the truth is that jehovah's witnesses purposely try to insulate their own members.
they want their own to be "no part of the world".
they do not sanction unnecessary association with "worldly people".
I've heard that the definition of a cult is a group that follows a charismatic man.
I feel it is unlikely the WTS would be where it is today without all those years under Rutherford's controlling influence. Love him or hate him, he certainly had a charismatic appeal to his followers who continue being loyal to his teachings. 'New Light' only happens when one of his original teachings becomes obsolete and therefore has to be changed.
That's my feelings on the matter anyway
while at a gas station, i saw an acquaintance from my jw days.
i spoke to him first and he responded.
we had a little small talk.
Great post purpleplus!
I can really relate to how you must feel after handling that encounter with an ex JW acquaintance so confidently and pleasantly. Your post has really inspired me.
Pre internet days, I used to get totally tongue tied whenever I encountered a JW who would start quizzing me with canned questioning designed to make me feel ashamed and upset and I would quickly change the subject to deflect any further questioning. However, since being on this site and reading the experiences of other ex dubs, and realising I have nothing to be ashamed or guilty about, things have changed and I have gained so much confidence.
Me and hubby will be seeing some JW relatives later today, who we meet up with about once a year, and if they start asking questions I am actually looking forward to the chance to talk honestly and factually and without shame, about why we left and will never be going back.
Thanks purpleplus and everyone else on JW.Net for helping to inspire such confidence in me
for me, it's the waste of precious time and being lied to.. stupid time consuming things to do that are utterly worthless!
and on top of that being told that you were going to live forever on paradise if you followed their decrees..
There are too many, all equally as bad as each other depending on the time period that I lived through, but here are the ones that are at the forefront of my mind at this moment:
1. Upon joining at the age of 14, having my lovely, close, non JW relatives and friends replaced with a new 'family', and from then on having my friends chosen for me among the most 'spiritual' members of the congregation, most of whom I had nothing in common with.
2. Being deprived of a career.
3. The shock of becoming concious after reading a collection of Russell and Rutherford's books full of 'old light' and having to keep quiet for fear of being disfellowshipped.
4. Depriving our children of a normal early childhood. Thank goodness we left while there was still time for them to enjoy a few childhood years away from the influence of the WTS.
5. The frustration of not being able to talk openly to my JW relatives about the truth about the 'Truth'. Whenever I attempt to do so, their eyes usually glaze over and I know it is not worth the risk of being shunned by them.
it's clear that virtually everyone on here is infuriated by wt teachings/doctrines/practices, but i would really like to know what is of most concern to people who frequent this forum.. here is my top 5, number 1 being the most significant/infuriating:.
the disfellowshipping practice - expanded to include family members (but not parents) who are old enough to leave home.
wrecks families and creates abject fear once people find out the truth about the organization.the blood issue - another unmerciful teaching, but one that costs lives.unquestioned authority of governing body - a handful of men make life-altering decisions as representatives of a larger group of people who they never see or speak to, and yet they demand unquestioning obedience on pain of being disfellowshipped.failed prophecy - the fulfilment of huge swathes of bible prophecy, including revelation, has been attributed to the events of the early 20th century, and the actions of a small group of men.two-tier christianity - faithful and discreet slave are anointed who go to heaven to whom ransom provisions apply directly, whereas remainder, or "great crowd" stay on earth and form a sub-class, only access benefits of ransom through fds.i realise that many of these issues are inter-related, but that's roughly how i would put them.
1) We are god's sole channel
Get rid of that one and there isn't a next four.
Oh Black Sheep, that is so true! If only!!!!!
it's clear that virtually everyone on here is infuriated by wt teachings/doctrines/practices, but i would really like to know what is of most concern to people who frequent this forum.. here is my top 5, number 1 being the most significant/infuriating:.
the disfellowshipping practice - expanded to include family members (but not parents) who are old enough to leave home.
wrecks families and creates abject fear once people find out the truth about the organization.the blood issue - another unmerciful teaching, but one that costs lives.unquestioned authority of governing body - a handful of men make life-altering decisions as representatives of a larger group of people who they never see or speak to, and yet they demand unquestioning obedience on pain of being disfellowshipped.failed prophecy - the fulfilment of huge swathes of bible prophecy, including revelation, has been attributed to the events of the early 20th century, and the actions of a small group of men.two-tier christianity - faithful and discreet slave are anointed who go to heaven to whom ransom provisions apply directly, whereas remainder, or "great crowd" stay on earth and form a sub-class, only access benefits of ransom through fds.i realise that many of these issues are inter-related, but that's roughly how i would put them.
You are welcome cedars .
This is a very interesting topic and I am intrigued to know what other ex dubs found most irritating during their time 'inside'.
it's clear that virtually everyone on here is infuriated by wt teachings/doctrines/practices, but i would really like to know what is of most concern to people who frequent this forum.. here is my top 5, number 1 being the most significant/infuriating:.
the disfellowshipping practice - expanded to include family members (but not parents) who are old enough to leave home.
wrecks families and creates abject fear once people find out the truth about the organization.the blood issue - another unmerciful teaching, but one that costs lives.unquestioned authority of governing body - a handful of men make life-altering decisions as representatives of a larger group of people who they never see or speak to, and yet they demand unquestioning obedience on pain of being disfellowshipped.failed prophecy - the fulfilment of huge swathes of bible prophecy, including revelation, has been attributed to the events of the early 20th century, and the actions of a small group of men.two-tier christianity - faithful and discreet slave are anointed who go to heaven to whom ransom provisions apply directly, whereas remainder, or "great crowd" stay on earth and form a sub-class, only access benefits of ransom through fds.i realise that many of these issues are inter-related, but that's roughly how i would put them.
My personal top 5 from when I was a dub:
1. Disfellowshipping and shunning
2. The blood issue
3. Not being allowed to celebrate anything involving tinsel or cup cakes.
4. All females being treated as second class, inferior citizens in subjection to all males, regardless of their maturity, life experience, ability or intellect.
5. All males being encouraged to devote their young lives reaching out for 'privileges' that would lead to them becoming Elders in their mid 20s and ruling shepherding the congregation, regardless of any possible lack of maturity, life experience, ability, or intellect.
pic of me.
the picture is way recent.
from the last two weeks.
I agree with mouthy. Don't let that comment from your bf knock your confidence, he is probably worried about the effect you will have on other men who see you wearing a dress like that.
i called into a tip shop today and noticed amongst a pile of books an old jw publication - "things in which it is impossible for god to lie" (or something like that).
does the title mean that there are things in which it is possible for god to lie?.
anyhow, i chucked the book back on the pile, but my mind starting ticking over as to some possible alternate titles for some jw books from the past.. so here goes.
Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work (to the Watchtower's Advantage)
hi everyone, first i just want to say if it wasn't this forum, i'd be baptized!
i haven't managed to successfully end my studies with a zealous jw.
she uses everything against me to brainwash me into believing i need the org.
It has all been said, but I will add my own voice and agree you HAVE to stand your ground and say firmly but politely "Thanks but I won't be coming".
I spent 25 years being ordered around and having my life completely taken over by JWs, being too polite to say no in case I hurt their feelings or got into trouble for falling short of the mark. During my single years my health suffered greatly as a consequence but no-one seemed to notice, or care, how much I was struggling just as long as I was out pioneering, attending meetings and convensions and doing whatever I was expected to do. It helped when I got married and my husband stuck up for me when I was poorly.
Believe me, the only person being hurt here is you, and from personal experience my advice is to get out now while you can, and don't look back.
Good luck
this morning on my way to the office i decided to stop at the gas station to get some coffee.... as i am pulling into the parking space i see this woman w a haircut from the 80's the typical below the knee skirt and long sleeve shirt (is a 105 degrees over here in the shadow).... i immediatly knew she was a jw... she had the latest wt in her hands..... she skipped me and approached a group of young mexican laborers that were resting in the back of a truck... but... as soon as i walked out of the gas station... guess who was waiting for me???
the jw!!!
she wanted to do a presentation.. i looked at her and w/o saying a word i started laughing so hard the guys in the truck started laughing as well... she just looked at me and still kept trying to push her literatrash!!
I agree with freetosee. As I was once a humble JW sister, wearing the 'modest' clothes befitting a woman on the ministry as was required by HQ, I felt mortified when I read this: i looked at her and w/o saying a word i started laughing so hard the guys in the truck started laughing as well... .
Without being there and seeing what happened, I don't know exactly what you were laughing at but I sincerely hope you did not humiliate her.
If it had been a couple of guys you were laughing at, especially elders who often think they are above everyone else anyway, I might have joined in the mirth thinking they could take it on the chin, but please remember that many JW women lack self esteem and already feel like second class citizens due to the way the Society treats them, and for a bunch of men to openly laugh at her in public might have been enough to push her over the edge.
I can understand why you did it, but at the risk of being a kill joy please think carefully before doing this again. Thank you
