looking back on my two decades as a jehovah’s witness, i’ve come to realize how the constant theme of endurance is playing a detrimental role on the individual's psyche.. jehovah’s witnesses have become far too good at keeping going.
they’re experts at surrendering to the demands of the watchtower, living up to what’s expected of them, and getting on with the priorities that those in power have defined and imposed upon them.
they keep showing up, presenting themselves a dutiful pioneer or ministerial servant.
I love this thread that Wakeme has created! Brilliant. Thank you.
I had a similar thought (although NOWHERE near as well put as WakeMe) some time back:
https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5680338216943616/endure-enjoy
It amazes me now that we are out, just how odd it sounds to hear JWs speak or "enduring" or "Coping" with life! Yet when we were in, it was just normal to hear this oppressive narrative!
with much amusement i read the thread on women parking lot attendants and it got me to thinking about life at home for the average jw.. i believe i am correct in thinking that anything to do with jw-ism requires a penis, except all the leg work (fs & pioneers).
meaning the mic's, talks, etc... but yet the same guy who thinks his wife (or any other woman) is not bright enough to run the sound system for example doesn't mind his wife hauling hay, digging in the yard, managing the checkbook and other various physical jobs as well as jobs that do in fact require a brain larger than that of a gnat?.
let's say a guy is a bit technologically challenged but he can manage the sound system at the kh ok. i imagine he feels proud that he is getting to do this great privilege?
1 Tim 2:12
"I do not permit a woman to teach"
There we go everyone! The spirit-appointed Apostle Paul has spoken!
So unless you have a penis, be quite and know your place!
i got invited as a +1 to someone's house yesterday to watch the fireworks.
i'd never met the hosts, and it seemed that most of the people in the group only knew one or two other people there.
yet i felt more genuine friendship from everyone there than i ever felt at any jw gathering.
Beautiful post!
Yes, most people ARE indeed nice. It only takes one person to politely start a conversation, and most people will react well and open up. I randomly initiate chats with people every day, and have always had positive responses. It is almost like EVERYONE wants to be nice and chat, and it just takes one person to start the ball rolling.
The JW indoctrination made us think that all "worldly" people were evil, or out to get us. Or that they were not nice.
The reality is opposite.
i've posted this here so all visitors to this site can see info relating to the great expansion.. the kealba kingdom hall in st albans will be sold.
perhaps worth around au1.4 million dollars.
on two blocks of suburban land with off street parking.
Gerry, don't forget to add to your list the:
Embleton Hall in Perth, and the Kambah hall in Canberra
many years ago, in the congregation i attended at the time, there was a brother who had endured bad health over many years.
as result he underwent a number of operations - a couple being life saving operations.
at one or two circuit assemblies he was interviewed on the platform where he related how he endured ill health.. for me, i felt very uncomfortable listening to his experience and, i actually felt embarrassed for him because i have never been one to speak of any health issues i had, let alone publicise it from the platform.
My issue is that those "experiences" were designed to reinforce the cult doctrine, and practices.
It was not really to help the individual. It was purely a marketing exercise to motivate the rest in attendance to "DO MORE"
i stumbled upon this charitable status page for canada and thought that i would look for the watchtower society of canada.
as they say the report is incomplete because it lacks the normal auditors process details.
but donations received $64.4 canadian dollars!
And what "Charitable activities" did they spend it all on??
Did any JW receive financial aid, or food, or clothing, or shelter from the Society?
Or is it just a "one-way street" of donations?
Charitable my ass...
the fear or threat of being disfellowshipped is what is keeping thousands of jdubs stuck in the borg.
the borg knows that and constantly reminds the witlesses of this loving provision from their desert god.. this forces thousands of people to live miserable lives.
millions of jdubs live for the promised panda and lion petting zoo while pissing away the only life they will ever have.
WOW!
DoC. Shhh...don't tell the GB that! They are on a money grabbing adventure now. They may very well put your idea into practice...
Haha
after i awoken from the cult, i went through the normal process of not knowing who i was and what my tastes where.
looking back this was a wonderful time in my life because i experimented and tried different things and now i like or dislike things because i personally like/dislike them - not because i've been told they're good or bad.. black pudding is an example - it's made of blood and is a popular addition here in britain to fried breakfasts.
i tried it for the first time last year and i can confirm that it is indeed revolting.
Great thread PE.
Music has always been a vital part of my life, and I have always favoured artists that are NOT mass-produced commercialised trash...
I always had a 'secret / guilty pleasure' for artists that we as JWs should not have liked.
Now I can enjoy those artists guilt free.
Also, we now go to see live gigs really often! There is nothing like a live concert. Now there is no conflict between "meeting nights" , or "what if I stumble someone" if they see me going to this artist?
my mother was not the most emotionally stable person.
she was a follower and instilled in me the idea we were better than those worldly people.
its hard to go to school as a child and you can not be friends outside of school, you can not celebrate any holidays, and you are told all these people are going to die.
Yes.
Lost opportunities can never be made up for!
Now, in my early 40's, I resent the opportunities that were denied me that I could have pursued.
Im not unhappy with my life as such now, BUT, what could I have been able to do if I was encouraged to succeed in life, rather than being suppressed as we were? I guess we will never know....
with much amusement i read the thread on women parking lot attendants and it got me to thinking about life at home for the average jw.. i believe i am correct in thinking that anything to do with jw-ism requires a penis, except all the leg work (fs & pioneers).
meaning the mic's, talks, etc... but yet the same guy who thinks his wife (or any other woman) is not bright enough to run the sound system for example doesn't mind his wife hauling hay, digging in the yard, managing the checkbook and other various physical jobs as well as jobs that do in fact require a brain larger than that of a gnat?.
let's say a guy is a bit technologically challenged but he can manage the sound system at the kh ok. i imagine he feels proud that he is getting to do this great privilege?
There is far too many non-penis-equipped people expressing opinions here on this thread!
It must stop now! Or Jehovah will get very upset you know! !
