Posts by UnshackleTheChains

12

exJW from Galway, Ireland

by Band Completely in

i've been reading many articles on here and other forums relating to exjws for some time.

when my mother first got involved with the witnesses back in '77, my mother's mother and my father's mother, being the "good catholics that they were", gave my father "license" to do "whatever it takes" to stop her associating with these people.. due to "confirmation bias", (i.e.

"satan will do whatever he can to stop you associating with us"), this "persecution" only convinced her that the witnesses had "the truth".

UnshackleTheChains

Harmful Doctrine
Shunning is not biblical. Shunning is an act of isolation. Isolation is a form of torture. Torture is in contravention to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There is no scripture in the bible that says to socially isolate anyone. There are scriptures in the bible that say not to greet someone who is not following the teachings of "Christ" (2 John 9, 10) but Jehovah's Witnesses will use this one to justify isolating family and friends. It's wrong and it's extremely harmful.
Such doctrine has been recognized by the Russian Federation as extremist. It is one of the reasons Jehovah's Witnesses are banned

Hi band completely,

I felt your pain and anger in every word you typed throughout your experience. Thanks btw and welcome.

The shunning policy is cruel and yes JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES do break up families. Your experience is proof of that.

You learned the hard way that the local congregation aren't the ones at fault. It is the whole damned set up put in place by the headquarters of the organisation. Years of manmade pharisaical rules that have caused you, me and thousands of others so much pain and sorrow. These men at the head of this high control money grabbing publishing corporation will not listen. They do not care. I do not consider them Christian. They are wolves in sheep's clothing who happily sit back and allow the pain and hurt many of us feel to continue.

They know the issues, they've known for years, so many out cries, hey nothing. Their arrogance and obstinate attitude even in the face of hearings such as the ARC are mind blowing. They don't care, their hearts are made of wood.

Again great post. All the best to you.

UTC

12

Are their " wishy, washy" congregations...

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

it may be an amazing thought for many but i am sure " wishy, washy" congregations exist.

i am referring to congregations where the elders are idle in enforcing the g.bs guidelines on control.. i mean let's face it the organisation is an authoritarian regime, that works only if the elders enforce complete obedience to watchtower policies.

sadly in the congregations i was associated with the elders excelled at enforcing loyalty and obedience.. however with age, people mellow, elders can become more compassionate, even assume the voice of reason?

UnshackleTheChains

I was part of a very small Cong in another country. It was quite wishy washy I suppose. The elders were totally normal. Some in the Cong were very eccentric. The ministry was a not forced on you. There wasnt much going on socially and the isolation 're bad association' eventually led to a period of depression. The low point of my life.

I was young and new to the religion and only finding my feet. I had no idea about the shunning practice/policy that breaks up families. Just thought it was a quaint benign little religious group back then. Like so many, I didn't realise I was allowing myself to be shackled and chained to a powerful controlling publishing corporation 🙄

15

Russia banning JWs might not have the "persecution effect" this time

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

russia banning the organization might not have the same effect as the earlier ban did decades ago.. more and more people have access to the internet.

it only takes a few russian jws to start their google search for the first time to discover the truth about their religion.. questions might arise, such as "why is jehovah allowing this to happen?

consider too, the schism that happened when the romanian jws were cut off from brooklyn.

UnshackleTheChains

More and more people have access to the internet. It only takes a few Russian JWs to start their Google search for the first time to discover the truth about their religion.
Questions might arise, such as "why is Jehovah allowing this to happen?"
Consider too, the schism that happened when the Romanian JWs were cut off from Brooklyn. They ended up apostasizing.

Great points truthseeker

Personally, I genuinely feel sorry for the rank and file witnesses in Russia. They will now have to practice their faith in secret due to these repressive measures.

In saying that however, as can be seen from the experiences given at the supreme court, clearly some ex members obviously felt so strongly about the organisations unfair, controlling and in some cases - cruel policies, that they have come forward in favour of the ban.

These people have been so hurt and traumatized by the organisations policies that they willing to go to the supreme court of the land to testify. That in itself speaks volumes.

It's a sad state of affairs all round imho

However, the good that might come of this ban is that the GB leadership will be cut off from the Russian witnesses.

The Russian JW's will likely have no other choice but to reform and adapt as a religion within the perimeters of Russian law. This in turn will give each congregation more autonomy. A great opportunity to unshackle the chains from the watchtower society!

The GB will have no influence with their dictatorial rule.

Though it is unfortunate that Russian law will be strict on preaching publicly, there is the opportunity to get rid of many of the extreme man made rules that have caused so much harm.

I truly wish all my fellow Christians in Russia peace and liberty in Christ without fear from men.

4

Where can I find testimony of Russian lady that said she was shunned .

by poopie in

jw
friends

russian cart.

UnshackleTheChains

Wow. These ex members voices are ringing loud and clear. On the one hand I feel sorry for the thousands of ordinary people within the organisation now under ban and having to practice their faith underground; yet glad these experiences are being mentioned.

These individuals have obviously felt so strongly about the organisations unfair and controlling policies that they have added their voices to bring about the ban.

I don't agree with the ban; I don't agree with Putin; but I also don't agree with the current leadership of the WT or its cruel policies. Sad state of affairs all round!

115

Could a petition to make shunning illegal work?

by aboveusonlysky in

jw
friends

we're currently watching leah remini's series about scientology and the main thing she seems to focus on is the shunning policies of the scientology organization which let's face it are very similar to jw procedure.. i was wondering with all that's in the media recently about bullying could a petition be put together to get the goverment to consider making religiously mandated shunning illegal?

has such a thing been tried before?.

https://petition.parliament.uk/help says the following - .

UnshackleTheChains

If there is any good that comes of the shunning policy is that the Society will continue to receive bad press. That bad press is now everywhere.

Anyone studying with Jehovah's Witnesses with an inkling of curiosity and a smart phone will learn that this policy is part and parcel of this organisation.

Many of us who came into this religion before the days of the internet had no idea such a cruel policy existed. I certainly didn't.

Keep up the good work Watchtower leadership. That's the kind of publicity YOU really need going forward as an organisation!!

43

How long has it been since you have seen your family?

by Christian Gutierrez in

jw
friends

howdy guys!

so how long has it been since you have seen your jw family or friends?

or do you even care to have them in your life anymore?

UnshackleTheChains

The experiences here speak volumes. I tried to fade, but almost immediately started feeling the effects. If it weren't for my wife who has many relatives and friends who are JW's, I would have continued my fade. I now only keep up appearences to avoid the stress of it all. One very close relative told me they would 'have to remain loyal' if I officially left (DA'd). The shunning policy this religion employs is repugnant!

16

Why does Jehovah choose certain people to rule with him in heaven?

by iWant2Learn in

in other words, what good works have the 144000 done to be secured a place in heaven?

i am told they have already been chosen.

does that mean that jehovah also knows our future?

UnshackleTheChains

It mistifies me how the 144000 are to rule over mankind FROM heaven. Other bibles say they will rule ON earth according to revelation.

I believe there will be exemplary ones who will make up an administration (holy ones) to rule over mankind once Jesus comes back again. It will be an organised perfect merciful kingdom with It's capital in Israel (Jerusalem)

37

Was it just me or was something different about the memorial last night?

by kpop in

jw
friends

this was the first memorial that i declined to do any work for the memorial.

i was assigned as a parking attendant after getting downgraded from doing the sound and had no intention of doing either task but i had to attend for my family and continuation of my fade.

i sat there last night listening to the talk and couldn't help but shake my head as my brain attempted to process the bs.

UnshackleTheChains

The memorial was incredibly lack luster last night. The speaker didn't help....Poor guy.

It was dull, boring and very generic.

I couldn't help feeling we are doing the complete opposite of what Jesus told us to do in regards to eating the bread and wine......ie carrying out a weird ritual of refusing the Lord's supper!!

33

Why are the individuals who make up the Governing Body so deluded

by UnshackleTheChains in

surely these men must see what's going on.

if they can afford fancy pinky rings, they must have smart phones.

if they have smart phones, they must be inquisitive as to how they are perceived.

UnshackleTheChains

Ok . They (THE GOVERNING BODY) must 'personally' and I mean 'personally' know that certain teachings or policies are just plain wrong! Yet they go along with the tide. Surely, SURELY they must ask themselves if MY decisions are having an impact on the lives of thousands of people earth wide!.

Truth is truth. Jesus is looking on. YHWH and Jesus see everything. What's more important. A comfortable lifestyle or TRUTH. Ask yourselves GB. What is right?

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