I couple of older sisters in my cong write to me now and again with news and to invite me to eat out with them etc. I don't reply because, although I think it's really sweet of them, I actually think it's important to keep my distance given my situation. My best "friend" in the congregation who stuck by me during my first fade, stopped socialising with me when she realised I was in a gay relationship. She just sends a text once in a blue moon "to check I'm ok" (I find this quite patronising and offensive actually, given that she used to be at my place all the time). I think the elders might have finally given up trying to contact me as it's been a while. So the only JWs I'm still in touch with now are my immediate family.
krejames
JoinedPosts by krejames
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31
Smoking
by FL_Panthers ini heard that the witnesses used to smoke back in the day.
is this true?
if so, what was the reasoning behind this?.
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krejames
Da Furious - I wondered that too. I'm sure they'll come up with some reason why it's wrong like it's showing a love for the world or something ;)
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Smoking
by FL_Panthers ini heard that the witnesses used to smoke back in the day.
is this true?
if so, what was the reasoning behind this?.
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krejames
It's worth clarifying that the custom of not approving beards is not an organisation-wide ban as smoking is. It does seem to depend on local customs and attitudes within the congregation, based on the fact that assembly speakers are not allowed to have facial hair. I was a MS and had a beard at the time I was appointed and never shaved it off. And there are still plenty of elders in this part of the UK with beards. Regular smoking on the other hand is considered a gross sin and a disfellowshipping offence.
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Smoking
by FL_Panthers ini heard that the witnesses used to smoke back in the day.
is this true?
if so, what was the reasoning behind this?.
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krejames
American scientists didn't widely accept smoking was bad for health until 1964, i believe. WTS being an American religion probably didn't take much notice of earlier reports from british scientists in the 50s. So I should imagine once it was confirmed it was bad for health and linked to cancer, this might have been understood by WTS to be a "defilement of the flesh" and contributed to the "you must give up by...X date" in the early 70s.
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We thought it might be Armageddon when...
by cultBgone inwere there ever specific occurrences which you or those around you thought might be the start of "armageddon"?.
i remember 9/11 being such a day as it happened right as the meeting for field service ended.
it was the week of the c.o.
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krejames
I remember the UK riots in 2011. Really thought "this is it!" I had faded but still was mentally captive. The riots followed uprisings in several other countries and were really scary for us sheltered Brits who accept unrest in other countries but panic that the world is ending when it's on our own doorstep. I remember thinking it was exactly as depicted in WT illustrations.
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Our throw-away society
by zound incheck out this video if you have 20 minutes to spare - it really is awesome.
anyone want to add their thoughts on how to change societys throwaway mentality?.
the story of stuff.
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krejames
Will check this out. Thanks for posting.
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Looking Back, Are You Embarrassed By Your Attitudes, Speech, Actions as a JW?
by minimus ini think of how judgmental we were as witnesses.
"worldly ones" were almost as bad as disfellowshipped ones but not as bad as "apostates"..
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krejames
Totally! i remember going to a disco (!) with a sister and she ended up snogging some "worldly" guy and i told her to tell her dad about it (who was an elder). Actually i had forgotten about that until I met up with her recently and she reminded me (she's out of WTS now too). The hypocrisy of it (on my part!). Amazingly we stayed very good friends and probably will be for life.
Another time my sister and I went to a house party and there was some heavy(ish) alcohol consumption so we left early. Then the next day we went self-righteously round to their house and sat down in their living room with the hosts and their parents and told them why we left early and why we thought their party was out of order. I'm going red thinking about it!
All i can say in my defence is I was young and niaive. What a prick!
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JW Witnessing Trolleys. To approach or ignore what is your preference and why?
by KateWild ini saw two brothers this morning next to the main train station in liverpool city centre this morning.
they were not actively approaching anyone.
what i found strange was that they were from a cong that has different territory, so i don't know why they were there.. anyway i knew them both, and they know i was df'd, i was in my car and couldn't park up for a chat, but i did beep and wave to them as i drove passed and they waved back.
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krejames
If I don't know them and if I have the time I'm inclined to approach without letting on I'm a witness and ask thought provoking questions.
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Yes, I see you shunning me!
by Blackbird Fly ineven tho i grew up in the org, so much that once seemed normal behavior now seems so bizarre and even cruel.
i have run into at least 3 people from our old cong since the memorial (i didnt attend) anyhow i have noticed how each time they go out of their way to say hello and flash me a big bright smile, only to immediately avert their eyes and end any possible commitment to a conversation.
i dont really care as i dont have anything to say to them anyhow.
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krejames
@new hope: yes great attitude. I have been gradually coming to that way of thinking myself. All the very best to you x
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Yes, I see you shunning me!
by Blackbird Fly ineven tho i grew up in the org, so much that once seemed normal behavior now seems so bizarre and even cruel.
i have run into at least 3 people from our old cong since the memorial (i didnt attend) anyhow i have noticed how each time they go out of their way to say hello and flash me a big bright smile, only to immediately avert their eyes and end any possible commitment to a conversation.
i dont really care as i dont have anything to say to them anyhow.
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krejames
It's funny, when I was "in" i never saw this kind of behaviour. Never even occurred to me. Now I'm faded out it's all too true. Even when they do stop to chat it seems it's with an ulterior motive. A brother I was pretty good friends with stopped me in the high street a few weeks ago and made small talk then got to "the point": that he had recently been made an elder and at the last elders meeting they had discussed me and that they wanted to come around to see how I was. When would I be available? I said I was busy and would let him know. He kind of laboured the issue but when he realised I wasn't going to commit to a date, he pretty much ended the conversation. Likewise a very sweet sister I bumped into the other day was all friendly and smiley but the gist of the very very brief conversation was how much "they" missed me and "please come back". Admittedly I wasn't bosum buddies with her but, really? that's all there is to say?!
I hear you Blackbird - totally bizarre!