Posts by UnshackleTheChains

16

To "A Believer" and other JW's that lurk or participate.

by goingthruthemotions in

you think that coming to this site or other anti-jw sites and showing you support for the org is noble.

knowing how brainwashed you are makes me cringe and disgustes me and i am sure others here on the forum.

becasue your in a cult and can't see it.

UnshackleTheChains

GTTE

Or the other perspective is - those of us who still attend meetings do so only for a number of reasons. The complexities of each person's life is a major factor. If I was a single man and had no family in, I would leave today. The problem is I have a lot of family who are witnesses. I also have a lot of friends in the organisation. My wife has witness friends up visiting on a weekly basis as she is very popular. I also have a belief in God, though I keep my personal beliefs private.Things become really awkward otherwise.

If I DA'd, the repercussions would be traumatic. It would also affect my health which I need to be careful about as would affect me very seriously.

Many on here may find themselves in similiar circumstances.So it's not all black and white for those of us still attending. I personally want to see the organisation reform and change its harmful policies. You can still be an activist whether in or out.

I understand where you are coming from in your op, but hope this explains my perspective.

46

Some apostates are coming across as crazed psychopaths

by jambon1 in

jw
friends

i'm not sure whether or not my view on this is correct so please leave your input.

in recent months i've been viewing youtube videos.

again, it might just be my view but there has been an increased amount of random people grabbing a camera and doing vlogs.

UnshackleTheChains

I binge on you tube videos frequently and have wholeheartedly agree with the OP. Some videos are plain crazy. Speaking to people at carts or outside kingdom halls in an aggressive fashion is completely counter productive imo.

Having a reasonable calm debate with witnesses mentioning facts is productive. Peaceful protests are reasonable. For example, I saw one ex jw on you tube outside an assembly peacefully walk up the other side of the street with a sign pointing to JW facts or the like. No shouting, no aggressiveness, yet so very effective.

As someone stuck in a situation in which I occasionally attend meetings, I still view the members of my Cong as friends. They are ordinary every day people who are 'lead' by a small group of controlling men in the US.

The average witness is generally a sincere God fearing person. It is the Societys policies that need to change.

It is understandable why so many are angry, but to bring about change, people need to see the facts. JW's aren't stupid. They do listen to reason. It is fear that causes cognitive dissonance. Many of us have been there.

Getting the message over in a calm, level headed peaceful manner whether through the media, blogs, peaceful protests etc is by far the most effective way to bring about change IMHO.

49

How do you categorise the Society - Cult or High control religion

by UnshackleTheChains in

i have often seen many categorise the organisation in different ways.

some say cult, some say high control religion.

cult or high control religion?.

UnshackleTheChains

Hi all,

I have often seen many categorise the Organisation in different ways. Some say cult, some say high control religion. Personally, I view the society/ Organisation as a high control religion. To me, a cult is somewhat more sinister.

I have no doubt that the majority of witnesses are normal honest people. It is a large Organisation with very intelligent individuals. Clearly not a crazy cult!

Many honest individuals like myself and many others 'decided' to become JW's. We made an intelligent decision on what we learned, leading us to become members. It was only over time , we woke up to TTATT realising the control, restrictiveness and intrusion into our lives.

For me Control was ALWAYS the issue. CONTROL- CONTROL-CONTROL.

It was this my sister spotted earlier on which prevented her getting baptized and attending meetings. How I wished I had 'her balls' to back off when I had the chance. Sadly, I now have a mother who outright told me that if I dissociated, she would have to remain loyal to Jehovah and shun me.

Clearly, it is a high control religion. A captive religion. Nothing more nothing less.

To me it is a religion led by a few old men. Controlling our lives from the good old US of A. That's it!

So what's your your perspective? Cult or High Control Religion?

40

Not one visit, 8 years in a nursing home, and not one visit!

by Raymudas Martini in

jw
friends

my dad{rip}, was a faithful jw since the year i was born, i'm 60, he died 2 years ago.

his last 12 years were spent in an assisted living/nursing home right in the small town where he spent the last 8 years of being an elder/pioneer.

when he went into the home, one brother would visit him regularly, but after 4 years, that friend moved away, and visitation from the locals ceased, for 8 years!!!!!!!

UnshackleTheChains

Hey, let's be fair, I'm sure the Cong secretary has been keeping in touch by phone to ask for his report!!

5

Documentary on the problem of child abuse within the Organisation.

by UnshackleTheChains in

i just watched the following documentary.

it is absolutely mind boggling the lengths the organisation goes to keep their squeaky clean image, regardless!.

what struck me was the sneakiness of elders in one particular hall hiding files on a pedophile, and the fact that the organisation arrogantly refuses to speak to journalists.

UnshackleTheChains

SBF

You are right. It is harrowing to watch. I agree that child abuse is a problem throughout society. I also agree that the vast majority of witnesses are good sincere people. It's not about them per se. The issue is the way the organisation handled such allegations in the past. It is just mind boggling to day the least eg sitting a child or young female down in front of 3 men with the perpetrator present and being asked intimate questions about their allegations is incredible.

At least the good that comes of all this is that the GB are being ' forced' to bring about change given the scandal worldwide around this issue.

5

Documentary on the problem of child abuse within the Organisation.

by UnshackleTheChains in

i just watched the following documentary.

it is absolutely mind boggling the lengths the organisation goes to keep their squeaky clean image, regardless!.

what struck me was the sneakiness of elders in one particular hall hiding files on a pedophile, and the fact that the organisation arrogantly refuses to speak to journalists.

UnshackleTheChains

I just watched the following documentary. It is absolutely mind boggling the lengths the Organisation goes to keep their squeaky clean image, regardless!

What struck me was the sneakiness of elders in one particular hall hiding files on a pedophile, and the fact that the Organisation arrogantly refuses to speak to journalists. The lack of cooperation is unbelievable. My heart goes out to the victims affected by the heartless policies of the GB.

https://youtu.be/_AJPHGMt9JI

33

Which bible translation do you think is best and most acurate?

by NikL in

jw
friends

for those that still care to read the bible of course.

those that don't, please keep the snarky comments to yourselves :-).

i am assuming nwt is not very popular?.

UnshackleTheChains

I'm reading 'the Scriptures' at the minute. Difficult to read, but like all the Hebrew names and places entered to keep as close to original writings.

39

How Many Prayed Out Loud whilst they were at a restaurant?

by LoisLane looking for Superman in

jw
friends

.

not loudly, but just so your table could hear?.

ll.

UnshackleTheChains

I remember the good missus and her friend talking about a sisters only night out at a pub restaurant. They started saying. What was 'so and so' like.. eh.

My wife's Freind who is really funny starts taking sister 'so an so' off. You know...Hands gracefully joining together, eyes slowly closing and then the quiet whispering of prayer. I just about bust my balls laughing, it was so funny 😂😂

22

Why do JW's never pray for the Spirit of Jesus?

by Yesu Kristo Bwana Wangu in

i am new on this forum.

i have been associating with the jw's for three years, and was about to be baptised soon (next month).

however, i discovered on time that it is not right to do.

UnshackleTheChains

One thing to be clear about. Friendships and 'Christian' love - according to the GB -is absolutely 100% conditional!! ie as long as you tow the line and don't question 'anything'

22

Why do JW's never pray for the Spirit of Jesus?

by Yesu Kristo Bwana Wangu in

i am new on this forum.

i have been associating with the jw's for three years, and was about to be baptised soon (next month).

however, i discovered on time that it is not right to do.

UnshackleTheChains

I was shocked when I discovered Jesus was not my mediator. I found this out 10 years after my baptism when reading crisis of conscience.

Also, the insight book mentions how Jesus 'employs' God's holy spirit as mentioned in Acts Chapter 2.

Jesus is often simply referred to as the 'Ransom' and that we 'the great Crowd 'benefit' from Jesus ransom sacrifice though he is not our mediator.