my sister got baptized at 17 or 18 years old in 1983. she was ripe for the jw picking as she was shy, quiet, naive and with low self-esteem even though she was tall and beautiful and she attended one of the best high schools in philadelphia.. she wasn't outgoing and she only went out on a couple of dates prior to her baptism.
she worked at a day care center.
she loved children and animals.
Yes, sadly I have seen that in the elders book. A witness can "disassociate by their actions" by doing something the society considers wrong. They are then to be treated as a "disfellowshipped" person with all the scorn and judgement that involves.
It is so inappropriate that an organization has that level of insidious control over the mindset of its members!
hey everyone.
so a few weeks back i getva knock at the door, i could tell they were jw immediately, its always obvious.
i think its just a regular door knock but at 5.30pm i did think it weird.
If they do come back, be polite but take control of the conversation in a dignified but non-committal way.
"Thanks for popping in. Just curious, how did you get my name and details please? (allow for brief response)________OK, thanks.I hope you take care and have a nice day. Good bye"
jws like to think they have found the one true religion.
but like so many other religious people, it's usually the religion they were born into, the only religion they know because it's the first one they found or, at the most, one of two or three (typically the second one after they left their first / born-in faith).. the trouble is, there simply isn't enough time to explore and investigate each and everyone of the many thousands of belief systems, religions and sects around the world.. think of it this way: which is the best neighbourhood to live in where you would be most happy and most successful?
not just in the city or even the country you are in, but the entire world.. how would you ever know?
FANTASTIC post Simon, and great comments Steve2 as well...(and everyone in fact)
Another thing to add is that : Nothing is constant. Things change (evolve) over time, so what was PERCEIVED to be truth once, needs re-evaluating as more information comes to light. Most religions don't do that....
For instance, Christians (and witnesses in this case) will take the accounts in the OT as factual and acceptable behaviour. (eg Lot committing incest with his daughters, or the killing of babies by soldiers etc) But we know now that there is NEVER an acceptable reason for such behaviour!
I challenge a witness to try and tell us otherwise!
for any who may be fading, or trying to break free from the society, or those who fear how things will transpire , please do yourself a favour and watch this video!.
it is long, but worth the investment in time, for it will help in many ways.. its called "coming out" by theramin trees, and for those who "come out" about recognising the truth of the society, it will help.. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mj-8ocmtb_8.
Bumped for ones who have not seen these videos as yet.
go to the legal developments menu on jw org.
click on legal developments by region.
you will find several countries listed where the ministry and practice of jws is banned and/or constrained.
Don't you all know??
All that media stuff is just made up "satanic propaganda"!!
i was going to reply to another thread, but thought this might deserve a separate topic.. my observations when i was a still in.. the announcement that jesus christ (the co) is visiting our local kh.. would anyone like to "volunteer" their time, money and accommodation for jesus christ.. all ass lickers of said kh come forward to receive jesus christ.
a concerted effort for all to be out in the ministry that week, along with panicking elders visiting homes of those who have not been at the meetings for at least a week, offering "encouragement" so that the number of attendance is up for the week visit.. the self righteous in the kh who would never speak to you (pioneers included) and look down their noses at you all of a sudden start to speak to you.. during the visit, the elders are on their best behavior, thanking everyone who answers up.
the pioneers are martyring themselves by making cakes and practically washing the feet of the jesus christ.. the attendance does rise, with studies being brought along, to show jesus christ what a good little jw they are.. most indoctrinated jw's practically shoot each other to have a turn on the ministry with jesus christ!.
I have observed an undoubtable fact all my life:
The week of the CO visit (or an assembly or convention or memorial too for that matter) brings out the biggest attendances.
BUT the very next meeting has the LOWEST attendances ever! It is almost as if witnesses are so exhausted from the "special week of activity" that they either get sick or are just too tired to keep it up the following week! (Thought it was supposed to be a week to "spur everyone on to better service??)
Anyone else notice this??
i just had a two-hour doctor's appointment (treatment for branch retinal vein occlusion) that requires screenings, scans, dilation, anesthetic and injection, etc.
this makes it necessary to spend a lot of time in the waiting room..
my former p.o., book study conductor and later field service overseer was there and greeted me in a friendly way.
As sir and sparky said, you struck his genuine personality.
However, he also did the "love bombing" thing by trying to say how "the friends think warmly of you".
The best thing you did was show that you are living a happy and successful life. You are not bitter or unhappy. Show them you have dignity and self respect. (Most witnesses cant understand how this is possible. They are told that all who leave are bitter, unhappy and have lives that are full of problems)
in his book crisis of conscience, raymond franz likened the governing body to the proverbial 'iron fist in a velvet glove'.
this would seem harsh if it weren't for the fact that there is ample proof that their policies and teachings have caused much pain amongst the friends.
for example, many families have been torn apart through their shunning policy.
Humility involves recognising where you have been wrong. Even with all of the world authorities pointing out their errors in the handling of child abuse, the society has never admitted that they were wrong.
I sadly think that answers the question
just doing research and came across this.. i know this is old however.
here we have a worldly organisation distributing pamphlets and warning parents about child abuse.. last point in particular.
3) inform the child that what happened is against the law and that it is necessary to report it to the police so that it will not happen again.. pretty straight forward if you ask me.. watchtower were happy to use that in their magazine.
Great find.
Great find.
Why don't the society apply their own quoted words.?
so today was a cold and snowy day in my neck of the woods and the wife and i were just chilling around the house waiting to go to the church tonight for a candle lighting service when lo and behold we get a knock on the door.
yup, 2 elders from my old hall.
i figured they were fishing for some time so i invited them in and gave them some coffee and we talked about everything that happened and why we walk away from the jw's.
You do know that they're going to come back and ask you the question, " do you believe this is gods organisation?"
