Posts by ThomasCovenant

45

The story of my exit

by mrsObfuscate in

i have been lurking here for about 6 months, and being the last day of the year, and ready to start the new one afresh, i want to share the story of our exit from the org.

i have found the personal experiences of others of immeasurable value, (and its been a while since a good exit story has been posted) that i hope this can be of benefit to at least someone.. .

my mother became a jehovahs witness when i was about 9 or 10. i remember initially hating all of the new sanctions put on our lives (no birthdays and christmas anymore) but for some reason i soon after joined her in attending the meetings and eventually got baptized at the age of 14. my staunch catholic father converted a couple of years later.

ThomasCovenant

Thank you for posting.

'' I no longer have to half-heartedly try to convince them [my children] of believing in something I am not convinced of myself.''

That was the same for me.

Your story is probably the same for tens of thousands of others.

15

Another Up Building Field Service Experience

by ThomasCovenant in

the following was from a friend of mine:.

yesterday for the first time in the 2 years we've been living here.

two 50+ year old women.

ThomasCovenant

The following was from a friend of mine:

Yesterday for the first time in the 2 years we've been living here. Two 50+ year old women. They came via the back driveway so were wandering around looking for the front door. I knew who they were instantly, so eagerly opened the conservatory for them.

Them: Could we interest you in....

Me: Jehovah's witnesses?

Them: Yes:

Me: Not interested thanks

Them: Any particular reason for that?

Me: Yes I was brought up as one.

Them: Oh! What made you leave?

Me: Science. The bible is a work of fiction, and not a very pleasant one at that, and I just can't

believe the nonsense it suggests really happened. Not only that, but it's not a very nice

organisation; oppressive to women and abusive to children, and totally hypocritical in the way the governing body behave; not to mention the way they change their doctrine constantly. Like every other religion but more controlling.

Them: Well, luckily we all have free will so you were allowed to make that decision for yourself.

Me: Yes, I have free will, but you certainly don't. Try telling the elders you've read a book by Richard Dawkins called "the greatest show on earth" proving evolution is fact, and see what happens. In fact tell them you've read "anything" that wasn't authorized by the governing body and see what happens. I guarantee your display of free will, will be stamped out immediately. Better yet, tell your friend there (pointing at the silent woman next to her); I assume you consider her a friend right? Well tell her that you don't believe what the witnesses teach anymore. Watch how quickly your friendship evaporates. She'll never speak another word to you for as long as you live, and neither will any of the other friends you have, and possibly neither will your own family depending on how fearful they are of using their free will. All your relationships are conditional, and are primarily reliant on you definitely never using your free will.

Them: Ok bye.

I then went in and treated myself to a nice mince pie [wife] had just baked. A job well done. Merry Christmas!

16

Street witnessing to Christmas Shoppers Yesterday

by snugglebunny in

jw
friends

well, ok, but targeting a german christmas market seems a little hypocritical...

ThomasCovenant

Bristol?

63

Raining before the Flood?

by GrownMidget in

i remember at my teen years when i was studying with a brother that he said to me that there was no rain before the flood.

instead there was this mist that you have.

never before or after this have i heard something like this.

ThomasCovenant

And remember, this was only about two thousand years before Christ.

Christ!

102

Finished Mystery (1917)... The book that Jesus approved...

by Alfred in

so a few months ago, a friend sent me an actual copy of finished mystery which was published in 1917 (not a pdf download... the actual book).

i must say, this was the most disturbing book i have ever had the displeasure of reading.

but i only read it because this was the main publication that was being distributed worldwide when jesus supposedly chose the watchtower in 1918 and i basically wanted to see for myself what jesus saw in the wt that would compel him to choose this religious corporation over all other religious denominations.. anyway, if anyone is interested in knowing the actual contents of this book, here are some bullet points i put together from some of the notes i took as i read the book:.

ThomasCovenant

Village Idiot

Thanks

7

Drum Article written by JWFacts

by Listener in

here's a link written by paul grundy and presented by abc the drum.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-10/grundy-flaws-in-jehovahs-witness/6680286 .

ThomasCovenant

Thank you jwfacts. Very concise and accurate.

I've copied it and am thinking of printing it out to give my parents.

32

Branch Manual 2015

by Marvin Shilmer in

apparently the backroom arguments have been heard and decided.

the royal commission finally uploaded a redacted version of the 2015 branch manual.

watchtower lawyers were looking to have as much redacted from this manual as possible.

ThomasCovenant

Thanks.

First section on 'Governing Body'.

'The Governing Body is organized to take the lead as Jehovah directs it by holy spirit. The members of the Governing Body do not regard themselves as leaders of Jehovah's people.'' (No, we leave that for you to do).

''the Governing Body always takes the lead in promoting the smooth functioning of the organization and the unity of all of God's people.''

''The Governing Body gives final approval for new publications as well as new audio and video programs.''

There is a diagram too showing the Governing body at the top of the six committees.

4

REQUEST: Link to Funeral Talk Outline

by AudeSapere in

jw
friends

can someone please send me a link to the outline for the funeral talk?i'm on my cell phone and having trouble using the search function.

ThomasCovenant

Last funeral I went to for an elder (about two years ago) they didn't keep to this outline.

It was very personalised.

579

Won't get fooled again ...Moon Landing.

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

so i was fooled by the witnesses.

what can i learn from that?

not to accept things at face value but to seek out opinion and different view points.. hence my question " do you believe man landed on the moon?.

ThomasCovenant

''The fact that nobody has gone back.''

Five more times.

All that secrecy and hoaxing another five times?

39

Rodney Spinks' Performance

by maksutov in

it seems like there has not been as much discussion here about the rc testimony on day 6 (4th august) as there has been about previous days.

i was quite surprised by rodney spinks' testimony, which was a marked contrast to the bungling and inarticulate testimony of the elders that appeared before him.

spinks seemed reasonably co-operative, and a lot more willing to concede points than anyone else has been.

ThomasCovenant

''Spinks seemed reasonably co-operative, and a lot more willing to concede points than anyone else has been''

That's because he is in a position of authority and can bend the rules to suit.

The elders couldn't concede because they were not allowed to concede anything otherwise they'd be going against those in authority of them, i.e. people like Stinks.