Posts by Grace

20

Patiently waiting for so long

by KW13 in

jw
friends

mum and stepdad were watching the news, as i walked in mum cut short what she was saying.. "this could be the shout of peace and secur...".

it frustrates me, whenever there is a conflict or war the witnesses are on the edge of their seat, hoping to see some huge disaster so they can rub their hands in glee and then all be saved and get to live in a paradise as god's chosen ones while everyone else dies a horrible death.. i asked her if she realised that "peace and security" had already been said several times in the past and still no end!!

she said to me that the society teach, that this could either be a long-term shout of peace of security or a statement said and then the end.. so i suppose this gives them an excuse should it fail to happen after a huge announcement of peace of security or a lot of events happen.

Grace

The Witnesses are so blind-sided by their false teachings it colors everything they see: they're the only ones who are applauding the current crisis in the Middle East. And famine in the Sudan (for example), the AIDS crisis in Africa (as another example), and natural disasters they welcome instead of getting out their chequebooks and donating to the Red Cross like real humantarians. Whenever disaster or long-term crisis strikes, most of us first think of feeding the people and getting them out of danger. The Witnesses think a Bible Study is all a person needs.

I am still pissed at their directive during Hurricane Katrina that faithful followers should not donate to Red Cross etc., that they should instead give their money to the World Wide Work and the "brothers" will see that it is distributed to those in need. If you believe this...

Now that I am out (and proud and strong), I visibly look for opportunities to donate whenever I can. It's a fantastic feeling to be on the right side of human living.

Grace

24

No Resurrection For Disfellowshipped?

by ThomasCovenant in

sorry if this has been covered already.. 1) what is the written policy about disfellowshipped ones having a resurrection?.

2) what if the disfellowshipped one is d'd for apostasy?.

reason i ask is an ex elder who was disfellowshipped for apostasy is very ill and may very likely die soon.

Grace

When I DA'ed myself, the PO called me many times to convince me otherwise (I refused to allow them into my home). In our last conversation, he told me I have no hope of resurrection and that I am condemned to die for all eternity. I asked, "You are deciding who lives and who dies...how is this different than the Nazis?" He took offense to the question and said that Jehovah makes it quite clear that I am condemned for all eternity, that I should live a life without any hope at all.

They will go to any extremes to make sure no one questions their direction. This is why I left in the first place.

Grace

17

Calling all my ENGLISH Friends!

by RichieRich in

jw
friends

hey, i was reading online that some of the one pound coins have "nemo me impune lacessit" milled around the edges.

are those coins in circulation there??

cause i would like to have to have one from this year (2006).

Grace

What's the update on your life at the moment, Richie? Can you share?

Grace

18

Is This Discrimination ?

by Bstndance in

jw
friends

yesterday, i received a notice of an arts grant available for people in urban areas.

in reading the materials it stated (and i'm going to bold the same words the application did): must be a person of color from african, asian, or hispanic heritage.

i was quite offended by this.

Grace

Where I come from, this is the standard hiring practice of the government. If you're white, forget it! You needn't apply. I have seen people with far fewer qualifications and experience soar to great heights in upper management because of their ethnicity. And the government is very open about it in their advertising campaigns. They target specific non-white groups openly.

Grace

73

I came home to find my wife crying over THAT article.

by jambon1 in

jw
friends

i came home today to find my wife crying whilst reading the 'when a loved one leaves jehovah' article.

its been a good few months now and i can appreciate how she feels.

but it just irritates me how my disagreeing with this religion has such a catastrophic effect on our everyday lives.

Grace

Jambon, I can really relate! When I married my JW husband (I was 30 and childless and a non-JW), I became instant full-time mother to his anorexic 11-year old daughter (who had been badly neglected by her Pioneer mother). Her mother remarried two weeks after my husband and I were married...she married an MS but they refused to have anything at all to do with the daughter. I could not even get a dime from the mom for child support because, as my lawyer said, "She chooses not to work, therefore she cannot pay." So here I was full-time mother and breadwinner for my new husband and child (I've always made much more money than my husband). I would rush home from work to make dinners, clothe the daughter (her mother did not even let the daughter bring a toothbrush to live with us, therefore I had to start from scratch), get her registered in a new school, get her well...and everything else a parent does I would do. Then she started getting healthier and started developing and I had to teach her all the woman-related stuff. She lived with me for eight years.

All I heard is that I didn't have the truth! I was unbelieving! "Wouldn't it be great if Grace got the truth someday," I would frequently hear.

You're right...it's enough to make you crack up. I was tired and I caved and I signed up. Silly, weak me! The good news is this - that every day you're out brings joy and surprises. Leave your emotional windows open but keep doing right by them anyway. What you're doing takes much more courage than they will ever know.

You truly DO have God's spirit.

Grace

43

Update! The pressure is rising, Elders on my trail!

by drew sagan in

jw
friends

here is yet another update on what is going on in my world.

the elder i talked to a while back just couldn't let it be and now want's to have another discussion.

he now wants to meet with with another elder from the hall.

Grace

Drew, I would not let the "apostate" term even concern you: if you do, it shows you're still playing by their rules. You are NOT an apostate, you ARE a thinking human being.

I would be like a broken record on the central issue of serving God vs. serving an Organization. Let them show you how many scriptural texts there are (other than the "faithful and discreet slave" one that they have twisted) that says that God needs an organization on earth. In contrast, you can load them up with all the scriptures that emphasize the only way to salvation is a relationship with Christ (start with John 3:16). There are hundreds of these. Clearly, one can (one should) serve God without the Watchtower, and one can (and should) read/interpret/understand the bible without Watchtower.

I'm going to make a general post about this topic tomorrow. But I would certainly be like a broken record about this one if I were face to face with the "elders" now.

Take care, my friend.

Grace to you.

5

Excellent video - Witnesses of Jehovah

by Grace in

jw
friends

i had never seen this before yesterday and i implore anyone (especially those who are still witnesses) to view this:.

witnesses of jehovah.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2183288529160546808.

Grace

I had never seen this before yesterday and I implore anyone (especially those who are still Witnesses) to view this:

Witnesses of Jehovah

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2183288529160546808

We have had many posters of late who are struggling with issues of both reinstatement and writing letters of disassociation. I highly recommend everyone sees this video, particularly those who are on the margins of staying faithful to the organization.

Grace

5

A video of an Elder saying those disfellowshipped are not shunned...

by Grace in

jw
friends

.

...and, under oath and in court, this elder says that the witnesses do not use the word shun and would gladly help out a disfellowshipped person but are not able to discuss spiritual matters.. further, the elder repeatedly says under oath that disfellowshipping is a congregational matter, not a family matter; therefore, families would not be required to shun their disassociated or disfellowshipped loved ones.. excuse me if most of you have seen this already...i stumbled across it on my own.. grace.

i cannot get the link to copy here, but google "witnesses of jehovah video" and you will see about six down there is a link talking about an elder twisting the truth in court.

Grace

...and, under oath and in court, this Elder says that the Witnesses do not use the word shun and would gladly help out a disfellowshipped person but are not able to discuss spiritual matters.

Further, the Elder repeatedly says under oath that disfellowshipping is a congregational matter, not a family matter; therefore, families would not be required to shun their disassociated or disfellowshipped loved ones.

Excuse me if most of you have seen this already...I stumbled across it on my own.

Grace

I cannot get the link to copy here, but Google "Witnesses of Jehovah video" and you will see about six down there is a link talking about an Elder twisting the truth in court.

19

JW's going door to door in poor neighborhoods

by Wordly Andre in

i'm not sure if its just me, but i've noticed that every time i drive through the "ghetto part of my city" ok maybe ghetto is a poor choice of words but poor neighborhood, i always see jw's out in the streets.

i live in the same city only in the better part and i hardly ever see jw's on my street?

not that i am complaining about it but, i was thinking do they target lower income families, or in their eyes uneducated people for their ministry?

Grace

My husband (who originally comes from Crown Heights, Brooklyn), says that witnessing in the rich neighborhoods is difficult because folks already have their paradise.

Of course the witnesses prey on the weak and poor, the "humble" as one poster already noted. Any cult with any sense would do this.

Grace

36

We are all lacking in Faith!

by The Truth in

where do i begin?

well let's see i'm 24yrs old and since i was 5 i've been taught ''the truth'' i remember going to the hall when i was a little girl with my grandmother i attended did the bible study and i learned a lot and i'm greatfull even though i'am no longer in the religion i grew up like everyone else saw and learned a lot of other things of this world none which have made me belive anything i have found myself asking lately what is happening with this world?

why doesn't doesn't jehovah do something and stop the pain for everyone?

Grace

The point I take exception to is that "we're all lacking in Faith". "The Truth" (the poster) is spitting out the false Watchtower teaching that those who question are weak. I want to say, "Speak only for yourself" because, in my case, I have never had more faith.

I know how much courage it takes to leave Watchtower, the publishing company. I liken it to being part of the Resistance during the Nazi era. To stand up and do the right thing even though all your loved ones are snowed under by empty words and false hope is difficult.

I am proud of my courage and my conviction to live faith. Posting to this community is a good first step to learning about empty Watchtower deceptions. May you eventually find joy and peace at the end of each day.

Grace to you.