These are private gated communities! I know because I'VE SEEN THEM MYSELF! There are public streets, and then are the gated communities. I don't think these people in Boston know what these neighborhoods look like. They are meant to keep out those that do not live in the community. If a JW lives in one of these gated communities, then let him bring his friends over to preach there. But if they don't, why should they have access? It just makes no sense.
losingit
JoinedPosts by losingit
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JWs win constitutional challenge in Puerto Rico
by behemot ina federal appeals court in boston ruled monday that a puerto rican law intended to keep neighborhoods safe from crime has been used to interfere in the rights of free speech of jehovah's witnesses.jehovah's witnesses in puerto rico had claimed that laws enacted in 1987 effectively shut down the door to door ministry which the christian group is well known for.
the laws effectively authorized neighborhoods to deny citizens access to public residential streets by erecting walls and gates around them reported digital journal last year.
according to primera hora, the federal court ruled that the law should allow the 318 congregations of jehovah's witnesses in puerto rico to freely express their faith.
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what do you say when a jw asks if you are back?
by losingit ini thought i sent a goodbye message on fb to two jdubs that i used to hang out with.
it sounded like goodbye to me, without saying goodbye.
here's what i wrote:.
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losingit
One of the reasons why there is hesitation on my part is because I honestly meant that message as a goodbye. I didn't sit down to think how they might interpret it. If anything, I thought that they would ignore it! Really, most of the jws I deal with just *ignore* me any chance they get. You know, it's the whole shunning thing. I just wanted them to know that my door was open, if they cared at all. The question, "are you back??" completely caught me by surprise. So that's why I came on here....
By their rules, I am disfellowshipped. Even just typing those last 3 words made me feel ill. I AM NOT DISFELLOWSHIPPED! I remember telling my friends before the announcement that I still considered myself a Witness, that I still loved Jehovah, and that I never ever left him.
Since then, I have learned TTATT. Do I still consider myself a Witness? No. Do I still love Jehovah? I love God, our Creator. Jehovah, as Witnesses would have him be, he.... is not my God. Jehovah, as Witnesses would have him be, is an unloving, cruel god. I refuse to worship that god. And I will not.
I'm not at all concerned about whether or not I am propagating the negative image the WT imposes upon so-called "apostates." So that argument doesn't really win me over....
What did hit me, as far as the comments mentioned, is the question of being truthful to my friends. It hurts to be rejected, it really does. I had a really really rough September missing my friends, missing how life "used to be" and wishing I could go back to it all. I stepped away from FB so that I could figure out what I wanted to do. Seeing pictures of my friends in gatherings that I could no longer attend, reading posts of friends who shun me... it's hard to deal with. When I finally got on FB, I decided that I would begin the process of "unfriending" any JWs on my friends list. Another step towards moving on.
So, her response to my "goodbye".... It seemed like an opportunity to keep the friendship. But it requires lying. And I don't want to lie to my friends... even if they are shunning me.
I don't know what I am going to write yet. Probably something along these lines.... I still love God, and that I have not left Him. Am I back to the meetings? As a Witness? No, my heart could not bear being shunned by people I called my dear friends. Entering the KH just hurt me too much. I am still the same person, the same chick from XXXX that wants to do the right thing. If you want to hang out on those terms, that I would be more than happy. I suspect that you will choose not to. Just know that it was the shunning that caused me to leave the organization.
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what do you say when a jw asks if you are back?
by losingit ini thought i sent a goodbye message on fb to two jdubs that i used to hang out with.
it sounded like goodbye to me, without saying goodbye.
here's what i wrote:.
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losingit
Just got back in from work. Will respond soon. Various points I want to address.
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disfellowshipping and Steve Hassan
by losingit inhe writes, "a person who actively participates in his own punishment will come to believe he deserves it.
my question: if i actively participate in my own disfellowshipping byfollowing along with the practice of shunning (not greeting, not raising hand at meeting to comment, showing up to go out in service, no conversations at all with jws) does that effectively men that i condone and accept the punishment rendered by the elders?
wht constitutes acceptance of that punishment?
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losingit
Thank you Adam! I am looking forward to the day when shunning and all other WT shenanigans are so far away, I can't even see them in my rear view mirror. This forum is definitely helping me in reaching that goal... :-)
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what do you say when a jw asks if you are back?
by losingit ini thought i sent a goodbye message on fb to two jdubs that i used to hang out with.
it sounded like goodbye to me, without saying goodbye.
here's what i wrote:.
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losingit
Here's my thing ShirleyW-- why do I need to play by their rules? Let them play by theirs. I was speaking as my genuine self when I wrote those words. The JW me used to hide from people when I saw them in public. It honestly was a goodby back then. I used to cry and weep over it. So, I decided to change my mentality. I said to myself, "I am no longer in time out. I am no longer disfellowshipped." With that, I became a happier person because I was free from the spiritual abuse. Now when I see a dub, I'm all smiles and greet them happily! I'm not changing me anymore. I like me.
I like your response, jgnat! And I think I'm going to add, "I'm not disfellowshipped anymore." With a big ol' smiley face. Let them do the investigating if they need to... Although, after talking to my man, I could be opening up another can of worms. Ahhhh these jws! Gotta love their sick twisted minds smh
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what do you say when a jw asks if you are back?
by losingit ini thought i sent a goodbye message on fb to two jdubs that i used to hang out with.
it sounded like goodbye to me, without saying goodbye.
here's what i wrote:.
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losingit
I thought I sent a goodbye message on FB to two jdubs that I used to hang out with. It sounded like goodbye to me, without saying goodbye. Here's what I wrote:
"If you ever want to get in contact with me for any reason, you know where I am at. I still would like to have our kids play together again and have you guys over for dinner at my new place. Up to you if that happens. Much love, Losingit"
Anyways, she writes back-- "are you back??"
I don't consider myself disfellowshipped anymore. So? What do I write back? LOL Funny predicament :-)
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Yearly Text; Suggested Ammendment
by iclone init was announced at this years general meeting that the new years text is let your kingdom come.
matt 6:10 .
the speaker clearly sounded vexed as he went on to say and why not as 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of christs heavenly reign.
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losingit
Prologos-- LOL!!! those suggestions are absolutely hysterical
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disfellowshipping and Steve Hassan
by losingit inhe writes, "a person who actively participates in his own punishment will come to believe he deserves it.
my question: if i actively participate in my own disfellowshipping byfollowing along with the practice of shunning (not greeting, not raising hand at meeting to comment, showing up to go out in service, no conversations at all with jws) does that effectively men that i condone and accept the punishment rendered by the elders?
wht constitutes acceptance of that punishment?
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losingit
Thanks ILTATT! My reaction was instantaneous, so I know it was real. Definite progress in getting rid of those WT shackles :-)
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tell me not to cry...
by losingit inafter more than a month of not attending the meetings, my girls will be returning to the meeting tomorrow.
their father is taking them.
i was so happy because my girls were free from the boredom, drudgery and mind control inflicted upon those that attend.
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losingit
I am assuming you still believe in God. You have been given some great advice here, and I'd like to suggest something as well. Find a church that you like, ask to meet with the clergy there, and explain the situation as best as you can, including what your beliefs are now. Ask them to help you with perhaps some Bible study for your children to debunk the watchtower falsehoods? They should be able to guide you. You will get through this, but I'm so sorry for the heartache you are going through now.
Ruderedhead-- yes, I still do believe in God. I cannot accept that there is not a Creator. And I want to worship Him. The lies taught by the WTS have scared me to pieces, and I just don't know if I trust any organized religion. I do miss being a part of a spiritual community. I appreciate your suggestion, and it is one that I will most likely follow.
And, btw, my children have not been to a meeting in about a month. It turned out that he stopped taking them right after I wrote this post.
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after sending him a Fb message to be a *true*brother to his brother, my BIL BLOCKED ME!
by losingit ini'm absolutely furious about it!
no message, just deletes me from his friends list-- which is fine.... but i can't even *message* him.
funny, the bum of a bil just had his district convention in his home country, which he attended with his mother and father.
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losingit
Watchtower-Free... So tempted to put this on my fb wall! LOL