Welcome. Be cautious how much you share that can be used to identify you if you wish to remain anonymous. That being said, people here understand what you have experienced and the doubts you have so feel free to share as much as you are able.
Posts by nugget
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47First time poster
by kneehighmiah ini finally decided to post.
i'm so scared of being caught, so i'll be vague.
i'm an appointed brother.
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nugget
loved it now looking forward to Sherlock
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33
First Post - Introduction
by Syme inthis is my first post on jwn, and i would like to take a few lines to introduce myself.. i currently am still in the organization, though my conviction in the last 1-2 years is more or less agnostic/atheist (closer to atheist).
i am an ex-elder and mts graduate, having served in another 3 congregations, apart from my home one.. the reason for the above-mentioned conviction shift has to do with science and rational, logical thinking generally, and with the grand theory of evolution, specifically.
it took me long, endless sessions of hard reading and study of serious scientific literature (plus cross-matching all the quotes and claims in jw evolution-related literature), to finally make the shift from utterly firm religious belief to doubt, and then to lack of religious faith.
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nugget
Welcome Syme. Great Intro.
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22
Do You Often See JWs Out In The Ministry?
by minimus ini used to always see them preaching.
now, it seems as though they rarely are around.
the only witnesses i see, every once in a while, are the hispanic ones..
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nugget
I work from home but see witnesses here rarely and have only seen them in the locality twice this year, both times neighbouring congregations. Never see our congregation on the service.
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38
Do You Still Wear "Meeting" Clothes?
by minimus ini have dozens of suits.
i still buy them .
i wear ties sometimes too.
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nugget
no I gave it all to charity
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187
The reason behind why the ex-JW community can never match Jehovah's Witnesses' success.
by Stand for Pure Worship inan average of five kingdom halls being constructed daily, almost 8 million brothers and sisters, dissemination of bible literature in 595 languages, 111,795 congregations worldwide, distribution of 179 million bibles available in 116 languages, 239 countries where jehovah's witnesses have a presence, etc.. need i go on?.
on the other hand........... crisis of conscience, freeminds, the awaa, jw.net, ummmmmm........hmmm........idk six screens or something?
not exactly working out for you guys.
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nugget
The ex JW community is a diverse group with diverse goals. There is no single entity with a single goal and therefore it is a falcious argument to compare all of us with an organisation.
The question also assumes that the JW organisation has been successful. I would argue that whilst it is accomplished at controlling the flock and raising money it is less successful at looking after the flock and preparing them for life. It keeps it members so closely contolled that they are emotional and social outcasts unable to care for themselves financially. They have successfully brought misery to families by putting loyalty to themselves ahead of family relationships. As a religion it has a responsibility to make life better for it's adherants and be a source of spiritual refreshment in the wider world. I cannot see how this has been accomplished by them so no they have not been successful.
What I can say from my personnal experience of the ex JW community is that we appreciate what it means to exit this cult and do try to support one another. What is lovely is that people can hold diverse opinions and these can be challenged. The ex JW community is more successful than the organisation in freeing the person to think, challenge and disagree with others, to be prepared to debate and present evidence. There is much appreciation for others here, sometimes some intolerance but we are able to work it out after all it is a shock to discover an ego and a sense of self.
I am truly sorry for the OP I hope that the responses here help them to reflect on their very judgemental conclusions.
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26
Did having kids make your decision to leave easier or harder?
by Comatose ini was thinking about a few things confusedandalone said the other day.
i mirrored his thinking identically.
for me it was having kids that made my decision to leave an easier one.. if i had no children, i might still be in and just going through the motions.
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nugget
Easier
I could see the harm the religion did to them and the way they were being progressively isolated from their peers. I was also very aware of how the children's teaching aids encouraged them to diminish their accomplishments and to trust the elders implicitly. My son was self harming in school because of the messages of divine judgement he was hearingat the hall reinforced by distrurbing illustrations in the literature this fed his aspergers fear of unlikely events. It was frightening how much damage this constant talk of the end of the world had on such a young child.
Once we started drawing away I was very concious that my son in particular was incapable of lying and I was concerned that he would feel dreadful if he inadvertently let slip to the elders about our doubts. I made it very clear to both my children that whatever happened it was mummy and daddy's responsibility and not his fault.
When the elders finally came to tell us we were being brought before a JC my son wanted to know what they wanted. I told him that the elders had told us that we could have really awesome Christmas lights this year as they had no interest in us and what we did any more. My son was delighted.
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45
Just stumped 2 Elders! Lol
by El_Guapo ini am currently on a business trip for a trade show in another city.
as i'm walking to the convention center, i run into 2 jw's preaching.
one is about mid 60s the other probably mid 30's.
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nugget
brilliant just fabulous.
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33
Nugget's Latest work in progress (pen and ink)
by cantleave instill a fair bit to do but i thought it is worth posting.
this is all done with dots no lines at all.. .
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nugget
Eye of snake taken in macro mode
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38
About my Coming Out...
by braincleaned insince my coming out publicly, i have received a lot of kind words.. i wanted to thank all of you from the depth of my heart.. .
on the other hand, i need to make two things clear:.
i'm often encouraged to use my position to create cartoons or stories for nickelodeon, etc.... i do not have that kind of fire-power.
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nugget
I'm sorry that you have had anything other than positive messages. You are not obliged to promote anti JW rhetoric or ideas. Your professional life is your business. What is the best message is to live well and sucessfully. This makes a lie of all the generalisations from the organisation that people who leave will be miserable and unsuccessful and be forced to return. This is extrememly powerful and sometimes people can forget that.
The fact that you have a page on wikiepedia is truly awesome and acts as an inspiration to others this is enough.
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