Posts by Muddy Waters

15

June 29, 2017 TO ALL CONGREGATIONS Re: Branch Relocation - Newsletter (UK)

by wifibandit in

june 29, 2017 to all congregations re: branch relocation - newsletter.

britain branch relocation - newsletter ed.5 summer 2017. .

.

Muddy Waters

Wow... Thank you again. How can the "brothers" read this crap out loud at the meeting and keep a straight face? It sounds so over the top now.

8

May 24, 2017 TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS Re: Donations to “Jehovah’s Witnesses of India” by Indian Passport Holders

by wifibandit in

may 24, 2017 to all bodies of elders re: donations to “jehovah’s witnesses of india” by indian passport holders.

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Do WT Publications Make Us Feel Unworthy, Unlovable and Helpless?

by jp1692 in

it is my contention that the wtbts, (as do all high-control, authoritarian cults), deliberately cultivates dysfunctional beliefs among its members.

in particular, the most destructive of these beliefs are those that undermine one's feelings of self-worth.

for a research project i am doing, i am looking for direct quotes from wt publications that seem to be specifically designed to manipulate the readers into feeling: unworthy, unlovable, inadequate and/or helpless.

Muddy Waters

You may want to also search the publications for the word, "behooves ".... as in, "... it behooves us to..." or "... should we not feel behooved to..." etc.

I look forward to seeing or hearing more about your research project.

36

Please tell me: what is a relationship with the "person" Jehovah like?

by Maryo in

does anyone out there know of any jws that have talked about what their personal relationship with jehovah was like?

for example, hearing his voice, a certain feeling?

an intellectual understanding?

Muddy Waters

Hahaha, what a great question! Yes, I remember hearing about "the Person of Jehovah" as well as the great Jehovah being a "manly person of war.." !! -- LOL

And my "relationship" with this "person"...? Well, thinking back to my totally intense, hoodwinked, full-of-the-koolaid JW self once upon a time, I suppose you could liken it to an adult having a really good friendship or relationship with Santa Clause.

Like, he was "always there" (in my imagination), looming above... Looking down to make sure I was being Good and not Bad...

Worse, I imagined I could FEEL his presence, this mighty, silent, powerful God, the Grand Creator, surrounded by all his angels (and Jesus too, somewhere in the shadows, waiting patiently for his turn) and I imagined that every time I did a bad thing or made a mistake, that Jehovah would sadly turn his face away from me....

But when I did good things (determined by WT just exactly what those "good things" entailed), I imagined the great Jah smiling down at me, his angles happy too, all was like a big happy bubble...

I remember feeling so damn smug some days, when I was doing "all the right things" and thus making Jehovah "happy" .... and every now and again feeling troubled at my smugness, wondering why I felt like that pompous man described in the bible who prayed that he was so thankful not to be like those terrible sinners all around him.

Dare I even say that I sometimes had "demon" trouble and would pray out loud to Jehovah and my goodness, the demons would flee away ... Oh boy.

I think I either had a really active imagination, or stress-induced night terrors, or I actually did lose my mind while being a totally indoctrinated dubbie.

17

My Current Views About God, Relgion, JWs and Life In General

by pale.emperor in

this past year has been the most life changing year anyone could ever go through.

waking up, leaving the cult, separating from my wife, research, research, research, reading, pondering etc.

and i've found myself having to re-learn and re-evaluate everything i thought i knew.

Muddy Waters

PaleEmperor, nicely expressed! I have come to about the same conclusions as you.

It frustrates me now to hear people say, "I'll pray for you" or "sending prayers!" or some such, because it feels like a cop-out... where is the PRACTICAL, physical help or advice..?? Telling people who are in need or distress to wait on God to help them feels like they are being told to wait for a magic fairy or Santa Claus to do something ...

26

My Anointed Grandma’s Wavering Faith?

by My Name is of No Consequence in

some quick background information: my dad (her firstborn son) died unexpectedly this past october.

his death has really hit our family hard.

personally, i have not totally come to terms with this.

Muddy Waters

I don't know.... Coming to know TTATT when in one's 90's would be pretty harsh... Is a hard call. You almost wish she could still have her dreams and faith intact, but the Org has changed everything so much... I wish her peace, and you as well.

I lost my mom nearly two years ago, and it is still very painful for me to deal with... Walk gently....

44

New letter about Circuit Conventions accounting procedures

by Hecce in

i hope that one of the friends will post the letter soon.

i heard that on 3/27/2017 a letter with new instructions about the accounts at the circuit conventions was released.

the letter seems to adopt many of the corrections that had been suggested here at the forum, among other things during the accounts report they will be no mention of the per capita and the amount due is going to be released only to the elders.

Muddy Waters

Thank you for the definition of per capita...

Truly, Jehovah's grand theocratic arrangement is being ~~blessed~~ dissed by all these "unrighteous riches...!"

34

Did you have a favorite pub . . .

by compound complex in

jw
friends

publication, that is?.

i just found all scripture is inspired of god and beneficial in storage.

i enjoyed studying it, as well as make sure of all things, hold fast to what is fine.. our thinking has changed, of course, but, back then, did you have a wt publication you especially liked?.

Muddy Waters

I liked "What has Religion Done for Mankind?", the "Creation" book, the "Live Forever" (red study) book, the "Happiness" book, and the little pink "Greatest Teacher" book.

44

New letter about Circuit Conventions accounting procedures

by Hecce in

i hope that one of the friends will post the letter soon.

i heard that on 3/27/2017 a letter with new instructions about the accounts at the circuit conventions was released.

the letter seems to adopt many of the corrections that had been suggested here at the forum, among other things during the accounts report they will be no mention of the per capita and the amount due is going to be released only to the elders.

Muddy Waters

Pardon my ignorance, very embarrassing, but what does "per capita" mean..?

26

Russia and the letter writing

by Listener in

this is the whole of the instructions that the watchtower gave jws when writing to russian officials -.

content • you are writing to the official to request his intervention.

express the hope that the russian authorities will stop the legal action being taken against the branch office and the congregations in russia so that our brothers and sisters can continue to gather peacefully for christian meetings without interference.

Muddy Waters

Ha, I like this comment over there*, but wonder how long it will stay up:

"Putin should know " the truth", all of it -- the shunning rule which break up families; the disdain for higher education; the two-witness rule applying even in instances of child sexual abuse, as explained in their own (secret) elder's book; their extreme stance regarding blood transfusions which apply to little children as well; the way they contribute nothing to the physical well-being of their members or provide any real charity the way most people understand charity... I could go on."

* http://blog.ministryideaz.com/2017/03/russian-persecution-jehovahs-witnesses.html