Posts by promqueennot

11

Life After Armageddon

by CoolBreeze in

jw
friends

this was one of many aspects of my studies that gave me real problem.

i figured out that there was no way i was going to be in any %0.01 survivor group.

and if i was; all those rules and restrictions wouldn't really make it a paradise on earth for me.

I remember going camping as a youngster with other JW families and an elder saying that this is kind of like what the paradise would be like and now that I think back on it, we always went to camp sites that had a shower with running hot water and flushing toilets, and not to mention boxed and canned food to eat. What would life be like without a daily nice hot shower? I guess they will make their own soap.

Okay, now I going to get a little goofy and say, what about Reeses P'butter cups? No more! No more Snickers! No more shopping at Nordy's! How are they gonna get those sugar canes over from Hawaii? (can you tell I've got a sweet toothe?) What about trips to Hawaii? No more airplane rides, TVs or radios. No dishwashers or washing machines (phew!). Sounds like a hard-working paradise! BTW-Has anyone seen Castaway?

And Fred, you better hope TR makes it, because at least his guitar god could be a little entertaining. :)

60

How Well Do You Know The Bible?

by dark clouds in

jw
friends

i want to share a perspective, with everyone that comes here to read, for i feel it will take some of us in a new direction.

perhaps it will allow for some creative thinking and interesting discussion or maybe it simply wont go anywhere.

it does not really matter either way, for there are subjects which can only be speculated on and thoughts which can only be shared.

promqueennot

Dark Clouds,
I really knew nothing about the background of the religions you mentioned -- thanks for the info. I hope to (like Jelly) someday read more about those religions as well. I don't know why, but formed religion just scares me a bit -- I fear being sucked into something that 10 yrs down the road I will regret. Thanks again! Monica

23

My story!!!

by VeniceIT in

jw
friends

well i haven't really posted my story here, for one reason it was too painful to write out.

well, i finally did go and write it up.

it's pretty long so i'll just link it.. http://www.geocities.com/veniceexjw/mystory.html.

promqueennot

Venice,
I remember reading about the Tacoma Dome parking incident a while back. It caught my eye because I am from the Northwest as well. You and your parents are very brave for standing up for what you believe in. I am sorry to hear that your sister will not speak to you and your family or let you see your neice. I too know what that is like -- I have only seen my nephew once in the last 12 years. Maybe with the "new light" they will ease up a little and at least let JWs have a relationship with family members who are df'd. If not, then I hope that someday your sister has a change of heart to at least let you and your parents see your niece. Thanks for sharing! Monica

102

In there no good in the WTBTS??? or ourselves??

by jst2laws in

jw
friends

we hopefully all agree it is wrong to reject an entire race because we have found one of its member to be flawed, or to reject an entire concept an the basis of finding a flaw in its argument.

would not fair people look for a way to accept the good in the concept, modify the flawed portion and rejoice in what was gained from the refined concept?

it would also be wrong, as the wt does, to reject an entire institution because some of its precepts are flawed.

promqueennot

Jst2laws,

--But who else among major religious organizations taught us to take a stand against participation in the worlds carnage such as world war. --

I guess I see the carnage caused by the borg's misinterpretation of the bible.

Some of mistakes could be considered grave mistakes (e.g., how many have died refusing blood transfusions, how many died when organ implants were not permitted, what about when kidney dialysis was wrong, etc.). I only know of a few religions who interfere with the medical decision making of their members in which are particularly life-threatening. For me, there are too many lives lost and deep life-long scars caused by the misinterpretations of the borg for me to overlook to see the good (I have heard that Jeffrey Dahmer was a likable guy). Have they admitted wrong, apologized and compensated the families of lives lost?

I guess I only remember when they would practically claim they were perfect and expect practical perfection of their members. I was the “perfect” JW kid, but nothing I did was perfect enough and even after 11 years of being out, I still expect perfection of myself to the point that it is terribly unhealthy. Should I overlook the scars left to see the good -- maybe when I receive an apology then maybe I can forgive and forget, but I have not seen an apology.

Does JW look for the good in those who do not believe in what they teach? Do JWs look for the good in apostates? Let's see JWs lead the way into accepting others beliefs and faults and find the good in these people. Let's see them admit to their faults and apologize for the pain they have caused.

Should we overlook their control through fear as well?

I have a question for you:
I would like to know who are they to decide for individuals on whether to follow the bible in the view that life is valuable versus abstaining from blood? See, by not taking blood, you are saying that life is not valuable enough to use modern advances to preserve life. Therefore, how do you know which is more looked down upon by God: not valuing life enough to save through a blood transfusion or having a blood transfusion? Does the bible say that those who eat or partake in blood will not inherit His kingdom? Whether or not the bible intends for us to abstain from blood or not, clearly God expects us to value life, so how do we know which one should be more punishable, if they should even be punishable? Who are we to judge?

Do you have family? I hope you truly examine their beliefs, especially the medical ones. You never know when you might be put into a situation of deciding. I for one would want to be very educated before making a life or death decision of a family member.

I think the major problems I have with the JW religion is the control through fear, the injustice to those with their own beliefs wanting out of the religion, the medical issues and their practically claimed perfection. From my experience, the religion is more political than most other religions as well.

Take care,
Monica

Edited by - promqueennot on 24 March 2001 19:39:36

25

Holidays

by eyes_opened in

jw
friends

i know this has probably been covered a bunch...but here i go anyway lol.

how many of you guys who have been out of the org.

for a while, now celebrate the holidays?

promqueennot

My entire family has been out for almost 13 yrs and the 1st few years, we just kind of took it slowly -- adding in a few holidays here and there. I just hated purchasing holiday items for fear of having a JW approach me -- I hated confrontation.

It reminds me of a time I went shopping with my boyfriend 1.5 years after I left the JWs. I was really eyeing the xmas wrapping paper and my bf put it in the cart. I immediately started looking around to see if there were any JWs (we were at a store that was frequented by many of them).

When I thought my bf was out of sight, I casually started rearranging the cart to hide it. After I had every spec of it covered, I sighed in relief. When I looked up, I realized my bf had been watching me the whole time. He stomped over and said, "oh, for pete's sake!" grabbed the paper from the bottom and threw it on top and pushed the cart on.

That was a turning point for me. I started realizing how much I let the JWs control my life through fear and guilt.

Edited by - promqueennot on 2 March 2001 5:28:15

16

Special Assembly Day "Wisdom"

by deludednomore in

jw
friends

this is my first post here.

this forum has really.

helped in my break from the organization.. .

promqueennot

This is the evil group that my mom had to use her perceptive powers to stay away from:

The Women's Domestic Violence Hotline/Center

Monica

22

Infant has "bloodless" surgery

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

infant has "bloodless" surgery.

by andrew bridges.

feb. 22, 2001 | los angeles (ap) -- .

promqueennot

Xandit,

One more thing! Please don't hate me and I don't mean to "bash" you, but you said "larc I wouldn't say changed beyond recognition. Fundamental doctrines like trinity, soul, hell, etc. haven't changed."

Soul: In Psalms I believe that it states plainly (am I wrong?) -- the soul itself never dies. Is this going to be yet another "new light"? (phew, what a relief to JW kids)

And, what? The blood abstinence was NOT a fundamental doctrine??? Excuse me a little bit, but it better have been! I put my life on the line for that one.

At the rate JWs are going with their 'new lights', they should be Catholics in no time!!

Thanks xandit for keeping me on my toes!
Monica

22

Infant has "bloodless" surgery

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

infant has "bloodless" surgery.

by andrew bridges.

feb. 22, 2001 | los angeles (ap) -- .

promqueennot

Xandit,
(OOPS SORRY! I SPELLED YOUR NAME WRONG!)

22

Infant has "bloodless" surgery

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

infant has "bloodless" surgery.

by andrew bridges.

feb. 22, 2001 | los angeles (ap) -- .

promqueennot

Zandit,

This is in response to your previous message stating "You guys are out of touch. The use of recycled blood has been acceptable for years. "

Yes and now I understand that partial blood transfusions are now acceptable too based on the WTS scripture interpretation. My question is: What happens to those who have a full transfusion – do they face a committee of elders, face being df’d? Why? Because maybe their interpretation of the bible is different from the WTS’s interpretation?

Doesn’t the bible state that the head of the household is responsible for the family and the decisions being made? (i.e., JWs believe that all non-jw children will be destroyed at the big A because of the beliefs the parents chose for them).

Based on that, are the parents of the children who died BEFORE the “new light” responsible for their children’s lives lost because of their beliefs? Who will answer for those poor lives lost when the time comes?

According to JWs, non-JWs will have to answer to God/Jah for misleading their children and face being destroyed at the big 'A'. What about JWs? Are JWs excluded from answering to God for misleading their children, particularyly the parents of the ones who lost their life because of it? Why do non-jws have to answer to God for misleading their children when JWs don’t?? I don’t get it.

Should the GB go before a committee of elders for mis-interpreting the bible, misleading the flock and the lives lost because of it? Why are they above everyone else? If someone is df’d for receiving a full blood transfusion because they interpret the “abstain from blood” scripture differently, then why is the GB above having to go before a "judicial committee" for misinterpreting the bible??

This is precisely the reason why I now try to be very careful and research EVERYTHING thoroughly before I make a drastic belief decision. I personally would HATE to have to answer to God/Jehovah for the life of my child lost because I put my trust in man without researching myself. I would hate to find myself pointing my finger at someone else because of my naiveté.

Maybe this “new light” is flying well with current JWs, but I wonder what God/Jehovah thinks of that…

“If abstain means 'abstain' “

There seems to be some question with the “if” as if “abstain” might mean something different. I guess we will wait and see what the WTS’s interpretation of the meaning of abstain is. It seems to me that pretty soon the JWs are going to have to have their own dictionary – a “new light” dictionary.

(to those of you that have so kindly welcomed me to the forum, thank you for your kind words and making me feel welcome!)

Monica

9

Got a Prom dress?

by EyesonthePies in

jw
friends

i was in england on business last week and took the opportunity to visit my jw parents for an afternoon before returning to the london area for a flight today (saturday).

i had a pleasant time with them but i carefully avoided certain topics.

i almost couldn't resist saying something at some points but i let it pass.

promqueennot

My very first post. I was very devestated when I couldn't go to the prom. After approaching my parents regarding the subject, they gave me this huge lecture on what kind of example I would set for the younger ones. As I stood my ground, I could finally see that this was yet another choice that I was going to have to make -- one that I would have to fake like it was my own (I guess I could have opted for the other choice, but back then I didn't know what I would face if I opted for the prom -- would others not be allowed to hang out with me or would Armagedon come when I was at the prom, etc.?). When my parents thought I was still going to press on, I was then bribed. But I never even received the alternate to the prom dress.

My family is no longer JWs, but it is a subject I don't bring up because I think they feel pretty bad about it. My family started "slipping away" after I graduated and my younger sister got to go to two proms, which just drove the stake in further. Very sad!