the organization transforms quickly into a multimedia self-help feel good religion.
i am very allergic to it.
can not hide it either.
I have been out for 6 years or so, there has been lots of changes, but I can't imagine that JWs walk away from a meeting or assembly with a "feel good" buzz, rather than the normal fear, obligation, and guilt over not doing more.
But it certainly seems to be focusing on the JW lifestyle over the illusion of doctrinal depth like it used to.
i regular pioneered for 2 years and never have actually converted anyone through the door to door work, in fact, i only knew a few individuals that joined this way.
most were born-in or at least had some type of family influence.
i had several bible studies but they all got cold feet when things got serious and potential baptism was discussed.
In the 70's and 80's, I remember people coming in via door-to-door.In my life, I had two Bible studies with people I met door-to-door, but they didn't come in. Over the years, I often thought it was my fault for not having studies and for them not coming into "the truth'. But it was a common struggle for all JWs.
Today, in this Internet age, I believe it is very, very rare.
But it does happen sometimes. A tragedy, moving to a new area, a life change leaves people open. Then some friendly people come by and gives them attention. Perhaps they are predisposed to learning something about the Bible and the JW message seems to make sense. They fail to google.
this is the first of a multi-part article that tells my story, and how ajwrb got started.. https://www.openmindsfoundation.org/saving-thousand-lives-year-reform-watchtowers-policy-blood-transfusions-part-one/.
Lee:
I found that very interesting! Great work throughout the years.
I believe as a JW, I accidentally stumbled upon an internet forum years ago where there was a "Liberal Elder" posting. I remember on that forum, a pioneer posted that she discovered 607 was wrong, and she asked something like 'what now?' I believe you may have said something, I don't remember. I quickly turned away, believing that it was a trick, an apostate posing as a pioneer.
article from the above news paper... .
http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/hull-jehovahs-witnesses-speak-out-444185.
maybe boe in north east england having an attack of zealous fervour!
“You used to be disfellowshipped for only very serious breaches, such as committing a crime, but now it seems to be simply for asking questions.”
They've allot to learn about the history of this organization! It's always been that way.
just wondering how many are assisted to wake up after experiencing harsh treatment from "the loving shepherds of the congregation"?.
perhaps some were starting to wake up, and such behaviour or treatment gave them the push to leave?.
as jesus supposedly said "come to me all who are toiling and loaded down, and i will refresh you.
The elders definitely helped show me the monstrous heart of the organization. Of course, elders are at their most harsh often when they are doing things "by the book" as "Mother" directs. The organization overrides the humanity of these men.
In the end though, what it boiled down to was it simply not "the Truth". Had I believed it was the Truth or I merely had doubts, most likely I would have eventually returned. But research destroyed any doubts and replaced it with certainty. I'm not sure if I would have eventually started real research had it not been for the harshness of elders.
september 6th, 2017: a just released research survey shows once again that jehovah's witnesses are among the least educated people in the united states: .
america’s changing religious identity.
it is also interesting to note how jws rank in the categories of: income, insurance coverage and homeownership.
I remember when JWs would get neuron and neutron mixed up. Or organism and orgasm.
september 6th, 2017: a just released research survey shows once again that jehovah's witnesses are among the least educated people in the united states: .
america’s changing religious identity.
it is also interesting to note how jws rank in the categories of: income, insurance coverage and homeownership.
And if they didn't break things down by ethnicity/religion, they would find JWs the least least educated of them all.
i was looking at the footnote in the 3rd ed.
of weymouth's nt (1912) on an unrelated topic and i happened on the phrase "the passing away of the present system of things" (p. 659 n. 2).
when i was in, i remember reading that the nwt "committee" (= f. franz) came up with that "system of things" rendering of the greek aion from john parkhurst's very old lexicon.
"System of things" is another example of weird, convoluted cult lingo. I didn't realize it had an earlier origin.
I hear Freddie could get fixated on certain things sometimes.
just thought i'd start a thread about favourite movies.
mine, in no particular order, are .... alien - a great visual film.
the chest-bursting scene is still great to watch, no matter how many times i've seen the movie.
I loved Sixth Sense. But then I loved Signs. I thought the Village wasn't bad.
But Lady in the Water is one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Shylaman lost me after that.
just thought i'd start a thread about favourite movies.
mine, in no particular order, are .... alien - a great visual film.
the chest-bursting scene is still great to watch, no matter how many times i've seen the movie.
The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug (I'm excluding the Battle of the Five Armies)
Spider-man 1 & 2 (not 3!)
Batman Begins, the Dark Knight, the Dark Knight Rises
The Avengers
The Winter Soldier
Star Trek: First Contact
Unbreakable
The Prestige
Sphere
