Posts by larc

75

Who's to blame?

by ozziepost in

jw
friends

when viv mouritz , former branch coordinator in australia, addressed the special meeting of sydney and surrounding area congregations at the superdome last weekend, he blamed the young witnesses who were leaving "the truth" for the drop in numbers in australia.. at the service meeting this week in one sydney congregation it was announced by a bethel elder that the elders have been told (as if they didn't know already!

) that 2,000 have left "the truth" in the past two years in australia.

this typical congregation of 120 publishers has lost 19 inactive since 1999.. the march 2001 issue of kingdom ministry (australian edition) gives the number of publishers for december as 58,426, pioneers 3,315 and 19 baptized.. in dec '98 there were 58,706 pubs,and in dec '99 there were 58,000.. with 1,600-1,800 being baptized each year, there is indeeed a 2,000 shortfall.. so, who's to blame?

larc

Mommy,

I know you are too savy to put anything in writing, and you are not a smart ars like I am. I would probably ask her to put in writing the reasons she wants you to put it in writing, but, of course that would go nowhere.

I try not to be paranoid, but there were two guys at our door the other day with the old style book bags. We didn't answer of course. Now we have been out for 35 years! and we have no records in this town. This used pass by our house when they worked the street, so I think they had us marked. They now are out here with their spiritual vacuum cleaners. I say f'm; Zazzu says avoid them, so we have a disagreement here, but I don't think it will lead to divorce.

57

Tales from the Couch

by Seven in

i asked my therapist if it is possible for a patient to be re-traumatized during the course of treatment.

confronting memories over and over again.

painting mental images even more graphic to replace the vague ones i once had-is this a good thing?

larc

Amicus,

I am glad you brought back that memory. Like you, I had images of Seven and her father when she wrote that. It was beautiful writing.

38

Hate mail from JW

by TR in

jw
friends

this is an email i just received.

i feel like posting the senders name and email, but i'll refrain for now.. you are a coward like all of you on that 'jw' board you cant say these things .

when we talk to you cause you dont want to hear the truth................you .

larc

TR,

Maybe he was a little weak on delivery, but I could just feel the love. Kind of like MDS. I am so disappointed I didn't get my e mail. Maybe I'm not apostate enough. I'm going to work harder at my apostate skills. Maybe, I'm too apostate and he's afraid I'll get the demons after him if he e mails me. Now, that's a possability.

57

Tales from the Couch

by Seven in

i asked my therapist if it is possible for a patient to be re-traumatized during the course of treatment.

confronting memories over and over again.

painting mental images even more graphic to replace the vague ones i once had-is this a good thing?

larc

Dear Seven,

The ladies can put together better words of comfort than I can, I so kind of held back for awhile. It sounds like they lifted your spirits a lot and that sure is a good thing.

As you can probably tell, humor helps me get through the "days of our lives' (wasn't the a soap opera?), and I know that music does us both a lot good as discussed other places. In general, I think that things in the here and now that reaffirm the goodness in ourselves and in life itself have great healing power.

I know it is important to confront the past and not be afraid to face it, but I also believe at some point that it is necessary to move on and make the most of today. I don't know where your therapist stands on this issue. Some believe that it is important to go over the traumas thoroughly and continualy; others believe that it is important be fully aware of them, but not continually dwell on them. I tend to share the second point of view. Perhaps this is an issue you should discuss with your therapist. By the way, the clinicians who share my view are called Cognitive Behaviorists. I don't read in that area now, but if I can find a good book on the subject, I'll let you know. By the way, I think some of the best therapy you can get is right here on the board, as evidenced by RHW, Mommie, and Waiting.

75

Who's to blame?

by ozziepost in

jw
friends

when viv mouritz , former branch coordinator in australia, addressed the special meeting of sydney and surrounding area congregations at the superdome last weekend, he blamed the young witnesses who were leaving "the truth" for the drop in numbers in australia.. at the service meeting this week in one sydney congregation it was announced by a bethel elder that the elders have been told (as if they didn't know already!

) that 2,000 have left "the truth" in the past two years in australia.

this typical congregation of 120 publishers has lost 19 inactive since 1999.. the march 2001 issue of kingdom ministry (australian edition) gives the number of publishers for december as 58,426, pioneers 3,315 and 19 baptized.. in dec '98 there were 58,706 pubs,and in dec '99 there were 58,000.. with 1,600-1,800 being baptized each year, there is indeeed a 2,000 shortfall.. so, who's to blame?

larc

My my mds,

How you do get yourself worked up. And all that name calling. Isn't that something now.

It seems to me that you are misusing the word "liar". If I don't know you have private conversations, then I can't lying now can I. And where does this Demon stuff come from anyway? Is it because I simply questioned you? Your kindness knows no bounds brother mds.

75

Who's to blame?

by ozziepost in

jw
friends

when viv mouritz , former branch coordinator in australia, addressed the special meeting of sydney and surrounding area congregations at the superdome last weekend, he blamed the young witnesses who were leaving "the truth" for the drop in numbers in australia.. at the service meeting this week in one sydney congregation it was announced by a bethel elder that the elders have been told (as if they didn't know already!

) that 2,000 have left "the truth" in the past two years in australia.

this typical congregation of 120 publishers has lost 19 inactive since 1999.. the march 2001 issue of kingdom ministry (australian edition) gives the number of publishers for december as 58,426, pioneers 3,315 and 19 baptized.. in dec '98 there were 58,706 pubs,and in dec '99 there were 58,000.. with 1,600-1,800 being baptized each year, there is indeeed a 2,000 shortfall.. so, who's to blame?

larc

mds,

Fact is, there are millions of people on this globe that practice Agape love. I know many on the DB do, however, in my very humble opinion, I don't think you do. For example, when Logical told of his troubles, I saw an outpouring of love on the board, but not a peep from you.

75

Who's to blame?

by ozziepost in

jw
friends

when viv mouritz , former branch coordinator in australia, addressed the special meeting of sydney and surrounding area congregations at the superdome last weekend, he blamed the young witnesses who were leaving "the truth" for the drop in numbers in australia.. at the service meeting this week in one sydney congregation it was announced by a bethel elder that the elders have been told (as if they didn't know already!

) that 2,000 have left "the truth" in the past two years in australia.

this typical congregation of 120 publishers has lost 19 inactive since 1999.. the march 2001 issue of kingdom ministry (australian edition) gives the number of publishers for december as 58,426, pioneers 3,315 and 19 baptized.. in dec '98 there were 58,706 pubs,and in dec '99 there were 58,000.. with 1,600-1,800 being baptized each year, there is indeeed a 2,000 shortfall.. so, who's to blame?

larc

mds,

Since they are not the only people on this earth that display agape love, the scriptures MUST NOT apply to them.

9

Hey! Wait a Second!!!

by SixofNine in

jw
friends

something just hit me.. you know how witnesses love to remind you that the early christian congregations had problems, sometimes even big problems, whenever modern day problems and inconsistancies are brought to their attention?.

as much as my gut and heart hate the glibness and triteness of that, it is difficult to argue against.

but i just thought of a key difference.

larc

Hey folks,

You forgot one thing about Satan and the demons. Up until 1914, they were running around all through the universe, and as you all know the universe is a pretty big place. Now, you see, they are huddled here around this little ball of mud we call earth. They have more time now to do things like jump into musty old couches and cause more trouble than a pack of fleas. Of course, you know if you burn that couch, they will flit off to somebody else's house, because they do not have enough sense to jump into your new, better smelling replacement couch.
By the way, demons don't hang out at the large ornate Catholic churches as some Witnesses believe, because Satan has already go them, lock, stock, and barrel.

I hope I cleared that up for you.

22

Infant has "bloodless" surgery

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

infant has "bloodless" surgery.

by andrew bridges.

feb. 22, 2001 | los angeles (ap) -- .

larc

Xandit, now there's the word "sophistry". There has been a huge amount of sophistry going on for over a 120 years now. Why you remain part of it is a mystery to me.

You know, the Catholics have made some changes in the last 100 years, but it is still pretty much the same. The Witness religion, on the other hand, has changed beyond recognition.

64

Family dynamics and the Org.

by LDH in

jw
friends

i have made a couple of remarks regarding family dynamics on other threads, but i thought it's be nice to start a new thread.... i'm no psychologist, but suffice it to say i see some similarities here.

(please add to/comment on these thoughts).

the organization wishes to be seen as our mother.

larc

Hi all,

When I read all this, I get mixed fellings about being ambivalent.:):)

Now, Xandit you know that some things are irreversable. It's hard to be a high school cheer leader when you are thirty years old. However, I do agree, that once one leaves or even if they are still in, they can take steps to get an education. I had no scholarships, no student loans, and no financial help from parents. I worked full time and went on to get advanced degrees. JAVA didn't start college until he was 40 and has a master's degree. I believe that anyone who has spent time pioneering has enough energy to get a degree. Is it easy? Hell no. But it is far more interesting than watchtower studies and pioneer service.
Xandit, I think you underestimate the degree and frequency of the traumas that many have faced, and although many here open up their hearts and express it, most get off the board and go about improving their lives. I can tell you sad stories here, but that doesn't mean that I don't take care of business and also have a good time when I'm not here. What you see here is not a "representative sample" of what we are about, but a slice of us that we wish to share because it provides what Harry Stack Sullivan called, "consensual validation", that is, it demonstrates we are not the only ones who have experienced particular difficulties. That is a good thing to know.

Xandit, I still would like to know where your kingdom hall is located. I would like to visit. Also, I am curious. When you have a Bible study, do you tell people that it is all true or do you share your reservations with them? Myself, I would have trouble teaching people something I only thought was half true.