Posts by truman

18

National Dean's List.

by jeeprube in

i was just nominated to the national dean's list.

i know that there are a lot of other college students and college graduates here, anybody ever been on it?

did it help your career, or is it just a waste of time?.

Very nice to meet my fellow Phi Theta Kappans! As for my college career, I am an English major. Math is something I try to avoid (though I am taking my final transferable math course this semester. The instructor says it is "math for poets") .

Have either of you been to any of the larger PTK events? It really is quite an active organization if one wants to become involved. Mostly because I was able to accomodate the relevant dates, I was sent by my local chapter to attend the week-long PTK National Honors Institute convention last summer in Delaware. Interestingly enough, the topic of study was "Gold, Gods, and Glory: The Global Dynamics of Power". We actually had Ghandi's grandson there as a speaker. It was quite an experience.

There were times at this event though that my anti-cult spider senses were tingling. Some of the members have an almost religious devotion to the organization. Overall though, it was very worthwhile, and no one tried to baptize me.

18

National Dean's List.

by jeeprube in

i was just nominated to the national dean's list.

i know that there are a lot of other college students and college graduates here, anybody ever been on it?

did it help your career, or is it just a waste of time?.

truman

Hi Jeeprube,

Did you join Phi Theta Kappa (the 2-year college honor society)? When I became a member of PTK last year, being listed on the National Dean's List was automatic. It sounds good, doesn't it? Enjoy! I sent in the biographical info when my invitation letter came. I sure don't think it will be a bad thing to have on a resume. But my cynical side tells me that it is a really great way to sell very expensive books and accessories to us hard-working college students. Still, I couldn't resist. I bought the book (around $70 and up).

truman

30

Weak in the Faith = Lose Privilages

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

have you ever lost any privilages due to being spiritually weak?

i wasn't going out in servive as much,not commenting and wasn't married to a witness.

i was taken off the ministry school talk # 2,couldn't pray for the congregation,was taken off the sound equipment,couldn't pass out literature,couldn't receive a blood card and finally couldn't receive any books because i wasn't considered part of the congregation.that was fine with me.. what were the signs you received from your congregation telling you that you were weak in the faith?.

truman

This sort of treatment was the beginning of the end for me as a JW. My 20-year-old son, who was one of the very few of his generation to still be attending the KH, was removed from his privileges running the sound system because he failed to turn in 10 hours a month of field service.

He was turning in time every month, just not enough to satisfy these arbitrary requirements, requirements which were never stated up front when he began his duties. This young man was struggling with his attachment to the JW life but was sticking with it mostly because of his love for me.

The job at the KH gave him a connection to the org. and made him feel useful. When the ax-wielding elder told him that he was cut off from his job, he was hurt to the point that he no longer had any motivation to keep going. I remember telling that elder at the time that what he needed was a helping hand, not a shove out the door, but to no avail.

That's their sort of love, I guess.

Anyway, it all worked out in the long run because after my son left, I soon followed. Not the result they were expecting, I imagine.

36

sex abuse of wives

by J-ex-W in

okay--i think i've got it this time.

i want to start this thread, but my relevant postings are already under child sex abuse "cary verse arrested again" and under friends "sex abuse of wives" as well as scandals and cover-ups "psychopath murderer"-something.

please, if you are interested, read those postings then continue the thread by replying here (under scandals and cover-ups).

truman

I am glad to see someone mention this problem because it is one that mostly gets passed by. I too was a sexually abused JW wife--for over 25 years. As was mentioned by others, it mattered not whether I was ill, exhausted, in late pregnancy, having menstrual cramps, a yeast infection, or any other 'excuse'. My husband had an insatiable sex drive, and since 'rendering him his due' was my scriptural obligation, I was at his mercy. I have to say that my husband is not an evil man, just a weak and selfish one, but backed by the authority of 'Jehovah', he became abusive to me in this way.

Eventually, I left the JWs (about five years ago), and I finally managed to get enough spine to insist that the sexual manipulations stop (his tool of choice was emotional blackmail, and I was a person who withered under disapproval). We are still married, and we have to deal with the aftermath of this long and painful history.

For me, the result is living as a virtual sexual cripple; my sexuality has been ruined. I cannot imagine having feelings for him in that way ever again, and I can barely stand for him to touch me, even casually. For him it is knowing this distance between us is largely of his own making. We are doing the best we can, and there are other things in the marriage that do make the effort tolerable. Part of that is seeing his genuine regret over what he did to me and his acceptance of the consequences.

24

Are you happy with your name?

by greendawn in

we do not choose our names our parents do so, are you pleased with the one they picked for you?

if not what would you like your name to be?

i am very pleased with my name, nicolas.

truman

I read this board much more than I post, but this one made me want to respond. My first name has given me a life time of grief. Now, I am deep in middle age, and am trying to reconcile my attitude toward it. My first name is one which is typically given to people of the opposite gender that I happen to be. It also has resonance with a prominent historical figure. So, I got lots of teasing as a child in school. After a few years I began to use my middle name, which is gender appropriate and innocuous.

Still, to this day, when legal names are required, or when I must show official ID, I get the quizzical looks and I want to scream. The funny thing is that the screen name I chose for this site is also of the opposite gender. Although I chose it for its connection to a fictional character with whom I identified, I need to do some thinking on that.

38

JW and Home Schooling WHY, WHY, WHY????????

by Wordly Andre in

jw
friends

i just heard that my nephew will not be attending high school, instead will be doing home schooling, why do jws pressure their kids into home schooling?

i really do love my nephew he is a bright kid, i think he would do really great in high school, and hopefully attend college, but i was informed yesterday that he will not be going to high school because its not safe, and besides he made the decision not to go.

i am sorry but he should go, i know what they got planned for him, home school and full time service, this is the time of his life where he needs to concentrate on his education, he will end up just like his mother, who also never attended high school, seems that when your totally lost into the society, covering all aspects of your life, that leaves you socially inept, depressed, and have a distorted view of the world.

truman

Just like public schooling, home school sometimes produces a successful student and sometimes it does not. The difference is that, with home schooling, the state is not in charge. It is certainly true that some parents, JWs, use the homeschool route to keep kids isolated, and that is not a good thing. On the other hand, a concerned, dedicated parent can be a successful homeschooler, JW or not. I homeschooled my kids when we were all still JWs, and this at a time when most JWs looked down on the practice. "You are abandoning your natural preaching territory, the classroom," was a typical reaction.

I began when my two boys were preschoolers. I wanted to be intimately involved in teaching them, not turn them over to the state for its own peculiar brand of indoctrination. Just so they would understand what they were 'missing' by not going to 'regular school', each of them did attend one or two years of public school. They went right in at grade level and were 'A' students. When they got to the high school level, my public school district had a program for independent study. We took advantage of that, and my sons even attended algebra and geometry classes at the high school. They both have state recognized diplomas.

My real educational regret is not home school. I enjoyed it and they did too. My regret is that I did nothing to encourage these bright youngsters to go to college. That I blame on the WTS, although I must also accept responsibility. But, I am trying to set a good example now. I myself am about to complete the requirements for my AA, and I will be going on to transfer to a four year university. My no-longer-a-JW son wants to try a few college classes, if he can get his job situation arranged. MY still-a-JW son has done well in his chosen field of employment, and currently is training in a technical field, on the job.

Home school worked for us. If we had not had the millstone of the WTS policies around our necks, it would have worked even better.

15

they can't get it all done anymore

by truman in

jw
friends

i had a door-to-door visit from two jws yesterday morning.

the first in a long time (with the exception of the obligatory memorial invite).

i live in a fairly small town, but these two, i did not recognize.

truman

I had a door-to-door visit from two JWs yesterday morning. The first in a long time (with the exception of the obligatory Memorial invite). I live in a fairly small town, but these two, I did not recognize. They began with the usual, "We wanted to share a scripture" routine, but I stopped them quickly by asking which KH they were from. "Have you been to the KH?" the older one asked me. Yes, I told her, I have been to a few meetings (27 years worth). Then she told me that they were from a neighboring congregation and were there 'helping out' the local cong. It seems that they are having trouble getting their territory covered, so had to call for assistance.

As I said, this is a smallish town, less than 20,000 pop., with 2 congregations. It has seen a large housing development built in the last couple of years though.

The numbers at the KH were dropping when I left five years ago. It must be even thinner now. Looks like my town is about to become territory "where the need is greater". I almost never see JWs on the streets anymore.

There was a time about ten or twelve years ago, when the local group was standing room only, if you didn't get there early. Sunday attendance was oftern pushing 200. When I left five years ago, the average attendance was around 75, and they were all on antidepressants. I wonder what it is down to now.

3

Jamestown California Congregation

by Stephanus in

jw
friends

i saw a documentary on discovery channel about treasure hunting; there was a segment about gold still being findable by traditional methods in woods creek at jamestown.

it piqued my interest, so i've done a bit of internet research on it.

not only is the area famous for its gold, and for legendary figures like mark twain, grizzly adams and the cannonball from petticoat junction, this one and a half horse town boasts a kingdom hall!.

truman

I live about 35 miles from Jamestown. Never attended that KH, but I have heard lots of stories about JW life in them thar hills. (more than your usual amount of weirdness). As for field service, I think that disturbing pot growers is more of a danger than dealing with gold prospecters

12

The new Tool Album

by wanderlustguy in

i bought it a couple of days ago when it came out...it's amazing how much their music has developed since the last album.. since my liberation from the organization, i've found their lyrics and music to inspire me, it always did, but i never really knew why.

now the lyrics strike the same chord...only harder.. here's a sample.... .

vicarious - tool.

truman

I just received my copy of the new TOOL album yesterday, and I have listened to it several times (while gardening). At first I thought as Leolaia said--a bit derivitive. Not the masterpiece that Lateralus is. But as the music is soaking in to my head, I am beginning to feel its subtleties. I really like the title song "10,000 Days", as well as the one called "Right in Two". The new album does not feel as edgy as their earlier work, not as overtly spiritual as Lateralus. But I am wondering if the state of the life of MJK is part of the equation. I understand he has begun a project as a vintner. Perhaps mid-life has made him a bit more mellow.

10

ESSAY WRITING: HELP!!!

by Frog in

jw
friends

hi guys, i need a little advice on where to take this essay i'm writing which is due on tuesday afternoon!

shame on me for leaving it too late so that i can't clarify my question with my lecturere .

ok, this is the subject topic:.

truman

It sounds to me like the prompt is asking you to focus on contrasting the ways that the population size and structure in more developed and less developed regions respond to the factors of mortality and life expectancy. Maybe it is not so much about whether you choose to discuss only the subset of the 50 least developed countries or a more encompassing regional view of lesser developed areas, but about applying the principles that operate in population make-up to whichever you choose. Often, if the prompts are vague, you have the freedom to develop them as you see fit, as long as you can make a good case with plenty of support for your approach. I am spending my weekend writing essays too. Good luck!