Pickler

Joined

• started 3 topics
• posted 462 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by Pickler

• 
  44

  Differences Between JWs in the US and Europe

  by BU2B in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there are many cultural differences between the general population of the us and europe, what about jws?

  i have heard about such things as beards being allowed, movies that a jw cant watch in the us or would be frowned upon watching being ok, same with tv shows, and even the way they dress in public.

  seems more laid back over there if this is true.. any truth to this?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pickler

  I'm Australian, but, lived in the UK. In my experience Australia was more hard line.

  Some things really surprised me...

  1) in the UK I met young JWs, with university degrees. No one looked down on them, no one reproved them. Where I was from they would have been out, out, out for this.

  Now I know people on here have doubted this, but, it's true. A the time it was absolutely devastating to me that I couldn't go to uni, if there had been any way that didn't involve me getting DFd, I would have......but...they were very clear that this was wrong.

  2) in the UK I met a brother who lived on welfare (quite nicely I might add) lovely apartment, good clothes, good food, spent his days having coffee. No one seemed to care.

  In Australia, he would have been out!!! The old "if a man doesn't work, then he shouldn't eat" was quoted a million times. I knew a brother who didn't work, I think he may have had mental health issues. Anyway, he was greatly frowned upon in the congregation & talked about a lot. Which, in hindsight doesn't seem very loving at all.

  What was funny was that the UK witnesses didn't know that other places were different & vice versa, seemed like we all lived in our own little bubbles back then.

  The Internet has sure changed things now though.
• 
  32

  need help

  by Crazyguy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  first post, been lurking for a bit.

  i have been seeing problems in the org for a couple of years now and could not come up with any answers.

  recently i researched the topics of mediator and new covenant and thats when the sh8t hit the fan.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pickler

  Welcome Crazy, I've read a lot of similar stories to your on here....hope they can help you.

  Wish you all the best, it's a tough path you are on, good luck to you
• 
  9

  Dear Mother -- Is that a lie or a mistake?

  by FatFreek 2005 in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  i believe that jehovah's witnesses are mostly honest people.

  it's unfortunate for the honest ones -- especially embarrasing -- if they're ambushed by some person in their door to door work with evidence that their leadership throughout modern history has knowingly said things that are not true.

  the following essay attempts to document one such trail of watchtower dishonesty.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pickler

  Well done....this letter sums it all up perfectly.
• 
  54

  Has Your Personality Changed Since Leaving The Witnesses?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have an aquaintance that likes to say, "once an a hole always an a hole".

  i guess you could reason that whatever your religious views were, your core is you are who you are.. did your personality change for better or worse when you left the organization?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pickler

  Not changed, but your personality comes out more when you aren't a JW. Because out here you have a lot more options.
• 
  7

  How do you feel when....

  by LouBelle in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ...when you remember that you are free from that religion?.

  for me, it is the best pick me up i can ever have.

  i may have had some really dark days, i may still, but that is the one thing that pulls me towards myself: i am free to think for myself, i am free to associate with whom i want, i am free to sleep in on the weekends, i am free of the guilt, i am free of an angry god that made me feel shit about myself.. i am fortunate enough to have put that time in my past - though i am happy to speak to ex jw's - to share experiences, to laugh, to cry and then to celebrate we are out.. i know that many of us still have people in that faith that we love.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pickler

  Whenever I see groups out witnessing, particularly on weekend mornings....I'm just so so grateful & happy that's not me anymore. Free from the burden of putting in time, even when you didn't go out you felt guilty. I also remember how hard it was to go out again on week nights, when you had just come in from work.

  I never have to wear skirts, blouses or heels, I haven't owned stockings for years....that is freedom. Free to make friends with whomever you want, do what you want, not feeling guilty for not having done enough. Just being free to live!
• 
  16

  GB member Anthony Morris in serious auto accident, accepts life-saving blood transfusion.....new light on blood to appear in August 15 Watchtower

  by sir82 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ...or maybe not.. .

  what's today's date again?.

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pickler

  You got me!!! Because for us Aussies its not even April Fools day anymore.....it's Tuesday..hahaha
• 
  29

  How can anyone who is truly spiritual-minded attend Bethel and not realize it's all a scam

  by sosoconfused in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  not that i was any better(lol - but as i sat back and thought about the time i spent there, and the things i saw i feel disgusted.. i could literally write a thousand stories about the discrimination, favortism and all out dishonest that took place but i doubt anyone would actually care.

  the one thing however that really sticks out in my mind is when i was in a nice room with my roommate that he kind of inherited after his previous roommate left.

  it actually had a bathroom and we both had space for real beds(not those dang trundle beds like we had in standish).. .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pickler

  Sab, it's interesting what you say about "continuous application and routine". I too did everything I could to NOT listen in the meetings, I was so good at day dreaming, doodling, looking interested whilst thinking absolutely nothing....

  BUT there's never a break, the constant meetings, study, service...there's never any time to think. As soon as you step away from their timetable everything becomes clearer...but, it's the stepping away that is so hard. Even though I was never a "spiritual" person, I had no faith, experienced no "joy" or "love" or anything of that nature.

  Even then, the mind control still had me, because I was trained to think this was my fault, my failing....something was wrong with me because I couldn't feel spiritual. Such a waste of my young years, it kills me now to think back on it.

  I feel so bad for you bethel people,even worse to spend your young years in that institutional environment.

  I still to this day do not understand anyone who calls themselves "spiritual"
• 
  22

  Governing Body Put Down Education Because The Sad Facts Show Higher Education Leads Lower Bull Tollerance

  by frankiespeakin in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  as lamented by members of the governing body higher education is causeing many to leave the organization and so it is demonized by them.. subjects the governing body would hate to see young one study are numerous.

  they would like to keep things very simple it is easier to control people.

  they would prefere to go backward in technology to the time the first printing presses back in the 16th century, that is the level they work best at.. .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pickler

  I think mamochan & sedition were joking Ssn587!

  I think the biggest danger higher education presents to a young JW is the socialising. In high school, parents can control who you associate with. At university you are a young adult, with some freedom.
• 
  7

  $2 Million Property Sold by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia | March 26, 2013

  by jwleaks in

  1. social
  2. current

  no stairs but two-storey darjeeling in bowral sells for $2 million.

  by jonathan chancellor .

  tuesday, 26 march 2013. .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pickler

  Bowral is a very desirable area. A lot of wealthy people who live in Sydney, have weekenders there. There are also good boarding schools & horseriding.

  Some people put their kids to school there, have a big house & keep a flat in Sydney for the husband for work.

  Property prices are high!
• 
  10

  OutLaw...This weeks Special - 9 piece bucket at KFC $11.99

  by LoisLane looking for Superman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  outlaw...looks like you have a memorial week special, at kfc!

  going into town this week?.

  just lois.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Pickler

  My son just got is first job at KFC......along with 3 of his friends.

  I'm hoping it will put him off for life (after the initial binges of course)