Thanks Darth, I enjoyed your story. My great-grand parents go back to the Millions Now Living campaign before 1925, they were on the road as Pioneers for 5 years selling the book. I'm glad your free.
Imminent1975
JoinedPosts by Imminent1975
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31
My Successful Fade
by Darth Rutherford init's been a while since i've posted anything about myself.
i've been on jwn for a couple of years.
my leaving the organization was not because i lost my faith, but i left because of my faith.
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Can White JWs Have Mustaches?
by Space Madness insomeone mentioned in another thread that white jws can't have mustaches but black jws can.
i noticed that the only governing body member with a mustache is black.
can anyone confirm that this is an official policy?
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Imminent1975
Bondie, an evident demonstration of the Christlike love that exists in the congregations.
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Unlimited Money
by pontoon inwe know the place on the lake was not their first choice.
another property in tuxedo park was but they were not able to get permits, lawsuits followed with the former owner, don't know how it turned out but it was a mess.
wat kept the property in tuxedo to use as a staging zone for the big construction at sterling forest lake.
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Imminent1975
I visited a friend (overseer) while they were building Patterson, (I worked at Patterson for 6+ months while I had visa/passport work done to get into another country and build another branch), he mentioned several times if the brothers would just contribute $20 per publisher, the society would have plenty of money. If I remember correctly, they were spending six figures a month on food alone for the workers on Patterson.
But think of 1,200,000 publishers? (is this accurate?) with the expected contribution of $20 per publisher each month. That's 24 Million a month. I think they should be able to make ends meet for their work in Warwick. LOL.
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Did other JWs judge you? What for?
by Julia Orwell insome judged me for going/having gone to university.
some judged me for being 'too smart.
' some judged my non jw brother for being in the army.
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Imminent1975
I was talked to by the PO because I was having a party and I did not prohibit drinking. (alcohol) It was 100 degree weather in Texas in July-August. The next day I counted the beer bottles in the trash. Not that many bottles considering the size of the "gathering". He and his co-PO, his wife, remained mad at me for years.
Judged for wearing a sport jacket on stage for a ministry school part. Counciled for not wearing a jacket at the bookstudy in a brothers home that would NOT turn on the air-conditioning, (again Texas in June-August). He couldn't afford it. Counciled for having mixed up the coat to matching pants in a suit. Similar colors but not quite the same. My mistake in a hurry in a dark closet but, Definitely showed a spiritual weakness on my part.
Counciled for playing in a garage band a few brothers had at their private homes. Any sister that had any cosmetic proceedure/etc was toast. Judged heavily for any drinking anywhere at any time, on vacation, at the home mowing the grass, anywhere. So I just started drinking heavy. Interesting, after my fade, I don't drink that much any more. LOL.
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CO Special Meeting with MS & Elders
by Syme inwhen the co visits a cognregation this semester, a special meeting with elders and mss is sceduled tuesday night, right after the normal meeting.
does anyone know what this meeting is about?
this special meeting is held at the beginning of the co-week, and is different from the standard meeting with personnel which is held friday evening.
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Imminent1975
Syme,
Thanks for keeping us informed! I don't want to be disrespectful or aggressive; I wish I could be more positive, but you mentioned "there must be an INTERESTING reason"?
I seriously doubt there is an "interesting reason", but they have something to say. I'll bet it is the same old blah, blah, blah, blan, blah and further blah, blah, blah.
Just saying
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What I really hate....
by Perversion of a truth inis that i was born into this cult, taught and believed that i was going to live forever, , that i was never going to have to die.
now i am in my mid 30's realizing that this life is all there is and that after that i am dead forever and i am terrified.
i don't want this to be all there is, , i don't want to just live a few years on this beautiful planet and then become non existent forever!
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Imminent1975
Hey Perversion of Truth, I feel you pain, (as Clinton said) and I understand. I was about 36 when I started having "anxiety" close to an 'attack". However, It was because of my workload combined with my father dying. When I learned TTATT it seemed my whole world (faith) fell apart in a matter of hours. At this point I was already on anti-depression medicine and anxiety medication as needed, but, I felt overwhelmed when aware of TTATT.
I can't tell you what will work, you most likely do Not have a problem with your heart, you need to relax, but that's hard to do if you can't go yet to the doctor and let him tell you your ok.
There are some natural relaxant herbs that are sold locally, I found they help. I am confident to say that you will successfully navigate through this difficult time period, please be confident that you can and will. Also, remember that it is just like a storm passing through, what you are feeling is not permanent. It does take some time to mentally process everything, and that's why we are here. I've known the TTATT for about 5-6 years and I've noticed that just now am I accepting and doing ok with the deception.
I might also suggest that you personally visit with a psychologist that has experience with anxiety and someone that you can openly talk to about TTATT.
I know it is so disappointing, but you can make it through.
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Today's wt study re "selfishness"
by stuckinarut2 inoh god!!
today's study is so full of classic manipulative comments..... i can't even begin to tear it apart.......... anyone want to start?.
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Imminent1975
I'm enjoying this thread, Jonahstourguide, I was interested in your comment of " Where the hell does the bible say peter was thinking that james and john might get his spot????"
I did a bit of research and only found that they and their mother had requested to be at his right and left hand in his glory. Perhaps this is where they are getting the idea. It is still another manipulative article.
The Mother of James and John Asks Jesus Something Hard
Matthew 20:20 The mother of Zebedee’s children (James and John) came to Jesus with her sons. She got down on her knees before Jesus to ask something of Him. 21 He said to her, “What do you want?” She said, “Say that my two sons may sit, one at Your right side and one at Your left side, when You are King.” 22 Jesus said to her, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to take the suffering that I am about to take? (*Are you able to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?)” They said, “Yes, we are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will suffer as I will suffer. But the places at My right side and at My left side are not Mine to give. Whoever My Father says will have those places.”
24 The other ten followers heard this. They were angry with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them to Him and said, “You know how the kings of the nations show their power to the people. Important leaders use their power over the people. 26 It must not be that way with you. But whoever wants to be great among you, let him care for you. 27 Whoever wants to be first among you, let him be your servant. 28 For the Son of Man came not to be cared for. He came to care for others. He came to give His life so that many could be bought by His blood and made free from the punishment of sin.”
Mark 10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.
42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
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Any strategies to deal with elders who just don't like you?
by toto555 inso any ways to deal or cope with elders who just don't like you (you didn't do anything wrong or they're just making stuff up about you) assuming that you can't leave?
especially when it comes to for example becoming appointed as an elder.
or are you pretty much "dead in the water" if the elders are determined to like you despite reasonable efforts to win them over.
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Imminent1975
Toto555, you bring up a good subject, basically about bullying. I have been in your situation with elders that didn't like my family, or didn't like my dad etc. It can be difficult.
I've got an older brother who is a bully. He is an elder in the Christian Congregation. WuWooo. Over the years I've tried to be nice and treat him not just fairly, but equally, and all I've ever gotten was a kick in the butt, (Literally, when I was 10 or 11.), character assasination, lies, and slandered. This doesn't sound peaceful, but the way I NOW deal with Bullies, (Once it is evident that is their MO), is to administer an immediate, exponential to their own actions, a reply that teaches them that if they screw with me, it will be painful somehow, someway.
My mom always told me to show the love card, demonstrate spiritual qualities, etc. which basically only emplowered and enabled the bully, and made me even more wimpyer, and appear weak. Over the years I have reconsidered my actions, and see that not all things can be dealt with Biblical/Jesus peace. Even King David had times when he stood up for himself and saddled his horse and went to kick some butt. There was no "waiting" on Jehovah, "saddle up boys, where going to kick some butt".
I know of one situation where the publisher, (woman) had asked to meet with the problem elder with a elder that they felt would be fair and objective to listen. (Matt 18:15) The publisher just laid it all out how it appeared that the elder was not showing Christlike love to the brotherhood, especially her, not acting like a sheppard. She didn't let anything go, and when he was called on the rug about it and it was known by another elder, he didn't change his attitude about her, but he left her alone.
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Imminent1975
I don't keep in touch with anyone, including my family who are 4th generation witnesses. (Well, I do stay in contact with my sister). Other than that, Nothing.
I do miss the get togethers that we used to have at not only my house but a few others also. Serving as an elder, I had a list of names and addresses and I always invited everyone in the congregation to get-to-gathers (Not Parties) (Well, until after 10:00p.m.). This met with several comments about why I had invited "them"; they didn't come to the meetings. Since the early 1990's WTBTS has done their best to stamp out any gatherings.
I feel like I'm in a vacuum, I've let go of the old, and haven't grabbed on to the new. The last witness "friend" that I tried to visit with recognized that I had this, as he said, "new truth", and told me that he couldn't associate with me any more. Easy come, easy go.
I guess they could say that I shunned them first after moving one thousand miles away without telling anyone. Interestingly, I grew up in this city and watched many of them come into the troof, and not one has tried to contact me.
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They are going to charge members monthly fees now! Society Tyranny
by MysticMage inwell there you have it folks.
they have passed around pieces of paper for each publisher to write.
down how much they are willing to give the society every month for their entire lives!.
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Imminent1975
The recent changes are interesting. I'm proud that I left five+ years ago, because my leaving was on issues of principles not related to money. (However, I had stopped contributing in the early 1990's knowing something was wrong but couldn't put my finger on it),
It will be interesting to watch all this unfold. I have thought that the day may come when we (fellow apostates) have to be "encouraging" to the families that have shunned us for years when they finally see the Ponzi scheme and false religion and are disgusted.