flipper

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Posts by flipper

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  32

  Hello Everybody

  by Thomas the Bill Engine in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i didn't see an introduction forum anywhere but i thought it would be weird to start posting without first introducing myself so, here we are.

  i'm 15, and i've been looking for a place to discuss my thoughts on the religion that i'm pretty much stuck in at the moment.

  my mom and dad divorced over their different beliefs over a year ago (my mom is jw and my dad is an very knowledgeable apostate, so you can see how they would fight over it), and since then i've stopped believing altogether.. just thought i'd say hello.

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  flipper

  Welcome to the board Thomas ! Nice to have you here ! You are among friends who have experienced injustices from the WT Society and understand your situation. WE are here as a support to you my friend. Hang in there - I know it's tough. I was born and raised in the JW's from birth too- finally got out 13 years ago at age 44. Be excited that you'll be able to exit at age 18 . You'll have your whole life ahead of you ! Take care
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  17

  Intro

  by hillfy333 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  hi, although i signed up two years ago, and filled out the "interview with an apostate" as hillfy54321, i have since only read various posts.

  then purchased a new computer and lost my password, thus no new posts.

  i have since reapplied, and now go under the handle of hillfy 333.. a little about myself.

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  flipper

  Hillfy - My deepest condolences on the loss of your parents and sister, I'm very sorry for your losses. I am happy that you have attained your freedom of mind though and welcome to the rest of your life ! I'm sure it is challenging with a JW wife still in the organization but there are lots of folks here on this board who are in the same situation as you with a mate still in the JW's. I'm sure they can be of encouragement to you as well. Welcome to the board we are here as a support to you. Take care friend
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  27

  What's the purpose of being a JW now?

  by MrTheocratic in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  with all the recent changes to this religion, what really is the purpose of being a jw?

  especially for those who have been in and witnessed all the changes and still no sight of the end.

  for these ones in particular (35-55 year olds) they must be in a state of confusion.

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  flipper

  I truly believe for most JW's who are still in and have doubts- it's the old cliché that "ignorance is bliss " - they WANT to keep their heads in the sand like ostriches ignoring the facts about the WT Society's injustices because it's a familiar feeling to them to be in an organization with everybody else feeling duped and disempowered as well.

  It's kind of like abuse victims in a bad abusive marriage who refuse to leave- yes, it's bad, it hurts - but abuse is all they've known so they grow accustomed to the abuse- it's familiar to them and they are afraid or fearful to leave because it's all they've ever known. I feel JW's are this way because their minds have been programmed to know nothing else. It's a bad situation but to them it's less fearful than " the unknown " outside the organization. I think that's it in a nutshell. If only they'd take a chance and breathe the fresh air of freedom away from the mind control cult JW's they'd be a lot happier. But once again - they don't even realize that could happen having been pre-programmed in their hardwired WT brains
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  56

  A fresh start

  by FormerlySandL in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  after the worst introduction i could ever make on the forum i would like to reintroduce myself and make a fresh start on the forum and hopefully over time i will be able to redeem myself.

  i have changed my user name which was over dramatic and ridiculous in the cold light of day but for transparency and to show i am not trying to hide anything i have adapted the original name and it now has a more positive feel.

  after reading a lot of posts on this forum i am feeling more optimistic about my future.

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  flipper

  FORMERLYSANDL- Nice to have you here Sandl. Join the crowd of freedom thinking people. I too was born and raised in the JW organization - my dad is a long time elder and I exited not until I was age 44 about 13 years ago. And many of my family members are still in- however out of 8 nieces and nephews aged 28 to 42 ( including my children ) 4 out of the 8 are out of the Witnesses now. Thank god.

  I know how you feel when the light comes on and you get your awakening- your epiphany - and the JW blinders come off- it's not easy and it's not a pretty sight seeing how all of us were deceived by a manipulative bunch of old curmudgeons at WT headquarters. But it will get better for you- I promise. The further you get away from the Witnesses the more fresh air of reality you'll breathe and your life will eventually become less complicated. We are here as a support to you my friend. If you ever want to chat I offer my friendship to you. Just PM me and let me know. Hang in there
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  79

  What's a word that describes the way Witnesses behave as a group?

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i can't recall the word that describes a group that keeps to itself like the witnesses do.

  i thought it was "insular" but i don't think that's the one i'm looking for after reading the definition.

  i remember an elder using the word "clannish" and that has the proper definition but it reminds me of a group of elves.

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  flipper

  Here's another one that I use all the time. " Criminal. " I know it's not positive - but what the hell- it's honest
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  79

  What's a word that describes the way Witnesses behave as a group?

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i can't recall the word that describes a group that keeps to itself like the witnesses do.

  i thought it was "insular" but i don't think that's the one i'm looking for after reading the definition.

  i remember an elder using the word "clannish" and that has the proper definition but it reminds me of a group of elves.

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  flipper

  Paul you stated, " I'm looking for a neutral word that doesn't necessarily connote negativity " . Good luck on that then. Most words that describe what JW's and the WT Society are about - denote negativity. My thoughts like Beth Sarim " CONTROLLED ". "Controlled " would be the positive spin word for " enslaved " - if you're looking for a silver lining of positivity
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  26

  Had a wonderful visit with Mr and Mrs Flipper Sat.

  by 3rdgen in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i haven't posted much lately because i got a new job at the end of nov. and it's taken much of my time and mental energy.

  i still read though and care for you all very much so i thought i should let you know about the meet-up i had yesterday with mr and mrs flipper.. hubby got a call the day before from flipper saying he and his wife were going to visit his mother (who is in a rest home in my town) and would we like to meet up for coffee?

  hubby couldn't make it but i was delighted to accept.. we picked a burger place not far from the rest home and where i knew jdubs don't usually hang out on saturdays.

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  flipper

  Hey 3RDGEN- Just got back from working last night and my wife told me you posted this thread. Thanks for posting the thread, really enjoyed your takes. We really had a nice time visiting with you also. You and your husband are dear friends to us for sure. What a very kind thing to do for my mother in visiting her with us . We enjoyed having you visit and enjoyed our Starbucks visit as well with you ! Sorry your hubby couldn't make it- perhaps next time as you mentioned we could spend the night and visit with him more too ! It would be great to get some others together as well for pizza or something . Sounds fun !

  It really is true though- those of us who have been through the fire of unjust treatment inside the JW cult - do develop a deeper sense of empathy and appreciation of freedom once we get out and a deeper understanding and empathy towards others who have been mistreated as well . Say " hi " to hubby for us and give him a hug from both of us. O.K. ? We look forward to our next visit with you - hopefully in a couple months ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper
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  79

  What's a word that describes the way Witnesses behave as a group?

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i can't recall the word that describes a group that keeps to itself like the witnesses do.

  i thought it was "insular" but i don't think that's the one i'm looking for after reading the definition.

  i remember an elder using the word "clannish" and that has the proper definition but it reminds me of a group of elves.

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  flipper

  Cultlike.

  That was my first impression when I first experienced the shenanigans of Flipper's family - my first encounter with JWs other than at the front door. Same feeling being in a kingdom hall.

  They struck me as very similar to Scientologists, Est, Moonies and Multi Level Marketing groups. Fake-happy, nodding heads, weird mannerisms.

  Now, ten years later, I really feel that "cultlike" is an accurate description. From an "outsider" perspective it's a mild word considering how damaging and dishonest the religion is.

  Mrs. Flipper
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  6

  “Show me it came from the top down!”

  by cha ching in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  that’s what the boston globe asked about the catholic church abuse policies… should the same be asked about jw abuse policies?.

  reveal news has a great audio today!.

  https://www.revealnews.org/.

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  flipper

  Thanks for posting this, cha ching. Trey Bundy is doing a great job. His articles at reveal news are a must read.

  Mrs. F
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  26

  Had a wonderful visit with Mr and Mrs Flipper Sat.

  by 3rdgen in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i haven't posted much lately because i got a new job at the end of nov. and it's taken much of my time and mental energy.

  i still read though and care for you all very much so i thought i should let you know about the meet-up i had yesterday with mr and mrs flipper.. hubby got a call the day before from flipper saying he and his wife were going to visit his mother (who is in a rest home in my town) and would we like to meet up for coffee?

  hubby couldn't make it but i was delighted to accept.. we picked a burger place not far from the rest home and where i knew jdubs don't usually hang out on saturdays.

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  flipper

  Hi, 3rdgen! And everyone here, too.

  It was really fun to see you, as usual! We are so happy that you went with us to meet Flip's mom. She felt really good that you would come to see her, she liked you, and said that she does get lonely. You are the best. I wish we lived closer.

  How'd you like when the first thing Flip's dad said was "she's getting worse." She was probably sleeping in her chair to avoid being spoken to like a child. Pop left around 3:30.

  We stayed until 5:30 and Flip played her a bunch of songs, she loved it. She has still got her sharp wit, we talked about all kinds of things. Her short term memory ain't so great but then neither is mine.

  Went for Jamaican food with Flip Jr, had a great time. The ride home is so hard, though. Next time we may stay in a motel near the nursing home, then visit her again in the morning and drive home in daylight.

  So we would be free to meet up in the evening, maybe go get pizza and hang out. And round up anyone here who wants to join us. That would be a good time for sure.

  Thank you so much, 3rdgen.

  Mrs. Flipper