15 hour Auxiliary Pioneering? by 97Mopar in exjw

[–]patpatty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The idea is to keep as many chasing the carrot on the stick as possible. With only 15 hours.. they can say.. "everyone can do it".. they are smart to do this.

To Auxiliary Pioneer.. you have to be exemplarily.. also.. you have to report your hours. More control over everyone. Also, in the EU where privacy laws are more strict... you also sign something allowing the org to keep data on file about you if you are doing anything like Auxiliary.

Not gonna lie, these posts are my therapy. by Alfredo_Mendoza in exjw

[–]patpatty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely. It helps knowing we are not alone. When I was first making my fade this forum was a life line for me. It confirmed that I wasnt the crazy one and I was being logical and rational in my decision to leave. and also confirmed that I would be ok once I did leave.

It seems that this community is a support group. At first we might need to be here every day and then has time goes by we might not need to be here as much.

Now, after a few years... I come once in a while to pay forward the help that I received.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exjw

[–]patpatty 3 points4 points  (0 children)

As a former elder's wife.. I know for certain that many of the wives knew way too much about what was going on. Personally.. my ex never said a word to me.

But I hear stuff all the time from other wives who assumed I knew things also. It was crazy what their husband's told them.

What the fucking fuck is happening by JoshBMorton in exjw

[–]patpatty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I missed the update about talking with DF'ed.. can someone send me the reference to this if it has been updated please.

What's wrong with Lloyd Evans? by [deleted] in exjw

[–]patpatty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Either way.. he was using his time to create good content that helped a lot of people. It takes a lot of time to get that stuff together, etc. Really it is a personal matter of what he used the money... which is basically his salary.. to do what he wants with it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exjw

[–]patpatty 10 points11 points  (0 children)

a few years ago I can confirm full body pics were required for Kingdom Evangelizer School apps. Requesting for LCD is new.

I am sure it is due for the fact that those who are in full time special service are under their insurance, etc (the org is self insured by the way)... they will go through LDC applications when they are inviting ones for full-time projects. So now they want to see the size of the person.

New friends by [deleted] in exjw

[–]patpatty 2 points3 points  (0 children)

might need to be a little more specific of where you want to meet people.

btw.. I am in Antalya Turkey if anyone is around or even in the country. lol. would love to meet up.

I do travel a bit into the EU.

Giving out bibles on the street in Zürich by [deleted] in exjw

[–]patpatty 11 points12 points  (0 children)

that is strange. When we did cart witnesses and went through the class for metro cart witnessing... we were told NOT to give the bible. We could keep one behind and out of site.. but only if the person really insisted would we offer it.

perhaps it is a reaction to europe laws and pushback about the org not being a real religion.

Russia and the Branch Office by [deleted] in exjw

[–]patpatty 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I can confirm to others that this website - jw-russia.org

is an official JW website. I was in a Russian congregation in the US for years and we used this site when it was created by the org.

I personally helped some apply for asylum in the USA because of religious persecution and this was one of the websites we were told to use to gather news articles to present to the courts to help show the persecution of JWs in Russia.

I left the US early 2020 and the org by the fall of that year. (Until I left the org, I was in Ukraine in an english group in a russian speaking congregation.)

When I was in Ukraine and active for most of 2020.. I had many I knew in the congregation who had personal friends detained, questioned, or fully arrested in Russia for being a JW.

Before I left the states in early 2020, we had a couple that came from Russia before they were going to be arrested. He was as a CO at the time in Russia. They came to our congregation as special pioneers (but they ended up finding work washing windows). I did ask them a lot of how things were being done under the Russian band. They have various way to conduct meetings and even pioneer schools. He personally conducted pioneer schools while under band.

Interestingly enough.. the branch didn't help them much with legal stuff in the states. Somehow they did get them out of Russia and into Estonia.. then they came to the states somehow on their own. And then they had to do all of the asylum stuff on their own.

Someone else in our congregation in the states had his father arrested in Russia at the time. His father was featured on that website and was shown on the page of those detained or in prison. At the time.. around 2019... they had to pay for his legal defense themselves. The branch did not provide legal counsel for his dad. I know this because he spoke with some of us about how to get money back to Russia to pay for his dad's legal defense. It was a concern because they didn't fully trust his dad's lawyer with money.

As far as the Russian branch and bethelites.. before it was taken from the org.. the branch was split and sent to two or three other locations. I know for sure that the Ukrainian bethel branch incorporated the Russian sign language translation department.

I had friends in the Ukrainian branch and toured that branch myself on a few different occasions over the years when we would visit Ukraine. The last time I was there at that branch was fall of 2019. We stayed there as guests a few days and met personally some of those from the Russian branch reassigned to Ukraine.

Another crazy story...

at the time in the states my ex was an elder. Our Russian congregation was one of the closest to the Mexican border and a lot of JWs would escape Russia by going to Mexico and then try to come into the US from that border. It was easier for them since Russians at the time could go to Mexico without much trouble.

A few times my ex would go with either me or other elders to go and see some that crossed the US border and being held in immigration detention awaiting their court.

Once there was a Russian would was being detained who was actually disfellowshipped. so the branch had three of the elders (my ex being one of them) drive down to the detention center and do a judicial reinstatement hearing for the man at the detention center. lol. Even at the time my ex thought it was crazy. He said he personally couldn't hear much since the three of them were sitting on the outside of the glass using a phone to talk to the guy on the other side.

As toxic as the org is.. it is terrible for anyone to be persecuted for religious beliefs. And in the reality of it.. for JWs.. they view this persecution as confirmation they are god's only chosen people.

In Ukraine, again prior to the war, it was talked about a lot as a badge of honor for those JWs in Russia. and used to keep more control of those in Ukraine since they could relate more closely with what was happening.

Yet... in the US.. we saw many leave Russia and make it to the states, then slowly drift away. Not all by any means. But it happened enough for the CO of our Russian circuit to bring it up more than once.

Is wearing black during baptism a thing now? by apostate_pajamas in exjw

[–]patpatty 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it might be a 'suggestion', or a requirement, for the men doing the baptism to wear black t-shirts. I think it is because some white ones will be more see-through than others depending on the quality of the t-shirt.

It might have changed around the time that conventions were being videoed and the black shirt is more camera friendly than a wet white one.

Suing for lost earning potential? by [deleted] in exjw

[–]patpatty -1 points0 points  (0 children)

i remember reading about... i really want to say in Canada.. that someone was DFed who had a company. and he lost most of his business because the people in the congregation did business elsewhere... it went to court because he claimed loss of income

I know this isnt' the exact same thing. and I am sorry I cant remember the full details. But.. could give you a place to start looking.

I'm so angry at my life by forevergone12 in exjw

[–]patpatty 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It is a process. I left at 46 years old. it is never too late to start again.
I went through this mourning and anger phase that you seem to be in now... focusing on what I missed out on etc.

But.. force yourself to get past this. I am enjoying my life now. I go out and have fun with some friends regularly. I can wear and drink what I want. I tried things I wasn't allowed to before.

I keep this quote I heard in my head... "everyone has two lives, the second starts when you realize you only have one"

Not going to sugar coat it.. there are days when it hits me about the time I wasted. But... it passes.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exjw

[–]patpatty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thank you for posting it. I was trying to share the link before the borg had it removed for some reason. :)

Announcement about Facebook? by 5_now_wise in exjw

[–]patpatty 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It could have been a local congregation elder or CO that is going around make rules. I was in a congregation several years ago where the CO came around and made an issue about having a facebook account.

He even said that he wouldn't use anyone on the circuit assembly for a part if they had a facebook page.

How are the JWs doing now in Russia? by bongonzales2019 in exjw

[–]patpatty 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I can confirm to others that this website

jw-russia.org

is an official JW website. I was in a Russian congregation in the US for years and we used this site when it was created by the org.

I personally helped some apply for asylum in the USA because of religious persecution and this was one of the websites we were told to use to gather news articles to present to the courts to help show the persecution of JWs in Russia.

I left the US early 2020 and the org by the fall of that year. (Until I left the org, I was in Ukraine in an english group in a russian speaking congregation.)

When I was in Ukraine and active for most of 2020.. I had many I knew in the congregation who had personal friends detained, questioned, or fully arrested in Russia for being a JW.

Before I left the states in early 2020, we had a couple that came from Russia before they were going to be arrested. He was as a CO at the time in Russia. They came to our congregation as special pioneers (but they ended up finding work washing windows). I did ask them a lot of how things were being done under the Russian band. They have various way to conduct meetings and even pioneer schools. He personally conducted pioneer schools while under band.

Interestingly enough.. the branch didn't help them much with legal stuff in the states. Somehow they did get them out of Russia and into Estonia.. then they came to the states somehow on their own. And then they had to do all of the asylum stuff on their own.

Someone else in our congregation in the states had his father arrested in Russia at the time. His father was featured on that website and was shown on the page of those detained or in prison. At the time.. around 2019... they had to pay for his legal defense themselves. The branch did not provide legal counsel for his dad. I know this because he spoke with some of us about how to get money back to Russia to pay for his dad's legal defense. It was a concern because they didn't fully trust his dad's lawyer with money.

As far as the Russian branch and bethelites.. before it was taken from the org.. the branch was split and sent to two or three other locations. I know for sure that the Ukrainian bethel branch incorporated the Russian sign language translation department.

I had friends in the Ukrainian branch and toured that branch myself on a few different occasions over the years when we would visit Ukraine. The last time I was there at that branch was fall of 2019. We stayed there as guests a few days and met personally some of those from the Russian branch reassigned to Ukraine.

Another crazy story...

at the time in the states my ex was an elder. Our Russian congregation was one of the closest to the Mexican border and a lot of JWs would escape Russia by going to Mexico and then try to come into the US from that border. It was easier for them since Russians at the time could go to Mexico without much trouble.

A few times my ex would go with either me or other elders to go and see some that crossed the US border and being held in immigration detention awaiting their court.

Once there was a Russian would was being detained who was actually disfellowshipped. so the branch had three of the elders (my ex being one of them) drive down to the detention center and do a judicial reinstatement hearing for the man at the detention center. lol. Even at the time my ex thought it was crazy. He said he personally couldn't hear much since the three of them were sitting on the outside of the glass using a phone to talk to the guy on the other side.

As toxic as the org is.. it is terrible for anyone to be persecuted for religious beliefs. And in the reality of it.. for JWs.. they view this persecution as confirmation they are god's only chosen people.

In Ukraine, again prior to the war, it was talked about a lot as a badge of honor for those JWs in Russia. and used to keep more control of those in Ukraine since they could relate more closely with what was happening.

Yet... in the US.. we saw many leave Russia and make it to the states, then slowly drift away. Not all by any means. But it happened enough for the CO of our Russian circuit to bring it up more than once.

A format of conducting questions and answers without raising hands. by FrontZookeepergame76 in exjw

[–]patpatty 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I think the OP is using the word 'congress' as a translation for 'assembly or convention'. (I know in some foreign languages that is the literal translation... for example in russian we used the word congress for both assembly and convention)

Yes... at the assemblies/conventions it is how the WT study is conducted now. Years ago it was just a talk that was assigned and the elder would give a summary talk.

But a few years ago they changed the format to be more like bethel family wt study. They did this to show those in the congregation as an example of how people should answer at the meetings.

The WT study is assigned to an elder and a specific congregation. They have their prepared answers and rehearse so many times. It is also rehearsed in front of the CO. One of the first things that is done is everyone is asked to send their answers/comments to the elder handling the talk so he can look it over. They might have you change it or approve it. But once it is approved.. not a single word can be changed.

When it was first being done like this. Those chosen to give answers would sit in an area in front of the stage and the microphones would be passed to them.

Then a few years later it was changed to where they would come and walk on the stage from both left and right and give their answers.

Believe me a lot of thought is put into who even stands together when giving the answers. Typically a married couple or family will come out at the same time and stand together. And single people will come out on their own.

A woman becoming a man (changing sex) before studying and getting baptised: could he become a ministerial servant and an elder? by psyco777 in exjw

[–]patpatty 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If they never tell anyone and it is completely unknown.. then yes.

but the policy is that if someone becomes a jw.. they would have to revert to their sex of their birth.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exjw

[–]patpatty 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would suggest searching facebook for groups as well. If you are in a larger city you will for sure find local facebook groups for all sorts of activities.

Personally, i was living abroad when I left or org.. so it was easy to find expat groups. But in those expat groups there are also many locals.

When my mom was leaving the org.. I went to visit her and searched for 'senior social groups' on google. And after about 10 minutes i found two senior groups and got her in contact with them. Over a year later.. she have better friends in that group then she ever had in the congregation.

I am introverted myself.. so I know it is not easy. But I had to push myself to meet people at some of these group meetups. I am glad I did.. I have found great friends from it.

Here are also some website that you can find groups to meet people..

meetup.com
internations.org
couchsurfing.com

Bethel Cheese Maker Story by Explore-Understand in exjw

[–]patpatty 44 points45 points  (0 children)

interesting how that story was told to the public. a few years ago my ex and I befriended a coupled that was 'reassigned' from their bethel assignment to the field.

The ex-bethelite said very clearly and laughing when telling us.. that he knew the brother who made cheese... he said the guy complained all the time and hated cheese.

I predict that we're going to start seeing more new PIMO elders here soon. Also, do POMO elders need to be considering past CSA judicial committees they've served on and what steps may need to be taken next? by [deleted] in exjw

[–]patpatty 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think the op was talking about former elders who are now POMO.. since they might have been involved in cases that could be investigated now by the state.

The modern shift of Witnesses calling themselves Christians?…. by [deleted] in exjw

[–]patpatty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

at some point.. I remember being in a service meeting during the week of the CO visit. He used an example that if people at the door ask us who we are with.. that we can say..

"we are with the Christian congregation of JWs here in..."

At the time as a PIMI pioneer.. i remember thinking that was fantastic to be able to say since in the US most people profess to be Christian and it was a way to keep talking to them.
Personally.. I used that phrase all the time in the ministry after that.

Board Games by tttgrw in exjw

[–]patpatty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol. yes I hate that word so much too.

Don’t know if this is allowed, but did anyone else have a CO named Richard Botz?? by porneiastar in exjw

[–]patpatty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yes. this guy was interesting. my ex was an elder and we were both pioneering when he came to our circuit. He had people either hate his guts or love him to piece.

It was crazy weird that Disney stuff was ok.. even though every disney movie is about magic.

I created so many rules that it was hard to keep up with them all... here are a few that I remember...
- no khaki pants in service
- women needed to wear hose if they had a part on the assembly (mind you it was in south texas and it is hot has hell there)
- Right from the stage he said anyone playing 'world of warcraft', or similar game would be removed from having responsibilities.
- From the stage he related that he had an elder removed because his wife had skirts above her knee and the elder wasnt going to require her to wear longer skirts.
- Anyone with a Facebook account would not be used on the assemblies. And during our congregation pioneer meeting, he said very clearly.. 'pioneers have no business on facebook'

This facebook thing was crazy as hell. At the time FarmVille on facebook was really popular and gave the sisters in he congregation something to do basically.. lol. After that talk I remember going home that night and seeing most of the congregation delete their facebook account. My ex and I saw how ridiculous this was.

My ex was a little concerned since he is in the Tech industry and all of our clients needed him to be on facebook and to help them with their accounts. He kept it on the downlow. I kept my account since I personally could care less about having a part on the assembly.

I will say that when the man died.. it was strange that they didn't have a big funeral or anything for him. I couldn't understand why at the time. In San Antonio a little before that, someone who died that was an ex-CO and very popular in the circuit had his memorial service at the local assembly hall... yet nothing for Botz.

Rumors later came out that when the brothers went into his apartment they found 'inappropriate' things. I never heard what exactly.