There were some good things about the organisation...

by Do I Stand Alone? 54 Replies latest jw friends

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  googlemagoogle

  welcome "red orc". are you a warcrafter? for the horde!
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  red orc

  Hello googlemagoogle

  I am not a warcrafter I borrowed the name from a Phillip Jose Farmer novel titled

  red orcs rage

  red orc
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  greendawn

  Do i stand alone, it is a fact that there is some good in the org however the bad outweighs the good to such an extend that no one, aware of this, thinks about the little good there is.
  
  The overall picture is a very bleak and negative one, at the end of the day this is a dangerous cult that enslaved and ruined many families and lives. In other words their cunning runs deep, they make you pay an awesome price for whatever good things they give you and one has to be really naive to want any dealings with such an org.
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  Gozz

  I do see some good in the JW religion: for many that need the apron strings, it's a good social network. It is a fact that soem need the form of directiin provided by the JW religion. It is a sad fact. These are the sort of people that benefit the most from the religion: were the JWs not there, they would've gone afyer some form of worship consistent with their needs. It is the same question on emust face when say, discussing with a 68-year old woman whose only social network consists of JWs. Is it fair to attempt to wrench ther from there? It is a legitimate question, and for many of those I know, JW doctrines pose not threat at all to their lives. Many religions (including the severly harmful ones, have this characteristic).

  The JW religion could do it better by removing the control that is destructive of personal relationships, the doctrines that limit personal freedoms, and the repercussions of exiting the religion.

  .
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  katiekitten

  I would like to agree with you DISA, but on reflection I dont think I can. I used to think the public speaking thing was a great benefit of having been a witness, until I trained to be a teacher.

  I agree with all the other ladies, acting out a word for word skit with your notes hidden in your bible does nothing to help you speak publicly. Im not even talking about being infront of a class - I couldnt present to four other teachers in a totally safe space where we all had to present to each other.

  The years I have spent recouping my education since leaving school and the resulatant loss of income (1 year doing a part time GCSE at night school, 2 years back at college paying to do A levels when I could have had them for free at age 16 - 18, 3 years back at university in my late 20,s, and 1 year doing a post grad teacher training course) have left me thinking no amount of Awake arrticles on the lesser spotted pepper moth could compensate me for my lost education. Im 35 and my career has just started. Im competing with 21 year olds who earn the same as me. I feel like a right loser!!
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  luna2

  I think that I was one of those (at the very beginning of my JW experience anyway) that did need the social/structural aspects of the Witnesses. I think the friends I made and the number of single sisters with similar situations to my own that I found in that particular congregation really helped me to settle into my changed circumstances (separated from my husband and being a single parent in a new place).

  That being said, once I gained my feet emotionally, I started noticing that things were not what the JW's claimed they were...but I blamed myself. I wasn't "spiritual" enough or I must not be studying, praying, attending meetings or going out in service enough and that's why the shiny facade was showing signs of decay.

  While my ex did a pretty good job of eradicating a good portion of my self esteem, the WTS pretty well finished the job.

  The one truly good thing to come out of my being a dub is a great friend I made back there in the beginning. We came into the org at nearly the same time, we have remained friends through the years (even though I moved far away), and in the past few years, have come out of JW slavery and back into the world together. I count that as the one blessing of an otherwise wasted 20 years.

  *Katiekitten...you are no loser! You had to try harder and longer to achieve what you have than those kids who you are comparing yourself to. They didn't have to break free from a cult upbringing and work extra hard going to night school and then univ. while taking care of adult responsibilities. It would have been easy to have forgotten about going back to school and just carried on as best you could. You are a winner in my book!
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  orangefatcat

  Honest what can I say. That was perfection.

  I was a JW for 38 years. So you were a witness for 14 years, what difference does that make? Never mind.

  As a women in the organization our statis is pretty limited. I have an education, I didn't get that from the WTS. I have given many public speeches, nothing that I aquired on account of the WTS. I was gifted as a speaker long before I was used in the congregation. I can tell you that when entering a KH the School Servant would come up to me and say we need talk #3 or 4 as the person assigned is ill, would you give it. Sure no problem. You see I could give a talk with never a note in my hand, what I spoke of is that which in my personal studies..

  I was on the platform almost every meeting for years and also in the service meeting I gave many demonstrations and speaking, with out notes. I have had major parts in conventions. I have been blessed with the gift of the gab as they say. I learned eloquent language skills from my education and my own ability. I spoke in schools. I didn't learn that from being a JW. By the way my second best read book is my dictionary.

  I think you have a mission and I for one see through you, just like several others.

  Is there a troll here?

  Orangefatcat.
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  RichieRich

  Hey DISA...

  With everyone here giving you their 2 cents, you're well on the way to being rich!
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  jgnat

  It is true that I am articulate, express myself well, research my subjects, and can comfortably speak in front of hundreds of people.

  I was never a JW, however.

  I learned to do all these things in the "world". Because of that, I don't see how the Watchtower education gives any unique benefit to it's followers. Though JW's are taught to be persuasive, they are not skillful debaters. A good debater must be able to take either side of the argument, and learn to win. I see the same weakness in the XJW community. Often times, a former JW jumps from one dogma to another, arguing that their latest "find" is correct.

  As for online business..... I do very well on my chosen career path, thank you very much.
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  mtbatoon

  The greatest, most useful, and most used ability I have would not exist if it wasn't for my time in the org. The ability to sit still and fain interest, even nod, um, and er at the appropriate times was finely honed during my tedious education in front of the boredom masters. I would have to listen at work or to the wife's monologue if it wasn't for this ability to enter my “happy place” while all the world is fooled into thinking I give a cr@p.