Posts by TheSilence

48

Dealing with elders during my mom's surgery

by noni1974 in

jw
friends

my mother has been working forwell over a year to have a gastric bypass and she finally got the ok from her doctor and insurance.

the date is set for this coming friday.

although, i'm not 100% sure this will happen because she was diagnosed with pneumonia and a partially collapsed lung this past week.

TheSilence

When my dad had a surgery that should have killed him and then made it through they sent an elder that he didn't know to visit him... I guess because it was too far (read 45 minutes) from his congregation and it would be too much trouble for the elders in his congregation to drive that far. Anywho, the elder didn't know any of us so aside from my dad he didn't know anyone's status or views. So he introduces himself by shaking my dad's hand, "Hello, I'm John Smith, you can call me John." Then he shakes my brother's hand, "John Smith, you can call me John." Then he shakes my hand, "John Smith, you can call me Brother Smith."

Now, I had a few options. I could think 'what a misogonystic fucking asshole' and then proceed to be pissed and give him a piece of my mind.

Or I could be respectful of my dad's wishes, think 'what a poor deluded idiot, I feel sorry for the fact that he is so insecure that he has to make such a distinction' and just ignore him going forward, which is what I did.

They only have the power to piss you off if you give them that power, Noni. They don't rule your life and they shouldn't rule your emotions. Don't let them push you around but also don't let them press your buttons. You are better than that. Think of how far you have come since your uncle's surgery. Don't give them the satisfaction of dragging you back down. If they act like assholes politely state the facts as they are, "She's my mom, if anyone is uncomfortable being around me they are welcome to leave," and then ignore them as the petty nuisances they are. Don't feed their ego by responding to them any further than that. They aren't even worth your disdain if they are the kind of people who would ask you to leave your mother's side during such a time.

I hope your mom fares well.

Best,

Jackie

19

Should I say something?

by Flat_Accent in

my parents are quite popular in their congregation, and they're constantly inviting brothers and sisters over.

as i've been part of the org for 19 years i know all these people very well, and before i da'd myself i was good friends with all of them.

every other friday they invite a single brother round for dinner, just to cheer him up a bit.

TheSilence

I used to have brunch at my dad's house every Sunday and now and again he would invite other witnesses to join us. It was his house so when discussion turned that way I simply chose not to participate in it without being disparaging. To me it would have been disrespectful to be rude to my dad's guests in his own home. The only time I slipped was one time when we were leaving one of the guys (I will not call them brothers) asked me if I still attended any meetings. I told him I didn't. He said, "Well, we will have to work on changing that." Without thinking the words out of my mouth were, "Yeah, good luck with that." But I give myself a pass on that one as the conversation was not around me but rather the comment was made directly to me. ;)

Best,

Jackie

66

Loss of the Mashco Piro one of the last Stone Age Tribes

by designs in

isolated in the jungles of peru the mashco piro tribe may be near the end of its isolated existence.

first loggers are moving in to their lands and now oil gas and mining operations will end 1000's of years of existence and way of life..

TheSilence

Nevermind, I got it. Jeez, I don't know why I couldn't pick that out.

66

Loss of the Mashco Piro one of the last Stone Age Tribes

by designs in

isolated in the jungles of peru the mashco piro tribe may be near the end of its isolated existence.

first loggers are moving in to their lands and now oil gas and mining operations will end 1000's of years of existence and way of life..

TheSilence

Can someone please explain the woman on the right? I'm sure I'm just looking at it wrong or it would have been pointed out before now, but to me it looks like she has 3 arms and one leg. I'm trying to see one of the arms as a leg and I'm not pulling it off. I need an anatomy lesson, apparently. Thanks.

37

Do you feel sorry for those that are still in.

by jam in

jw
friends

at one time i felt my jw famliy members hated me.

because i turn my back on the cult.. today i feel sorry for them and it,s not hate they.

feel.. they way i see it, first of all it,s frustrating serving a. god that you can never please, serving a god that.

TheSilence

My dad is a self righteouss jackass. I don't feel sorry for him. He has made his choice and his choice is to be a witness.

My sister is not self righteouss whatsoever, she truly believes and, whatsmore, she is *happy* being a witness. I don't feel sorry for her. She has made her choice and her choice is to be a witness.

My nephew is self righteouss. He just got put into a program at school to curb those kids they think may be future bullies. He was put into that program not for any physical thing he does, but for how he pushes the other kids with religion and about jehovah. The last time I had him in the car alone he cried because he was sad that he wouldn't get to see me in paradise and it was going to be so much fun that he wanted me there. He is 7. I feel sorry for him. He is a child, he did not choose these irrational beliefs and fears. He was handed them the day he was born and has to live with them.

Adults, even those who were raised in the religion, have choices. They make their choices. They have created their own realities in this life. They choose to believe, they choose not to research, they choose to be witnesses. At some point every one of us had the option to question or not to question, to pursue the questions or not to pursue them. So did they, they have simply chosen differently than we did. Those who are adults and there are there by their own choice or choices. And some of them are honestly happy there, like my sister. And more power to them. I support their right to believe what they believe, I support their right to be wrong up until those beliefs bleed into actions that step on the rights of others.

I feel sorry for the children.

35

My father is dying

by peridotgreen in

jw
friends

my father, who has alzheimers, is dying now (he's 85).

i saw him today - he weaves in and out.

hasn't recognized me for a long time but was usually glad for the company.

TheSilence

"...life on earth is both brutally short, and paradoxically, far too long." ~ The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

I am happy you have found peace with the loss and I hope it remains with you throughout this difficult period.

Best,

Jackie

45

How do I respond to this? from my father

by alamb in

a daughter .

daughters are precious, in so many ways,.

from the day of their birth, till the end of your days.. .

TheSilence

Such pretty words that contain naught but lies

The ‘precious’ you claim your own action defies

You see, Daddy dearest, you did teach me true

You taught me that trust I should not place in you

You tried your best? Is that truly your claim?

Then where, Daddy dearest, should we place the blame?

Shall we place it on me, just an innocent child

Who could not understand why her father defiled

Her innocence lost by her own father’s hand

While he claimed to serve God, his own guilt he banned

You gave it your all? Daddy, don’t make me laugh

If I add up your effort it does not equal half

And now you send poems to make me feel guilt?

You see disbelief? That’s what you yourself built.

You see I can’t buy into the God that you sell

Whose spirit did choose one who put me through hell

If such is the nature of God, then it’s true

I will not serve him; I leave him to you

You tried?

Fuck off.

22

Alone with someone of opposite sex.

by IMHO in

it's always been said that it's ok with a close family member.. what about amnon and tamar?.

TheSilence

Being alone with someone of the opposite sex leads to immorality 60% of the time every time.

87% of statistics you see online are made up. :)

121

WTS successfully refutes bogus UN conspiracy theory/hoax

by trthskr in

http://jehovahsjudgment.co.uk/watchtower-un-ngo/translatable.html.

there will be more to come folks, when i'm allowed to start another topic.

cheers.. to respond to the posting below (since i can't reply right now), it's because they weren't aware of the change until then..

TheSilence

Well, I can read page 7 but not page 6.

121

WTS successfully refutes bogus UN conspiracy theory/hoax

by trthskr in

http://jehovahsjudgment.co.uk/watchtower-un-ngo/translatable.html.

there will be more to come folks, when i'm allowed to start another topic.

cheers.. to respond to the posting below (since i can't reply right now), it's because they weren't aware of the change until then..

TheSilence

:::crossing fingers:::