Posts by Odrade

Personally, I forgive someone something they do that is an accident, or if they were thoughtless but realized it and apologized sincerely... IOW, if the offence was unintended.

I will NOT forgive if the offence was committed out of maliciousness, or if it was ongoing, or intentional. Or if the person has a reputation for being mean or malicious. When I was a girl, there were some kids in my congregation that were really mean and malicious. They tormented me my entire childhood, and my parents never protected me from them. They told lies, taunted me, stole my friends, every last little nasty thing that kids do... they did. My mom in particular, would rant on about forgiving and forgetting, because it was the "right" thing to do. So I did. Finally, I realized that not everything deserves forgiveness. It depends on the motive.

I haven't seen these girls in years. One of the last times I did, they made a snide remark to me, and I answered in kind then turned around and walked away. That moment ranks right up there in the top few empowering moments of my life.

Now, I choose who and when I will forgive. If the incident is important enough to remember, I don't feel bad about it either.

Odrade

49

My apologies to everyone

by TipToe in

jw
friends

i didn't know this was an " ex" board...i'm very embarrassed right now.

i didn't mean to hurt anyone here especially if some of you have been victims of sexual abuse.

i was enraged yesterday by what i saw on tv and felt i had to say something...wrong board loll ...so sorry

Odrade

LMAO @ xjw! teehee! Welcome DBYA!!! Great intro!

Odrade

4

5th estate show on in french right now!

by needs_lots in

the 5th estate program that was on earlier in english, is now on in french.

my neighbours called and told me i was on tv.

the documentary was callled "spiritual shepards" in english and "pedophiles in the jehovahs witness church" in french.

Odrade

Is it going to re-air in the States? I missed it the first time around...

13

Your Favorite Topics for Discussion?

by Frannie Banannie in

jw
friends

1. religion?

2. wt-bats issues?

4. simon?.

Odrade

Ummmm.... GOSSIP!!! So let's dish some DIRT!

24

Speaking of the latest magazines...

by Odrade in

did anyone see the recent questions from readers that cautions against about using gift registries for you wedding?

no joke.

sept 1, 2003.whether a couple who are getting married wish to use a gift registry is a matter for personal decision.

Odrade

I know! Do they even talk to each other before they write the articles???!!!

24

Handling anger badly

by Billygoat in

jw
friends

last night neil and i snuggled up on the sofa to watch a movie over a left over dinner.

we had both worked late and were tired.

we wanted to just relax and not think.

Odrade

((((Andi))))) Sometimes you just have to feel these things. Sorry you are going through it.

20

Latest WT has some Awesome Points for Struggling JWs to Consider

by Funchback in

this is long but i hope it is well worth the read.

for those of you who are still active as jws (be it due to your own will or because you are trapped), please consider the october 15, 2003 wt entitled, 'how can i make wise decisions?

consider these points that come straight from the 'faithful & discrete' mouth:

Odrade

LMAO!!!...speaking of Dubs and jobs... I just heard of a little witness girl in my hometown congregation. She is a pioneer, still living at home. She works for a brother who owns a company that assembles the little fiddly parts of something for xxx product. Anyways, he just retired and left his company in the hands of his non-JW sons. They in turn, have hired some people who *gasp* aren't Witnesses!!! So this little Dubbie pioneer girl quit her job so she wouldn't be exposed to worldly association!!!

Bwahahahaha! Get real kids!!!

Odrade

24

Speaking of the latest magazines...

by Odrade in

did anyone see the recent questions from readers that cautions against about using gift registries for you wedding?

no joke.

sept 1, 2003.whether a couple who are getting married wish to use a gift registry is a matter for personal decision.

Odrade

UC, I don't have a scanner, but I can send you the article, or post the contents. If you want the text emailed to you, there are several people here who can vouch for me not changing the article to make it sound worse. PM me. I totally understand your skepticism though. I tend to read everything with a doubting eye now too.

Dont remember who asked, but the Q was :

In many parts of the world, it is customary to give wedding gifts. What Scriptural principles should we consider when giving or receiving such gifts?

The text I previously posted is one complete paragraph of the answer. First paragraph was about how the bible approved of gift-giving. The second was a description of what/how gift registries are--presumably for the benefit of countries where it is not the custom. Third paragraph is posted in entirety above in my 1st and second posts.

Fourth paragraph:

Certainly, givers should not be made to feel that in order for their gift to be acceptable, it must be purchased at a certain store or fall within a particular price range. After all, Jesus Christ indicated that what is most precious in God's sight is a giver's heart attitude, not the material value of the gift. (Luke 21:1-4) Similarly, regarding gifts of mercy to the needy, the apostle Paul wrote: "Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."-2 Corinthians 9:7.

They also addressed the "signing the card" thing:

Biblically speaking, there is nothing wrong with identifying oneself as the giver of a gift, perhaps by including a note with a present. However, in some places, it is the custom to identify the giver to all those present. This custom can lead to problems. Thos giving a present may want to remain anonymous in order to avoid attracting undue attention to themselves. Such individuals act according to the principle found at Matthew 6:3, where Jesus states: "But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing." Others may feel that gift-giving is a personal matter that should remain private between the giver and the recipient. Moreover, identifying the givers could lead to comparisons of gifts, "stirring up competition." (Galatians 5:26) Christians surely would want to avoid making anyone feel uncomfortable or embarrassed by publicly announcing the names of the givers.-1Peter 3:8

Yes, by acting in harmony with principles found in God's Word, gift-giving will remain a source of happiness.-Acts 20:35.

So there it is. Now that I reread this article, I am more disturbed by it. It seems that all the scriptures "supports" for this were in reference to acts of charity, mercy or contribution. None were really a reference to gift-giving to individuals in celebration. Isn't this yet another example of stretching the principles in the Bible to extend an umbrella over things that are really none of the WTS business? Do you think Jesus was going around giving principles to the attendees and gift-givers at the lavish wedding he attended in Cana?

Would this constitute an example of violating Paul's words at 1 Corinthians 4:6 "Do not go beyond what is written." Though this is really a trivial matter, the application of scriptures is indicative of the process used by the WTS to ensnare it's adherents in an ever tightening net of control.

Odrade

19

Baptism pre-new questions - signed anything?

by Phantom Stranger in

i was baptised around 1978 - don't remember the date anymore.

this was before the "organization-centered" baptism questions.

did i sign anything in order to get baptized?

Odrade

'86. I did NOT sign anything. But it was also the first? year of the Organization-centric public declaration baptism questions. My pre-baptism questions were taken from the current book: Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry. I did not sign anything before, during or after the pre-baptism questions either.

Incidently, one of the elders who went over my questions with me was the local child molester. I remember we used my dad's office, and he pulled his chair forward until his knees touched mine. I didn't think anything of it at the time 'cause the office was small. How naive I was! Icky. Thanks for the forgotten memory! LOL!

Odrade