so my family has obviously been noticing over the past several months that i've been missing meetings and fs.
i've had excuses sometimes, but not others, so my parents are definitely getting that this is more than a long bout of illnesses or fatigue.
i just received an email invitation to join them in service this weekend.
Why does a family invitation have to be about field service? Could you turn the tables on them by saying sorry I want be able to join you for field service, but please stop by later in the evening for (whatever you prepare), I would love to see you and visit for a while....
Then if they press for why you can't go in service you can express the doubts you have of other things mentioned by others already.
so ever since they discontinues the food service at the assemblies and dcs, jws have been "lovingly encouraged" to pack a light lunch to eat.
the secretary at the hall that i am held hostage in said during the service meeting that even a sub would be too heavy to eat, and that a light salad was the best option.
what do you fine people think is the real reason why, in the absence of food service, jws are told to not leave the building at lunch?
It's all about MONEY. You go out to eat, you are not as inclined to put MONEY in the contribution boxes. Pack a cheap lunch and stay at the convention and have to look at all the contribution boxes for 1 1/2 hours.
By the way, local vendors are ticked that they cannot open during a WT convention.
i don't even know where to start.. more than anything, i'd like to say that i am not a woman of vengeance.
i am very much a forgiving person.
if you say "i'm sorry," and you're genuine, i can move on from it quickly and easily.
Oh wow losingit. I feel it through your words. I was also one of them, those men appointed who didn't know much of anything related to other people's lives..."clearly a bunch of incompetent men who are put in positions of authority with no real knowledge of how to counsel people, essentially hungry for power." You are rightfully angry about that.
I like some of the comments here that speak to living a good life being the best revenge. JWs expect that when we leave we become drug and sex craved maniacs. Not so. But life out is so so nice.
told on me of course.
apparently, the other jw thought he was kidding.. i just said, you tell on me and take my family from me, we are done.
we will get a divorce and you will lose me, your home, and more then likely won't get to see your kids everyday the way you get to now.
I am not one to suggest what other folks ought to do, after doing so for 32 years as a JW, but I do have an emptiness from not celebrating holidays. There are no time markers or special memories of birthdays, Easters or Christmases. Just summer assemblies long forgotten. I say make occasions for your kids to remember.
"we should be mindful".
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
A "get together" and "a gathering." I found out after leaving that this is the same thing everyone else calls a party.
And "the time left is reduced."
i have served 20 years as an elder, 5 years as an ms. was on the district committee in 2010, held various positions on the district , circuit, and rbc level.
probably been on more than 100 judicial committees and even an appeals committee.
was the coordinator in our congregation and deleted because adult child was df ( i kicked him out at the time of his wrongdoing, but that wasn't enough for thr brothers).
Hi James, and welcome. You will find many understanding and supportive people here. Some, like me, left the organization entirely. Others still attend meetings but are aware that the org is not all it claims to be.
I was also an elder for 13 years and on the Circuit/District programs frequently. I have not been to a meeting since October 2000, almost 13 years. I don't mind saying that the WT org is a fraud and fake and it has been since its inception. But, I believe that each person has to find their own way and make their own decisions. I have a friend who just got baptized.
I am really curious about your "read" on the organization currently. Could you share? Are the publishers still blindly accepting everything in The Watchtower? Is there enthusiasm for "the new system just around the corner"? Bob in NC
the elders want to meet with me.
at least that's what they keep telling me, and they've been saying it for more than a month and a half now.
just so you're clear: this is a judicial committee.
Sounds like they are testing your humility, your contrition, and your being cut to the heart over your sin. If you become indignant with their delays, then it will prove otherwise....to them anyway. On the other hand, maybe they are busy with Convention season and a bunch of defecting elders?
Bob in NC
i was doing some research on the subject of beliefs and belief systems when i came across an on-line survey/test that supposedly helps you determine which religion or philosophy is most like your current beliefs.
if you're curious, you can take the quiz here: belief system selector quizafter answering the 20 questions the results were spit out!
tada!!!.
I loved reading y'alls results. There seems to be a pattern among former JWs. My results, 0% JW after spending 32 years of my life there. hahaha!!
1. Unitarian Universalism (100 %) 2. Secular Humanism (98 %)
26. Seventh Day Adventist (7 %) 27. Jehovahs Witness (0 %)
when i got home today from work my wife showed me a 5 page letter from our oldest son.
he basically said he does not what anything to do with us because of all the wrong things we did as parents to him and his brother.
he blames us for not being there for him and we are toxic parents.
TotallyADD...hugs to you and your wife. Your reply was very good. No bitterness. Your son should notice that you make no excuses and do not try to justify anything. By the way, my older brother vented on my parents some years ago. He continues to be a good JW.
I like jgnat's advice. Do cry with your wife if you feel the need. Share this, as bad as it might feel. And, maybe your son needs to be mad and hurt for a while to sort this out for himself. Just be there as you are able.
Bob
i was listening to the horrible news about the tornado damage in oklahoma, and especially about the elementary school that collapsed and the kids that are feared to be trapped.
so this 72 year-old man was interviewed.
he said he wasn't afraid and had told his wife that the lord would protect them.
Este, It is the arrogance of "See me. I am fine. The Lord protecteth me and mine."
But let us say that GOD acted in this man's behalf. Very good indeed. What does that tell us about a GOD that lets the storm rage on most and protects a few here and there?
