From personal experience, I have great empathy for anyone struggling with an alcohol or drug problem ( and believe it or not, there is a difference between heavy drinking and alcoholism ) within the confines of WT dogma, written and unwritten. They will tell someone what certainly is the problem; alcohol, will point to the solution; don't drink, but they have no program of on-going action to implement that very obvious solution. Regardless of what they say, continuing outside help is discouraged in a lot of congs.I asked an elder once what "program" he would recommend to someone who has a history of alcohol problems. He told me he would recommend "our" program, to which I asked, " and what is that program?" He answered, as if you don't know, "meetings, field service and study". I asked him if he knew of ANYONE who has gotten and stayed sober using that "program". Says he, "just you".Of course he and I already had many discussions on the things I was doing to "treat" my alcoholism, and I, through neccessity, distanced myself from that "program". I've seen way too many deaths of JW's living with untreated alcoholism (elders included), and I see more clearly why they can't/won't be more effective with such problems. Alcoholism has been called a "physical disease, requiring a spiritual solution ". The foundational bedrock of that solution is " rigorous honesty ", something that is hard to come by in the WT organization.
SloBoy
JoinedPosts by SloBoy
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32
WT tolerating alcoholism?
by Smiles indoes the wt and jw big boys tolerate alcoholism among themselves?.
alcohol is very popular among jw heavy-weights and their wives.
ask any bethelite.
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"Silentlambs" was the "Messenger...
by Gilgamesh inbill bowen may be more important than some of us think he is.
there was a post back in july this year that began: wycliffe, tyndale,..........bowen .
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=33120&site=3.
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SloBoy
I think (which could be a lot of the problem) we need more hugs around here !! hope this is not too esoteric.
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The truth about the first year of marriage
by meadow77 inthe guests have gone home.
you've opened all the gifts.
what surprised you the most about your first year of marriage?.
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SloBoy
First year? Hah! FIRST NIGHT!! My best man (who really should have been the maid of honor) and I spent my wedding night past out in the front room. I married a diamond-in-the-rough,though, and so did she. The only thing is, we were really rough. She was raised in a most dysfunctional JW household and I came with assorted baggage, including alcoholism. We labored for a few decades as wannabe good JW's, with me suffering the usual ongoing humiliation that accompanies untreated alcoholism, and her pioneering our family to "righteousness". After my second disfellowshipping, WE decided WE were going to try a different approach. I was re-instated (just using all these horse-shit terms gives me the creeps), but disassociated myself a few months ago. Wifey is hanging in for family. We will be celebrating 28 years shortly, and we really are best friends. I constantly make amends, and she lets me know that my conduct speaks louder than words. All that the elders of the only organization committed to true marriage could offer at our last judicial meeting was " let us know if you want a divorce ". Thank God for getting us out!
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Silent Lambs/Bill Bowen..Who rejoices now?
by wasasister inhaving read the exchanges between rev, bill bowen, and others involved in the silent lambs website, i honestly feel sickened.
i remember when i first started to hear rumblings that "something big" was going down regarding the society's handling of child abuse.
i was overjoyed because i had first-hand knowledge of several atrocities in this regard and was hoping against all odds that a major upset would force them to change their policies.
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SloBoy
H.S.
The reason for my original post centers on the last sentence in your response to point # 6 above. If this is not about personalities, then who is being discussed as one that " under the guise of protecting children, then moves on to abuse adults". Or was that just a vague generality?
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Silent Lambs/Bill Bowen..Who rejoices now?
by wasasister inhaving read the exchanges between rev, bill bowen, and others involved in the silent lambs website, i honestly feel sickened.
i remember when i first started to hear rumblings that "something big" was going down regarding the society's handling of child abuse.
i was overjoyed because i had first-hand knowledge of several atrocities in this regard and was hoping against all odds that a major upset would force them to change their policies.
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SloBoy
Hillary-Step,
Maybe I missed something. Does the "abuse" of adults by Bill that you are somehow correlating to the oppressive dynamics of child molestation rest in the misunderstanding/miscommunication between Bill and rev? or Ray? I've been on jobsites where under the stress of performance things have been said that probably shouldn't have been. But I, in no way catagorically regard those making such flippant remarks as individuals unqualified to oversee the task to completion.Usually, the project gets completed, differences are settled and relationships are preserved, keeping the mechanism in place for the next challenge. I hope ALL those who are offering whatever support to Silentlambs, can maintain a similar approach.Once again I ask ; Is all this rhetoric starting up again in response to rev's post of a few days ago, or has BB gone out and disembowled someone.....IW, I know you also will want to respond to this post, but it would be alright with me if you don't.
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The Elders are coming over
by Princess inafter seven years we finally got a call from an elder this morning.
he wants to come over and talk to steve (he wouldn't talk to me or give me any message).
this particular elder was from steve's old congregation in austin, texas.
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SloBoy
Steve and Rachel,
Hope this little visit is something that adds to the resolution of your relationship with the WBTS Publishing Corp...anyhow.....have a great holiday season with your family. Still thinking of the great get-to-together you had for us "undesirables" back in August. It will go down as a very special happening.
SloBoy
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Thinking About a Couple of Good Friends
by onacruse in.
jst2laws and joy2bfree: our thoughts are with you both, and with your family, as you enter the lion's pit today.. it's an inspiration to know that you are both going into the "meeting" with happy hearts, and will both be leaving with smiles.
your courage and honesty, and how you still care so much even for those who are about to do you such a disservice...well, it all speaks to your sterling character.. hugs to you both.. craig & katie
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SloBoy
Onacruse,
I enjoyed meeting and talking with them both in Lynwood last August. I hope peace will continue for them as they take this next step along the way.
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Can't get enough of Bush?
by kelsey007 inthen buy one of these--- http://www.cnn.com/2002/allpolitics/12/14/bush.doll.ap/index.html
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SloBoy
Hey.....Did anyone else catch the interview with duh Bush's on 20/20 last nite. From George's loony demeanor and rambling rhetoric to First Ladies fearful glances at him, I would say that the reality of real world politics is getting the better of the Wild West mentality.
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Who do you Miss here on this forum
by JH insome of you are here on this forum since many months or even years.
you must have seen so many people here, and maybe lost a few friends that don't post here anymore.
who are the people that you miss the most that don't post enough or don't post anymore?
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SloBoy
Maximus.
SloBoy's Spouse
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Boosting Attendance or Hunting Apostates?
by Elsewhere in.
recently, and reportedly in coming months, elders will be contacting inactive members.. it has been suggensted that their main objective is to hunt for apostates.. i'm inclined to think that "finding apostates" is just a side effect of their main objective, which is to boost meeting attendance.. any thoughts?
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SloBoy
If a "Witness" can take "Parts" of blood and it takes gallons and gallons of the red stuff to break it down into those parts that witnesses can accept; Why then, is it unacceptable for a witness to make a donation to that river that they would freely partake of?
Sorry to make sense, but they don't.
SloBoy's Spouse