Posts by Sentinel

22

What Separates Us?

by new boy in

jw
friends

this is my first 4th of july as a non jw.

so my question is what about patriotism?.

as much as i believe that most of what the jw believes is in error.

All of us have been faced with so many mixed feelings regarding the country we reside in. For so long, we were told certain things about allegiance. We enjoyed all the freedoms of Free Countries, but did NOT HAVE THE FREEDOM to express them in any way, such as standing for anthems, and saying a pledge of allegiance, or making our voice heard in the way of policies and politics of our government..

In high school, when the U.S. was beginning to flex it's war muscles, and "putting their two cents worth in" in other countries where they weren't particularly invited. Who am I to now say whether the cause was right or wrong. History stands on it's own merits. As a JW, I was so separate from all of it--so apart from the world. I didn't really have an opinion, other than just turning the other way, and spouting out religous dogma.

I think lots of other students thought that I was making some sort of "political statement" by not saying the pledge, or standing when the National Anthem was played. It seemed to be "the in thing" to be rebellious, and of course, I was doing it because I was borg. But, I was physically slapped, pushed and bullied by other very agressive students, who were very patriotic. (And I took it as persecution for doing the right thing.)

I have always thought it odd that we humans wear a cross around our necks, an image of the "supposed means of death" for the son of God. I thought it was sick. I thought to myself that it was rather like wearing a symbol of a sword or gun, or automobile, anything that "causes" death of the ones we love.

I have always had great respect for our country. My father was a WWII Hero, and although war is hell, sometimes, we had no choice but to fight for our freedom from the persistant aggressor. I did, however, have a bit of a problem with the "fireworks". As simple as it seems, as pretty as they are, they represent bombs and artilery going off, people dying and people injured. I try to "remove" that image, even now, but it's still there. The affects of war are horrible. I find no pleasure in the reinactments of the Civil War, although I live in an area steeped in the history of the Battle of Manassas and Bull Run. I don't understand why we make WAR such a great thing.

Perhaps it is just because I am female that I have these feelings. I don't know for certain. The first thing I did when I got out was vote for a Presidential Election. It felt wonderful, that perhaps my one vote might make a difference, but moreso, because this country gives you the freedom to have a choice. It's not that way everywhere. JW's TAKE so much from this country, and yet they really take no active part in how we keep it going the way it has. They don't take any part in any type of politics, even down to voting in the school elections for class president. So, I've always wondered, even when I was in, why they moan and complain so much about this or that, and do absolutely nothing to change anything.

It had been so long since I said the pledge that I had to re-learn it, along with the other anthems. I think they are beautiful songs. They reflect the unity and purpose of a good country. We're not perfect, but we do have freedoms that others don't have. We take these so for granted. Moreso lately, we have learned just how close the enemy is, and how they can disguise themselves by blending in.

I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud that my father served in WWII, and in his youth, volunteered to go to the ends of hell and back for all that we hold dear to our hearts. There are many that post here from all over the world. I'm certain you hold your freedoms just as dear as I do.

Well, I just thought I'd put my two-cents worth in here.

Peace and Love,

Karen/Sentinel

3

Is Your Spirituality Being Hindered?

by Sentinel in

hello friends,.

i recently visited a very interesting place on the internet, called "the center for unhindered living".

there were various sites to check, and one was of special interest to me, titled "unhindered spirituality".

Sentinel

Hello Friends,

I recently visited a very interesting place on the internet, called "The Center for Unhindered Living". There were various sites to check, and one was of special interest to me, titled "Unhindered Spirituality". I found the following information very enlightening, and wanted to share it with you, and get your response.

"How many of you feel hindered in your search for true spirituality by those who would suggest to you that:

A. Truth is static, and that there is only one truth

B. That THEIR truth is the only right one

C. That you must be part of an organized religion to be pleasing to God

D. That there is a devil and a hell which you will go to if you don't pick the right truth

E. Fellowship with God is based upon your performance

F. The Bible is infallible and must in every circumstance be accepted as correct

G. Truth is based upon Male Leadership and Female Submission

H. Sin separates us from God

I. I must atone for my sins, or accept the atoning sacrifice of Jesus

J. You must accept Jesus died on the cross

K. Pagans are heathens who don't know God

L. Magic and witchcraft are evil

M. God is male

N. The Bible is the only inspired spiritual writing

O. The church is the only purveyor of truth

.........and on and on it goes. The point being that you do not have to succumb to these blatant falsehoods that are represented as truth. (Some of this REALLY DOES SOUND FAMILIAR, doesn't it? ...and rather Cultish, I think.)

The fact is, you should feel free to express the essence of who you are, and to celebrate your uniqueness.

This site explores faith and spirituality, and the way things REALLY are.

http://www.unhinderedliving.com/hinderedspirit.html

"The Truth Is Out There"

Karen/Sentinel

20

Would you forget it ALL if you could?

by Perfection Seeker in

if you could "bump your head" and forget all the crap that came with being a witness, would you?

but, in some way, i think i have grown from the experience & have learned from it, and it has made me be a better personl, less judgemental, more tolerant, more open.

but, if there was a magic pill to erase it- hmm......hell yes i'd do it!

Sentinel

Oh my goodness, yes!

There were times when I wished that I could be "normal" like everyone else. The only way I came close to trying to wipe it all away, was when I hit the edge of madness--but, then, that's not a fair trade-off, is it?

But guess what? Seems like we all have to travel the road to "where we are now". And being a JW taught me many good things. I learned to speak before crowds of people. I learned to know where all the scriptures were, and could speak with influence and authority. I learned how to effectively give a good witness to others. I learned confidence and poise....all for the wrong things, but I learned it all the same.

Now when I think back over all of it, I just try to pull out the things from my memory banks that made me happy, and let go of the rest. "The past can't be changed, but the future is whatever you make it." (Someone smart put that on a plague I have hanging on my wall.)

All my memories are not bad ones, but I just happened to be mixed up with a cult, and so, I lost "myself" in the process of being a good sister and ended up being the bad sister. I had to take responsibility for that, once I became an adult.

What I regret most are the ones I studied with and brought to baptism. I can't change any of that, but I have wondered what their lives are like now. One girl I remember well, though. She is, even now, a seasoned witness. Before "she got the truth", she had an affair with my first husband, and then wanted me to study the bible with her. Don't think so. (I think she probably got what she deserved. ~~smiling a bit here~~)

We all have to find our own way it seems. Our experiences shape us.

"The Truth Is Out There"

Karen/Sentinel

29

From Intercourse to Paradise...

by NeonMadman in

...with stops along the way in bird-in-hand and lancaster.. that's right.

today, i, my wife and my mother-in-law loaded ourselves into the car and drove down to pennsylvania dutch country, where we visited the towns of intercourse, paradise, and the others i mentioned.

we went to the mennonite information center, where we heard a lecture about the israelite tabernacle in the wilderness, enhanced by viewing an actual size model of the tabernacle.

Sentinel

And I thought Fauquier County, Virginia was something!

~~smiling~~

Sentinel

26

It dawned on me one day.....

by Flowerpetal in

jw
friends

there are eight elders in my congregation.

all of them have children, except one.

one elder has 2 which are both in bethel.

Sentinel

Flowerpetal,

I enjoyed your post. It was an honest expression of an observance. This is quite serious I think. There seems to be much pressure for young well-established males, and older, settled males to join the "Elder" ranks.

When one does not follow the "pull" to work towards that, they are often times labeled as weak. I believe it takes great courage for a brother, especially a married brother with a family, to accept the position and also greater strength to just say "no thanks". Because once in that position, the family unit does come second to the responsibilities. Of course, I know they tell you to "keep your family in line", in order to set a good example, but that is not always possible. The Elder soon learns that in order to do a good job, he has to let some other things go, and that is usually his family. A person can only do so much.

With all of the other requirements to maintain, in order to be a good member of god's organization, the strain must be terrible. I've read where there are many Elders that have begun to fall away, and that the congregations are having real leadership problems. Perhaps this means that the Elder's tried to do both, and couldn't, and so in giving up being an Elder, they lost face and felt ashamed. On the otherhand, if the Elder put the congregation first and his family second, then his family is headed for trouble, and he sees his family fall apart. He then blames himself. Young children and especially teenagers and young adults need their fathers. Wives need their husbands.

We raise our children and hope they will become well adjusted adults. You have one already who is an adult, and another still in school. Things seem to be going well for you with the choices you have made thus far. I congratulate you. I hope that you will honor the free will of your children, even if they should decide to leave JW's as they grow older and make choices for themselves. I hope that you would not shun them and label them and disown them, even if the organization says this is what you have to do.

"The Truth Is Out There"

Karen/Sentinel

16

How to Ruin Your Family and Children

by metatron in

jw
friends

1. teach your children that everyone they know that isn't a witness.

- baby sitters, teachers, policemen, the kind old lady who gave.

them a dollar for ice cream - are wicked, led by satan and will.

Sentinel

Metatron,

I really enjoyed your post. It would be humorous.. if it weren't so absolutely true.

This is a keeper for me.

Sentinel

30

Yea, Me too....

by flower in

jw
friends

i'm grateful for the friends i've made here and hope to continue relationships with them however this board has reached the 'more harmful than good' stage for me as well so i'm going to have to move on.

i've recently began re-question my decision to leave the jw's and have been wondering if we arent all really screwed up as is believed to be the case by jw's.

i need to go back and re-read all the exjw literature to prove to myself all over again that we are normal and ok and victims of a fraudulent cult.

Sentinel

Farkel,

As usual, your post is "right on the mark".

I too have noticed that not everyone on here is not on the same wave length. But, I continue to look for the good, and I find it.

I ignore the other stuff.

Sentinel

30

Yea, Me too....

by flower in

jw
friends

i'm grateful for the friends i've made here and hope to continue relationships with them however this board has reached the 'more harmful than good' stage for me as well so i'm going to have to move on.

i've recently began re-question my decision to leave the jw's and have been wondering if we arent all really screwed up as is believed to be the case by jw's.

i need to go back and re-read all the exjw literature to prove to myself all over again that we are normal and ok and victims of a fraudulent cult.

Sentinel

Dear Flower,

You have been doubting. You have been thinking for yourself. Now you feel guilty............but, yes, you do owe it to yourself to prove them absolutely wrong. I challenge you to do just that. Don't just leave because some things don't suit you personally. But, look into the doctrines. There are some very good, honest, straightforward books out there that discuss JW's from the "insider's view" and the "outsider's view".

Before I left, even as a teen, I knew there were things they discussed that "sounded" so good, so soothing to the soul. The fairytale stories of a paradise earth and the scriptures lined up to back everything. So much of it is done just like the other religions--pulling texts from here and there and everywhere, taken out of context to make a point. That just doesn't work. That is not truth. And, for me the way "things changed" back and forth, the way they would say the "light" is getting brighter, when all of us were suffering. I found the lack of joy and no freedom of thought, speech and activity terribly confining and stiffling. And, bottom line, you do it their way, or it's the highway. So, if you are still trying to "maintain" a certain "acceptance" within the congregation, you will have to keep these things to yourself while you are finding your way. They will label you otherwise. Don't let the fears of "armegeddon" and the other "control" measures they use, stop you from completing your goal!

At any rate, I know you will be back here. We really care about you and your search. Take care of yourself, and don't feel bad if you come to realize that the bible just may not be the book we have been led to believe it is. There is still a beautiful realization of your own spirituality just waiting round the bend.

Love and LIght,

Sentinel

21

To ItsJustlittleoldme_ URGENT

by perspicacia2 in

jw
friends

hallo, sorry to disturb you.

i would like to ask you something about english language.

if i write << all night i make my bed swim >>.

Sentinel

Well,

I would think probably the person had wet the bed.

Or else a monsoon swept in and inundated the bedroom.

Or else someone is having a very bad experience with vertigo.

Otherwise..

Surely, you jest....

18

News on Crisis of Conscience !

by Amazing in

jw
friends

since 1983, the book, crisis of conscience, by raymond franz has taken on a life of its own ... translated now into many languages.

while at brci, i saw crisis of conscience in spanish, portuguese, italian and others languages, even japanese ... japan has long been the love child nation that the watchtower uses to beat the western jws over the head ... more than this, though ... .

crisis of conscience is now in its fourth edition, being revised in april 2002 !!!

Sentinel

Thank you Amazing,

I am taking your recent advice, and sending Mr. Franz my own personal Thank You, for helping to save my life.

Years and years ago, I met him personally, when we were both active. He was so humble and pure. I always remembered him, and thought that the borg was so wrong when they labled him and told us not to read any of his material.

Sentinel