i've been thinking about esmerelda's post about her daughter being the flower girl of a jws wedding and not knowing about it.
then someone else posted about how they didn't know when their daughter got married.
(can't remember who...) it got me thinking...
Please send them. As a mother myself, I realize she is deeply torn between loyalty to the WTS and love for you.
You will be setting a true example of forgiveness and love. It may open the door to something; whether it is further hurt or unconditional love, only time will tell.
Rosemarie
i honestly want your answers to the following questions.
(i am trying to find out what jw's think on these things to determine what my parents may say in response if i ask them any of these)
question #1can individuals read & understand the bible alone, or do they need an organization and its publications to do so?
Thx, Snx. No, I didn't put that right. He was my husband at the time. He has long since departed for greener pastures...with a green card...lol..
Rosemarie
And, yes. I do.
i honestly want your answers to the following questions.
(i am trying to find out what jw's think on these things to determine what my parents may say in response if i ask them any of these)
question #1can individuals read & understand the bible alone, or do they need an organization and its publications to do so?
SOJ,
Thank you for the lovely sentiment. I do appreciate it...
BERYLBLUE:
I hope you feel better. You could just inform the elders in a nice way that you are not feeling good. If they are visiting you is because they care.
However, I'm confused. No elder has visited me...ever...well, that's not true, once after I was DF some elders came to invite me to the memorial, I was upstairs looking out the window and my husband didn't even tell me they were there, he didn't know I was watching, and he sent them away and by the time I got downstairs to talk to them they were gone. So I haven't seen an elder since I was DF..no one even knows where I live. I am just kind of lost and confused here on my own, trying to figure out what Jehovah wants me to do...it's heartbreakingly confusing, what with all I've learned about the WTS. But I do appreciate your kindness.
Rosemarie
example 1. ray franz was disfellowshipped for being seen eating a meal whilst sat at a table with a disfellowshipped person.
example 2. i was recently told by my customer's jw secretary that she was sorry but she could not make me a cup of tea because it was against her witness principles to drink / eat with a df'd person.
yet, i think i understand now what the scripture at 1 corinthians 5.
Mulan, that was a good example of how Witnesses stretch the rules to suit their own situation. I'm not saying these persons are wrong, but I remember when I was a Witness, that outright lying was condemned, but stretching the truth, or omiting certain parts of it, was more than acceptable. The stories mentioned in your post are excellent examples of how JWs do work their way around the rules. Again, I'm not condemning it. But most JWs will swear they are totally honest, and obey all the FDS' loving rules. Quite frankly, from my observation, many do not.
Rosemarie
i honestly want your answers to the following questions.
(i am trying to find out what jw's think on these things to determine what my parents may say in response if i ask them any of these)
question #1can individuals read & understand the bible alone, or do they need an organization and its publications to do so?
SOJ,
Again, just want to say while I truly respect your opinions, please keep in mind that many of us here have been very hurt by the WTS. Some of us do still believe in Jehovah, and are honestly confused. In my case, I am so depressed and stunned by what I've found out about the WTS that I am literally sickened; as I said in my first post here, I feel shocked and violated. For myself, I am still actively seeking the right way to worship the true God. I just can't see how Jehovah could whole heartedly support an organization guilty of such atrocities.
I may be as good as dead to you and other "good" Witnesses, but at this point in time, I just can't believe that a God of love will destroy me because an organization I believed in betrayed my trust in the worst possible way. As for what I am doing at this point in my life that is unscriptural, Jehovah most certainly knows that I am trying to rectify the situation. My fate I will leave in his hands. But it is not your place, or that of any other Witness, to judge me.
For myself, I just can't see where I am a worse person for being in a committed relationship without the benefit of a marriage license, than those who continue to mislead and abuse so many spiritually. You can say I'm blinded, and will die for believing the original lie ("You will not die"). And that's your comfort for persons like me who have been treated heartlessly by "God's" organization. In what way, shape or form is that loving???? I get to be thrown to Satan's wolves, but you honestly believe that the WTS, with its hands full of the blood of honest hearted ones, deserves your support and (obvious) affection?
I'm not making sense. Sorry. You hit a raw nerve with that one. But it is not you who has "shocked me to my senses". It was reading all the truth about the organization on this site as well as others that has shocked me to my senses...about whether or not God truly supports the WTS.
Rosemarie
Rosemarie
but i was so wrong!
my daughter just got home.
you all know i dressed her up, painted her nails, curled her hair, and sent her off to my favorite cousin's wedding.
Oh, Essie, this was lower than low..I am so sorry. Your anger is more than justified.
You are among friends. We do care. Write if you need.
i honestly want your answers to the following questions.
(i am trying to find out what jw's think on these things to determine what my parents may say in response if i ask them any of these)
question #1can individuals read & understand the bible alone, or do they need an organization and its publications to do so?
But what can we do? stone the writer to death?
SOJ, while I truly respect your opinions, this statement kind of made me cringe because I have a suspicion that you wouldn't have any problem with the thought of stoning me, an evil, fornicating, smoking apostate, to death, whereas you'd think it was fine to let a writer, whose words are read by millions, who has the ability to manipulate the minds, hearts and lives of these trusting people with his words, off the hook. Just think of some of the statements which have appeared in the WT over the years which have dictated the lives of honest hearted ones to their detriment. (Gang: HELP ME OUT HERE, PLEASE. I need examples and I can't think of a one... damned this stupid "illness I have...I just want it to go away.)
I not very eloquent; sorry. I'm no match for any one on this list as far as intelligence and the ability to debate articulately. I haven't even read the entire thread. But I did feel this line was very tellling. Do you really feel that those of us here deserve less mercy than the writers of the WT who have, in some cases, ruined lives with their unscriptural admonitions, such as shunning family members and the prohibition against blood? Maybe I'm over reacting; I'm very guilt of that. This just cut me to the heart. (And don't say it's supposed to, to shock me to my senses. Tough love does not cut it with me.)
Rosemarie
my brother whos dfd turned down a blood transfusion when he had an accident, its a good job he didnt seriously need it, although he did lose a lot of blood.
see the control this society has on people who havent questioned.
he hasnt thought any of it through and is still controlled by a lot of it subconsciously.
Hello,
I am so sorry to learn of your accident, but I am glad you made it through. Your determination to do what you think is right is under even the most terrible circumstances is commendable. I feel it is critical that we all do what we believe God wants us to do. At this moment in time, I am having a great deal of difficulty determining precisely what that may be.
As a DF witness (DF for smoking), I, too, want to do what I truly believe Jehovah wants me to do. Sometimes, it is so confusing. There are some things that occur among Jehovah's Witnesses that I perceive as very wrong. I am still thinking about these things; reading, thinking, discussing, processing (as I call it). I do so want to make the right choices in my life, as I'm sure you do as well.
If you would like to talk about your experiences, please email me. I know you will have some reluctance to correspond with a DF person, and I can understand that completely. However, perhaps we would be able to help one another.
Rosemarie
and i don't feel like doing anything at all.
does anyone else ever feel this way?.
guess i'll go listen to some al stewart.. rosemarie
felt like doing something once. But then it passed.
LOL...thanks, James. You always come through for me.
Rosemarie
and i don't feel like doing anything at all.
does anyone else ever feel this way?.
guess i'll go listen to some al stewart.. rosemarie
And some wench is outbidding me on ebay for the sexy naughty schoolgirl outfit....guess I'll have to go for the French Maid outfit.
