lately i've been thinking over how far i've come over the last 2.5 years since leaving the cult.
when i first left i remember not knowing who i really was and what my beliefs and values were.
previously my values and beliefs were dictated to me the the governing body in watchtower magazines.. i'm politically active, being a member of a political party and i'm even considering running in my local election in a few years.. when it comes to religion, im an atheist who has little time for superstition and "god did it" answers to complex questions.
Beautiful sentiments and comments Pale!
I really relate to much of what you wrote! To compare the "me" of now to the "me" of the past is amazing. I see how narrow minded, judgemental and arrogant I was as a JW. (After all, I was privileged to know THE TRUTH, while the rest of the work was ignorant..).
Now, I understand that I know very little. But I am absolutely enjoying learning more every day, and sharing this world with people of all sorts!
episode 325 of "thanks god i'm athiest" has a great segment that is so reminiscent of jw judicial committee judgement!.
starting at approx.
51 minute mark, the guys highlight the example of a mormon lady who faced their equivalent judicial judgement for "apostasy" for "not being obedient, and negatively speaking publicly" about her ordeal.. it also highlights the culture of their insular community (so similar to jws insular community!).
Episode 325 of "Thanks God I'm Athiest" has a great segment that is so reminiscent of JW Judicial committee judgement!
Starting at approx. 51 minute mark, the guys highlight the example of a Mormon lady who faced their equivalent judicial judgement for "apostasy" for "not being obedient, and negatively speaking publicly" about her ordeal.
It also highlights the culture of their insular community (so similar to JWs insular community!)
She even recorded her private judicial meeting where her sanctions were handed down.
It is worth listening to! It is so similar to things that many of us have gone through!
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/thank-god-im-atheist-podcast/e/53450830?autoplay=true
it struck me that the society has created a culture of lazy jw parenting.. rather than parents being there to guide and direct and help their children through all stages of life, the gb / society has become the "go-too" for everything.. if the child has an issue, there is a wt article for that.. does the child need help with something else?
ah, there is a caleb and sophia cartoon for that.. what about that other topic?
ah, there is a book for that.. so rather than being present parents, the average jw parent simply outsources their parenting to the organization!
It struck me that the Society has created a culture of lazy JW parenting.
Rather than parents being there to guide and direct and help their children through all stages of life, the GB / Society has become the "go-too" for everything.
If the child has an issue, there is a WT article for that.
Does the child need help with something else? Ah, there is a Caleb and Sophia cartoon for that.
What about that other topic? Ah, there is a book for that.
So rather than being present parents, the average JW parent simply outsources their parenting to the Organization! Lazy indeed.
so we have all heard the worldwide reports about khalls being sold off and congregations being amalgamated etc.... of course, jws are being told that these actions are a sign of "just how much the work is progressing, and how jehovah is blessing the increase and expansion!".
i can share the following from my part of the world too!.
in perth, western australia the following has occurred.. three "new" congregations have been formed!
Well! That KHall has been sold already!
Didn't take long for the $ to roll in!
i haven’t posted for quite a while as i needed a break – although i have been lurking.. can anyone confirm if the wtbts give assistance to someone who has been involved in an incident whilst working at bethel and, as a result, must leave?.
the reason i’m asking is that, back in the 80’s, i knew a sister who was in bethel service.
she was assigned to the cleaning department.
I spent 5 years at Bethel.
I know of many who were "encouraged to pursue other kingdom activities" (ie asked to leave Bethel) if they became a liability because of sickness!
In fact, the expression was often used "Bethel is not a recovery centre or nursing home, it is a place of work"
Sadly too, no one ever seemed to question it! It was just normal to know that you would have to leave and fend for yourself if you became sick or injured and couldn't fulfil your "bethel service".
And of course, NO compensation payouts existed!
oh wow!.
the feb2018 broadcast is an absolute masterclass in cult manipulation, and a prime example of the high control nature of the society!.
if you haven't watched it, be prepared for some really disturbing stuff, especially as they address children, and guilt them into jw activity.
Well said Brokeback and Pete! Great comments.
Perfectly summed up!
dear brothers and sisters.
after many years outside of the truth, living as an atheist, i have come to realise that i have been on the wrong path.
the fool has said in his heart that there is no god, and i have been a fool.
Dear Brother Fred,
wow. So as the scriptures say, "pride is before a fall". Well, you slipped and fell - literally! So yes, Jehovah must have pushed you back into the loving arms of his flock...
Your heartwarming testimony has stirred the cold embers in my heart, and made me also realise that my pride and arrogance had led me away from THE TRUTH.
I too need to repent, and seek out the loving Elders who can render the discipline I need and restore me to a relationship with Jehovah (after serving the loving minimum of 6 months of punishment at the back of the hall)
May we all return to Jehovah's organisation.
😜
just when you think you've seen it all comes another interesting use of a kingdom hall.a young man serenades his girlfriend with a song (possibly a watchtower song) from the stage through a microphone and backed by recorded music.
then he steps off the stage and gets down on one knee and proposes as he pulls out a ring from his coat pocket.
the large projector screen flashes up behind them with a picture of a sapphire and diamond ring.cameras capture the joyous moment as she accepts and they lock together in a loving hug.
Absolutely cringeworthy!
Yet another (far too) young couple having their happy time interfered with by JW stuff!
It is almost incestuous to have this all centered around a Kingdom Hall, with kingdom music and a room full of people!
A marriage is between the two people, NOT for all these external things to interfere with them.
The more I think of that scripture about a 3fold chord, the more I realise how distorted it is, and how much it messes with the bond between a husband and wife.
while chatting with forum friends the other day, we recognised the way that the gb have so cleverly set a faulty benchmark.
yes, a faulty set of scales or weights for all witnesses!.
two scriptures can even apply:.
Haha @wake me! You got the pun...
Did it measure up though?😜
oh wow!.
the feb2018 broadcast is an absolute masterclass in cult manipulation, and a prime example of the high control nature of the society!.
if you haven't watched it, be prepared for some really disturbing stuff, especially as they address children, and guilt them into jw activity.
Just wait till the part where they bring in two (approx.) 8 year old boys as part of the "teaching program"!
Those poor kids!
I just hope that at least one them wakes up as her gets older, and joins us here! I mean statistically, its very likely!
