Posts by pimojw

21

So today this happened...

by Phoebe in

jw
friends

you all pretty much know my story so i won't repeat it but.... to say i'm being hounded by my local congregation is an understatement.

today the cobe finally found us in.

well, i refused to answer the door but my husband did.

pimojw

Not sure how to edit posts yet.

i wanted to add some comments to my suggestion above just in case you or anyone else applies it!

any letter or email or even text would have to be clearly NOT a disassociating letter. The elders book explains what that would look like (easy to find ks10 online). It would have to be a very tactful, heartfelt, apologetic plea! This might go against the grain to write

i think the benefit of it being in writing is that they might take it more seriously (actually respect it) and also doesnT put you at risk of saying anything incriminating in a conversation or agreeing to anything.

Just hiding and and refusing to speak or open the door might work for some (depending on their relationship with local elders and how long inactive) but it looks more defiant and could lead to a witch hunt. Just my opinion but maybe those who have done it will say otherwise.

whatever you do I hope it works for you!

17

It's 110% impossible to deny now: Video evidence of the Chile flags

by ILoveTTATT2 in

jw
friends

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0auklk0uq8&feature=youtu.be.

this video leaves no doubt whatsoever.

the person who took the video got really close and the video clearly shows that the flag is behind the glass and behind the bars protecting the kingdom hall.

pimojw

i cant be bothered right now to find the references, but this is allowed by wt. there is direction on it somewhere. even some bethels have displayed the flag. it may be in the holy of holy documents cg (correspondence guidelines) but its definitely allowed if necessary

21

So today this happened...

by Phoebe in

jw
friends

you all pretty much know my story so i won't repeat it but.... to say i'm being hounded by my local congregation is an understatement.

today the cobe finally found us in.

well, i refused to answer the door but my husband did.

pimojw

hi phoebe, im new around here, and dont know your full story, but though i might offer my comments too!

really sorry you are having such a rough time with local elders. i agree with above comments that the best line is to keep to your story of not being able to cope. i think even a letter or an email, expressing appreciation for their concern would stroke their egos. something like:

"i really appreciate your loving concern, and the help that jehovah offers us through the congregation. unfortunately this world, and my illness, has really crushed me, and at the moment I cant cope. for now even wise words of counsel add to my burden, and make me feel guilty for not doing what i should spiritually. i need time to sort myself out physically and emotionally first. please dont visit or call me - i will let you know when i am ready for your spiritual help. i would appreciate you respecting this request, and hope to be back to normal physically and spirituality one day". if you can bear writing something like that i think they might accept it (obviously put it in your own words!)

i hope you dont see my suggestion as impertinent. i know its none of my business, and not knowing the full situation means it may not be appropriate. just trying to help. hope you can heal, as i am trying to do as well!

christian (or non-christian!) greetings!

61

Saying hello for first time

by pimojw in

i have been sneakily looking at this forum, almost every day, ever since it began!

it has taken me till now to actually register and contribute.

(actually i did register with a different name in the beginning but never commented).. i am a pimo elder with a fairly long history of senior "positions" in the organization.

pimojw

i too think there is a different atmosphere these days - i think many can tell things are not quite right, but I really doubt that so many go online and check it out. would be very happy to be wrong. even if they do they could be like me and try to dismiss it all for years!

shadow, no i dont think brother would go so far as to say that the gb are loons or liars. they always knew that they "are not inspired" and some things need correcting. you just wait patiently and jehovah puts it right. thats the attitude! the unusual thing about generations is that they will openly doubt it! its so crazy they have to!

61

Saying hello for first time

by pimojw in

i have been sneakily looking at this forum, almost every day, ever since it began!

it has taken me till now to actually register and contribute.

(actually i did register with a different name in the beginning but never commented).. i am a pimo elder with a fairly long history of senior "positions" in the organization.

pimojw

no i dont! i think everyone doubts that nonsense! the only person who tried to say it "all makes sense now" proceeded to explain it all wrongly to me, so i had to put them right gently!

61

Saying hello for first time

by pimojw in

i have been sneakily looking at this forum, almost every day, ever since it began!

it has taken me till now to actually register and contribute.

(actually i did register with a different name in the beginning but never commented).. i am a pimo elder with a fairly long history of senior "positions" in the organization.

pimojw

thanks again all for lovely comments and suggestions. sorry but i am nobody's "fleshly brother" (what a strange expression!)

a couple have mentioned ARC. i did watch it all (live on their website) and have studied the transcripts etc. too. all i can say is that many i know in various branches watched it, and openly discussed it. a few "rank and file" dubs i know watched/read about it, and didnt like what they saw . i have heard a few positive comments about brother jackson though. i think most dubs know nothing of arc however. some in positions of authority allow themselves to read "apostate" stuff online, but most dont.

i kind of feel like another poster (i read it earlier today i think) who said at first he was somewhat impressed by how jackson came across, but after thinking about it, realized he didnt do so well at all. where was the promised holy spirit? also i was hoping for some changes in policy after arc, but none have come thus far (well, very few). i thought there might be a change in the 2 witness rule for child abuse (hinted at by jackson that it was at least theoretically possible), or a blanket policy of reporting. no such thing.

the main thing about arc (and other issues) is that the brothers dealing with these matters, from local elders, to the branches, to whq, are all inept! child abuse shouldnt be dealt with at all by these men who have no experience or training.

61

Saying hello for first time

by pimojw in

i have been sneakily looking at this forum, almost every day, ever since it began!

it has taken me till now to actually register and contribute.

(actually i did register with a different name in the beginning but never commented).. i am a pimo elder with a fairly long history of senior "positions" in the organization.

pimojw

thanks for your comments. it would certainly be great not to be an elder! i think most feel that way.

re your questions, no i havent done any of the things you ask! i dont think a single elder can. but i can contribute. with some working on the outside, some on the inside in whq and bethels (and im sure there are) and some in congs like me, we might bring the wt down or at least expose it for what it really is in the eyes of most. i dont think it can be reformed. as i said, if it wasnt for family id get out now.

re the ministry, on my good days (with some christian faith) i enjoy the ministry. these days we can forget giving out literature (they dont want us to waste paper anymore) and i use the bible mostly. i love talking with people, and even enjoy some of the more practical magazines like teen depression or are u doing too much (recent good examples). fresh air, with my wife, focusing on listening to peoples problems and issues. maybe we do some good. i see the hypocrisy in this btw!

as an elder i dont, and wont do anything against my conscience. if it really came to it id like to think id step down rather than do anything wrong

45

Special Talks now via video

by AverageJoe1 in

tired of listening to your local elders giving the "special" talk ever year after the memorial?

well don't worry, as of next year we will be spicing things up for your enjoyment.. not only will we be having the talk before the memorial (i know, wild huh), but we will be treating you to the talk via video starring our famous speakers from bethel so you can see how a talk should be given (after all bethel does boast the best speakers in any country, right?!).

here's a copy of the text from our latest letter as i'm sure that with so much excitement you won't believe it at first!.

pimojw

everything in the org changes so quickly, usually from one extreme to the other! until recently there was a push for MORE leeway in giving talks. it may be that they now want to clamp down.

there was a seminar for bethel hq speakers, which was later sent out to all branches for all bethel speakers, later on shown to co's at a special seminar for TOs, then i think it was eventually discussed with elders too.

in part it said that "it is not apostasy" if the speaker decides to summarize a number of subpoints into one sentence, and then focus on one subpoint only. this gave a lot more leeway to speakers, allowing for a much better talk. maybe now its going the other way again with tighter control

45

Special Talks now via video

by AverageJoe1 in

tired of listening to your local elders giving the "special" talk ever year after the memorial?

well don't worry, as of next year we will be spicing things up for your enjoyment.. not only will we be having the talk before the memorial (i know, wild huh), but we will be treating you to the talk via video starring our famous speakers from bethel so you can see how a talk should be given (after all bethel does boast the best speakers in any country, right?!).

here's a copy of the text from our latest letter as i'm sure that with so much excitement you won't believe it at first!.

pimojw

many will have attended the latest KMS by the time the special talk comes round.

61

Saying hello for first time

by pimojw in

i have been sneakily looking at this forum, almost every day, ever since it began!

it has taken me till now to actually register and contribute.

(actually i did register with a different name in the beginning but never commented).. i am a pimo elder with a fairly long history of senior "positions" in the organization.

pimojw

Thanks for all your comments again. Ill reply to as many as I can, in reverse order:

Re creation v evolution, i should clarify, I DO believe in evolution. (in fact all jws are uber evolutionists they just dont know it. they think all animals have evolved from a very small number of kinds since 2370 bce - thats fast!). my question is re a creator starting it off and/or guiding evolution.i used to have a lot of faith, but wt has ruined it. I really hope to get it back, but am sure like many i will struggle with it for a long time.

I do not have a science background but have always read very widely. I have read a number of dawkins' books (selfish gene, blind watchmaker, god delusion come to mind) and many creationist books too. used to use them widely in talks.

re my paranoia, i can completely understand how it seems excessive! i do not think anyone is after me in particular, but i do know of several brothers who frequent forums like this who would know me instantly if i gave away any hints, descriptions of "privileges i enjoyed" etc. i dont want this. my experience is quite unique (although im sure we all feel like that)

its nice to hear so many comments of ones who feel, or did feel like me. i am not 100% healed yet, so i hope being here will help. im not even sure it will...at times i have had to have a break from reading this forum as it made me feel more anxious!

re the wt about the gb, yes it was certainly another nail in the coffin, but i was "raised in the truth". no one thing brought me in, and no one thing took me out (mentally).

another positive of still being in and an elder is that i can hopefully help with the terrible situation surrounding child abuse. many elders HATE the direction they are getting. they either go along with it , or kick up a fuss in a way that gets them removed and dfd. I know the system, i know how to deal with co's, the branch, and even WHQ. at the very least im on hand if anything happens locally.

a number of elders speak openly about their disagreement on issues to do with child abuse, money (being taken from congs, and the begging), treatment of sfts's who were "reassigned to pioneer service" (booted out), khs being sold etc. there is a LOT of dissatisfaction out there, but not a lot of will to deal with it.