((hugs)) May you find peace and comfort in the arms and hearts of your friends. I am sorry for your deep loss.
outbackaussie
JoinedPosts by outbackaussie
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109
Hubby passed away this morning...
by Golden Girl ini want to thank all those that helped and encouraged me in my hard times!..hubby passed away from his cancer this morning.
i am so sad my heart is broken.
we decided to go ahead and have a memorial for him this weekend at the kingdom hall he went to.
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25
Is the term "sheep" offensive to you?
by pr_capone ini was thinking about this the other day.
the society likes to call all those who follow their teachings "sheep" or "sheep like ones".
how offensive is that?!?!
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outbackaussie
It does carry some rather negative conotations...but you need to remember that the alternative is to be a goat, which historically carries worse ones.
I myself, prefer to think of my self as an automonous human with the ability to reason for myself and take responsibility for my actions ;) baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa humbug
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The Reinstatement Process & How It Works
by minimus inpreviously, we considered what might go on at a judicial meeting.now, let's see what the reinstatement process entails.
let's use the example of fornication.
you have been disfellowshipped for this sin and now you want to seek reinstatement.
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outbackaussie
Well, I talked alittle of my reinstatement experience on another thread. It is very draining, you can expect to be an emotional wreck. The duality of the emotions is staggering...you want to prove you are repentant and worthy...and yet be humble and acknowledge that only by Grace is this forgiveness available to you.
I had been DF for unclean conduct and lying, I had dated a wordly guy and lied to my mother about it. I didn't commit fornication and while some pretty "heavy petting" went on LOL it was probably no worse than any other witness kid was doing after the saturday session at a DC. I eventually married the worldly guy and then spent the next 6 months going to meetings, in tears mostly, "doing the time".
My reinstatement didn't engender great feelings of welcome and forgiveness though. I was placed in the spiritual care of a pioneer sister, who was to study with me and help me regain my spiritual strength. I remember going out in field service the first time after being reinstated, it was eerie. I had been so zealous before the DF and now I was practically stammering. I still felt totally unworthy of forgiveness from Jehovah, I really carried alot of guilt that now I realise was such a great burden for one so young. After my field service experience, I had my first study with Sister M. We chatted guardedly about the need to be open to Jehovah's spirit and that he would help me find my feet again. But then the killer blow..."still Tiffany, I wouldn't be surprised if you don't make it through Armageddon, you have left it too late to repent and prove your love for Jehovah". Yesm they were her words, and they were the last ones she spoke to me. I never went back...to her, the Kingdom Hall, to any of it.
It still took me alot of time to reconcile my experience and feelings, and to find some peace. Gladly, I can say that I am happy now and free from negativity or angst. But it doesn't erase the memory and if my telling what happened to me helps another in a similar circumstance then I will be happier for it.
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The proper time
by Gig inon saturday i had a full on, hate to say it, arguement with my jw friend.
i'm ashamed to say i lost patience and said many things i have previously avoided - knowing it would be too much for them, especially so much at once.. anyway, i know they went to sunday's meeting, so who's food was at the proper time?
mine or theirs?
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outbackaussie
(((Gig))) I am sure that was really tough, but you made me smile with your chicken soup/sh*t analogy...it's so appropriate somehow!
I can't help with details on what was on at the meeting, I don't go. Hope it all works out well for you and your friend.
Regards
Tiffany
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108
Why is the Bible wrong?
by StinkyPantz inthis primarily goes out to other agnostics and athiests.
this week i got into two interesting conversations that i will admit that i was ill prepared for.
one was with a jw friend of mine who wanted to know why i thought jw's were wrong.
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outbackaussie
Well, for me it all hangs on needing faith...I just can't accept that anymore. Such important things as these should never be left hanging on a thread as weak as "just have faith".
The bible is all fine and dandy so long as you have faith...if you don't, well it is just fables and history and some rambling about beasts, heads, horns and whores. IMO of course ;)
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What REALLY Happens During A Judicial Meeting
by minimus inyou're in front of 3 elders and are being asked all types of questions.
you are afraid that you might get disfellowshipped.
the elders tell you that you must speak the truth, since jehovah hears all and since jehovah hates a liar.
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outbackaussie
hmmmm and I always thought they were selected by Jehovah and guided by holy spirit....not exactly volunteers. But if it gets you a good defence in court, then call it whatever you like *insert cynical smiley here*
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39
What REALLY Happens During A Judicial Meeting
by minimus inyou're in front of 3 elders and are being asked all types of questions.
you are afraid that you might get disfellowshipped.
the elders tell you that you must speak the truth, since jehovah hears all and since jehovah hates a liar.
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outbackaussie
It is a rather intense experience, isn't it? And quite alot for a 17 year old to cope with. With hindsight I still can't believe such young people as I was were subject to such unloving and accusatorial behaviour...by people who have been considered your father figures and dearest friends.
And the reinstatement meeting isn't much better...months of feeling isolated and worthless whittle your self esteem to zero. Then you have to show at the same time how you have repented of your earlier sin (if indeed there was one) and still are humble yet eager to rejoin the flock. And have 3 middle aged men grill you repeatedly over details of your sexlife "do you engage in unclean acts with your husband?" "have you indulged in oral sex? anal sex? partner sharing?". OMG I was 18 and newlywed, having been raised in the borg...I was a prude! But still they wanted to hear me say it "no Bro X, I dont perform fellatio on my husband, I have a stop sign tattooed on my butt, and I don't engage in menage-a-tois (at least I dont think so, I am blindfolded and handcuffed to the bed LMAO). Seriously, it is sad that even when trying to return to your family and friends you are cheapened and vilified before you even get to first base. Then when you finally get the nod and your return to the fold is announced, you get to endure all the false smiles and hypocritical welcome-backs from sisters who gossiped that you fell pregnant (not) and brothers who knew they had tried to hit on you and were scared that you'd dobbed them in so never spoke to you again.
Ahhhh what a loving, upbuilding, wholesome place to be....wish I was there NOT.
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Ozzie's Weekend Poll #35
by ozziepost inahh, poll number 35 today!
sounds like middle age doesn't it?
so how's your weekend going?
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outbackaussie
Poor me, I was a (b). Definitely the overzealous teen pioneer wannabe. Got accepted to aux when I was 16. Did about 6 months. It was just what I thought I was supposed to do.
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11
Are you in your ideal religion? *fluff*
by outbackaussie in.
i did this survey from a link on another parenting website i visit...and have been lmao since.
my ideal religion is no surprise to me but i am lmao at my least suited:.
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outbackaussie
I did this survey from a link on another parenting website I visit...and have been LMAO since. My ideal religion is no surprise to me but I am LMAO at my least suited:
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4
Warm and fuzzy
by outbackaussie intoday i was blessed with the joy of having a person ring me to see how i was doing....purely because i hadn't been posting and they were worried about me.
kelpie, that was just the nicest thing and i spent the rest of the day feeling fantastic.
yep our very own kelps took the time to look up my listed number and give me a call :) it was great to talk to a net buddy and hear her voice (and it is a very sweet voice indeed) and i just wish i'd had more time to chat.
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outbackaussie
Today I was blessed with the joy of having a person ring me to see how I was doing....purely because I hadn't been posting and they were worried about me. Kelpie, that was just the nicest thing and I spent the rest of the day feeling fantastic. Yep our very own Kelps took the time to look up my listed number and give me a call :) It was great to talk to a net buddy and hear her voice (and it is a very sweet voice indeed) and I just wish I'd had more time to chat.
So Kelpie...thankyou for thinking of me today and making my day just that bit brighter for having had you be a part of it.