JWD—Why is it important to keep doing this?

by AuldSoul 25 Replies latest jw friends

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  codeblue

  (((AuldSoul)))

  Boy do I miss you and chatting on MSN. Here's a lemon drop for you .... One day we might get to share a few...lol

  I think your topic deserves attention.

  I post because I want people...anyone to read about what I have encountered as a former JW. I don't go out and advertise against it....Like me, they need to have their rose colored glasses broke...before they might start looking. We all know you can't say anything in the congregation with fear of being called an apostate, that includes feeling a lack of love.

  I feel if a person comes on line...they are looking for answers and can be objective. A JW not feeling the love....might come here....thinking they are the ONLY person not feeling the love of the so called religion that only has it. They will find many (me included) that is candid about the non love I felt.

  Hope you and your wife are doing well....keep posting so we know how you are doing...ok?

  Codeblue
• 

  Arthur

  AuldSoul:

  It's so good to see you posting again. I am so glad that there were dozens of very articulate, intelligent, and well-informed ex-Witnesses on here to help me through the process of fading. I still appreciate the long discussions you and I had regarding JW doctrine via PM. They helped me see things a little clearer. My battle continues, as I have a good size family still loyal to the organization. I share your feelings about what this forum has done for you. I too, believe that I would have been dead had it not been for the support of this forum when I exited the organization.

  Sometimes I wonder how long I will be on this forum. I would like to move on myself eventually. However, I ask myself, how can I pay back for all of the support I received (some of it one-on-one) from others? Obviously, I feel compelled to share my personal struggles in the organization, and the process of leaving. Who knows how many newbies might identify and be helped from it? So, this is why I want to stick around a while.

  When we were Witnesses, we used to read the words of Jesus where he says to give freely; that which was given to you freely. That was applied to the WT's version of the good news. I think it applies equally to the "good news" we have to share about living life after leaving the Watchtower. And who says apostates don't want to engage in preaching activity?
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  Twitch

  Whether or not you believe it is important, you are here, and it is important.

  Agreed.
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  Junction-Guy

  Yes it is important, because people read our experiences, and the more people post on here the negatives of being a JW, then hopefully this will sink in with the people reading this board.
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  SWALKER

  Hi AS, glad to see you posting again! I know this site helped me realize that I had made the right decision to leave, learning all the rest of the things that I have, is just icing on the cake!

  Swalker
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  TheListener

  This forum has the power to change a persons life. That is important.

  When I found this forum I was scared to death. I read a lot and knew, just knew for sure, that I would never ever never ever post. I read for about 2 years.

  I followed the story of Winston Smith and his exit from the Witnesses. This story moved me beyond words. I owe him a debt of gratitude that it would be impossible to repay.

  Then I followed the story of IthinkIsee. Again, I owe him a debt of gratitude that is impossible to repay.

  I am here, I am free and I am hopeful that what little information I post on my personal situation will help someone the way I've been helped.

  Auld Soul, it is great to see you back. I have missed our lengthy telephone calls.
• 

  SnakesInTheTower

  highlander:

  I do believe that even if this site does not continue on...

  SHUDDER!!!!

  SnakesInTheTower (of the "where would we go Lord Simon?" Sheep Class)

  (ps...cool, i figured out how to change font sizes in HTML! )
• 

  greendawn

  Nice to see you back Auld Soul your posts I am sure are helpful to many being so comprehensive and atriculate.

  It's nice to know that the power of the internet has been harnessed to helping ex JWs make the often difficult psychological transition from the cult to the real world. Imagine what life would be without it though we never know how many ex JWs for one reason or other do not connect to the net or ex JW sites on the net.

  It would be interesting one day to make a survey using a reasonably large sample to get valid results on such issues. And get ideas on how to get more ex dubs to those sites.
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  PoppyR

  My own experience is, in the past year or two this website has literally saved me!

  I came here full of doubts and wonders, and most of the posts were simple, well informed, non judgemental and encouraged questions.

  I still read most days and enjoy the different opinions and reasons. And the fact some of the oldest posters hang around and keep answering the same questions is so helpful to new ones just coming out.

  Please keep it up!

  Poppy
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  LennyinBluemont

  It seems to me the primary power of this discussion forum lies in the collective knowledge, insight and research regarding the JW experience. I would like to propose that a section of this board be set up and maintained as a wikipedia-type reference area regarding various issues. This would be the next evolution of the "best of" area. Any could contribute to any article and moderators could referee. As with wiki, the sheer mass of contributors would serve to keep it accurate. The benefit would be that any new or old searcher could quickly go to a link here and see the sum total of the latest research on any JW/WT-related issue. Properly organized we will have created our own web-based research library.

  Suggestions for articles/chapters? I would like to see one on WT rules through the years. I know there have already been a number of threads on this subject, but wouldn’t it be nice to have just one, authoritative link to go to? When the elders last visited me, I mentioned the hundreds of rules the WT has imposed on it’s members through the years, and they acted as if my statement was ridiculous. I would have loved to be able to present them with a comprehensive list, complete with WT references, of at least a few hundred. But alas, I was unprepared. How about a wiki-style article on the WT/UN affair? Again, complete with references and web links to establish validity. The pedophile issue. Each "article" could contain subheadings for the secondary issues within each primary one, and any registered members could make their additions at any time, subject to overrule by the majority.

  Such an arrangement would benefit, not only those of us who use this forum on a regular basis, but also any lurkers, seeking concrete evidence in an easily accessible and understandable form, regarding any and all of the WT’s deceptions, lies and manipulations over the years. This added feature to JWD would significantly increase it’s value, not only for us, but for those lurkers who are still in and considering their exit, but haven’t sufficient evidence yet to justify their conscience.