Victorian sky

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Posts by Victorian sky

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  167

  Was There Ever A Circuit Overseer That You Couldn't Stand?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i know this has been discussed before but i think a fresh thread on this will be enjoyable.

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  Victorian sky

  Most I knew where sincere and caring. One came across as cold, he didn't give the publishers the time of day, he only had a real conversation with you if you were an elder, servant or Reg. pioneer. The district overseer was really full of self importance. He would pray for, had to be 5-8 min's all about 'Jehovah, please bless the pioneers, elders, all CO's, Bethalites, then he'd mention his wife by name and how supportive she is of him while he slaves for the congregation!' I used to sit down during his long winded prayers, I hated when he'd strut to the podium. I kept thinking, why can't he mention the widow? the single parents? those suffering in some way? My favorite CO was ancient and he'd fall asleep everywhere. He doozed off during the meetings, had long pauses between thoughts while giving talks. The best was when he nodded off in pioneer school, he was snoring on stage, I wanted to laugh so badly but I supressed that natural impusle like everything else. It's great to be free:) - Victorian Sky
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  17

  The WatchTower and Higher Education

  by Maverick in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  runningman's post on the fallacies of the watchtower reasonings started me thinking on the gb's stand on higher education.

  i am impressed with the superb thinking ability of many who post here.

  unclebruce, stephanus, victor_e, gamaliel, blondie, undisfellowshipped, and machislopp to name just a few.

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  Victorian sky

  I graduated in high school in the early 90s. I was torn between my non JW dad & inactive mom who insited on college and the congregation who were hell bent against it. One sister said, 'What if Armageddon comes while you're in college? Is an empty, selfish pursuit worth your life?' I had elders talk to me & 'well meaning, concerned' older sisters. I was even told no spiritual brother would want me because I'd have more education than him! So I went anyway & I pioneered & worked part-time. Nearly killed myself doing it but I'm still here. I'm going for my Masters at 31 and I can say that regrets is a huge waste of time. I used to think, I could of been this by now, I could of done that but I didn't! Life could have been better, it could have been worse. We all have to live with our choices and not let the borg get another second of our time or energy on what ifs. I know the borg has destroyed a lot of dreams and stolen many opportunities for people and I'm not minimizing that. I feel for all those affected. I know that the society doesn't acknowledge the damage done let alone take responsibility for the economic state of most dubs. Years later one sister said to me 'Well you know, the society never said we couldn't go to college'. I just looked at her. It's amazing how selective the memory is among the dubs, anything to protect the GB even if it kills them. It's never too late - if you have a dream - look into scholarships and grant opportunities -. A book I found really helpful is: Foundation Grants for Individuals. I say, we take back our dreams - Victorian Sky
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  25

  So where the hell is my big fat Greek shepherding call?

  by expatbrit in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it's march 31. last day of the big round-up, isn't it?.

  well i haven't seen the merest hint of a shepherds crook, let alone a crooked shepherd.

  and you'd think i'd be an easy mark, what with the jw wife to let the elders in.

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  Victorian sky

  I'm trying not to laugh as I write this, some of your posts are hilarious. Okay, no call or visit for me either - they haven't attempted it in the 6 months I've been inactive, but out of the blue, one of those - pioneer or die trying - called me last Sunday. Said in the most honey sweet voice - 'We miss you, we love you, there is a special bethal speaker coming to the hall today you're coming aren't you? You have to come! Jehovah wants you there!' I know in her own warped way she's sincere so I said, 'Thank you for the invitation but I have other plans, I'm quite busy these days but I appreciate your call, bye-bye.' I was amazed that the guilt buzz words just don't work on me anymore - Victorian Sky
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  25

  It's my birthday

  by obiwan in

  1. jw
  2. friends

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  happy birthday to me...woo hoo.

  i was told that i'm not old just aged to perfection......i'm still trying to get that perfection thing down.

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  Victorian sky

  Happy Birthday, Obiwan!!!! And many more - Hugs, Victorian Sky
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  31

  Depressed beyond Words...

  by Shytears in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  did u ever feel so depressed u felt the only thing that could get rid of the pain was to commit suicide???

  ?...well i tried that tonite,i know its not a good thing ,but i felt it was the only way out..well im still here so i didnt do it,thank god,my wrists have lil cuts everywhere tho,i just hope no one sees them..if u guys remember me yall know it has been an ongoing battle with my parents cause i dont wanna be a witness.. now i literally cannot do nothing!

  they dont trust me at all!

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  Victorian sky

  Shy, I really admire your courage. Not only didn't you end your life but you reached out for help and that takes a tremendous amount of inner strength. I am so sorry for what you're going through. I don't know much, but here's what I know for sure. You are precious to God and to us. No matter what your parents or the organization say, you are a worthy, valuable human being. I got baptized when I was your age (if you haven't done it, please don't!) I was one of those irritating goodie-goodie witness kids, don't think I was ever a real teenager - didn't know how to have fun, that's for sure. Any depression or doubts, I denied and fought, lied to myself and said I was happy when I wasn't. I literally ate 5 bags of candy a day, before going to a meeting or out in service because deep down I didn't want to go. I tried so hard to please everyone but myself. I'm 31 now and I didn't leave until I was 30. What I'm trying to say is that you are normal, no matter what they say. You have the right to think, feel and believe what you want. I think the advice of many here is right on - if you can, get into a college as far away from home as possible. I too was in college during my senior year in high school, it really helps. Do you have any non JW relatives you can go to? If not, plan your escape and fake it until you can make it on your own. If you ever need to talk, please contact me at [email protected]. With all my love - Victorian Sky
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  23

  Confessions of an ex-elder

  by Irreverent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  since this forum is for cleansing and healing through sharing, i want to share some confessions of an ex-elder.

  how could i have allowed myself to be conned into becoming an elder?

  and, after becoming an elder, why did it take me 3 years to finally figure out the hypocrisy of the organization?

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  Victorian sky

  Irreverent, Welcome! Thank you for your heartfelt, sincere expressions. I'm sorry for what you went through. Forgive yourself for anything you did for the borg, you didn't know. Your apologizing helps those of us who have been hurt by an elder. Thank you. (Question for anyone: WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE ELDER BOOK AND WHAT DOES IT CONTAIN?) Just curious:) - Victorian Sky
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  7

  The Truman Show reminds me of being a JW

  by sandy in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  have you seen the truman show with jim carey?

  if not rent it, it is a great movie.. the org created a world for us just like that in the movie.

  what was true to jim carey is what they allowed him to see.

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  Victorian sky

  I couldn't agree more. Notice how in the back of his mind he had a nagging, persistent doubt that something wasn't right but he didn't know what it was? That's how I felt as a JW. And that whole Stepford Wives thing always gave me the creeps. The - We're all living in Disney land, ain't life perfect, don't you love being perfect sister, we're so much better than everyone else because we're perfect mentality. And the most elaborate denial system even Freud would envy. Thank God we're out! - Victorian Sky
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  22

  Why Bad Beliefs Don't Die

  by CPiolo in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  for those of you interested in why your rational arguments and reasoning, in addition to well documented information do little to sway the beliefs of true believers (family, friends, and loved ones), the reason as offered in the following article is survival.. http://www.csicop.org/si/2000-11/beliefs.html.

  offered humbly for your perusal,.

  cpiolo.

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  Victorian sky

  Fascinating article. And so true. What is that old saying, 'When the student is ready the teacher will come?' I read Crisis of Conscience 2 years ago, It took me a year and a half later to become inactive, what I read - a part of me couldn't comprehend and didn't want to. The possiblility that this wasn't the truth scared the s@#! out of me. Only when I was ready to face my doubts did I leave. I think most JWs don't want to know. - Victorian Sky
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  27

  What is the worst thing about leaving?

  by sleepy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

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  everyone probably has a slightly different experience when leaving the witnesses.the worst aspect about this for me is the realisation that my enteire life has been lived and directed by a false premiss, and the effect past decisions now have on my life.. it can make me feel sick in the stomach on occation.. also the idea that friends and family think i have tuned bad or evil to have left jehovah is qute disturbing at times.

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  Victorian sky

  I think it's easy to torchure yourself over missed opportunities but don't. I lost a decade of my life to this religion and they're not getting a second more. Dansk gave great advice, you don't owe them squat. A whole new world opens up for you when you break free. I am so much happier now than I was in the borg. and my family notices that. They can't figure it out, I left Jehovah (which I didn't of course) I should be miserable like they are! So I have a question for you, what is the BEST thing about leaving? Here are a few: To be free to think, feel and do what I want, pursue what I want (I'm going for my masters degree and it feels fantastic) Enjoy your life, Martin Lawrence - the actor - said 'Life is a car, ride it till the wheels come off!' I know he's no Aristotle but it's so true - be thankful you found out in time to really live - For a change, do it your way. - Victorian Sky
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  45

  Judicial Committee Meetings

  by Pathofthorns in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i saw this interesting post on h20.

  most publishers are unaware how things really work many times in the back room of a kingdom hall.

  sure there are lenient elders, many do try to show mercy.

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  Victorian sky

  ((((James)))), I've never had to sit before a committee. Thanks to you I never will - even if asked to do so in the future. I was so moved by what you wrote. That poor sister. Please don't be hard on yourself, you didn't know, my heart goes out to you and to her. Thanks for sharing your experience because you've spared others the pain. It's such a cruel, petty, invasive religion, no wonder we want no part of it. (((Waiting))) - I am so sorry for what you went through and for your daughter, I hope you're both okay. - Victorian Sky