Posts by Trotafox

9

Remember this analogy, used to 'hook' new bible st

by HomebutHiding in

jw
friends

"if i said i would give you $168 every week, the only condition being that you would give me back $1, would you do it?

and yet, jehovah lovingly and freely gives us 168 hours of life each week.

he is asking back only one hour in the form of a bible study.

Video Series: Cults, Mind Control and JWs.

by Lady Lee in

http://www.kohlproductions.com/walkingwounded/i_hardiman.htm

well after 2 years i finally got the courage to watch myself.

this has taken a lot for me to sit down and watch this.

Trotafox

Hi, Lady:

So nice to have a face and a voice to go with the name. You look great. I listened to your tape snippet. Will take a better look tomorrow as its 2:30 a.m. right now. Yes, I'm addicted.

Trot

66

Would/Do you wear a Cross around your neck ??

by Prisca in

jw
friends

after all that we had drummed into us about not the cross, and particularly about not venerating the symbol itself, i have been wondering about this issue.. so, what are your views about wearing a cross around your neck ?

is it just a fashion accessory, or does it mean something to you ?.

inquiring minds would like to know

Trotafox

I wear a beautiful diamond cross and never take it off. When I was a JW, I had thrown out my cross and it was one of the first things that I put back into my life when I left the WTS. I am a Christian. It is a Christian symbol of the love God has shown for us in the sacrifice of his son. It means a great deal to me and I will always wear one.

Trot

13

NPR Broadcast on JW Pedophile Issue 7/20

by Seeker4 in

new hampshire public radio broadcast another scathing report on the witnesses' pedophile problem early this morning on a program called reporting religion.

i think the show is a bbc program, and may be somewhat connected to the panorama broadcast.

i would imagine the program was or will be aired on any number of npr stations across the country this weekend, so check it out.. .

Trotafox

SEEKER4:

It is the open dissemination of information that organization's like the WTS fear the most

ISN'T THAT THE TRUTH....they fear what they cannot control. Psychologically, they have the congregations pinned up in a locked room (no world association; no Internet; no outside research) while they are outside (in New York) discussing how and what they are going to tell them so it doesn't sound so "evil" which is exactly what it is. Talk about blinded sheep!

...any that are starting to have doubts and have Internet access WILL use it. I know it was a huge factor for me to suddenly realize that I was just one of thousands that had the same questions. It helped me get past the thought that I must have the problem, and not the WTS. When you realize that the things that don't make sense to you also don't make sense to tons of other JWs and former JWs, that is wonderfully empowering.

SO TRUE...I went nuts when I read the Internet. FINALLY I had some proof that it wasn't just me. And I was not alone. I wasn't really a bad person because I couldn't keep up with everything or blindly swallow everything that was being shoved down my throat. I was not seeing love. I was seeing dysfunctional, needy people. I knew then that I didn't deserve the "cold" treatment and the harassment from the Elders. I laughed, I cried, I got angry (very, very angry) and I left.

Some JWs will just stay with the WTS no matter what. They will probably not use the Net much, and will certainly stay away from sites that question the Society.

Unfortunately my best friend will probably be amongst this group. For the 26 years that I knew her, I never realized what a truly weak and insecure person she really is. In coming to that realization, I know she will never leave. The WTS makes it too convenient, lays everything out for her in a nice little "how to" package where she doesn't really have to think or take any responsibility for her relationship with God (just obey the WTS), and she has ready-made friends (as long as she is faithful). She does not have the courage to even begin to face leaving or even to question. Our friendship was the sacrificial lamb in this situation. So be it. I have found new courage to take control of my life and am currently working towards those goals. I remain a faithful Christian and have found a new freedom in the love of Christ and His grace. I still love my friend but she is not the same person since the WTS has twisted her thinking. I continue to pray for her but I am not obsessed with it. It's in God's hands!

Of course, you know the WTS will twist and fudge the dropping numbers for as long as they can and then attribute it to persecution and bible (false) prophecy. They'll come up with anything they can to save face and keep the money rolling in to save the WTS. God's chosen people? I don't think so. Not with all the harm they have caused so many. No amount of good that they do could ever erase that accountability before God. I hope God shows them more mercy then they have shown others.

Good post Seeker4.

Trot

57

The Meaning of Names....?

by SpiceItUp in

jw
friends

there are some that are obvious and then others that just baffle me to no end..... yes i am talking about your user names.... do any of you have stories behind them or are they significant for some reason or are they just a word you made up?.

mine...well its easy.... i got the nickname of spicy back in nov of last year when i dyed my hair this crazy red color and the name of the color was "spiced ginger".

the rest of it is because i love to make things more interesting---- sorta of like adding a bit of spice to the stew (hopefully i come across as that as well .

Trotafox

"Trotafox" comes from something we female dance instructors at Fred Astaire used to say when we asked students to dance at the Friday night parties; particularly when a foxtrot was playing. Instead of "Would you like to dance?", we used to say "Care to trotafox?". Sort of took the edge off.

Trot

65

Left Behind

by gravedancer in

jw
friends

no that is not a description of a piece of rear-anatomy (i don't want to get booted again <g>).

rather it is the rage now.... please check out http://www.leftbehind.com/ and take a look.

the reason i bring this up is because 3 different people i know (not xjws) are all into this "stuff" now.

Trotafox

To get back to what this thread was orginally supposed to be about....

LEFT BEHIND SERIES. I recently read all 10 books back to back. Finished the 10th and newest (The Remnant) which was just released July 1. Enjoyed them very much. It's an interesting fictionalized account based on Revelation with a lot of conjecture. It's best to start with the first book (LEFT BEHIND) and go straight through. Lots of people have this series so if someone wants to read all of them, they can probably borrow them like I did. There will be two more released; one in June 2003 and one in June 2004 which will be the last. For someone not familiar with Revelation, it could cause one to pick up the Bible and look for themselves. Which is good IMHO.

Trot

26

Give the BBC your comments on "PANORAMA"

by Prisca in

jw
friends

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/audiovideo/programmes/panorama/newsid_855000/855727.stm

on this link you can give public comments on your views of the panorama programme.

already, several jws are in denial over the claims of the programme, and i think we need to add some balanced comments to show that there are many ex-jws who have been hurt by the wts, and that we appreciated the programme.. please tell the bbc your thoughts..

Trotafox

Plm: Well, I tried to get across that the Watchtower was a high control and programmed group; JW's only know what they are told by the Watctower but they aren't really aware of what is really going on. What they think is the truth, really isn't and I have no doubt of the authenticity of the facts. I also was real irritated that so many JW's are posting that the facts were given by apostates who were kicked out because they misbehaved or did something they shouldn't so the apostates have a bone to pick and are spreading lies. REALLY PISSED ME OFF (Sorry). I got my two cents in about people who voluntarily leave after researching the organization and why and how they are also shunned by this LOVING FRIGGIN' organization. I also called the WTS a Pedophile paradise! Two Witness Rule....what a joke. I called it obstructing justice and saving their image.

Trot

26

Give the BBC your comments on "PANORAMA"

by Prisca in

jw
friends

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/audiovideo/programmes/panorama/newsid_855000/855727.stm

on this link you can give public comments on your views of the panorama programme.

already, several jws are in denial over the claims of the programme, and i think we need to add some balanced comments to show that there are many ex-jws who have been hurt by the wts, and that we appreciated the programme.. please tell the bbc your thoughts..

Trotafox

JUST SENT MINE IN. LET'S GET CRACKING FOLKS. There's a lot of JW apologists responding so I hope that more can post an E-mail to Panorama, especially more silent lambs.

Talk about righteous indignation! The responding JW's are acting typical...they haven't a clue what's going on in their organization. They've got their elders so high on a pedestal they're getting nose bleeds! Some are responding who are not JW's that can't possibly believe this is true. HELLO-O-O-O.

Trot

KATHI SOWREY NEAR DULUTH, GA

by Trotafox in

.

anyone know kathi sowrey from a congregation in or near duluth, ga (also was in cypress congregation in ft. lauderdale fl).. trot (on a diet...still)

Trotafox

Anyone know KATHI SOWREY from a congregation in or near Duluth, GA (also was in CYPRESS CONGREGATION in Ft. Lauderdale FL).

Trot (on a diet...still)

32

How Common is this amongst JW's?

by stevieb1 in

i found this material on a pro-jw newsletter, and i've had this personal experience myself and know many others who have also.

before i became a jw i experienced a tremendous amount of "love" from the congregation i associated with, but once baptized they leave and move on to the next potential convert.

as a single person, i was never invited out to gatherings very much and always felt a little left out in the very clique-ish congregation that i attended.

Trotafox

HOT TOPIC FOR ME......

LACK OF LOVE and PRESSURE TO PERFORM: These were two of my biggest complaints. I was in 3 different congregations in 11 years and was really only accepted socially in one of those. I changed congregations only because I had to move when I brought my mother down from Ohio. I couldn't understand the cold treatment. I was always friendly and pleasant with everyone. I participated in WT discussions. I took notes like crazy in the Sunday talks. I went to as many meetings as I could. I loved Jehovah.

I had been single for 27 years so I was pretty self-sufficient and I think they saw a problem with this. They saw an independent streak . Hey, no one else was around to take care of me so I had to do it myself or crater. I was busier than a one-armed paper hanger with a full-time job, no assistance from anyone with the house since I wasn't married and wasn't rich nor dating, and I had an elderly mother to take care of, and I had health problems. Making all 5 meetings a week and service on weekends on a regular basis was impossible. I just couldn't do all of it and they ostracized me for not being more active. I was constantly being told to reach out and do more. What is this? I have to EARN your love and understanding? Oh, Ple-e-e-e-se. Talk about conditional! What's that about "....my yoke is light"???? Not the Watchtower's!

In the the 11 years that I was a JW, I received only 2 elder visits which were sort of "introduction" visits when I changed congregations. With all the pressure of my job, my mother's problems, and my health problems, I was having a hard time getting to meetings and went inactive for a year. The sisters told me "just get in one meeting a week and increase it when you can". So I went back to try again. Well, evidently I wasnt' moving fast enough for them! The more the elders pushed, the further I retreated in order to maintain control! The further I retreated the colder they and the friends got and that includes my best "friend?" of 26 years. I was bound and determined they weren't going to push me into another "burnout" situation again. They didn't like it and probably saw it as INDEPENDENT THINKING. Thinking not allowed!

I then received 7 "drop in unannounced" visits in six months which were nerve wracking for both me and my mother. Plus phone calls everytime I missed a book study (I had an over-zealous book study elder in the Sawgrass congregation...Ft. Lauderdale FL area). All I wanted was some understanding; not harrassment. This kind of treatment didn't seen very loving to me and I had a gut feeling something wasn't right about the Watchtower. Then I found the INTERNET. Mind you, I didn't have access to the Internet previous to this. I purchased a new computer and got on the Internet. Oh forget it. What an eye opener. Now I had evidence that my gut feeling was right along. I DA'd as quick as I could.

God's organization, my foot! What a bunch of hypocrites and liars!

Trot (free and glad to be out...yes-s-s-s-)

Edited by - Trotafox on 7 July 2002 12:50:37