Paradise is hell

gringojj

My wifes biggest fear at this point is what if sheis wrong about the WTS and they are really right. I told her even if they are right or wrong it doesnt matter. Reason is she knows she would be miserable if she joined them. So essentially joining them would leave her an eternal existence of being miserable under thier rules. If she doesnt join them she can have as much fun and freedom while she is here and then at judgement day she will just die and thats it. Sounds like hell would be a concept that would put fear in dubs but they choose not to use it. But spending eternity under WTS rule, now that sounds like hell.

Honesty

I would rather be destroyed out of existence than live in the WT spiritual pair-o-dice or the WT New World. But I know that will never happen because I have accepted Jesus as my personal savior and the WT cult can't even get close to approaching His spritual paradise.

EvilForce

When I quit going to meetings I wasn't convinced the Dub's were wrong.... I just knew I didn't want to live my life that way anymore, and that if these a**holes were going to be around forever in "paradise" I wanted no part of that. They made current life hell. Why would I want to spend everlasting life with these pricks.

blondie

You might appreciate this story of an Armageddon Survivor.

http://www.macgregorministries.org/jehovahs_witnesses/armagsurv.html

The Diary of an

Armageddon Survivor

The following is not fantasy, this is what we were taught to expect when we were Jehovah's Witnesses.

Michael Pendley [email protected]>

DAY 1

Well, the Big A is over and I survived. I made my way down to the Kingdom Hall this morning. By the end of the day most of the congregation had gathered at the Hall. Some brothers and sisters are still missing, Ed Thorn, our presiding overseer, told us that those who were missing should have spent more time in field service.

DAY 2

Brother Thorn called a special meeting This morning. He announced that he and the other elders would now be assuming full authority over our new community until contact was reestablished with headquarters. All decisions regarding community regulations, living arrangements, work assignments, and other matters would be at the sole discretion of the elders.

Sam Greene objected to this dictatorial policy until Thorn pulled out a letter from the Society dated several months ago which stated that, after Armageddon, the local body of elders would be responsible for all decisions until otherwise directed by the Society. Sam voiced no further objections. The rest of us also accepted the new arrangement.

The first new rule was not long in coming - all brothers and sisters were required to report to the Kingdom Hall at 8:00 every morning to receive work assignments and other instructions.

DAY 3

Brother Thorn has assigned me lo the burial detail. It seems that most of us single brothers have been assigned this unpleasant duty. The dead bodies are already starting to get to me. It sickens me to watch the birds and other animals scavenge the corpses. I actually saw a raven pluck out an eyeball today. Disgusting! Rob Johnson got a bulldozer running and has begun to dig a large common grave. My job is to go around collecting bodies and load them into the back of a pickup truck.

DAY 4

We had our first judicial hearing today. Larry and Sue Winters had moved into the McRae mansion in what was once the exclusive Cypress Oaks subdivision. The problem was that Sister Thorn had already had her eye on the place and, as wife of the presiding overseer, she figured that she should have first choice. Brother Thorn told Brother and Sister Winter that they had no right to claim anything without approval of the elders. They were ordered to get out of the house by nightfall. The Winters were very disappointed but they agreed to move out.

DAY 5

At the morning meeting, the Thorns announced that they would be moving into the McRae place. The Winters were livid, but they didn't say anything. It was also announced that the surrounding estate homes had been assigned to the other elders. Position has privilege, even in the New World.

Some of the brothers have started calling the area "Elder Hill". It was also announced that anyone wanting to appropriate a home must first file a request with the elders. I have decided to stay in my own house. It doesn't seem right to move into someone else's home, even if they were worldly. It makes me sad when I go into someone's house and see the family pictures and personal belongings. Most of the others don't feel this way, it doesn't bother them to loot the dead.

DAY 8

The elders announced a new meeting schedule at the morning meeting. On Sunday, we will still have the public talk followed by a study of old Watchtower articles until we get new magazines. On Tuesday night, we will have a congregational book study. The Service Meeting has been canceled (no need for it anymore) along with the Ministry School. They have been replaced by an instructional session to be held on Friday night. This new meeting will instruct us on how to conduct ourselves in the New World Society. The best thing, of course is no more field service!

DAY 10

This burial work is taking a heavy toll on me. I can't help but feel saddened at the waste of so much human life. Why couldn't Jehovah have found a way to save more people? The children are the worst, I can't stand to see their little bodies anymore. I don't think I'll report for work tomorrow.

DAY 11

I didn't go to work today. Ed Thorn came by later in the morning and asked me why I wasn't at work. I told him I didn't feel well. He told me to gel to work, that everyone feels well all the time in the New World. He also told me that depression, and mental anxiety were things of the past.

Of course, he doesn't have to bury the bodies.

DAY 14

It's been two weeks now. I really miss things like electricity and running water. I wonder if we'll ever get those things working again. Rob Johnson and I borrowed a generator from the Hall last night and hooked it up to my television and VCR. We had a great time watching some "Star Trek" videos and a tape of last year's Super bowl. I really miss television.

DAY 15

At the morning meeting, Brother Thorn publicly reprimanded Rob and I for watching television. The elders have decided that, henceforth. watching videos is prohibited since we do not want our new paradise to be contaminated by the old world. Thorn speculated that one day we might have "theocratic television" from the Society. The Watchtower Channel? Spare me

DAY 20

Still no word from the Society. We have spoken to representatives From surrounding congregations but the elders are not allowing anyone to travel. Carol Woods wanted to visit her sister in the next county to see if she made it through okay, but Brother Thorn told her to slay put and be patient. After all, she would have plenty of time to see her sister later. I think that was a cruel thing to say.

DAY 30

We finally finished most other the burial work. I am so relieved. The scavenger birds are still hanging around. I have grown to hate the sight of of the fat, disgusting creatures. One of the damn things attracted me today. I guess they have acquired a taste for human flesh.

DAY 45

Many other the brothers and sisters are getting sick of being bossed around by the elders. They run things like an old South plantation, we are the slaves. they are the overseers. I have been reassigned to work on the communal farm. It is hard work, but it beats the burial detail. Sam Greene is organizing a committee to speak to the elders about some of the complaints that we all have.

DAY 47

The elders found out about Sam Green's attempted "rebellion". At the morning meeting, he was publicly reprimanded and told to pray for a humble spirit. No one is to speak to him until he has shown proper repentance. I can't believe that we are disfellowshipping people in the New World

DAY 51

Today a messenger finally arrived from the Society. Wade Peters, a young Bethelite, arrived on horseback. He told us that the Society has moved all headquarters staff to Patterson after the destruction of New York City. We also received the first post-Armageddon Watchtower (now issued quarterly).

Many of us had hoped that it would contain information allowing us more personal freedom but we were disappointed to read that we were to keep following the instructions of the local elders until further notice. He also gave the elders a copy of a new procedure manual (titled ORGANIZATION FOR THE NEW WORLD"), but none of us were allowed to see it.

DAY 69

My best friend got married today in a shotgun wedding! Rob and Sally Kennedy were discovered together while engaged in a heavy kissing session. Sally's blouse was unbuttoned and Rob had his hand on her exposed breast. After a judicial meeting, Brother Thorn announced that they were now married, without a ceremony or anything! Rob objected strenuously, explaining that he and Sally had not had sex. Brother Thorn, however, declared that the decision was in keeping with the new elder procedure manual. Sally seems happy enough but Rob is in a state of shock. I remember he once told me that he liked Sally's body, but thought that she was as dumb as a box of rocks. Now he is married to her forever. I'll have to remember to keep my hands in my pockets when I date any sisters.

DAY 80

The newlyweds are not getting along. There has been a lot of gossip about their horrible spats. Rob confided to me today that he went to the elders in an attempt to get the marriage annulled. They told him that according to the Society's new procedure manual. no divorces or annulments would be allowed for any reason. In addition, all marriages now have to be approved by the local body of elders.

DAY 81

Sam Greene was reinstated today. He is still unhappy, but keeps his thoughts to himself now.

DAY 89

We are all in a state of shock! Rob committed suicide today. I guess the idea of spending eternity with Sally was not acceptable to him. The elders refused to let us hold a funeral service. I volunteered to bury my friend. Brother Thorn instructed me to bury him in the common grave where we had put the worldly persons. No one came to the grave side, not even his widow. I said a prayer for my friend. I will miss Rob greatly.

DAY 100

Life is becoming miserable for many of us. The elders keep placing new rules on us every day. We are told we must lead holy lives of service and submission. No dissent or discussion is allowed. It seems like we had more freedom before Armageddon. I never though I would be nostalgic about the old world

DAY 111

I cant take it here anymore. I am going to travel to my brother's place, about a hundred miles from here. Traveling on foot I think I can make it in about five days. I wish I could get gasoline for my car. I'll have to sneak out since the elders still aren't giving anyone permission to travel. I have stored some food and plan to leave tonight after the curfew. I hope my brother is still alive, maybe he will know if Mom and Dad are okay.

DAY 112

I made it out of town today. I wonder if They miss me yet? The destruction in the countryside is incredible. How will we ever rebuild everything? I've seen quite a few skeletons already. I guess there Is still a lot of burial work to do before we build a paradise.

DAY 113

I ran into a group of brothers from Westview congregation. I was detained at gunpoint! Brother Thorn had gotten word to them to be on the outlook for me. I am furious. Why can't I visit my brother ?

DAY 114

Ed Thorn and two ministerial servants arrived today to escort me back "home". They were all carrying guns.

DAY 115

After my attempted escape and several other disciplinary problems involving other brothers, the elders have now set up a gun-toting police force. I was, of course, disfellowshipped at the morning meeting. I have been assigned to latrine duty.

DAY 116

I was instructed to report to the Kingdom Hall after work for "additional instruction." I saw Sam Greene and a couple of other "troublemaker's" there. We were subjected to an hour of "reindoctrination," mostly the usual crap about maintaining a servants spirit and not to think too much of ourselves. We were told to come back next week for more of the same.

DAY 123

I blew up today at the reindoctrination meeting. I told Ed Thorn that I was sick of him acting like a theocratic Hitler. I also told him that I was leaving the community and that he better not try to slop me. My mistake. Thorn called his police force in and had me arrested. I am being detained under armed guard in a makeshift jail cell in the Kingdom Hall basement.

DAY 124

My judicial hearing is scheduled for tomorrow. Sam Greene came by to see me. When the guards were out of ear shot, he told me that his efforts to contact the Society about the local elders had done no good. He had been told by the Society to keep quiet and obey the elders without question. Sam is very depressed about this and about my situation.

DAY 125

My judicial hearing was held today. Ed Thorn acted as lead prosecutor. I, of course had no defense counsel and could call no witnesses. After the hearing which was held in secret, I was judged guilty of being an unrepentant apostate. I was solemnly informed that according to the Society's instructions (as contained in "ORGANIZATION FOR THE NEW WORLD"), the punishment for apostasy is death by stoning. My execution is scheduled for tomorrow.

DAY 126

Well, this is the end. Later today, I will be led out for my execution by stoning. I would rather be shot in the back of the head, but the Society obviously feels that stoning provides a better object lesson. If I get a chance I will throw one of the rocks back at Ed Thorn. The funny thing is that I don't really feel so bad about my impending demise. This New World Society is not my idea of a paradise and I don't want to live with these people for all eternity. From paradise lost to paradise regained to paradise lost again.

EPILOGUE

Everyone turned out for my stoning, even the kids. Ed Thorn solemnly pronounced my death sentence and then quoted scripture telling everyone to "not to let their eye feel sorry." No one did. My only regret is that they tied my hands behind my back so that I couldn't return any of their rocks with interest. Not very sporting. The last thing I saw before the lights went out was a sickening smirk on Thorn's face. Then I woke up. In Heaven. And there was St. Peter. "Welcome to Paradise, my child" he said as he gently took my hand. Confused, I said "But I thought paradise was back on Earth with the Witnesses." "No," explained St. Peter, "That was Hell."

EvilForce

Blondie, that post is hilarious yet sad at the same time.

blondie

Actually, EF, I found it eerily very much what I imagined in the new system, more of the same crap as at the KH but worse because it would be everywhere.

Someone posted it on JWD a couple years ago and I keep in my saved sites. I actually told some elders once that if living in the new system was like things at the KH, I would rather live a full life in this system and die at the big A.

Evidently, I'm not alone.

Blondie

ivy

I agree that the "New System" I was raised to look forward to, now seems like a horrid place that I would never want to live in. Deciding that I would rather die then live forever in that place was certainly a step towards freedom from the borg, but I think that it is important not to get stuck in that phase (as I did). Choosing death over life is essentially suicide, and that's just not healthy.

gringojj, in addition to your line of reasoning here, please encourage your wife to learn more in hopes that her lingering fears will disappear in the light of reality. Don't let her make the same mistake I did.

I didn't really think the "Armageddon Survivor" was funny, or sad. Just terrifing. It reminded me of "A Handmaids Tale", one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing, Blondie.

Sunspot

Let's face it. Anyone who becomes a JW just for the purpose of "making it through" and not wholeheartedly believing it all..............would have the wrong "heart" condition and wouldn't make it anyway!

The WTS keeps telling JWs that Jehovah reads hearts, so that nobody really knows if they're going to be approved or not, come the end. I've often wondered about all those ailng ones that don't get to all those meetings, etc, is their heart any less faithful than someone who makes it to every meeting?

A relationship with GOD is just that! It doesn't require all the field service, counting time, the meetings, assemblies and so on. The WTS does.

I agree that the "New System" I was raised to look forward to, now seems like a horrid place that I would never want to live in.

Yeah, funny how that is, huh? More like a nightmare you can't escape!

Annie

tetrapod.sapien

that is a great post blondie. i am so happy i found it. i am going to send it to my wife.

dear thread starter,
tell your wife that if god is truly merciful and just, he will not mind her not being a JW. he has got to be more intelligent than that!

ezekiel3

Time line of the 1,000 year reign

Year 1: Out of the billions alive before Armeggedon, there are only 6 million granted survival.

Year 2: Reconstruction begins

Year 7: "New scrolls are opened" as a new brochure "Welcome to Paradise" and a new organization book that states that stoning is now replacing disfellowshipping.

Year 20: Survivors begin to murmer that there is no BBQ in paradise

Year 72: The last anointed of the remnant dies, a replacement of a replacement who began partaking in 2003

Year 150: Survivors start to wonder what's so fun about being young again when all you are allowed to do is demo urban centers

Year 300: After 3 centuries of buring bodies and churches, the world begins to look like a JW brochure

Year 350: The resurrection commences with the most recently dead JWs

Year 351: A general mourning begins when it is realized how many are not being resurrected

Year 353: The first apostacy begins when it is confirmed that widow and widowers are no longer married to their resurrected mates.

Year 400: Ancient faithful ones are ressurected. In vengence Uriah kills David who has to be resurrected again. Uriah is stoned. Lot is reunited with his daughters. They spend the night drinking.

Year 550: The mass of dead ones never associated with Jehovah's organization are now being resurrected. A general confusion begins while the resurrected are taught they are not in heaven, Vahalla, or Nirvana. But the Buddhists win the argument that they are indeed reincarnated, not resurrected.

Year 581: It becomes apparent that the attrition rate for the general resurrected is about 50%. Most Caananite children still resent the ethic cleansing and labor camps of the ancient Isrealites. Those who died during the 40 year trek in the wilderness are seriously miffed about the lack of quail. General dissention begins.

Year 620: A record number of suicides among the faithful. Most are not happy with their scant 1 acre parcel and spending full-time hours in the ministry trying to convince a 4th century Greek that he is a soul.

Year 660: The mass stonings are only aggrevating the issue. Rebels unite on the opposite coastline of world headquarters and begin calling it California again. This angers all the circuit and district overseers who had picked out their estates on the beach before Armeggedon ever started.

Year 750: The resurrection is almost complete. Newbies wonder why there is a country of apostates in "Paradise." They are encouraged to have endurance until the "end comes."

Year 880: Australia is completly overwhelmed by apostates. Jehovah's organization is considered under ban there and terrorist vigilantes target faithful ones to revenge those lost to the stonings. Some faithful ones are resurrected 2 or 3 times as a result.

Year 912: The Watchtower counsels faithful ones to serve with a date in view. Only 88 years to go.

Year 1000: Satan is released.

Year 1001: Out of the billions who survived or were resurrected, there are only 6 million granted everlasting life.

Year 1002: Reconstruction begins, again...

Paradise is hell

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