Posts by Alligator Wisdom

38

Were you born into the jw faith?

by nakedmvistar in

jw
friends

how many of you on this forum were born into the jw faith?

do you think this put you at a disadvantage when leaving the org.

do you think that someone who becomes a witness later in life would have an easier time adjusting back to a "normal" life?

Alligator Wisdom

I was basically born into the JW faith (if you count first stepping into a KH at the age of 5). Now trying to do a "submarine witness" and "submerge". It's quite difficult accomplishing that, being that most of my family are currently active JW's and I'm a MS (who declined appointment for eldership twice). I wasn't (and still not) very socially inept because of the indoctrination of the world being "evil".

Making my best attempt to have a firm hold on the "real life" at the age of 35.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother "NOT" Exerting Vigorously")

44

What Kept You "In The Truth"?

by minimus in

jw
friends

was it family, friends, the belief that this all was really true?

Alligator Wisdom

THREATS!

If I didn't get baptized as a JW in order to receive the 'mark', I would die at Armageddon.

~ I just didn't want to die ~

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother "NOT" Exerting Vigorously")

42

Elders? Ministerial servants? Pioneers

by lv4fer in

jw
friends

i'm just curious.

how many of you were elders or ministerial servants or pioneers?

were you an elder or ms or pioneer when you realized it wasn't the truth or a had you stepped down already, were you "weak" when you realized it?

Alligator Wisdom

I've been a MS for the past 6 years. However, I've always declined appointment of "elder" during the last two. (Details within my personal profile). I'm still considered a MS even though I had requested to step-down from that position also (letter to the BOE on October 30th). In the meantime, the elders have put me on "light-duty". (No talks or Book Study assistant anymore ). Now I'm awaiting the expected "shepharding call" from the CO during his next up-coming visit in April.

Now doing the slow-fade. When they look behind them in line, they'll find my place vacant .

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother "NOT Exerting Vigorously")

7

Joe Strummer Dies

by ISP in

jw
friends

the clash's joe strummer dies at 50 .

click to enlarge photo

london (reuters) - joe strummer, frontman for seminal punk band the clash and a major influence on a whole generation of rock bands, has died at his home at the age of 50, his spokesman says.

Alligator Wisdom

Oh no.....

Many fond memories of the music from Joe Strummer & The Clash.

22

Looking Back, Were You Easy Prey For The Witnesses

by minimus in

jw
friends

based upon your life and circumstances, were you easy prey for witnesses to get to you with their message?

were you going thru some trauma or bad times?

Alligator Wisdom

I was definitely easy pickings. Gullible and naive at that. After all, I first stepped into a Kingdom Hall when I was 5 years old. My mother studied (and was baptized in 1974....I wonder why?) with an older woman who "claimed" to be of the 144,000. I didn't know any better.

But now.....I know better. When they look behind them, they'll find my place in line "vacant" .

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother "NOT Exerting Vigorously")

20

Do not blame the workers in the field

by whyhideit in

jw
friends

often when discussing with jehovah's witnesses the problems of the organization, it is common for them to say they think you are lying.

they may feel in some way or another that you have fallen away from the pure light, and have become blinded to jehovah, and opened your eyes to satan's false teaching.

these words, and the thinking i have expressed, should sound very familiar to any reader who has spent time in the organization.

Alligator Wisdom

The elders in Canada do not share thoughts with elders in Texas, with elders in Florida or elders in New York. So they too, do not know what is happening around the world. Circuit Overseers do not call, and are not encouraged to do so, other Circuit Overseers from around the world to compare notes and ask question. In the case of the elders, Circuit Overseers and other branch positions, the recommended method is to call headquarters and speak to the main offices.

So true.....

After I moved here to Japan from the USA to "help" where there was a greater need in an English speaking congregation, many of the elders (all native Japanese, although somewhat proficient in English) asked how things ran in congregations back in the USA. Often times when I concluded a part or offered suggestions, they were in "awe" because of the refreshing difference. I myself, just handled my responsibilites (talks, field service, sheparding calls....) as I was trained to do so. I was puzzled at first, but I now see that they really didn't have the BIG PICTURE........nor did I.

~ Now doing the "submerge" ~ When they look back in line, they'll find my place vacant .

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother "NOT Exerting Vigorously")

54

Gasoline Price in your area

by JH in

jw
friends

yesterday alone the price of gasoline went up 9 cents a liter here in eastern canada passing from 68 to 77 cents a liter.

a one day jump of 9 cents a liter is equal to about 40 cents a gallon.

so now we pay 77 cents a liter or 3.50$ a canadian gallon.

Alligator Wisdom

Here in Japan.......

On avereage, 90 yen per liter. That is equivalent to about US$0.75 per liter or US$2.85 per gallon.

I sure miss those low gas prices when I was living in the USA. But I do agree with Ballistic, the cars we drive in Japan/Europe are very fuel efficient. My car travels 15 kilometers for every liter of gasoline. That is equivalent to about 35 miles per gallon. And that's city stop and go driving!

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother "NOT Exerting Vigorously")

12

JW's and the YMCA

by artful in

my father and mother (both loyal jws and in their 70s) have recently joined a local ymca for it's fitness facility.

it seems to me that the wts does not look favorably on this organization, possibly to the point of prohibiting jws from joining it.

i have searched for information online but to no avail.

Alligator Wisdom

What about the "YWCA"?

I'm sure that the same policy applies to them too.

Ironically though, my former congregation in Southern California was located right next to a YWCA. During every Memorial season, the elders would ask the coordinator at the YWCA if the congregation could use their parking lot during the evening of the Memorial celebration in anticipation of the "great crowd" that would attend. During those evening hours, the YWCA was closed and they had a parking lot the same size as the Kingdom Hall's. Of course, the congregation would "donate" a fee (US $25.00) for the use of the parking lot. Since I was the account servant at that time, I personally would write the check and deliver it to the coordinator at the YWCA.

The elders called it a legitimate business transaction.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother "NOT Exerting Vigorously")

37

Evil CO's wives

by PopeOfEruke in

does anyone remember particularly evil wives of circuit overseers?.

i remember one, a little chinese "lady" known as norma.

absolutely hated kids.

Alligator Wisdom

Mulan,

Rosemary Kraushaar!

I remember her. She and her husband was assigned to our Circuit about 5 years ago (when I was living in the USA in Southern California). I didn't have the "privilege" to know her that well though. Fortunately for me! However, I heard about her antics from the pioneers from my former congregation.

As always, I enjoy reading your posts!

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother "NOT Exerting Vigorously")

25

Do you believe in Jehovah-God

by SpannerintheWorks in

jehovah-god is going to destroy ,annihilate all the wicked.

that includes us, people!

6,000,000,000 people.

Alligator Wisdom

I'll quote a line from a song by John Lennon.

"God is a concept by which we measure our pain".

(Yeah! It got me thinking too......)

~ Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother "NOT Exerting Vigorously")