Posts by flipper

33

Wanting Less Involvement (long newbie story)

by DepthsResounding in

i was raised a jw and am currently pioneer in a foreign language congregation.

i have been unhappy on and off with my involvement in this religion and am ready to step back again.

growing up i was always active but extremely reserved and a low hour publisher.

flipper

DEPTHS RESOUNDING- Hey, welcome to the forum ! I know how you feel as I was raised inside the Jehovah's Witness religion from birth and didn't stop attending fully until age 44 back in 2003. The pressure and high control the organization puts on us DOES make us feel like running away- so I totally get that.

We are here as a support for you so keep opening up about your experience you are going through and many of us here who have been where you are at will be more than willing to share experiences we have had in either fading away from meetings and how to handle JW family members still in. It is a challenge. Just be cautious about talking openly about your doubts with active JW family members or others in your congregation or other fellow JW friends you have will use your doubts against you by talking to elders about it- and since you are still living with your parents- they could make your life more difficult than it is already. Keep your counsel to yourself.

Please - if you have any questions at all - or are curious how we exited gracefully by staying off the radar- please feel free to ask anybody here how they accomplished it. And continue to educate yourself by researching the Internet about the power of mind control in high control religious organizations. Steve Hassan has some good books about tactics religions use to control members. And by researching the Internet you will prove to yourself that there isn't much difference in the Jehovah's Witnesses from other apocalyptic religions that have put forth false hopes to it's members - and delivers nothing in return except disappointment.

One thing about it- you are young. In your 30's you have the rest of your life to pursue lots of interests and hobbies or pursuits , even college, that will help you in this REAL life we live. This may be all we get 80 years or so- make the best use of those years in a positive way while you have life flowing through your body ! these last 13 years I've been away from the Witnesses have been the most fulfilling, happy years of my life ! Take care friend, and we are with you here as a support all the way ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper

25

Lots of newbies posting! Welcome one and all!

by freddo in

jw
friends

is there something going on in jaydub land that has brought this on?

hope so!.

flipper

Welcome to all the newbies here ! You are among those of us who have been where you are at - exiting a high control organization. We know it's not easy. We are here as a support to you and understand the paradox you are in. Still - freedom of mind is sweet and freedom of movement is priceless so keep on researching the Internet- don't stop . We'll be here for you - remember

14

“Winning the Battle for Your Mind”

by SAHS in

jw
friends

“winning the battle for your mind.” that is the title of an article in the latest watchtower magazine, of july 2017, pages 27-30. wow, how ironic!

here is the direct link:.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2017488.

flipper

I thought that was really interesting that they quoted Noam Chomsky as well.

The quote : " Nobody is going to pour truth into your brain. It's something you have to find out for yourself. "

Interesting because the Witnesses are ALWAYS told to accept whatever the WT leaders and GB are giving them as " food " ( or truth ) at the proper time and to NEVER doubt that it's the " truth " . Even if it makes " no sense to humans " - JW's are still expected to agree WT has " the truth ".

So since JW's are told by WT leaders to NOT look outside the organization for any kind of truth - it's ironic they quote Chomsky saying " It's something you have to find out for yourself. " WT says : " No you don't. WE have the truth- so don't question it ! "

So I wonder if there's a plant at Bethel in the writing committee sneaking subliminal thoughts into these articles to get JW's to think and have cognizant dissonance ? Makes me wonder

29

why does no one ask questions ?

by midnight in

i always felt bad for asking questions , did anyone else ?

what question did you ask or want to ask but feel it was wrong ?

mine was regarding the circuit assembly and the amount defecit anounced .. also 1975 i got a stern reply too when i was studying in the 90,s.

flipper

If a person who is a JW tries to ask questions to elders they are usually judged on the spot as being " weak in the faith " or judged as a person " having doubts " who might be a danger to others in the congregation. The elders won't say this verbally out loud to the person having doubts- but they think it inside their elder trained brains. Almost like this person has to be watched closely and monitored now because of having these doubts.

So because rank & file JW's will get judged or perceived as " weak " if they ask questions- many are scared or in fear to not even ask questions- because the judgment of them will come, not only from elders- but others in the congregation who know this person has doubts. This is what I observed in my many years in the JW cult

36

Crossing the Elders

by Cold Steel in

few things draw my interest as much as people on this board who talk about the elders, the insidious little toadies who lurk around kingdom halls, the proverbial big fish in little ponds.

it amazes me the terror and the veneration they inspire, as well as the occasional ridicule.

it makes me wonder how they're selected and whether most of them come into the position with a sense of power, entitlement, authority and control, or whether many of them are pretty nice people and that i'm just hearing about the bad apples?

flipper

COLD STEEL- Great thread topic- thanks for posting it. Like LONDO stated - EVERY JW is expected to follow the GB's orders and commands because if they don't - they will be deemed as " spiritually weak " or " rebellious " . There is no in-between view of these people from the WT leaders.

Elders are expected to follow the GB's orders to the letter of the law- and if they don't the every 6 month visit of the Circuit Overseers will put them in line to make sure they are observing " the letter of the law " . The elders are essentially an extended arm of control of the GB put into congregations to control and make rank & file JW's " behave " . If rank & file JW's don't " behave " they either get " disciplined " & " counseled " or kicked out of the congregation eventually. Usually sooner rather than later.

When I was in the JW cult the thing that REALLY bothered me was that there was NO check system stopping these men ( elders ) from giving their own opinions as counsel. They could tell a fellow JW anything as " counsel " - and JW's would lap it up as coming from " mother " - or the GB - and not question the validity of the " counsel " at all. Lots of people's lives get wrecked and destroyed that way. They tried messing my life up by giving me their personal opinions as " counsel " . I saw right through it and called them on their shit- and for that I was declared a " rebellious " or in Scientology lingo - a " suppressive person " . A person considered " dangerous " within the organization because I might influence others to " rebel " .

It's all about power & control to the GB and appointed elders. Making sure fellow JW's " obey " the rules- or else off with your spiritual head ! Even when the Circuit Overseers would visit- if these elders were long time elders in positions- even Circuit Overseers would not correct longtime elders for giving " personal opinions " to JW's as counsel- because many Circuit Overseers did the same damn thing !

So check systems failed to prevent abuse of power - whatever real " check systems " were in place which in reality, honestly - there weren't any in place to use on elders abusing their power. I was raised in the cult from birth till age 44 and had an elder dad who was the big shot elder in one city for over 40 years . I saw people, even other elders walk in dread or fear of him. It was ridiculous. He not only was a " legend in his own mind " - but other elders saw him as this " legend " as well. Which helped fuel his narcissistic view of himself. What's the old saying ? Power corrupts ; absolute power corrupts absolutely

62

Would You EVER Go Back To Being A Jehovah's Witness?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i could never understand why some people who know the truth about the "truth" ever go back.

once you understand all the hypocrisy and negatives, i would think it's almost impossible to go back!.

flipper

Do chickens have lips ? The answer is no. Not in a million years

20

Simple question for everyone

by kairos in

jw
friends

q. how do you explain the millions that have left or were dfd/dad from jws?.

a. no evidence exists that it is the truth.. case closed....

flipper

Good thread Kairos. I can only speak for myself - but after being born into the pretend " truth " from birth and in it until age 44 over 13 years ago- I left basically because I got extremely tired of being controlled in every step I took in life. If I looked at someone wrong- it's a congregation matter. If I went down on my wife- it's a congregation matter. If I wore white socks while carrying a microphone at a meeting instead of colored socks- I'd get counseled by an elder. I mean- you get my point. The micromanagement is totally flipping INSANE.

I actually chose LIFE instead of death. Living in such a high controlled, mind manipulation , indoctrinated cult that's made up of nothing but lies is nothing short of choosing to be driven into a psychiatric ward. And I couldn't choose that- because I value my freedom of mind and freedom of movement. So- In a nutshell that's my 2 cents on the matter. Peace out, see ya soon bud, Mr. Flipper

17

Is a born-in brought up in a JW home like being a child inmate being raised in prison?

by Still Totally ADD in

i bring up this subject because of all the restrictions children have to endure in the jw cult.

they are made prisoners of mind and body.

being forced to do things that are not natural for children to do.

flipper

STILL TOTALLY ADD- Great thread, thanks for posting it. Like yourself I was born & raised in the JW cult - and I guess a tad luckier. Although my elder dad made it very difficult for me to develop any kind of lasting self esteem- because nothing I did was ever good enough for him - my JW mom was VERY supportive to me and never judged me as an " unworthy " or anything . She even liked my rock n ' roll music growing up ( much to the chagrin of my elder father ) .

My home as a youth felt like a " prison " when my dad would come down on me like a damned drill sergeant in the army Or lose his temper and whack me one even though he didn't understand the situation before he started getting physically aggressive towards me. But my mom was always there to save him from himself and prevent him from totally making a dick of himself. And in so doing- she won my deepest respect and I was able to survive being raised up a JW. I still left home at age 18 to get out from under my dad's iron hand authority - but it made it much more bearable having a mother who was on my side and truly loved me- even enough to stand up to her staunch elder husband when he was not fair or unjust to me. If not for her help- I don't know where or what I'd be today. She truly made me the man I am today. One reason I miss her so much since she died . Take care , Peace out, Mr. Flipper

14

How Long Out Before They leave You Alone

by tepidpoultry in

many years ago i met an older man in the ministry who told me he was a baptized jw years ago, when i met him he was an alchoholic and had girlfriends, i told the elders, two came by and they told me to treat him as a regular worldly guy, my question is (i know this is a fuzzy area) about how much time needs to go by before someone (me for instance) would be looked upon as a non jw worldly person?.

:0).

flipper

I know I stopped attending in 2003 and the elders in my old congregation kept trying to get a hold of me for several months afterwards- I just ignored their phone messages. Eventually they stopped for 3 years. But what put me BACK on their radar was that some JW relatives tried reporting me to elders about misconduct- and suddenly - Bingo- I was back on their radar again- even after not attending meetings for almost 4 years.

Desirous of Change is correct. If elders see you as a possible " danger " or " influence " on other active JW's still attending - that will make elders get very aggressive and come after you. Or if like me- JW family PUTS you back on the radar without your permission- the elders can get all Nazi again and try to make your life miserable. Eventually they stopped trying against me as I beat them at their own game by threatening a lawsuit. WT Society told them to leave me alone. So I once again had peace restored to my life. Crazy stuff man- I tell you

7

So much time wasted!

by StephaneLaliberte in

since i have left almost 4 years ago.

i have become a green belt in karate classes.

have got permits to own guns and go hunting.

flipper

STEPHANE- Good thread, thanks for posting. I'm really happy to see that you and your wife are experiencing many varied interests and enjoying life ! When we were in the JW cult - we were never really LEARNING anything we were just being INDOCTRINATED or mind controlled like puppets to put forth the WT Society's message.

Like you and your wife In the 13 years I've been out I've enjoyed pursuing writing & playing music, exploring in the mountains, reading tons of books on history, cut back my business from 5 nights a week to 3 nights a week- yet still make about the same if not more $$$ . Life has been getting better and better the more involved with these pursuits I enjoy. My wife and I grow a beautiful organic vegetable garden on our mountain property and breathe fresh air. What more could you ask for, right ? Many of us here are SO lucky that we escaped this dangerous mind control cult while we still have time in life to enjoy positive pursuits- it's really how I look at things now. Take care, Peace out, Mr. Flipper