Posts by rwagoner

11

What is an Elder?

by footprints in

jw
friends

because this site has taken a survey of past or current elders and posted a list, i think it is important to make it clear that: not one elder was appointed by holy spirit.. current and ex elders are no more special or important than anyone else.

in fact some are a lot less trustworthy than the average.. .

on this note i would like to hear from all of you two things:.

rwagoner

I appreciate the point but I don't remember seeing any reference in the poll to Elders or MS being "Special" or "More Important" than anyone. For me personally it is nice to know who is who simply because Elders and MS do have a little different perspective, being a bit deeper "on the inside" than some.

I certainly agree that some of the most flagrant violations of JW rules were the Elders or their family members, at least in my personal experience. I also think that there are some who had good intentions and who left once they saw the "facts" and it is nice to see them here.

Just my opinion,

RandyW

Edited by - rwagoner on 8 October 2002 16:54:47

10

Justice #24a - Flock Book

by Amazing in

jw
friends

many jws and ex-jws have wondered about the secretive book called "pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock" or simply stated, the "flock" book.

little has been said about this book by way of critical review of its content.

this justice series #24 will review unit 5 of the flock book regarding judicial committees.

rwagoner

The "Flock book" is available online too - there were several sites with it online at one time but they seem to disappear soon after I find them. I could also not speak to how accurate they sites are either.

I don't want to post the link to another site here out of respect of Simon and I also don't want to flood the site and have yet another one disappear. If you need the link or if one of the former-Elders here want to check it for accuracy let me know via email.

RandyW

*** Now that I review all the posts I see someone has posted some of them - I do have another as well.

Edited by - rwagoner on 8 October 2002 11:35:50

21

How many MS & ex-MS are here or lurking?

by Dismembered in

jw
friends

how many ms or ex-ms are here?

dismembered <--------- 14 years (could not keep mouth shut so no advancement made) .

dismemberededited by - dismembered on 7 october 2002 10:4:0.

rwagoner

They were in the process of appointing me when I finally stopped leading a double life and made it known that I didn't believe. Close but no cigar...

30

On the Verge of Leaving the Testigos

by Coqui in

jw
friends

looking for suggestions!.

i am 38 years old.

not raised in the "truth", baptized in 1984. married with three very young kids.

rwagoner

Coqui,

I DA'd years ago because I thought it was the truthful, non-hippo thing to do. I thought that if I didn't Openly and Truthfully take the bull by the horns so to speak, then I was no better than them.

Now I know that some may not like the next few statements but they are how I feel. I know lots of others who have faded away and while I respect their decision it still bugs me sometimes that I stepped up and "left" while they fly under the radar. To me, if you want to enjoy the freedom of being "out" then step up, DA and "leave the faith". The decision to follow the JW's rules and shun me is in the hands of friends and family. They chose the Organization over family, not me. I have been truthful and public about my feelings, I don't need to hide behind curtains. I put 1000s of xmas lights on my house, have a huge American Flag in the yard and Vote in every election.

Do I pay a price every day for my decision ? You bet. My parents who are still on the inside shun me but that is their decision, not mine.

This is just my opinion and I certainly don't mean to belittle or disrespect those who choose to fade away but for me personally it was not the right thing.

RandyW

17

The shunning begins

by LovesDubs in

jw
friends

check out my mother in laws new thinking...already the jws have firmly replaced her ability to think for herself:.

"dear d"i just got your note today, since i was out of commission for a week or more.i wasn't "waiting to tell you," nor was i going to" jump back into shunning d." i just didn't think this was going to be happy news, and judging from your choice of words in this note, i was right!

i have been going to meetings for a couple of months and have expressed a desire to be reinstated.

rwagoner

Sooooo Sorry to read that....

My parents are both inactive (Dad is a former elder - removed when I DA'd) and yet when the August KM came out they fell into lock step with the "New Light". They are very upset with me because I'm not going quietly this time. I'm being VERY vocal in my disgust for the Org. and I'm sure I'll pay for it too...but it does make me feel better !

At least with boards and websites like this we're not "alone" anymore.

RandyW

14

How does the WTS define "former member"

by Cappuccino OC in

jw
friends

the wts claims on their web site that they do not shun "former members".

it would be interesting to know exactly how they define "former members".

does anybody else sense that the wts is playing with the lexicon, meaning, of words.

rwagoner

If you follow the link in my profile, I talk about this very thing and link to two quotes on the "Official site" that of course contradict each other.

They do say that those who leave the faith are not shunned and then also say that a letter of DA is simple a notice that a person is no longer a witness. The double speak is a few paragraphs later (on the 2nd link) when they reverse their position and explain why shunning a DA's person is appropriate.

Very heated issue at the moment give nthe "New Light" in the Agust KM. But then again I know I'm preachin to the choir here.

RandyW

4

Question ?

by rwagoner in

jw
friends

i noted in an earlier post that scans of the current km's are available online and took a peek.

i did notice however that it was the "british version"....being a yank i'm just curious if there is a real difference between the us and uk versions ?.

randyw.

rwagoner

Thanks for the replies...and the welcomes

I found a post here on the board with a link to the scanned KM's...I think it was like page 29 or 30 of the postings here.

RandyW

4

Question ?

by rwagoner in

jw
friends

i noted in an earlier post that scans of the current km's are available online and took a peek.

i did notice however that it was the "british version"....being a yank i'm just curious if there is a real difference between the us and uk versions ?.

randyw.

rwagoner

I noted in an earlier post that scans of the current KM's are available online and took a peek. I did notice however that it was the "british version"....being a yank I'm just curious if there is a real difference between the US and UK versions ?

Thanks,

RandyW

10

A story not unlike many others

by rwagoner in

i guess i was a lucky one.

lucky that i wasn't beaten or molested.

lucky that i was loved.

rwagoner

Thanks to all of you who replied, your words and support really mean a lot. While I don't wish the pain on anyone it is nice to know that I'm not alone.

RandyW

44

JW Code and Silent Lambs

by Goodboy in

i have been busy for the past few weeks and finally got around to reading the thread containing bill bowen's latest letter to the governing body.

apparently the gb just locked the gates and ignored them.

correct me if i'm wrong, i haven't dug through all the posts... .

rwagoner

RXB here - Interesting Code and a Great Post...

RandyW