Swan

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Posts by Swan

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  53

  Witnessing at school

  by I-follow-the-narrow-path in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was in class and by these two women (one who was a christian and the other student i am unsure of).

  i asked them, randomly, "do you know much about jehovah's witnesses?

  " -- they both said "yes" and the non-christian said "i had a jw friend and he really hated it... he disaproved of what they taught" -- i started to talk about shunning and disfellowship.

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  Swan

  I already went to a doctor and I don't have depression. She said that it doesn't seem I do... after a 5 minute talk.

  You need to find another doctor. Either she did not understand about the thoughts you are having or about the history of cutting, or she is an incompetent doctor who just wants to move on to the next patient as quickly as possible. A psychiatrist is an expert at diagnosing mental disorders, and can tell you more after 5 minutes than that other doctor ever could, but he will actually give you a whole 50 minutes instead of a measly 5.

  I went to see a consuler for 4 sessions and when that didn't work my mum decided to not take me anymore. She said a consuler wouldn't help me, if it hasn't helped yet.

  Your mother probably doesn't seem to understand how therapy works. It may take 40 or 400 sessions to get to the root of your problems, Hun. You have a lot on your plate and 4 sessions will only scratch the surface.

  I don't cut as much now, but I have bad thoughts (not as often but) more than anyone.

  That is good that you don't cut as much, but that means you still do it some, and that is not good. These bad thoughts can be very agonizing and difficult to control and live with without professional help.

  I told my (now ex) boyfriend about these bad thoughts and he told me that everyone has them

  He is wrong. Most people do not have them. People who have had a history of trauma, abuse, or mental illness do, however.

  Do you have thoughts about people getting decapitated?

  Yes, and disemboweled, and other amputations.

  Or people sticking knives in your privates?

  No, not knives specifically, but other items.

  When you are home alone do you act out these thoughts... and fantasise about them?

  I used to. But I have been going to therapists and have medication that has helped me come out of that dark place.

  Do you have thoughts about your death in detail... almost as if a plan?

  I used to, and came very close to actually successfully carrying out those plans on several occasions.

  If you have answered yes to all these questions-- you are exactly like me!

  This is what I told my ex-boyfriend and he told me everyone thinks like this. So, I just assume it is normal.

  No it is not normal. I have learned that very few people think the way that I did. A psychiatric test showed me I was abnormal.

  Sorry... I ranted.

  There is not rule against ranting here. This is a subject that many people do not talk about; do not share. I am certainly guilty of that at times. But we need to talk about it if we are to help ourselves and other people.

  I urge you to go to a psychiatrist or counselor who has experience in cutting. Your local county health offices probably have a list of doctors and counselors who deal with this and other issues of trauma or abuse.

  Be well Elizabeth.

  Tammy
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  53

  Witnessing at school

  by I-follow-the-narrow-path in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was in class and by these two women (one who was a christian and the other student i am unsure of).

  i asked them, randomly, "do you know much about jehovah's witnesses?

  " -- they both said "yes" and the non-christian said "i had a jw friend and he really hated it... he disaproved of what they taught" -- i started to talk about shunning and disfellowship.

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  Swan

  Dear Narrow,

  Please don't take this the wrong way. I mean well by it and am not being sarcastic. Do you or have you ever thought about going to a counselor, psychiatrist, or social worker? I really think you would benefit from some stable influence in your life right now. Therapy can provide you with the emotional support you seem to need right now far better than we can or your JW teacher. When you do go, please tell him or her about the cutting issues as that is an important symptom for you to mention. It is usually indicative of very low self esteem and mental depression.

  If you do go to a counselor or social worker, be sure to coordinate that treatment with the treatment you get form your medical doctor. There are several really good medications that your doctor can prescribe to you for depression. If one medication fails to work, tell your doctor so you can switch to another. Sometimes finding the right medication and the right dosage can be a lengthy process, so be patient. If you go to a psychiatrist, it's more expensive, but he or she can prescribe medication for you as well as provide therapy, saving having to coordinate between your G.P. and therapist.

  Tammy
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  79

  HOLY SHYTE!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY SHYTE!!!!!!!!!!! ATTN LOST FANS!

  by kittyeatzjdubs in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  dude!.

  did you just see tonights episode??

  ?...i just finished watching.... that was fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc&%^$#d up!!!!!!!!!!

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  Swan

  I think the DWI's - or just that they were drinking and arrested, had to do with end of the show for those two actresses. I bet it happened after their last sceens were filmed.

  Brenda,

  According to an article on TVGuide's website, it was planned all along to have both of them there only for this season. Michele Rodriguez took the role after finding out it was only for a year. She may want to do more movies (she was in The Fast and the Furious) or other shows and not tie herself to a specific role. But yes, the coincidence was surprising, even for the producers!

  I wonder if the JWs are telling their kids, "See what happens when you leave Jehovah's Organization! You get arrested for drunk driving, go to jail, lose your job, get shot, and can only appear in dream sequences."

  Can't wait for tonight's new episode. Will Michael get caught?

  Tammy
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  8

  Everlasting Life vs. Immortality

  by Elsewhere in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  one of the watchtower societies teachings that is vastly different from christianity is that only the 144,000 will be "immortal" while all other jehovahs witnesses will have "everlasting life".. what is the difference you ask?

  according to the watchtower society immortal means that one cannot die... it is impossible to die and one will continue living for all eternity.

  everlasting life, on the other had, means that jehover is keeping you alive so long as you are loyal and obedient to him.

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  Swan

  Another distinction that was taught to mee was that immortal ones do not depend on any sustenance or material for life. They do not need food, water, vitamins, minerals, or air to live. Everlasting life means that you are still dependent on these things. Theoretically, people could still drown, or starve, or die of thirst in the New World.

  Tammy
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  23

  My mother started preaching on me today...

  by digglina in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  my mother has just been preaching to me for over an hour (the usual circular reasonging: i have the truth - if i have the truth they will oppose me - they oppose me - so i have the truth...).

  the one point she seems to have is the thought that god has a people to serve him.

  the bible does speek of him using individuals, but most of the time he also has a special people.

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  Swan

  there has always been some kind of organization.

  Who was Jehovah's Organization from the second century to Russell?

  According to Barbara Anderson's research, while on the writing staff at Bethel, there were few throughout history, if any, who met the four criteria that the Watchtower Society expected Jehovah's "true" worshippers to have. Eventually the project of identifying the chain of "true" worshippers from the second century until the JWs in 1881 was dropped.

  Tammy
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  25

  How To Make Espresso--By The Faithful And Discreet Slave

  by under_believer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  1. go to http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1997/11/8/diagram_01.htm.

  2. read instructions.

  as they wisely point out at the related page, http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1997/11/8/article_01.htm: "your perseverance, however, will pay off when you delight your friends with espresso drinks that rival those in your local coffee shop.

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  Swan

  These frothy drinks go together well with a nice plate of Miracle Wheat TM muffins.

  Tammy
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  27

  Say Whatever You Want To Say About Jehovah's Witnesses

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  go ahead.

  it's ok. say what's on your mind.

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  Swan

  They brainwashed my young mind with cult nonsense, but I grew, came to my senses, and learned to think for myself.

  They've robbed me of the most precious things in my life, but I am prospering anyway.

  They promised me everything, but I learned to rely on myself above all.

  They stole my innocence, but I am now wiser than they are.

  They've ruined my life, but I have survived in spite of them.

  They taught me hatred, but I can now forgive the people still trapped inside.

  Tammy
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  13

  It's not upbuilding! It only tears down!

  by under_believer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm sure many will recognize the subject as a criticism frequently levelled against critical or "apostate" statements: it doesn't build up, it's not encouraging, it only tears down, it's negative.

  in other words, don't listen to it, or it will harsh your mellow.. has anybody come up with a reasonably acceptable response to this criticism?

  i have already heard it a couple of times in talking to various friends of mine.

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  Swan

  Yeah. I agree. I wish they would stop tearing down the Catholic Church. And the Baptists. And the Adventists. And all of the other religions. Oh, and I think they should stop tearing down gays too. It's not upbuilding.

  Tammy
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  8

  The time has arrived, I need your support!

  by drew sagan in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well guys it has finally come down to it.

  i think i am on my way out of the organization for good!

  last time i posted about my situation i wasn't sure what to do and was actually thinking about moving ahead in the organization for more confrontation which i hoped would help me get out.

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  Swan

  Your decision is sound and sensible. You know best how you feel and if the time is right. If your inner voice is telling you it's time, then go for it.

  To prepare, read all of the threads in the BEST OF... folder, look over the Quotes mirror sites, and then you can better decide what points are meaningful to YOU that you want to emphasize. Someone might tell you the UN, others 607, the pedophiles, etc. should be your focus, but it has to be meaningful to you, since you are the one presenting it.

  Good luck (although we know it will also take hard work),

  Tammy
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  81

  Excommunication is good!!!!

  by I-follow-the-narrow-path in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  while talking to my teacher today we talked about excommunication.

  i told her i thought it was mean to not talk to those members which have been excommunicated.

  she told me; however, that those who leave the church should be punished.

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  Swan

  While talking to my teacher today we talked about excommunication. I told her I thought it was mean to not talk to those members which have been excommunicated. She told me; however, that those who leave the church should be punished. And it is good not to talk to them, because then they understand what their actions do. (not quoting exactly, but roughly what we talked about). What you guys think of her saying that?

  Something you may want to consider is that these people are punished for a whole range of "offenses" and not just the worst. Your teacher's husband mentioned adultery. Yes, that is an act of betrayal and disloyalty that can cause a lot of heartache and punishment in and of itself. But is that the only thing they shun people for? Consider these actions that can and have resulted in shunning.

  A patriotic young man enlists in the military after 9/11, and is willing to give his life for his country, his fellow Americans, and even for the freedoms that Jehovah's Witnesses take for granted. He is shunned.

  A young man enlists in the military, never goes to war, never kills anybody. He is shunned.

  A woman gives her child a life saving blood transfusion after a car accident. She is shunned.

  A young man, refuses the draft, but accepts service in a VA hospital as a conscientious objector.

  A woman accepts a life saving operation, and in the process receives a new organ as a transplant. She is shunned. (This has happened in the past.)

  A young girl trying a cigarette behind the school due to peer pressure. She is spotted and reported to the elders, and she tells them she is sorry. But the elders don't believe she is truly repentant. She is shunned.

  A young man is told by an elder that his hair is a bit too long and to get it cut. The young man refuses. He is shunned.

  An elder warns parents in his congregation that one of their members is a pedophile. He is shunned.

  These are some of the reasons people are shunned that your teacher and her husband are not telling you about. I hope this helps with your research.

  Tammy