public talk was about to start, he had an altercation with a special pioneer and was forceably bundled out of the hall by a posse of elders.

This was a shocking incident and talked about by many for a good while.

He was never disfellowshipped, but even as a child I knew from the adults that we should have nothing to do with him or his wife and he was referred to as an apostate.

I never saw the family again.