If a religion demands certain sacrifices from it's followers even to the point that they die for the cause then it has to be worthy of that sacrifice. If it is unwilling to be challenged and tested then it has no right to demand alliegence or respect.
Posts by nugget
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28A View From Outside
by Joe Grundy ini never was a jw, and in many ways my interest was academic.
i have known, and know, some jws and ex-iws and know something of (but not personally) the effects that wtbts has on people.
the effects, imho, are not positive.
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24
Just when I thought it was over I get a phone call
by label licker inone of the families in the hall called me last night and let another piece of the puzzle out.
apparently there was another family that we don't even know who had gotton a phone call from these jerk off elders down here questioning them about us and what they knew.
(anything negative).
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nugget
This is like the Salem Witch trials where a small number of people revel in their authority and use it to abuse others. They move from one victim to another and like a dog with a bone they will not give up until they get what they want.
The fact that the JC was unsuccessful does not mean that they won't keep harassing others in an attempt to get what they want.
You either have to accept that this is not a level playing field and fight the inevitable causing you stress and anguish or walk away show them how irrelevent they are to you and your life. These men live in a small world where they are able to bully other people and puff themselves up because the organisation enables them to do so. They have an inflated view of their own importance and are out of control like petty bullies in school. The biggest power you have is to demonstrate that their opinion is of no interest to you, that they have no power over you. If they try to talk to you or invite you to a JC say no I have better things to do. If they threaten then advise them that this is now a legal matter and they should under no circumstances contact you or continue to harrass you or they may be financially liable for distress caused.
I still remember the stunned silence when the elder called me to tell me the outcome of my JC (which I didn't attend) He said I need to speak to you. My response was "No you don't" and I put the phone down. It was great taking back the power and control.
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37
Do You Think It Possible That A Member Of Governing Body Would Ever Commit Suicide Because Of The Pain From Cognitive Dissonance?
by frankiespeakin ini think as things get real tuff for the governing body that the build up of stress from dealing with a corporation founded on lies and manipulation of people that is comming to a head and all the lawsuits and possible criminal prosecution and the day today pressure of having all your decision back fire on you.. the final stage of wishful thinking is the nightmare stage where the whole delusion falls apart.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/wishful_thinking.
i'm thinking just like hitler killed himself rather than face life anymore, that some on the gb may reach that stage..
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nugget
You have to feel a level of empathy and remorse for all the suffering you cause. These people have a swinging brick instead of a heart they really don't care at all.
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73
Nov 2013 KM Question Box. Head coverings on Doorstep bible studies
by BroMac inshould a female publisher wear a headcovering if she is accompanied by a male publisher at a door step bible study?
when a female publisher conducts a regular ,scheduled bible study and a male kingdom publisher is present, she should wear a head covering.(1cor.
11:3-10)the july 15, 2002 issue of the watchtower, page 27, explains: this is a pre arranged session of teaching where the one conducting the study actually presides.
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nugget
Stupid, this is when a rule becomes ridiculous and self fulfilling. I have seen sisters put a tea towel on their head to say a prayer because a young brother was in attendance at a mid week meeting for field service. Does God really think that it is more respectful to say a prayer with a cleaning cloth, hanky or random piece cloth on your head?
I used to find this the most annoying rule even more annoying than the stand up or sit down for the National anthem.
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43
Has anyone else observed how the elderly JWs are neglected?
by Joepublisher1 ini know there are exceptions to this (by good-hearted jws), but has anyone else noticed how some jws (even those who are pios, elders, etc.
) neglect the needs of their elderly parents?
(what i have seen is some jws hiding behind the fact that they are very busy in spiritual matters, too busy, to help their elderly parents with chores around their house, yet they find plenty of time for their own selfish pursuits.
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nugget
One elderly sister was in hospital for an extended period and despite pleas from the platform she had few visitors. She was practically blind and was in a side room at the hospital. She had no company, couldn't watch telly and only saw nursing staff when they brought meals and did routine care. It was like being in prison. I was truly shocked when I visited and realised that this poor woman was spending days on her own with no entertainment and no company.
My mum is not attending meetings as she can barely make it from her bed to her day chair, she has no visitors although plenty of family to boss around.
Once someone is no longer fit and active they are put to one side and forgotten. Witnesses have so much pointless work to do they don't want to take on any additional responsibilities. People are not seen as people but as how spiritual they are and how much they contribute to the work etc. This is a religion that strips people of their humanity.
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Big JW Changes in The Netherlands (Holland)
by DeWandelaar innews reached me a couple of days ago of some big changes in the netherlands for jehovah's witnesses.
a letter from the branch office was read in all congregations so it can easily be verified by lurkers and faders who are still visiting the congregations.. big changes:.
- they are going to sell one of the two assembly halls.
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nugget
With all these sales of visible assets I am wondering whether this is a bid to liquidate assets and hide the money against future lawsuits as well as a cost cutting exercise.
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Question regarding Faith...(adamah)
by tec inpeace!.
you have stated (and others have agreed and stated the same) that faith is not based on evidence, or it is not faith to begin with.
may i ask you, then, if you think the apostles and early disciples, who walked with christ, had faith?
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nugget
If you believe the bible account then although the disciples had evidence of miracles and saw Jesus in the flesh they had to have faith that the things he had promised would come to pass. This would have been relevent especially when disciples were executed and christians persecuted.
Those thousands that died for their faith without heavenly visions had to have faith that their sacrifice meant something and was not just a waste of a life.
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111
Who is your favorite "Apostate"? Who helped you see the truth about "The Truth"?
by minimus ini would have to say that ray franz was the biggest influence for me.. when i first got on this board, a poster by the name of james, a former bethelite and organization heavy, helped me understand a lot of the inner workings in the upper echelons of the society.. .
and of course, farkel's common sense approach was (usually) helpful..
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nugget
Cantleave who started our exit, Ray Franz whose book lifted the scales from my eyes, this board who questioned my assumptions and therefore Simon without whom it would never have existed.
I would like to thank all the posters who encouraged us, supported us and took an interest in our exit.
The power of the ex jw community, it's support and warmth should never be under estimated.
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Am I wasting my time?
by mrhhome ini am the husband of an ex-jw.
she left when she was 18, because she was dating a non-jw.
they got married, and he began openly cheating on her.
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nugget
No you are not wasting your time. You supported your wife and showed support, that is never a waste. You did not allow JWs to spout self righteous nonsense they need to be challenged. You did not enable their bad behaviour.
Trust me whilst a JW I was challenged several times. I never forgot a single one of those conversations, I remembered the words and the passion and they stuck in a way positive encounters did not. Who knows what long term effect your words will have but be sure they have had an impact.
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I have been asked to submit work for next year's open studio exhibit
by nugget inmy husband showed some of my work to artists exhibiting in this years open studio event and i have been asked to submit work for next year.
as soon as the children go back to school i will be busy with the isograph pens.
as a witness i gave up my art studies and my dream of fine art because it was not appropriate for a witness.
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nugget
Thank you all for your encouragement and offers of help. It makes me so glad to be free of the organisation that tries to quash all talent. The contrast is particularly great here were people have been truly supportive rather than jealous and petty.
Jgnut I have sent you my email I would love to see the photos.
Phizzy I did do a painting of Cantleave but I have no idea where it is now perhaps I will try again now he has a beard his face has more of the character I'm looking for.
Giordano I have checked out the website and the art there is both exciting and diverse. It looks very similar to the open studio approach over here. It is really great to know that others have made a career out of their art I am sure I can learn a lot from your experience. I will certainly be coming to you with questions just as soon as I know what to ask.