Thanks all. I'm not feeling guilty for speaking frankly with him. It's just that I remember what a state of turmoil my life was thrown into once I realized that the "truth" wasn't true. Disillusionment coupled with depression is a dangerous thing. If our conversation had any part in his spiral down, it was minor. Over the years, he had seen a lot as an elder, as a congregation member. He and members of his family had been treated cruelly by elders and traveling overseers because of trying to stand up for what was right.
Still, he continued to believe it was "the truth," even up until my last conversation with him. He urged me to just hold on for one or two more years, then it would be over and Jehovah would fix everything. That was about 18 months ago. I guess he just couldn't hang on anymore. I know it wasn't my fault, and given the opportunity, I would speak just as honestly again. He deserved that kind of respect from me, and I regarded him as a friend.
Posts by Odrade
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85Elder asks me why we quit... (Long)
by Odrade inin this thread i mentioned having a long chat with an elder last summer.
i didn't realize i had never posted the story, so here it is.. last summer (when i went to buy my new camera lens) i ran into one of my favorite jws at the photography shop.
he was buying a camera bag for his new dslr, and i saw him, went up and greeted him, hugged him.
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Odrade
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8
How many here have been to Morning Worship at Bethel?
by BonaFide inin bethels throughout the world, morning worship starts at 7 am sharp.
in new york, there are closed-circuit televisions with a large digital clock display, including the seconds.
morning worship takes place in the big dining rooms so you are given breakfast after, everyone has an assigned seat.
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85
Elder asks me why we quit... (Long)
by Odrade inin this thread i mentioned having a long chat with an elder last summer.
i didn't realize i had never posted the story, so here it is.. last summer (when i went to buy my new camera lens) i ran into one of my favorite jws at the photography shop.
he was buying a camera bag for his new dslr, and i saw him, went up and greeted him, hugged him.
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Odrade
UPDATE: I just got a phone call that this brother committed suicide two weeks ago. I will be attending the memorial service this Saturday. I can't help but wonder if our conversation had some small part in this terrible tragedy. I hope not. My husband and I both really cared for this man and his wife, and considered them friends, in spite of the distance that our leaving the WTS created.
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27
Classical/Spanish Guitar Virtuosos
by BurnTheShips inissac albeniz played by john williams.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeffbut3i6a&feature=relatedjohn williams again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyhf9keidscand the man that brought the intrument into the light, andres segovia.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsw2iqg1mfg&feature=related.
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Google Maps just got better: Maps for Public Transit
by Elsewhere inneed to know how to get from point a to point b, but you don't want to drive a car?
just go to google maps and it will tell you how!.
here is a demo video:.
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39
Text Message I Just Received From An Old Witness Friend
by str8?so is spaghetti..until you heat it up inthis is a text message i just received from a guy who was in my old congregation.
(ps, no there was no shenanigans going on there, i wasn't interested in this guy in that way...even though he was possibly the best friend i had ever had within jws).. "hi rob.
please come back to the truth.
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DC Seating
by RR inokay, how many of you got to the convention site nice and early so that you could get the best seats on the house?.
having met in yankees stadium (difficult for me as i'm a mets fan) i always made sure i was in the shade.
hey someone had to come in early and make those watchtower hoagies (by the way, i never washed my hands).
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Nothing but the Blood - Chapter 8 (Final)
by daniel-p in[this is the true story of my life.
i'm posting it in installments.
the final installment will include post-script-type thoughts, with acknowledgements to those who've helped me along these last two years, as well as those who've been an inspiration.
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Nothing but the Blood - Chapter 2
by daniel-p ini'm posting it in installments.
the final installment will include post-script-type thoughts, with acknowledgements to those who've helped me along these last two years, as well as those who've been an inspiration.
you could tell his heart was in it because he tried so hard.
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How many have had a problem with the confession idea to elders?
by Hope4Others ini use to, well i still do think its no better than the confession idea to a priest.. 1. how many elders step down and are removed and what then?.
2. how many people have access to the file cabinet?.
3. my biggest thought is how many that are no longer elders repeat the dirty little secrets?.
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