Posts by talesin

5

Apostle Paul complex

by Diogenesister in

if you can, take the time to read this beautifulfully written piece on what its like to live as a gay, enforced celibate witness.

the writer details experiences working for an organization that ostensibly lauds singleness, especially in the higher echelons and bethel , yet inevitability rewards the hard working singleton with a lonely old age and the "increasingly sinister " label of ' that weird single brother'.

the author compares this outcome with that of " eunuch for the lord" paul pondering the silence on his later life and wondering whether he similarly died " alone, largely forgotten and desperately waiting for the paradise ".http://avoidjw.org/2016/01/apostle-paul-complex/.

talesin

Yes, I did. : )) And am happy for that!

I wish that Mark had been born later; maybe he would have been okay. I got very ill after this happened, for about six months, and not many memories of that time. I wonder, sometimes, if I was the one that found him .... but that is a secret that is kept deep in my subconscious. I truly feel it was my 'kundalini'.

We need to support our members who are LGBT, and trans-gendered. There is so much hate in the world, and in the JWS. It saddens me.

Glad you're okay, Dio, and don't let anyone get you down! xx : ) tal

19

Aspeger's syndrome, ASD and Autism - How do you know if you have it?

by KateWild in

on another thread i was asked by fadetoblack about my asd.

sorry ftb i didn't respond, but here is your post again and i will respond on this new thread.. i'm curious to know how you know you were born with asperger's syndrome.

it seems to be extremely hard to clinically diagnose, but popular to self-diagnose.

talesin

not understanding social cues

Yup - it's also an indication of an extremely brilliant mind, Most people with Asperger's Syndrome are very intelligent, and the social aspect is the 'killer', in that it prevents interaction with others from being smooth. We have large expectations of folks in a social setting, and someone who has no filter (which is an Asperger's trait) is generally found to be 'lacking in social graces'.

It's a hard row to hoe, Kate (and others). We all want to belong somewhere, and hell, I've had my difficulties in that. Our history plays such a large part in the development of our social interactions with others, and when you add Asperger's to the mix of being an exJW, it has to be tough. xx tal

22

Hey from Ohio

by sissyb in

jw
friends

hello all - i most likely won't post too often but want to introduce myself.

i've read this board for a long time and feel like i know some of you!

i was a third gen born-in (ne ohio), and half-heartedly believed until i was in middle school.

talesin

It sounds like things have gone fairly well for you, and that is so great to hear!

I have a friend in Defiance (what a great place for an exJW to live!), about an hour from Cleveland, and there are others on the board from that area.

Welcome! It's great that you have a relationship with your family. xx tal

5

Apostle Paul complex

by Diogenesister in

if you can, take the time to read this beautifulfully written piece on what its like to live as a gay, enforced celibate witness.

the writer details experiences working for an organization that ostensibly lauds singleness, especially in the higher echelons and bethel , yet inevitability rewards the hard working singleton with a lonely old age and the "increasingly sinister " label of ' that weird single brother'.

the author compares this outcome with that of " eunuch for the lord" paul pondering the silence on his later life and wondering whether he similarly died " alone, largely forgotten and desperately waiting for the paradise ".http://avoidjw.org/2016/01/apostle-paul-complex/.

talesin

That was a very touching, and real, essay. And I like the term "Apostle Paul Complex". As the article said, we will never know for sure, but even so, it is a good theory.

When I was 17, one of my pioneer buddies hung himself. We had always known he was 'effeminate' (remember, it was the 70s, we were ignorant -especially me, lol- and naive). We all loved Mark, he was so sweet. So, he was found in his room, with a note. His single JW mom was a zealot, father had abandoned them. Mark didn't feel he was good enough, and that his true self (gay and a cross-dresser) was an abomination. He couldn't live with it.

Six months later, I told my maternal unit that I would NEVER return to the KH, got kicked out onto the street, and the rest is history (my history). But it gave me a passion, a passion to defy homophobia, to educate my friends about the fact that gay men do not, universally, molest children (especially for my friends who were molested by priests - that is a pedo who seeks his victims through the priesthood).

Thanks for sharing, Dio, great essay! xx tal

38

We're Ashya Kings parents right?

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

do you remember the case?

jehovers witness parents did a runner without telling the medical staff caring for their seriously ill child and took him to receive proton therapy in praque as this treatment was not available in the u.k.. first most importantly the good news, the boy was declared cancer free last march.. anyway i am sure at the time this issue would have created a lot of heated debate on the forum, as it was a case that created a media frenzy, with the parents and their jehovers witness religious beliefs being heavily critizised .

however as i followed the case i couldn't help but admire the parents, as i felt they would have acted indepentedly of both the jehovers witness organisation and the u.k medical advice, having in my opinion seriously thought the matter through, and then doing they thought was the best way for treatment.. so if you remember the case my questions are:-.

talesin

In general I think the viewpoint of patients should be given greater respect in health care.

With the cutbacks in Cdn. health care, and our now 'two-tiered system', this has become increasingly apparent. Doctors have neither the time nor the inclination to LISTEN TO THE PATIENT. We are considered ignoramuses who know nothing about our own bodies. Every problem is pooh-poohed until you land in emergency when things have finally reached a crisis point, and lo and behold! The patient wasn't 'making up' that pain in the stomach/foot/head or whatever.

I'm disgusted with health care and the arrogance of doctors. When I needed a breast reconstruction because of a blocked milk duct, I went to the 'breast clinic', spent 3 hours in education and giving my history to a resident. Finally, the reconstructive surgeon walked in, patted my arm, and said "You don't have cancer, stop making such a fuss." Yeah, I have had a suppurating incision in my breast from 2 botched surgeries, that gets regularly infected. But I don't have cancer, so need no medical intervention. *rolls eyes*

150

Start A Butterfly Garden!

by Bonsai in

jw
friends

time to take a break from debating religion.

take in a breath of fresh air and be healed by the wonders of nature around you.. how many of you have a garden?

how many have a nice flower patch to go with your vegetable garden?

talesin

Because of the Gulf Stream, we get some unusual species that visit in the summer.

i checked the maps, and these butterflies' habitat is in the SE USA, so not surprised that some of them made their way up here. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that, on the sites for butterfly enthusiasts, the Leaf Butterfly has been sited in Falmouth. Lots of rare bird sightings there, as well.

.

21

Cue to leave

by Grey Goose in

jw
friends

just reading a thread about one circuit saying the pubs must donate $10.. it got me thinking, that if it ever became policy to donate a % of ones income, that would be my cue to leave.

or i would kick up such a stink about it i would be kicked out.

either would be good for me.. so, is there any public policy changes which would be your cue to leave?.

talesin

Nathan Natasa minute agoI had my fill about 40 years ago. Don't hesitate!

Me, too. 1975. : ))

Keep on keepin' on, NN. Holder of the torch, you stand up for those who have no others. xx

21

Cue to leave

by Grey Goose in

jw
friends

just reading a thread about one circuit saying the pubs must donate $10.. it got me thinking, that if it ever became policy to donate a % of ones income, that would be my cue to leave.

or i would kick up such a stink about it i would be kicked out.

either would be good for me.. so, is there any public policy changes which would be your cue to leave?.

talesin

Yes, as OUTLAW shows *grins* , you can wait forever for the 'right opportunity'. It will NEVER come. It's like having kids - are you ever ready? haha!

Get some tips on how to do it, and considering your 'mate' (hate that JW term and much prefer partner), and other factors. There is no 'better time' but there is a 'better way'.

All the best, and like I said, ,, let this thread grow ... ask questions. There are many who are, and have been, in your situation. xx

21

Cue to leave

by Grey Goose in

jw
friends

just reading a thread about one circuit saying the pubs must donate $10.. it got me thinking, that if it ever became policy to donate a % of ones income, that would be my cue to leave.

or i would kick up such a stink about it i would be kicked out.

either would be good for me.. so, is there any public policy changes which would be your cue to leave?.

talesin

I know a lot of folks have cited depression, and confusion about the \truth', but it's not my forte. I would say, some really good advice will follow my comment. Read everything over the next couple of days, and ask questions of specific posters, if you want clarification or more advice.

You can 'fade', and how you do it, depends on many factors. I wish you luck! And it may be easy - everyone has their story, and many can fade without repercussions. All the best. xx

49

A philosophical question .... what does the word God mean to you personally ?

by Finkelstein in

to myself it means to seek knowledge and understanding of are selves and the world in which we live.. unfortunately history has shown whenever one tries to connect to god and of his knowledge through men who say they themselves are connected to god through spiritual wifi ie.

gb members of the jehovah's witnesses for example, one usually ends up finding a accumulation of only man's acquired knowledge.

over thousands of years of trying to connect to a god(s) for help and answers, mankind has eventually relinquished himself to seeking answers through scientific investigative acquired knowledge of the world in which we live in.

talesin

I like what Lennon said:

"God is a concept, by which we measure our pain."

xx tal