If it's like, the Catholic pew, for Mass, (1) if nobody shows up, you got leg room. (2) No meeting bag to bring. (3) It's over in 35 minutes. In that case....
Pew it is.
--Christopher
Posts by sd-7
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28Do you prefer to sit on the pew in a church or on the regular Kingdom Hall seat?
by asilentone ini hate to sit on the pew.
i prefer to sit on the regular kingdom hall seat.
do you think it might be a good subtle reason for some people to convert their religion to jw?
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79
Finished Ex-Jehovah's Witness Survey (Please fill out for help with project)...
by Tuesday inhey everyone!.
) did you feel the religion was a cult before leaving?:.
) do you feel the religion is a cult now after leaving?:.
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sd-7
Ex-Jehovah’s Witness Survey
General
A.) Name: Christopher
B.) Gender
Male
Female
C.) Age:
10-18
19-24
25-30
31-35
35-40
41-45
45-50
51-55
56-60
61-65
65 +
Questions:
1.) How were you introduced to Jehovah's Witnesses:
Parents/Grandparents/Relatives were in before you were born and taught you
Parents/Grandparents/Relatives converted when you were young and taught you
Converted early in life (Teenage or earlier)
Converted in your 20's
Converted in your 30's
Converted later in life
2.) How did you leave the religion:
Disfellowshipped
Disassociated
Faded Away (slowly missed more and more meetings until you stopped going completely)
Stopped attending all at once
3.) What Age did you leave?
10-18
19-24
25-30
31-35
35-40
41-45
45-50
51-55
56-60
61-65
65 +
4.) Were you Baptized
Yes
No
5.) What General reason did you leave the religion:
Left for a boyfriend/girlfriend in the world, Fornicated with man/woman, General Fornication
Was involved with Drugs/Drinking
Wanted more Freedom (play school sports, date who you wanted, listen to music, etc.)
Didn’t believe the teachings, not allowed to question the teachings
,disagreed with stance on social issues, didn’t agree with things said in the magazines or on the platform.
Felt the elders or organization abused their power, felt they took presidence over God, Problem with the way they organized the religion
Left because of the people (saw too much hypocracy, too much gossip, passed over for some leadership role, was treated badly by those in the hall.)
Depressed, Didn’t feel like doing all the things required of you, felt oppressed by the rules.
Was abused physically, emotionally or sexually by someone in the hall and it was covered up.
Rebelling against parents rules
Other (Explain: _______________________________________________________________)
6.) How did you feel about the doctrine before leaving:
Believed everything said was correct
Believed there were more things right than wrong
Believed there we more things wrong than right
Believed everything was wrong
Didn’t think about the doctrine
7.) Did your feelings about the doctrine effect the way you left?
Yes
No
8.) If you were disfellowshipped for sin, did your feelings on the doctrine effect you sinning in the first place?
I sinned because I thought the doctrine was wrong as an easy way out
My feelings on the doctrine strongly effected my willingness to sin to get out
My feelings on the doctrine somewhat effected my willingness to sin
I sinned because I wanted to and doctrine had nothing to do with it
N/A
9.) Did you feel the religion was a cult before leaving?:
I did not think they were a cult at all
I saw a few similarities between the religion and a cult
I saw many similarities between the religion and a cult
I felt the religion was a cult by definition but a good religion which it didn’t apply
I felt the religion was definitely a cult
10.) Did you research the religion's teachings after leaving?
Yes
No
11.) What are your feelings on the doctrine of the religion since leaving?
I still feel the religion is the truth,
The religion has some problems but only due to human imperfection,
The religion has some problems with it’s teachings
The religion has many problems with what it teaches
The religion is like any other religion out there it has right and wrong in it
The religion has a problem with nearly every teaching
They might have one or two teachings that are still right if I strain hard enough to think about it
They are totally wrong
12.) How do you feel about the organization since leaving?:
They're God's channel
They might have a couple of problems
They have some problems but far more good than bad
There are many problems but they slightly outweigh the bad
There are many problems which slightly outweigh the good
There are many problems which far outweigh the good
They are no different than any other religion they have good and bad
They are Totally wrong
They are evil
13.) How do you feel about the people since leaving?:
They're God's chosen people
They are mostly good people
They are good people with a few bad apples
They have more good people than bad people
They have more bad people than good people
They are mostly bad people
They are filled with liars and hypocrites
They are no different than any other religion, they have good and bad
They are misguided people and I feel sorry for them
They are evil.
14.) Do you feel the religion is a cult now after leaving?:
Yes they are definitely a cult
They have most of the qualities of a cult
They have some of the qualities of a cult
They have a couple of the qualities of a cult
They have some similarities to cults but they’re good so I don’t consider them a cult
All religions are cults so why would they be any different.
They are not a cult
15.) What is your opinion on the intelligence of those still in the Organization? :
They're very intelligent they are the only people on Earth who found the truth
They're somewhat intelligent
They’re intelligent about biblical things but not so much in other things
They're intelligent but purposely deny facts for their religion
They are like idiot savants with the bible
They're not very intelligent
They're complete morons
16.) Are you happier now that you’re gone?
I think every day about how happy I am to have left
I think I’m much happier now that I’m gone
I think I’m somewhat happier now that I’m gone
I’m slightly happier now that I’m gone
I’m not happier now that I’m gone
I was much happier as a Jehovah’s Witness
I’m miserable now and wish I could return to turn around my life.
17.) Do you feel that other than the fact you left the Jehovah’s Witnesses that they would agree with how you live your life?
They would agree with everything in my life
I do a few things they would not agree with
I do quite a few things they would not agree with
They would not agree with anything I do now
18.) If a Jehovah’s Witness approaches you to discuss their religion you’re more than likely do the following:
Oh God, run away as fast as possible
Tell them I was raised a Jehovah’s Witness and feel they’re wrong
Shatter their faith, what else would I do?
Discuss in detail all the wrong things in their religion
Give them a simple Not Interested
Discuss their religion with them and take whatever they want to place, I remember being like that
Tell them that I feel their religion is mostly right but not right for me
Ask them for a bible study
19.) Would you consider returning?
I plan to return one day
I wish I could return
It’s more than likely I’ll return
It’s fifty/fifty that I will return
It’s possible I could return
It’s not very likely I’ll return but I don’t rule out anything
It’s nearly impossible I’ll return but I guess anything’s possible
When hell freezes over
If I ever see another Kingdom Hall it would be too soon
20.) How do you feel about discussing your time as a Jehovah's Witness?:
I Hate talking about my time as a Jehovah's Witness and will avoid the subject whenever possible
I dislike talking about my upbringing strongly but will if absolutely necessary
I dislike talking about my upbringing but will if prompted enough
It's part of me I'll discuss it if it comes up
I bring it up occasionally
I’ll only talk about it with certain people who understand the circumstances
I bring it up frequently
I talk about it constantly
Some Say I’m obsessed
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12
guys do you do this girl thing?...
by highdose ini've recently met someone and we spent all last evening chatting on the phone.
this morning comes, i text him and get no responce.
a few hours go by and i start thinking that hes obviously gone off me, i will never find anyone, must be totaly unattractive and repluse the opposite sex etc etc...basicaly start thinking myself into a depression.. then i get a text midday... hes phone had run out of battery(!
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sd-7
That can be a pretty human response for a male or a female, I'd say. But for guys, I would think there's more pressure to take the initiative. In my case, being a wimpy man, I never had to call, always found the bossy types--they'd call me so much I couldn't even relax for 5 minutes.
But that's...that's a normal response. I think, though, that you may need to rethink your perception of yourself, see your beauty independent of how any man sees you. You'd be surprised at just how attractive you might be without even knowing it.
--Christopher
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10
Lovers of pleasures rather then lovers of God?
by ldrnomo inthis scripture popped into my head this morning for some reason and i have to ask the question.
if god created all things then he certainly created those things that are pleasurable so why is it one or the other?
if you love pleasure, can't you also love god?
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sd-7
Of course. And the irony for a Christian religion to suggest that is that Jesus was soooooo not like that. He came "eating and drinking", and was judged as a glutton by the people around him. He obviously knew how to enjoy life while pleasing God at the same time. The unbalanced attitude in the JW religion always struck me as peculiar. Ah. That line keeps coming back to me, the circuit overseer's famous words that convinced me I was in a cult: "You don't deserve a vacation! That's Satan's thinking!"
One can love pleasure and love God. God made us for the purpose of watching us enjoy life, not just march in lock-step to his directions and nothing else beyond that. Of course, it makes sense that one has to be balanced with pleasure just like one has to be balanced with food. You can't eat nothing but junk food and expect to be healthy. You have to eat a balanced diet. Same with pleasure--don't overdo it, or you'll never get anything meaningful done. Sometimes you have to focus, for the sake of work, worship, family, whatever. I think that's how it should be. But that's just opinion.
--Christopher
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111
Borg court: 1st session
by sd-7 inrecord of committee meeting #1. after prayer, proverbs 28:13 was read: "he who is covering over his transgressions will not succeed, but he who is confessing and leaving them will be shown mercy.
" the need to confess to jehovah was emphasized.
as jehovah's representatives, the elders said we therefore needed to confess to them.
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sd-7
Good point, Gerard. I know I'm going to be thrilled to finally get out of this crap. I want to accompany my wife to the meetings, assemblies, and conventions as a gesture of goodwill towards her. But the thing is, there's obviously no way for her to talk about the points from the meetings with me without it at least possibly becoming an argument. So...kind of a problem there. She might go ahead and leave at a certain point.
But for me, yes, this is a good thing. To no longer belong to this religion is to be outside of its jurisdiction. (Which I always was in the first place.) It's a license to finally, finally be free of these jokers. I think I might clap for the announcement. Ha ha! That would be memorable.
For her, well, frankly, I can't see any reason why they shouldn't DF her, too, given the circumstances, no matter how contrite she appears or how forthcoming she is with details (and she has withheld some information or distorted other events along the way). She'll just do the guilt/shame thing, maybe even blame me and hate me even more for it. She can't see any opportunities in this except the opportunity to "get back on track", to return to the treadmill of WT activities. Perhaps she's hoping they'll let her off easy and she'll be able to go knock on doors and all.
Well...I've said enough as it is.
--Christopher
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27
How do you respond to: "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one?"
by darthfader ini get this statement all the time from my jw family.
that this system is in satan's control.
or that "this or that" is put here to test our faith.
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sd-7
Well, if the world is lying in the power of the wicked one, I'd say, listen: Jesus Christ, who JWs believe is reigning as King in heaven, has given the means to break up the works of the Devil by means of his death and resurrection. If he wasn't afraid of the wicked one's having the world under his sway, why would we be? Following the Christ means we can conquer the Devil, because he did it first in our behalf, knowing that we couldn't do it by ourselves.
Ironically, my JW mom actually thought I was crazy for expressing similar sentiments.
--Christopher
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45
Borg cubes will reach us in approximately 20 hours
by sd-7 inborg message incoming.
on screen.. borg: blizzard is irrelevant.
even though this is a judicial matter, it's really a shepherding call.
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sd-7
WuzLovesDubs--Borg Court has already had its first session. See my "Borg Court: 1st session" entry for that. 2nd session is going to be on Thursday. Thanks for the encouragement.
--Christopher
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111
Borg court: 1st session
by sd-7 inrecord of committee meeting #1. after prayer, proverbs 28:13 was read: "he who is covering over his transgressions will not succeed, but he who is confessing and leaving them will be shown mercy.
" the need to confess to jehovah was emphasized.
as jehovah's representatives, the elders said we therefore needed to confess to them.
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sd-7
...By the way, did anyone else find the "Night Court" theme playing in their heads as they looked at this thread? Maybe that's just me.
--Christopher
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111
Borg court: 1st session
by sd-7 inrecord of committee meeting #1. after prayer, proverbs 28:13 was read: "he who is covering over his transgressions will not succeed, but he who is confessing and leaving them will be shown mercy.
" the need to confess to jehovah was emphasized.
as jehovah's representatives, the elders said we therefore needed to confess to them.
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sd-7
It sounds unbelievable? Oh, it's true. It's very true. Well...don't know if wife was fantasizing about Governing Body during the uh, process. But...I always wondered about that, Billy--if I turned around became a zealot for "the truth", she would just feel neglected once I moved up in the ranks and didn't have time for her and the kid anymore. So...hammed if you do, hammed if you don't.
It is weird sometimes, though. I feel like I'm the woman in the Young People Ask chapter about marriage, who said her husband only seemed interested in her when he wanted sex. It's not quite that extreme, of course--I may be the gopher of the house once I get home (go for this, go for that), but she does talk to me, of course. But she doesn't like for me to touch her (unless we're about to do it--and she has awakened me at 4 in the morning for that sometimes, even during the week), apparently because she would get really horny and we'd presumably end up marital due-ing it right on the spot. So giving her a hug or a kiss without any sexual stuff attached is out of the question. Being a guy who actually wanted that sort of thing in a mate (ie. non-sexual affection), it kinda sucks. But this is getting to be mature content, isn't it?
It's too bad, though, the Borg getting between us. 'Cause she's really hot. Living under the same roof with a hot woman who doesn't like you is like...window shopping. You can see all the items, but you can't touch 'em. Okay, stop, stop....bad, bad...see? This is a sign of being unrepentant! Why am I still desiring to have sex with my wife? The only way to show repentance would be to not have sex with her for at least a year, then to bring to the elders evidence that we did not have sex for a year, begging for forgiveness and "seasons of refreshing from Jehovah".
To get serious for a moment, though, since I'm healin' up from illness, the Thought Police have set a definite session #2 for Thursday night. I was just reading someone's recorded judicial committee--where was it, TowerWatch? It's amazing how every committee operates exactly the same way. I think I know what to expect now. But there's no going back now. Best I can do is finish the job. Get back to seeing about fixing up this family.
I'll let you know how it goes on Thursday. It's a definite go for that night.
--Christopher
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CO talk: "Jehovah's Witnesses killed Jesus"
by sd-7 inmentioned in his talk last week that the jews, who had the name "jehovah's witnesses" applied to them, killed jesus.
i found that a particularly revealing admission, simply from the way he said it.
"jehovah's witnesses killed jesus," he said.. he went on to explain that the coveted title of "jehovah's witnesses" was taken from the jews.
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sd-7
Do you really believe that?
Absolutely, I do. Even in this era--no, especially in this era. People who fear losing their power will always react the same way when they see a threat to themselves. The pharmaceutical companies, the politicians, the Pope, the 'faithful slave', and you name it would gladly gather in the same room to see him dead if he showed up again today. I guarantee it. People don't change. Aside from that nut-job who would want to go down as the guy who killed Jesus--again. I mean, there's always a number of possibilities. But yes, I very much believe that.
--Christopher