well, its been a while since i last posted just need to get something off my chest.
everything seems to be coming down on me all at once like rain.
next month i'll be 18 years old(yay!
By the way... I forgot to add... one of the greatest ways to "fade" off of the organizational map is to transfer to another congregation when you go away to college... then... don't attend very many meetings. The new congregation doesn't know you and your absence doesn't raise any red flags. Then...
Welcome to the rest of your life!!!
well, its been a while since i last posted just need to get something off my chest.
everything seems to be coming down on me all at once like rain.
next month i'll be 18 years old(yay!
It made perfect sense, Alan.
Congratulations and HAPPY (upcoming) birthday!!
Don't do anything rash, and don't do anything you're not comfortable with. Keep reading, keep posting... you are at a huge crossroads of your life, and the possibility of "losing your religion" makes it even a bit more complicated.
Breathe deep, relax. You'd be surprised how things have a way of working themselves out. That which might fall by the wayside, take slow and easy.
By the way... I think that all teens wish they had a "normal" family. If you find a normal family, let me know. (I'm just attempting to add a little levity to the situation... believe me... I know what it is like to go to school as a good lil' JW, and it is anything but easy!!!)
Hang in there... and know this... it gets better, and it gets easier. Do your best to get excited about all of your possibilities right now. Enjoy!
Love,
Baba.
the following is part of a letter written to my sister (last remaining family still a jw) who needed surgery.
i hoped this would be an opportune time to raise the error of misinterpreting the handful of verses that they use to justify wanton suicide.
if you can think of any arguments that she may present in an effort to rebuff the points made then please comment.. .
Bookmarked and well said, Still Wondering. I hope for the best for your sister's upcoming surgery.
i have been raised a jehovah's witness and when i was 25 years old i decided to try and discover things for myself.
something just was not sitting right with me.
i had been a publisher since i was 4 years old and i gave my first talk when i was 6 years old.
Hello and welcome, SafireBlu.
Keep reading. Keep posting. Breathe deep. Relax. Don't do anything that doesn't feel right. Everything will sort itself out in its own time, but you must keep reading and keep questioning.
It gets better, and easier, I promise.
Love,
Baba.
we all had those moments in childhood that were pure magic.
moments that were full of wonder that brought us great joy.
sometimes those memories are connected with music or certain fragrances.
Time Bandit, your story about you and your Aunt Heather brought tears to my eyes. (In a good way, I promise.)
So very happy you are here.
Love,
Baba.
as i've read through the new elder's book, something kept nagging at me about it.
then i went to compare one passage in the new book to the old and it hit me.
i've mentioned it on a couple of posts, but i wanted to start a thread on it.... what hit me was that the new book was like an instruction manual to supervisors in a plant.
Ziddina said:
I'll ALWAYS remember what my Wiccan friend mentioned to me....
She said something to the effect of, "most people read the bible, the New Testament, and they think those parables of the 'sheep and the shepherd' are sooooo touching and demonstrative of the love "god" and "his son" have, for them....
But they forget...
In real life - ESPECIALLY in ancient Israel - the shepherd watched the flock for HIS benefit, NOT for the benefit of the sheep..."
In other words: Lambchops, mutton, sheepskin cloaks, wool sheared for garments...
Words to consider...
Thank you for this one, Ziddy! I will certainly remember this one, myself...!
just beginning to open my eyes...my aunt, flyinghighnow is helping me along.
glad to be in a place where people understand.
i guess i'll be seeing you all around.
We all love your Auntie!
Hearty welcome, Dear Time Bandit! We are so happy to have you here.
Love,
Baba.
i was bane and i think i got banned because everytime i tried to log in i couldn't.
i was defending the society as best as i could.
something has happened in the last few months.
Hearty welcome... I mean... welcome BACK!
I have found that folks tend to defend the organization quite fiercely when they are feeling the fire of their own doubts...
I am happy you are here.
OH!! I almost forgot... I don't think you were banned... Sir Simon did some work on the site server and we had trouble logging in for a while.
(factuality note: in this thread i will talk about my "aunt".
in actuality this relative was either my aunt, uncle or cousin.).
my aunt died several years ago.
This is hateful and so **ed up. Hateful, hateful excuse for a religion.
I'm so sorry for your Aunt, Om. I am sorry for us all (who understand and who are not surprised by this.)
my daughter is in the hospital with pneumonia, and possibly a blood clot in her lung.
they'll be testing through the night...apparently, her heart is enlarged as well.
she is scared... and if her jw father catches wind of it, he will be there trying to intefere with her treatment... he lives close by to her, so i'll be flying down in the morning....to head him off at the pass.
Just saw the update, Dear Coffee. Love and strength to you and your daughter, I am so glad to hear she is doing better and that they have a game plan.
As for her ex... I should keep those thoughts to myself... but at the very least... what kind of person would bring that kind of stress to anyone that weak in the hospital? Someone who is absolutely poisonous, that's who.
I hope this all mends and sorts itself quickly for you all.
Love,
Baba.
