Posts by flipper

16

How much time and money did we waste traveling to meetings alone?

by longgone in

quick answer: way too much!.

this is something that really gets to me, all the way back to my childhood.

twenty minutes each way, three times a week.

flipper

It was just way too disgusting how much money and time was wasted on these meetings, service, and assemblies. I was a sole provider for almost 20 years in my first marriage to a very fanatic JW wife. Worked my ass off. WE had 3 small stair step children and not only did we spend upwards of $ 400.00 to $ 500.00 to just get food, buy hotel rooms, eat out at restaurants at District conventions- I had to miss work sometimes on Friday and then my then wife would say, " let's donate to Jehovah to let him see how much we appreciate this spiritual feast " on the Sunday program - slyly squeezing another $ 50.00 or so more dollars out of our already shrinking checking account. Same JW wife who charged up $ 25,000 on credit cards mysteriously wondering " where did all our money go " ?

Sometimes I felt like the " Rodney Dangerfield " of JW's I swear. I got " no respect " whatsoever. But I know I'm not alone. There are hundreds if not thousands of you fellow EX-JW's here on this board that can identify with my story. I'm glad we are OUT ! Freedom is so sweet it feels like a spiritual orgasm each day of my life or awakening to reality these last 14 years I've been out ! We were SO trapped people. Be glad those days are gone

18

Deflated after realising my inactive friends are POMI

by Isambard Crater in

jw
friends

i'm going through an extremely hard and dark time right now and really yearned for the support of people i know in the flesh, and i really thought revealing my serious doubts and frustrations to a few close friends who became inactive several years ago would help.

they attend the memorial and no more than 2 sunday meetings each year, and haven't preached for several years, so are still technically baptised-but-inactive.. it broke my heart or at least left me feeling very alone when they all (they don't know each other and live in separate areas) told me that they can sympathise but reckon i should stay with "the truth" (their words, still) as it's the best thing there is.

it's like i'd discovered a new group of people, not pimo (physically in, mentally out, like me) but pomi (physically out, mentally in).

flipper

ISAMBARD- Sorry to hear that you experienced this letdown. Hey man- WT mind control is SO strong over even some EX-JW's - that people who have been disfellowshipped for 20 or 30 years end up going back to the JW organization. It's incredible. And shows how dangerous the WT Society hold is gripping people. Cult mind control is not easily discarded unfortunately. Many ex-JW's just don't do the work of informing themselves mentally of how we got so screwed up mentally - so the WT garbage remains in their brains for years after they exit the JW cult. It takes effort to clean out our minds and put something useful back into it. And of course many just stay in or return for family- thus sacrificing their inner souls and minds. Peace out, mr. Flipper

25

Do you feel that you are really YOU?

by UnshackleTheChains in

i am interested in finding out how you view yourself.

are really you when it comes to every day interactions....ie when at work, with family or friends, or if attending meetings?.

if still attending, do you feel you are not the real you at meetings?

flipper

Yeah, I'm really me. All 5 '8 and 200 lbs. of me. LOL.

Seriously though, I know what you're saying. It's a tough situation when we used to be JW's ( I've been out 14 years ) because it's a fake world. Everybody is fake as a JW for the most part. They all have to play a mind controlled role or keep that fake role up in order not to get kicked out - whether they believe the BS from WT leaders - or not. Even if they claim to believe in the " truth " - they still have to play a role and are enslaved- whether they realize it - or not.

I feel for you dude- I really do. If you get a chance try reading Steve Hassan's books on mind control - those books REALLY helped me after I exited the Witnesses to see just how deeply the WT Society controlled me psychologically. The tricks and schemes that cult leaders use- including WT leaders - are by design to entrap people into a closed system of thinking- a definite closed society for sure which does not allow open minded or critical thinking which causes people to have to play games and be fake in order to survive. It's NOT a healthy way to live, physically or emotionally.

In time if you can stop going to meetings you will find that not having to hear that WT mind indoctrination garbage spewed out over the platform will indeed help you be more at ease. I understand many can't stop attending cold turkey, but it will greatly assist you to think outside the JW box if you stop attending. It will heal yourself from the inside out actually. At least it did for me. I am a whole person now and I'm really me and I trust my instincts more than I ever have before. It's a peaceful feeling within. Not worrying about being judged or not needing to judge others - pretty cool stuff. Hang in there, take care, if you ever want to chat I'd be glad to chat sometime

25

Does the Average R&F JW understand what grace is in Christianity ?

by smiddy in

i`m showing my ignorance here , not being an active member of any church before joining jw`s as a 19 yr old ,whenever i was ever confronted with the question of "grace" i was always at a loss to give an effective answer from a jw point of view.. was it just me ?

or did anybody else have a similar experience ?.

(ps , i dont think i ever heard the expression " grace" in a religious sense in all my 33 years in the borg.studying the wt.).

flipper

" Grace " to an average rank & file JW is pretty much " obedience " by performing WT functions is all it is to them. If they raise their hands and comment at meetings they've accepted God's " grace " , if they give a talk in the Ministry school it shows they appreciate God's " grace " , if they turn in their field service time at the end of the month it allegedly shows they appreciate God's " grace " . If they clean the kingdom hall , then they accept God's " grace " . Even ratting out another fellow believer to elders shows they are in God's " grace " . It's the same measuring stick they use to claim to be a " spiritual " person. By just performing WT functions, period mark, end of story.

A person inside their home, even at the kingdom hall can be rude, moronic, manipulative, unkind, dishonest, treat their marriage mates or children like shit, molest children, be egomaniacs, do all kinds of things within their personality that show they re NOT possessing the " fruitages of the spirit " - but by god if they get 10 hours a month in and pioneer and answer at meetings they come under and " appreciate " God's " grace " . Main thing is performing WT Society functions, they can be total jerks and still be approved . THAT is WT Society or JW grace . Pretty twisted I'd say

161

Good Morning!

by snowbird in

jw
friends

good morning, all.. it is good to be here.. thanks to all for your contributions.. love and blessings.

sylvia.

flipper

Got to this thread 3 days late ! Been out of town working. Good morning Snowbird- hope life is treating you well and hope your weather down there has been decent for springtime. We had a crazy winter out west- still getting rain- it might finally start warming up in May - they say- I'll believe it when we experience it. LOL. Take care friend, Peace out, Mr. Flipper

47

We are becoming champions of grief. We lost twin B.

by Darkknight757 in

last week we had a reassurance ultrasound with our ob.

she was just supposed to check heartbeats on the two little ones and they were going strong!

but because she had extra time and she can be quite anal about her work (which is a good thing) she decided to take some measurements.

flipper

DARKKNIGHT- Me and my wife send our deepest sympathies to you. I'm so sorry. You and your wife are in our hearts . Sending our love, Sincerely, Mr. & Mrs. Flipper

16

Toxic Person?

by stuckinarut2 in

i read a fantastic quote that applies to the way the society treats those who choose to leave...:.

"when a toxic person can no longer control you, they will try and control how others see you".

just wanted to share....

flipper

STUCKINARUT- Totally true quote. Thanks for sharing. Exactly what I've experienced personally from former associates , family, or former friends I used to know who are JW's. This has been happening to me for over 14 years. Even happened to me when I WAS a JW in the cult from fellow JW's. As you might suspect- my defense radar mechanism towards JW's is VERY high

20

Re-read Animal Farm.

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

i was one of many witness children, who studied this book in english literature class.. having re-read it as an adult it addressed so many issues i have with the organisation.

including maniputive control, the re-writing of history etc etc.

so many of the characters in the book, resembled characters i have known in the organisation.. boxer- loyalty without questioning.. squeler- a character who doesn't care about truth, and uses rhetoric of language to twist truth.. clover-who silently questions decisions, but stays loyal.. if your young, or old i would suggest reading this small book, by george orwell.

flipper

Thanks for the thread. I read Orwell's 1984 about 10 years ago ( been out of the JW's almost 14 years now ) but I've always wanted to read Animal Farm - but never did - yet. Thanks for the recommendation. Next time I'm near the old used book store in a small town I travel to with my business- I'll pick up a copy. Sounds very interesting- thanks for the push. Take care, Peace out, Mr. Flipper

53

Next weeks Watchtower. ' Who is leading God's people today'

by UnshackleTheChains in

next weeks watchtower.

'who is leading god's people today' is quite incredible.

i am so looking forward to blondie's comments on this one.

flipper

" Who is leading God's people today " ?

Uh, let me guess - The Slobbering Body and faithless slave ? Peace out, Mr. Flipper

57

Your opinion is watchtower extremist?

by poopie in

jw
friends

court gave 4 reasons you agree disagree.

flipper

PBROW- You really are not informed at all I guess.

Your statement regarding JW's, " When their beliefs turn into actions that harm other people they will be held accountable in our justice system . "

That's a false statement on your part. The WT Society and even individual JW parents 99 % of the time are NOT held accountable for letting their children die from not getting blood transfusions. And regarding JW child abuse- it's ridiculous - most of the time WT appointed elders don't go to the police authorities to report the child molester. Most of the time it's handled " in-house " to avoid unpleasant media coverage in the normal, outside world.

If you read the Internet more you will read many, many stories of bloodguilt on the part of WT leaders NOT protecting their children OR their congregations members. They are constantly controlling them and throwing them under the bus. There is no excuse for it whatsoever