Posts by Bridgette

4

Does anyone know about....

by lydia in

jw
friends

okay, i've seen lots of posts with references to this subject, but does anyone know of the percentage of child molsetations, or incest that occurs as an average in the dub org??.

i'm trying to get a handle as to how big of a problem?or how common a problem, this is for the children who have been raised in this enviroment.. anyone who can help me to understand - thanks in advance!!.

lydia

Bridgette

I have to agree, that it is probably not more or less per capita from within the org as opposed to outside of it. What is at issue is, the archaic way of dealing with it, which is protective of the offender. They have only changed minutely to bow to public opinion. Growing up when I, and others did, this was NOT the case. The offender, in the interest of protecting the org. was protected at all costs. They were highly discouraged from reporting to authorities, or revealing it in a manner even within the org in order to protect the children of congregations. I remember when the Catholic Church was taking her licks on this issue (deservedly so), and the WTBTS ravaged her publicly via it's magazines. They used this issue as a clear indication that the Catholic Church was not God's organization (*duh, alert the media) so, by their same standards of judgement, they must NOT have god's favor. Why is it always so different for the witnesses than for the churches in their eyes? Absurd.
Pax,
Bridgette

"Believing is easier than thinking. Hence so many more believers than thinkers." --Bruce Calvert

63

"Hey there all you lurkey ones..."

by Simon in

jw
friends

hmmn, doesn't quite work does it?

ok...we'll stick with 'thirsty' then .

why not register and make a post or two...ask a question...make a statement...whatever !.

Bridgette

Welcome all!! It's like we always know there are those eyes peeking out of the darkness at us, but it's nice to finally "put a face with the lurkers"! Great to "meet you all".
Englishman,
you said "Walking home afterwards, I felt a strange sense of excitement. I've still got it!"
That is EXACTLY how I feel. Except I was DRIVING home, I rolled down the window, and took a sweet breath of freedom, and have NEVER looked back. I feel fresh and alive everyday, after having suffered debilitating depression while in the org most of my life. No, this isn't a soap commercial, it's just how I feel being out--GRRRREAT!
Anyway, all the newbies, whether you stay or go, never stop questioning or living out loud.
Love,
Bridgette

15

a new religion?

by Deacon in

jw
friends

ok. i finally went and got myself well and truly immersed in the lawful side of being ordained as a religious minister...yes folk, all the legals have been truly investigated and complied with and i can now well and truly start my own church and take weddings and funerals etc.... now...i dont want to be a "reverend".. but i do want to well and truly investigate the entire bible to see what the real message is..and i want to see where i/we go from here.... if any one is serious about pursuing some serious bible discussion...then email me.... thats all the well and trulys for this evening lol

Bridgette

Dear Deacon,
Will you entertain thoughts of other so-called holy books? Or is the bible going to be "it" for a while? Also, will you use any of the apocryphia (sp?).
Asking in sincerity,
Bridgette

"Believing is easier than thinking. Hence so many more believers than thinkers." --Bruce Calvert

10

First century disciples vs the Society

by Leander in

jw
friends

i'm having a discussion with my wife about the society's changes in doctrines and failed predictions.

she basically is using the argument that the society is fallible just like the the first century disciples.

so this neatly excuses the society for any erroneous teachings or failed prophecies.. how would you counter-argue that type of reasoning?

Bridgette

So, why couldn't they, in turn, apply that to Christendom? If this were the case (that no matter WHAT they teach, HOW they act, HOW many prophecies fail) wouldn't the Catholic Church still be "it"? Yes, the same Catholic church they love to hate.
I'm no proponent of the Catholic Church just something that always plagued me as a witness, was how they railed against other religions, but never pulled the rafter out of their own eye.
Peace,
Bridgette

23

We're Better than Jehovah's Witnesses

by joelbear in

jw
friends

this certainly becomes clear very quickly when you see what love those here in our community have for each other.

its unconditional love too.. why, no one ever minds if you disagree with them or their personal experiences.

too, even if a disagreement arises it is handled in a loving manner with each individual showing respect for his brothers and sisters.. truly the on line community of jehovahs-witness.com shines as a light to the world as a beacon of hope, that, if our example was followed, peace, love and happiness would reign over a wonderful renewed planet, inhabited by people who have found a real peace of mind and ability to share their space with all.. truly, all jehovah's witnesses should want to join us in our wonderful land of freedom, where nothing can ever go rong.

Bridgette

Dear Joelbear,
I have to echo Seeker's thoughts. We don't claim to be god's only spokesperson on earth and the only channel by which people can get to god--which is the reason that the WTBTS gets called on their behavior, teachings, and actions of their adherants. We're just a little online community--our only bond being, that in some way JW's have touched our lives. Usually that has been in a negative way (we can't help it, and it's VERY therapeutic to write it out). But experiences within the org are not always negative, as yours and others' posts indicate. BUT....we can talk about it now. Whatever "it" is for each individual. We're safe. That is just one of the differences here. One of the others is that you can express emotion and opinions freely. You might get called on it. You might even get "yelled at" cyberly of course, but you're FREE. You can lash back. You can get angry. You can forgive. You can go offline for a while. You can ignore certain posters. All without being called before a judicial committee, risk of losing your family and friends, etc.
In the big scheme of things (and I believe I speak for most of us here), this is just a tiny component of our lives. When I get yelled at here, ignored, or whatever it really does not affect the rest of my "real life". I find it amusing to communicate openly with people
who've experienced this strange existence called "being a Jehovah's Witness"--for better or worse. That's how I take it. It's no big deal.
I am free. We are free.
Love,
Bridgette

15

Worldy friends vs. JW friends........

by LDH in

jw
friends

just thinking out loud here.... when i was 19 and df'd for being pregnant (yes they knew i was repentant but told me i was to be used as an example), i ended up with no friends.. when i was 20, some four months later, and i was reinstated before my daughter was born, i thought for sure everything would be fine.

after all, hadn't i been reinstated?

wasn't i a valued member of the congregation?.

Bridgette

It's the simple difference between unconditional love and acceptance and extremely conditional love and acceptance.
Joelbear, I'm glad your experiences were so wonderful. You always lend a balanced view which is often needed. I still assert that the love or at least the acceptance you received was conditional in your cong. but maybe I'm just jaded. The important thing is you're happy now, and at peace with your past. I'm happy for you.
Anyway, my experiences are much the same, Lisa. BTW, when are you due? I'm due in Feb. and this is my second child and husband. I'm having 3 different showers from different circles of friends in mine and my husband's lives. I had the misfortune of sharing my pregnancy the FIRST time around in the ORG with a sister of the "in crowd". But I did get a few table scraps that fell. And 2 of my friends (who wouldn't even speak to me now) did manage to put together a little something for me. That was nice. But I feel so much more comfortable and loved by my new real friends.
Love,
Bridgette

46

POLL: Occupations

by Angst in

jw
friends

as a witness what occupation did/do you hold?.

i was speaking with a friend of mine that is a former witness and we remarked about how many of us have worked in some sort of janitorial work.

Bridgette

First, I am a mother :)
And an administrative assistant to the manager of the Respiratory Therapy Department in a hospital (okay, so I'm a medical secretary) but it pays great, I've come a LOOOONG way from the poverty stricken days of the org (I married well the 2nd go round--love, great looks, and money--what can I say, I was only looking for the love part, and I got 'em all!) I am currently pursuing my bachelor's in Nursing. I plan to make nursing my career, and also use it in volunteer efforts as well.
Love,
B.

7

When Ambiguity Signals Betrayal

by metatron in

jw
friends

for quite a while now, the watchtower has been reacting to.

severe controversies with ambiguous replies.. this is a dramatic change from the decades when they plainly.

expressed their views on neutrality, the u.n., and blood.. it was felt that to do otherwise violated the sacred responsibility.

Bridgette

Yep, they're mainstreaming. It's that or die out. Hey, if they truly do become useful like some modern christian churches, give to the poor, help better society, and loosen their chokehold on people's consciences and spirits, and let families reunite like a good little religious corporation, I'm all for it. This does, of course, put them in the sticky situation of being the exact whore-like creation that they always judged Christendom to be, but they will flavor this with new light, as they attempt to placate and retain the old hardliners while trying to attract the new ones they need to feed on to survive.
All they are, or have ever been is just another religion/corporation. They are totally dependant on public opinion (because they have to bring in fresh blood, as they do not have good retention of their children) and their rank & file. They know what it takes to survive. Good P.R. and selling a useful product. You'll see this org evolve into something totally unrecognizable from what we always knew (something radical like a loving, kind, spiritually refreshing organization) or they will cease to exist beyond the realms of russelite-esque status.
Interesting indeed.
Bridgette

26

My Story

by rmayer32 in

being new here and reading some of the stories here i thought i would add mine.

not being as dramatic as some of them out there still thought i would share:).

i was born a jw as my mom was raised one from the time she was a toddler.

Bridgette

M.M.M.,
We all know that the feeble attempt to turn this "policy" around for p.c. purposes is a FAR cry from what is actually practiced and what has been practiced for YEARS to the detriment of innocent lives (I'm not just talking about child molestation, either. My father was an elder---so, PUUULEEEEEEEEZE!!!!!!!!!). Oh, and just bear in mind that those dirty little BOE letters regarding what to do in cases of molestation and child abuse are plastered all over the internet (no wonder the Corporation HATES THE INTERNET SO!!!). I've shown them to some school officials who saw them for what they were, and will be watching out for the children of Jehovah's Witnesses who have NO VOICE of their own. Nothing to worry about as long you simply watch out for your children. STOP HURTING THEM, or allowing them to be hurt spiritually, mentally, sexually, physically etc. Most of those you see here, crawl up out of the ranks of "good JW's". I certainly hope that in addition to "moving on" so beautifully with yours and your daughter's life, you REPORTED IT TO THE AUTHORITIES AND SOUGHT COMPETENT, PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING (and remember that the elders are "untrained volunteers" by the society's own admission) If you weigh this religious corporation you worship by their own judgements of Christendom, they have amassed blood guilt up to the skies--every bit as much as Christendom. How can you possibly imagine that any god they puportedly worship condones what they have done.
You leave now? After so short a time with us? I am sorry the truth about your "truth" hurt you in such short order. You may return one day, when you are open. But you've learned, you cannot come on here and just spout cut n paste WT rhetoric, with even a smattering of fear mongering without getting called on it--post haste--especially when you are attempting to frighten someone who has stumbled in here broken and bruised from that sick, abusive cult, simply to tell their story. May you go in peace. But you feel welcome to come on back if you ever want to try again.
Peace,
Bridgette

26

My Story

by rmayer32 in

being new here and reading some of the stories here i thought i would add mine.

not being as dramatic as some of them out there still thought i would share:).

i was born a jw as my mom was raised one from the time she was a toddler.

Bridgette

My mailmum,
Of all the things you said you would do to "help" your child--you forgot--REPORT IT TO THE AUTHORITIES. So that they can conduct a thorough investigation. It's the law. Jehovah's Witnesses have been "encouraged" to sweep such goings on under the rug--my father was an elder, so don't even go there!!!! Aah,yes, new light says the parents CAN go to the authorities. NO. WRONG. It's the law, the parents AND the elders as those given a public trust can be held accountable if they DO NOT TURN IT OVER TO THE AUTHORITIES FOR FULL INVESTIGATION. Period. Got it? No questions. You always report it to the authorities. Practice whatever nonsense religion you want to. But you will not be alowed to harm your children. The world is watching. We who have been "in" know ALL THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS--HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR GOD IS NOT USING US? No excuses. Watch out for your children, protect them, or the world will. We're sick of it.
When you hold yourself up AS GOD'S ONLY SPOKESPERSON ON EARTH--THE ONLY PLACE THEY CAN TURN TO FOR GOD, YOU'D BETTER BE RIGHT--ALL THE TIME. And the WTBTS aren't right half the time. They are an archaic religious corporate institution that gasps for its last breath.
They go the way of the dinosaur.
Peace,
Bridgette