Posts by carefully faded

17

Did your elders ever anounce the names of inactive publishers?

by carefully faded in

new castles recently posted a topic asking if there were any specific comments people made that caused us to question or leave the orgnaization.

this caused me to remember one particiular incident and was wondering if anyone else experienced anything similar.

our service overseer came to our bookstudy and did his routine talk on, "you're not doing enough", "what you are doing isn't quality", "do more, more, more" in the field service.

Did your elders ever anounce the names of inactive publishers?

by carefully faded in

new castles recently posted a topic asking if there were any specific comments people made that caused us to question or leave the orgnaization.

this caused me to remember one particiular incident and was wondering if anyone else experienced anything similar.

our service overseer came to our bookstudy and did his routine talk on, "you're not doing enough", "what you are doing isn't quality", "do more, more, more" in the field service.

Yes, it was terrible! In fact, I made an audible gasp when he anounced the sick sisters name. He looked at me, and saw the look on my face. . . then he quickly made some clarifying remark like "well, we all know Sister so-in-so is sick and can't get out". But he definitely wasn't going to say that had I not made that noise.

Blondie, I agree - that he was the exception - that elders aren't doing that all over. In fact, when I told people from other congregations, they were always pretty shocked. However, as usual, there were no consequences for him. Several people told our PO what had happened, but nothing that I know of was ever done. In fact, I recently heard he's a circuit overseer today. Go figure!

Sassy, you know, in retrospect, I'm actually glad it happened. Certainly not for the hurt it must have caused the people who were embarassed, but selfishly for me. . . it was the straw that started breaking the camel's back. I was already feeling pretty low, but that just cinched things for me. That marked the beginning of my fade.

CF

17

Did your elders ever anounce the names of inactive publishers?

by carefully faded in

new castles recently posted a topic asking if there were any specific comments people made that caused us to question or leave the orgnaization.

this caused me to remember one particiular incident and was wondering if anyone else experienced anything similar.

our service overseer came to our bookstudy and did his routine talk on, "you're not doing enough", "what you are doing isn't quality", "do more, more, more" in the field service.

carefully faded

New Castles recently posted a topic asking if there were any specific comments people made that caused us to question or leave the orgnaization. This caused me to remember one particiular incident and was wondering if anyone else experienced anything similar.

Our Service Overseer came to our bookstudy and did his routine talk on, "you're not doing enough", "what you are doing isn't quality", "DO MORE, MORE, MORE" in the field service. This talk was especially uncomfortable because our bookstudy was on Saturday morning - so if we didn't stay for the field service meeting directly after the bookstudy, it was pretty conspicuous.
Anyway, he then stated that we had several people in our congregation who were irregular in service. He then made sure everyone understood what "irregular" meant. He said, this means that these people can't find at least one hour out of their busy lives to devote to Jehovah over the course of three months. Then he proceeded to read the list of names of irregular publishers.
One of the sisters was there at that bookstudy while her name was read - my mouth was literally hanging open - I couldn't believe what I was hearing - what happened to confidentiality!. Then he read out another older sisters name - this second sister was something like 85 years old at the time and had faithfully devoted more than 50 years of her life - and towards the end when she was sick, bedridden and dying, he points out that she is one of these evil, selfish "inactive" ones. I was literally sick to my stomach.
This is the same elder who later stated during a public talk, "When armageddon comes, all I can say is God help those of us who are not putting in at least 10 hours per month".

Has anyone ever heard of elders making public the names of inactive publishers? Isn't that information supposed to be confidential? Just curious. Remembering that issue stirred up some serious emotions in me! Thanks. CF

52

Ok, Question: Was there a comment made at a meeting that finally convinced.

by New Castles in

was there a comment made at a meeting that finally convinced you, this is not right?

for me a couple of weeks ago was in the service meeting, they stated that if the children didnt finish their homework because they were studying the bible or at a meeting that teachers should understand that their meetings and study are more important.

i looked at my wife and went "what"??

carefully faded

Yes!

Our Service Overseer came to our bookstudy and did his routine talk on, "you're not doing enough", "what you are doing isn't quality", "DO MORE, MORE, MORE" in the field service. This talk was especially uncomfortable because our bookstudy was on Saturday morning - so if we didn't stay for the field service meeting directly after the bookstudy, it was pretty conspicuous.

Anyway, he then stated that we had several people in our congregation who were irregular in service. He then made sure everyone understood what "irregular" meant. He said, this means that these people can't find at least one hour out of their busy lives to devote to Jehovah over the course of three months. Then he proceeded to read the list of names of irregular publishers.

One of the sisters was there at that bookstudy while her name was read - my mouth was literally hanging open - I couldn't believe what I was hearing - what happened to confidentiality!. Then he read out another older sisters name - this second sister was something like 85 years old at the time and had faithfully devoted more than 50 years of her life - and towards the end when she was sick, bedridden and dying, he points out that she is one of these evil, selfish "inactive" ones. I was literally sick to my stomach.

This is the same elder who later stated during a public talk, "When armageddon comes, all I can say is God help those of us who are not putting in at least 10 hours per month".

I was so angry! But now, years later, I am thankful for what he did. I don't know how much longer it would have taken for me to open my eyes and leave - had he not been so outrageously rude and discouraging.

Can't you feel the love?

11

Moobs or Boobs?

by closer2fine in

jw
friends

take the quiz!

are they moobs or boobs?

you be the judge!.

carefully faded

That is so funny!

I only got 6 right.

CF

18

Has anyone read Diane Wilson's book, "Awakening of a Jehovah's Witness"?

by carefully faded in

jw
friends

today, i just received diane wilson's book, "awakening of a jehovah's witness".

i cracked it open tonight and in reading the first page, found something that makes me question her authenticity.

she states, "in my 22 years as one of jehovah's witnesses, i had attained the position of "traveling overseer" both in the united states and brazil.

carefully faded

Thanks to all for the wide assortment of replies. I read about half the book last night and I find, so far, I am able to agree a little bit with each of you. Yes, it is her recounting of her experiences - and she went through quite a lot. Some of the responses she received from the witnesses sounded a little extreme to me (i.e. a new rule was anounced that sisters could not show facial expressions depicting that they disagree with something a brother says). Perhaps they were emphasizing the need for sisters to show respect for brothers, and maybe an example was given, but does her recounting of this experience exaggerate things? I don't know.

I also wonder a bit about how all of the elders and various brothers were so extremely cold towards her. Granted, I ran across my share of inappropriateness and uncaring elders, but in my experience, I can't say they were all like that. Perhaps she is a bit jaded from all that she has been through? Who could blame her! Or, even worse, perhaps this was her exact experience. Either way, it appears that it is her memory of the experience and she has every right to share it.

She definately makes a great argument for how badly she (and so many others) was/were wronged and endangered with the flip-flopping medical directives.

Either way, I think she is a pretty gifted writer and I give her a lot of credit for telling her story. I hope to finish the book this weekend.

40

I want to hear "Happy Birthday" for the first time ever!!!

by HadEnuf in

jw
friends

yes...it is true.

though my picture here is fairly close to what i really look like50 tomorrow.

since i shall be busy tomorrow celebrating my fifty years of existence and especially my almost 5 years of freedom from the (b)org...please be kind to this old lady and stop by and wish me a happy birthday!

carefully faded

C athy,

Happy, Happy Birthday!

oh, and an early Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too!

CF

18

Has anyone read Diane Wilson's book, "Awakening of a Jehovah's Witness"?

by carefully faded in

jw
friends

today, i just received diane wilson's book, "awakening of a jehovah's witness".

i cracked it open tonight and in reading the first page, found something that makes me question her authenticity.

she states, "in my 22 years as one of jehovah's witnesses, i had attained the position of "traveling overseer" both in the united states and brazil.

carefully faded

Today, I just received Diane Wilson's book, "Awakening of a Jehovah's Witness". I cracked it open tonight and in reading the first page, found something that makes me question her authenticity. She states, "In my 22 years as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I had attained the position of "Traveling Overseer" both in the United States and Brazil."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not recall a woman ever being appointed as an overseer . . .women are not allowed to oversee anything!

Has anyone else read this book? Is she legit?

CF

OK, sorry, I spoke too soon. I've come back to edit my question. After I read a bit further, I realized it is another ex-JW (a former Traveling Overseer in Brazil) that was writing the opening chapter . . . the Endorsement - not Diane Wilson. Silly me, I should have known there was no way a woman held a position of authority in "the organization".

But, now that you're here . . . have you read the book? Did you enjoy it? What are your thoughts?

CF

31

Friends???????

by drnewson in

jw
friends

you all don't sound like friends of mine.

nor ones i want to be friends with.

you sound like feinds not friends.

carefully faded

Ceriserose,

Yes, I picked up on the spelling error and another grammatical error:

You all don't sound like friends of mine. Nor ones I want to be friends with.
You sound like feinds not friends. Friends are nice. You are not nice.

Drnewson . . .

"Nor ones I want to be friends with." For someone who thinks their grammar is good enough to correct others, you should know, you never, ever, ever end a sentence with a prepositional phrase. The proper way to write this sentence would have been, "Nor ones with which I want to be friends".
Fiends is spelled incorrectly. . . "I" before "E" except after "C"

If you would like to keep posting here, I'm sure most of us wouldn't mind taking the time to teach you proper grammar.

CF

38

What do I do about a Bully?

by Stefanie in

jw
friends

there is this stupid kid who is picking on my 12 year old daughter.

it started at the begining of the school year and now yesterday the b*tch pulled my kids hair so hard she felt it an hour later.

two teachers know of the situation and have told my kid to just ignore it.

carefully faded

I agree with many of the suggestions. I think the most important thing you can do is to dilligently document everything! Names, dates, incidents, etc. Write a letter to the Principal, Teachers, School Board Members . . . everyone . . . detailing each incident involving your daughter. Make them feel personally involved and responsible by including the names and titles of the school employees that you have approached for help (the Principal, etc.) and include how each individual responded. Indicate that they are "on notice" and that you will be holding each of them personally responsible for any further incidents that may occur because they have not taken action to ensure the safety of your daughter. Seeing their names and that direct notice of individual responsibility hopefully will jolt them into action!

Good luck to you. Please give your daughter a hug from me!

CF