Posts by SumnerSloan

86

Silliest thing that Witnesses told you was wrong?

by gilwarrior in

there are two things.

in the early and mid 80s there were witnesses saying that the cartoon characters the smurfs were not acceptable for witnesses.

i had two smurf cartoon books and my mother made me throw them away.

SumnerSloan

Am I the only one that gave up M&M's - for YEARS! - because they "contained blood"!?

How about Star Wars - and the "force"? Or Fantasia (with that evil little Sorceror - Mickey somebody ...)?

And while we're on THAT subject - I have known Witnesses who have never experienced the joy of seeing the inside of Disney's "Haunted Mansion."

Eating turkey if it happened to be on that "certain Thursday in November" which the world refers to as "Thanksgiving."

By the way, what's the difference between a "party" and a "get-together"?

How about spending my own money to purchase my magazines for field service, only to be told that when I receive reimbursement from the householder, THAT money should go to the Society via the contribution box.

And a resounding "DITTO" to the previously mentioned "Bless you" to a sneeze, and the innocent little good will "toast."

Or that a woman shouldn't be working full-time when she COULD be pioneering instead.

Not to "butt into someone else's business" when I hear a child being abused in the KH restroom!

And especially -- That I shouldn't pray for someone who is disfellowshipped - even if it happens to be my own mate, or one of my children!??

... to name a few.

2

Need a laugh?? (more)

by closer2fine in

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayisapi.dll?viewitem&item=866419376 .

closer .

solid stone is just sand and water, baby.

SumnerSloan

$71.88 with 4 days left, and 30 bids!!! Wish I'D thought of this!!!

28

After 70 years of sacred service........

by Makena1 in

for a privileged few, you get an article with your lifes story published in the wt.

most at least receive a grand send off with a kh memorial service.. my father passed away a couple of weeks ago.

he was just shy of his 89th birthday.

SumnerSloan

Richie says: <<If Jesus would have been at the funeral service or at the Kingdom Hall, would he have shunned anybody who is "supposed" to be shunned or ignored?>>

No, but they probably would have disfellowshipped him for speaking to them! (Or for claiming to be God's channel/mediator - one or the other!) LoL :-(

11

Thoughts....

by somebody in

good evening all, .

this is just some more "stuff" printed in the kingdom ministry by the jesus-led incorporated printing business, for all the publishers who work for them and contribute to making them worth multi-millions to read and follow before attending an assembly/convention.. 5/99/ km.

lately, building managers and food vendors in the facilities where our conventions are held have observed some brothers leaving the auditorium to purchase food from street vendors and fast-food establishments nearby.

SumnerSloan

For those of you who haven't been to a convention in awhile, it should be noted that the WT Society no longer provides food - we have to bring our own (at least that's the way it is in U.S.). So they're not making a whole lot of money from the food angle anymore.

On the other hand, for some, those food vendors come in really handy, particularly when you're far from home, living in a motel/hotel, possibly without a car to run out and pick up a hoagie at the 7/11 to take into the convention ... or are getting woozie or sick and need something in your stomach ... or have a kid kicking up a real fuss b/c he's hungry ... or just plain didn't have time to pack a book bag -- and food pack -- and cooler -- AND still keep up with your daily Bible reading and reviewing the day's highlights with your family.

3

Elderette Stories

by SumnerSloan in

jw
friends

simplesally's mention of the "elderette" making her own rules for streetwork, got me thinking: does anyone have any amusing (or more likely, totally obnoxious!

) elderette stories to share?

SumnerSloan

SimpleSally's mention of the "elderette" making her own rules for streetwork, got me thinking: Does anyone have any amusing (or more likely, totally obnoxious!) elderette stories to share?

45

CO talk

by Fatal Error in

jw
friends

we had our second co talk yesterday, the topic of which was loyalty, thinly veiled as to one another, but dripping with threats toward those who might go against the society.. after the usual drivel about the society being god's organisation, and appreciating their junk food (as an aside, has anyone actually vomitted up any of this "food"??

just wondering...), i was rudely dragged out of my slumber by the co's harsh declaration that we should shun all those who slipped away from the thruth, as they inactivity is a bad influence.

he went on to heap the blame on them, "if they feel this way, then they should expect their due", "they bring shunning onto themselves" etc.... has it always been this way?

SumnerSloan

"If a certain man has 100 sheep and one of them gets strayed, will he not leave the 99 ... and set out on a sarch for the one that is straying. And if he happens to find it, ... he rejoices more over it than over the 99 that have not strayed. ... Likewise, it is not a desirable thing with my Father ... for one of these little ones to perish." Matt. 18:12-14 (NWT)

"We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, speak consolingly to the depressed souls, support the weak, be long-suffering toward all." 1 Th. 5:14. (NWT)

What? Are they using a different Bible translation these days, that they have replaced the above with "Shun those who are weak or inactive"??? (1 Watchtower 1:1)

53

Thoughts about Depression and Anxiety

by flower in

this is mostly directed to others that were born/raised in the cult.

more specifically those raised in the cult who also suffered from severe depression and/or social anxiety disorder or any other mental illness (other than the normal probs that come with being in the borg).

sometimes i wonder if its just me that doesnt feel like a person now.

SumnerSloan

Flower - I suspect you've expressed what all of us feel to some degree. Especially as we start phasing out as witnesses - you don't fit in there anymore, and you don't fit in the world either. If you're not giving 150% at the KH and in service, then you are marked as spiritually deficient. It is such a sad thing that witnesses, for the most part, tend toward such self-righteousness. If someone is what they would label as "weak", instead of reaching out to help that one as a loving brother or sister should do, they instead become fodder for gossip. So, you're no longer accepted, which ultimately just drives you further away! Yet, you don't fit in in the world either. It's a difficult place to be.

It's also difficult to trust your judgment when you realize it was that judgment that lead you to sacrifice so much of your life and happiness to this religion!

But it's all a matter of growth and it undoubtedly takes a lot of effort and time to get comfortable - with yourself and with your new life.

Have you ever tried journaling? They say it's very therapeutic - and self-revealing (kind of like a recent thread on prayer and just talking things out to yourself and how revealing it can be). Maybe just writing down your thoughts and feelings and experiences and desires/goals for awhile will help you get to know who you are.

Yours was a very interesting and thought-provoking post - and it was very brave of you to share such honest feelings! Thanks. SS

28

Mark my words.....Time is short.....

by LDH in

jw
friends

the society will not and can not allow current levels of defection without sanction.

shunning is their hallmark and what allows members to live in their hypnotic dream-like state, away from the evil informative apostates.. soon they will have to either change their baptism questions again, with the phrasing something like &"only by doing all the things jw in good standing do can we be considered as jw" blah blah blah.

they will then use that as a springboard to da or df members who don't attend meetings.. either that, or they will adopt another one of their stunning resolutions [8>]like they've resolved in the past.

SumnerSloan

Yes, Julien - Aren't those resolutions "trumpet blasts" of the seven angels prophecied in Revelation? ... or "bowls of God's anger" or some such thing? Isn't it amazing that the apostle John - way back in the first century C.E. - was given a vision of the Cedar Point, Ohio - USA - (and other) Watchtower conventions!!!

17

Anatomy of a JW Prayer...

by Mister Biggs in

the jw's always teach that our prayers should not be repetitive.. however, for those that are still "active" (and for those who still remember), i present to you typical words or phrases that make up a jw prayer.. feel free to add to the list!.

-"dear heavenly father, jehovah" or "jehovah god".

-"bowed heads and humble hearts".

SumnerSloan

We come to you now in Jesus name ...

... in the name of your son and reigning King, Christ Jesus ...

May your spirit be with our brothers and sisters worldwide, especially those undergoing hardship for the sake of your name

Please help us to find those sighing and groaning ...

35

train up a child...with a squeegee...

by wheelwithinwheel in

jw
friends

while relaxing with my morning java at the local coffee joint i suddenly noticed window-washing equipment moving across the glassed surfaces of the restaurant.

yes, there was one of the local j-dubs hard at it.

the strange thing was the height of his helper ... about the height of an 8-year-old.

SumnerSloan

JWs in general DO NOT "approve" of homeschooling (and have no hesitation in telling you that, whether you asked their opinion on how you raise you kids or not)! One is definitely considered somewhat of an oddball in the cong. if he homeschools.

BTW: Our choice to do it had nothing to do with bad association or anything like that. Our kids were in a great school dist. There are tons of diverse reasons people choose to do it, and, yes, wheelwithinwheel: The socialization thing IS much harder when you're "in the Truth."