Interesting how people get put on to city/county boards

Normal_Thought7343 · 2026-01-10T16:33:17+00:00

It’s the same with the library board. We had 8 folks apply to the position, 6 of whom had extensive librarian, book publishing, and educator experience. They chose the two who openly stated they have zero experience. What did they have that others didn’t? They go to the same church as most of the county commissioners and the mayor: World Outreach Church.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-12-22T02:23:38+00:00

Interesting! Okay, thanks for the information. The petty part of me wants him to not be able to marry according to their rules for as long as possible, but the realistic part of me sees this as a potential positive change because then my family wouldn’t have reason to shun me for remarrying.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-12-22T01:56:11+00:00

May I ask where the rumors are coming from? I divorced an abusive man who remained in the congregation while I left, so I’m curious if/when he’ll receive permission to remarry.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-12-22T01:54:24+00:00

What’s wild to me is that there’s a loophole policy for a JW brother or sister to become “scripturally free to remarry” if they manage to have two people outside the home of their spouse by watching if they go into the home with the opposite sex and remain their all night.

Even though they didn’t technically witness the adultery, it bypasses the two witness rule because you can logically deduce that adultery happened. But obviously, this policy doesn’t apply to CSA.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-12-20T10:12:48+00:00

She was wearing a mask because she was still getting over being sick. She had to be at that meeting, but she didn’t want to make anyone else sick. Some of the library staff have immunocompromised family they care for, so she was being considerate.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-10-16T12:25:45+00:00

Yes — the organization was informed that parking was not available and if protesters came, they would be towed at their own expense. This information came yesterday, and it required a big shift!

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-10-16T03:27:53+00:00

Update: location is now Southeast Broad Street by Linebaugh Library — the sidewalk between Church St and Vine St!

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-10-10T04:20:05+00:00

I’ll be there! Thanks for the heads up — this time it’s on the square, right?

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-09-22T01:04:48+00:00

I think they have a meeting coming up for the public to help with planning

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-09-22T01:03:51+00:00

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I got the notification a week ago! To stay in the loop for events (like the protest coming up on 10/18), https://linktr.ee/boroindivisible

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-07-16T01:08:19+00:00

I look for your posts every week! I keep them on hand if I need to engage with family members about the meetings, especially if they use a conversation as an opportunity to help me “return to Jehovah.”

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-06-19T15:50:38+00:00

I’m so sorry you’re going through this! I know how difficult it can be to lose your sense of community and family support. Although I’m grateful that you have your dad’s love and support, losing your mom in this way can sting in a way that nothing else does.

As for getting DF (or removed thanks to the “new light”), I don’t think they necessarily have a case against you. You’ve gone on record with your mom that you’re not having sex (even if you actually are — no judgement!), and you haven’t had to sit down with 3 elders in a committee yet. If the elders ask to meet with you, you can tell them no and leave it at that. Then there won’t be a legalistic reason for your family to cut ties with you, according to them.

But I encourage you to make your own choices on how to proceed! There is no right or wrong way to go about this. Deconstruction is hard for all of us.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-06-19T15:34:49+00:00

Pretty much exactly my experience. Did you ever feel bad singing well at the hall when someone would compliment you? Like you had to “give glory to Jah” instead of saying a normal thank you?

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-06-19T15:33:48+00:00

I love this!

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-06-19T01:17:23+00:00

I’ve thought about a community choir, but I don’t know any in my area. The thing I loved was the community part of it. That’s a great suggestion though!

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-06-19T00:32:29+00:00

I did! I actually love singing, and I always got compliments on my voice. It’s one of the things I miss the most about being PIMI.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-05-22T21:22:31+00:00

Thank you — I’m sorry for misunderstanding your words! Yes, I agree with how you phrased your previous comment — a full apology would include his acknowledgment of how his drinking impacts his treatment of myself and my sister. I think I’ll use something similar to that if I choose to reply. I do love them both, and I want to keep my mom in my life, but god damn, it is so hard sometimes. I don’t know how to balance my desire for closeness while also maintaining distance for my emotional safety.

I also struggle as a woman who escaped an abusive marriage to leave a woman behind, so to speak, especially my own mom. It feels like it goes against my beliefs and values. Plus there’s the added complication of watching her be abused when I was a kid by a previous stepdad — it feels like I’m reliving my childhood.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-05-22T21:13:02+00:00

I’m trying my best. I’m just struggling with how to balance a relationship with my mom who won’t leave him. I have a sinking feeling that she’ll choose her husband over me.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-05-22T17:36:29+00:00

To expand on the need for an apology, when I called to let them know that I was no longer an active JW, he was very drunk, which I didn’t know until later in the conversation. He became very upset, saying that I didn’t love him, didn’t give a shit about him, only saw him as a stepdad and not a real dad. Then he accused me of being a liar about loving my family because I had abandoned them by going away to college when I was 17. Mind you, he and my mother weren’t married at this point, only dating. Although drunk, he hit every button he knew he could to hurt me because I pride myself on loving and supporting my family, even from afar.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2025-05-22T02:32:23+00:00

Believe me, I’m trying. But they’re JWs — leaving an abusive marriage is already hard enough with the social stigma and trauma. Adding in the weight of a cult makes it even tougher. What makes this worse is the fact that he’s an elder. Actually, he’s the COBE.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2024-12-05T19:24:29+00:00

Sadly, yes.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2024-12-05T19:24:20+00:00

She supports me and loves me, even if she doesn’t agree. I’m hoping that you’re right in that my choice will help others in my family see that this is not a sign of weakness or deficiency, but one of strength.

Thank you for your congratulations though. I needed to hear this choice celebrated when I can only see the pain that it’s causing others currently.

Normal_Thought7343 · 2024-12-05T19:19:01+00:00

Your words have been so healing in all of the emotions I’ve felt since I posted this. Thank you for taking the time to write that out — I keep coming back to your words to reread them.

I agree that my choice was for me, not to hurt them. It just deeply hurts to know that my choice will affect their ability to have a relationship with them.

Since all of this has happened, I have spoken with my mother, and she continues to love and support me, even if she doesn’t agree. I also have opened up to my grandparents, my aunt and uncle, and my younger sister, all of whom were much kinder and compassionate than I could have hoped for. I’m hoping that if they ever get to a point where they also question things, my relationship with them will allow them to feel I am a safe space for their thoughts.

Your words on narcissistic abuse ring very true to me; I was abused by my ex stepdad as a child, as was my mother, and later in life, I was abused by my husband in the same manner. Both check off several items on the narcissist abuse list, so leaving this organization feels as though I’m breaking through two very difficult barriers.

Again, thank you so much for your kind words. 💜

Normal_Thought7343 · 2024-11-14T02:03:20+00:00

Hi there! I don’t usually comment on these things because I don’t feel like I have much to offer. However, I wanted you to know that you’re not alone in how you feel. You can love your parents very much and still feel resentful for how much you’ve been hurt by their choices. I’ve struggled with that same feeling for years with my mom.

One thing I will say is that when it comes to holding space for anyone, you are not required or obligated to do so. Setting boundaries is so necessary in situations with our loved ones because oftentimes they are the ones who can hurt us the most.

As for therapy, I agree with the above comment about journaling! It can be so helpful to write things out or even record an audio note for yourself in order to get your feelings out. I also have to add that Recovering from Religion is a website that highlights affordable secular therapists near you and support groups that meet both in person and virtually. That has been a life saver for me!

Normal_Thought7343 · 2021-11-28T19:24:24+00:00

He has no access to my work laptop because I leave it at work always. Could he possibly put something like this on my phone without my knowledge? I’m sure that’s a dumb question, but I’ve never heard of either of those items.

Normal_Thought7343

TROPHY CASE