Posts by OnTheWayOut

38

Who is benefiting from Watchtower Corporation financially

by John Davis in

who do you believe is financially benefiting from watchtower business dealings.

i know about the gold apple watch, but that is only a small percentage of the billions that they have.

so who do you think is keeping all of this money.

OnTheWayOut

The Governing Body and many important-feeling upper level Watchtower men, just like all the full-time servants, were lower middle level pioneers or others who slaved for not much personal gain (if any).

So they worked their way to the top. They had a choice to accept the green handshakes, first class travel, hotels, restaurants while traveling, a slightly better apartment while not traveling- which is changed now that they have built new quarters that include more of the higher end luxuries than Brooklyn had.

But in all the history, the same people of power who accept SOME benefits, because it was a huge step up from slaving, have steered money to JW businesses. There were paper, ink, technology, furniture, construction corporations. There were plenty of lawyers and accountants and realtors.

So the trade off for the people getting money was that they had to kiss the asses of the Governing Body and/or others that steer the money toward them.

28

Have You Ever Found Yourself Really Not Liking Someone Here?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i've been on this board for years.

99% of the posters here i do not personally know.

a few, maybe not so much...lol..... do posters here get you upset to the point that you really don't like them?

OnTheWayOut

OMFG, there have been so many......(well, to be fair, one person was several of them).
I don't pick too many fights these days with those that are pushing their own agendas, but I have in the past. Most of the ridiculous ones have been banned and if they came back, they have been low key.

30

"...You will be Disfellowshipped for 7 years"

by HereIgo in

shortly before i left the "troof" a co had given a talk during his visit.

at the time there was a scandal going on in the congregation where 2 couples basically swapped spouses with each other.

it was quite the scandal.

OnTheWayOut

Half banana: Now don't get me wrong, I'm all in favour of wife swapping...

If everyone is on-board, no harm no foul, eh?

30

"...You will be Disfellowshipped for 7 years"

by HereIgo in

shortly before i left the "troof" a co had given a talk during his visit.

at the time there was a scandal going on in the congregation where 2 couples basically swapped spouses with each other.

it was quite the scandal.

OnTheWayOut

The 7 years is a minimum that comes from the cult leaders, not the C.O.. they really are not supposed to say the number, but just mention "a long time" because the sinner definitely knew better and might just be scheming to have his/her divorce and a short DF then reinstatement.

23

Should a JW accept Veteran payments?

by Tantalon in

hello people,.

i was born in but long time faded.

i think i hold current jws to a higher standard than they now maintain.. here's the thing; my father is very old, in his nineties and been a jdub for over 60 years and even made it to elder till he got too old.on a recent visit my siblings and dad were saying how wonderful that veterans affairs were.

OnTheWayOut

"No part of the world" has nothing to do with the person being "of the world" before becoming a JW.

I get what you are asking, not so much about the person receiving needed benefits that he earned, but more about not even considering walking away from it and even being a bit proud of his service.

It's a tough juggling act, this cognitive dissonance. I am sure it has crossed many veterans' minds when they became JW's.

I am one of them. But I didn't get shot at or hurt in the military. I have no real benefits coming beyond the NOTHING DOWN mortgage and I would qualify for medical benefits if I didn't earn much money. All I can say is that were I still a believer, I would take what I deserved and be "quiet" about it to other JW's so as not to "stumble" them.

41

Where do I go now?

by Libby in

jw
friends

so i thought my purpose was to serve jehovah and get baptised.

where do i go now to get baptised?

is baptism even a requirement for serving god or was that just for the disciples and people of that time.

OnTheWayOut

I could go on to tell you to start with assuming nothing, questioning everything, doubting most everything.

But instead, I will appeal to common sense. If God saw your struggle with JW's and discovering that "the truth" was a lie, and if He knows how faithful you wish to be in finding the way, He won't be angry if you take your time.

Relax a bit, search. Start a journey of discovery. Include skepticism of the Bible and include science. Include philosophy and alternatives to Christianity. Do some heavy research on cognitive dissonance and cults. Enjoy finding out what the real truth is. If God is worthy of your worship, He won't smite you for wanting to find the real truth.

22

As an Ex JW now, how would you react if you met your Bible study conductor?

by EverApostate in

i was a jw for 11 years , came to know ttatt and wrote my disassociation letter 5 years ago.

since then i had been an atheist and trying all i can to spread awareness for “still in” members.

my wife and mom are still jws and i do get along with them perfectly.

OnTheWayOut

I wouldn't bother to try to rock his boat, but if I thought it could-
"They DID say the world was going to end in 1975 and various points before that. They DID say it certainly would end in the 20th century and CERTAINLY before the 1914 generation passed away. You were WRONG WRONG WRONG."

30

Coffee Mugs

by Iamallcool in

jw
friends

i am thinking about buying coffee mug(s).

maybe i will get my coffee mug personalized.

any suggestions on what should be on my coffee mug?

OnTheWayOut

10

A "Simple Life": Who's Footing the Bill?

by thebrokenkite in

after much lurking and even sporadic posting under an alias account, i've decided to come out of the "apostate" shadows.

this month marks my 1-year disfellowshipping anniversary.

it's been a long, arduous journey, one that nearly took my life.

OnTheWayOut

This topic has been discussed, but I don't think any recent discussions have been had because the huge push for everyone to pioneer was years ago. Now, there are so many laid off Bethelites and plenty of older pioneers to stand around the carts and do nothing.

But in my day, there were so many pioneers that made sure they did not work enough hours to lose their government benefits. So many who said they could not work, but then did the all-day-everyday recruitment work. Praise was heaped upon them for this. When some would quit the pioneer work to go to work full time, they would have elders and C.O.'s accusing them of setting worldly goals and losing out on holy spirit.

Thanks for the reminders.

19

Hello again

by BlackWolf in

jw
friends

hello everyone, it's been a while since i've posted anything on here so i thought i might give an update.

next month i turn 18 and my mom is constantly berating me about getting baptized, so much so that my siblings have even told her to stop.

ive just been flat out telling her no which i know is irritating her.

OnTheWayOut

You stood your ground so well. You can be short on explanations with Mom and Dad if you are sure it will just hurt them to try to explain. But you have said so much and gotten so far, and you are a non-baptized human being with valid thoughts. Tell them what you think you need to. And you have helped your siblings so well. They may come around and be your best friends as adults because of your honesty and willingness to say what you said.

I am also confident that your siblings have not looked anything JW up on the internet, but sooner or later they will.

It sounds like you are prepared well to proceed with whatever comes your way. But I tend to agree that it is already time to make progress with the non-JW relatives. Thanks for the update.