It's kind of insulting when you're looked down on for trying to better yourself.
startingover13
JoinedPosts by startingover13
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12
"I'm better than you.."
by startingover13 ini've reached out and contacted a few of my past friends.
some are still cool as ice, while others have taken on a "i'm better than you" type of attitude.
the first question is usually about becoming a servant, pioneering, or some other facet of service.
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12
"I'm better than you.."
by startingover13 ini've reached out and contacted a few of my past friends.
some are still cool as ice, while others have taken on a "i'm better than you" type of attitude.
the first question is usually about becoming a servant, pioneering, or some other facet of service.
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startingover13
I've reached out and contacted a few of my past friends. Some are still cool as ice, while others have taken on a "I'm better than you" type of attitude. The first question is usually about becoming a servant, pioneering, or some other facet of service. Now, while these are all fine goals and aspirations, the tone in which the questions are asked come off a bit condescending. One girl in particular I used to associate with finally sent me an email in which very little consideration was given to my personal situation. It was a plethora of questions about if I was regular pioneering, bla bla bla. Then she went on to tell me about her spiritual adventures throughout Latin America. And how now she's got a million spiritual projects lined up back home. She's still jobless, but living with daddy, that isn't a problem. According to her, 'Jehovah provides.' This is the same person that cut me off about four years ago because my goals had changed, according to her. And I was becoming too wordly. If securing my future via education and a stable career is losing focus, then I'd rather stay that way. I don't have the luxury of living at home, working some odd job, then traveling. That was high school. Whatever the case, she's one of many of my old aquaintances that comes off as a bit....nutty. The longer I'm out here trying to survive and secure my future, the longer I see the disconnect between the sheltered life that I lead at one time, and the reality of things. I will always have time for spiritual things, family, and relaxation. But with a lot of people in the organization, there are two extremes; either you dedicate every waking minute to the cause, or you're a weak link. Either you're with us, or with Satan. Crazy stuff. Just thought I'd share that.
Cheers.
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24
Loyalty to Org Over Everything Else Part 2
by startingover13 ina few months ago i posted about the dilemna i was facing with my girlfriend and getting reinstated.
a little under a year ago, both of us were disfellowshipped for sexual immorality.
while it was difficult, we promised to stick together through it, work our way toward marraige, and eventually return.
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startingover13
Thanks to all for the words of wisdom.
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Loyalty to Org Over Everything Else Part 2
by startingover13 ina few months ago i posted about the dilemna i was facing with my girlfriend and getting reinstated.
a little under a year ago, both of us were disfellowshipped for sexual immorality.
while it was difficult, we promised to stick together through it, work our way toward marraige, and eventually return.
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startingover13
Cutting ties for now may do us both some good. I'm just in a bad sport because my entire network of friends and even my father are still in. I hate to be in this position. Thanks to all for the advice.
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Loyalty to Org Over Everything Else Part 2
by startingover13 ina few months ago i posted about the dilemna i was facing with my girlfriend and getting reinstated.
a little under a year ago, both of us were disfellowshipped for sexual immorality.
while it was difficult, we promised to stick together through it, work our way toward marraige, and eventually return.
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startingover13
I'm starting to realize that I come second. It hurts.
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Loyalty to Org Over Everything Else Part 2
by startingover13 ina few months ago i posted about the dilemna i was facing with my girlfriend and getting reinstated.
a little under a year ago, both of us were disfellowshipped for sexual immorality.
while it was difficult, we promised to stick together through it, work our way toward marraige, and eventually return.
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startingover13
A few months ago I posted about the dilemna I was facing with my girlfriend and getting reinstated. A little under a year ago, both of us were disfellowshipped for sexual immorality. While it was difficult, we promised to stick together through it, work our way toward marraige, and eventually return. As time went on, however, I was able to see life outside of the organization for the first time in my life. While I do believe in a God, I took time to examine some of the teachings that I was raised to believe. I also was able to start to see people for what they are. Muslim, Baptist, Catholic, Jew, Hindu, it doesn't matter. We all mostly want the same things. I was also hired to work in a public service job, and really got to make a difference in my local community, as well as earn the trust and friendship of my brother firefighters.
While we've both been out, we've battled with this whole loyaly concept. The idea that if someone is disfellowshipped, they are no longer worthy of your association. What's more, if you pass them on the street or incidentally see them, to shun them completely. While I was growing up, that never sat well with me. But the thing that changed my way of seeing things was the way my father and select few friends treated me after my disfellowshipping. Instead of coldly turning their backs on me, they continued to have upbuilding and encouraging association with me. Things with my girlfriend went well until she decided to turn in her letter of reinstatement. That's when things changed.
After every meeting, like clockwork, I would be bombarded with feelings of guilt and "could have", "should have", "would haves". It was then that she began to tell me what her elders were counseling her to do. They beat around the bush for about a month and a half until finally, last night, she was given an ultimatum; break all contact with me and be reinstated, or continue in a disfellowshipped state. The only woman that I've loved decided to break off the relationship. What's more, she regurgitated the counsel she received saying that she loves me, but loves Jehovah, her God, more. She even went as far as to say that the ball is in my court, and that' she'll wait for me "in the organization." Now, I'm as patient as the next guy, but doesn't it seem convenient that while she had absolutely no one to talk to, she was gung ho about staying together and that she'd never leave my side? How about the fact that just Friday night she was talking about how I was the one that stood by her side through it all. One comforting point, though. She said that she still loves me, and will be wait for me.
This cold, calculating treatment is exactly what I feared. The organization, not Jehovah takes precedent every time. A set of rules, regulations, and proceedings supersede common sense at times. My local elders have been loving, understanding, and have encouraged me to do the right thing and get married. Not extreme views, no battering, just sound advise. At this point, I plan on moving forward. I almost feel betrayed. At the same time, though, I'm happy for her in her course. Part of loving someone is wanting to see them happy. I just wish it wasn't such a complete and total mindf*ck.
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'Peace and Security' - What do you think?
by startingover13 inwoke up this morning to my cnn app alerting me that popel francis has called for peace in the middle east, and is making arrangements to meet with leaders in that region to promote tolerance and acceptance.
i've been out for almost a year now, inactive for almost two, but in that moment all of the jw teachings about the signs on the end, the cry of peace and security, and what would happen to those that aren't serving jehovah returned to me.
24 years of teachings are hard to forget, and reading the story on cnn.com didn't help the situation.
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startingover13
Woke up this morning to my CNN App alerting me that Popel Francis has called for peace in the Middle East, and is making arrangements to meet with leaders in that region to promote tolerance and acceptance. I've been out for almost a year now, inactive for almost two, but in that moment all of the JW teachings about the signs on the end, the cry of peace and security, and what would happen to those that aren't serving Jehovah returned to me. 24 years of teachings are hard to forget, and reading the story on CNN.com didn't help the situation. Anyway, just wanted to share that experience this morning. The link to the article is below.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/25/world/pope-mideast-trip/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews
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Pioneering: How the GB shamelessly capitalizes on members' worldly desire for prominence.
by Island Man inthe bible likens the preaching work to a sacrifice of praise - praise to god.
pioneering is also a sacrifice that involves praise.
it's the sacrifice of a specified number of hours that wins you the praise of men.. when you really analyze the psychology of pioneering it is apparent that the praise of men or prominence before men is at the heart of it.
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startingover13
Spot on! Great analysis.
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Florida man shoots teen
by designs inmichael dunn pulled into a convenience store parking lot next to a suv full of teenagers who were playing loud music.
he asked the teens to turn down the music, it is uncertain what words were exchanged at that point.
michael dunn then shot 4 times into the driver's side of the suv.
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startingover13
Stupid ass Americans. At times, I'm ashamed of my country.
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The Power of Music
by startingover13 ini'm new to the forum, but i wanted to get an idea of what type of music you listen to.
if one thing has helped me over the past year to retain my sanity, it's music.
unfortunately, a lot of new music on the radio is trash.
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startingover13
I'm new to the forum, but I wanted to get an idea of what type of music you listen to. If one thing has helped me over the past year to retain my sanity, it's music. Unfortunately, a lot of new music on the radio is trash. But what really keeps me happy is artists like Bob Marley, Johnny Cash, most rock from the 70s/80s, salsa, jazz, country,and a lot of international music. What's on your playlist?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clJb4zx0o1o