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Billy the Ex-Bethelite
JoinedPosts by Billy the Ex-Bethelite
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25
Hello All
by Jeremiah1958 inhi to everyone, my name is jerry, i am 56 and i live in tralee, kerry ireland.
i will not bore you with the all too familiar details, suffice it to say i was a prime candidate for indoctrination/ brainwashing.
the surprising aspect is that my wife, a staunch catholic started a study soon after i did.
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Advice Needed
by HeyThere inso my situation is changing and i am trying to figure out the best way for me to handle this.
i am an unbaptized publisher married to a dub who was inactive when we met and when we married and during the course of our marriage, and just went back active a year and a half ago.
he is a full believing dub.
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Billy the Ex-Bethelite
"I want to withdraw my status as an unbaptized publisher but not be labeled an apostate."
It's hard to say exactly how any one congregation or the random publishers will react. The cult teachs that shunning is a "loving arrangement." So you can't expect them to react in rational ways.
My primary suggestion is to maintain healthy nonJW relationships. The JWs will try to isolate and control you. Be prepared to tell them "no".
As far as any doubts, you can try to deflect. "While trying to preach to my [sister, mom, friend, etc.], they posed this question. I was surprised and didn't know how to respond. I assured them that I would ask you and you would have an answer that I could bring back." It makes you a neutral intermediary, and that you're getting these questions by doing what JWs are supposed to do... shoving their religion down other people's throats.
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THE ALTERNATIVE DAILY TEXT by The Witchtower editor
by processor ini have published more than 200 'daily text' comments in german, and will now start translating those into english.
they will be published here:.
http://dailytext2.wordpress.com/.
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Billy the Ex-Bethelite
Hmmm, with that scriptural encouragement I'll have wine on my Cheeries this morning and find a couple of Watchtowers to "study" later.
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THE CURRENT FADING OF BRAND NAME "THE WATCHTOWER"
by steve2 inthe current fading of brand name "the watchtower" & the rise, rise, rise of jw.org.
the watchtower as brand name is in the process of being imperceptibly faded from visibility in the organization.
who'd have thought you could make a watchtower fade and disappear?
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Billy the Ex-Bethelite
"It's just putting lipstick on a pig, nobody under 40 is going to be impressed..."
I dunno. Maybe if you also put some JW.org earrings on the pig there might be something.
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Billy the Ex-Bethelite
"Hail the theocracy, ever decreasing!"
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What a huge difference this year.
by quellycatface inlast summer was pretty crap for me.
lots of "social" things going on in the congregation but i wasn't invited.
you know what i mean, hey??.
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Billy the Ex-Bethelite
Actually, JWs aren't supposed to be handing out invitations and thank you cards at the KH for this very reason. Similarly, no business or exchanging of money.
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"It's not religious..." Wait... What???
by dynamiterose77 inmy friend, mike works as a massage therapist, and there is a woman at the shop that is super-jw-woman and is constantly hounding him with things.. today, he's messaging me and he tells me that she was trying to push a brochure or something on him.
he said he'd really rather not read a religious pamphlet.. so... she says, "it's not religious... it's from god.".
isn't that kinda what religious means?
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Billy the Ex-Bethelite
Once again, the best response award goes to OUTLAW!
"Where does that typing dog come up with this stuff?"
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This will be a GREAT organization!
by Kensho inwhen...... 1) we follow christ example not the gb.
2) stop df'ing those for challenging current or past doctrine and allow us to use our god given gift of reason and free wil.
sure kick out the scumbags even the lions club have rules for membership, but not those who just use their brains and consience.. 3) get rid of the nonsensical blood teaching that has cost the lives of thousands and beg god for forgiveness.
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Billy the Ex-Bethelite
"I'm sure many on here can add to the list!"
11) Liquidate the entire business and distribute the money back to those of us that contributed time, money, and energy to that mess (except for the GB and those that have already profited from this scam).
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A few bad apples hey?
by sparrowdown ina witness couple just called on me.
they know i have'nt been to the hall for a few months but have no idea that i am "off reservation" in more ways than one.. they called by to tell me they that due to the "unloving spirit" in our.
congregation they will be going to another hall from now on.. the husband has been having ongoing "issues" with the cobe for some time ( iow,he hates his guts).. they feel that if they move to another cong where the people are nicer everything will be ok. (yeah, right).
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Billy the Ex-Bethelite
"Should I have said more?"
If these are people you actually like and care about, you might try following up with them to see how they are doing, planting seeds if you see the opportunity.
If you don't really care about keeping in touch with them, you've already shown them a good measure of kindness.
JWs are fed the idea that they're in a "spiritual paradise". They don't expect perfection, but they do expect love, kindness, genuine friendship. Then you often have the "anchored publishers" that have their version of "spiritual paradise" and any publishers that don't fit into their model are unhappy. When they see the reality in congregations that range from "troubled, but trying" to "outright civil war", they conclude "it must just be this congregation." So they pack their bags to find the elusive "spiritual paradise." Then the process repeats.
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BOE 2014-06-09 Adjusted approval and financing process to accelerate Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction
by WatchTower87 in2014-06-09 adjusted approval and financing process to accelerate kingdom hall and assembly hall construction.
to all bodies of elders.
the congregation secretary should arrange for this letter to be retained in the congregation permanent file of policy letters.
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Billy the Ex-Bethelite
Thanks, WT87!
And thanks, Ann. I would expect the bait and switch from WT.
Letter 1) Please send us all your bank balance above and beyond what you need to cover a couple months expenses. Pledge to send as much as possible monthly in order to make sure all KHs and AHs are maintained and new ones built as needed.
...wait for the pledges to roll in...
Letter 2) If your congregation needs a renovation or repair, like new carpet or a damaged roof, tell the friends in the KH that they need to contribute more money to cover this expense.
Imagine getting the most expensive health insurance you can afford (and imagine you're from the USA for those of you in countries with gvt. coverage), and once you commit to this policy which promises "total" coverage, then they send you the fine print saying that optical, dental, prescriptions, etc., need to be paid out of your own pocket. The insurance only covers having a baby, cancer (in which case, they will probably deny treatments), and accidents where you have 3 or more broken bones and/or 3rd degree burns over 30% of your body. And the insurance company reserves the right to sell your body for parts if you happen to die.
It's not just a cult, it's a profit-seeking business!
