I couldn't believe it was a REAL Reality Show. I laughed outloud it was so hilarious! But then I'm warped.
Smoldering Wick
JoinedPosts by Smoldering Wick
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8
The Osbournes
by Shimmer indid anybody else watch ozzie's family on the osbournes last night.
oh my god!!!
it is soooo funny.
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16
Taking a couple of Days Off
by Danielson inwell, it's finally hit me!today is my one week anniversary on this site(no cakes or anything thanks.
)anyhoo, ive definitely gotta take a break!this is a very addictive site because it confirms all the things i've always suspected about being a dub but could'nt prove it!so being the hollow chocolate jw bunny i am, im takin a few off to get my brain recharged,then back to learn more about my "heritage religion", and make more cool freinds!peace out ya'll
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Smoldering Wick
Wick,
I am wondering now, after I saw your post...do I want to interupt his weekend? lol
wendyWendy,
Based on Danielson's earlier post "I come before you," his weekend may be quite short-lived...I'm sure he'll have time for Red Lobster.
(Danielson...wooohooo...Go Baby!)
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16
Taking a couple of Days Off
by Danielson inwell, it's finally hit me!today is my one week anniversary on this site(no cakes or anything thanks.
)anyhoo, ive definitely gotta take a break!this is a very addictive site because it confirms all the things i've always suspected about being a dub but could'nt prove it!so being the hollow chocolate jw bunny i am, im takin a few off to get my brain recharged,then back to learn more about my "heritage religion", and make more cool freinds!peace out ya'll
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Smoldering Wick
I think his quick leave of absence has something to do with an ExJW sister, his flower & the Holiday Inn sign. IMHO
Looking forward to the more manly & enlightened Danielson.
Wick
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Why do they return?
by Stealth inthere are some jw's who will leave the watchtower orginization for years and then suddenly show back up at the kh often saying they have regrets of leaving and are often heard to say.. "there is nothing out there.".
as i contemplate my official exit from the borg, this question keeps coming up.... what is it that makes these people return to the borg after leaving for years?.
-stealth
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Smoldering Wick
To Joel,
Reality is you are a gentle soul. I have known (of) you for several years. You are kind, open & giving. You hesitate to judge because you'd never want to inflict the pain of judgment on anyone. Your empathetic nature leaves you open to hurt.
I am a firm believer that physical pain can stem from emotional pain. As long as we carry guilt, grief & the judgments of others with us we cannot grow from our pain. When we help others, we release these negative emotions and alleviate our pain. Pain (whether physical or emotional) is nature's way of telling us something isn't right and it's time for change.
Much love & understanding,
Wick
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Why do they return?
by Stealth inthere are some jw's who will leave the watchtower orginization for years and then suddenly show back up at the kh often saying they have regrets of leaving and are often heard to say.. "there is nothing out there.".
as i contemplate my official exit from the borg, this question keeps coming up.... what is it that makes these people return to the borg after leaving for years?.
-stealth
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Smoldering Wick
JWs are taught that there is no life outside the organization. Even though they leave, that belief carries with them. As JWs they could not interact with people who were not JWs, therefore their social skills are stunted. Being RAW (Raised As Witnesses) they have a neat little social group created for them. They may physically leave the KH, but mentally, emotionally and socially they do not know how to be without it. If they never experience what it is like to be accepted into another group, they feel lost. They may or may not believe JWs have the "truth" but, that is not important to them. People who were not RAW...are attracted to the JWs because they offer instant (although conditional) acceptance. A lonely person walks in and is immediately given a peer group. If they leave...and never find acceptance again, it's highly probably they will return.
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Are Flamers & Atheists More Mature Than JW's?
by Englishman inare ex-jws, flamers, agnostics and atheists more advanced spiritually and emotionally than fully-active jws?.
this is how m.scott-peck describes the 4 basic stages of spiritual development.
personally i can relate to stage 3 quite comfortably, but if i talk to a witness who may be a very devout and religious person i often feel as though this person is dragging me back into a lower stage, generally stage 2. what do you think?.
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Smoldering Wick
(since i couldn't edit my post...forgive my Roman numeral error lol)
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Are Flamers & Atheists More Mature Than JW's?
by Englishman inare ex-jws, flamers, agnostics and atheists more advanced spiritually and emotionally than fully-active jws?.
this is how m.scott-peck describes the 4 basic stages of spiritual development.
personally i can relate to stage 3 quite comfortably, but if i talk to a witness who may be a very devout and religious person i often feel as though this person is dragging me back into a lower stage, generally stage 2. what do you think?.
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Smoldering Wick
People are forced through society, culture and family to try to fit into the mold of Stage II. However, through genetic make-up/nature, exposure, experience many in stage II actually have stage I, III, or IV mindsets. It is possible for a person to have a mindset that is a combination of stages (generally not the case).
While remaining within stage II, a person, out of fear (fear of "God," family, group, etc.) will not allow (or cannot allow) themselves or others to see their true mindset. If we use JWs as our stage II model, we can peer in and locate various aspects of the other stages within certain individuals.
Stage I JW-This person is a JW for his own selfish reasons. Maybe to keep a mate, shut his/her parents up...basically 'serving time' until he/she can be themselves. They never actually conform to JWism, but live a "double life" They do their own thing, may not get baptized, give talks, answer or go in services. They don't conform and are considered weak spiritually and 'worldly.' These people generally go off to do their own thing when they no longer have to remain a JW.
Stage III JW-This person by birth or circumstance finds him/herself within the confines of JWism. A natural skeptic, he/she is never truly convinced. Because of their analytical nature and intelligence, they generally move up the JW hierarchy with ease. They are research hounds. They may present different ways of looking at a belief to others making sure they never go beyond the groups consensus while they are within stage II. If a person with a stage III mindset feeds his/her hunger for alternative ways to view things...he/she will not remain a JW. But, gradually moves on in an effort to satisfy his/her insatiable appetite for knowledge, reason and information.
Stage IV JW-This is usually the "loving elder" that everyone wants to have visit when they do something wrong. He is kind, understanding, forgiving, open and nonjudgmental. Although while remaining in stage II he still has to submit to the rules of the Organization...he is moved by his heart, empathy, and love of humanity. He is the least likely to disfellowship someone for breaking a stage II rule. A person with stage IV mindset is considered to be an "open minded" JW. He/she does not truly believe that JWs are the only one who will be saved during Armageddon. But, that God's love will encompass all groups of humanity and believes "God reads our hearts...He alone is the Judge" If this elder continues to feed his natural stage IV mindset...he will slowly become isolated from the other elders. He no doubt will leave JWism because of a serious injustice committed on the part of the other elders or the Society in general towards an innocent person or group.
The predominate qualities that stand out for me in each stage as outlined are:
I-selfishness
II-fear
II-cynicism
III-love -
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Do you still dream about them?
by PopeOfEruke inhow often do you still dream about being a jw?.
i occasionally stii have dreams about being a jw.
they often involve meetings or assemblies.
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Smoldering Wick
I have this immensely vivid dream where I'm standing in a white room void of any corners, windows or air. Thousands of people are yelling crazy talk about all different things and attacking each other. I'm trying to walk around and converse with people...their only response? an occasional grimace. I wake up in a cold sweat forcing my strangled vocal cords to shout out the name of Jehovah for protection. Just when I think the last drop of life's energy has been sucked outta me, I'm snapped out of my trance by my husband motioning me to turn off JW.com, it's time for bed.
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Why are men so fascinated with Breasts?
by butalbee income on boys, tell me what is your fascination with clevage?
do you dream of big breasts?
does the cup size really matter?
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Smoldering Wick
On a TV game show this morning:
Q: Who do men find more trustworthy...A woman with Large Breasts or a woman with Small Breasts.
A: A woman with Small Breasts. Women with Large Breasts are intimidating.
Apparently Calvin Klein feels you will trust this woman and buy his clothes.
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Do wives just tag along?
by sleepy indo wives just tag along?.
i'm sure this applies to husbands and children too, but i feel mostly women.. in the congregation there were often brothers viewed as strong , in postions of responsability such as min's and elders.usually in my experience the wives were no where near as "spiritual".. in fact it often seamed as though there "service" was based on their husbands.. i've seen this in men to but not as much.. now the proof of this is in whether a large number of spouces leave the truth without much persuading needed by their more forthright wives or husbands.. heres an example.. mine.. my wife has never read an apostate book and doesn't look on the internet, but as soon as i stoped going to the hall so did she.. another contrary experience is of a prominant elder in france who was well known and gave talks on the district assemblies.as soon as his wife died he left the truth as he was only going to please her.. whats your experience been.. (please don't get mad at me ladies i'm only talking about what i've seen)
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Smoldering Wick
I think it has to do with the part of country/world you live in. In our area (in this culture) it's the woman who is spiritually strong. The women do most of the research and answering at the meetings. The women are the one's in field service. The women are the ones writing their husband's talks and doing whatever it takes to make their husbands "successful" in the KH. Usually...it's the women who end up at the KH alone. I can only think of one example in the KH where the woman is the tag along in the relationship and they are transplants from another part of the country.
I'd like to share part of my story with you.
I had dreamt all my life (from age 13-16 lol) of marrying a very spiritual brother who I could lean on and learn from. Unfortunately, there was only one brother in our hall that fit the bill. He was a pioneer and being used as a MS...with a very promising future in the Org. I fell in love @ 15 with him and he with me. He was 17. We pioneered together. There were about 10 girls in the hall who also liked him. When he turned 18 he left to Bethel. Even though, I was completely in love with him...the thought of waiting two years to join him seemed like an eternity for me.
I met my future husband @ 16, he was 23. A brother from our hall was giving a talk at his (about 60 miles away) and I went along for support. Since we were sort of late, we were forced to sit in the front row. I noticed the tall, handsome Greek looking brother who was assigned mic and sound duty. My girlfriend (also 16 who had recently moved to that cong) caught me looking and leaned over to me and whispered "you should see the muscles that brother has under his suit!...AND he drives a cute little convertible" My first thought when I saw this brother (before my g/f said that lol) was "wouldn't it be weird if I married that guy" (no joke) What I didn't realize was that he was staring at me the entire meeting through the one-way mirror in the sound booth. We corresponded by phone and letter and he visited on the week ends...we were married six months later.
I wasn't in love with him...but, as soon as the brothers found out we were 'seeing' each other I felt obligated. The brother I was in love with came back from Bethel a year later and married my best friend. I was in love with him for 10 years until I forced myself to stop thinking of him. He happily serves as a CO.
Spiritually speaking the marriage was difficult. I wanted a spiritual man. He wasn't. I begged, cried, pleaded, threw tantrums...demanded. I wrote his talks. I MADE him go in service with me. I would even write out his answers for the Watchtower study so that he would "look" spiritual. They appointed him as a MS. I was happy...but, I thought (was taught) he should do more. I pioneered and figured that I was gonna drag his body with me into the New Order if I had to.
I've been married almost 20 years. Needless to say, when I walked away from the JWs almost 4 years ago...he didn't even give it a second thought and only went to one meeting in the last 4 years (just for the hell of it). He had been a JW first for his mother, then for me. He has seen how leaving has devastated me...how I have been consumed in my recovery. He has taken his position on the sidelines where he is comfortable...just relieved to know he doesn't have to tag along with me to the meetings anymore.