Posts by problemaddict 2

27

Am I selfish?

by Jules Saturn in

tonight i had an argument with both my parents.

my parents are aware of my feelings towards the organization, and it saddens them because i am their first born son.

they had high expectations of me, my father dreamt of him and i serving together as elders.

Not all selfishness is bad. For example....you could compromise your values and integrity, stay a JW, deal with the resulting depression and drudgery that comes with going but not believing, probably end up getting yourself in trouble.....all while being miserable.

Or you could live an authentic life, reach out to your parents and others with love and positivity, and continue to evole as a person and your belief system.

In the end.....which person better serves their family, their friends, and humanity?

P.S. - I would stay away from the word cult, or other pejorative "triggers". Tell them you have to obey your conscience. You are taking the more difficult road. You simply do not believe they are being chosen. And honestly....I would reconsider disassociating. Give your family a way to speak to you.

34

BBC News "The ex-Jehovah's Witnesses shunned by their families"

by snare&racket in

jw
friends

bbc news website has this linked on front page.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40704990.

problemaddict 2

Ugh. the problem is as Steve pointed out, the glaring inaccuracies here whether due to bad journalism, or simply dishonesty on the part of someone he interviewed for the sake of sentimentalization......take away from the larger point. Shunning exists, and is carried out for stupid reasons.

JW's reading this will just call it "apostate lies" and laugh it off, rather than reading a story that connects them to emotion, and maybe thinking about it.

32

I went Elder Hunting yesterday!

by Tight Pants Twinkle Toes in

win my first post i introduced you to tweedle dee and tweedle dum, ( surprise elders visit ).

well last sunday night i got phone call from t- dum, he informed me that t-dee was listening in, no doubt practicing his short hand.

t-dum went on to say how he was concerned that we were making the biggest mistake of our lives, yada yada.

problemaddict 2

Not being able to have a rational discussion, or talk about the merits of an action, only expecting back slaps and atta boys........thats the lingering JW personality guys.

People can think and feel differently about subject and actions in the real world...and its ok.

I personally think treating my former brothers with disdain and disrespect doesn't actually accomplish anything but feed into their narrative of the unhinged apostate. Its why people screaming at convensions is counterproductive to the work many of us do to break down the barriers erected by the GB in the minds of their followers.

But I also recognize that the organization will not let you leave with your dignity. they stress your own concepts of integrity with their double talk, and going after you and your family which has consequences in your relationships.

So I advocate a balanced approach.....but I also get it when people want their pound of flesh.

Having a conversation about these things, and presenting your arguments....shouldn't be something that is as negative and divisive as these last couple of pages.

34

Man answers the door naked when JW's appear..

by James Mixon in

jw
friends

http;www.worlstarhipop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhmg115hx2qp8inyuo.went too far, man answers the door naked when jw's appear..https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=akj2w94el_a...oh hell search, went to far, man answers the door naked when jw's appear, a young black male......it was e-mail to me and i'am using the same address but not working for me,hopefully you will find it.

a young jw child was present, not good.......

problemaddict 2

Anyone defending this guy is wrong. This was a mother with her child. Would have taken less time for him to tell her no, than it did to strip and turn on his phone like an asshole.

39

Family of Jehovah's Witness who died after refusing blood transfusion can't keep suing doctors

by pale.emperor in

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2017/07/court_nixes_lawsuit_by_family.html.

the family of a jehovah's witness who died after repeatedly refusing blood transfusions can't sue the hospital where doctors begged for a chance to save her life, a state appeals court ruled.. the case, outlined in an opinion by superior court judge jacqueline o. shogan, involves a convergence of religion, medicine and the law.. its focus is on what happened before terri seels-davila, a jehovah's witness missionary, died after giving birth at hahnemann university hospital in philadelphia in november 2010.. seels-davila, who had been serving on mission with her husband in nicaragua, chose hahnemann because of its "bloodless medicine" program for patients who won't agree to having blood transfusions, including jehovah's witnesses, shogan noted.

the treatment plan for seels-davila called for recycling her own blood back into her system.. yet that proved to be inadequate when complications of her delivery required seels-davila to deliver by cesarean section.

problemaddict 2

Crow,

My "grooming" as a younger fellow was done by someone who had such a ridiculous lack of knowledge of medical procedure it was laughable. This is of course maybe 20 years ago now.

Mainly I was pulled in because I was working in the fringes of the medical field at the time (wish i would have had the courage to extend my education and really get into it), and I was someone known for being able to handle sticky or uncomfortable situations. Most of what i was "taught", was how to distrust the medical staff, and make sure they were held accountable for pressuring the friends if it came to that.

I swallowed it hook line and sinker, but I was reproved for something and that put an end to that.

48

"You're going to die in Armageddon"

by Jules Saturn in

i'm sure i am not the only one to have heard this come out of the mouths of my loved ones.

it's a very painful thing to hear, especially when it comes from the people like your own parents/family.

even after i've been told that, they would say "we'll just continue life without you.

problemaddict 2

Ugh. Why do parents say these things? its because they are desperate. Take some pity on them, even while they say these horrible things to you. Find strength, and respond with it.

My mother said to me that I was sentencing my children to death. They are very small. I looked at her and said, "Mom, I know you are very hurt. Its because of that, that i am going to let that comment slide this time. But don't you ever say anything like that again to me. Do you understand?"

She said she understood, and has not said anything like it since.

5

2017 San Diego Comic Con!

by HiddlesWife in

fyi (regarding those posters/readers who are interested): 2017 san diego comic con started last thursday, 7/20/17 and is ending today, sunday, 7/23/17.

here are the footage/highlights of it (i'm planning one of these days to attend it ):.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvu6dd59iya&t=93s.

problemaddict 2

Went yesterday (I live close). Would have been nice to hook up with some of you fine folks if you were in the area.

21

Special Bethelite Speakers

by JW_Rogue in

i've noticed that some elders will insist on getting a special bethel speaker for memorials, special talks, or sometimes for no reason at all!

i believe they are trying build connections they can use later, but who pays for it?

the congregation does and as a former account servant i can tell you airfare isn't all that cheap.

problemaddict 2

We flew a heavy out to Vegas for memorial. Cost thousands. The elder that knew him wanted to show him a good time. It was a celebrity thing for sure, and a big waste of money.

Elder ended up feeling upset.....feeling like this guy didn't really appreciate everything he had done. Called him for a favor later. A sort of wink wink favor. The guy didn't have his back at first like he wanted.....so that bothered him.

This is a brother whose name most here would recognize. Still at bethel.

Yeah......its just a mess.

31

Hello

by Jules Saturn in

hello, i've been lurking for quite some time here on this forum, reading a whole lot and i've finally made the courage to create an account as a form of escape and in hopes to be understood and not feel "mentally diseased".

little background on me, i am a born in but i consider myself a pimo (physically in mentally out).

i feel like i've always had doubts but these doubts would sink with the meetings and the assemblies and every other little thing that drowns any doubts a witness may have.

problemaddict 2

Welcome!

Did someone actually say to you, that YOU are mentally diseased? While you are waking up, and going through the emotions related to this life altering event....I would caution some patience. Don't be in a rush to run off at the mouth, or make big decisions on what to do.

You are thinking for yourself for the first time in a long time. Get your thoughts straight. Might take some time.

But focus on being your AUTHENTIC SELF. You will find your way.

42

To Fade or Disassociate

by Jules Saturn in

hello to all, so i did want to talk about this topic because i think it is very important to me.

i have a grandfather who faded several decades ago.

he occasionally attends an assembly and the memorial but no longer attends meetings or goes on field service.

problemaddict 2

I had a talk with an old friend (who happens to be an elder). He said to me "why don't you just make it official?". The context was that essentially it would just be easier if they knew where I stood. My response was that I didn't wish to place my friends and family in that place. if they know that I don't attend meetings and wish to shun me, so be it. there is no mandate for them to do so, but if they chose to do it its on them. The ones that don't, are a bit more in the "real friends" category for me.

I have faded. I have done so in a way that the elders really don't want to come after me. It would be unpleasant, and create an enemy. It would be a lot of "work" and there are a few people that would "go down" with me.

I did this on purpose, so that if they saw me with my kid at halloween, they could convince themselves they saw somebody else.

in the meantime, since I am able to talk to people, I have been able to help 3 or 4 people out. It all started with a conversation I would NOT have been able to have, if I was disassociated. They would have shunned me before I spoke.

JW's are all about technicalities. Don't feed into this one. The DA letter means nothing. they will rob you of your dignity no matter what you do. Just live your life, and be yourself.