Giordano

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Posts by Giordano

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  6

  Non harmful addictions, is there such a thing?

  by mamalove in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i say this to myself while consuming copious amounts of hot sauce.

  something i adore.

  what are you in love with so to speak, although it is not felt to be a harmful addiction?.

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  Giordano

  Reading and yes it's harmful.........it caused me to get out of the JW's. Best harm I ever experienced.
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  11

  The Next Change: What Are Publishers Worth?

  by metatron in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  once upon a time, i invested in an electronics company that increased its profits by over 200% by reducing its customer base!

  this counter-intuitive result came about because they realized that most of their revenue came from a few customers who needed more support.. fast forward to the watchtower: whether they admit it to themselves or not, change will come because they are piling up huge numbers of publishers that are almost useless.

  worse, they eat up published resources without contributing for them...... and they drag the organization down in multiple ways and create more problems.. they have a "growing" problem - with increasingly useless growth.

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  Giordano

  I think they are doing it. Closing branches and 'laying off' bethelites in other countries has started. They're printing empire is no longer financially successful thanks to tax laws and the threat of Gov. lawsuits.

  When they vacate Brooklyn they will get rid of a thousand or more bethelites.

  While they get ready to sell off a ton of expensive real estate, which will take time, they'll live off of donations as long as they can while their investments grow ......... think endowment fund. Hence the iron glove at the throat of the congregations. Fear works......... but they are pretty good at hiding the iron fist in a velvet glove.

  My guess is that have a twenty year plan in place maybe a little longer. Forget about Armageddon, I don't even think the society see's any light at the end of that self made tunnel.

  Here's what I think they know. They've peaked. Most of their growth probably comes from born-ins and 67% of born-ins leave.

  The old generation and a few more are dying, whose going to be left?

  The society is going 'Fordlandia'

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fordl%C3%A2ndia

  they are going to try and create the new world in upstate New York.....good luck with that.
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  13

  How do I get them to leave me alone?

  by Mr. Falcon in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  why does every ex-elder who went through so much turmoil while being an elder always whine to me about how much it sucked, yet when i mention that i don't want to be one, they suddenly get all nostalgic and tell me what a blessing it is to serve as an e-man?.

  elder.. period.. maybe i might have a change of heart one day if they actually require these men to have some sort of actual psychological/communication training or if they start handing out paychecks.

  but until then, i respectfully decline.. .

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  Giordano

  I am on a non profit board. Basically I believe in the work my group does (historic preservation) and I have made a number of broad 'friendships' the kind that make the service tolerable. But while I complain about the time consuming meetings and extra volunteer assignments (this is a working board) I still experience a level of satisfaction from the process. There is pride in what we've accomplished and when I step down in the near future I'd like to know that our new appointees will be able and capable people.

  To fill the slots most of the board actively looks for qualified candidates. Many of whom, like you, are not interested but who seem to appreciate that they were considered.

  Obviously you must give the right impression which leads me to a final thought, since you are on this forum remind me never to play poker with you!
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  44

  Did you ever find the meetings refreshing?

  by highdose in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i can remember one pompous elder asking me "how can you be depressed after sittiing through such a wonderful meeting?!!".

  i only ever felt relief at getting away, what about you?.

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  Giordano

  It gets really bad when you realize that most of what you are hearing and reading is not the truth......it's just another religion. The JW's have to be the most boring cult out there.

  IF you become a non believer and your stuck in for a while, trying to get your family out first etc. then the meetings makes your skin crawl.

  The worst thing; the time lost sitting there accomplishing nothing surrounded by people who can only relate to you as a dues paying JW.
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  141

  Is there a Logical explanation for the spooky things happening at my daughter, Ali's house?!?!!!!

  by coffee_black in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ok.... looking for some logical explainations.... my daughter, ali, who i've been posting about on the forum...who has developed congestive heart failure.... has had some spooky experiences lately in her house.

  here are a few of the things that happened:.

  about a month ago, ali and her son david, heard noises from the attic above ali's bedroom...that sounded like something was being dragged across the attic floor.

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  Giordano

  Oh sorry Dread I didn't realize that I was supposed to come up with a logical suggestion when did this become your thread? If you missed a couple of pages a number of people have already shared tangible, helpful and logical ways to proceed.

  If you missed it the thread became a debate by believers and nonbelievers in reguard to visible vs invisable forces. My bullpucky (thanks pal)comments were meant to add a little humor to the situation.

  Now you on the other hand have certainely offered helpful advice. Let's see.

  Step 1 - 6 ????????????????? nothing. That's kind of bullpucky too isn't it?
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  56

  Dexter

  by leavingwt in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  any fans?

  love it.

  can't get enough.. if you have never seen it, don't judge it by the commercials.

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  Giordano

  Misery he's the anti serial killer. He's the cure for what infects them.
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  141

  Is there a Logical explanation for the spooky things happening at my daughter, Ali's house?!?!!!!

  by coffee_black in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ok.... looking for some logical explainations.... my daughter, ali, who i've been posting about on the forum...who has developed congestive heart failure.... has had some spooky experiences lately in her house.

  here are a few of the things that happened:.

  about a month ago, ali and her son david, heard noises from the attic above ali's bedroom...that sounded like something was being dragged across the attic floor.

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  Giordano

  My toilet started screaming at me about a month ago, You flush it and it's refilling and everything is fine and then it starts screaming. I mean it sounds like it's being tortured (no cheap jokes please). It's a fluidmaster and I went online and it turns out there's a whole web site for screaming fluidmaster toilets. Who knew?

  We have hot water gas heat. There is an expansion when the heated water works through the cold pipes. Gentle pings also a sound like a gun shot. Chopping sounds like someone chopping down a tree. Chop chop......... chop. I am not amused.

  Footsteps on my stairs, I can hear them plain as can be.......no one there. It always happens when a landscape truck with a trailer in back slows down on my street. The trailer goes bump bump bump bump-bump. I still think there's something coming up my stairs. I doubt my shotgun will be sufficient.

  My wife invited a 'sensitive' to come over and check out the house. The sensitive said yep you've got ghosts, you can see them out of the corner of your eye. I thought I was seeing something out of the corner of my eye........ I'll be darn. Ghosts she said. Both corners of my eye I asked. No, she said, just the corner further away from your nose. Right I said. How much are we paying her I asked my wife.

  I said those floating black dots I see all of the time...... are those ghosts? Yes she said, how intelligent of you. On the rare occasion when those black dots come together you'll see an entire person. Have you seen that happen I asked. Not and lived to tell about it she said.

  What about the red dot in someone's eyes you see in a snapshot what's that about? That’s your good old demon procession she said But my camera has a red dot remover I said.

  That's why it has a red dot remover she said....... make sure you use it at all times. It's called a DDE, that stands for demon digital eraser. You can't sell a camera in Asia without having the DDE option on it.

  No kidding I said. No kidding she replied I never kid. I can believe that, I said.

  I need to leave now, she said, your house is freaking me out. I don't take checks.. .......cash please.

  I don't have any cash the ghosts always take it.

  Then a check will be fine she said.

  It's in the mail I said.
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  41

  Ostracism: anyone with legal background on this forum who could help?

  by Nick! in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here in europe, we have started different initiatives aiming at exposing publicly and legally the watchtower on the subject of ostracism, discrimination and shunning.. in the past we have seen different manifestations held in front of kingdom halls or branch offices on issues such as pedophilia and blood transfusions policies, and even, such as in france, against building of real-estates.

  now it seems that the issue of discrimination against disfellowshipped or dissociated people is gaining momentum.

  we have seen the large demonstrations in brazil, and maybe the lesser important ones elsewhere.

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  Giordano

  I wonder if treating shunning as a violation of ones civil rights might be one possible approach. That's the approach that is being used to try to legalize gay marriage (Let's not get side tracked on that debate.....thankyou).

  It seems it's one thing to ban or shun or excommunicate a member from the authority of the church/organization but isn't it another thing to compel a persons family to shun them on penalty of being shunned themselves? It is a religious belief for a few religions, but when the family is compelled to shun a family member isn't that also a form of intimidation? Are not many families coerced to shun because of the fear of being shunned themselves? Why isn't that a civil rights issue?

  Because the outcome of this form of shunning can be hideous in the extreme causing mental issues, potential suicide and physical health issues as one tries to deal with the loss of one's family isn't that the same result as being tortured? Torture is not allowed to be inflicted by any religion in this country no matter what the religion believes.

  The same issue with family members who feel that they must go along to keep their families intact, isn't that a form of captivity enforced by the shunning decree? Holding someone captive by vailed intimidation is also against the law. Many people stay in cults against their will because of a fear of consequences.

  The key here is to stop the society/congregation from mandating shunning by the DF DA person's family not the organization or non family members. To seperate the religious rights of a person from the right to make up one's own mind. One thing we all know the WT will cave if they are hit in the pocket book. And finding a way to attack this practice in court would have a profound affect on those held captive or subjected to this form of torture.

  As far as the law goes, the law does evolve and change. A Women's right to vote, Social security and Civil rights eventually became the Law of the land.
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  61

  Hello Everyone...Just Joined Today

  by DarioKehl in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've been reading this thread for some time and finally had the opportunity to create an account.

  i am anxious to meet you all and have a support group/active audience over the next crucial months and years following.

  background: long-time doubter, giving way to frustration and skepticism beginning about 10 years ago and finally to total admission that this is a cult and that atheism is the way to go.

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  Giordano

  Welcome Dario! I prefer to call myself a non believer. Though I love the way Eric Hoffer put it "The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not."

  Your project sounds interesting. I wonder if Jehovah's Witnesses who have left a religion to come into the 'truth' understand they are Apostates too.

  I agree with you that there is a need to be more helpful to those who have started to doubt and are trying to work out a life time of conditioning.

  It's amazing to realize that we have former Pioneers, MS, Elders, Bethelites etc. associated with this site. Many are very kind and loving people who try to be good mentors.

  Perhaps if there was a way to link those who are questioning with those who have made the journey with complete anonymity and in a more private and less confrontational setting it might be helpful.

  By now I am sure you've identified those kindred spirits on this site who might be worth contacting by the private message option. Some will make a good sounding board for your ideas.

  GIO
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  141

  Is there a Logical explanation for the spooky things happening at my daughter, Ali's house?!?!!!!

  by coffee_black in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ok.... looking for some logical explainations.... my daughter, ali, who i've been posting about on the forum...who has developed congestive heart failure.... has had some spooky experiences lately in her house.

  here are a few of the things that happened:.

  about a month ago, ali and her son david, heard noises from the attic above ali's bedroom...that sounded like something was being dragged across the attic floor.

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  Giordano

  The placing of a favorite dress carefully on a bed (while Mom is out of the room gathering up keys and purse) might be something a loving child would do with all good intentions thinking that it might be a cheery sight. However coming on the heels of the shoes in the attic situation and dealing with a stressful medical condition might have caused a reaction that confused or even scared the child. Guilt can create denial and silence.