Why are they so paranoid?
Because if the end comes you don't want the list falling into the wrong hands!
And, you might also want to use it for something social; that's not allowed.
having been out of the organization for 20 years now and having visited/attended a few churches since then, i've noticed that most have a church directory listing the regular attenders, members or not.. this is handy in trying to learn about various ones in the church, and in the event you want to send them a card, invite them over for a meal, and or a host of other reasons.. i always wondered why directories never existed for various jw congregations?
are they afraid of mass mailings of jw's that leave?
cannot the 'truth' stand up concerning everything they teach?
Why are they so paranoid?
Because if the end comes you don't want the list falling into the wrong hands!
And, you might also want to use it for something social; that's not allowed.
in the recent thread about 'millions now living may/will never die', purplesofa said that the wts changed wording on watchtowers between magazine and bound volume.
i'd be interested to see some examples please!
this could be very useful to help someone i know see they are fallible.
Thanks Blondie. If we could only find a way to get our "still in" families to read this. When I stopped attending meetings, my sister's greatest fear was that I'd read "apostate" literature. For her that was worse than adultery or anything else. She would be the one with her hands over her ears so as not to hear what might be the truth.
What are they so afraid of? Why do they think they'll be so easily misled?
Me. Sugar cookies, oatmeal-cherry-walnut, chocolate chip, already made; tonight, molasses. My daughter will visit and make another four or five varieties that she gives as gifts.
What about you?
i'm a great fan of aphorisms.
zen has some of the classic ones.
the moral consequences of doing whatever you do is that you will be the sort of person who did that.. "it's best to ride the horse in the direction it's going.".
Live and learn; die and forget it all.
been out 13 years and even for research purposes, i find it way too painful to read this wt stuff.. and why?.
all the painful memories it brings back.
don't misread me, it has nothing to do with a guilty conscience.. it has to do with the real pain, the anger of being ripped off and lied too by the wts, the anger of seing how they have protected child molesters, sacrificed its followers by refusing blood transfusions, the treacherous way we and others were treated by the 'unloving brothers'.
Not painful but nauseating. Literally.
my family is all in, but my wife's family are not jws, except for her mom and sister(more on her later).
my wife's uncle calls and invites us to the family christmas dinner on sunday.
he says he doesn't understand why we never come, he always tells my wife's jw mom to invite us, but when she comes shes says we couldn't make it.
My boss, an agnostic, celebrates the season and had this to say:
"[...]let me close with a Christmas thought. I’m a big fan of Christ and his values. Somehow, I choose to think he would have sympathized with the philosopher Marcus Aurelius when he advised, "Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods but they are unjust, you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.
I rather think Christ’s message was “Live a good life.” That’s the sentiment I like to honor and celebrate this season, so in that spirit, Merry Christmas!!!"
Enjoy this beautiful season!
Emma
many were sent out early.
presumably some of them have or will be arriving soon.. many choose to wait to open their gift while others can't stand the excitement.. whether you open it immediately or not please let us know it has arrived..
Not yet, but there's time!
i was disf'd a year ago - i have had such a hard few years to get through, some days are better than others.
i was married to a very abusive and violent man for 10 years (who everyone thought was the perfect witness) - i was very young when i got married and was never very close to my parents.
my parents never really thought much of my husband and i just always got on the best i could with what i was dealing with behind closed doors.
The organization is not "fair" never has been and never will be. There are double, triple sets of rules and everyone makes up their own to suit. You were so unfairly treated. You cannot change that nor can you influence how "they" will treat you in the future. What you do have the power to do is live an authentic life. It hurts like hell and the injustice can be unbearable, but you will get through it. You really don't need them. Just work on being happy and satisfied with your life.
i haven't posted much here but i feel like i need some support right now.
i did post my story, but basically i'm 27, married for 7 years and i was df'd in july.
i always knew i didn't want to be a jw but went along with everything because of fear.
First to Jen: You don't have to deal with her. You're right in your decision, please just walk away and start new. Without the jw's family or not. I lost my family, my mom got sick and died and no one told me till they needed my signature on a paper, but I am so much better off. You made the decision to Get Out, it will be really hard sometimes, and a relief others.
I guess this can hold for wo21. Your family may be cordial to your new partner but their entire aim is to get him and then you in the borg. Sometimes things change, family members mellow or see the light, but this can never be counted on.
You are both strong, capable, loving people. Others will see that and want to know you. My friends are truer to me than family ever was; I wish my family could know that kind of love and acceptance.
Emma
for those of you who signed up for the secret santa 2009 list here is where you give your secret santa an idea of things you might like.
it's hard enough to give gifts to people you know nevermind people you have never met.. so bearing in mind the $15 limit give us an idea what your favorite interests, colors are, or what things you might like.. in the past people have suggested something for their new christmas tree, a book, a cd of their favorite music, something from where their secret santa lives (something with the city's or country's name on it or an widely known item.. once people get their name they will be able to check back here to get an idea of what your interest is before they go shopping.. if you say "anything" or don't post then expect a surprise..
I sent mine out yesterday; should be received in time for christmas!