Posts by core

41

Emotional Terrorism.

by Englishman in

jw
friends

sirona's thread about bullying got me thinking.

there's another type of bullying, which, imho, can be far worse.

i'm talking about psychological bullying, where fear of a persons hysterical reaction forces us to act in manner that fits in with what the person wants.

Membership of the WT can cause individuals to become emotional blackmailers - also the high number of JWs with "unusual" illnesses, after Awake articles on these - when an elder it was a nightmare for me dealing with some who revelled in illness, emotional trauma and generally enjoyed playing on their "victim" status. Manys the time when an issue arose and it fell to me to sort it out that I dreaded the "confrontation" - as thats what it would become - as the individual concerned played all the organ stops for the "no on cares - I need special attention - this cant apply to me" etc etc At Assembly times the DEMANDS for special treatment re seats, car parking etc made MY life a misery as the emotional blackmailers turned on all the taps to twist the knife - they seemed not to be disturbed by anything - they were largely self-centred individuals with only one focus - themselves. When I was unable to give them the special treatment they wanted then boy did they make my life misery.

Wish I had read all the earlier posts years ago when I had to deal with this sort of thing - thannk God I dont have to anymoer.

27

Where Can I Buy this Forum?

by yashika in

jw
friends

can i buy this forum?.

core

It is all XML / XLST based with all the topic content being stored in XML files and the other meta-data in SQL Server.
It's writtern in .Net and designed to be very very scaleable - it uses raw HttpHandlers instead of the page model for that extra bit of 'kick' and lots of data and output caching.
It has quite a few unique features around the security which is all role-based and very granular

Now that I know that I feel much better - can go to work with a happy heart - what the hell it means I have not got a clue - .net - thought nets were used in Football or Fishing - raw HttpHandlers - why are the poor things raw? What have you been doing to them? reminds me of my mothers best china - only used on Sundays - is this the same for XML/XLST - is it the Wedgewood of coding?

25

Apostate organizations, will they take down the religion?

by spiritwalker in

jw
friends

one of the main themes i have noticed to former jehovah?s witnesses boards, is the mentioning of apostate jehovah?s witness organizations and publications.

while i realize the reason behind these organizations, i also see them as far less powerful then many would like to think.

not that their efforts are wasted, as i know many take a lot of passion and time to their work.

core

From what I see/read most posters here are independent and not in any collective or group or organised in any opposition to the WT.

Any groups that do exist to oppose vigorously the WT (and I am sure that such exists) will have little impact on their target as such acts of opposition are used by the WT to "prove" Satanic opposition and therefore Jehovahs Blessing.

The WT will continue to mislead for decades yet - each new convert knows little of the past promises, sorry failures, in WT land and provide fertile ground for the Organisation to continue - what WILL have an impact - not on those being attracted to, but on thinking members, of the WT, is the Internet and the availability of comment, information, criticism etc which will aid individuals to determine the correctness or otherwise of what they are led to believe. Fanatic organised opposition will, in my opinion, strengthen the WTs hand and make many honest hearted ones turn away from looking for themselves at calm, moderate detail which cannot be dismissed as "Satanic Opposition" as such will be all categorised by the WT as "WICKED APOSTATES"

25

What Makes Living Worth It?

by shamus in

what makes you alive in spirit?

what makes life worth living?

what is it that you do that makes life all worth it?.

core

When Grandchildren burst through the front door full of energy on a grey, drab, November day then I know life is worth living.

63

Is Michael Jackson Guilty?

by shamus in

be nice on this thread, please!

i don't want to see it get locked b/c of some people!.

do you think he's guilty?

core

Looks like a Jury will decide the question - if he has had "many" boys stay in what appear unusual circumstances to most people it seems strange that no one has come forward to complain before, ((apart from the incident 10 years ago)) or to try to make financial capital out of the situation, looks like he is his own worst enemy but deserves a fair trial, if it comes to that, with a jury hearing the evidence before making a decision

12

How My Experience As An Elder Affects Me And You

by minimus in

jw
friends

i've noticed a positive trend going on here lately.

ex-elders, ex-bethelites, ex-servants and ex-pioneers are being less attacked.

there was a time that all one had to say was that they were an elder while active witnesses, and the result was a verbal stoning.

core

Jerk elders are unlikely to leave as they relsih the position they hold inside the WT which they can never hope to match on the outside - most elders were not evil, many were pretty ruthless hard-liners, but many tried to put people first - tried that myself and got regularly "flamed" from other elders for being too tolerant - yes some ex ??? have had criticisms here but I had a far harder time as an elder than I do now - oh sweet freedom I bless it every day without having to read more letters from the branch, listen to other elders whinge and moan, take absolute hell from pathetic circuit overseers - any flaming going on here is as nothing to that

At time I miss being an elder - not for the power or whatever but because I did think we were there to help - it did take up so much of our lives that adjusting is a long process - leaving the WTT is like radical surgery but the scars and internal damage take a very long time ot get over.

As to effect on me of being an elder - I think that for many of us it helped introduce humility, modest and patience into our personalities - yes I know some are choking at that but I really believe that for some it was not just words but it reached the heart.

132

1 In 3 Britons Think Bush Is Stupid Says Poll

by minimus in

i wonder why???

?

core

9 and 10 Americans remember we kicked the Britain's butt in 1776 and won our freedom. Which means, 10 and 10 Americans do not have to care what a Britain thinks.

Actually it's the "British" butt - delighted to know that Americans do not have to care what the British think as the feeling is more than mutual - (remember you are the land of the WTBTS) - pity since 1776 your record on Freedom is not that hot but then you do have some great achievements...the Big Mac.........and.............

BTW only joking - because your President is not flavour of the month here has nothing to do with the affection we have for your country and people -

132

1 In 3 Britons Think Bush Is Stupid Says Poll

by minimus in

i wonder why???

?

core

I just hope that people see that these demonstrations are not representative of the opinions of most Brits.

Without a referendum we will never know if that is true - what is true is that a lot (a majority or a minority I do not know) are not happy with the Bush visit and the Bush Blair axis. As a guest Bush should be treated with respect, with opportunity for those who oppose his actions to voice that in a non-violent manner. The fact that many Americans are surprised at the groundswell of unease re the visit is hardly surprising - the average american news source has little of what happens outside the US - the view within America appears to be that we all love them - we dont - worldwide the US is probably now more unpopular than at any time in its history. £50m is spoken of as the cost of his visit re the security - what a waste of money.

It is offensive to label Bush as stupid - he has different views to me but is articulate and holds an MBA - he is not a fool.

44

Should Bush Make His STATE Visit To The UK Next Week?

by Englishman in

jw
friends

note that i'm talking about a state visit, not your run-of-the-mill political scenario.. state visits from visiting presidents, kings and queens involve open-top parades through pall mall next to queen lizzie in an open landau, several nights in the best suite at buckingham palace, soldiers and guardsmen in full regalia and banquets galore until the excellent food pops out your ears.

that's a state visit.

i don't think that we've had a full state visit from a us president since jfk.. now, our good friend george dubya is expected for a state visit next week.

core

If I say I don't like the idea of lefties giving Bush a hard time, how does that give you the right to assume that I am a "rightie"?
FYI, I'm fairly central in my political view and I do uphold the right of the people to protest. I just hope that the protests are done in a dignified manner and not merely as a publicity seeking device that will reflect badly on our country.

Never made an assumption that you are a "rightie" - however it sems you have made one that all protesters are "lefties"

Why demonstrators who protest will reflect on the country is unclear to me - certainly some will try (as with most things) to hijack reasonable actions to serve sinister ends - protesting in a dignified manner is what I hope we see - many who do protest will be from across the political spectrum - not just the "left" (is there a left in UK today?) lots of people are appalled at the warmongering of the Bush/Blair Axis - who is next on the list?

Bush fighting his election soon so the visit is out of all bounds of normal protocol (Foreign Secretary Straw on Today programme made a complete pratt of himself defending the status of visit as a "State" one as against a "head of state visit" as JFK etc made.) as he will use it (and has apparently said he will as reported by the BBC) to make political capital in the US. Why we should serve his ends is something I cannot see.

What aim/body/purpose would be seeking publicity by inappropriate protesting - I would think that subversive elements would (and often do) try to turn fair and reasonable protest into blood letting - who these are I can only guess -

Englishman - delighted that you are middle of the road in poilitics - please don't assume that because I am opposed to Bush & his visit this makes me a "leftie" - far from the truth as I am a card carrying fan of the great Iron Lady.

Hope I did not offend you in my post but the loss of life / lack of WMD etc etc etc has just convinced me that I should start the Cynics Party in the UK as most of those I talk to are not deceived bythe lies of politicians (of all colours) and most of those I talk to see the recent "war" as an act of US aggression.Yes I hope for dignified protest - I also hope for a world in which no nation acts to defend its own interests using pretexts and ruses which twist & turn in the winds of time. I also hope for a world in which those with opposing views are not categorised as "lefties" - as if in some way insane or unclean (or "righties" for that matter) - I await (for a long time no doubt) some US action against the situation in Burma - in which free speech etc is stifled - the list of suitable places is long - not all of them have Oil however and as the man once said re Iraq - "if they just grew cabbages then no one would have invaded"

44

Should Bush Make His STATE Visit To The UK Next Week?

by Englishman in

jw
friends

note that i'm talking about a state visit, not your run-of-the-mill political scenario.. state visits from visiting presidents, kings and queens involve open-top parades through pall mall next to queen lizzie in an open landau, several nights in the best suite at buckingham palace, soldiers and guardsmen in full regalia and banquets galore until the excellent food pops out your ears.

that's a state visit.

i don't think that we've had a full state visit from a us president since jfk.. now, our good friend george dubya is expected for a state visit next week.

core

I really hope that the lefties don't let us down when he arrives. I really do.

Sorry Englishman - not all who appreciate freedom, integrity & honesty are "righties" - this man is a war criminal in the eyes of many (by the way - is he bringing proof of the WMD by any chance, or just his ego?) Why should he be treated with anything other than what he deserves - contempt and ridicule - what would you have people do - fawn over this man? Frankly your comments indicate a serious flaw in your judgement - free speech has been won in this country - not given - objection to such as Bush is a right you should be proud to uphold - or are only "righties" allowed to demonstrate?

BTW the last state visit from a US president was over 60 years ago

BTW2 the ruling english family is Windsor not Hanover