I tried explaining this to a coworker yesterday. At the beginning you're lead to believe that the org is god's, that "the men" speak from him. After that, you'll believe anything.
Posts by Emma
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26What led you to think that the Watchtower had God's approval?
by JH in.
when you were a jw, what led you to think that the watchtower had god's approval?.
just because they said so??
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16
Did You Ever Have a GOOD Body of Elders?
by Warlock inwhen i came into the org.
in the early 1980's, we had a good body of elders.
they took the lead and cared for the sheep.. the oldest was in his mid- 70's, had a sharp mind, great sense of humor and was just plain cool.
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Emma
Yes, most of mine were sincere men who tried to do good. The big exception is Lock Haven Pa back in the 70s. That's when the body of elders came into exhistance. He had been a bethelite but decided to get married. He ran the cong until the boe arrangement; didn't take it too well that he had to share the power.
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67
Oh MAN are they ever annoyed in Brooklyn!
by MinisterAmos ini called the information dept politely asking if mr brown was still a witness after commiting verbal apostasy during the interview with ldh.. i got transferred to one of their legal staff and he dropped the "f" bomb and hung up!
i on the other hand was a complete gentleman.. i would call this a golden opportunity to play up what has to be one of the most embarrasing moments for the dub leadership but is actually an important issue that any current dubz should be concerned about.
what is the actual policy of the org?
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Emma
I couldn't believe he just picked up the phone and began answering questions; he must love to hear himself talk. Hey, maybe he used to think he was spirit directed! I could just see his mind working, speaking out of both sides of his mouth, figuring out how to say something without actually saying it. Watch for phone calls to end - they're too dangerous. Soon they won't be able to talk to anyone; and that's a good thing.
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23
grief & jw's?
by carla inreading the other thread made me wonder, do jw's ever truly grieve at the loss of a loved one?
i can see in front of other jw's they feel the need to maintain the party line, but in private?
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Emma
The org makes people so uncaring and cold.
This is absolutely true, Lily. "No natural affection" is a description of them exactly. Some of them are better at than others.
In our family of the "overly zealous," mourning was a sign of lack of faith in the resurrection. I remember when my sisters mother in law died they basically told her to get over it, trust in hova, and get on with life. The poor woman; she'd been married for over fifty years and they had farmed together. Cold hearted, no other words. She tried to hide her grief but my sister found her diary, took it to her husband the elder who read how grief-stricken she was and straightened her out.
I was thinking about how my mother had to go against her nature to remain in the org. One of my oldest friends, also an ex-jw, described my mom during our childhood as free-spirited. She was the mom who would drop everything on a hot day, hook up the sprinkler and have the kids over to play and eat popcicles. The thing that drew her to the org and kept her there was the fear of death. I wonder if she was able to make peace with the fact that she wouldn't walk into that magical new system. It breaks my heart to think of her facing what she'd been running from, promised she'd never have to experience.
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38
Would you still be a JW
by purplebunnyfoofoo in.
would you still be a jw if you had not been disfellowshipped?
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Emma
Have not been df'd; would never go back.
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23
grief & jw's?
by carla inreading the other thread made me wonder, do jw's ever truly grieve at the loss of a loved one?
i can see in front of other jw's they feel the need to maintain the party line, but in private?
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Emma
Evita,
she felt sorry for me because I did not have Jehovah and the hope of the new system.
This is so cruel! Any chance to give a "witness" and try to shove you toward their god. They are so twisted.
Restrangled, thank you for your gentle words.
A big hug to Roski and Balsam; may you be comforted.
Sammi, I agree with your thoughts on unconditional love; it's so unnatural. That was one of my breaking points; I saw my son baptized as a teenager and knew I could never shun him. I felt my decision as to the truth was pretty much made right then.
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So why now after 18 years have I taken the step of joining you here?
by PaulMarshall insince finding this forum.
i have so far lost two days work... i am soooooooooo behind.
the shear volume of responses i have had from my initial posting as well as the emails, some of which made me shed tears, coupled with some incredibly stimulating conversation online i have had with dubs (i love my new found word) have left me with a back log of things to do.
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Emma
I waited not as long as you, but for the same reasons. The org does a good job keeping our brains "washed" even after we leave; forums like this dilute it's power.
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grief & jw's?
by carla inreading the other thread made me wonder, do jw's ever truly grieve at the loss of a loved one?
i can see in front of other jw's they feel the need to maintain the party line, but in private?
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Emma
Lilly, yeah, that "get over it" attitude. I used to tell people how much our family cried when I moved away from home! That was the time when you didn't phone long distance very often. Separation hurts, death is the worst separation. We know their emotions are skewed. Sorry for your loss; what a difficult time that must have been for you but I'm glad you faced it like you needed to.
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grief & jw's?
by carla inreading the other thread made me wonder, do jw's ever truly grieve at the loss of a loved one?
i can see in front of other jw's they feel the need to maintain the party line, but in private?
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Emma
Thank you, LyinEyes. We were close when I was in the org. I had her only grandchildren. She lived with my zealot sister and near my other zealot sister and her elder husband. I last saw her three years ago. My sisters were chomping to get at me, but since I was traveling with a "worldly friend," they were on good behavior. We hadn't spoken in nearly a year. I feel cowardly for not confronting my sisters, and yet I knew that would cut off any possibility of contact with my mom. They didn't tell any of us she was so ill; my youngest daughter (unbaptized, of course) had been in contact with her and they didn't even let her know grandma was critically ill. I just hate that organization so much!
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grief & jw's?
by carla inreading the other thread made me wonder, do jw's ever truly grieve at the loss of a loved one?
i can see in front of other jw's they feel the need to maintain the party line, but in private?
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Emma
Carla, I'm glad you started this thread. My mom died two and a half weeks ago and I am pushing down the grief, trying not to confront it because I'll totally break down. She was baptized in 1954 or 55 during a convention at Yankee Stadium; I remember walking to the beach and seeing the huge waves, afraid that my mom would drown or be snatched out into the ocean. My usually terrified grandmother was calm, believing that her daughter would be protected. She remained "faithful" for the most part for all of those years. I know I should start another thread; I don't want to hi-jack yours, but it's so appropriate for me right now. I "lost" her about 12 years ago when I walked away from the cult. It hurts.