Spiral

Joined

• started 7 topics
• posted 684 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by Spiral

• 
  49

  Anti vaccines

  by blisterfeet in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i personally feel that vaccinations are beneficial.

  there has been a modern movement that vaccinations are more harmful than beneficial to which i disagree.

  what is your stance as an ex jw on vaccinating your children?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spiral

  Everyone is vaccinated in my family. As far as I know, all the JWs I know have vaccinated their children.
• 
  23

  If you had to

  by rolliepollie in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  if you had to follow one religion, what would it be and why?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spiral

  I can't think of a reason to ever have to join a church. Happy to be an athiest.
• 
  31

  Something I had never thought about re: the Borg's nonprofit status

  by dubstepped in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am actually looking into the possibility of starting my own nonprofit for ex-jws with specific goals and i've learned more about the process.

  i was interviewing someone for the podcast that is familiar with nonprofits and she told me something that i had never considered.

  maybe everyone else has but i don't remember seeing anything about it here.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spiral

  I've always thought this was true. Plus, the bOrg probably pretends to governments that the preaching work is an educational work (as in teaching people to read).

  When I volunteer at the local museum, they keep track of our volunteer hours and what we are doing during that time.

  But most JWs I know have never made this connection.

  But I wonder who in the government(s) is responsible to check up on this kind of stuff? Because someone should question it.
• 
  18

  report from vomitville and financials

  by jonahstourguide in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i attended a circuit arsesemblancey today.

  melbourne, melton arsembley hall.

  western suburbs area.. 1. re hearing negative reports in the media about jws.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spiral

  
  jonahstourguide
  

  Hi all,

  I attended a circuit arsesemblancey today. Melbourne, Melton arsembley hall. Western suburbs area.
  

  1. Re hearing negative reports in the media about jws. the classic first excuse offered was, " would you entertain a negative report about your spouse?" You love your spouse so you know it's wrong". "Then we must remember that jehovah is backing his people and if there is anything to correct jehovah will fix it in his own time". "So if stories like these are affecting us here are two scriptures to help us,,, Ps 94:19,,, Phil 4:6,7".

  Sooooooo...... if your spouse is a criminal you look the other way, because you love them? And that makes them NOT a criminal? (Or a pedophile, specifically, in some cases.)

  Like that's how it really works.

  And they've been saying "Jehovah will fix "X" problem in his own time" for decades. Nothing ever gets fixed.
• 
  24

  Question for PIMOS but all welcome

  by ZindagiNaMilegiDobaara in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  so once pimo how do you deal with going to the meetings, ministry, social getotgethers, conventions assemblies?.

  for one you know it is all off key,.

  two your 2 hours or more so just wasted (not counting the time getting ready,travelling etc).

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spiral

  When I still had to go occasionally, I'd be sure to have something I wanted to read downloaded to my tablet. Never did ask for the wifi password, just went prepared to have something to read to try to pass the time.

  As for the nosy questions, one brother tried to guilt me and say "we don't see you very often". I replied "Brother, I know you know all about taking care of dementia patients [which he did, but with help], so you know how difficult it can be getting out". He never cornered me again. Win!

  @bethelliesalot - interesting observations. The emotionalized (is that a word?) makeover is really a bit ..... creepy, the way they are doing it. And your observation about standing and waiting sounds just right. On the rare occasion I'm at the KH now, I really feel like I'm in a very controlled environment. Perhaps it was always that way, but I sure notice it now. Again, creeps me out.
• 
  9

  All the child abuse lawsuits are just a hiccup in the bigger picture.

  by I believe in overlapping in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  one of my uncles who has never been a jw is visiting for christmas.

  my dad who has stopped being an elder and has stopped going to meetings started explaining to my uncle why he finally left the watchtower religion.

  my dad had tried for years to convert my uncle but never succeeded.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spiral

  @Believe, I also think your parents will be okay. I think this is a good line of reasoning being used with your parents, although I think that a) the bOrg won't have the staying power of the Catholic Church (mostly because the shunning thing will bite them back when it comes to numbers; and b) all "old time" religion is losing its hold on humanity anyway.

  Interesting thing, though, if your parents really believe that a lot of JWs would commit suicide if the bOrg goes down. I personally think a lot of JWs would be [secretly] relieved if it did. But the GB has brainwashed a lot of people into thinking "there is no where else to go"..... not that you have to "go" anywhere ..... and your parents must still buy into this belief on some level.

  I think things will get better with time. Especially if they start reading books like Bart Ehrman's. A real eye opener, even if you don't agree with all his conclusions.
• 
  22

  Service experiences

  by former2free in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i know what you may be thinking by the title but bear with me.

  have you ever reflected on past service experiences and think wow if only i had listened to a householder?

  two things come to my mind of personal experience.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spiral

  Yes, one time I had a return visit, an older lady. Took her magazines two or three times. The last time I went, she gave me the magazines back. These were magazines roasting the Catholic Church. She told me how dare I distribute such false information, and who did the WT think they were, claiming to be the only approved (also read: perfect) religion and that God did not approve of the Church. She was angry, but made a couple of logical statements that made sense to me, even then.

  Turns out she was a Catholic nun, staying with family and not wearing a habit. (Who knew this could happen?)

  I remember being uncomfortable at the time, and what she said to me really stuck in the back of my mind. Now that the bOrg has the same issues I think back about distributing those magazines and am embarrassed.
• 
  22

  Commuter Bethelite video

  by no-zombie in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  for those who missed last weeks clam meeting, there was a video played that was amazing ... however not in good way.. we are all aware how thousands of full time bethelites world wide got the boot and put out onto the street.

  some having giving most of their lives to the organization, but often with no real way to support themselves other than to depend on the generosity of others.

  so when this video talked about how special it would be for those who could step up and become a commuter bethelite, it made me think how calculating the governing body must be.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spiral

  Anyone who has worked in the "real world" in the last decade is very familiar with this scenario. In my profession, a lot of people got laid off in '08. Then, we all gradually got "hired" back (not really) as freelancers, paying our own taxes, health insurance, 401K, etc. The downturn was a great opportunity to save money in the long term for a lot of companies. Woohoo!

  What surprises me is that there appears to be (from what I hear) a lot of commuters, doing this for WT for free. Of course, they get a lot of positive feedback from their fellow JWs, but really, you would think they'd figure out after awhile that they are just being used.
• 
  43

  Did Ray Franz Help You To Get Out of “The Truth”?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i sneakily read his books at work.

  it was written in such a way that no one could accuse him of being another bitter old apostate.. once it registered in my brain, especially after reading the second book, i knew i had to get out!.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spiral

  No, but had I known about his book while I was still in, it certainly would have helped get me out. Reading CofC later just provided confirmation that I had made the right decision.
• 
  58

  Explain Your Avatar

  by new boy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i know this thread has been done before.

  however maybe some of the new comers might like to know.. my avatar is the cover of my first novel "your crazy life.

  ".

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spiral

  Mine is one of many versions of a spiral symbol that have been around since early history, present in many cultures. This particular one is a Celtic version. The GB would probably think it was pagan, hence the attraction.