Hi guys. I haven't posted here in a year or so, perhaps more. I'm not sure what I want to say, and I'm not sure that I want to put it down, since the more info you give here, the easier it is to be spotted. I've been inactive (dead?) for several years now. Thankfully, I've been left alone by the elders, except for 1-2 occasions, the last one being relatively dangerous to my status. I don't hang out with "apostates", I don't tell anyone what to do, I just live my life. I go to the Memorial each year as some slight proof to my wife that I'm not completely dead. Here is what I am thinking about... Since I've walked away from the JWs, I've been left with a spiritual limbo. I don't pray anymore, and I'm not even really sure what to believe, because being a JW was so marvelously black and white, everything was clear. It was the loss of this clarity when certain teachings changed, that showed me that God couldn't possibly be directing these changes, it was men, people like you or I. In addition to losing my religion (go ahead, you know you want to hum some REM), I have experienced a personal change in my morals. I'm sure you have gone through this too - you can do things, just because. I find myself pushing the limits of what was once my own personal morality, and I'm wondering if I am letting the pendulum swing too far, because I've lost the moral compass that once kept me in check. I'm OK with my spiritual void for myself, but my sons are at the age where they are asking things like "why doesn't Nanny worship Jehovah?" and "does Daddy worship Jehovah?" I asked my oldest son to explain to me what "worship" means, and he could not tell me. I also worry about having my kids exposed to people at the KH, not just for the possible child molestation, but certain elders that I know are imposing their own personal rules on people, at times. So... I was actual thinking about going back. Crazy, I know. It's that or therapy, because I'm not very happy with the person I have become. It's not that I am a serial killer or something, in fact the "bad things" I have done are laughably mild, but they hurt my conscience. The noblest thing to do would be to leave my wife, tell the WT to take a hike, and seek my own path. But, I love my wife, and my kids deserve a solid home with two parents. As I said initially, this may not make a whole lot of sense, but I had to get it out. Has anyone read "A Purpose Driven Life"? It's received good reviews, and I wonder if it's any good in getting me back on track. Thanks, G.
Posts by gcc2k
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22Is recovery possible?
by gcc2k inhi guys.
i haven't posted here in a year or so, perhaps more.
i'm not sure what i want to say, and i'm not sure that i want to put it down, since the more info you give here, the easier it is to be spotted.
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20
Another question from the new guy...
by SwampThing ini have another question if you all would be so kind as to enlighten me.
after reading hundreds of posts here, i understand now why some people stay in the wts even though they would like to leave.
the loss of friends, family members and such from this bizarre practice of "shunning" could be devastating in the lives of some people.
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gcc2k
Someone who is baptised will be called in for a chat, and eventually a committee meeting (with 3 elders) where he/she will be asked a few pointed questions. Failure to answer those questions correctly will result in the indivual having disassociated him/herself by his/her response. Someone who just wants to leave can simply ignore any contact attempts by the elders, in which case they will have the meeting without the inidividual, and the same conclusion is reached. Sorry if the formatting of this post is off, I guess we still only support IE browsers (grrr)
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who owns Kingdom Halls?
by Dogpatch inhas there been any change in who owns the kingdom halls?.
last i knew it was the watchtower who owned them all, but the pubs had to pay the rent and mortgage.
are any or all of the halls in the names of local elders?
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gcc2k
The original steps listed: 1. The congregations donate their labor to build the hall! 2. They borrow the money from the Society which they actually contributed! 3. The Society charges them interest on the money! 4. When the loan is paid off, The Society owns the building? You forgot: 5. When the hall needs renovation, the congregation sinks more time and money into the building. 6. When the hall is deemed too small and/or not worth renovating, they sell it (usually to Babylon the Great). 7. They find and purchase a piece of land (see 2. above). 8. See 1. above.
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whither jourles?
by gcc2k in.
just came back to the site after a hiatus, and was disappointed to see that jourles is gone.. i see that dirtclod is also gone, can't be coincidence.
can someone pm me and fill in the blanks?
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gcc2k
Got the info I was seeking, thanks.
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whither jourles?
by gcc2k in.
just came back to the site after a hiatus, and was disappointed to see that jourles is gone.. i see that dirtclod is also gone, can't be coincidence.
can someone pm me and fill in the blanks?
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gcc2k
Just came back to the site after a hiatus, and was disappointed to see that Jourles is gone.
I see that dirtclod is also gone, can't be coincidence. Can someone PM me and fill in the blanks? Thanks.
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No-Blood Card No Longer Issued/Dated Annually
by AMNESIAN indecember 2003 our kingdom ministry for the usa
"provisions to help us abstain from blood"
"baptized publishers who have previously completed an advance medical directive/release card or identity card with no print date or a 3/99 print date will not need to complete a new one this year.
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gcc2k
What does the card for children say and look like?
Should they find their way into my home, they will accidentally get lost...
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95
I need advice quick...and a hug.
by dmouse ini'm in a bit of a state at the moment, my wife has just left me about 30 mins ago and took the kids...i don't know where.... ok, some of you long-timers may remember the problems i had with my son ben, who decided that the jw religion wasn't for him about a year ago.
i supported him as best i could through that and he's developed into a fine young man with a more healthy spiritual attitude, investigationg a number of christian churches in the area and finally settled on church of england, which he really likes now.. although no longer a christian myself i have no objection to them pursuing whatever religious path they choose (obviously within reason).
that has been the case with all of my children: ben, 15, charlotte, 14 and chloe, 12. i have never attempted to stop my wife taking them to the meetings although i have voiced to them privately my concerns about the religion.
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gcc2k
Dmouse, this topic saddens me greatly, mainly because it's the culimination of many of my own fears (and I'm sure those of others here).
I have absolutely no advice to offer (you're received plenty of that already) but you are in my thoughts.
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Jehovah's Witnesses reorganize printing operations
by Dogpatch infor immediate release.
september 1, 2003
printable version
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gcc2k
Blondie says:
That means that elders from Bethel will not be available for congregational assignments like the local brothers who get dumped on to take assignments at the last minute and handle all the maintenance issues at the KH.
Oh goodie, we're going to need more elders. Maybe I should start going back to the meetings?
Seriously, even if they have a staff reduction, some people will remain in the area so they can
help spread the good newscontinue dating local sisters. -
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ATTN: Where does the dough go?
by Vita Nuova inthe equation: voluntary workforce + minimal publication costs + minimal building costs + sweet crazy money - charity involvement = $????.
i am seeking factual evidence or documented information on the watchtower society's accumulated financial wealth, which they apparently just seem to be sitting on.
i have a jw coworker (a good guy) whose "kryptonite" may just prove to be his curiosity concerning the wbts's big fat juicy hoard of cash.
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gcc2k
No one really has the answer or the reason why. Read my past posts and you'll find some of the same questions, with some helpful replies. But many others have asked this before, and I'm sure many more will.
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Help!! Learn from the Great Teacher book...and some legal advice....
by Bona Dea inhello.... i don't really know if this has been posted yet.
i know there are quite a few postings regarding the release of the new "childrens" book at this years convention but i don't know if any of them have focused on the articles i've quoted here.
if so, sorry for the repeat.
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gcc2k
Any update to this story? This poster seems to have vanished.