Posts by Faithful Witness

16

Authority in the Witnesses

by Band on the Run in

jw
friends

now that pastor russell is persona non grata, i was wondering how this movement ever started.

i always find it surprising that educated people refuse to read the bible.

they will just follow someone.

Faithful Witness

He had a large forehead, and that means you're really smart! ;)

10

Wow! I saw my sister last night, and she came as her old self!!

by Faithful Witness in

i went to watch my niece's orchestra recital last night.

i knew my parents were coming, and was pleasantly surprised to see my jw sister and niece were there also.

i don't think my family realized (nor did i) that this was a christian homeschool music program.

I would have loved to have been a fly in THAT car on the way home: Grandpa is totally brainwashed, Grandma doesn't know what to do, Mom has never had a mind of her own, and the niece who really just misses her cousins, and has to be so confused...

I wonder what they said about me! haha... AND about the show itself. It was an orchestra concert, and the program had the title "Praise Him with Strings!" Next week, my other niece in the same family will be in a choir concert inside a (gasp) church... so obviously they won't go to THAT!

As far as I know, my sister doesn't take her kids to any church, and never talks about religion with me. There were no religious songs. They played classical & familiar pieces and some show/movie tunes. It was completely secular, except for the opening prayer. I saw my sister turning to my niece beforehand, but I was afraid I'd get busted peeking, if I opened my eyes to see if they were... not my business.

It was nice to be out with just "our" family. The absence of my brother in law, and the fact that we were in a public place, acting like a family again... it was a real treasured moment. It was nice to feel connected again, even just for an evening.

10

Wow! I saw my sister last night, and she came as her old self!!

by Faithful Witness in

i went to watch my niece's orchestra recital last night.

i knew my parents were coming, and was pleasantly surprised to see my jw sister and niece were there also.

i don't think my family realized (nor did i) that this was a christian homeschool music program.

Faithful Witness

I went to watch my niece's orchestra recital last night. I knew my parents were coming, and was pleasantly surprised to see my JW sister and niece were there also. I don't think my family realized (nor did I) that this was a Christian homeschool music program.

I promptly hugged my niece and sister. I was relieved that she acknowledged me and treated me kindly. I made sure to sit next to her, and we joked around during the concert. I got a chance to talk to my niece also, and she told me about an in-school club that she belongs to. It was encouraging, and everything went pretty well.

There were a couple of awkward moments (like the opening prayer), but it was really nice to see my baby sister. There was no JW talk, and I got 3 bear hugs from my dad, telling me he loved me. I'm not sure if Mom passed on the message that I am "studying" again, or if my sister decided to be kind on her own, but I'm just happy to see her again.

Of course, my brother in law was not there... that was a relief. My sister could be herself, with her family, without his judging and controlling eye.

My mom says she is coming over on Friday.

I know they still belong to a cult, and will probably turn on me again... but I am basking in the moment right now, that they all spoke to me.

10

Is it Mormon campaign season?

by Faithful Witness in

i am seeing a lot of young mormon men out lately, in their ties and nametags.

is it a certain time of year that they go out?

just curious if anyone knows..

Faithful Witness

When we were studying, I mentioned to our teacher that the Mormons also went door to door. I have been visited at my home before. The JW told me that they do, but only at certain times of the year.

The Mormons I saw weren't particularly handsome, but they were easily identifiable in their crisp white shirts and name tags. It's interesting to see them out in the stores and at the library, with their badges on. They are so obvious... and the most obvious words on their cult name tags is JESUS CHRIST.

10

Is it Mormon campaign season?

by Faithful Witness in

i am seeing a lot of young mormon men out lately, in their ties and nametags.

is it a certain time of year that they go out?

just curious if anyone knows..

Faithful Witness

I am seeing a lot of young Mormon men out lately, in their ties and nametags. Is it a certain time of year that they go out? Just curious if anyone knows.

13

My mother is losing her old personality

by Faithful Witness in

i have been trying to engage and talk to my mother and her "natural" personality as much as possible.

she has obvious concerns about the jw's, and we do discuss issues almost every time she visits.

we didn't see her for long stretches (months at at time, and suddenly a year had gone by...) we have now both committed to a minimum of a monthly visit, and we will work toward more.

Faithful Witness

Thank you for your thoughtful comments. The differing reactions really make me think.

This was only one email, and I'm not making more of it than it is... another straw.

My mom is only 65.

I have a wonderful life with my 2 young children, and my home and family is my #1 priority. We have moved on from the JW's, and I have kept my children away from the influence of the cult. They are sad to watch Grandma turn into someone they don't recognize, and they are pretty young to understand why she continually disappoints and breaks promises. We forgive her, and we pray for her together.

Aging COULD be part of her behavior change. Yes, she is sick a lot more in recent years. She is only 65. Her mother was active and healthy into her late 70's. It is hard to watch your mother deterioriate and be manipulated by cruel men, and be helpless to do anything to stop it.

I am not taking any of this personally, because it is not about me. It's not about my kids. Yes, I am hurt to lose my mom and the relationship I had with her for my whole life, but I am very far from "chasing her around." We see each other only several times a year.

I am doing my best to keep a connection with her and help her to remember who she really is, not just who they are instructing her to be. She makes statements that indicate she has been completely indoctrinated, but then in the same conversation will express doubts. She can see the lack of love in the organization, and I will not give up on having a relationship with her.

The idea to go and visit her and help her is a good one. I'm hoping she follows through on her new plan to come for a short visit this Friday. I'm not going to tell the kids, until I know she is on her way over to our house. She insists on making a show out of scheduling a visit and marking it on the calendar with the kids, but then she postpones or cancels. I'm not going to let her do that this time.

Thank you to all who took time to read and respond.

8

Had a lovely Baptism and First Communion.

by quellycatface in

i honestly feel very light and free.. made to feel very welcome and accepted just for being me.. never knew being a christian would feel this good!!!!.

happy easter.

christ is risen..

Faithful Witness

Great news, Quelly! I was baptized on Easter 2 years ago.

My church gave me a video of the baptism, and also a certificate.

13

My mother is losing her old personality

by Faithful Witness in

i have been trying to engage and talk to my mother and her "natural" personality as much as possible.

she has obvious concerns about the jw's, and we do discuss issues almost every time she visits.

we didn't see her for long stretches (months at at time, and suddenly a year had gone by...) we have now both committed to a minimum of a monthly visit, and we will work toward more.

Faithful Witness

I have been trying to engage and talk to my mother and her "natural" personality as much as possible. She has obvious concerns about the JW's, and we do discuss issues almost every time she visits. We didn't see her for long stretches (months at at time, and suddenly a year had gone by...) We have now both committed to a minimum of a monthly visit, and we will work toward more. She currently still works part time, lives over an hour away, and I have to drive my husband to and from work each day. These circumstances limit when we can get together.

Email has become one of our main forms of communication. I intend to make more phone calls and get more time actually speaking to her. Email and text have made our relationship much more impersonal and strained.

Here is my recent observation. She used to have this sarcastic wit, that she would use to cope with life and daily situations. This was a big part of her personality, and I definitely got this trait from her. Now she makes strange attempts to be funny, but is joking about more deep and hurtful (in my opinion) topics. She's running out of material, because she is limiting her exposure to the real world so much.

Here is an example, and it probably won't really have the impact on a stranger who doesn't know her... but my mom has always had a quick and smart-aleck type of wit, with comebacks and sort of rude ways of joking around with people.

She visited us 4 weeks ago, and had scheduled another visit on April 11. I texted her early last week, and asked her if she was still coming. She replied by text that "she had to postpone, and would email me later tonight." I never heard from her. I figured she was probably out peddling memorial invitations. At least we knew we didn't have to wait around for her. We had a good weekend, and then I emailed her and told her stories of bike riding with my kids, and asked how she was doing. (no reply)

Several days passed, and I sent her a text to confirm if she was coming this week April 18 or not. (no reply)

Now I'm starting to get irritated and slightly paranoid (following memorial). I sent her another text, asking her: "Hi Mom, Haven't heard from you. Is everything ok? Is something wrong, or are you just avoiding me?" (given the situation of my sister's irrational rejection of me, I figured that would hit her hard enough to get a reply).

When she did not reply all day, I asked my other sister if she had visited my mom. They usually see her on Wednesdays. I was trying to confirm she was still alive. (I know, not funny...) She hadn't visited Mom, but had received a reply to an email that she had sent about the same time I did. Now I'm getting ticked... WTH! She IS avoiding me!! But I am like a dog... I give her the benefit of the doubt, and continue to be patient.

Finally, about 24 hours after I had sent her the text, my mom sends me an email. She is trying to be funny here, but it is very evident to me that she is losing her reasoning and humor capacities. (Does she think she is funny)?

V….No, I am not avoiding you. If I were avoiding you, I would tell you, because otherwise, what would be the point? And it would be hard to avoid you if I was telling you, so…………………………… Just kidding. I have had the hang-on cough for weeks now, and it is just wearing me out. Plus, I have been working some extra hours, so have not had much time. By evening, when I get home, I am so tired I just go to bed early. Sorry I have not been in touch. Also, I am working this Friday for Barb so she can go to Wisconsin for the long weekend. But, the good news is that I am for sure retiring the end of May. Barb and I have discussed it, and when Delaine goes on maternity leave, we will be expected to work full time while she is off, which would be all summer, and we are not going to do that. I really will call you one of these days when I can talk for awhile. Right now, I am just trying to get rid of this cough and hang on to what sanity I have left……. Love ya, and would never avoid you…….I love you and always will ; Mom

I know I analyze things too much, but when my mother only throws me scraps, it is hard not to chew on them over and over and try to get everything I can from them. We used to be very close, as I am her oldest daughter and we talked a lot about her concerns and mine. It is starting to feel like we don't know each other. I think she is scared. She knows things have changed, but her attempts to reclaim her old humor fail miserably. She thinks a joke about avoiding me is funny, because she knows it is a possiblity in my mind. I know she is being instructed to shun me, so why would I find this funny? My dad is avoiding me, but he is not telling me... he is just doing it, and my mom will not even answer my questions about his behavior. Also, about her plans for retirement: I find it interesting that she is conspiring with her job-share partner, to just quit on their boss without notice. I know she has been unhappy with their taking her for granted, but she has worked there for over 10 years. I find that bizarre and a poor example to set, especially as JW. She is going to cast the organization in a poor light (with her employer and coworkers) when she does this. I think I will ask her the question: "If you walk out your job, are you still going to bring magazines to the people who work there?" (maybe the proper protocol, is to send someone else to call on them... not sure how that works??) Her motives for retiring are also in question. I would love to see her more (as she seems to be promising), but she has already expressed her desire to "pioneer." "I know it sounds crazy, but it really is FUN going out in service!!" BLAH. I'm not buying it, but since she has lost all sense of reality, maybe she thinks she will get some social connections out of this. Sadly, my kids have learned they can't really count on Grandma's promises or plans. They don't get any unconditional love from anyone outside our immediate family. Today is my son's 6th birthday. It's actually probably a good thing she isn't coming over, since his 7 year old sister got him a fake SWAT team set. He is having a blast, running through the house and firing his automatic rifle. hahaha... My mom has a very overzealous negative reaction to all guns, even those cheap little plastic squirt guns.

45

Why did Jesus tell the convict on the cross next to his, that he would be joining him in Heaven TODAY??

by Faithful Witness in

maybe a silly question, but i'm curious about this part of the story of christ's crucifixion, when the 1 thief challenges jesus to save himself and "us too" from their deaths, but the 2nd thief rebukes him and pleads with jesus... .

luke 23:42-43: and he said unto jesus, lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

and jesus said unto him, verily i say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.. .

Faithful Witness

Thanks for the replies. I knew there had to be a "logical" explanation that JWs could use to explain away that question.

45

Why did Jesus tell the convict on the cross next to his, that he would be joining him in Heaven TODAY??

by Faithful Witness in

maybe a silly question, but i'm curious about this part of the story of christ's crucifixion, when the 1 thief challenges jesus to save himself and "us too" from their deaths, but the 2nd thief rebukes him and pleads with jesus... .

luke 23:42-43: and he said unto jesus, lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

and jesus said unto him, verily i say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.. .

Faithful Witness

Maybe a silly question, but I'm curious about this part of the story of Christ's crucifixion, when the 1 thief challenges Jesus to save himself and "us too" from their deaths, but the 2nd thief rebukes him and pleads with Jesus...

Luke 23:42-43: And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Since Jesus took this guy with him to heaven immediately, would he be considered "annointed" and qualified to sit as a judge with Christ, even though he was a criminal who "deserved" the death penalty?

Why would this admitted thief be worthy of going to heaven immediately after death, but now everyone else (believer and non-believier alike) who dies just lies dead in the ground until judgment day?

Wouldn't this suggest that there might be either an immortal soul, or that true believers might actually be in heaven with Jesus right now? Forgive me if I'm missing some detail here... correct me where I am misunderstanding this part of the story.