Posts by Victorian sky

34

JWs are not brain damaged, but heart damaged!

by Joyzabel in

jw
friends

ive been trying to tell my kids to be patient with the jws that they knew and with family that still are jws.

especially when the shunning is in full force.

i was excusing it as brain damaged because we couldnt reason with them or get through the mental block they have.

Victorian sky

Steve and Joy, I am deeply sorry for your loss and the pain your JW family is causing you. I agree with Big Tex about the heart screaming when something isn't right. When my mom was disfellowshiped, elders told me all sorts of things to get me to shun her. For those of you who don't know, one 'kind' elder told me to cut mom off like a rotten limb. Another used the example of Ezekiel, that he didn't mourn his wife's death because of his assignment for Jehovah and that my mom is dead and I should view her the same way. I was told that this wonderful woman who raised me is my enemy, bad association and my living, breathing test from Satan. This is the kind of sick mentality we are dealing with here. First they say, no spiritual fellowship with the person, then it's cut em' off, they're dead. My reply was always but I love her and they would say, don't you love Jehovah more? I thank God my relationship with my mom survived that. We're very close. If the JW involved has any heart at all, their love will not be denied by the WTS or anyone else. - V Sky

36

Sad again at the Service Meeting

by Euphemism in

the service meeting on thursday was really saddening, particularly the last part, about preaching with boldness.

it was about overcoming nervousness, shyness, etc in the ministry.. all these people gave their experiences about difficulties they had in the ministry.

a regular pioneer (and elder's wife) admitted that she used to just pretend to ring the door bells; service is still really difficult for her, but she does it just because she feels obligated to.

Victorian sky

Undercover I couldn't agree more. I heard in talks and read that the preaching work is a search and rescue mission. I never felt that sense of urgency, not in 4 years of pioneering. I wasn't shy, I love talking to people but for years I felt that I was bothering people and imposing my beliefs on them. I especially hated bothering people during the holdidays or waking them up after they worked or partied all night. It didn't feel like 'the most important work being done today'. It was a great way to get to know some in the cong. (I loved coffee breaks! and we took plenty) Huxley, lol about the disabled bro. In our circut we always heard about the sis in the iron lung who preached to nurses until she died. Man, I felt so guilty after that. I was determined to plaster a smile on my face, drown in my own sweat (they don't call this the sunshine state for nothin') Whatever a JWs motive for going out, I know there would be a collective sigh of relief and dancing in the streets if the GB didn't require service anymore. I saw a young woman out in street work yesterday and my first thought was, that poor girl, just wasting her young life, wonder if any exJW thought that about me? So thankful to be out. - V Sky

29

biggest WTBTS threat

by stillajwexelder in

sorry if there has already been a thread on this subject.

do you think a really big threat to the wtbts is from people like me who are still witnesses and in the organization but also post on this board and have an open mind -- or do you think there are bigger threats -and if so what would they be?

Victorian sky

Still, I don't know how you do it or why? Family? In answer to your question, I think those who are still in but know it's not the truth can be very effective. I know when I was active, there is no way I would have listened to someone who was viewed as apostate. I used to think people picketing the conventions were crazy. I remember meeting an exJW at the door and he said he was df'ed and never been happier. I didn't understand how that could be (now I get it!) I knew a cool Bethal Elder who was one of the bros holding small meetings in their Bethal rooms along with Franz. (I didn't realize that's what he was telling me until I was out, he wasn't df'ed or thrown out of Bethal, he was reassigned from the writing dept to a menial position) anyway, he was the one I turned to when I first starting having doubts. He told me not to leave the borg that there aren't enough normal, compassionate people in and if I leave there will be one less. I told him I didn't believe half of what's taught and I can't fake it. He said that's okay, to just filter out the stuff I don't agree with! I asked him point blank if he has doubts too. He said yes. I said how can you stay? He said he has to help the friends. He was very active in helping bros and sis's who were physically or sexually abused in the borg, JWs from all over the world called him for help and if he left the borg, who would step in his place to help them? I didn't know if I admired him or pitied him. Now I think him and his wife are incredible human beings, they are still at Bethal and I pray for them. - V Sky

35

How long do you think being a JW will affect you?

by Adam in

jw
friends

i haven't been on this board for a while.

i've been on a conservative ezboard trying to see if we can't do something about political issues.

i've also got a new job, had to get the car fixed, been best man in a wedding, and watched the two towers on vhs.

Victorian sky

Let's put it this way, last night I dreamed that I was going from door to door and when the householder answered I ran away - wish I was making this up. I dream about borg stuff once every few weeks. I know that this experience will be with me always. I'm trying to keep the good and leave the bad and ugly behind. I agree with Cruithne that years in the borg has taught me to be compassionate, there was such a lack of it in the cong. People have needs that the borg didn't meet yet promised to do so. I'm a Christian now. There are some things I will never do or be involved in because of my time as a JW and there are things I will be involved in despite having been a JW. It's my life now. I own it. This board has helped me to heal and move on. But it will always be there, lingering - the ghost of my JW self. Some of my family is still in so there are constant reminders. Yet, I can't get over how much happier I am now that I'm out. - V Sky

41

Okay...who are the "girly girls" here

by berylblue in

jw
friends

i admit to it (as i'm spraying on my chanel christalle and putting on my make up.

spent last night tearing through vogue; my mani/pedi appointment is tonight.....).

no, "admit to it" isn't the correct sentiment.

Victorian sky

I love getting french pedicures, I wear scents by Victoria Secrets and I love reading a good book during a bubble bath. On the other hand, I hate shopping unless it's for movies, books or CDs. I think chocolate is a gift from God. And I love men so yeah I guess I am a girlie girl! - V Sky

61

Does any one remember when the cong's were segregated in the South?

by Victorian sky in

last night i watched the abc special on the 40th anniversary of king's "i have a dream" speech.

a memory came back to me of the last district convention i attented.

it was in west palm beach (anyone ever been to the leake teepe?

Victorian sky

Well I've been gone a couple of days and look what happens. I'm not into name calling but here we go, Canon you're ignorance doesn't warrant a response. TJ - your responses were spoken like a true Russelite, do you believe if I pray really hard my skin will turn white too? Canon's just a little off, what's your excuse? JT - I can't say if you exaggerated or not but I do believe certain things you said about black brothers not advancing at the rate of white ones. I have a relative who is a p.o and sub c.o, he's black and let me tell you he worked for years to get where less qualified white brothers got. And TJ before you say he wasn't qualified or educated (which I know some white and black JWs aren't) he met the JW qualifications for reaching out and he holds a Masters degree. He has a well paid position yet a white bro still asked him 'how do you afford a beamer on a janitors salary?' My relative never said what he did for a living, this bro just assumed it. Now I'm not quick to say this is racism or that. Most JWs I know aren't prejudiced. Personally I've never come across it, except when my friend got into an interracial relationship, some in the cong weren't too happy and that happened in 2001! I do believe that more JWs regardless of color need to get educated, It made me cringe to hear words mis-pronounced from the platform and that came from both races. Frankly, I think it's a cop out to say that the reason more black bros weren't used was because they weren't qualified. That's bull. Some white ones aren't qualified spiritually or intellectually yet they are still appointed. JT has a point that it took so long for a black bro to be part of the GB. Can't tell me one didn't qualify worldwide. This thread wasn't started to divide, I just think it's interesting that the WTS is so selective in what they will defy the government for. - V Sky

61

Does any one remember when the cong's were segregated in the South?

by Victorian sky in

last night i watched the abc special on the 40th anniversary of king's "i have a dream" speech.

a memory came back to me of the last district convention i attented.

it was in west palm beach (anyone ever been to the leake teepe?

Victorian sky

Canon, are you kidding? The blacks preferred their comfort zones? Really? Is that why 'worldly' blacks went to jail, went on marches and kids were hossed down by fire hoses because they liked being less than? How dare you. I understand that white JW's would have risked sure violence had they all met together but you know what? That didn't stop the few courageous 'worldly' whites from risking everything for their black counterparts during the Civil Rights movement while JW's did nothing but 'wait on the kingdom'. What do the JWs boast about - their great love and how they are the only ones who are willing to die for their brother, well that didn't apply across the south during the 1960s now did it? (And if you think some JWs aren't racist you're deluding yourself)And how do you explain the fact that long after desegregation laws passed, the congs were still segregated with permission from the Society? If that's your definition of love, you and the WTS deserve eachother! - V Sky

61

Does any one remember when the cong's were segregated in the South?

by Victorian sky in

last night i watched the abc special on the 40th anniversary of king's "i have a dream" speech.

a memory came back to me of the last district convention i attented.

it was in west palm beach (anyone ever been to the leake teepe?

Victorian sky

Last night I watched the ABC special on the 40th Anniversary of King's "I Have a Dream" speech. A memory came back to me of the last District Convention I attented. It was in West Palm Beach (anyone ever been to the leake teepe?) The talk was all about how Jehovah protects his people and progressively reveals new light Then the speaker causually brings up the fact that congregations were segregated in the South, many until the mid 1970s, AFTER the Civil Rights laws passed in Congress. I was stunned. I never knew that. I looked around and that seemed okay with all the dubs, they listened attentively as the speaker reminisced about what an adjustment it was for the white and black brothers to get together. That many liked the congregations as they were! I couldn't believe it. I kept looking around, nobody seemed the least bit upset. The speaker went onto say that the cong's were segregated for their protection and in obedience to the government. I thought it then and I think it now - It's sick they were ever segregated, and some way beyond the time desegregation took place, there is no excuse for that, where was the loving, impartial brotherhood then? It always bothered me that JWs didn't get involved with the Civil Rights movement like other religions did, like the Southern Baptists who risked their lives for their brother. Funny how the Society disobeys the government when it suits them. Was anyone here in a segregated cong? Or was anyone a JW during that time and what did you think of the Society's lack of involvement? - V Sky

23

Elder's Visit -- What do you say

by CaptK in

jw
friends

i have been d'f for over a year and two elders came by to see me for a breif visit.

what do you say when they arrive ?

are they making an inspection of your place of residence or you ?

Victorian sky

Cap, welcome to the board! Folks are great here. Hope I don't sound cold but the elders care more about what you represent. You are a number, if you return they can jot you down as a number that's returned. You will be in a long list of numbers sent to the Society along with service reports, reg. publisher meeting attendence and so forth. Sorry to say, as nice as some elders are, they care more about numbers than you as an individual. If they dared come to my door, I would tell it to them straight. I am never going back to the guilt, fear and man made control, I am free and lovin' it - I wish the same for you. - V Sky

42

Marrying Young

by Descender in

something has been bothering me as of late.

my younger brother, who is 17 years old plans on getting married right after he turns 18 this upcoming year.

i have quite a few problems with this, but he thinks that he knows it all at his age.. i'm concerned for several reasons.

Victorian sky

I'm sorry about your brother. I'm in the 'take him to a strip club for a lap dance' club. If that's too racey, take him on a trip, just the two of you, or send him on a month long trip to Europe if you can afford it. Travel taught me so much. If he's by himself it will make him think. If he's with you at least you two can strengthen your bond. I say, get him to experience as much as possible between now and the wedding we hope won't happen. I'd be careful about bad mouthing this girl or her family to him, if he thinks you're against the wedding he may stubbornly go through with it. I would focus on helping him to grow as much as possible. He's got no job, why not send his horny butt on an extended vacation to where ever you can afford. If you live in the US, send him across the country to states he's never been to. I learned a lot about life in New York City. What 18 year old would turn down an all expense paid trip? Of course hide your motives, you can even call it a pre-wedding gift! He'd be away from the desperate older JW and her crazy family and he'd be forced to stop, look around and hopefully live a little. Don't know if this sounds corny, but if you do this, buy him a travel journal, that way he can write down his feelings. He'd be forced to address his doubts, at least to himself. After the trip, he'd never forget what you did for him. Hopefully, he'll come to his senses, if not, he knows his older brother loved him enough to try. Good Luck! - V Sky