flipper

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Posts by flipper

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  33

  Wanting Less Involvement (long newbie story)

  by DepthsResounding in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  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.

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  flipper

  Just wanted to bump up this newer members introduction thread in case any one missed it
  
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  34

  Finally ready to join the crowd.

  by Silent Knight in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello, all you damn dirty apostates!

  please, allow me to join this community of diseased minds.

  i have been lurking here for over 2 years and tonight i decided it's time to come out of the shadows.

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  flipper

  Welcome Silent Knight ! Nice to have you here. Congratulations on gaining your freedom of mind and peace of mind. We are here as a support to you and I offer my friendship to you as well. I exited the JW's at age 44 over 13 years ago- and it's been the most peace I've ever experienced in my life. When I got out- it was like a ton of bricks was lifted off of my shoulders. I can sense you might feel that similar feeling.

  But like yourself- I do have extended JW family still in the cult - so it makes it a challenge having to be careful of what I say - or don't say. Welcome to freedom of expression here- and if you ever need any assistance at all - please feel free to ask any of us here. Peace to you my friend, Peace out, Mr. Flipper
  
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  23

  Will there ever be an apology from GB for going beyond what's written ?

  by Chook in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  just a simple " we are sorry " .

  .

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  flipper

  Never. GB and WT leaders just rationalize and make excuses for their ever changing beliefs, doctrines, and policies. Even if said policies break the law. They " think " they are appointed by " Jesus " himself- so they are legends in their own minds. It's beneath them to apologize. They see no need for it as they are most probably- at least some of them - narcissistic sociopaths. In their own eyes they are right- the rest of the " world " is wrong - end of story
  
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  33

  Wanting Less Involvement (long newbie story)

  by DepthsResounding in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  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.

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  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
  
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  25

  Lots of newbies posting! Welcome one and all!

  by freddo in

  1. jw
  2. friends

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

  hope so!.

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  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
  
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  14

  “Winning the Battle for Your Mind”

  by SAHS in

  1. jw
  2. 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.

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  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
  
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  29

  why does no one ask questions ?

  by midnight in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  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.

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  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
  
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  36

  Crossing the Elders

  by Cold Steel in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  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?

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  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
  
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  62

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

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. 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!.

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  flipper

  Do chickens have lips ? The answer is no. Not in a million years
  
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  20

  Simple question for everyone

  by kairos in

  1. jw
  2. 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....

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  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