Sorry I had to start a new topic but the board's software is not allowing me any replies and with all the newer people here they might want to get to know a little about me.
I was raised in a JW household that wasn't terribly strict, but strict enough where I had no worldly friends and wouldn't even consider college or extracurricular school activities. Baptized at 17. That and getting married just after turning 20 stunted me emotionally and I'm still recovering, though I think I'm doing an okay job.
Started working in my father's business and pretty much took it over when he retired and moved to Florida in 1995.
Quit associating with JWs in 1997 at age 25. JW wife left me on the advice of the elders, but she came back 5 months later.
Grew my hair very long and pierced my ear.
In spring of 2000 two elders came to my house under the pretense of inviting me to the Memorial. "Thanks but no thanks." They then informed me that the real reason they were there was to serve me notice that a judicial hearing was being scheduled and I was asked several times to either attend or put something in writing that I was no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
I chose to attend the hearing. The charge against me was fellowshipping with a disfellowshipped person. My defense was mainly three instructions and statements from the Society: 1) the Flock book says that if a person has not associated for some time, the matter may be held in abeyance until such time that the person wishes to continue worshipping as a JW, and 2) a 1987 Watchtower which gave an experience of someone who committed a DFing offense but hadn't been associated for some time, so no judicial action was taken, and 3) the watchtower.org website said that persons who simply left the religion are not shunned.
I was told "the Flock book says MAY," "some alleged website is not our authority," and the 1987 Watchtower was simply dismissed as irrelevant.
This all was fine by me as I didn't care if I was DF'd. I even brought my DF'd friend with me to the Kingdom Hall. When the elders asked what he was doing there I replied, "He is here to testify on my behalf that under no circumstances does he ever associate with me at any time whatsoever." Which of course was silly cause we drove there together. The elders didn't find it amusing.
Anyway, aside from the JW nonsense, I like to think that I am the type of person who is a good listener, offers wise advice when asked, and will volunteer my time or resources to friends or family in need. Recently, I have become the person in need, as in June I was diagnosed with bilateral radial palsy -- essentially my hands, wrists and fingers don't work properly. So I've been unemployed for quite some time and am hoping I will qualify for social security benefits.
My interests are golfing, playing guitar, and watching hockey games (I live in Buffalo). Hopefully when the hands come back I can get my chops back too. I still have a passing interest in religion/christianity but it's purely academic. I would like to think life has a greater meaning than "70 or 80 years" but I have found nothing convincing.
I can be quite stubborn when I feel I'm right about something. I have also learned over the years that if a disagreement isn't going to kill anybody, sometimes it's best to just acquiese to the other party.
I have a relationship with a girl I met online quite some time ago and is registered here as caty, She's the most interesting, fun, smart person I've ever met.
I cherish all the friendships I've made since becoming internet-wise in 1/97. And I greatly miss those who I no longer communicate with.
What's a personal ad without pics? Here's me maybe 5 years ago with the Great Mullet:
And here is a more recent pic: