findingme

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Posts by findingme

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  13

  I finally went to CHURCH----and didn't feel guilty!

  by findingme in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've was df'd over 6 years ago after spending all of my life a jw.

  i remember thinking i could never step foot in a church out of guilt or fear.

  however, i am feeling a loss of some kind of christian fellowship....i think i read a few other posts regarding this need for some of you.. i knew i would not go back to a kh, either.

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  findingme

  Thank you everyone, for your encouraging responses.

  Especially you, Cicatrix! Your description of the whole experience mirrors my own. People out their really do listen, and they acknowledge the difficulty of coming out of an authoritarian religion. I actually smiled all day after going to church last week; I recalled the live music that moved me to clap and sing along and the humorous video clips they showed regarding "kindness".

  For several years, I was SO afraid of opening up to people; now I don't know why I waited so long. I do become weepy sometimes when I relate my past and compare it to my present circumstances. What a difference! To think I once thought I could never find the true me.....

  The grieving process isn't the same for everyone, I know. Members of my own family are taking different steps; we try to share with each other to guide each other through the process.

  The best to you!
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  28

  Elders Won't Let Elderly Sister Stay In The Bathroom

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  evidently, according to my mother, her friend has all sorts of perfume allergies and has been attending meetings in the ladies room with a door open so as to hear the vital spiritual information.

  anyway, the elders told her she could no longer sit in the stall.

  now she's depressed and doesn't know what to do.

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  findingme

  It is a public place, isn't it??? The elderly sister can go where she wants!!!
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  25

  Watchtower Business Model

  by little witch in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  did you ever wonder why the watchtower fusses over such silly and minute rules?

  things like smoking, dress, music, dance, movies, language, what company you keep, what and how you celebrate?

  let's consider a few factors.

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  findingme

  Yes, it was the efficiency and minute details of the "underdog" organization that attracted my family in the first place. The hope of everlasting life was another attraction---and of serving God in a way he pleased.

  I no longer believe God is concerned with little details....I believe he cares more for what is in your heart. I also believe the condition of the heart is reflected in the attitude toward other people......Respect for other human beings is extremely important.

  I made the same mistake everyone else in that organization did: please other men, ie, elders, oversears, etc., as if they were the god I was worshipping.

  Not any more.....

  ---'Me of the "glad-not-to-be-a-hypocrite-any-more" class
• 
  13

  I finally went to CHURCH----and didn't feel guilty!

  by findingme in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've was df'd over 6 years ago after spending all of my life a jw.

  i remember thinking i could never step foot in a church out of guilt or fear.

  however, i am feeling a loss of some kind of christian fellowship....i think i read a few other posts regarding this need for some of you.. i knew i would not go back to a kh, either.

  1. 
  2. 
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  findingme

  I've was df'd over 6 years ago after spending all of my life a JW. I remember thinking I could never step foot in a church out of guilt or fear.

  However, I am feeling a loss of some kind of Christian fellowship....I think I read a few other posts regarding this need for some of you.

  I knew I would not go back to a KH, either. So, I struggled with this dilemma of not wanting to attend a KH, yet feeling guilty for trying a different church. In the meantime, I was continually getting invites from workmates and schoolmates to "visit" their Willow Creek-associated church. I kept saying "no" because of guilt, yet I always stressed the need to associate with Christians and participate in self-help groups they organized.

  What to do? I finally said "yes" and tagged along with my co-worker one Sunday. I was not prepared for the upbeat music and sermons! We actually stood and clapped....and sang along. The sermon made me laugh at times....and feel choked up at other times. The topic was regarding "kindness"....and I was completely amazed at the positive feeling I carried with me all day! What a relief....

  I may not become an official member so soon....but I will certainly go back for more encouragement.

  In college, we learned that religion/church is for people, not for God. God does not need religion, people do! Hence, people become involved for themselves only....and that is okay.

  --Still Finding me
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  39

  THE MOST ANNOYING WT PHRASES!

  by tresbella in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hey!

  ever read the wt and awake articles and get tired of seeing words and prases like "the society's counsel on..."

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  findingme

  The bloom of youth.... Yeck!.
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  31

  Your worst Watchtower Study ever?

  by Celtic in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what article was it when you were a witness that was the most complicated for you to understand?

  i remember that there were a right few beaut's, dad being the wt conductor, of course we had to go through the finer detail getting to the most indepth meaning and how it linked up.

  hmmmmmmm.. what was your worst watchtower study ever then?

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  findingme

  So true, Atilla! The extra paragraphs always pissed me off, too. The conductor seemed to be on a power trip when it came to his control with the "overtime" of the Watchtower study. I doubt anyone really wanted to stay anymore than they had too..."c'mon, c'mon....let's wrap it up already..." is what I always thought.
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  39

  THE MOST ANNOYING WT PHRASES!

  by tresbella in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hey!

  ever read the wt and awake articles and get tired of seeing words and prases like "the society's counsel on..."

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  findingme

  "oh, he is such a spiritual brother. He is what any fine spiritual sister would desire as a marriage mate...." (nevermind he is a complete asshole.... and doesn't know how to kiss properly).
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  17

  Just got back from the YMCA

  by Atilla in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i went to the y last night just to relax and go swimming.

  the y near my house is pretty clean and after 8 p.m., not very crowded.

  i find it very relaxing to go work out, play basketball, go swimming and then sit in the sauna after a long shower.

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  findingme

  I joined the Y a couple of years ago. College students get free membership where I am, so I couldn't resist. I will gladly sign up as a paying member once I am out of school, too. Great place to work out and use the track. Love it!!

  I have recently engaged in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign, too. (uh oh....another no-no ) My husband has a website; he is really into it. Check it out if you can

  http://nazaire.home.insightbb.com

  I've also joined college clubs and voted in the election!.........

  Yes, a great deal of new experiences for me, too.
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  44

  Elder Comes To My Mother's House To Inquire of Minimus & Family

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my mom told me yesterday that my friend (while growing up) who is an elder again, (after years of mental problems), came to her house and inquired as to how my family and i are doing.

  he said we have become a subject of conversation at a recent get together..... of course, my mother started crying, told him to ask me himself and told him she did not wish to talk about this subject since it severely depresses her.

  he backed off but shortly asked again.

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  findingme

  Min, you didn't tell your mom about us did you??? It is supposed to be a secret affair!!!

  Seriously, sorry to hear your mom is upset.
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  49

  Were You Treated With Respect When Counseled By The Elders?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i knew a certain few elders that really got off by "talking down" to the "flock".

  many elders were pretty nice guys but a few could turn----just like that!

  what was your experience with "those taking the lead", the "loving shepherds"???

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  findingme

  On my Judicial Commitee, it was the PO who really wanted to know the nitty-gritty details of my sex life and "what body part does he touch you?" and "did you like it?"...etc. I felt as if I had been raped after going through my JC. The other elders were obviously uncomfortable with the PO's questions toward me.

  Afterward, I told the person I was involved with what had happened at my "discipline meeting". He was really MAD; he wanted to kick their butts!