Posts by The Scotsman

30

How Can an Elder Fade Successfully?

by tjlibre in

jw
friends

im working on my exit strategy out of the watchtower org.

ive set my mind to be out by the end of 2010 or mid 2011. .

id like to avoid getting df and disassociating my self is also an undesirable option.

The Scotsman

I was an elder and faded successfully - for me it went like this -

Resigned as an elder and blamed it on pressure at work (which in my case was partly true) but I also told them that I just needed a break from being an elder. No great pressure was put on me to change my mind.

Over the next 5 / 6 months I started to miss meetings, just a few at first and gradually increased the frequency. I was asked to join the TMS but I refused - ths got a few thinking I was depressed!!!!

At the same time I was feeding bits of "evil apostate" info to Mrs Scotsman to hopefully wake her mind.

But I knew in my heart that I would need to come clean with my wife eventually - I hated keeping secrets from her. So one thursday afternoon I told her of my intention to leave the org - well It broke her heart - many many tears. (read my previous post about this!) Her response was to be expected - they think its THE truth. She told me that she hated the idea of being in the paradise without me.

We have a particular painting that is of a man and woman walking through a beautiful landscape - we always use to say that was us in the new order - now it was being taken away. It was trully a heart-stopping conversation!

Anyway - 2 months after this we decided to move house - to a totally different area - I saw this as my chance to break away. Its a pretty extreme method to help a fade but in my case it worked. Once we moved to the new area about 2 weeks passed and Mrs Scotsman asked me to tag along to a few meetings until she got to know a few people so I said ok. (at the time she secretly thought it would make me change my mind about leaving the org.) So I we went to a Sunday meeting - within 5 minutes I knew it would be my last - I just could not bear the dross coming from the platform.

After the meeting I told Mrs Scotsman that I was not going back "I just can't continue with a clear conscience". Because I was new to the area I got very little pressure from local elders - 1 visited a few times but that was it.

3 months passed and 2 elders took my wife aside at a meeting to check that I was not saying negative things about the org. A report had been passed to the local BOEs that I was - the truth was I had'nt - an untruth started by "someone"!

Well Mrs Scotsman was embarrassed at this as they had not been discreet in taking her aside - she was new to the cong and many saw her being taken aside by the elders! She came home and never attended another meeting. She read CoC and now knows the truth about the truth.

Turned out my little bits of "evil apostate" material had already been having an effect on her mind.

We have lost many fiends and family are a bit wary of us but we still have contact. We also made many new friends.

We both still have a firm belief in God but are in no hurry to join any religious group.

As for the picture of the man and woman walking through the beautiful landscape - its on the wall in our lounge - but it holds a whole new meaning for us both - but to this day looking at it still makes me feel the heartbreak of that Thursday afternoon - but it worked out well in the end....

I hope my rather long-winded post goes to show that it can be done - freedom from JW land is possible.

The Scotsman

21

How Many Elders Are Here?

by tjlibre in

jw
friends

how many elders are here?.

i dont know if this topic has been posted before.

but after realizing that i sort of resurrected an old post from outofthebox, i thought of starting a new one with the topic above.

The Scotsman

I was an elder for 5 years.

One of the most stressful experiences of my life.

Resigned as an elder Oct 07, last meeting was Feb 2008, wife followed me 4 months later.

They can take our lives, but they'll never take our FREEDOM!!!!!

15

Reading the bible and loving it

by digderidoo in

jw
friends

after looking at some read the bible in one year plans, i have been toying with the idea of giving it a go.

i don't know if anybody has come across these plans, but each day of the week you put about 15 minutes aside and read a bit from the ot, a psalm, an epistle and a gospel.

eventually after a year you've read the lot.. although as a jw i have read most of the bible, i only did it within the constrains of referencing from a wt publication.

The Scotsman

I also purchased an NIV and it is so much easier to read - breathed new life into the scriptures for me anyway. I have not tried the whole "read it in a year" idea - maybe someday....

33

European Court: No Crucifixes in Italian Schools

by behemot in

jw
friends

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/11/03/world/ap-eu-italy-religious-symbols.html?_r=1.

your opinion?.

The Scotsman

"" If it is just two bits of wood then removing it shouldn't be a problem "" Works both ways my friend!!! "" That is the problem with the idea that a majority should have control over the religious choices of a minority "" Thats not my idea at all - anyone can worship anyway they like - but the minority or majority cannot decide for others. In other words - everyone tolerates everyone elses beliefs and manner of worship - or the fact that some choose not to worship. In this case the minority have attempted to enforce upon the majority - often it happens the other way round - neither works. Could this woman not just have accepted that people are different from her? In honesty I don't even like the cross but if a school in a christian country wants to put one on the wall - fair enough. Anyway - I was interested enough to post on this subject but I aint that interested! PSacramento - "unless of course it is open to all religions to do so ( star of David, star of islam") Could not agree more - all can worship anyway they feel. And if someones style of religious dress, or religious symbols etc offend you - dont be so touchy!

33

European Court: No Crucifixes in Italian Schools

by behemot in

jw
friends

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/11/03/world/ap-eu-italy-religious-symbols.html?_r=1.

your opinion?.

The Scotsman

""Perhaps the scotsman could explain how not allowing religious imagery in a secular classroom is discrimination"" Italy is a christian country - has been for many centuries. But now in the 21st century christianity can only be practised in private - is this what its coming to? Other countries are not christian - do they face the same restrictions in this matter - no they dont. "How is neutrality discrimination" How is preventing someone from displaying a cross in a public school (most pupils will be christian) neutral? It is the most basic of christian symbols I would guess that most in christian Italy quite like seeing it in public. Also - the cross is about Italians cultural identity - not just a religious identity. This case seems to cater to the minority - which is my main issue with this. The court seems to have taken this womans opinions and elevated them higher than anyone elses. Is this fair? "The victim mentality of christians is nauseating" This has nothing to do with being christian - it is about religious freedom. ALL religions. Why can't Italians live in there own country the way they want. What motivated a mother to go to court for 8 years on this subject - is it that big a deal. Why should her opinion carry so much weight? Where does it end - are churches offensive to atheists. Is Islamic traditional dress offensive to christians - a never ending stream of court cases could be on the horizon. I just think kids face bigger problems in school than 2 bits of wood stuck together.

33

European Court: No Crucifixes in Italian Schools

by behemot in

jw
friends

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/11/03/world/ap-eu-italy-religious-symbols.html?_r=1.

your opinion?.

The Scotsman

" the court ordered Italy to pay a euro5,000 ($7,390) fine to a mother in northern Italy who fought for eight years to have crucifixes removed from her children's public school classrooms""" I cannot understand what her problem is that it deserved an "8 year" legal battle! Apparently the court said that the cross could be offensive to non christians and atheists. Next christmas trees will be illegal! The woman who took the school to court was qouted - "The crucifix creates discrimination" The incredible contradiction here is blatant - this court case creates discrimination. Italian christians are being discriminated against because the cross "might" offend someone - what a joke. I just think this is the gradual errosion of religious freedoms. Here in the UK a similar stealth attack on basic freedoms is occuring. Christmas lights are now called "winter" lights! Merry Christams is becoming "Happy holidays"! I hope the appeal throws this out of court. The world has gone mad......

59

Is it disrespectful to call GOD by his name JEHOVAH?

by foolsparadise in

jw
friends

i have been thinking about this alot recently.

calling our god the creator by his first name jehovah takes alot of nerve.

my 10 year oll son doesnt walk around calling me by my first name.

The Scotsman

I would like to think that the creator of the entire universe would not mind if we called him Jehovah. If he did mind - it would be an example of someone who is very easily annoyed.

66

Everyone Please Enter, I'm New Here

by tryingtoexit in

jw
friends

i've been lurking in the shadows of this forum for about 6 months or so.

i'll try to be brief here, but i apologize in advance if this is not "brief enough" for you.

anyways i'm a 27 year old african american young man, i was born and raised a jehovah's witness.

The Scotsman

Tryingtoexit Welcome to the board - you will receive much support here. Its looks to me you are doing things right - you have done your research and started dealing with facts. I was an elder and resigned October 2007, last meeting was February 2008. I did months of detailed research just like yourself - the meetings became unbearable - I just wanted to scream at the top of my voice. When I told my wife I was leaving she was heartbroken. The good news? When she saw the evidence she left as well - Woo Hoo! You are at the brink of some major decisions and it will be an emotional/ mental rollercoaster but it is oh so worth it - there is light at the end of the tunnel... The Scotsman

11

The Watchtower hates Scotsmen

by kurtbethel in

jw
friends

because i have carefully looked over every picture and representation i can find of the so called paradise earth published in the last 30 years.

there are people in all sorts of clothing from many cultures, american casual, african, asian, hispanic, and others.. but i have not seen a single image that shows you kilt wearers will make it into the new systemtm!.

does that make you so angry that your sporran stands on edge?.

The Scotsman

Its a valid point - I am writing a short letter of complaint at this very moment - goes as follows -

Hey GB

Gonnae gee us a brek and huv a kilt shuvved intae wan a yer paradise pictures. If yae dinnae dae this am gonnae chuck yer pamflets intae the wheelie bin.

p.s. - Whit is aw that 1914 mince on aboot?

English Translation -

Dear Governing Body

Could I please request that a kilt be inserted into one of your paradise pictures. If you do not do this I will have no choice but to throw your literature in the bin.

p.s. - Could someone please explain the 1914 doctrine to me?

57

I'm new, let me introduce myself

by no lies please in

jw
friends

i've been lurking here for many months.

i served as an elder for many years, and regular pioneer for much longer until recently.

i'm also a mts grad and was used extensively on the circuit and district level.

The Scotsman

Welcome to the board. Well - I can relate to your situation very much. I went through a similar experience (as many here have). But we survived, it was not easy, but we came out the other side better people - and you will to. May God bless you.