Posts by Muddy Waters

43

It amazes me...

by punkofnice in

..to think about how the congregations actually function....even down to the individual level.. the biggest bully on the boe (or his wife), controls the show.. ones within the congregation are treated like they're dirt and still they return.

stockholm syndrome?.

i've heard ones say that 'jehovah(tm) will sort it all out.

Muddy Waters

Years ago, when I was a single sister with kids (among the lowest of the low in congregation rank), I remember going up to an elder's wife after the meeting to talk to her. I was all friendly, smiling, hello - how are you - and she POINTED* at me and said in this rude, commanding tone: "IT'S YOUR TURN TO CLEAN THE HALL TONIGHT!! Check the board, it's your book study's turn!"

There was no hello, no how are you, just this finger pointed at me and a command.

I knew then that I could never be friends with her. It was so disheartening, I never forgot the way that made me feel.

...

* ... and when I say she "pointed" her finger at me, I don't mean she just stuck her finger out slightly, it was a full, stick your arm out as far as you can, don't get any closer, invasion of the body snatchers, type of pointing at me. Most disconcerting.

14

My Bethel Experience part 15 Health, Dismemberment, Death (natural and unnatural) murder.

by new boy in

jw
friends

this is the fun one......... .

health, dismemberment, death (natural and unnatural) murder and suicide..

the people at bethel were killing us spiritually.......and sometimes they killed us physically too..

Muddy Waters

"There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed...." (from whatever scripture)

THANK YOU so much for these stories... it is fascinating to see "behind the veil" into the "most holy of holies" (God's house). uh huh.

Simon, maybe we need a new category for the forum, for Bethel experiences...? These are so eye opening and fascinating, not to mention sad, sad, sad beyond reason.

13

A cracking good JC! This is how it's done, folks.

by Island Man in

in this jc the couple accused of apostasy, lay down some inconvenient and incontestable truths about the organization's teachings that leave the elders speechless - as far as them mustering any efforts to refute them.

oh and by the way, do you remember what geoffrey jackson said at the australian royal commission when he was asked about an inactive jw being called to account if the elders stopped by and find him celebrating the holiday?

don't worry if you've forgotten because the couple mentions it to the elders, you know, seeing as it's the very same reason why they're being accused of apostasy, thus proving geoffrey jackson's statements to be false!.

Muddy Waters

I like how the brother stood up to the elders and firmly told them NOT to do anything that would threaten his family relationships.

I think by that point the elders were wishing they'd never started that judicial committee. I sure hope they just leave him and his wife alone.

9

i cant wait for the new system

by stan livedeath in

Muddy Waters

Are they appealing to vanity now? if so, that proverb sure fits - "... All is vanity and a striving after the wind..."

9

i cant wait for the new system

by stan livedeath in

Muddy Waters

Amazing how fast her hair can grow in a month, only to chop it all off a couple months later. Probably hard to find a good shampoo & conditioner in the new system.

32

The disappointed look on a Jehovah's Witness face - that you're living a good and fulfilling life

by jambon1 in

jw
friends

another thread got me thinking of this issue.

i don't think you'll ever come across a set of people with such a skewed and twisted outlook on life.. my memory serves me well when i recall a sort of blood lusting excitement over things like the 9/11 atrocities.

in fact i remember jw's describing the event as 'sad but exciting.

Muddy Waters

You're absolutely right, jambon. All the wars and tragedies are "evidence" that these are the last days.

The first thing JWs ask if there is a disaster or earthquake, flood, etc., is: "Were any JWs hurt or affected?" as if JWs are the only people who matter. All other people are worldly, destined for destruction anyway, and all the better for them if they die now, on "this" side of Armageddon. So JWs are supposed to feel relieved, even happy, at large losses of human life - it means those people will get a chance to live forever, to be resurrected after Armageddon.

I never realized, as a JW, just how skewed and messed up is this mental reasoning or viewpoint -- it makes one have no compassion for humanity or suffering. They erect such a wall between "them and us" - cruel stuff indeed.

...

And you are so right about their interrogations, they have to know your "spiritual status", they will probe to see how much you are one of them or not.

10

Dam it, I missed it!

by DwainBowman in

i missed the jw, history making, all new mid week meeting!

and i am just so torn up over it, i've had a few drinks to drown my deep sorrow in, missing such a once in a lifetime event!.

oh how can i ever get over, such a lost opportunity like that, just don't know if i'll never get over it!.

Muddy Waters

Don't fret yourself too much... There will be another meeting next week... ;)

9

Escape From Paradise - One year anniversary - Thanks everyone!

by Brock Talon in

today marks the 1 year anniversary of the release of my second book, "escape from paradise".

i wanted to take the time to thank everyone here who was supportive of this book and for all the great feedback i received on it.

you guys rock.. of course, not all the feedback was pleasant.

Muddy Waters

Brock, I am sorry you received such a ridiculous review. Sheesh. Some people.

I have both your books, and enjoyed your first book immensely. This second one triggers me like crazy, I have to keep putting it down because I just start crying and crying (despite my user name, I am female, but that's not to say that men don't get emotional too!)

I recently lost my mother, and it has been so difficult for me to come to terms with the way I treated her when I was such a JW idiot (My mom was never a JW, I converted when I was 20, which is over 30 years ago! I finally woke up within the last few years.)

Anyhoo. I do want to finish your book, but it brings up so much personal pain, regret, and sorrow for me..... Your book is raw, it hurts.... It is very well written, but my heart resonates with your words so much, in fact here I am starting to lose it all over again. Gah. Time to have a walk or a shower.

I aim to write you a wonderful review when I can. 💕

91

Is the Watchtower organisation facing the biggest crisis of its history?

by slimboyfat in

recent developments make me think they might be.

the problems they are facing are not just lack of funds but also draining authority, and the two could be a heady and explosive mix.

one of the best analyses ever written of the watchtower was a book called "trumpet of prophecy" by sociologist james beckford in the 1970s.

Muddy Waters

SBF, I agree. All the crazy changes and now being able to peer at the men behind the curtain, are mind boggling.

Changes in the organization have been happening so fast, so furious, so rapidly, so crazily, that I think the GB wants the rank and file to be breathless with all this "activity"! The GB are hoping the rank and file will think, "wow! Jehovah must be speeding up the work! Look how everything is happening and changing so fast! Light is "flashing forth" at breakneck speed! Jehovah's day must certainly be coming soon!"

But, as you say, the GB drastically seem to misunderstand people. They have no clue how to really lead and motivate people. They know only fear, guilt, pressure, do more.... They do not see that their flock, rather than being energized (well, maybe there are some), are confused.

...

All these changes:

- a website !

- broadcasting studio

- Witnessing Carts

- allowance of Blood fractions

- a New Bible

- Worldly music & dancing allowed in KHs

- Letters from the GB or branch people signed, "Best WISHES"

- new songs

- F&DS is now the GB

- a new meeting format (CLAM)

- new videos and screens at KHs

- new KH building directives and committees (LDC)

- closures (Branches)

- layoffs (at Bethels)

- reduction in magazines in format & frequency

- boring new light that only elevates the GB & other leaders over and over again, (dukes, Kings, some other new light thing with a fancy long name, starts with an "A" - sorry, memory failing me)

- special talks featuring GB members who rant (tight pants) rather than encourage

- not to mention all the things you said!

...

oh my gosh. It is head spinning.

But I feel like the flock are not impressed, but are stressed and confused. Too many changes, too much weirdness, too many things allowed now that were terrible, evil things before (iPads, Internet, televangelists, dancing and playing worldly music at Kingdom Halls), conventions being opportunities now to sight-see and "have the time of your life!", blood fractions, national flags allowed to be displayed at KHs if the law demands it (Chile), membership with the UN was okay (because it was for a "library card", uh huh), mounting media reports of child sexual abuse cases....

How the heck can this thing stand? It's foundations are crumbling, support is drying up, people are confused, nobody is talking (yet), but some people are looking around and wondering what the heck is going on.....

6

Jehovah’s Witnesses rebuked by Royal Commission

by Watchtower-Free in

http://royalcommission.com.au/pells-appearance-postponed-jehovahs-witnesses-rebuked/.

Muddy Waters

Nice. I like how th article says Mr. Angus Stewart made 77 negative findings against Jehovahs Witnesses and their policies and practices.

And I LOVE the number 77!!! Heh. Remember when the Jdubs were so big on numbers and their meanings (such as 6 being imperfection, 12 the best number for organizational didoes); the number "7" represented perfection, ha. (7 was heavenly perfection and 10 was earthly perfection, or vice versa.)

And the Royal Commision even repeated it (for emphasis?) lol.

Given the Royal Commision's diligence, intelligence, and extraordinary research abilities and understanding of the JW religion, wouldn't it be neat if Mr.Stewart chose that number on purpose? But it could just be a cool fluke or coincidence. My imagination could be working way overtime. :D

(And not that I believe any of the WT's shit anymore, but this 77 number is really amusing for me!)

(... can you also tell that I was a very diligent student of WT crap once upon a time?)