Posts by Dawn

Here's one reasoning that just cracks me up now. JW's should not celebrate birthdays because (1) the only birthdays in the bible were mentioned when bad things happened, and (2) they should not be putting one day above another. So if they're not to put one day above another - how come they celebrate Anniversaries? Well - that's ok because God created the first marriage. Well - didn't he also create the first being - aka- it's birth? Yet you can't celebrate the anniversary of birth, but you can celebrate an anniversary of marriage - both created by God. Additionally, didn't the first marriage end up pretty badly? Well - applying the JW reasoning on birthdays to the issue of marriage - I'd say we should NOT be getting married.

47

Jehovah's Witnesses Feel Superior To Others. What About EX-JW's???

by minimus in

jw
friends

everyone knows the smugness that jw's have.

"everyone is going to die except us because we only have the truth.

" do you think that ex-witnesses continue this same smugness once they get out and realize what really is the truth?

Dawn

I have to agree with most posters here. It's hard to be smug now when you know you were so duped in the past. It's a humbling experience.

Funny thing - looking back on my 'dub days, I didn't feel superior to other non-JW's - in fact, I envied them because they did not live under the fear and control that I did. Now x-JW's - that was a whole other story.....

It would be easy now to be smug to JW's because I am in such a good situation - both spiritually, physically, AND financially. However - all I have to do is remember that what I have now is only by the grace of God. One small turn in circumstances and things could have turned out very different for me.

27

Iceberg Right Ahead

by Big Tex in

jw
friends

i'm not feeling too good about myself today.

no particular reason.

just feeling down in that i'm-a-bad-person-and-i'm-going-to-burn-in-hell-when-i-die way.

Dawn

((((Big Tex))))

When I'm down the best pick-me-up is to be outside (if the weather is nice). I get a pop at the 7-11, take a walk along the river - or, if I have the moola I head to the theater, buy a popcorn (lots and lots of butter), a pop, a candy bar, and take in a flick. Movies are great because it transports you to a whole other world and you can forget about your worries for a while.

3

My newest gig........

by Dawn in

jw
friends

whenever i run into jw's that were my friends in the past....who of course snub me now....it still tears at my heart and self-esteem.

i know that it shouldn't - and i know logically that i'm on the right path now - but it's like a victim of abuse who has broken free from their abuser..they still flinch.. well - a while back i decided that i needed a "new me" - so i've been making a lot of positive changes.

i have been working out regularly (weights & running), i'm back into a size 8 dress, and since i'm 5'7" that's not bad - i got a new hairdo, been tanning - the works.

Dawn

Whenever I run into JW's that were my friends in the past....who of course snub me now....it still tears at my heart and self-esteem. I know that it shouldn't - and I know logically that I'm on the right path now - but it's like a victim of abuse who has broken free from their abuser..they still flinch.

Well - a while back I decided that I needed a "new me" - so I've been making a lot of positive changes. I have been working out regularly (weights & running), I'm back into a size 8 dress, and since I'm 5'7" that's not bad - I got a new hairdo, been tanning - the works. Not that I'm shallow and care only about looks - I was just feeling down and frumpy so decided to get busy and resolve the problem. And the biggest change is my relationship with my Lord - it has grown so much in the past year!

So yesterday I run into some x-friends again. As I have resolved NOT to play their game I, as usual, smile and wave. They snub me. Well - I'm feeling pretty good yesterday with my new look and all - so I decide to walk past them a few times and continue to smile (really bug them - onery aren't I?!) Then it hits me - what would be the funnest and most outrageous thing to do that would totally floor my x-friends?????

Well - how about singing gospel songs outloud? Yep - I sang with my little 5 year old girl all the way to our car "this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine..." D@mn that was fun.

So my new gig is......when I run into them I'm going to start whistling, humming, or singing those sunday school songs I'm learning now at my new Church. I don't know why - but it takes the sting out of the situation.

Anyone else have little tricks they would like to share that make these akward situations easier?

36

How can 144,000 be a literal number?

by Pleasuredome in

how does the wts explain that the sum total of symbolic numbers equals a literal number?

rev 7:4-8

logic says that if the sum parts are symbolic, then the total can only be symbolic.

Dawn

Well - if it's literal that explains why it's taken so long for Armageddon. I mean - where can you find 144,000 virgin males??

18

Are dubs sicker than average?

by SpiceItUp in

jw
friends

my mom is always complaining of something or another every week.

she is not that old and is in fairly good health.

she eats good and gets moderate exercise but she always has something wrong with her.. do you think that dubs get sicker than normal people cause of stress or maybe their body just overwhelmed with all the requirements finally says ok...if it takes you being sick to rest then you'll be sick?.

Dawn

Stress takes an amazing toll on our bodies. I was so sick during the last 2 years of my 'dub life. I was even diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I had constant head aches - and some days I literally (no exageration) could not get out of bed. I had absolutely no energy.

Funny thing is - once I was DF'd....and got over the initial shock...I started to put my new life together and started feeling better. It's been 13+ years now and I am as healthy as can be. I can't remember the last time I even had a cold. In fact, I have racked up over 60 sick leave days at work. I just don't need them anymore except for an hour here or there for dentist appt, etc.

Chronic Fatigue my arse......It was stress and depression - pure and simple!

Ah......I can't put into words how great it feels to be free and filled with the holy spirit now. There is so much peace and love. I thought being DF'd was the worst thing to happen to me - now I realize it was the best day of my life.

21

Hi all - out of the 'Truth' for 14 years and it still affects me....

by Mandybp in

jw
friends

hey there everyone :) i am so glad i found this place.

i had no idea something like this existed!

it's been fourteen years since i was disfellowshipped and it still plays on my mind.

Dawn

Hi Mandybp - and welcome:

I have one piece of advice for you (well - really, lots of advice, but I won't bore you with it all right now)

Ask your questions. Ask them all - don't be afraid to ask anything - and don't be afraid to research. I was afraid to question for so long and that is what kept me locked in the darkness for so long. When you get that scared feeling that "what if they're right?..." just remember whatever is TRUTH with stand up to any amount of scrutiny.

God bless you in your search for the truth.

35

When did the Brothers/Sisters, make you feel UNLOVED,WORTHLESS?

by Fruitcake in

jw
friends

i felt worthless, when i was a new auxiliary pioneer.

i was having some personal problems, but i was so eager to try my best, and doing quite good in the hall.

i was in a new hall, with a new bunch, and always out in service.

Dawn

It is so sad to read these stories - how is it that we humans can inflict so much pain on each other.

There were times when the brothers/sisters made me feel unloved and worthless also. When I look back on it, I realize that the worst offenses came from elders. It weighed heavily on me and tore down my self esteem.

It has taken many years to begin healing from that - a process that I suppose continues indefinately. One way that has brought me the greatest benefit was to turn those experiences around - by treating someone else the way I wish I had been treated at the time. For example, when I told someone about being sexually abused as a child the decision was made that it would "reflect bad on Jehovah" if it came out so we had to keep quiet The truth is - Jehovah had nothing to worry about - it was the Org that has a reputation to ~~fake~~ uphold. But this made me feel that I did not matter in the congregation or my family, I was only a drop in the bucket and not worth the time, effort, and love that an injured child needs.

As an adult, I decided to do whatever I could to counteract that feeling of worthlessness in other children. I work with children both through church functions and through elementary school functions - in that area I always seek out those children that seem to "not fit in", the ones that are somewhat akward, not really popular - those are the ones that I sit with, have lunch with, talk to. Having an adult notice them and show interest in their life really lifts their spirits - and it builds their self esteem. In that way, I have taken those bad experiences and stomped them out with good feelings - I own them now and they can not hurt me any longer. I suffered as a child, but in a small way I can bring joy to numerous children and reverse the evil that was done to me.

Fruitcake - every time you walk by a Burger King and feel sad, those people are still hurting you. I think you can take charge of that with the advice that others here have given you. Especially the one about sharing your meal with others - go buy 2 meals and give one to a homeless person, or take a friend's child and buy them a treat there. Do something that brings good memories to that place - and do it more than once. Then you will own that experience and they can not hurt you any longer. (PS - if you still know that elder's address, buy some Burger King gift certificates and send them to him with a letter telling him that in the future when he sees someone is in need - give them the certificate and spare his precious $$ for himself)

23

What is Happening to Charity? - Jun 1st 2003 Watchtower

by Simon in

.

Dawn

Interesting article and comments.

I remember so often the reasoning that the "truth" is the only thing that can help - and is the only thing worth giving. blah.......

Why not give both life-giving truth AND necessities?! A hungry person would probably be more apt to listen to the good news once they have been fed. Even Jesus recognized that we have needs other than spiritual ones, just look at the miracles he performed when he fed 5,000+ hungry people.

In all honesty though - I don't think it is that the average JW is uncharitable on purpose. Looking back on my past I was never taught about the good things that charities did, I was never shown the hungry children that were fed, or the medical supplies shipped to needy countires. Because I did not know I just didn't think about it. Service and Meetings was the only focus. The new church I attend is very big on outreach and charities - once I realized the need of so many people, and what could be accomplished through giving, I became a much more charitable person. I believe this would be the case with most people regardless of their religion - if they could just see the need and if it touched their heart then they would give.