Posts by talesin

63

Watchtower crackdown on anointed expansion - are they reaching for a solution to the expanding numbers problem?

by slimboyfat in

if this has been discussed i missed it.

i think the january study watchtower is a concerted attempt to reduce the numbers claiming to be anointed.

but i love the sneaky way they go about it this time.

talesin

if you are company men with a record of loyalty and devotion to the organisation, on the ministry and appointment in the congregation

This caught my eye. There used to be women who were of 'the anointed'; I guess no more women, but that has been since the 70s that I was 'in', so might have changed a long time ago.

* one para. disappeared - reconstructing ....

Here's my experience of knowing one of 'the anointed'. One of my close pioneer friends (she was 40ish, he about 30) married one. She was a beautiful ex-model from Montreal, he just suddenly appeared in the congo. Dunno where he came from. This was mid-70s. They met and soon married. She isolated herself, and they were rarely seen except at the KH.

*

They attended 'get-togethers' occasionally (but only with uber JWS like my family). He was pleasant and a quiet person; not shy, yet reserved. He was neither a 'company man' nor what we used to call a 'servant', but he spent a lot of time visiting with people - especially the old and those having problems - and encouraging them. He had a distant look in his eyes; not the 1,000-yard stare of PTSD, but somewhat vacant, like the fugue of some persons who live with schizophrenia (low end of the scale, usually lucid with little to zero affect, occasionally mildly delusional, non-threatening and not a danger to anyone).

I've thought about it over the years, and I think he was a genuinely nice person. It was his niche in the cult, to be one of the 'anointed'. tal

8

A Landlord Glimpse on Tenant’s Property

by Loi_241 in

when i look back, i wish that a landlord glimpse on my property and so she does not want more than me renting her home.

but, i still do not have a wish because she wants more money; she does not have to be satisfied to what she has.

and so a landlord commanded me to give the exact gifts, not let me to be a generous tenant to give whatever is from my heart.

talesin

It sounds like English may not be your first language, and some people ^^^ do not realize.

So, your JW landlady is taking advantage - telling you not to save money, interfering in your personal business?

I think you have very good reason to move out! xx

22

Years ago son raised a few years as a JW. Now struggles with depression

by Check_Your_Premises in

background:.

i spent some time here awhile back as an unbelieving mate of a jw wife.

i learned a lot, and was able to be supportive and understanding when she decided to leave the jw.. unfortunately, my son seems to have internalized many of the jw teachings.

talesin

H, CYP, I recall you, too. A lot of people, even non JWS, don't think 'doctor' first, so of course, that would be my first (should have been in question form, though) reply.

I was not thinking of pharmas, and disappointed he was not recommended for counselling. That's my fault for forgetting the present medical climate of psychiatry, in which the latest DSM says: medicate first.

It's the nightmares and suicidal ideations that alarmed me. I know what it's like to be 15, 20, 25, and feel like that.

The Hassan Book is *the* reference, and as a team, i think you and your wife are taking a good approach. I can understand how he may feel more comfortable talking with your wife about the JW.

That doesn't mean that you can't take an active role and empathize at the right times. Saying something like "I know I can't understand exactly how you feel because I haven't been through it. There was a time when I was very low, though, when xxx happened. And it's okay to feel bad - you can always talk to me, son. I went through this with your mom, and it must be so hard! I understand." - or something to that effect.

One of the things to realize in your son's case, is that he was exposed to the JW at the very age where children develop their cognitive thinking skills. That is, between approximately age 7-10. So, the nightmares are where his subconscious turns to process at night, which left me, exhausted and depressed.

Is he gaming constantly or otherwise iosolating, with little physical activity? Think back to before the cult got ahold of your family, and did he like nature? soccer? basketball? Something you can do together.

You're right, it can be difficult to find a counselor that recognizes the serious effects that being a JW can have, especially a child. The Religious PTS sounds 'just' like PTSD, and this therapist may have some good points, but I would say, yes, biased. Bipolarsim, eg, is genetic, but can be *triggered* by stress or trauma - we *think* - so, my phrase would be 'religious-induced' PTSD.

I would be happy to look around online and see if anyone is in your area (and with sliding scale if in the USA). I've helped a couple of other people find help, and in different countries.

Will check in later, and sending you strength and good energy. xx

Edit: And yes, indeedy, TTATT should be a part of the process - organically - questions will arise. It doesn't have to be overly technical, dates, etc. Basic truths - like Jah knows what you are thinking! - are the things that need to be changed. Check out 'Transactional Analysis" as a therapeutic technique (of which there are many, and it's not the only one that may help him). xx

22

Years ago son raised a few years as a JW. Now struggles with depression

by Check_Your_Premises in

background:.

i spent some time here awhile back as an unbelieving mate of a jw wife.

i learned a lot, and was able to be supportive and understanding when she decided to leave the jw.. unfortunately, my son seems to have internalized many of the jw teachings.

talesin

Professional help would be the best thing. The symptoms you mentioned are those of PTSD, and a visit together to your family physician would be a good idea. xx

21

New Field Service Format?

by jw07 in

it seems that hype is the only thing keeping jw.org alive and well these days (that and the money of suckers who continue to fall for it).. at meeting on monday, an elder announced "the faithful slave has seen it fit to change the format of our ministry in 2016, and more information will come".

i guess the desired reaction is to get jws preoccupied with what those changes could possibly be, and if it means that the end is nearer or some crap.. with that said, i've been suckered into wanting to know what these 'changes' will be.

does anyone know?

talesin

Fisherman, M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S !

10

Going Clear- Scientology- Movie made this year

by truthlover in

on tonight -- many of the leaders and co horts of david miscavidge on tonight who have left the organization.. it is scary how close they are to the jw's with the exception of the volcano episode and that we are "thetans",.... they hold out a carrot for each level of progression on the "ladder" - to immortality, telling all they will live forever in a peaceful, beautiful world- and of course, each step on the ladder means thousands of dollars and volunteers make 30 cents a day working on all their projects.

they fought for tax exemption as a religious organization, started by hubbard, who at level 8- the highest on the ladder - tells his thetans they are out of a spaced out world -- it is terrifying -- and they are supposed to be able to read minds, levitate things, others in the org are scared of them.... but the org are buying properties all over the world as a benefit for their thetahs" to show their good works.to the irs - building a massive real estate empire with publishing and volunteer labour...... watch it if you can.... .

sound familiar - .

talesin

I saw the pics of Serena, the tennis star, on Xmas - alone. Who knows? She is, as they would say, 'brazen'.... maybe she will write the TATT!

10

Going Clear- Scientology- Movie made this year

by truthlover in

on tonight -- many of the leaders and co horts of david miscavidge on tonight who have left the organization.. it is scary how close they are to the jw's with the exception of the volcano episode and that we are "thetans",.... they hold out a carrot for each level of progression on the "ladder" - to immortality, telling all they will live forever in a peaceful, beautiful world- and of course, each step on the ladder means thousands of dollars and volunteers make 30 cents a day working on all their projects.

they fought for tax exemption as a religious organization, started by hubbard, who at level 8- the highest on the ladder - tells his thetans they are out of a spaced out world -- it is terrifying -- and they are supposed to be able to read minds, levitate things, others in the org are scared of them.... but the org are buying properties all over the world as a benefit for their thetahs" to show their good works.to the irs - building a massive real estate empire with publishing and volunteer labour...... watch it if you can.... .

sound familiar - .

talesin

oh, yes, their form of 'disfellowshipping' and isolation is particularly triggering. ugh

One of the people behind this movie was Paul Haggis. I saw him interviewed years ago, by the Big "O", when he first came out of the cult. He said he was going to get behind a documentary expose of Scientology, so I was watching for it.

Le'ts hope lots of folks see it!

Edit: TL - I think Cruise is either one sick puppy, or they have something on him.

10

Going Clear- Scientology- Movie made this year

by truthlover in

on tonight -- many of the leaders and co horts of david miscavidge on tonight who have left the organization.. it is scary how close they are to the jw's with the exception of the volcano episode and that we are "thetans",.... they hold out a carrot for each level of progression on the "ladder" - to immortality, telling all they will live forever in a peaceful, beautiful world- and of course, each step on the ladder means thousands of dollars and volunteers make 30 cents a day working on all their projects.

they fought for tax exemption as a religious organization, started by hubbard, who at level 8- the highest on the ladder - tells his thetans they are out of a spaced out world -- it is terrifying -- and they are supposed to be able to read minds, levitate things, others in the org are scared of them.... but the org are buying properties all over the world as a benefit for their thetahs" to show their good works.to the irs - building a massive real estate empire with publishing and volunteer labour...... watch it if you can.... .

sound familiar - .

talesin

They allude to blackmail of John Travolta, which I find *very* interesting and believable. Considering that you must tell them EVERYTHING - and that meter thing? Crazy as loons. It shows great similarities to hmmm....

Yeah, I saw it a while ago,,,,,,,,,,, wow!

Looking forward to reading Lisa Remini's (sp?) book, she is one brave woman. xx

37

What did you have for Christmas dinner?

by GrreatTeacher in

jw
friends

my inlaws are polish, though my husband is a 3rd generation american, but the food traditions have stuck around.. we have christmas eve dinner starting with red beet soup with sour cream, pierogies filled with mashed potatoes or saurkraut, ham, polish sausage sliced and cooked with saurkraut, turkey (that part is american), krischickies (likely spelled wrong) which are crispy pastries dipped in powdered sugar, and apple pie (also american.).

there are goodnatured threats toward bad children who may need to get their dupa busted (butt spanked) and therefore santa will bring figismachen.

i also love golabkis (ground beef and rice wrapped in cabbage leaves), but these were not served this time.

talesin

There's far too much talk of cabbage rolls on this thread, and day-yumm! I was craving them *before* the holidays. I guess I shall have to make some for New Year's! And they are 'legal', unlike the pizza (but it was WORTH IT, after ??? years)

Okay, cabbage rolls it is - and I shall feature the recipe and prep in my February column.

33

Today is Christmas, and guess what? Witnesses's were going house to house on my block, TODAY ON CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

by Dunedain in

i kid you not!!!!!

my family, and i, were on our way to my wife's brothers house today, which is the families christmas tradition.

we open presents in the morning, and at around 10:30, we head over to my brother in laws for breakfast/brunch, with all the family.. so, as we loaded some presents up in the car, and we all jumped, and drove away, at the end of my block, jehovahs witnesses!

talesin

The people I've known, and have been friends and family with for over 3 decades, would agree with Carla's comments. There would be 2 distinct reactions; (1) explain it is not a good time, but they would be welcome in for a hot drink, or kindly turned away, or (2) WTF? Who the hell do you think you are? I know all about your cult - get off my doorstep, NOW!

Either way, I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me. Not at Xmas, but other Monday mornings. Especially after they started Wednesday evening FS....... oh, and Saturday mornings? ahahaha I know, I did it, too. Oh, the shame!

on Monday when everybody is back to work they will tell how some @$$%@^$ jw showed up while company was there