Okay.. I'm breaking my silence...
I met Trish (my wife) thru jwmatch... I did not publicize it to anyone in NJ or here in Cali, because of the stigma of meeting folks on-line... all I can say is, after having a very nasty experience with thinking I was getting to know someone here in ezabel who totally misrepresented herself PLUS not really knowing anyone in my old area who I clicked with, I took the plunge after much prayer and put up a free listing on jwmatch.
Trish e-mailed me within a day... we got to know each other, I spoke with her elders and theirs spoke to mine.. I needed to know her rep, make sure she was who she claimed to be. We met after a month, and got married soon after that.
The way I see it, jwmatch is no different than meeting someone at an assembly or if you visit their congregation... you need to investigate who that person is with much caution. It could be you just met a person who only goes to conventions, or you met a spiritual giant. It could be someone who is fake and phony or it could be your soulmate. The important thing is getting to know who it is you are speaking with, whether you meet on-line through jwmatch, ezabel, yahoo or another web-site.
I also don't know of any information from the Organization that condemns "Witness web-sites" (just chat rooms and that there are 2 "official" JW sites) and don't know if that local needs part did that. I know several friends that met their mates on-line. All are in my age bracket and knew themselves and what they wanted in a mate and are VERY happy with who they ended up with.. myself included. Trish and I met a year ago on-line and we'll be married a year in July. She is the answer to many prayers.
You're very fortunate that it worked out for you, but it's really no different then the examples we're warned about that was done similarly but the exact opposite was the result.
You also said, "The important thing is getting to know who it is you are speaking with, whether you meet on-line through jwmatch, ezabel, yahoo or another web-site." That's the important thing no matter where we meet. To me the web has just increased my ability to widen out so to speak. I've gotten to know several new friends on this site alone. But caution needs to be key, you're right, just because a person says they are A doesn't mean they are, they could very well be the total opposite.
When I was younger and the web wasn't what it is today, I would travel to other assemblies if I wanted to meet new people. That's how I spread out and got to know more people. But I don't see many people doing that anymore. For me personally I couldn't use a site like jwmatch or jwconnections because it would bother my conscience I think. In my hall there have been talks from the platform, local needs I beleive, that directly warned against such sites. You both did the right thing by talking to each others elders, that's commendable.
But just like this is one good example of how great it is there have been several examples of just how bad it could be as well. That's why we're cautioned about it. I'm glad everything worked out for you both though.
Thanks...
The subject came up in service today about how I came to be here and how I met my wife. We have a new pioneer couple in our congregation.. the brother is an MTS graduate and he said he would NEVER have cruised the conventions looking for a wife, but that's how he found his wife. He called her elders and she called his... similar to me and Trish.
I don't recommend my way is the best, just that it worked out for me! In any event you need to be sooooooooo careful!
The same thing can be said of someone who marries an unbeliever and then they come into the truth. Just because it worked out really well for one person doesn't mean it's a good thing to do.
I'm not saying your experience is the same as this I'm just trying to make a point.
As with anything you have to use soundness of mind to safegaurd yourself and the decisions we make are up to each one of us. It is not our place to judge one another in any decision.
If you talk to older ones in the hall, they will tell you that when they were dating talking on the telephone to a perspective partner was a not accepted. It was frowned on because you were not chaperoned. New technology always frightens people and with it comes responsibility. As was brought out in a recent article about telephone sex. We all need to be checking ourselves to make sure that what we are doing are clean before Jehovah. Whether it is dating on line, phone, or meeting ones at assemblies. The society has only cautioned to be careful. Which I agree. But for my two cents on JW match is that when you start getting into the 30-year old age group and you are looking for a partner it is difficult. Either the ones you meet are single for a reason or they are married. So to have an option like this gives hope that there is someone out there that matches what you need. I know in my circumstances of being 33 and having my husband leave the truth to marry my best friend, leaving me with three children to care for, it was important that I find someone who matched many aspects of what I needed and what my children needed. Now I am sorry but in my area I considered every single brother in my age group. All 5 of them!! So then some would say, “well you might have to wait until the new system”. Right! Then go out and have lots of attention from worldly men; to come home and be able to look on Jw Match was a blessing. It reminded me that we are worldwide. That there was a brother, someone who loved Jehovah out there for me. It gave me strength. Jehovah blessed every step of my way and continues to bless my marriage that came off JW Match. As well as the congregation. I know many in my hall that at first was leery (which I understand, as anyone who wants to make sure of what is right, should be) but now have stated how great of a choice I made. A friend of mine, just about 5 months ago went through a similar situation. She felt unsure about JW match and although looked at it never did anything with it. She was 40 and beautiful. Well now she is married to a worldly man. Now I am not saying it was because she did not look on Jw Match, because we all need to always stand for Jehovah but the point being it is hard to find someone as you get older in the truth that is single. The important thing the society always stresses no matter which way you chose to find someone is be informed! Example..My brother who was raised in the truth, along with several other of the like, hardly ever make it to the meetings but are at all the district conventions meeting girls. Given we need to always be discerning and careful and above all mature enough to be marrying with a clear head.
its sad how some people can fool themselves into thinking a course is right......when its not.
maybe delude or justify is a better word.
someone once told me humans can justify anything in their minds...i believe it...existential
Oh it's mine I found it fiiiirsst!!...oh
so evil
ya know, people always call me that...hmm
Me too. I once had a kid in school ask me if "666" was inscribed in the back of my head!
yo....have you seen that new 666 magazine??!?!...that front cover is nuts..like..emerging from the water..is this ferocious 6 headed demon-tiger w/these lil beauty pagent lookin crowns on each head, like, woah....imagine like being @ the beach...sunbathing...enjoying the summer breez...seagulls, chirping up above..& that thing just like BUSTS outa the water right in front'a you...
It's true humans can justify anything you can see that by just looking at the condition the world is in right now.
Yes it's true but at the same time it's a personal choice what someone decides to do. If there is no scritpural law on the matter then it's left up to each and everyones conscience to decide what to do.
it's sad how annoying you are.
Yeah, like how one person will have two different profiles like she's two different people... that's sad and delusional!
Ok guys, really there is no need to go over this again. Gollum... once again... why must you get everyone all stirred up? There really is no need for the personal attacks... I am sure that everyone has a different opinion on topics, thats why this website has so many users, everyone likes to share ideas and thoughts. If you dont agree, thats your own opinion. I dont know about everyone else, but im sick of everyone talking about this subject... move on.