Posts by mpatrick

one that had haunted me years ago was the disfellowshipping of jan. she was a 30 something woman who had found herself single when her husband ran off with her good friend.

jane was no angel herself though: a slim, suntanned, blonde headed, party girl who's life style had made her quite familiar with the judicial process, which is how jane and i became more acquainted.

mpatrick

Hi (((((Steve)))))!

I have had a couple of close friends that had to go before the elders and were disfellowshipped for sexual misconduct.

One friend was disfellowshipped because she didn't cry when she went to the elders, they told her that they didn't feel she was truly sorry because she didn't shed a tear.

Another had an affair with a married man (an elder at the time) and when she went to the elders they asked very explicit questions about their sex acts. This same elder that she had the affair with also had an affair with her fleshly sister.

I could go on and on...there were even situations like this within my immediate family.

I have never understood why they needed such graphic information...are elders trained to ask such questions?

38

Greetings!!!

by CsharpBminor in

jw
friends

i am looking forward to meeting each and every one of you during my visit.

thank you for allowing me to park my van outside of your kingdom hall!

i am counting on you to see to it that i eat well while i am here.

mpatrick

You are all in the car group with me today.

Oh good! I know a little laundry mat where we can leave some mags to get our time started...then I have some rural territory that will take us about an hour to get to...

38

What Ways Did Jehovah's Witnesses Make You Feel Guilty???

by minimus in

jw
friends

i believe that many religions try to make their adherents feel guilt.

and of course, the witnesses are no different and imo, are more guilty than most.

people go to a meeting during a snowstorm because the elders feel it's not that bad.

mpatrick

I was made to feel guilty for having a part-time job. I lived in a small town at the time and almost everyone in the congregation pioneered *no kidding*. One of the congregation sister went as far as telling my close friend that she shouldn't associate with me because I was too materialistic. This hurt, considering I had pioneered for many years after graduating from high school and had done without for most of my life.

38

Greetings!!!

by CsharpBminor in

jw
friends

i am looking forward to meeting each and every one of you during my visit.

thank you for allowing me to park my van outside of your kingdom hall!

i am counting on you to see to it that i eat well while i am here.

mpatrick

WOW! A new CO is here for a visit!

*waving hands wildly in the air* come to my house first!!! I make a mean pork tenderloin with scalloped potatoes and a side of aspargus and some sweet ice tea!

We have lots of good congregation gossip to share too! Looks as if one of the sisters in the hall went and had an affair with her father-in-law...in fact it has been going on for the past two years*...and that is just the beginning!

*actually a true story

27

How to tell my JW mum that I'm Pagan

by Sirona in

after about 3 years of being part of a pagan religion, i'm finally realising that this is the time to tell my jw mother.

the question is, how do i put it over to her?

i'm wiccan, and it is true that wiccans refer to themselves as witches.

mpatrick

Sirona,

I finally told my mom that I am agnostic...she wasn't that surprised considering she thinks anything beyond the witnesses is because of a lack of faith in "Jehovah".

I don't know a lot about Wiccan, but I have always heard that it is beautiful religion. Maybe instead of telling her that you are a witch or wiccan, you just speak of some of the newfound beliefs that are now a part of your life. Let her draw her own conclusions.

Really, it all depends on your mom and how you think she will react in regards to shunning you or not...my mom will always talk to me no matter what. Yet, she will always hold the false hope that maybe someday "I will come to my senses". My brother was agnostic just a year ago and has since tried to commit suicide and returned home which meant he had to return to the meetings. Now, he is reinstated and preaching to me that "I need to get my life in order with Jehovah". Since my brother was "agnostic" and came back to the fold, obviously I will...that is what my mom thinks and she has even made that comment on more than one occassion...I give up trying to convince her otherwise...it is not worth the time or energy. As long as she continues to have a relationship with me, I will let her believe whatever she wants.

I wish you the best in whatever you decide,

Michelle

29

Don't YOU just LOVE the SNOW?

by mpatrick in

jw
friends

.

mpatrick

Here Dan, this one is for you...http://www.sitcomsonline.com/sounds/wkrpincincinnatiradio.wav

13

I led the class in the Pledge...

by Badger in

just started back the school year last week.

first period, the announcements struck up, along with the pledge of allegiance.

i had since fourth grade refused to say the pledge and explained to my friends why not.

mpatrick

I think that is really cool!

I had the opportunity to say the pledge in my daughter's class...liberating!!! My parents moved around alot when I was in grade school and they left it up to me to take a stand and tell my teachers I couldn't participate in the pledge, birthdays and holidays...I was quite shy and always embarrassed...I remember crying once while trying to explain this to my fourth grade teacher.

28

I Finally Show my Face Again and with Great News!!

by kelpie in

jw
friends

it has been a while since i was able to log on and spend time going over topics.

i am sorry that i backed out at the last minute with the secrect santa.

due to family obligations, landlords wanting their house back and job changes, i didnt have the time to spend to myself.. i know you are all dying to hear my good news.................. as a lot of you know, i miscarried the middle of last year.

mpatrick

Congratulations!

My sister, a friend and my cousin are all due around the same time as you...must be something in the water!