Posts by uriah

46

Planning A Fade. Need Ideas

by Doubtfully Yours in

this double life is slowly eating away at me.

i'm planning to fade away and need all the ideas i can get.. it needs to be a fade because my parents, who i care deeply about are heavily into it and my poor hubby is wanting to obtain more privileges in the cong.

me, on the other hand, can't stand going to so many meetings and service and giving parts, etc.. very much appreciate your ideas and support.

uriah

Aslief had some good ideas (no a life coach are you?)

The behaviour sounds like the husband has some issues - the meetings, service etc may be covering them over. The response to your not going suggests fear, to me - being there by himself, coming under scrutiny. What happens (maybe) is his stress levels rise because he knows he has to come up with excuses for your non-attendance. Your saying that you are not going tonight throws him into confusion (maybe) and the result is the tantrum. Think about it - there he is all contented to go, no stress, wifey by his side no pressure from anyone easy meeting, no hassle. You say 'not to night'. Red alert, shields up, confusion, comfort zone demolished excuse generator kicks in, scenarious flash before him - nosey old sister so and so - 'no wifey tonight then, is she all right, what's wrong...' and the like. All this passes before his eyes in a flash, brain overloads and tantrum fires up. (maybe). I think the real issue is not whether you are there or not but his handling it and the scrutiny and probing that he really does not want to face and all because you did not go to the meeting, 'why that b***ch, look what she has made me go through, not coming to the meeting'. I bet he drives fast and furious too to the hall.

I think you need to find out what the deeper issues are and plan your fade around them when you know what they are - I can see this spiralling out of control until he does hit you otherwise.

I may be totally wrong - they are only maybes

16

Dec.03 KM - Evidence of a Fake Ministry?

by metatron in

jw
friends

i have often asserted on this forum that the published totals for publishers and hours.

are not to be believed.

first, because i'm a fake publisher ( like many) and second, because.

uriah

I remember sitting in a car with the field service overseer watching the pioneers walk by and mentioned the 'pioneer walk' in jest. He said 'Well, they have to get their hours in'. It is a strange thing that walking slowly to get 'hours in' is preferable to talking to people (from the JW stand point). I tried to reason with the FSO that if they had territory that was local, that they could walk to, then they could spend more time actually talking to people instead of walking to distant territory and counting the walking time there and back as FM. Also there were any number of JW's who had 'return visits' that were a couple of mile apart - excellent FM time counting strategy. The FSO could see nothing wrong with this and just repeated that they have to get their time in. Some JW would give a tract to the first person they met to 'start counting the time' as they went to the group. One brother told me that he counted the time from when he decided to go out - no wonder he got made an MS with such a fine FM record! I also worked with a brother who would spent between 10-15 mins if he could get away with it, standing on not homes. He happened to be the PO. Other JW would try to work in a 'Theo-speak' word in conversations with 'worldlings' so they could count the time at work etc. As a loyal dub at the time, I found these practices hard to reconcile with what I understood to be 'life saving work'. I came to understand that the hours reported was the most important thing and if you could get any time from anywhere then that is what you did. The FSO said that I had not been considered as an MS because my hours were down. He then gave me instruction on how to get the hours up, using many of the devices mentioned here - even if it is only 5 mins, write it down, it all adds up, he added. As I began that fade, I used these devices to keep them off my back. I even developed the skill of 'seeming' (tm) WT to press the door bell when working with others. Going on calls - i.e. going for a country drive and then turning up for tea later on. Using 'theo-speak' to deflect any enquiries by asking first 'did you have a good time, placed many mags?' As people generally like to talk about themselves it was a useful strategy to do nothing but seem to do lots. But it does take a toll and in the end I just stopped doing it. I got one call from the secretary - who never phones or speaks to me to ask for my time sheet. I said it was nil. 'Oh dear', says he and never called again. In the last few months before the total fade I put in hours never worked, sometime threw in a few mags for good measure and the odd return visit. No-one cared so long as there was 'time' on the form. I am not proud of being deceitful and am not writing this for approbation. When I was a loyal dub I would faithfully put what I did, sometimes knocking some off if I thought it had been an unproductive morning, or whatever. I never counted my family study as I thought this was my duty to my children and not FM. But as the light dawned, it became clear that I would have to make use of the devices I had seen to survive the fade. I came to realise that a vast majority of the reported time is fiction, not only that but many JW don't even read the publications they 'place' - one Brother actually said to me, when I enquired if he had read an article, 'Oh I don't read 'em, I just place 'em'. The only time many actually read the publications is if they have to read at the book study or the cong WT study, as most stare into space and parrot the underlined text. A great world-wide work? Spiritually well fed? Spirit-directed-work? Zealous (gag) witnesses?

I think not.

42

Awake ! Jan 8, 2004 cover "Understanding Mood Disorder" WTS change ?

by jwsons in

i remeber about 20 years ago wts still go against psychiatrist and in this awake !

mentions some jws did go to psychatrist.

huh !?.

uriah

Oh come on!!!

What have any of you got to be depressed about - you have THE KINGDOM.

When you become a JW ALL and I mean ALL of your problems just melt away as the joyful hope of the kingdom fills your hearts.

I ask you all, WHERE IS YOUR KINGDOM SMILE - EH!!!!

Have a nuttalls minto, not only does it stick your jaws together and keeps you quiet during the meetings, but the sweet

mintyness reminds you of the kingdom. Talking of which, I was reading (why - don't ask - I felt like it ok) 'The kingdom is at hand (c1950+/-)

It was talking about John the baptist and his diet. Wild Honey and locusts. It said, and I try to remember as book not in front of me,

'...what could be more delicous than locust wrapped in honey, that taste like prawns (then say how they are banned to jews)...and John was no weaking and could lift heavy objects...'

The mind boggles, there is John on the banks of the river Jordan saying '...I'm not very bright but I can lift heavy things'

4

Cold Comfort for Asaph

by uriah in

you may remember the psalm where asaph complains about the wicked 'seemingly' (tm) wts getting away with it.

the psalm goes on and finishes with asaph saying that on unsteady ground you (jehovah) have placed them.

the jw often quote this (i did) and consoled myself with it.

uriah

You may remember the Psalm where Asaph complains about the wicked 'seemingly' (tm) WTS getting away with it. The Psalm goes on and finishes with Asaph saying that on unsteady ground you (Jehovah) have placed them. The JW often quote this (I did) and consoled myself with it. Now I have thought about it, it is nothing but empty words. Asaph must have been like Jonah waiting for the Ninivites to be destroyed. When did the wicked, on this shaky ground meet a sticky end? When did Asaph see the judgement and the wicked get thier punishment?

Another thing is this. The JW bang on about the wicked being destroyed, but how many wicked people do you actually know? I don't know anyone who I would term 'wicked' and neither do any of my friends. No doubt there are wicked people about and I have read about them - saddam for instance, but most people I know are just trying to live in peace and put one foot in front of another. Yet the JW mentality would have you believe that anyone not a JW is wicked.

3

How things have changed

by uriah in

the text below is from the jan 1st watchtower 1913. i don't recognise this in any jw congregations today.

the international bible students association.

this association sprang up spontaneously.

uriah

The text below is from the Jan 1st Watchtower 1913
I don't recognise this in any JW congregations today.

THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
THIS ASSOCIATION sprang up spontaneously
and gradually during the past thirty
years, but particularly during the past ten
years. It is composed of thinking Christian
people of various ages who are studying
the Bible reverently and profitably. There
are no limitations as to membership, except
such as could be properly applied to any
true Christian: (1) Faith in God as the
great Creator and Heavenly Father; (2)
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the world's Redeemer;
(3) Faith in the Bible--that it is the inspired Message
of God, respecting His will and purposes in connection
with mankind; (4) A clean and honorable life.
Our Association finds this platform broad enough for
all true Christians, regardless of all denominational lines,
quirks and frills. We have no bondage, and any one is as
free to leave the classes as to enter them. Indeed, following
the example of the early Church in this as well
as in other matters, we avoid any special manner of joining
these classes, or any special enrollment, or any special
commitment as to faith and practise other than the broad
principles already mentioned.

34

Now it's wrong to sweep up!!!

by petespal2002 in

jw
friends

at a meeting last thursday night, so i'm reliably informed, a brother was sweeping up outside the kh as he always does every meeting.

on this occasion however, he was taken to one side by an elder, told it was not his place to sweep the front of the hall, and to go back to a neighbouring congregation as he is "not wanted here!".

maybe only the super-righteous can sweep in public and the rest of us slosh out the latrines!!!!!!!!!

uriah

He can come round and sweep my garden path if he likes and then he can wash my car - I'm not proud. Trouble is, he probably stepped on someones toes and they squealed to the elder who checked his 'punish the flock of god book' and went and told him to go forth and multiply. I remeber being asked to read the WT once, out of the blue, so I said OK. The fact that I had a beard and low hours seemed to have past this elder by and I believe he was reprimanded by elder righteous- I didn't get asked again for years when my Hours Count went up a bit.

14

What is that e-watchman site all about?

by ScoobySnax in

jw
friends

is the bloke who runs it an ex jw or what?

in one breath he praises the watchtower, in the next he's tearing them apart.

whats the deal with it?

uriah

I have written a few 'questions' to him. I played various 'parts' - 'outraged dub', 'sincere questioner', 'Flatterer' (gag , I know).

I got replies to most of my questions, I say replies and not answers because a lot of my questions were edited out with the famous ellipsies (...) so beloved by the WTS. Also, he raises a question about your question and then answers that question and ignors your original question. He also belittles questioners and uses WTS lables like 'sincere ones' etc. He also edits out any reference to past WT failures and anything touching on Booze Rutherford and Russell, espsecially quotes from Russell like him (russell) not wanting an organisation and the like, this is I think because it erodes his stand on being a chosen one in some way. I did send an 'Outraged Dub' question which he has actually answered in full, and my how full, it is endless, I fell asleep reading it. If you want to see it I hope it has reproduced below. I know I should not badger-bait but the guy is such a pompus ass I couldn't resist. http://www.e-watchman.com/commentaries/aug_24_saying_prophet.html. It is the bit about the reply to a questioner - sleep tight. Night.

I hope the link works ok, I tried to embed but it would not work.

12

Japan's statistics - surprising results

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

this years world wide report was unremarkable, except for a few things.

britain had a net lost of 2,900 publishers, although the average was down by 500.. .

canada had minimal increase and lost 5 congregations.

uriah

Worth remembering that there are lies, damn lies and statistics.

How many are the 15 min pubs and how many actually did any service as opposed to putting in a fictious hourly report.

I have on occassion put in a false report, always saying that i would make up the time, but it is like a credit card, you never do

pay it off and the debt just gets bigger and bigger until in the end it just doesn't matter anymore - no one is going to come round and break your legs and demand payment of hours due to the mob now are they?

Or is that just litttle old me being cynical.

29

I had to DF my brother a few days ago!

by cyberguy in

i had to df my brother a few days ago!

i just wanted to visit him and my family late december.

anyway, he said, "we don?t want you here!

uriah

Hello Cyberguy,

you said:

had to DF my brother a few days ago! I'm REALLY depressed now! You don't know how much! I just wanted to visit him and my family late December. Anyway, he said, "WE DON?T WANT YOU HERE!" I asked, "WHY," and he said, "because you have negative feelings toward the organization!"

Whatever transpired between you is, judging by the 'conversation', a family row and you are both feeling p'd off with one another. Unless your brother is really a mindless WT lobotomised Zomboid, blood really is thicker than water and he is probably feeling just as depressed as you are. There is a stand-off and someone has to back down so it may as well be you. You may say, 'Why the hell should I blah blah blah'. This is a good and valid question, but one that only you can answer. The fact that you have posted this occurance on the board says to me that you are a thinking and feeling individual, one that knows really what it is that he has to do and that, yes, I am right, and you will be the one to make the first conciliatory call. So accept that scenario and then think how you will approach it - you might be able to turn this to your advantage.

You could try some of the following:

First Decide what you want to achieve - assume reconcilliation.

Apologise for slaming down the phone and that you felt aggrieved by what he said

Reassure him that you love him - he is your brother after all

Explain that you don't want to be at odds with him but explain that you have to discuss your differences and that you must both agree to differ, if that has to be the case. Try and remember that most JW fear thinking that is outside the box, away from their comfort zone. This frightens them and causes them to become overly defensive, deploying all the WT 'safeguards'.

Remember when you were a JW how you wanted to shoot down all and every doctrine, every cherished belief of others that did not line up with WT thinking? What was the reaction of those you spoke to. Just like your brothers - am I right?.

So, tailor what you say - you don't want to blow him away, just get him to think. Raise a question in his mind - his curiosity will do the rest - hopefully.

On the other hand if your brother really is a mindless WT lobotomised Zomboid, then you have to deal with that fact and get on with your life.

Eitherway your happiness depends on how you let it affect you. No-one has the right to make you feel miserable and if you have done all you can to remedy the situation then the fault is with someone else, let them be miserable, not you. Hope it helps. It did for me.

20

What did y'all think about the Magician starving himself for 40+ days?!!

by Doubtfully Yours in

.

what a nut!!!!

having looked at all the stunts he puts himself through, my jw beliefs come into play and i truly think he might be possessed by a demon that gets pleasure out of torturing the poor idiot.. would love to read your thoughts on this issue..

uriah

I think it was absolutely marvellous. What a brave man he was, I am so impressed, yah! I mean, being so high up and in a clear plastic box, I mean, wow! Really, so cool and imaginative and what self control when that model helicopter dangled a big mac or whatever above him, such restraint - king tantalus eat your heart out.

And then the appreciatve crowd, britains at their finest (beams with kingdom pride here), cheering him on with eggs and other helpful objects to keep his spirits up, yup.

I was almost inspired to travel to london to show my solidarity with him and to lend moral support, in fact I am going to sell my house, wife and kids and all my possesions and donate the money to his cause. All you posters who are doing him down, shame on you, this kind and courageous man deserves your support not your brickbats, your money not your heckles.

Still, I shall pray for you all and mention him in my prayers at the end of the meetings.

Don't be surprised if there is not a 'How I endured to the end' feature in the WT pretty soon and 'Clear plastic Boxes - are they for Christians?' in the Awake!.

Watch this space........dur-duh duuurrrrrrr