Posts by GrreatTeacher

17

JW Religion same as Stock Market/Gambling (Concept)

by Da.Furious in

for the last few days i was discussing with a colleague of mine at work about the stock market and how some people, even when losing money, they will hold onto their shares because someone said they will rise again.

this may lead to lost opportunities or even losing all their money instead of de-risking and offsetting loses by buying another stock, in other word jumping ship.. this got me thinking about jws (knowing that i am still in).

took one step back and looked at our family and what we have done by sticking to this religion.

GrreatTeacher

Yes, not planning for retirement can be devastating. But, there were plenty of Witnesses who did, who owned their own businesses and it seemed like those were the big shots in the circuits. Money still talks in "Jehovah's Organization."

Thank goodness my father fully funded his retirement. He did not grow up in the religion or with secure finances, so he had an urgency to provide for himself and my mother in their golden years. When he retired a few years ago, he had just as much income as while he was still working. A really smart guy. He could've done so much more...

Love you, Daddy!

27

If I win the lottery

by eyeuse2badub in

i haven't yet won the state lottery but i purchased a lottery ticket last night.

if i win the lottery, it's $150 million.. if i win, my name is publicly announced and of course my picture gets into the news.

i will probably get df'ed.. however, will the wtbts accept a hefty "donation' from my 'lucky' winnings?

GrreatTeacher

Yes, Bugslife, but you must tell them where it came from.

You know, write an old-fashioned check and put on the memo line: Proceeds from state lottery winnings.

That would be an interesting conundrum.

9

Could Have Been Worse

by Perry in

jw
friends

leah rimini spent a lot of money before she ditched her cult: .

over the years she says she spent about $2 million for services and training courses and made another $3 million in donations.

among her expenses was $40,000 to compensate scientology for sandwiches... article.

GrreatTeacher

Geez, I hope they were some super delicious sandwiches at $40,000!

25

Long Story of my Life/Experience

by GrownMidget in

also, my wife has come to her limits of understanding me about the witnesses related grief i have been having.

she has told me many times to stop reading the ex-witness sites because i get depressed and become angry, which sadly is true.

it's not very productive to be sad throughout the entire day and then shout at your wife for the reason she has no first hand experience about, therefore how could she possibly know and help?

GrreatTeacher

Welcome, GrownMidget!

Well, I don't know whether the mental illness comes first and then people are attracted to the religion for stability or the religion causes mental illness. But, I do know there is a lot of mental illness in the JWs.

In my case, there is mental illness in non JW family members. This created a chaotic environment which drew my parent to the religion. But, mental health issues are not cured by religion! So, things were bad in my childhood.

I have also spent time in a psychiatric hospital, but I'm doing very well now. I am glad you were able to get mental health care. I'm in the US and it is very, very expensive. As I read your story I kept thinking, 'How can he afford to keep going to the hospital?' Even with health insurance, my hospitalization cost us a lot of money. It is a constant source of stress for me worrying about getting sick again and being able to afford care. You are so lucky to be able to get all that mental health care! I hope you are still getting after-care and counseling! You need to do it to stay sane. Please make it a priority for yourself!

I, too, grew up as a JW, but I left at age 19. I was disfellowshipped and then reinstated, but immediately quit. I just couldn't imagine living the JW life as an adult. I decided I'd rather be dead than live in paradise with those people!

Then I met my husband and we have been happy together for over 2 decades! It's funny that the story is the same whether in my generation or Giordano's generation or your generation. Find the love of a great partner and life opens up for you!

Best wishes!

27

If I win the lottery

by eyeuse2badub in

i haven't yet won the state lottery but i purchased a lottery ticket last night.

if i win the lottery, it's $150 million.. if i win, my name is publicly announced and of course my picture gets into the news.

i will probably get df'ed.. however, will the wtbts accept a hefty "donation' from my 'lucky' winnings?

GrreatTeacher

Why not make it two cents, VI? Just for the symbolism!

27

If I win the lottery

by eyeuse2badub in

i haven't yet won the state lottery but i purchased a lottery ticket last night.

if i win the lottery, it's $150 million.. if i win, my name is publicly announced and of course my picture gets into the news.

i will probably get df'ed.. however, will the wtbts accept a hefty "donation' from my 'lucky' winnings?

GrreatTeacher

I live in one of those 'you can stay anonymous' states, but I would totally come forward and have my name and face plastered everywhere.

37

Do You Think 10% Tithing is Coming?

by xjwsrock in

firstly, there are cash flow problems in wt town.

i don't think it's necessary to list all the cutbacks and layoffs, but there have been many.. their thirst for money seems higher too in my opinion.

more entitled may be a better way of putting it.

GrreatTeacher

I think that a 10% tithe would never happen. In fact, they could use that as an example of tge heavy handedness of the churches of Christendom.

However, they could point out that regular, planned giving could help the society plan in advance for expansion and also lovingly help the brothers to fit donations into their budget.

Once a year, just sit down and "count the cost" and make a pledge for monthly giving based on what they could afford. Each household would be given a form with their pledge amount declared and sent back to the congregation to keep on record. They could even be given sealable envelopes so the donations would be able to be tracked to the family.

This has the advantage of still feeling the amount is voluntary to the JW and for the Org, they get pledged donations on a regular basis.

This is exactly how my MILs Catholic church does it, down to the "anonymous" envelopes.

And this could all be spun as a loving blessing from Jehovah.

10%, no. Planned, regular donations, yes, I can see that coming.

183

JWs have more good points than bad

by lsw1961 in

1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).

2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.

this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.

GrreatTeacher

Welcome, lsw.

Firstly, I must congratulate you on your excellent spelling grammar. Unfortunately, many of the JWs that post here have atrocious spelling and grammar, so it was refreshing to read your very easy to read post.

Secondly, you were able to support your thesis that 'the good outweighs the bad' with many supporting arguments. I'm not saying that I agree with them, but you show you know that just spouting platitudes with no attempt to justify them is useless.

Thirdly, you did not post and run! This is something so many JWs do and it is so frustrating. This community is willing to embrace newcomers and have great, intellectual conversations. But, we can't do it one-sided.

So, I extend my welcome again and look forward to your contributions.

My question for you is this: how much leaven will you tolerate in a loaf before you decide it is no longer acceptable?

48

Retirement Planning for ex-JW's

by Simon in

this is something i think about a lot, possibly because i'm just getting older.

it seems that not only should i finally one day decide what i want to do with my life, but i should also be planning for retirement.. hands up everyone who feels their future has been royally screwed by the wts experience?.

if you were a good jw and followed the wts advice you could well be finding yourself facing middle or even old age without much or anything put aside in retirement savings.

GrreatTeacher

Oh, almost forgot. If you have investments that wil automatically rebalance themselves, definitely sign up for that option.

We have a fund that we keep 80% stocks and 20% bonds. If one sector or the other is making more money and we're too heavy in either category, it automatically reinvests the entire amount with the appropriate split.

This manages your risk and does it for you automatically.

I believe in automaticity. It makes your finances lazy-proof.

48

Retirement Planning for ex-JW's

by Simon in

this is something i think about a lot, possibly because i'm just getting older.

it seems that not only should i finally one day decide what i want to do with my life, but i should also be planning for retirement.. hands up everyone who feels their future has been royally screwed by the wts experience?.

if you were a good jw and followed the wts advice you could well be finding yourself facing middle or even old age without much or anything put aside in retirement savings.

GrreatTeacher

Have your savings automatically deducted from your paycheck so you never even think of it as money to spend. My husband has always diverted 6% of his income to his 401k. That's the max they provide a match for (88%). We've never missed that money because we haven't had to move it anywhere. It's always been automatic. Now, we've finally got 6 digits saved for retirement!

Also, in addition to life insurance, consider disability insurance, especially if you do physical labor. The likelihood of being disabled is shockingly high. If it happens at work, you will be covered, but if it doesn't, you are faced with a devastating possibility of not being able to work and support yourself. Our policy covers 50% of my husband's income for up to two years and it's very inexpensive. And, yes, my husband has hurt himself. His body is pretty beat up from 25 years of physical labor.

Good advice, all. We have done pretty well except I graduated from college with lots of student debt right after the economy melted down and have not found a good, permanent job. So, student loans are killing our financial health right now.