Berean Pickets is the site that Meleti Vivlon started a few years ago. I good critical site that has gradually developed followers who are interested in revealing untruths and mis quoted scripture.
umbertoecho
JoinedPosts by umbertoecho
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July 19th Watchtower Summary. Insanity
by Lemonp injust got back from the wt study and it overall was just so blindingly biased and leading.. i had to read it from the platform too, i hope they couldn't see the confounded look on my face as i read this craziness out!.
first we consider the faith of abel, enoch, noah, abraham, isaac and jacob, and moses.. all of these people are held up as sterling examples of blind faith, with the article pointedly saying that their imaginations sustained their faith in gods promises for them.
no mention anywhere at all that all of these characters saw and talked to angels, spoke to god himself, saw and performed miracles, or any of the other feats experienced by these characters.
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How much damage has internet done against the The Watchtower Society ?
by opusdei1972 inin the beginning of internet the society was worried about the information published exposing its falsehood.
so, i wonder how many people lost the society on account of forums and web sites like this.
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umbertoecho
It took being treated very badly by study conductors and the haughty elders to make me wonder at the reality of this "Spiritual Paradise" we were supposed to be living in.
I noticed how nasty they were to certain members in the hall. They were nasty to a guy who was gay although he was inactive in that sense. He tried so hard. They were cold toward a woman who's husband had died, saying that she was a winging miserable person. The whole place was filled with this nasty judgement. I could not reconcile it with what I was told to believe.
It was then I went to the internet. Everything changed, books were recommended, sites were there to explore the real problems of the WT. It was there that I found so much out that I could not blinker myself to the facts.
The Internet is the WTs worst nightmare. Of that I am completely sure!!!
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Is Watchtower imploding? 10 reasons why the end could be nigh
by WildeLover inhttp://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/is-watchtower-imploding-10-reasons-why-the-end-could-be-nigh.
i dont know how to hyperlink the link above,.
it's a link to an article by cedars on the possibility of the wt imploding?.
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umbertoecho
The one main item that people seem to miss is the pension influence within the WT walls. One can't help but notice how many CO's and other full time (aka paid by WT) servants are retiring. This in turn is causing a "pension" crisis within the organization. In truth if you made me guess, its probably a growing burden that they did not plan on paying.
elderNewton.
I would like to know more about the "pension" that you speak of. If you don't mind leading me to some source or simply laying it out for me. You see, it is never, ever mentioned here in Australia. Nothing is said. Why is that that? Last year I discovered that a property not far from me had been gifted to the society. It is three units, used for when various COs or whatever are here.
The elders wife looked embarrassed when she told me this as we stood looking at this property. I wondered ...."who missed out in that family?" Now I have discovered pensions.
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Family Reuinion and Being Disfellowshipped (sorry...but it's long)
by babygirl30 init has been a long looong time since i posted on here, but never ceased reading all the posts and keeping up on the changes that have been going on!
but it just seems that now i have a need to get something off my chest, and this is the one place that will most definitely understand the topic at hand.
i have been disfellowshipped for about 8yrs now, and have dealt with the 'consequences' of that decision: all my so-called friends in the org left and i was also abandoned by my own family.
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umbertoecho
I have been here a short time, but reading your post gave a sense of familiarity that I personally relate to.
I think that one of the greatest things that will happen to your' parents, will be the fact that you outlive them. Sounds terrible doesn't it? But, it's true. You will outlive these self righteous and bitter people who have achieved zero in terms of applying genuine love to the world.
Very glad for you and sorry too.
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Is Watchtower imploding? 10 reasons why the end could be nigh
by WildeLover inhttp://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/is-watchtower-imploding-10-reasons-why-the-end-could-be-nigh.
i dont know how to hyperlink the link above,.
it's a link to an article by cedars on the possibility of the wt imploding?.
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umbertoecho
Watchtower is changing in order to appear less demented. I think it will carry on and on in a limping sort of way long after we are dead. It's core beliefs will be "refreshed" with each generation of followers, until they hardly exist as we know them today.
Having been there in the sixties and looking at them now. It is fascinating to see how unrecognisable they are today. The passion is gone the conviction in their doctrines is wobbling.
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Just Sharing a couple of experiences I heard in the last day or two about ones leaving the Borg.
by Crazyguy ini was having breakfast with a friend and former jw just yesterday and he informed me that the place we were eating in is owned by a former witness.
the story goes as he tells me that the wife and husband or on the outs and getting a divorce.
now just so you know the state i live in, a divorce is not quick, mandatory waiting period etc.
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umbertoecho
This was my shepherding call.................A text message from the elder asking how I was.
I sent back a text asking him if that was the best he could do. No reply.
I couldn't believe it.
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Finally an Article About Unthank!
by jamiebowers inhttp://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/news/local/news/general/private-prosecution-gets-thrown-out-of-court/2468225.aspx?storypage=2private prosecution gets thrown out of court.
by louis nelson.
27 feb, 2012 01:00 am.
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umbertoecho
He is also partly responsible information being revealed about the society. He took a battering but would not give up. He is well informed now and will play a role in part where the Royal Commission is concerned. It was he who had the guts to make a great big bloody noise about this form of corruption.
I think that case was thrown away at the time but was re heard? Re done? (out of the right phrase at the moment) It went back to court anyway.........
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Very good article on Religious Trauma
by umbertoecho ini have found this article and wonder if any here would like to read it.
it could help explain some of the depression and other associated emotional problems that are experienced by those who are leaving, have left, been dfd or had to fade................ .
http://www.babcp.com/review/rts-trauma-from-leaving-religion.aspx.
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umbertoecho
http://www.x-j-w.org/resources/
Sorry. Just thought it might help to show where I found the site's address. I'm sure you will all know it. Still, it's the first time for me to see it.
It's called Religious Trauma.
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Very good article on Religious Trauma
by umbertoecho ini have found this article and wonder if any here would like to read it.
it could help explain some of the depression and other associated emotional problems that are experienced by those who are leaving, have left, been dfd or had to fade................ .
http://www.babcp.com/review/rts-trauma-from-leaving-religion.aspx.
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umbertoecho
Article 3 of 3 by Dr Marlene Winell
Understanding Religious Trauma Syndrome: Trauma from Leaving Religion
Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS) is a function of both the chronic abuses of harmful religion and the impact of severing one’s connection with one’s faith and faith community. It can be compared to a combination of PTSD and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD). In the last article of this series, I explained some of the toxic aspects of authoritarian religions that cause long-term psychological damage (Bible-based ones in particular). In this writing, I will address the trauma of breaking away from this kind of religion.
With PTSD, a traumatic event is one in which a person experiences or witnesses actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others. Losing one’s faith, or leaving one’s religion, is an analogous event because it essentially means the death of one’s previous life – the end of reality as it was understood. It is a huge shock to the system, and one that needs to be recognized as trauma.
What it means to leave
Breaking out of a restrictive, mind-controlling religion is understandably a liberating experience. People report huge relief and some excitement about their new possibilities. Certain problems are over, such as trying to twist one’s thinking to believe irrational religious doctrines, handling enormous cognitive dissonance in order to get by in the ‘real world’ as well, and conforming to repressive codes of behavior. Finally leaving a restrictive religion can be a major personal accomplishment after trying to make it work and going through many cycles of guilt and confusion.
However, the challenges of leaving are daunting. For most people, the religious environment was a one-stop-shop for meeting all their major needs – social support, a coherent worldview, meaning and direction in life, structured activities, and emotional/spiritual satisfaction. Leaving the fold means multiple losses, including the loss of friends and family support at a crucial time of personal transition. Consequently, it is a very lonely ‘stressful life event’ – more so than others described on Axis IV in the DSM. For some people, depending on their personality and the details of their religious past, it may be possible to simply stop participating in religious services and activities and move on with life. But for many, leaving their religion means debilitating anxiety, depression, grief, and anger.
Usually people begin with intellectually letting go of their religious beliefs and then struggle with the emotional aspects. The cognitive part is difficult enough and often requires a period of study and struggle before giving up one’s familiar and perhaps cherished worldview. But the emotional letting go is much more difficult since the beliefs are bound with deep-seated needs and fears, and usually inculcated at a young age.
Problems with self-worth and fear of terrible punishment continue. Virtually all controlling religions teach fear about the evil in ‘the world’ and the danger of being alone without the group. Ordinary setbacks can cause panic attacks, especially when one feels like a small child in a very foreign world. Coming out of a sheltered, repressed environment can result in a lack of coping skills and personal maturity. The phobia indoctrination makes it difficult to avoid the stabbing thought, even many years after leaving, that one has made a terrible mistake, thinking ‘what if they’re right?’
It is truly amazing the pain I went through due to what was inputted into my mind… All I know is it took such a toll on me that I did not care if I died and went to hell to escape the hell I was in and the immense fear it put into my life.
Depression, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, etc... you name it. It sucks. Probably from years of guilt being a Christian and a sinner, and thinking people I love are in hell.
Making the break is for many the most disruptive, difficult upheaval they have ever gone through in life. To understand this fully, one must appreciate the totality of a religious worldview that defines and controls reality in the way that fundamentalist groups do. Everything about the world - past, present, and future – is explained, the meaning of life is laid out, morality is already decided, and individuals must find their place in the cosmic scheme in order to be worthwhile. The promises for conformity and obedience are great and the threats for disobedience are dire, both for the present life and the hereafter. Controlling religions tend to limit information about the world and alternative views so members easily conclude that their religious worldview is the only one possible. Anything outside of their world is considered dangerous and evil at worst and terribly misguided at best. So leaving this sheltered environment is bursting a bubble. Everything a person has believed to be true is shattered.
My foundation has truly dropped out from under me. Despite being told I am courageous, tenacious, and this is rugged work, I consistently find wave after wave of grief that overwhelms me. I can hardly believe how upended it has made my life.
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Very good article on Religious Trauma
by umbertoecho ini have found this article and wonder if any here would like to read it.
it could help explain some of the depression and other associated emotional problems that are experienced by those who are leaving, have left, been dfd or had to fade................ .
http://www.babcp.com/review/rts-trauma-from-leaving-religion.aspx.
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umbertoecho
I have found this article and wonder if any here would like to read it. It could help explain some of the depression and other associated emotional problems that are experienced by those who are leaving, have left, been DFd or had to fade...............
http://www.babcp.com/Review/RTS-Trauma-from-Leaving-Religion.aspx