Do You Remember The First Time You Looked At "Apostate" Material? (page 3)

Ucantnome

after i had left i read crisis of conscience

@slimboyfat Yes that is exactly it! And you are correct in noting that the manner in which it was written was very thought provoking without being bitter or bombastic. I venture to say the writers woke up a fair number of those whose doubts surrounded the "God's going to kill everyone" doctrine.

SAHS

Yes, it was around the year 2002, when I soon registered an account with this very forum. (Thank God for this forum!) The thing that really was the tipping point for me was the collection of flip-flops called “Food At the Proper Time” on the Website “http://www.freeminds.org,” by Randy Watters. I read that entire multipart document, which showed the evolution of the absolutely ridiculous teachings and policies contrived by the Watchtower Society. After reading hundreds of pages of the proven-to-be-crap of the WTS, it became most starkly obvious that all those teachings were from arrogant men and that they couldn’t possibly hold up to any candle to any in a force five hurricane.

And, of course, all the other myriads of factual information I’ve been lucky enough to peruse on my own have convinced me that the JW “governing body” is no more inspired than my left foot or my butthole.

Now I know that after I am dead, I will be in the exact same state as a brick or a door nail – which is the so-called Gehennah of which the WTS loves to scare people, and which is also a concept that actually brings me the most piece of mind of all. In other words, I know that I am destined to be completely dead forever – as is everyone else in this world, whether they know and accept it or not. But, in the final analysis, that is the most comforting – and natural – concept of all!

elderINewton

In university while I was studying with JW's. I didn't understand all the acronyms and didn't bother to dig further into them, as it was all weird.

I remember it was the Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. It just seemed too far fetched to be real.

Nothing like being wrong.

Then while in, I did nothing for 12 years, and then boom, a googles news article then off to the internet.

OUTLAW

Do You Remember The First Time You Looked At "Apostate" Material?

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Doubtfully Yours

Once I stumbled into this forum years ago, forgettabout it, I knew it would never be the same. I have left mentally and never looked back. It is good for my psyque to know I am not alone.

Thanks Simon!!! 😊

DY

sparrowdown

The first time I looked at "apostate" material it felt like looking at a sort of religious "porn."

Naughty but exciting, scary but fun and left me with an appetite for more.

Muddy Waters

I remember, many years ago, trembling with dread, and looking over my shoulder for demons, looking at apostate material. However, this stuff did nothing for me, only confirmed that I had the "truth".

Why? What was 'wrong' with that particular apostate literature? This "apostate" stuff was all religious -- like why the trinity was true, or that there was a real place of hellfire for sinners, that we did have a soul that lived on forever (in heaven or hell, a literal hell!) Ugh. It did nothing for me. And when I would flip to the back of the book, to see what truth or religion they would "recommend", it was all the same: confess, repent, give yourself to Jesus, blah blah blah and then find a church of your choice.

...

The "good" apostate stuff tells the truth about the organization and its leaders.

...

It reveals the shenanigans, the politicking, the grievances, the rivalries, the lies, the corruption, the deviousness, the utter lack of love and harmony driving this manmade religious beast.

...

"Apostate" information reveals:

- double standards,

- cover ups,

- alliances with the United Nations,

- non-compliance with child sexual abuse laws --

- court cases and trial transcripts of child sexual abuse cases and other abuse cases, such as rape, domestic violence; and just how much of this is hidden in the files of branch offices

- Bethel stories (lots of accounts on freeminds.com - thank you, Randy!!)

- GB member accounts firsthand ("Crisis of Conscience"! - Thank you, bless you, dear Ray Franz!!),

- other studies ("The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses"),

- books that highlight other cults and mind control and manipulation ("Combattiing Cult Mind Control")

These are the books and accounts that shake the foundations, that rattle the timbers, that start the quaking and crumbling of the fragile tower.... The tower that "watches" but sees nothing except itself.....

lurkernomore

I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was on Facebook and cringed at a JW meme a 'friend' had posted. For some reason I decided ides to look at the comments to see how others felt about it.

One of those pesky apostates mentioned the wtbs UN association which made my blood boil. I thought I'd research it and came across a few sites such as this one and JW Facts. Once I opened that can of worms there was no going back.

Both my wife and I have been out for over 18 months. I'm so glad our girls won't be part of this destructive group and go now to lead normal lives (at least I hope so) free from indoctrination.

fastJehu

First time I read (I had palpitations, was in browser incognito mode) about the real reasons, why the WT:

- no longer serves meals at the conventions

- no longer calls for money from the householders (publications)

- doesn't use the earnings for the sale of a KH for the new building

So I got the feeling - the WT could be all about money.