Thanks for highlighting these points LWT. They give me a lot to think about.
I'm glad to say that with some of these things I've made some progress....and have cut way back on the JW fear factor.
CoC
early in the exit process, it's very important to begin overcoming irrational fears.
fear of the devil.
fear of god.
Thanks for highlighting these points LWT. They give me a lot to think about.
I'm glad to say that with some of these things I've made some progress....and have cut way back on the JW fear factor.
CoC
i'm sure i'm the very last person to notice the day shift / night shift groups of posters but i kinda think it's funny when i pop in on an evening and discover posters i've never seen, but who have 10,000 posts.. that's all.
carry on.
situation "normal".. edit: hi, night crew, i'm on the day crew, btw..
LOL This is a funny and true thread.
While I do have a key window of time to post or be on here, I'm like finallysomepride . When I get the chance, I take it. Work, home, the toilet...... Well, you get it.
CoC
so i ran across this statement today in doing some research:.
take, for instance, the stories and legends regarding the origin of man.
although details vary, the belief that man was made from the dust of the earth is widespread.
Awesome find!! Thanks. Me likey very muchy!
Marked for future.
CoC
http://www.watchtower21.org/2011/02/danger-of-naive-and-credulous-research.html.
it's been my experience so far, that anything a person wants to find out about jehovahs witnesses, they can find out from jehovahs witnesses.
any and all information ever published by jehovah witnesses is accessible to all.
So Spade - are you WILLFULLY sinning by posting on this site, or does that not apply to you, most holy one?
Also you said JWs are not your typical cult. Does that mean you are admitting to them being a cult, though not typical? WOW!! We established a common ground. Let's build on it.
And one more thing - very important - YOU SMELL LIKE FISH! (Childish I know. But I can't resist the name calling!) Carry on!
CoC
i ask this question in harmony with deedub's swan song thread which i linked below.. http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/members/private/205902/1/time-to-say-good-bye.
to some degree, i think i understand where she's coming from.
just speaking from my own experiences since stepping into the world of anonymous apostacy, i went through a few different phases of personal outlooks.
A thread that certainly gets you thinking. Thanks MLE.
I find it sad how we as JW's have been taught that we don't attend the meetings or are part of the org for people, but rather for Jehovah. That can be a serious mind game if you truly believe it. "Let me endure because it's for Jehovah" is a thought built on nonsense. And yet how many times has it been repeated?
Misery, I read your posts and I wish I knew you personally. I find myself at times thinking that way, though not so often. If you still believed what apostates said was false, this would be an easy decision. But when you have seen the REAL proof, well therein lies the challenge.
I can honestly say that if I didn't have "pressure to perform", there is a good possibility I could stick around for the long haul. I'm very laid back and have always been well liked by people. That drew me to continue moving ahead, or up, or whatever. And I tolerated much because it didn't really bother me. I love people and to be around them and being a witness gives you that opportunity regularly. But that's just not a good enough reason to "adjust" my thinking. I've done it for too many years because of that 'making your mind over' scripture.
And then came the day when those gnawing thoughts couldn't be ignored. Do I want to live a lie? No I don't. As painful as it may seem to leave 7.5 million people behind, you have to remember that there are billions of others to meet.
My beef is not with my current congregation or my last. It's with this authority figure that's claims to be God's channel. And unfortunately, trying to continue being a JW and adjusting my thinking only continually exposes others, as well as myself, to their twisted thoughts.
So at this point and with what I know and feel, NO, there is no adjustment, ON MY PART. It's their turn.
CoC
boy am i tired of hearing this one.
yes folks, i heard it at the meeting this week...again.
the sm included a local needs part and this was the subject - family worship night.. apparently, regarding fwn, that time was never, nor now is, ours.
@ alias - It's so sad yet your prediction, as crazy as it may sound, definitely seems plausible.
If there is no Biblical backing to reporting field service time, then there certainly won't be any needed for reporting FWN hours!
CoC
no you did not read the title wrong.
i was out to eat this weekend with two bethelites.
one gave a talk in my hall and i was invited out to dinner with them by another family in my hall.. as the conversation always turns to "spiritual" things, the subject of education was brought up.
@ LV101 - Addressing your first comment, that's the way the Bethelite I spoke to said it. The brothers whose education was paid for were committed to staying at Bethel, otherwise known as faithful brothers, and so the society took that step.
Still hypocritical!! Gotta love it!
CoC
no you did not read the title wrong.
i was out to eat this weekend with two bethelites.
one gave a talk in my hall and i was invited out to dinner with them by another family in my hall.. as the conversation always turns to "spiritual" things, the subject of education was brought up.
@ LongHairGal - You are absolutely right. I shouldn't be surprised. I guess I still have it in my mind that when a group puts themselves on such a high pedestal, and for so long, anything shocking should provide a positive feeling. But what I continue learning, that is truthful, has all been negative.
And yet they continue to say that apostates only say twisted things. But the org are the ones hiding the truth or trying to keep things on the hush. That's what in reality is twisted!
CoC
do you vacillate between caring that he/she is still entrapped in this cult and wanting to show them everything you have learned since your awakening and not wanting to rock the boat and therefore just keeping all this knowledge to yourself?
i wonder if it is normal to go back and forth like i do.
one day i want to tell my husband something i may have read here or on another forum and maybe, just maybe i will pique his interest.
I can describe my experience in some ways to stuckinamovement .
While my wife claims she has not outright called me an apostate, she says listening to me is like listening to an apostate speak. You do the math. Despite referring to things DIRECTLY from the Watchtower, I sound like an apostate.
Frustrating to say the least. It's strange though because she has become more open-minded than in the past. We have had some excellent conversations at times AFTER she seemed to have processed what I said. She gives it thought and admits she agrees with what I have said.
I figured out that at times, without meaning to, I come on to strong with my feelings about the org. And that's probably why I have seen her pick up her studying habits more. After ruining two evenings on two different occasions becasue of my expressions, I have decided to no longer discuss these things with her for a little while. We do Bible reading together, and as far as that goes, I told her I will no longer discuss what we read. I will just read so as to not start any "spiritual" conflicts. She's fine with that.
I feel I have a great marriage. In the long run, while I want to help her, I am more concerned with being honest with myself. And that is going to involve some hard decisions, like no more meetings. The battle in your head gets worse, IMO, when you hear the things at the hall and yet know the truth.
Hang in there Had To Go . There is always hope.
CoC
no you did not read the title wrong.
i was out to eat this weekend with two bethelites.
one gave a talk in my hall and i was invited out to dinner with them by another family in my hall.. as the conversation always turns to "spiritual" things, the subject of education was brought up.
This is excellent! I really appreciate everyones knowledge on this subject.
And especially Barbara, it is an honor to have you share in this thread. A proven reputable source.
Also thanks to jwfacts for the FACTS that you provide. Keep them coming! I am amazed I never new this when I was at Bethel, and if I did, it went right over my head.
CoC