Posts by wasasister

37

COMF: Who's still here?

by COMF in

jw
friends

hi, ya'll.

i left jw's voluntarlily in 1987, still believing but thinking something was wrong with me that caused jehovah to reject me in spite of my best effforts.

after that it was "let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die".

Real 'BIG' news WTS sued biggie worker compensation

by DannyHaszard in

jehovah's loses comp case

church may be forced to pay millions

by jess wisloski.

wasasister

I would really like to know more about these people. They have to be intelligent people to see their rights and not be bulldozed around by the WTS. If they write a book, it could be good. I'm waiting for the first medical malpractice suite. I do agree, they are just using the legal/medical for a cover, no brainwashed jws would sue the wts. They will be nailed to the cross for this by the jws that know. Sad that so many will never hear about it

I happen to know these people. They caught Bethel Fever early on in their studies and moved to NY shortly after baptism (and after Mike graduated as a DC.) PM me for more information. Wasa

89

Role-Playing & XJW Discussion Boards.

by hillary_step in

jw
friends

i have been on this board for around four years.

at first i took what went on here quite seriously, well for about three weeks, but it then became quite obvious to me that the depth of role-playing that went on on these boards was so deep-rooted that it would be a foolish waste of time to do anything more than to read some of the more informative threads and delegate the rest to entertainment.

i hope narkissos forgives me for quoting something that he wrote yesterday, but his thought clearly encapuslates the reason why it is foolish to presume that you know, or will ever know the person who is posting by what they write, and why judgments on a persons character are more than often fatally flawed.

wasasister

There's nothing quite like a good "spanking", but that's a subject for another thread.

Edited to add: I did not refer to you specifically regarding the "spanking" of those who hold this board to an "undue significance." It has been implied by many in this thread, and elsewhere, so I did not mean to single you out.

Yeah, you're kinda elitist, but then so am I.

89

Role-Playing & XJW Discussion Boards.

by hillary_step in

jw
friends

i have been on this board for around four years.

at first i took what went on here quite seriously, well for about three weeks, but it then became quite obvious to me that the depth of role-playing that went on on these boards was so deep-rooted that it would be a foolish waste of time to do anything more than to read some of the more informative threads and delegate the rest to entertainment.

i hope narkissos forgives me for quoting something that he wrote yesterday, but his thought clearly encapuslates the reason why it is foolish to presume that you know, or will ever know the person who is posting by what they write, and why judgments on a persons character are more than often fatally flawed.

wasasister

Devil's advocate, again:
Upon what grounds do you determine that "detachment" is a balanced perspective?

It is remotely possible that I was being facetious. I highly doubt anyone is as "detatched" as HS appears to be.

It is not incumbant upon me to determine what constitutes "undue" in this scenario. What might be an inappropriate level for one person may be comepletely appropriate for someone else. When I stopped going to the Kingdom Hall, I made a personal resolve to stop judging others who thought or acted differently than myself.

At times, I read this and other boards and think to myself: "These people need to get a real life. They are completely obsessed with this argument!" Then, I recall my resolution and realize there was a time not so very long ago that I would check H2O when I got up in the night to pee. Was that "healthy" or "balanced"? Probably not, but it got me through a rough and relatively speedy transition phase in my life.

So who am I to finger-wag?

Wasa

89

Role-Playing & XJW Discussion Boards.

by hillary_step in

jw
friends

i have been on this board for around four years.

at first i took what went on here quite seriously, well for about three weeks, but it then became quite obvious to me that the depth of role-playing that went on on these boards was so deep-rooted that it would be a foolish waste of time to do anything more than to read some of the more informative threads and delegate the rest to entertainment.

i hope narkissos forgives me for quoting something that he wrote yesterday, but his thought clearly encapuslates the reason why it is foolish to presume that you know, or will ever know the person who is posting by what they write, and why judgments on a persons character are more than often fatally flawed.

wasasister

Well said, as usual, LT. I find myself agreeing with your points above.

To HS:

I am glad that you agree that many XJW's do put undue significance on discussion boards, that is the main point for my thread. I believe we have reached consensus. So words can work.

Yes...I suppose we have found common ground, yet where we diverge is this: While I would agree that "many XJW's do put an undue significance...." I for one do not feel the need to verbally spank them for this tendency. Perhaps this is because I used to be one of them. Neither your words, nor mine, will force XJW's to come to the same balanced and somewhat detatched position you and I share about these boards. They will get to that point sooner or later, or in some cases not at all, with or without my encouragement.

Instead of finding fault with such "undue significance", I prefer to be understanding of how they may feel, and use that perception to temper my reactions to them, much in the same way I respond to dedicated JW's. Yes, I think they are wrong, but I can certainly see where they're coming from.

You take care, too.

Wasa

89

Role-Playing & XJW Discussion Boards.

by hillary_step in

jw
friends

i have been on this board for around four years.

at first i took what went on here quite seriously, well for about three weeks, but it then became quite obvious to me that the depth of role-playing that went on on these boards was so deep-rooted that it would be a foolish waste of time to do anything more than to read some of the more informative threads and delegate the rest to entertainment.

i hope narkissos forgives me for quoting something that he wrote yesterday, but his thought clearly encapuslates the reason why it is foolish to presume that you know, or will ever know the person who is posting by what they write, and why judgments on a persons character are more than often fatally flawed.

wasasister

My Dear Good Fellow: I would never, ever, call you Barry Manilow.

You may, though, encourage, entreat, suggest, or prod all you like. People will come to that place by themselves and by their own means, no matter how much you might wish they would reach it sooner with your efforts.

You are much like me: we think we can "fix" people if we just use the right words. The reality is, we probably cannot. Given enough time and support, the majority of x-JW's will stop putting undue significance on discussion boards and get on with living a fulfilling life. "Protecting their interests" is perhaps your agenda, but may not be in their best interests.

Sincerely,

Wasa

89

Role-Playing & XJW Discussion Boards.

by hillary_step in

jw
friends

i have been on this board for around four years.

at first i took what went on here quite seriously, well for about three weeks, but it then became quite obvious to me that the depth of role-playing that went on on these boards was so deep-rooted that it would be a foolish waste of time to do anything more than to read some of the more informative threads and delegate the rest to entertainment.

i hope narkissos forgives me for quoting something that he wrote yesterday, but his thought clearly encapuslates the reason why it is foolish to presume that you know, or will ever know the person who is posting by what they write, and why judgments on a persons character are more than often fatally flawed.

wasasister

I think it's important, HS, to distinguish between "role-playing" and displaying different sides of one, honest person. Merely changing a screen name does not constitute "playing a role."

Many, perhaps the majority, protect our real identities when online. The more we know about internet "relationships" the more we see the need for caution as you so astutely pointed out in your initial post. So, we make up a moniker, adopt an image, and we post our thoughts. Some, using the anonymity afforded this medium, find it easier to reveal parts of themselves they might hide under more "real" settings.

But, don't we all display different "selves" depending on the setting? For example, in my job I am often called upon to smooth ruffled feathers and deal with upset customers. I can be the most reasonable, calm, and compliant person in the universe when I'm being paid to do so. However, if confronted with an important conflict, I can go toe-to-toe with the best. Different circumstances, different me.

On this board, I am Wasasister. I know my conduct and expressions are restricted by the rules (however fluid) of the owner. Other places, my conduct may vary, based on the prevailing expectations of membership. That does not mean I'm being duplicitous, merely adaptable.

You seem to have found your "after-JW" center more quickly than most of us, HS. I'm happy for you, but for others - perhaps many others - it takes more time. These discussion boards become an important tool to making that transition. Hopefully, as the individual recovery process plods along, places such as this will become less and less important. But in the interim, it seems elitist to look down one's nose at those who are progressing more slowly.

I hope the foregoing does not seem confrontational or inflammatory. Not meant to be.

Wasa

27

Comfort food recipes

by mkr32208 in

jw
friends

i love to cook huge elaborate 10 course dinners and party foods but what about when your sick and just want something that is quick and easy and makes you feel good?

what food do you guys like when your sick?

sweet or salty sticky or soupy????.

wasasister

Campbell's Tomato Soup with toasted cheese sandwich. Dipping is mandatory.

14

Enquiring minds and all that...

by ConcernedMom in

jw
friends

maybe a stupid question but what happens to the leftover emblems after the memorial?

are they given any significance outside of the memorial (like the bread and wine that has been blessed in a catholic mass) and saved for next year?

or taken home and consumed by someone?

wasasister

Any particular kind of cracker or just whatever the person shopping chose to buy? Seems to me that if you knew you were going to eat them after, you'd buy something yummy..not ones that tasted like cardboard...

The requirements for the "bread" and wine are somewhat strictly defined by the WTS. The crackers cannot contain anything resembling a levening agent, such as yeast or even baking soda. Where I attended, one of the sisters baked the "bread" from an old recipe. The wine could not be sweetened, but no special variety was indicated. We usually provided the wine because of a family connection to the wine industry. We always chose a varietal red, since we knew there would be no other juice blended in. We'd get the good stuff, because we took it home afterwards, and we liked nice wines. Wasa

52

Just A Mere Mortal Once More..

by Englishman in

jw
friends

good people, i've decided that my days as a moderator are over.. it's been an interesting 3 years.

some highs, some incredible lows, some weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

some hilarity, some tears.

wasasister

OK, I'm going to stick my neck out and add to my earlier comments. I hope I do not offend anyone, but this needs to be said:

Englishman is a true gentleman. Yes, he has a temper, but he sticks to his convictions and has put himself on the line for things he believes in.

Many times, he has been in the uncomfortable position of openly disagreeing with his friends. He has played advocate for others who asked for him to intercede on their behalf. Occaisonally, after he has done just so, the very ones he spoke out for have turned on him and behaved badly. I can't even imagine how this must have made him feel.

Because he has been open and honest, he has been a magnet for some of the criticsm of this board and its leadership. He didn't deserve this, but bore it with all the class and dignity he could muster.

JWD is a better place for having had you around. I mean that.

Wasa