Conversation with a Pioneer and............

by Save My Soul 15 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Save My Soul

  I had a conversation with a pioneer at Yosemite National Park recently. She was aware that I do NOT attend the meetings anymore. In the past she did not speak to me, but now she did. She started pioneering at an assembly prior to 1975 and just stopped a few years ago. We talked about the organization. She told me that she still goes too the meetings, but really did not believe anything the society said. She goes for the association. She said I was right 20 years ago when I stopped pioneering and started a career. She mentioned how EVERYONE in the hall demeaned me because of my decision at 19, but now it appears I made the right one.

  Many in the org. seem to feel hopeless that the world is still going on and the end has not come. No education, no medical, no 401k, just a green bible.

  Are u aware of any that are protecting their investment in the org. by staying active, but do not believe any of this garbage?

  Obviously we left, but do u know of any others?
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  Open mind

  Are u aware of any that are protecting their investment in the org. by staying active, but do not believe any of this garbage?

  One of my fantasies is to have a pair of X-Ray vision glasses that would allow me to walk through a Kingdom Hall or ASSembly and see who fits that description.

  Sure would be fun.

  I'm sure there are "plenty". (Statisticians hate that word, BTW.)

  Open Mind
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  greendawn

  We can't put any numbers on it since we do not have a survey but my feeling for where my sister attends is that most dubs there are in for the social dimension of it and don't really care at all about what the society says, by the WTS standards it is an unspiritual and world oriented congregation. I can't see anyone of them refusing a blood transfusion for themselves or their children should the case arise especially nowadays when the ban has been to a great extend lifted with fractions allowed.
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  Seeker4

  On the old H2O discussion board, before I came on here, I posted a long conversation I had with one of my former COs. At the time I was in the early years of my fade from the WTS.
  
  This ex-CO, at the time an elder in CA, was back for a visit, and called to get together and talk. We talked for several hours, and it was obvious that he didn't believe very much that the WTS taught, but remained active to help where he could.
  
  I thought he was meeting with me to try to convince me to come back, and in reality it was more a chance for him to openly discuss his doubts and disgust with the Society.
  
  The thread used to be bttt on H2O every year or so, and was well-read. If anyone knows how to get to those archives, I would love to see that post brought onto JWD. I posted on H2O as Seeker4 as well.
  
  S4
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  changeling

  I have a feeling there are many who feel that way and are just "hanging on" for variious personal reasons. It would be great to have the power to sense these ones and give them a "thumbs up" so they wouldn't feel so lonely.

  changeling
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  still_in74

  I have been virtually inactive for about 5 years now and now have not gone out in "service" for about 3-4 months (I actually handed in my first fake time report last month for 2 hours!! hehe)

  Anyway, while I am not active I am still "hanging on" as you put it as yes, I have too much invested. I have my marriage to think about and my elderly grandfather that just lost his wife and doesnt have much time left. I honestly dont know how long i can get away with this or even handle it. I have had some family already make comments about my "attitude" when having discussions about the org. They sense things a bit but it becomes the elephant in the room.

  Its amazing how so many can never really commit to the "truth" for so many years, just drifting by without ever really putting thought into anything and then when a friend or family member wants out they freak out like they actually believe it themselves, like they actually have some degree of "higher understanding" that you unfortunately lack. Yet when they argue with you its just regurgatated WT double-think.

  I hear the words "toe the line" here a lot, how true those words are for so many, how true.................
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  Quandry

  She said I was right 20 years ago when I stopped pioneering and started a career. She mentioned how EVERYONE in the hall demeaned me because of my decision at 19, but now it appears I made the right one.

  Many in the org. seem to feel hopeless that the world is still going on and the end has not come. No education, no medical, no 401k, just a green bible.

  How utterly sad for this woman. She must be well along in years now and feel that she cannot go back and undo the years, and that if she left now she would have no friends, maybe no family, etc.

  I wish I'd left twenty years ago, becuse at 55 it is hard to undo the years and now I have no education, no career, no money, no 401K, no retirement, and threw the green Bible out.
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  sspo

  From a conversation i had with an elder, he mentioned that 50% of the brothers don't beleive in the teaching of the watchtower but of course no one dares to say a word against the FDS.
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  Save My Soul

  From a conversation i had with an elder, he mentioned that 50% of the brothers don't beleive in the teaching of the watchtower but of course no one dares to say a word against the FDS.

  Wow, 50%. Many are drones following the orders of the queen.

  With a weak foundation, I wonder how long the house will stand?

  I see it crumbling at some point unless changes are made.
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  hamsterbait

  I cannot remember the thread,

  but Blondie once presented the evidence of how many are just going through the motions out of fear.

  Make no mistake it is FEAR - either of losing family, or facing up to the fact that you have wasted most/all of your one - and one only ever in all eternity - life peddling the WT in door to bore misery.

  FEAR of having to face the barracking from a JC of ignorant cheese and cracker window washers.

  Some newer to the board say we who lurk whilst not believing are cowards.

  The issues are not so simple. Some of us would prefer not to really bhurt our still believing relatives, whether dying of cancer or just very old now.

  I think a lot of witlesses now take the perorations from the WT and ASSemlies cum grano salis.

  Those older parents who missed out are now encouraging education - hence the Anti- campaign by the ignorant old farm boys and street sweepers running the witchtower.

  Boy, am I glad I went to university at 18, even though the elders accused me of having no faith in the organization. People my own age now claim I am better off than them through luck, not hard work. BUT I saw even then middle aged men who pioneered after school struggling to sweep floors for their families.

  I was already sceptical of the witchtower promises.

  To any youngsters on this board, I say jump now, because it gets harder and harder to loosen the noose as the years creep past.

  HB