Posts by Pete Zahut

I honestly hardly knew her in the grand scheme of things. She was just so special it pisses me off how she died so young. DEATH is the enemy nobody conquers except delusionally by "belief."

Not to say that it wouldn't have been nice if you two would have kept in touch but I'm guessing that if you'd have known her for an extended period of time and had come to know her faults, you may not have such a rose colored image of her and maybe you wouldn't feel so much to blame.

I'm getting older than old. At Seventy, I'm in the killing fields and in the crosshairs.
Everything suddenly has "final value". It's a going-out-of-business sale on APPRECIATION.

It's natural to take stock once in awhile and adjust ourselves to the changes time brings. Hopefully you won't hang onto this "older than old" thought for too long. That way when you are 80 you'll be glad that when you were 70 you didn't miss out on anything or start limiting yourself, just because you began to think of yourself as old. I'm sure there are plenty of 80 year olds who would love to be only 70 years old again.

Remember, anyone who is alive, no matter how young or old they may be, is in the "crosshairs" and can wind up not alive at any moment. Make up your mind that you're going to do your seventies with the same style, grace and humor you've shown thus far in your life. Be and inspiration to those who are coming up behind you, (me included) show how em' how it's done.

20

Another Hollywood Memory

by TerryWalstrom in

jw
friends

another hollywood memory____________________“thanks for the pink chablis, marta.

who’s that singing?

sounds familiar.”.

Pete Zahut

Why didn't I keep up with Marta and find out how she was doing? I guess my own life was just too much in my face. The excuse doesn't change the fact she is out of reach.

I can see how you would feel this way but on the other hand, it's a two way street. Marta didn't keep up with you either.

Just because she happened to be the first one to go, doesn't mean you bear most of the blame.

From one well trained JW boy to another, I'm guessing you are being far more conscientious about this than you need to be.

31

The Dub At My Door (is back for Return Visit)

by TerryWalstrom in

the dub at my door ___________________i’d rather have a root canal than agree to a sit down with an active jehovah’s witness.i’m an ex-jw.

for good reason.

fool me once....i’m an activist and an author of a book or two exposing and vilifying the destructive jw cult organization.yet i agreed.

Pete Zahut

Thanks for your post....I love this !!!

It's really quite astounding to see how presumptuous JW's can be, as was demonstrated when he attempted to pray with you, and to think at one time, (with all the best intent in the world) I wouldn't have batted an eye at such a thing.

Your grandfather's illustration of "the most beautiful woman in the world" is a classic and one I shall borrow for use, myself.

The idea that there aren't any original manuscripts available for use as verification (although quite obvious) was something I hadn't thought of before.

Thanks Terry, I can go to bed tonight feeling satisfied that I've learned something new.

PS I have no idea who would give you a thumbs down. If I could give you a thumbs up, I would. Looking forward to reading about your next RV with this fellow, and hopeful for him, that he does return.

I think sometimes people hit the thumbs down button by mistake...even I've gotten a few of thumbs down on my posts and I can only assume it done by mistake, of course LOL !

8

You'll Never Forget Fata Morgana!

by compound complex in

jw
friends

what my friend photographed while we were viewing the pacific ocean:.

.

Pete Zahut

9 hours ago

"Very interesting. What causes the mirage CoCo?"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fata_Morgana_(mirage)

13

Not liked

by Akid48 in

in my kingdom hall people see me as rude but to me i dont understand how.for me having to talk to adults is not bad but for me its one thing if i dont know you and so i have my guard up at all times and i have a fuck off tone in my voice.but some of the brothers seem they like kids to much.. one more thing i have the a fuck off tone some times is because a lot of brothers i kinda know (hint kinda know) ask me about my school life.what i mean is not ''hey how's school?

'' i mean and im not joking when i say i have been asked.

''so have you had to turn down any girls yet?

Pete Zahut

I know you don't want to be at the meetings or believe in the doctrines of JW's but I'm quite sure they aren't out to get you or trip you up.

There are going to be times in life when you'll have to be sociable, even when you don't want to. The better you are at getting through these times, the easier you'll have it.

If you take things at their face value, rather than trying to read ulterior motives into everything every JW says to you, or imagining, without any real proof that they don't like you, you'll be a lot happier. Since you have to be there, why not make it as pleasant as possible?

It helps if you focus on the feelings of others rather than how you are feeling. Perhaps reading this will be of some help

16

Witnesses vying for "who has the biggest trials to cope with"

by stuckinarut2 in

it struck me that witnesses have mastered the art of revelling in "trials and problems" that require "enduring".

of course, the persecution complex, and the paranoia about these "wicked last days" no doubt contributes to this.. if one witness has some health issue, or if another has a family drama, they seem to revel in sharing these stories amongst their witness friends...almost in an attempt to elicit sympathy.. has anyone else noticed this?.

most normal people though outside of the org, simply recognise that life has its ups and downs, and need to be dealt with..

Pete Zahut

"Heartaches are heroes when their pockets are full"

A line from the song "Seven Year Ache" which to me describes what you are talking about.

People who are doing well and don't really have anything to complain about, often like to brag about how hard they have, or have had things in life. It makes them feel less guilty for not currently being part of the Judeo Christian martyrdom that is so looked up to by a certain cross section of our society.

20

Another Hollywood Memory

by TerryWalstrom in

jw
friends

another hollywood memory____________________“thanks for the pink chablis, marta.

who’s that singing?

sounds familiar.”.

Pete Zahut

I have uncovered no details about her death--I'd love to get a link from you.
Thank you!

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=boutel&GSfn=marta&GSiman=1&GScid=2254349&GRid=181727536&

The arizona republic has quite a few articles that include her mostly about her art but you have to join their site. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/20080255/

Here's her high school year book but you have to join to see her photo http://www.e-yearbook.com/sp/eybb?school=26044&year=1969

Father: George B Boutel AZ

Mother: Carolyn Smith Sydney Australia

Richard John Karsten 65 AZ( 2nd Husband?)

Jeff G Boutel Seattle (Brother?) https://businessprofiles.com/details/jeff-boutel-properties-inc/US-WA-601800180/marta-boutel

She was also known as "Martha" Boutel Irvin and was married to a Kevin Irvine

20

Another Hollywood Memory

by TerryWalstrom in

jw
friends

another hollywood memory____________________“thanks for the pink chablis, marta.

who’s that singing?

sounds familiar.”.

Pete Zahut

Interesting story as usual...

Marta died rather young in her fourties....did you ever find out why? I'm seeing things that make it sound as if foul play was involved

Is this her photo and artwork?

26

Amazing new graph - publisher increase compared to country population increase rates

by jwfacts in

world population growth rate is 1.13%, whilst jehovah's witness average publishers grew by 1.8%.

watchtower growth is outpacing population growth, though at a dismal rate considering the 2 billion hours of preaching required for an increase of just 115,194. this is an aggregate number, and most growth is from developing nations in africa and south america.

what i was really interested in finding is how watchtower growth compares to the population growth in different countries.

Pete Zahut

The number of hours per recruit really does highlight how incredibly ineffective the publishing work is ... but it doesn't cost them (the org) anything (vs buying a super-bowl ad).

I don't think the quick ingathering of individuals before the end comes is a true concern to them. They must realize that if they were to purchase advertising on national television, they'd be overwhelmed with responses, overnight and the "Good news would be preached throughout the earth" and the long awaited end would come.

The problem is, the eyes of the public would be upon them. They'd be in the spotlight and would be accountable for everything they say and do and have said and done. There would be public scrutiny. The way things are now, they fly under the radar of the general public. Most people think their experience with JW's is an isolated incident unique unto themselves or their particular local. They don't realize the scope of what is going on. It's easy for them to dismiss them as just another fanatical religious group.

I think for the leaders at Bethel and for many JW's being a Jehovah's Witness is a way of life rather than a means to and end.