wasasister

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Posts by wasasister

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  15

  What about normalcy? Is it even an option?

  by watergoddess in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  what about normalcy?

  is it even an option?

  am i hoping in vain for something that wont come?

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  wasasister

  Watergodess, what a cool name!

  I don't know that you really "get over" any profound experience in your life. Maybe that's a good thing. At best we learn and grow, even if there is some scar tissue.

  "Time heals all wounds" is a tired cliche, but it has truth in it. You will make new (and more genuine) friends. Try to remember when someone passes you by and does not blink, it is they who have the defect, not you.

  How do you get beyond the hate and move forward? One moment at a time, Dear....one moment at a time.

  Glad to meet you.

  Wasa
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  26

  An Open Letter to Ray Franz

  by mikepence in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  (please reply to this message with your own signature and added thoughts.

  then, we will make sure that this reaches ray.).

  dear ray,.

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  wasasister

  My Dear Mr. Franz and Mrs. Franz:
  With this thread, on a not-so-obscure ex-JW discussion board, you have become what you never wanted to become - an icon. Your words convey a tone of sincere humility and lack of need for attention.

  Yes, your efforts have helped untold numbers of desperate and disparate people. Those who have found resonance in your books vary from devout Christians, to convinced atheists, to everything between. Yet, all seem to agree that your objectivity and reasonableness lend an enormous credibility to your work. Unlike others before you, you made the effort to document every claim with incontrovertible evidence.

  When I finally mustered the courage to check your books out from my local library, I was still at the phase in my life where I thought I would die an unbeliever at Armageddon. With your help, along with a healthy measure of skepticism learned from my mother, I now understand this is not true.

  I could go on for pages, but I will spare you, and my fellow posters, the sermon. Suffice it to say, you are appreciated. For every person who takes the time and effort to contact you, there are dozens, perhaps hundreds, who are equally grateful yet silent.

  I remain gratefully yours,
  Wasasister
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  21

  "Good News" for the SWINE CLASS! New ...

  by Focus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  dn .

  dn .

  dn .

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  wasasister

  Please, tell me more about this "penetration" issue. It's been a long, cold winter up here.

  Wasasister
  of the: Not Minimizing the Importance of the Research Class
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  22

  Part 7: Resignation into the Void

  by Amazing in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  part 7: resignation into the void .

  the memorial was now past ... and the moment of final decision arrived.

  i could no longer continue on being a jw, or at least serving in an appointed position of any kind.

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  wasasister

  The Oregon Coast - all of it, but the Lincoln City area particularly - is where I have had my most profound revelations. Must be something in the combination of senses: smell, touch, sight, sound, taste... Can't really explain it, but when I have had turning points in my life and need to sort things out, I'll get to the Oregon Coast if possible.

  Nice story, Amazing. I remember most of this from reading it on H2O, but it is still meaningful.
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  4

  Thanks, Amazing

  by jukief in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i want to thank you for your recent posts about your experiences coming out of the religion.

  i've always thought that personal experiences are more powerful and convincing than arguing doctrinal points.

  although there's a place for such arguments and discussions, seeing what other people have been through and how they've dealt with their loss of faith and extracting themselves from the religion are most compelling and helpful for people who are going through the same experience.. my parents are in a difficult position; they no longer believe in the religion, but they feel that if they were to just quit, their two children who are still jws will shun them.

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  wasasister

  I've been experiencing continued interruptions in my internet connectivity, however...

  I just want you to know, Amazing, that you have helped me, and no doubt many other people by chronicling your experiences.

  Why, oh why, does this have to be reduced to a cult of personality? Can't we object to someone's argument without insulting the individual? Can we not just let the good stand and dismiss the inconsequential? Does my appreciation of the helpful portions of Amazing's posts relegate me to one "side" or the other?

  If so, then perhaps my forced departure from the internet is a blessing in disguise.

  I've never liked being pigeon-holed. Don't tell me my astrological sign, don't tell me I'm a "summer", don't tell me I can't agree sometimes and disagree other times. I'm no one's toady, no man's (or woman's) shill, no one's apologist. I can be your best friend, and disagree strongly. Would you want a best friend who would do otherwise?

  Sorry for the rant. I haven't been able to post for over three weeks and this has been buiding up. Have at me, I won't be able to read or reply.

  Thanks again, Amazing. The time and effort you took to post your experiences is appreciated.

  Wasa
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  6

  is anyone from the triangle or fayetteville NC

  by DIAMOND in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  anyone from raleigh durham chapel hill or from the fayetteville nc area.

  if so i would love to hear from you.

  diamond

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  wasasister

  I have a dear friend (a PhD) who works at Research Triangle Institute.

  Let me know.
  D
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  18

  Finding Jobs? How 'bout Spouses?

  by WhatNow in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  if we can find (or help find) people jobs, can we play match-maker, too?

  i think being raised as a 'witness' puts me in a unique 'class' (aka 'co-dependent ha ha).

  now that i'm 41 (divorced, white, professional, female [mom]) i have discovered many things about why i have become the person i am.

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  wasasister

  How about it? Are there any mature, kind, single, emotionally and economically stable men out there? I'm looking!

  No

  Wasasister/reformed
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  78

  You Know a Spiritual Coward

  by AlanF in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here is another unequivocal example of a claim of direct inspiration: in the olin moyle court case of 1943, fred franz said under oath that no man is the editor of the watchtower.

  who, then, is the editor?

  who became the editor?

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  wasasister

  Uncle: that address is within driving distance of me. Would you like me to drive up on Saturday and knock on the gentleman's door? I could carry a bookbag perhaps, and wear a dowdy dress??

  Winks,
  Wasa
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  25

  how do you stop crying......

  by flower in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  when you start reading rays book and find out that everything you know to be factual, the only constant, solid, truth in the universe is just nothing?

  i've known this in my head since i started reading posts here on xmas day but i have never really believed it.

  i thought i just wanted to believe it so that i could rid myself of some of this guilt i've always carried around.

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  wasasister

  Flower:
  Hi, nice to meet you. I'm older than you, so I spent more time believing with all my heart in the "New World just around the corner" and the other promises which I found recently to be complely empty.

  At about the same time, I began to look at other things in my life from an objective standpoint; I was forced to realize my 25 year marriage was also a sham. How on earth could I manage to live on one income, give up ALL my friends, get a divorce, and somehow survive?

  It took much planning, hard work, and some help from my wonderful sister and her husband, but I made it. I now support myself, live in a decent home, and am happily divorced. My one Witness daughter continues to associate with me, our relationship improving notably over the last year or so.

  I guess what I'm trying to tell you is this: things that look hopeless at this time might not look so hopeless later. Don't go jumping into anything you're not ready for, but start making plans. Take classes if you can, work out a manageable budget, apply for goverment assistance with daycare if available. Sometimes, just the planning can bring you comfort.

  I didn't cry when I read Ray's book. I got angry, and with the anger came conviction.

  I wish you the very best in your efforts. If you would like, feel free to e-mail me at: [email protected]. I have a daughter almost your age.

  Warmest affection and kind wishes,
  Wasasister
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  62

  How Long A JW ( Baptised )?

  by hillary_step in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i frequently read on this board that somebody has 'been a jw for over 25 years' and then learn that they are in fact 25 years and three days old.. i am very easily confused, in fact i actually got inside a car of similar color to my own recently and spent at least five minutes with a furrowed brow trying to force my car key into its ignition, fortunately, i realised my error before i was arrested.

  so, just to humor me, can you all post how long you were/are baptised jw's?.

  thank you -- hs.

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  wasasister

  Interesting, indeed, to know everyone's background.

  Baptised: 1965, too young, but all my friends were doing it...peer pressure.

  Pioneered: off and on through the 80's as my kids were growing up.

  Husband made an MS: at ripe age of 40. Never much of an achiever, I had to write all of his talks.

  Decided marriage and religion had to go: in 1997. Stayed in long enough to get elder daughter married in Kingdom Hall as was her wish. Soon after stopped attending, obtained divorce from deadbeat, worthless, emotionally abusive husband in 1999. Found internet early 2000 and finally decided I wasn't going to die at Armageddon.

  Never DA'd or DF'd. Recently attended son-in-law's first public talk. No reprocussions from that, so far.

  And by the way:
  

  Anyone know if 'Focus' has a JW background?

  I have a strong suspicion about Focus, but he has not confirmed nor denied it.

  Winks,
  Wasa