Posts by Smiles

24

What's your take on "stumbling"...

by Frequent_Fader_Miles in

the phrase "cause for stumbling" often left me bewildered.

tell you what to do counsel you and impose their own opinions on you.

maybe i did something in the past that "stumbled" someone, but aren't we all able to make our own decisions when it comes to conduct and choices ... at least we should be, especially if it isn't regarding something inherently wrong.

Smiles_Smiles

'stumbling' ~ a great concept to keep people inslaved in fear. A powerful way to keep people from being authentic.

35

Where do you go for your spiritual needs?

by Blindbutnowisee in

jw
friends

i never was baptize as a jw.

i use to study with them for years, i even went as for as becoming a unbaptize publisher.

i gave up being a publisher because i did not feel genuine in my efforts to preach.

Smiles_Smiles

I think quite possibly the whole 'spiritual need' phrase is a JW thing. I don't consider myself as 'needing' 'spiritual food' even though I would consider myself quite spiritual (and not at all religious). If I want to read or see something that may be 'considered spiritual' in nature then I just do it. Movies, magazines, books (not religious in nature). I am pretty open to anything as long as it is not religious (been down that road and have no desire to revisit it). I do yoga at times and things of the such but I don't necessarily think of that as spiritual. hmmm ....

38

Baptism at age 11 next Saturday

by Fatfreek in

i just learned that one of my grandsons (whom i've never met) will be baptized on saturday.

he will be twelve in november.

what's happening within the publishing company to inspire this sort of thing?

Smiles_Smiles

PS

I know we are not the norm but she is doing great. To toot her horn ... she ended up home schooling 6th-8th grade because of the fact she thought she wasn't learning anything much in public school (just be taught the state test information). And because right around that time the witnesses (adults including my sister) where basically stalking her at school. She completed 6th-8th grades in 2 years and entered High School. She basically skipped her Sophomore year also. She is now 14 and a Junior and is currently taking college classes simultaneously.

this is just from me not holding her back and trying to support her aspirations. Where one might have thought that was a huge mistake in the JW baptism issue (which I admit it could have bit me in the ass). It's the same drive that makes her excel and motivates her in the rest of her life. I did not and do not now feel comfortable with anything other than supporting that drive and of course to the best of my knowledge and ability at any given time keeping her safe and prepared in the process.

OK so that is 3 cents ... tehehee

Smiles

38

Baptism at age 11 next Saturday

by Fatfreek in

i just learned that one of my grandsons (whom i've never met) will be baptized on saturday.

he will be twelve in november.

what's happening within the publishing company to inspire this sort of thing?

Smiles_Smiles

Well no one is probably going to want to hear this part of it but I will say it anyway.

My daughter now 14 got baptized at 9 or 10. I tried to whole her back but it was what she really wanted and at the time I couldnt see why not. I was in it full force and blinded hook line and sinker.

The funny thing is we have both been out in august what will be 3 years. She started waking up around the time I did. That was when she was about 11 or so. And I must say she was fully woke just a minute of two before me. Our last meeting I gave a talk (just to say what I felt my heart needed to say for my own benefit). Then when I sat down I looked at her and she looked at me and I said 'are you ready' and she said 'yes'. So we got up and walked out. We have and had very open communication and some where deep we both new that chapter was closed and we would not be revisiting it.

So the moral of this story is kids baptised early or not can wake up and get on with thier life just like adults can. I know adults who were never baptized who are still inslaved to the JW mindset. My daughter being able to see it for herself and walk away made her stronger to stand up when she sees the local JW's at school. It helps her not to be sucked into that crap again. But at the same time she is able to honor that others believe it hook line and sinker like she and I both did at one time. And I might add it also helps her to not become inslaved (rather mentally or physically or emotionally) to all the other people, organizations, society, etc that would love to take over telling her how to think, act and/or believe.

Well that's my 2 cents ~ remeber though 2 cents cant even by you a piece of gum these days.

Smiles

25

What Is Your View Toward Religions & "Religious" People?

by minimus in

jw
friends

my take on religions in general is that they all either give hope or some type of contentment for the person who takes their religion seriously.

if they're good, they go to heaven or to some better condition.

some religions are more radical than others and these types, i stay away from.. regarding those that are very religious, i'm generalizing here, but i think most of them are extremists in one way or another.

Smiles_Smiles

I feel ...

Religion is a security blanket that some people never need, others grow out of and still others will die holding on to it for dear life.

Religious People ... I feel "live and let live". And as long as your living doesn't harm me and ones in my 'heart care' then I could care less what you believe. But also don't have the expection of me changing to fit your beliefs.

They are JUST beliefs. They are like a$$holes. We all have them but mine should not effect/harm you.

Smiles

25

Marrying a non-witness

by why??? in

this is my first post and im nervous but i've read many so far.

my situation is this im going to be 21 in june and i'm in love with my boyfriend but he not a witness and i am( i have been my entire life) my parent found out and forbid me to see him and even told me to leave, i did leave for a day, but they called me back.

but they still hate that i have any contact with him...and we still want to get married.

Smiles_Smiles

I married a non-witness while I was a very active witness in 1999. To my surprize it was not considered a disfellowshiping offense. (Fornication and loose conduct is but apparently not marrying 'outside the Lord'. But I did marry and then told the elders. The way the friends treated me and my own self guilt was another issue. Depending on how small the town is and how (extra-ordinarily) closed minded and judgemental your paticular congregation is will determine how others treat you.

And all the other things you will face is a whole nother issue. But I wont address them since you did not bring them up.

20

Are you still close to any of your Witness friends, who are still active?

by passive suicide in

jw
friends

after awhile i feel like they're lost........i don't even know what ta talk about.

i'm an equal opportunity judgemental a-hole.

weird.

Smiles_Smiles

Nope. Nothing in common.

Besides they wouldn't want to hang around me because I am demonize ... no or is it I'm gay ... hell I don't even remember what the last rumor was. teheheee

77

Does A School Yard Bully Attitude Take Over This Discussion Board?

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

does a school yard bully attitude take over this discussion board?growing up, i can recall such times when a rival would want to pick a fight .

with me and when we met, he would bring along two of his friends and i .

sometimes, i would knock their block off and sometimes, it was the other.

Smiles_Smiles

I have seen this type of attitude here and of course other places. It is a turn off for me. I think that maybe it is the JW mentality still hanging on ... the 'i have the truth' mentality. As if that person KNOWS the ONLY way to be or think etc. I try to stay away from mentalities like that. They give me the JW heebee geebees.

Smiles

14

REALLY NEED SOME HELP HERE!

by sinis in

just to reiterate, i have not been to a meeting in years, and have no intention of going back.

my wife on the other hand is a "cold"/"lukewarm" jdub.

i really like it that way as she is not "strong" and misses a lot of meetings.

Smiles_Smiles

I wish you luck. You are definitly in a predicament. If you choose to go through what ever it takes to stay with her this is definitly a fly in the soup.

I don't think talking to the will be studiers would do any good. When it comes to your words vs what they think Jah wants them to do, you will loose every time, if they are hook line and sinkers. Besides in the end it has to be your wife's choice. If she stays on that see saw ~ your life is a see saw too by the very essence of your connection. So just be prepared to accept that if you choose to stay in it no matter what. Some here have found a measure of happiness in simular situations from what I read.

Personally though I don't have that much patience for a grown person who by their behavior makes my life ongoingly sad. But that's just me...and I honor each situation and person is different. Good Luck.

37

Do your burial wishes reflect your inner most beliefs?

by Gregor in

jw
friends

the subject of how ones remains are dealt with, i think, is very revealing of ones core beliefs.

i've heard atheists say that under no circumstances would they want to be cremated.

that, to me, is inconsistent with their proclaimed viewpoint.

Smiles_Smiles

This is a pretty interesting subject ...

my wishes have been 'do whatever is cheapest'. I think that is cremation. I could truly care less what happens to this body after I die. Makes no never mind to me.

I guess the funny part is I am not an atheist in the usual definition of the word.

Smiles

Smiles_Smiles

Posts by Smiles_Smiles