There were some good things about the organisation...

by Do I Stand Alone? 54 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Odrade

  I became a very studious, confident, well educated and knowledgeable individual.

  How, exactly, did you become "well-educated?" From reading the Awake!? Knowledgeable about anything besides how to "win" an argument with a Trinitarian?

  You give the WTS too much credit. That's okay, I did too when I first exited. I was trying to be "fair." Once I realized how many other people had the same skills as I, and got them by going to college, not by giving up their entire childhood to peddle books for a religious conglomerate, it all kind of fell into perspective.

  It is not BAD to be ANGRY. Well-placed anger is healthy and a sign of balance and mental stability.
• 

  Odrade

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/93349/1579650/post.ashx#1579650

  I guess we neglected to read between the lines. This poster is looking to recruit for his Online business by means of this forum. It's easy to miss, but here it is in the opening post:

  Image using your talents and becoming involved in an online business of your own or at the very least helping others to acquire one...don't you think everyone would be better off? I would personally like to here from some of you regarding a legitimate, lawful, ethical online business. Something that is not a get rich quick scheme but that has been researched or proven to have success. I hope I have not "offended" anyone because that is not my motivation I am on your side concerning the Watchtower Society but I would like to find former Jehovah's Witnesses who have a desire to use what they have acquired throughout the years to reach a higher level of success...or Do I Stand Alone?

  I'm sure he will get some takers among the vulnerable. This type usually does.
• 

  mrsjones5

  • You were a public speaker

  No I hated the ministry school and refused to sign up even though my mother bugged me about it.

  You were studious and disciplined

  No, didn't become studious and disciplined until I returned to Design school...it was more fun.

  You were a "salesperson"

  Nah, hated field service too. But ironically I am now a Mary Kay consultant, but it is loads more fun than peddling magazines and I get paid for it too!

  You have computer skills and savvy

  No, wrong again. Learned my computer skills on the job, sorta specialized field that I would have never learned just being a jw.

  Sorry I just dont seem to pan out your theory.

  Josie
• 

  Huxley

  I learned how to tie a necktie.
  
  
  A double windsor no less.
  
  Huxley
• 

  Quotes

  I mostly disagree.
  
  Public Speaking? Those who already had a predisoposition to public speaking did see some improvement; frankly however the "Ministry School" gave FAR TOO FEW opportunities for most speakers to actually improve and get comfortable. I can think of several TERRIBLE TMS students who never, ever got any better.
  
  Studious? NO. Disciplined? Yes. I learned what it meant to be studious (and not a parrot) at University -- you know, a real University where they have crazy ideas like a published cirriculum and knowledge testing and advancing to higher levels end of terms (i.e. eventually you get to graduate and leave Univ, but nobody graduates from WTS; and the only advancement is, if you have testicles, you can become an elder and be in charge of the regurgitation of the nonsense). Honestly, the "study" required to be a JW was similar to about grade SEVEN in intensity. A quick review, memorize a few facts, underline them, (no need to memorize!!!) and actually don't bother to truly understand. They provide both the questions, and the answers. Don't think too hard, we don't want you to ask about the man behind the curtain.
  
  Sales? Only the most primitive, basic form: door-to-door sales. Part of my career involved long sales-cycle (months, start to finish), and most of my JW sales skills were useless. In fact, I had developed a hesitation to cold-calling and an assumed negative outcome expectation due to years of negative experiences selling WT publications. I wish I didn't learn bad sales habits from WTS.
  
  Computer Skills? You are kidding now, aren't you? Since when does WTS provide or even encourage any computer skills? They actively discourage use of the internet for anything other than their own web site (http://quotes.watchtower.ca/internet.htm) True, they have their little WT Library CD-ROM, but I don't think you will have success if you put on your resume: "Computer Skills: Familiar with navigating the CD library of an obscure religious cult... also can cut and paste from the cult lib CD into Notepad"
  
  Nothing that I learned from being a WTS was superior to what could have been learned through other, more efficient, more professional, more advanced, more effective channels; and without all the other WTS nonsense.
  
  ~Quotes, of the "Experience" class
• 

  RichieRich

  You have computer skills and savvy

  Is this something new?

  No- that just applies to us JWDers, because we spend hours online lol
• 

  potleg

  There were some good things about Mussolini's Italy... He made the trains run on time...but come on, any good "ends" do not justify the "means" when it comes to the WT.
• 

  RichieRich

  So, you're suggesting an XJW online business?

  Let's see... Our 2 main priorities will be a) make money and b) further the XJW cause.

  SO what shall we call ourselves? I'm thinking

  Goat's Milk

  Goat = not a sheep

  and

  Milk = money

  Wadda ya think?
• 

  Big Tex

  I was one of Jehovah's Witnesses for 14 years and I saw the good, the bad and the ugly during that time period.

  I as well. I started studying at age 9, 18 months before my parents. I left when I was 27 over the child abuse policy.

  You probably have better study skills because of having been in the organisation. You had discipline, structure and a high level of morality

  Begging your pardon, and I truly mean no disrespect, but I had these traits before I started studying. I studied with the Witnesses because I was disillusioned with the Methodist religion. They refused to take my questions seriously because, I "was just a kid". The Witnesses did nothing to provide me with discipline or morality. In point of fact, they did the opposite, They showed me what a sham organized religion is, and how little true morality exists in a world of rules created by pompous, hypocritical, bigoted men who care not a tinker's dam for God.

  What if you took all the knowledge and all the skills that you acquired while in the organisation and applied it to yourselves?

  I did and it nearly killed me. The Witnesses taught me that God was vengeful, kept track of every mistake and never, ever protected the weak or innocent. They taught me this not by their mind-numbing conventions, or moronic magazine articles but by their actions. This organization is the epitome of the old saying, "What you do speaks so loud I can't hear what you're saying".

  Image using your talents and becoming involved in an online business of your own

  What the hell do I care about that? Is this some pyramid/multi-level marketing scheme? Let me guess, I can sit on my butt all day and earn $50,000 a year.

  With all due respect, money is only a means to an end. I know very little, but what I have learned in this life is the futility of pursuing money. There is always a trade-off. There is always something that must be sacrificed in the pursuit of money. And in all candor, I am unwilling to sacrifice a family, and children, I have spent years cultivating just to have a few extra bucks.

  If you feel otherwise, then knock yourself out. Roll in the dough, and exult in your career. As for me, I have no regrets about the choices I have made.

  Be well,

  Chris
• 

  heathen

  yah , You certainly don't learn creativity or independant thinking as a dub . It's all pretty much just do as we say and repeat our retarded dogma to every body you come in contact with . True they might could help you over come stage fright by making you get up in front of the congregation every once in awhile .