Thanks for sharing this. I copy and pasted it into my files. I always knew in my heart that God would never require a parent to sacrafice their child for a symbolic gesture. Thanks for spelling that out through the scriptures.
HS
hartstrings
JoinedPosts by hartstrings
-
30
If you think the JW's are correct on Blood don't read
by skyman inif anyone can disprove my conclussions please send me a letter in my inbox, or if you can think of other points please drop me a line.
feel free to copy and use part or all of this letter.
i started my biblical sereach after i was asked by a brother in my book study group why we could use fraction that was taken from coagulated blood, but can not auto-transfuse {store our own blood for later use} becasue the blood coagulates and then must be poured out onto the ground.
-
-
-
128
It Seems That My Children Are Not Trained
by Gary1914 ini just returned home from the kingdom hall.
i am an elder.. after the meeting all the elders were called to the back room.
i thought this was an impromptu elders' meeting.
-
-
hartstrings
Gary, I'm sorry you had to endure yet another interrogation. The pressure you are feeling right now must unbearable!
I'm sorry you had to deal with a guilt-fest. I remember how well that worked on me. When all else fails pull out the guilt tools.
Let's clarify something: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR FAMILY AND YOURS ALONE. YOUR FAMILY COMES FIRST.
Step away from JW teaches specifically and look at the history of cults, what do they use to control their members? They claim members need to sacrafice all for a higher power/deity. They brainwash through coercision. They make members think that they should be willing to give everything over to this greater good.
Reality check: YOUR FAMILY COMES FIRST!
From what you are saying, I see that you are intimidated by them and that you don't want to "rock the boat." But, where does it stop? It is time to draw a clear line in the sand in front of your family. They are OFF-LIMITS!
To have the adacity to say they will bring back the CO is just plain bullying. You can not stand for this. You need to let them know NOW that you have made up your mind on the matter and that a meeting with the CO won't be necessary. You won't be attending it and that is the final say on the matter.
Please know we are here to support you. Many of us have been exactly where you are now. We have faced the same emotions you are experiencing. We know how torn you feel right now. That is the brain-sucking monster slowly be ripped away from you. It is truly amazing how clear you can see when all the crap is wiped away and you can think for yourself. You've already started on that path according to your last message. I had emailed you about intuition. To use it, you must first listen and feel for it. It is there, you just need to have the courage to follow its path.
Good luck my friend!
HS
-
128
It Seems That My Children Are Not Trained
by Gary1914 ini just returned home from the kingdom hall.
i am an elder.. after the meeting all the elders were called to the back room.
i thought this was an impromptu elders' meeting.
-
-
hartstrings
Gary, I was wondering how things went last night. I was thinking about you and your family.
Warm thoughts,
HS
-
-
-
hartstrings
1. Wine - Riesling!!2. Coffee - Ethiopian
3. Beer - I love apple and pear ales
4. Pizza - S-room pizza. Button mushrooms marinated in olive oil, garlic, herbs, and balsamic vinegar for 48 hrs. Placed on a thick crust with a garlic, rosemary, olive oil infused crust (borders on a foccacia) and a layer of garlicky cooked spinach and of course with a variety of sharp Italian cheeses gracing the top. TO DIE FOR!
-
28
Help! How to find FRIENDS?
by jgnat inthis is the start of an article i am writing about the challenges of jw/ex-jw couples face when trying to find friends.
i need your help, finging me ideas on where to find friends, how to make friendships, and how to keep them.. tetrapod.sapien asked for this topic.
but i decided to tackle it a little differently than my polls.
-
-
hartstrings
What has worked for me is networking groups. I am TERRIBLE at making friends. When I left my entire JW and family 1 1/2 yrs ago to move 2500 miles away, I made a goal of building a new network of friends. I own a business and it has allowed me to join many networking groups in which I've made great friends. I've also made close friendships with some of my previous clients. I now have more TRUE friends than I've ever had in my life. My preschool children also have a great social circle from being a part of a MOMS group.
-
69
Secret Santa Wish List 2005
by Lady Lee inif you haven't signed up yet there are only a couple of weeks left secret santa 2005. .
for all of you who are on the secret santa gift exchange.
give people an idea of what you like.
-
-
hartstrings
I made a mistake and posted my info under a new thread on the Friends board. Opps!
I am an children's portrait artist. I love anything art. Especially locally created stuff.
I am in need of a book on how to build a new life after the JWs (with a husband who is still in).
I love local things that reflect your local culture.
Thanks so much!
HS
-
64
Do Must Dubs Have Pre-Marital Sex?
by tall penguin init's not often talked about but in my experience a lot of witnesses have sex (or something like it) during their courtship.
and most of them never go to the elders about it.
recent case in point: my dear friend got married this past summer.
-
-
hartstrings
I ditto your last four sentences thorn. Knowing what I know now, for my own mental state, I would never have casual sex. The emotional element for me is too strong in that type of relationship. If my daughters (still too young for this subject) decided to have sex while in a committed relationship, I would be fine with that and would make sure that they had the necessary protection, etc. I hope that this kind of middle-of-the-road attitude works for us.
-
33
any coffee addicts here?
by enigmatic ini been drinking alot of coffee these days.
i start off my day with four shots of espresso, than a few hours later i'll make a pitcher of frozen latte's and i usually will burn thru a pot if im out working on the ocean.
i even got to the point where i grind all my coffee myself...
-
-
hartstrings
Definite coffee addict here. I've been exploring different regions, but keep coming back to Columbian.
Anyone else only buy coffee that is part of free trade? I've been trying to support the companies that value their workers by paying them decently instead of keeping all the profits for themselves. (WTS taught me that :))
-
31
Do the Witnesses Still Go Door to Door?
by tfsm ini have lived at my current address for approximately five years and i have not had any visits from the witnesses.
i don't really want any but here's the deal: i left "the truth" about fifteen years ago.
i wasn't disfellowshipped or anything and (since i moved to another state) it was a relatively clean break.
-
-
hartstrings
Thanks Finally Free, that is simply amazing to me. I can't believe they changed it. How can they deny that they manipulate the info to fit their agenda. No wonder they are going after Quotes!!!
HS
-
9
Saturday morning, a Peaceful New World tract, and a conversion van
by Gopher inthis past saturday morning, two jw's encountered a householder (a friend of my co-worker) with an interesting perspective.
his brilliant and humorous insight into the "peaceful new world" tract is below!
id just settled down with canettis brilliant novel, translated as auto-da-fe, to listen to a saturday midmorning beethoven concert, when the doorbell went off.. .
-
-
hartstrings
That was a fantastic read! What a way with words your friend has!