Posts by ruderedhead

40

So I'm going through a really difficult time right now.

by scaredtospeak in

i was publicly reproved last year and the elders have taken their sweet time in reinstating my "privileges".

it's been six months and i can't answer at the meetings or participate in the theocratic ministry school.

in all honesty- i don't care about the privileges.

ruderedhead

jgnat is spot on, this is a game of endurance, and you will win! Just fly under the radar for now.

Do you have a plan for the next 4 years? At 18, I am assuming that you are probably in your senior year of high school (if you are in the U.S.), or graduated a few months ago? Are you getting some further education? What are you interested in? Not everyone wants/needs to do 4 years of college, but if you do to pursue your dreams, how will you finance it? Do you have a part time job right now? Look at all of your options, make a plan. Talk to a college/ h.s. counselor. Maybe all you need is a 2 year degree, or a certificate program. Have short & long term goals. If your parents are against further education, use whatever reasoning you know will work to sway them. If a 4 year degree is what you desire, you may have to start out at a junior college, as that is affordable, local, and probably less scary to your parents. You can then transfer. Take the time to figure out what YOU want!

You're young, you have your whole life ahead of you, and it's going to be a wonderful journey with some bumps along the way that will make you stronger and wiser.

And did you let your Mom know about the creepy older man's comment and that it made your skin crawl? How does he know what the young men at your hall think abour your attire? Are they complaining to him, or is he taking a survey? That, my dear, is your "stumbling block"!

45

Up yours!!! Jw religion!!

by Julia Orwell in

jw
friends

i just got a job teaching in a school run by moderate muslims.

the students are muslim and do their prayers at school and have daily quran lessons.

my job is to teach art, english literacy and literature, and history.

ruderedhead

I'm happy for you, Julia! Hopefully you will find something more permanent after! I think you're going do a great job!

35

How many born ins actually stay?

by lostinthought in

jw
friends

i was wondering if anyone know sany statistics of the amount of born ins that actually stay in the orginization.

i think i have read it before on here but i can't really remember what it was.

.

ruderedhead

Through fb I have become aware of some in their 20's & 30's now that have left the wt. Some have surprised me. Then there are the ones I have found out are still in. The odd thing is, some that are still in were treated badly when I was still in, and always felt they had something to prove. Guess they stayed in for family. And as some of you have already stated, some just fly under the radar. Their parents have done it for decades!

11

Reddit Has Done a Great Job Lately at Exposing the Watchtower to Millions

by Emery in

1.5 months ago there was a perfectly timed reddit topic about jw false prophecies that made it on to the front page of reddit.

this certainly didn't bold so well fortheir historic campaign.

the front-page of reddit had over 135 million unique visitors last month.

ruderedhead

Interesting. Not sure what reddit is, I assume it's a social media thing, but it's good to know millions have seen this, and, on those very rare occassions when someone talks to them at the door or elsewhere, they have the information. Some may even look into it further.

39

I lost my family today.

by awakenyr2004 in

jw
friends

so far my oldest niece and oldest sister cut me off.

i'm waiting for the goodbye texts from my other siblings.

my parents asured me they would never cut me off.

ruderedhead

This is so sad! But you certainly have your priorities straight. You precious son comes first.

I wouldn't send out any more mass texts, or any unnecessary ones. You know that they can twist things to make you look bad. Just absolutely necessary communication with everyone but your parents, and be brief. No putting yourself down.

Please attempt weekly contact with your parents. If they won't answer the phone, then text them, asking them to please just do you the courtesy of texting you back so you know they are doing o.k., as you love them very much. Even if they are foolish/brainwashed/ bullied enough to ignore you, at the end of the day, you will be at peace with yourself, knowing you did the right thing in trying to maintain contact, letting them know you love them no matter what. You will also be setting a great example for your son in how to be loving, kind, forgiving and the right way to treat people. Your family is supplying the example of how mean, nasty, un-loving people that twist the Bible's words treat people. You will probably never have to worry about him becoming a jw!

Enjoy your life!

2

Reasoning with Trolley Witnesses from their Silver Sword, their Blatant Lies and some Hi-Lit

by abbasgreta in

jw
friends

q. why do people need all these mags and books?.

a. to understand the bible.. reasoning: asked her to read 1 john 2:27. also matt 28:19,20. what info leads to baptism?

teaching whose instruction?

ruderedhead

Nicely done, abbasgreta. Sounds like you were reasonable,kind and non- aggressive.

37

Am I the youngest one on here?

by Capstone in

jw
friends

i finally registered on here after reading on the forum for almost two years on and off (more often the last year).

to give you some background on who i am i can say that i'm a girl in my late teens and live in western europe.

my mom is a jw and my dad is not.

ruderedhead

Welcome, Capstone! It's wonderful that you have found the truth about the religion while you are young.

Is it possible for you to speak to your Father alone about your decision and your Mom's reaction, asking him to support you? What about your siblings that aren't jw's? Can they lovingly talk to Mom about your decision?

Your logic that researching the religion should make your faith in it stronger if it is, indeed, the one true religion, is reasonable. The jw's encourage others to look closely at their religion, and will supply negative information (cherry picked) on other religions, but will give the boot to a jw that researches them. Doesn't make sense, does it?

Please realize that Mom probably feels that she is being judged by her congregation in a negative light as none of her children have accepted the religion. She may be, I don't know the personality of her congregation. Some are loving, some are lukewarm, some are just mean. Be loving, kind and patient. Don't take her comments personally, she's lashing out because she is hurt. But please get some back up from you family.

Finish school, live a wonderful life, keep developing new frienships. Perhaps one day, slowly, uyou will be able to share some truths about the jw religion with her.

83

Blown away-- where to go from here

by All for show in

jw
friends

i stumbled upon this website a few weeks ago due to the jw.org ridiculousness, since then i haven't been able to pull myself away.

the thoughts, feelings, and concerns i have had the past few years aren't just mine.

it's global.

ruderedhead

Welcome, All for Show!

I think your term "halfer" is excellent! Wonderful that you have thinking parents and a thinking husband.

Continue your research, SLOWLY feed the information to your husband, be ready to back up what you are telling him with more than one source. You should soon be able to show him where the jw's have cherry picked scriptures and twisted them to suit their doctrine, and be able to show him what those really mean.

He is a wise man, not caring what anyone thinks. I agree with him that you are answerable to God, not to some judgemental men. Not being a witness does not mean you have to give up your faith in God and His Son. In time, you may decide to take a look at other churches, including non-denominational. Who knows, perhaps in a few years, some of your other thinking family members may ask you questions and follow you out.

Your children's friends parents can become your friends over time. Anything you decide to join in the form of clubs, orgs., etc., will have people to socialize with. Do you know many of your neighbors? Do you socialize with them? Co- workers? Tthere are many social outlets if you're willing to put yourself out there.

All the best to you on this journey.

12

The irony of it all. JW ask me to come by and visit him in a convalescent home.

by jam in

we were neighbors for 8-10 years.

a little background, my.

and finally here in calif. the first day i met bill (not his name) he.

ruderedhead

You're a good man, jam!

21

More WTS cash-grabbing: "Funds on Deposit" program for Circuits

by sir82 in

jw
friends

at a recent circuit assembly "business meeting" for elders, a new program was announced: "funds on deposit".. here's how it works:.

each circuit determines a "floor" and a "ceiling" for an amount to hold in their circuit checking account.

when the "ceiling" amount is exceeded, the amount above the threshold is wired to the wts and held by them.. if the circuit checking account drops below the "floor" amount, the circuit can send a request to the wts to request that some of their "funds on deposit" be returned to them so that their checking account resumes a "safe" level.. as explained by the elder explaining the program,, "in other words, the branch is acting exactly like a bank - the circuit will make deposits and withdrawals as needed.

ruderedhead

Will they charge interest if the funds fall below the "safe level", and the congregation needs the money back?

That seems like a reasonable question someone might want to ask.