think41self

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Posts by think41self

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  11

  Thanks to all the Brits!

  by Skimmer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  cnn reports that the british working with the us in the initial attack.

  royal navy submarines have launched a number of cruise missiles to assist with removing the taliban's war fighting capability.. congratulations and a big thank-you to all the sailors of the royal navy.

  we in the us thank you and we will remember the help you have given us in the war against the terrorists.

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  think41self

  ROTFLMAO Xena,

  No, you're thinking of Expat...and if you call him a Canadian he gets REALLY pissed! He's a Brit who lives in Canada...although no one seems to know why!

  Tracy
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  11

  Thanks to all the Brits!

  by Skimmer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  cnn reports that the british working with the us in the initial attack.

  royal navy submarines have launched a number of cruise missiles to assist with removing the taliban's war fighting capability.. congratulations and a big thank-you to all the sailors of the royal navy.

  we in the us thank you and we will remember the help you have given us in the war against the terrorists.

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  think41self

  I've already volunteered to be FIRST in line to give Eman a big wet one as a thank you if I ever get the opportunity...so be warned Xena...I saw him first!!

  think41self

  "Not believing is not the same as not knowing."
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  8

  There are several things....

  by sweetone2377 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  that i've been thinking about lately.. since jesus was a perfect man, how can anyone realistically be expected to follow in his shoes?

  why use him as an example of standing up to tests and remaining faithful?

  we are, after all, imperfect humans.. c.t.

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  think41self

  Hi Sweetone,

  These are excellent points, and it doesn't matter if someone brought it up before. There are new people here all the time and none of us can read ALL the threads so don't ever worry about bringing something up that you'd like to talk about.

  I have wondered many times about the whole idea of God expecting us to do things we are not capable of doing. Even when I was a child, and I would hear at the meetings that I was supposed to love Jehovah more than anyone, even my parents...that puzzled me. I asked my Mom about it, telling her with all the innocence of a child " But Mom, I don't love Jehovah more than you! I've never even SEEN him!" Of course my mom tried to explain it, but it never seemed reasonable to me that God would REALLY expect that from us when he didn't make us that way. Just one example.

  As far as not being able to really examine the teachings of the society to see if they are true, that is actually a very clever control technique they've got going on. And it sure as hell works. I know people who've been inactive for years who still won't pick up an article or book about the witnesses because they had the fear of apostates drummed into them since birth. Really sad, because then they stay in that horrible limbo where you know you can't be a witness anymore...but you are AFRAID that they might be right...and so you are stuck in fear and doubt and cannot go forward and heal. Thank goodness we are not stuck there.

  Anyway, good questions sweetone, keep on asking!

  think41self

  "Not believing is not the same as not knowing."
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  11

  I just do not understand........

  by WildHorses in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  maybe it's just me but, why is it that "christians" seem to be the most judgmental, unforgiving, hard hearted people?.

  all my life for some reason or other, i have believed in god and jesus, but throughout history, and even in our time.

  the cruelest acts have been done in the name of god.. i see "christians" claim they have love of their fellow man, but their actions (and words) are to the contrary.

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  think41self

  Hi Lilacs,

  I strongly agree with Larc's comments, so I won't repeat them. It just seems to me that any belief system that teaches only they have the "true religion" and all others are wrong...is the beginning of many of mankind's problems. Then you add the strong urge to convert the others so you can "save their souls" and here comes the closing of the minds, and the separation of humanity.

  Just my 2 cents. I will never again belong to any religion. While I see they do good for some(and I would never try to tell them they shouldn't belong to it) it is most definitely NOT for me. I am a better person following my own conscience without judgementalism toward others than I ever was as a Christian.

  think41self

  "Not believing is not the same as not knowing."
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  15

  looking for validation

  by yrs2long in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i'm new to this site and inactive(so far).

  i have been glued to this site for the last few days.

  my b/friend says i'm obsessed.

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  think41self

  Hi yrs2long,

  I like your chosen screen name...I can identify with it

  Those of us who live near each other occasionally get together, but it's not any kind of regular schedule that I'm aware of. I think we would all have real hang ups about ANY kind of "regular meetings"

  As for how to free yourself from the fears and residue of leaving the organization...coming to this site was a HUGE first step for a lot of us...this site and others like it. For now, I would say, just keep reading the board and you will find a wide variety of topics that will cover things that you are interested in. Some get very deep into biblical research, some talk about the residual guilt and anger they feel...all kinds of topics! There are also all kinds of personalities here, some people express themselves with kindness and consideration, some need to vent when they are feeling angry and resentful of how the organization has treated them or affected their lives. Just read everything with an open mind...but most of all, don't be afraid to think for yourself and speak up for yourself. You have that freedom now, explore it and enjoy it!

  Welcome to this board.

  think41self

  "Not believing is not the same as not knowing."
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  5

  My Goodness...Where do I begin?

  by precious_lil_1 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  well i must admit that i have been viewing many different stories here in the forum and as i sit here and type mine, my eyes are welling up with tears.

  they are not tears of sadness but rather tears of joy to finally find a "home' where i can come to, to talk to people who share the same life history as myself.

  i was raised in the "truth".

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  think41self

  Chrissey and Precious!

  That is so cool that you have each other for a support system. My sister and I left the borg together, and it has been wonderful having her to share holidays and special times with. I am so happy for you both. And thanks for the info, it is always nice to know how people are "connected" here.

  think41self

  "Not believing is not the same as not knowing."
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  7

  for any witness that wants to listen or answer

  by bsgtar3 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  hi my name is ben and i am 23 years old.

  my parents are both witnesses in denver and i was for about 10 years.

  i have since then drifted away from that way of life because of all the hypocrital things i saw and somehow ended in the middle of.

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  think41self

  Hi Ben

  Welcome! I am sorry I can't help you with information about your grandfather. I was born and raised in Florida, so I don't know anyone from Colorado. But keep checking, you might find out. As far as the reason he was disfellowshipped...there are so many possibilities, I'm not sure you will ever get a straight answer. Doesn't your Mom or Dad know? Seems they would be the most likely source.

  You know if your grandfather decided he didn't want to be a JW anymore, they could have made up a number of reasons to DF him. And if he wasn't going to meetings anymore, who would argue with them? I've seen that happen.

  Take care and good luck in your search for answers.
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  6

  Rescued!!

  by Chrissey in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i think its wonderful that there are so many who chose to tell their story here.

  some are very similar, some very different, but no matter what the story is that is told one fact remains; lives will forever be changed, and must be lived.. i'm no different than any other df'd jdub.

  i was baptized at 15, quit public school and started regular pioneering.

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  think41self

  Hi Chrissey,

  Welcome to this board. I am so happy you decided to share your story with us. My heart just hurts like hell when I read what your own mother said to you in an attempt to control you. I had a stepdaughter who's natural mother said similar things to her. She is 19 now and such a tortured individual. It would take years of therapy to help her sort out all the mental abuse her mother put her through.

  You sound like a truly strong person, not only did you overcome that, but you were able to go on with your life, leave your loser husband, and make something of yourself. I admire that. I think it is horrible that you had to lose custody of your kids to do that. My heart hurts for you again. Maybe one day you can take them on legally and get them back?

  I hope you stick around here, and share more of your experiences with us.

  think41self

  "Not believing is not the same as not knowing."
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  4

  letter to home

  by teejay in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a friend sent me this email.

  it made my day.

  thought i'd pass it on.... -----------------------------------------------------------------.

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  think41self

  Thanks Teejay,

  I found it helpful also

  think41self

  "Not believing is not the same as not knowing."
• 
  13

  Happiest Day?

  by Esmeralda in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  if you had to name one, what would be the happiest day of your life so far?.

  mine would have to be the day that i first met justin in person.

  that was the day i was positive that we'd spend our lives together.. that was also the day i knew that i was really free of the borg, for good.. anyone feel like telling?.

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  think41self

  Good plan Essie, kicking and screaming always put me in a better mood too

  I'm with you. Happiest day so farwas when Doug told me if he ever had the opportunity, he would snatch me up in a heartbeat! Sigh....now I'm getting all mushy again just thinking about it.

  This was a toss up between the days my two kids were born...but while you love your children incredibly...it obviously is different than finding your soulmate. I mean, when the kids leave, it will be just Doug and I(oh happy day) until I get so old I need them to come visit me for the wheelchair races! Hah. But I expect Doug and I to have many pleasure filled years before that. I hope you and Justin do also Essie. You have my best wishes.

  Tracy