Doubting Bro

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Posts by Doubting Bro

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  30

  Montana News

  by AuntBee in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/montana/articles/2020-01-08/court-reverses-35m-verdict-against-jehovahs-witnesses.

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  Doubting Bro

  Read the second link that explains the court's thought process. There is a loophole in MT law that exempts clergy from reporting. I think the blame here lies with the MT legislator and not the Supreme Court. As I read through the information, I don't see where they would have any choice but to overturn. As disappointing as the judgement is, I understand why the ruled that way.
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  28

  Current JW growth in the United States in historical perspective and in comparison with other groups

  by slimboyfat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  current jw growth is slower than during most of their history.

  the only probable exceptions are following 1975 when there was a brief worldwide decrease, the late 1920s when around half of the members left the movement, perhaps around the 1917 schism, and various schisms during russell’s time.

  there were also periods of sluggish growth during the 1950/60s and around 2000. .

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  Doubting Bro

  It's a little shocking to see some of the mainline Christian religions with such drastic losses. Really interesting. I live in an area where many people still attend church, maybe not every week but still support those organizations. And there are many of the more conservative religions active (US). That's likely why my perception is that while they have dropped, it hasn't been terrible.

  I think the more conservative religions foster a mindset that they are the correct path which I believe builds more loyal members. If you couple that conviction that you are the only path with the drastic shunning that JWs use, you can see why they aren't losing as many members.

  I agree this religion (and most) is boomer driven and I think once they start passing away, you will start seeing swiftly declining numbers. Go to any convention/assembly. You'll see a large number of elderly and middle aged. Not nearly as many kids or even younger (20/30s) married couples who actually have or will have kids.

  Credit where credit is due, the JWs are keeping their numbers up pretty well despite putting minimal effort in retention other than the shunning policy.
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  17

  Big elders meetings?

  by road to nowhere in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i hear of whole circuit meetings being held, taking all day.

  maybe just usual yearly stuff, but it seems the local elders immediately held a followup.

  i am sure it will be about better local control, more charity, kindness, that sort of thing.

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  Doubting Bro

  They are doing it around here (USA). Just a KM school that they do every few years. Super boring all day affairs where they spend most of the time telling you how a) you suck and b) the congregation sucks worse and what you need to do to judge them.

  Good times
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  7

  Hey - Cognac here... Dealing with Custody Case

  by BriandMandi in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  had to create a new account cause i couldn’t login to my old one.. anyways, my ex- a male jw was trying to go for full physical custody of our kids.

  he had his wife call dcf but of course i won.

  he had no leg to stand on.. so, we need to go back to court in february.

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  Doubting Bro

  Cognac,

  Sorry you're having to deal with this. Always enjoyed your posts.

  I don't think there's anything new specifically that you could point to, but this behavior doesn't seem to be that uncommon for those in your situation.

  I'm pretty sure the courts wouldn't look favorably on them disparaging their mother like that.
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  89

  Do You Think “Higher Education “Is All That??

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as jehovah’s witnesses, we were regularly told how awful a college education is.

  i’m no longer associated with the religion but i am not so pro university.

  it’s not because i think you are better off without a degree.

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  Doubting Bro

  I chose to listen to the WTS when I was young and did not go to college right out of school. I was fairly lucky to get a position with a company that gave me chance. I took advantage of that opportunity and was able to establish a career. I ended up going to school part time in my 30s (this was after obtaining a few professional designations that were enough to allow me to continue moving up in my career) and finished up close to 40. Having that degree was critical in allowing me to continue to progress in my career. So, in that sense, it was worth it. I learned some valuable things and was happy to have gone through the process.

  I've decided against a masters because in running a cost benefit analysis, it's not worth it. I'm better off investing in my children's educational pursuits.

  Although it was almost 10 years ago, I don't recall any professors expressing any real leanings politically. I took a ton of business courses and the only political commentary was relating to taxes and governmental regulations. In most of those cases, my professors were more conservative than liberal. I could imagine that certain degree programs would lend themselves to a more liberal commentary. But, I was there strictly to move my career along and didn't take any of those types of courses. To me, if the course didn't directly tie to my degree or give me a skill set necessary for work, I didn't take it. I have other interests but don't think I need to pay the cost of a college course to learn more about those.

  To each his own but I'm happy I obtained a degree and am encouraging my kids to do likewise if they are interested in careers in which one is needed. Or if they have no idea what they want to do, a degree can give them the foundation they need if they apply themselves.
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  14

  Life Update 2019

  by passwordprotected in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  it's been a while since i was anywhere close to being active here, or on any other ex-jw forum or facebook group.

  i rarely think about the religion and have little-to-no interest in it.. however, i do, very occasionally pop in here.

  hence this update, 3 years on since my last one - https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5720228449222656/update-on-my-journey-8-years-after-end-watchtower-control.

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  Doubting Bro

  Love reading these updates! Congratulations on living life well and more importantly giving your kids the opportunity to be free from the Borg.
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  50

  Did you EVER falsify your report card ?

  by Chook in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  every single watchtower soldier lied to god out of fear of the brooklyn popes..

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  Doubting Bro

  When I was a true believer, the most I would do is around up 45 minutes or more to the next hour. Once I became PIMO and realized it was all BS, I felt free to make it up. I haven't gone out in years, but still turn in time to keep under the radar.
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  44

  PIMO Elder with a Dilemma

  by xjwsrock in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i haven’t been on here in awhile and this is my second user name because i was busted by my pimi wife on the first one.

  i have been basically awake since 2013. i have a super dub wife that i love and don’t want to lose and my sick mom in the hall that is a true believer.

  stupid religion has gotten between my wife and i (of course).

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  Doubting Bro

  I guess I'm of the mindset that it's a game and I wouldn't want those guys to win. I'd hammer them on arrangement then maybe a month later, step down and cite their behavior as stumbling you. Although, that would probably create more drama than you need. This really is the perfect time to let them remove you if your wife sees their unchristian tactics.
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  37

  My "shameless" relationship with my ex wife

  by Jayk in

  1. social
  2. relationships

  i've thought about keeping this to myself but i'm still confused on what i should do.. my ex wife(never been a jw) and myself(raised in the org till 16)have been reconnecting these past few weeks.

  we been divorced for almost 10 years, we got married when we where pretty young, and it didnt last long.. fast forward 10 years, her and i have been reconnecting and things are getting semi serious.. she got remarried, divorced again, and recently broke up with her gf.

  so in the past 10 years she has only been with 3 people (including myself) and here comes me "a sucker with no self esteem".

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  Doubting Bro

  I think you know how things will end up and it won't be good for you. Honestly, you can't run away fast enough.
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  6

  Highlights from Book Studies: Other Sheep & Disfellowshipping

  by neat blue dog in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  a couple of highlights from recent "congregation bible studies" (book studies):.

  in one chapter of the jesus book, they spin the part that disproves the "earthly hope" into saying the exact opposite of what is obvious:.

  “most truly i say to you, i am the door for the sheep.

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  Doubting Bro

  Back when I first started questioning the WTS, I decided to read the New Testament (using the NWT) straight through, without the use of any WT publication. That was the point I decided they were completely wrong.

  The cherry picking of verses and putting their spin on them out of context is masterful. What's ironic to me is that's exactly what they accuse other Christian denominations of doing. And, while they are right to an extent, it seems the WT does it more than mainstream Christianity.