Posts by somebody

I'm not sure what surveys that may have been taken show as far as what happens to the majority of XJWs. I'll add my input though, just in case this turns into a survey of your own.

I was raised Catholic, Protestant, and JW. I was JW for most of the years that I remember of my childhood and into adult though (from the age of 8, to 18). I don't really have to much memory of my Catholic or Protestant ubringing,as far as doctrine goes, because of being so young.

since leaving the JWs 21 years ago, I have never joined another group, organisation, or church. I do consider myself a Christian...... ok fine....an immature one! Nonetheless, I do consider myself a Christian. I just don't believe that one has to join and become a member of any group in order to be a christian. I find Christian fellowship everywhere that I look.

peace,
somebody

20

Suicide

by troubled in

jw
friends

serious question (last one for awhile.

i promise!).

let's say a person has a good heart.

somebody

troubled,

But let's say this person loves people and life, and they really just wish things were "right" in this system, but knows they aren't.

You just described many, many, many, and many more humans out here, and in your life.

Please stay in the candyland that you spoke of if that's what gets you through this period of your life right now. We humans can't help but to "think". And sometimes it's extremely hard and very painful when we do. Especially if it's a fight between our hearts, and our conscience'. Although you can't see the other side right now, that doesn't mean it's not there. Digest your thoughts little by little. That will make it easier than overburdening yourself by constantly thinking and trying to digest everything too fast about your crossroad in life. You WILL get across the road if you take it slowly. I and so many others can feel the pain and desparation you are feeling. Please, I beg of you, please keep holding on for yourself, and the people you love, and for those who love you. It is NOT as hopeless as you think right now. Don't forget about your second wind coming in the future. Meanwhile, read all the replies over and over again and allow them to sink in. especially old hippies thoughts too.

Of course you're a loving person!

You also said:

no one has the definitive answer to life's questions and problems

You speak the truth, my friend. I pray that you'll stick around with all of us! We can all not know the answers to life's questions and problems are, together.

love,
somebody

feel free to e-mail me anytime you feel like letting more stuff out. It's good for the soul I tell you!

Old hippie,

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your sister. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

peace,
somebody

22

Toronto Gathering - A great time!!!

by Kismet in

jw
friends

i thought for sure that someone else would have posted something here.. we had a great turn out and there wasn't a bethel spy to be seen, well except for me but we got that figured out fast enough.

thanks to peter for organizing us and for the great suggestion for an eatery.. what an interesting cross section of people.

from those in their early 20's to those in their ummmm continuing holding pattern of 29!!

somebody

I'm glad to hear about you all gathering together too. I love reading about the get togethers and being able to put faces behind names.

Kismet,I'm hitting you up for a ride next time. I'll pay ya for gas and inconvenience! And I promise I'll behave.
peace,
somebody

45

Staying awake during the Watchtower study

by drahcir yarrum in

jw
friends

here's a question i always wanted answered during the years i was a witness.

what's the best way to stay awake during the watchtower study?

oh, furthermore, what's the best way to stay awake during any witness "snooze-a-thon" brainwashing session?

somebody

19. Fantasize about the person sitting in front of you, behind you, on either side of you, or all of the them.

It makes the hour fly by real fast!

peace,
somebody

24

From the files by request: JWs & 'discipline'

by Mommie Dark in

jw
friends

someone asked me to post some of the material i have collected regarding how jws treat kids during their meetings.

the following was culled from my raw files.

those with tender sensibilities might want to read with caution.

somebody

billy goat and waiting,

my heart goes out to what you both had to endure. I mean that from my heart.

peace,
somebody

24

From the files by request: JWs & 'discipline'

by Mommie Dark in

jw
friends

someone asked me to post some of the material i have collected regarding how jws treat kids during their meetings.

the following was culled from my raw files.

those with tender sensibilities might want to read with caution.

somebody

Mommie Dark,

I don't believe for a second that the stories were fabricated. I was hoping and praying that things changed over the years. Looks like my hopes and prayers didn't do any good. I didn't want to say this because it's hard to say and it was a VERY painful and cruel thing to do to KIDS. But the person who said that their father grabbed them by the hair and banged their heads together? I know what that feels like and how painful it is. I saw the stars. Not at meetings or in a hall, but at home. Home was not where the heart was where I grew up.

peace,
somebody...who hopes that someday a media show puts reporters in a KH and repots back to the public what kind of abuse goes on, as the pedophiles are exposed.

For once I'm not back to edit for spelling mistakes. I'm back to say that that kind of abuse is SO degrading to a child. I would have chose to rot in a gutter before I ever would do anything like that to my children.

58

My god!

by mommy in

jw
friends

i just posted a reply to shelby aka aguest on another thread.

i can say it was the most emotional post of my life here at jw.com.

i don't want it lost.

somebody

wendy,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your change in beliefs with all of us. I did notice in another thread about a week or two ago that you said that you no longer believe in God. I was having a conversation with zev, and pointed it out to him and metioned that I wondered what changed your beliefs. I figured you would explain the way you feel sooner or later, so I never asked you what your thoughts were, and hey, I was right for a change! I agree 100% with you when you say that non-believers are loving and caring people JUST AS believers are. I know people who are athiests in my life who are more loving and less judemental than christians that I know are. My view is that people are people, and all share the same feelings. We all have the same emotions no matter what. You know as well as I do that being raised JWs, we thought that athiests were possessed by satan or something. I actually was afraid to be around athiests when I was younger. (20's is "younger" for me) I expected thier eyes to turn red and that they'd grow horns and a tail, and suddenly start sporting the ole pitchfork if I was alone in the same room with one of them. It didn't take me long to see reality. Reality is there are good people in this world, no matter if they believe in God or not. I think NO differently about you than I always have.

you said:

I have to add a disclaimer here. I do not want my views clouded by the fate of my child. I know what will happen with her. I have accepted this. My life is different, I admit. Do not feel sorry for me. Or ignore my thoughts because of this.

You can tell people not to feel sorry for you, but people who care are going to feel sorry anyway. Knowing you only from here, and not in person, I KNOW you would feel sorry for anyone who is going through the kind of intense pain that you are. (About your daughter, not about you're not believing in God.) And that's only one of the things that I liked about you since first meeting you on this DB. Feeling sorry for another person that you care about, and who you know is hurting badly is not a bad thing. Feeling sorry is having and feeling sympathy. Is that bad? And I don't think we could ingnore your thoughts if we all tried!

I love ya, wendy.

peace,
somebody

edited for my damn spelling mistakes again!

5

Watchtower Study - July 15

by hippikon in

"if god is for us,who will be against us?

(b) when identifying the true religion, what is the pivotal question?.

isaiah 65:13, 14.. .

somebody

hippikon,

wow! This is great! I thank you along with the others who have. I hope you can keep posting the articles. I've read this one and next weeks. I'm printing them out to look over and read again. Thanks again!

Gozz and gsark, those were great points you both made. I pray hope all the lurkers out here think about those points.

peace,
somebody