well i know this isn't like my usual posts but bear with me.
i know there are blowups on this board, and i guess not everyone gets a long 100%, 100% of the time, but we all have a bond that keeps bringing us back--pain.
we here have all suffered at the hands a merciless cult, and i know many have sufferd more then the rest of us can ever comprehend.. i miss my family and friends, somedays it's almost more then i can bear, but get by.
Venice,
Excellent post!! ((((Venice)))) ...and, I cried LOTS during Pearl Harbor!! *blush* ...of course, I do plenty of that anyway, but the whole movie was sooooo MOVING, and you are soooo right: there are MANY folks here who have suffered TREMENDOUS personal losses, and they are truly "heroes"!!! ...(((((HUGS)))) to everyone!!!
Take care, and may you be blessed!!
Pooh
i was raised a poor white child in the deep south...ok, florida, where i still am.
i was the typical slightly self righteous witness, miss goody goody, left school at 16 to pioneer, which i did for 4 years, met a guy and married him.
he had 2 kids from a previous marriage and we had 2 kids of our own.
Think41self,
Thank you SOOOOO MUCH for sharing your experience!! And, like Thinker's Wife, I had never thought of the JW "gig" as being codependant, but you are soooooo RIGHT!! Like you, I was raised in "the truth" *gag*, but, it's like something didn't quite seem right, but I couldn't put my finger on it, know what I mean??
Also, like Gopher, I believe that a higher power (God, Jehovah, or whomever you are comfortable with) brought you and Doug together... and, I am very happy for you both!! Having a support system between you both is of IMMENSE help in freeing yourself from the slavery of the WBTS, and I think "someone" had a hand in helping you out!!! ;-) The problems you have encountered have been "custom man-made" by our good friend at the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, and it's successors or assigns... *barf* ;-)
It's been great meeting you, and I look forward to talking to Doug someday, too!! Does he post on here?? If so, what is his "handle"??
Take care, and have a WONDERFUL day!! :-)
i finally found the words to describe what's happening with the jws all around me.
it's the difference between faith, and superstitious attachment.
the dictionary describes faith as found below.
Examiner,
Excellent post!!! I only wish they could SEE it and get PAST the superstition!! It is SOOOOOOOOOOO FRUSTRATING!!! *grrrrrrrrr*
Also, you mentioned "I pointed out the Watchtower's errors in its teaching regarding Pentecost 33CE and what REALLY took place. Once he ran out of arguments and saw that there was no way to refute the truth presented to him, once the WTS's error was made plain, he immediately, and very predictability, reverted to "well we have the faithful slave" ...can you elaborate? I haven't heard about this before... and I am most interested!!
Thanks in advance!!!
Pooh
regardless of scriptural implications, creating special categories of service such as colporteur, pioneer, special pioneer, etc.
was a brilliant move.. the prestige, status and few little perks associated with those committing to being full-time workers is miniscule compensation for their sacrifice of time, lifestyle, income and educational opportunities.. yes, the hour requirements have dropped on several occasions.
how many on the board know that the regular pioneer requirement was once 150 hours a month, then 1200 hours a year, than 1000, now 90-vacation/assembly time?.
Fredhall,
EXACTLY MY POINT!! Now, if Jesus, the second greatest individual in the universe, a perfect man, our Great Teacher didn't even assume to take on ANY titles (seems he didn't even want to be called "rabbi"), then why should someone only preaching 70 hours a month do so?? ;-)
regardless of scriptural implications, creating special categories of service such as colporteur, pioneer, special pioneer, etc.
was a brilliant move.. the prestige, status and few little perks associated with those committing to being full-time workers is miniscule compensation for their sacrifice of time, lifestyle, income and educational opportunities.. yes, the hour requirements have dropped on several occasions.
how many on the board know that the regular pioneer requirement was once 150 hours a month, then 1200 hours a year, than 1000, now 90-vacation/assembly time?.
Hey Fredhall,
For one thing, there is no support in the Scriptures for different "classes of service". Even the Jews and Gentiles that left Eqypt were held to the same standards. In fact, I believe God's word even condemns "class distinctions". Maybe you should LOOK INTO your bible once in a while... and stay away from us "apostates"...
Also, if we are "bad associations", then you are violating God's advice thru Paul to the Corinthians: "Bad associations spoil useful habits". Of course, that assumes you have SOME useful habits to START with... :-)
Not a sermon... just a thought...
jesus, save me from your followers!.
i do work for food!
A couple of my favorite Bumper Stickers are:
"Bad Cop!! No Donut!!"
"I long for the day when Schools have all the money they need, and the Air Force has to have a Bake Sale to raise money to buy a bomber!"
Rob,
...I hope that is "present company excepted"...??? ;-)
several folks asked to hear my story, so here goes - i hope you don't fall asleep!!
it's a story that's been told many, many times - i was pretty much raised as a jehovahs witness (my mom was baptized when i was 6 years old), and i simply followed along and accepted for years what i was being told.
going through school, i just learned to be different (which, in some ways, is a good thing... im hoping that will make it easier to break free).
WOW!!! You folks are AWESOME!!! Thank you again for all of the wonderful support and comfort!!! This is what I believe that REAL love and compassion is about: Not judging, but supporting and caring when others are down!!! And, not a single soul suggested that I study, or attend meetings, or go in field service more!!! *grin* ...it's nice to be able to connect and communicate with mature, thinking, reasoning people instead of religious zealot "robots".
Things are continuing to move along fairly well... The boys are still doing good, and I have been getting some couselling arranged for the, too!!! Again, many thanks to you all!!! :-)
Take care, and have a wonderful day!!! :-)
Poohbear
pooh and piglet go preaching in the hundred-acre wood.. pooh and piglet were doing return-visits in the hundred-acre wood and wondering about things generally, especially pooh, who had forgotten his bible.. "i think i should try some more anointing, piglet," he said uncertainly.
everyone in the wood seemed to be not-at-home, and he was becoming a little low.. "yes please, pooh, please do," said piglet jumping up and down, "an oinking is always fun.
could i be the oin king for a change?".
Hmmmmmmmmmmm... can't argue with LOGIC like that (no matter how "logical" you are!!)... *grin*
Philo,
FYI, my friend: Weak logic is not made stronger by increaing the volume... (j/k)
*whispering to rest of Forumites* "Psssst!! Has anyone got a net???? This fellas starting to make ol' Fred Hall look SANE!! *yikes*"
pooh and piglet go preaching in the hundred-acre wood.. pooh and piglet were doing return-visits in the hundred-acre wood and wondering about things generally, especially pooh, who had forgotten his bible.. "i think i should try some more anointing, piglet," he said uncertainly.
everyone in the wood seemed to be not-at-home, and he was becoming a little low.. "yes please, pooh, please do," said piglet jumping up and down, "an oinking is always fun.
could i be the oin king for a change?".
Excellent!! I always LOVE a good "Poohbear" story!!! ...but, does he stop at mid-morning for a Honey break at teh local 7-11?? ;-) ...and, is Rabbit a "Trinitarian", or a "Mormon"??
...and, cheer up, Eeyore!! :-) Everyone loves you!!!
passed on from a loyal jw:.
disgrace was surely brought upon jehovah's name last night.
on the 10 o'clock news there is this program called the problem solvers.
Hehehheheheh.. shouldn't this be posted in the "Humor" section??? ;-)
