Posts by AllTimeJeff

90

Why do so many think JW Religion is a Cult? (NO APOSTATES PLEASE)

by Brother Mike in

jw
friends

my question is, why do so many think the watchtower bible tract society is a cult?

.

AllTimeJeff

Brother Mike seems like the real deal. I did the same thing he did several years ago, except he has real doubts (which, lets face it folks, are not going away, that seed is planted). I was trying to defend JW's at one time.

Sadly, most who leave JW's don't want to think of themselves as in a cult. I didn't. But I was. Oh well, reality sucks sometimes.

It's a cult because there is no individual expression of faith, only approved group expression of faith is allowed, and lifestyles are highly arranged and controlled. The shunning that goes on is a BIG give away.

Sometimes, it takes years to grapple with. I would be that Brother Mike isn't through being honest with himself. I hope he isn't. The minute he turns off his brain, he also turns off his heart. Then he becomes as reprehensible as the leadership, which is very guilty of emotional and spiritual abuse.

Brother Mike, if you are reading this, I was a missionary, and in class 119 at Gilead. (I am one of 56 in a picture in the 1/1/06 WT Gilead grad article and pic) PM me. I have no desire to hurt you, or feed you crap. I won't sugar coat the truth, and you don't have to believe it, but I will always be honest with you. What you do with that is up to you. Thanks.

8

For anybody who is going to dissassociate.......

by EndofMysteries in

i haven't officially because of family.

but i see many times on this board those who do it it and write a letter to send a message.

(hoping it gets the elders reading it to think).

AllTimeJeff

I miss Little Toe.....

How one chooses to leave seems to be as much a matter of personal taste and expression as is shopping for the clothes you wear. I had specific reasons why I wrote a letter and left the way I did, and I continue to call it "resigning my position". I didn't leave my friends, and I would happily associate with them today if I could.

It seems the course of wisdom to suggest that one leaves in a manner that empowers you and leaves you with as much of yourself as you can fit onto your back.

30

I want to Believe in Something

by James Jackson in

after serving in an appointed position for over 26 years (21 elder, 5 ms,14 pioneer), i have no more dreams of paradise, bored at the meetings, do not enjoy the field ministry.

the desire to do anything is gone.

i want to believe in something!.

AllTimeJeff

James, nice to meet you. Please take my opinion here seriously or not, my motive is to give you something to think about, not something to believe in. But, I have the very best of intentions with my limited perspective.....

I saw you were an elder and likely were overworked, very busy, and probably saw one or two unpleasant things on JC's through the years. The only way any elder can sincerely justify this activity is through "belief", and that they have a mission, a purpose, and thus, soldier on. That is why you will likely meet with some resistence regarding the value of trying to find a new "belief" to replace the old one.

Be patient. Take some time. It's ok, and you're ok. The doubt and the vacuum you are experiencing is normal and to be expected.

May I suggest that what you really need is to fill the purpose and the mission that you had? That in of itself is very honorable, and while it likely does entail having a belief system of sorts, I would start with purpose, as opposed to beliefs. What are you good at? What difference can you make in YOUR world? Start small, start organically, and let it grow naturally. Discover what and who you are now without the polyester clothing of JW dogma, and that will turn into something good.

This is totally just one mans opinion, but I strongly believe that exiting JW's who were pioneers, MS, Elders, and up are/were very mission oriented, and caught a very specific kind of narcissistic virus that JW leadership spreads. It's the idea that YOU can really make a difference and change the entire WORLD, and be on par with Abraham, Moses, David, the 12 Apostles, Paul the @$$hole, etc.

And then you leave, realizing how small you are, maybe not as powerful, but most certainly not powerless.

You are not powerless. Find out who you are, love yourself, love your family, and the rest will take care of itself. But be patient. It does take time. :)

40

Highlights from the Circuit Assembly!!

by DATA-DOG in

god's word is beneficial ca:.

full time service:.

there are sound reasons for pioneering.. 1) it's the most satisfying work there is.. 2) you cooperate even more fully with the angels and the anointed [ which equals the gb/fds, not sister old mcsingletilldeath.].

AllTimeJeff

One thing about a CA, its a pure exercise in mental "self-abuse" as old elders like to call it......

Local Needs of the Circuit talks made me crack up, like the one time our CO got on stage and wore a big 20 gallon cowboy hat to "illustrate" how a beard, can distract, even if it is your right to have a beard..... (Sista's with facial hair were not amused.)

Just picking out DD's stuff at random

1) We perform spiritual CPR.

Yep, JW CPR involves heavy breathing into the mouths of unwitting people.

4) All who don't listen to the JW message will be wiped out soon

...because we will be on the DNC call list, we will be wiped off the list of those who receive regular calls. Sounds like a win/win

The DO's part

1) Jehovah is rocking the nations. That's why dubs exist.

But not as well Fallout Boy. Or Bon Jovi

3) 1914 is scripturally supported. True Christians know this.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. True Christians accept this. Everyone else just reads basic history books and gets the hell out of the Kingdom Hall.

8) Kingdom News #38 is a fulfillment of Jehovah rocking the nations.

In other news, ATJeff fullfilled bible prophecy about how good wine is last week. Repeatedly.

10) In the last 10 years the Org has printed 20 BILLION pieces of literature.

Sorry, small rain forest that was killed

11) On average there are 5,000 baptized every weekend.

...like a roach motel.

12) Jw's are sending a tremor throughout the Nations.

Tremors of laughter........

13) The warnings will intensify.

And this time, we won't put or imply dates on when the end is coming. Just keep looking for it. It's bound to happen sometime.

14) Jws translate languages that nobody else cares about, like Navajo and Mung.

See what happens when you give Google Translate to a cult?

21

Interview with an Apostate: OnTheWayOut

by OnTheWayOut in

tell us a little about yourself and your family.. my mother joined the frenzy when the end of the world was coming in 1975. her sister-in-law was first recruited and got her in.

when the end didnt come, mom was disfellowshipped shortly afterward, but she went back a few years later.

i did not care to go with her.

AllTimeJeff

Your story and the fact that you still have family in that you care about is difficult for me to read. I wish for you personally a life free from that bitterness, and that you can be a light to your family. :)

21

Interview with an Apostate: Cofty

by cofty in

tell us a little about yourself and your family.. my wife and i are fortunate to live in a lovely little country cottage northumberland in northern england.

we have two children who have both grown up and left home.

our son is a physical training instructor in the royal air force and our daughter works in the historic city of york.. were you a born in or a convert?.

AllTimeJeff

Some ex-JWs are really interesting people who have thought about life's big questions in a way that is quite rare in society in general. Sitting in a pub with real ale chatting to some of the members of JWN - on both sides of the big debate - would be a great way to spend an evening.

I hope that can happen one day. I feel the same way. Thanks for sharing your story!

6

Interview with an Apostate: CyrusThePersian

by CyrusThePersian in

i'm divorced and live quite a distance away from my grown children, who are still in the "truth.".

were you a born in or a convert?.

born in.

AllTimeJeff

Thanks for sharing! Be patient with your kids. It can take a while. I wish you the best on that score.

5

Interview with an Apostate: JeffT(homas)

by JeffT in

tell us a little about yourself and your family.. im 62, retired accountant, free lance writer.

my wife is a just retired preschool teacher.

we have 3 adult children, one granddaughter, who lives with us.

AllTimeJeff

Well, I am in to these interviews tonight Jeff. :)

It's cool you were out pre-internet. Without the internet, it would have taken me a little longer to find the intellectual reasons I needed to leave peacefully. Happy retirement and good luck with your book!

8

Interview with an Apostate: No Regrets

by NoRegrets in

tell us a little about yourself and your family.. i was raised in a small town congregation that was largely made up of 2 large ruling families/dynasties.

i gave my first talk at age 5 that my mom wrote for me on note cards.

my parents were the first.

AllTimeJeff

Ha! I like the gesture comment. I hope you and your family have a wonderful and meaningful Christmas this year. :)

19

Interview with an apostate: Confused and Alone

by confusedandalone in

tell us a little about yourself and your family.. i am 36 years old and married with 2 children under the age of ten.

i am waiting for my letter of da situation to be completed.

my wife is also done with the watchtower organization and plans to make things official on the 3 rd of january.. are your parents / family jws?.

AllTimeJeff

I enjoyed this. I don't know how you feel as a former elder, but one reason why its hard for me to give elders any breaks in the Borg is that, deep down, they know and see the rot. They have to deal with pedophile's and politics. At some point, you have to stop passing off everything as a "test", and accept the fact that, yes, the CO is a big dick, and he didn't get it right, and those two elders really did kiss his ass, and probably helped their cause with a green handshake or two..... (small rant there.... lol)

Glad you got out! Thanks for sharing.