by undercover 52 Replies latest jw friends
for the longest time, I thought I was the only one in my area that had come to learn of the things about the WTS that I had learned. I was all alone in a world surrounded by zealous JWs
i'm still pretty much at that stage. sometimes i'll suspect certain people but then they suddenly do something very j-dub and i change my mind about them.
I belive that most newcomers ("growth") are in 3rd world countries. Or people from those countries, who imigrated to the States. Too many people in "western" countries are wise to the Society's tricks.
i'm still pretty much at that stage. sometimes i'll suspect certain people but then they suddenly do something very j-dub and i change my mind about them.
Since I'm fading, I do something very j-dub once in a whole to throw people's aposta-radar.
Just saying.
Don't want to take this off topic, but what exactly did I sign that says they can keep any info. on me ?
I do not recall doing so in 58 years, but perhaps there was something when the Data Protection Act came in,in the U.K, and I have forgotten about it ?
I reckon we could have a large faders Convention if only we could get them all to attend, maybe Alton Towers June 19th. will turn out to be a Trumpet Blast ?
Love
Wobble
yeah me too mickey mouse, but it's still different somehow.
if i'd say "what an encouraging talk that was this morning", people could probably tell that it's out of character.
Really interesting thread. A few things to remember about the dub org and specifically the bodies of elders:
1. They are not nearly as organized as you would think! (There are a few exceptions, where someone doesn't have a life and goes by the book, but that's rare, especially compared to 30 years ago).
2. A fade works best when you cover your trail; in other words, move (like the example used in a previous post) and make sure your cards get transfered. You will be under the radar in a new congregation that knows little about you except that you haven't been to very many meetings and now seem to have disappeared. The effort to go out and find you will be half-hearted or non-existant.
3. Most elders have no real desire to confront you about why you are not walking the walk. If yours is not a familiar face, they usually aren't going to bother... unless you walk right up to them and make it easy for them. And if they do know you, they usually back off after an initial approach, especially if you don't seem interested in talking to them. I've heard many elders say "Well, he knows what he's supposed to do" and use that as an excuse not to follow up on a "shepherding call." One thing I learned from experience: Elders feel powerless when you ignore them and their alleged "authority." It makes them angry that you don't recognize their "headship" but it also creates doubt in their minds and they are uncomfortable with that. So they aren't anxious to take any action that calls up those feelings again.
"... but what exactly did I sign that says they can keep any info. on me?"
If I may answer. Nothing. In fact, I will go one further, what did anyone sign when supposedly "joining" the organization? Nothing!
So, if you signed nothing going in, why sign anything to leave?? I didn't, and wouldn't. I refused to play their game.
I must emphasize here that if you want to strike back at the Watchtower, fading is the way to do it, not disassociating yourself. They see you and see that lightning has not struck you. Life goes on and nothing dramatic happens.
Eventually they will say to themselves, "why am I doing this? What's the point?"
Open, witnessed fading strikes at the heart of this cult. It drains morale and also may cause some 'faithful' to slack off without even realizing it!
metatron
Hi all, Many of us joined the Organization because we beleived we were building a true relationship with Jehovah (YHWH). Like most faders, I had faded for several years; yet I still had a spiritual conscience during this time. I became quite worldly (in the sense that I no longer cared what I was doing-to a degree). However, my spirituality was always there. I am hoping that what I say next will be faith strengthening to many of you who are going through a somewhat difficult and confusing time; and hope I can encourage some of you to not give up completely. I never thought I would get involved with the witnesses ever again, due to what I had read about their history. I got to a point where I despised the fact that I was ever a witness. I even began to doubt the word (with all its contradictions - I read age of reason by Thomas Paine, given to me by a relative). But then, one day, I thought to myself, that I had never really read the bible through properly. All the years I was a JW, i NEVER READ THE BIBLE THROUGH!!! Was it fair of me to make judgement on this book that claimed to be the written word of God, when I had never read it through? The answer to that is clearly 'NO'. I therefore decided that I would read it through using the method highlighted in a bible I bought at a book shop. It suggested I read 2 or 3 cahpters of the old testament and 1 chapter of the new every day. At the same time, I would pray to God to give me insight and a second chance. If this book truly was inspired, I would feel the holy spirit affecting me in my life. I would know in my heart whether there was something there. Over the past year and a half, I can only say that I have been amazed at what I have read. So much so that I was telling friends and relatives about the wonderful things within these amazing pages. My spirituality was coming back again and I could truly feel it. I decided to take the brave step of returning to the meetings as my family are all involved. Yet, I knew I would be going back with a completely different mindset. I was going back knowing that the society are in error in a number of their teachings, but still strangely felt that I could still have a strong relationship with YHWH because he understands my predicament. He knows I sincerely love him and his son Jesus. He knows I pray to him earnestly each day. He knows that I am aware that men have set themslves up on a pedestal and are lording it over people like you and I who are or once were sincere in our worship of YHWH. Jehovah understands this and I love him for that (as a child loves his/her father). I have also learned that YHWH is a merciful loving God and only wants his children to be obedient and to respect him by building a realtionship with him. Sadly some of our brothers are stumbling us (ie the self proclaimed FDS) and whence the reason for the tragedy we see to day in that many are leaving due to the intolerable man made rules of these ones. Our obedience is to Jehovah, not men. We can have a wonderful relationship with him, despite the fact that many of us are being stumbled by the harsh man made rules of those who have decided to lord it over us. I would strongly, suggest you read the wonderful, powerful essays and articles from the following site. This will help to understand why many of us are in the situation we are in today, and will encourage us to regain that sincere love we once had when we first began our relationship with God. I truly feel the holy spirit in my life and know that you can too. If it werent for the holy spirit helping me and guiding me, I would have fallen away again. Not one elder has bothered to encourage me spiritually since going back. This shows the power of the holy spirit, as many times over the psat year, I could have easily have been stumbled. Jehovah views each of us a precious. Remember, it is he we have a realtionship with, not men and there man made rules. Do not allow these men to put you of your faith in God. The shepherds who are leading the flock will be accountable. Trust in Jehovah and turn your heart toward him. Philemon 1:3 Grace to you (all) and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Please cut, paste and add to favourites the following site. Happy reading. http://www.perimeno.ca/Index_A.htm TE
Hi all, Many of us joined the Organization because we beleived we were building a true relationship with Jehovah (YHWH). Like most faders, I had faded for several years; yet I still had a spiritual conscience during this time. I became quite worldly (in the sense that I no longer cared what I was doing-to a degree). However, my spirituality was always there. I am hoping that what I say next will be faith strengthening to many of you who are going through a somewhat difficult and confusing time; and hope I can encourage some of you to not give up completely. I never thought I would get involved with the witnesses ever again, due to what I had read about their history. I got to a point where I despised the fact that I was ever a witness. I even began to doubt the word (with all its contradictions - I read age of reason by Thomas Paine, given to me by a relative). But then, one day, I thought to myself, that I had never really read the bible through properly. All the years I was a JW, i NEVER READ THE BIBLE THROUGH!!! Was it fair of me to make judgement on this book that claimed to be the written word of God, when I had never read it through? The answer to that is clearly 'NO'. I therefore decided that I would read it through using the method highlighted in a bible I bought at a book shop. It suggested I read 2 or 3 cahpters of the old testament and 1 chapter of the new every day. At the same time, I would pray to God to give me insight and a second chance. If this book truly was inspired, I would feel the holy spirit affecting me in my life. I would know in my heart whether there was something there. Over the past year and a half, I can only say that I have been amazed at what I have read. So much so that I was telling friends and relatives about the wonderful things within these amazing pages. My spirituality was coming back again and I could truly feel it. I decided to take the brave step of returning to the meetings as my family are all involved. Yet, I knew I would be going back with a completely different mindset. I was going back knowing that the society are in error in a number of their teachings, but still strangely felt that I could still have a strong relationship with YHWH because he understands my predicament. He knows I sincerely love him and his son Jesus. He knows I pray to him earnestly each day. He knows that I am aware that men have set themslves up on a pedestal and are lording it over people like you and I who are or once were sincere in our worship of YHWH. Jehovah understands this and I love him for that (as a child loves his/her father). I have also learned that YHWH is a merciful loving God and only wants his children to be obedient and to respect him by building a realtionship with him. Sadly some of our brothers are stumbling us (ie the self proclaimed FDS) and whence the reason for the tragedy we see to day in that many are leaving due to the intolerable man made rules of these ones. Our obedience is to Jehovah, not men. We can have a wonderful relationship with him, despite the fact that many of us are being stumbled by the harsh man made rules of those who have decided to lord it over us. I would strongly, suggest you read the wonderful, powerful essays and articles from the following site. This will help to understand why many of us are in the situation we are in today, and will encourage us to regain that sincere love we once had when we first began our relationship with God. I truly feel the holy spirit in my life and know that you can too. If it werent for the holy spirit helping me and guiding me, I would have fallen away again. Not one elder has bothered to encourage me spiritually since going back. This shows the power of the holy spirit, as many times over the psat year, I could have easily have been stumbled. Jehovah views each of us a precious. Remember, it is he we have a realtionship with, not men and there man made rules. Do not allow these men to put you of your faith in God. The shepherds who are leading the flock will be accountable. Trust in Jehovah and turn your heart toward him. Philemon 1:3 Grace to you (all) and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Please cut, paste and add to favourites the following site. Happy reading. http://www.perimeno.ca/Index_A.htm TE
