Steve Lowry

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Posts by Steve Lowry

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  29

  When do you think WTBS became a cult?

  by lighthouse1956 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  most believe it was rutherford took over, any ideas?

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  Steve Lowry

  "I guess it depends on your motive. Personally, I see little to gain from causing 'discomfort'. That is a quick way to cause them to raise their defenses and stop listening. If, on the other hand, you want to help people to see for themselves that they are being deceived there are better ways than name-calling to get the point across. Also, the term cult means different things to different people, so often all that is left is its negative, attacking, connotation. The Org. uses this sort of tactic every day, branding 'apostates' as 'immoral', 'evil' and so on. It's not right for them and it's not right for us - well that's my opinion anyway." Perhaps we’ll just have to agree to disagree agreeably on the point you're making. That said, I believe in the right tool for the right job. Would I walk up to a JW and tell him coldly, "Hey man, you’re in a cult, get out!" No, of course not. But if in a rational conversation the term ‘cult’ came up, then yea, I would tell him that by today’s definition of a cult, his group qualifies to be referred to as such and I would go about explaining those reasons. He IS in a cult and he needs to understand that. Understanding that could save his life or his children’s lives someday (blood transfusion). Conversely, if he (JW) were to ask me in a conversation if I believed his religion was cultic by the nature of its ideologies, should I deny what I believe to be the truth and say no? Of course not. I have a dear friend who is in denial about her smoking and doesn’t want to quit. So, when I bring it up, I tell her that smoking will most likely give her cancer and I explain in detail how that happens and what it would be like to have the illness (as I have researched it). Discomfort, can be a very effective tool in helping people see the self-destructive actions they are perpetrating on themselves. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating this principle. It works, and I have experienced it in my own life as well. Now as I understand it, this website is primarily for the former JW (at least that is my experience here). Ergo, people who have been hurt by the Watchtower Society who need to vent and grow through the pain of separating themselves from the group, should be able to feel free to express themselves as they wish. It’s a natural part of the detachment from a cult process. Now, if an active JW comes to such a site as this and he/she is offended by what he/she reads, then such a person should learn quickly this may not be the site for them. But I have read many testimonies where once active JW’s have come to websites such as this one and have had their eyes opened, and not by coddling and sugar coating of the issues but by seeing in clear vision what the outside world (and former members) thinks about their religion. Its not about name calling for me, its about being honest and up front about what the WBTS is. It is one of the most destructive so-called religions today, that have managed to undermine the family unit and has caused unbelievable suffering for many of those who have left the group. It continues to sacrifice its children to its absurd ideology regarding its ban on blood transfusions. It is completely heretical in its "theology" and has twisted major cardinal doctrine to tailor fit its own ideologies (Jesus, Heaven, Hell, etc). What would you call such a group? I call it, a cult.
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  29

  When do you think WTBS became a cult?

  by lighthouse1956 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  most believe it was rutherford took over, any ideas?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  Steve Lowry

  
  
  "When someone resorts to 'name-calling', like calling the Org. a cult, it damages their case. When the GB call oponents 'apostates' they do the same. Stick to the arguments and you might win over some honest hearted ones currently being deceived by the WT."
  

  
  While I appreciate your point of view, sometimes you have to call a spade a spade. Sure, the term 'cult' has negative connotations to be certain, and it can be used as an insulting gesture, unfortunately. However, that said, we all have come to know and understand that there ARE such groups of people who have such peculiar ideologies that they have no place in the mainstream of belief (ie. Jim Jones), and they render themselves as cultic by their own doing. I believe that the Watchtower Society (by today's definition) is just one such example. A group that would sacrifice the lives of its children (blood transfusions), is in my opinion a cult in every sense of the word, albeit negative. Now, if that challenges a Jehovah's Witness and causes discomfort for him or her, then I believe that’s totally appropriate. Sometimes, you just can't sugar coat something in an attempt to win someone over. Put it out there, and let them see it for how it really is. Maybe then, they can make a good decision.
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  29

  When do you think WTBS became a cult?

  by lighthouse1956 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  most believe it was rutherford took over, any ideas?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  Steve Lowry

  "OK. Everyone grab a piece of paper and wriet down a number between "1" and "2000". The correct answer is ...... 1879." Actually, the number on that scale that comes to mind would be, 1975! (and maybe even better, 1914). :u)
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  13

  Need help with this…..

  by JackC in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hey everyone.

  im 35, have been a witness for 30, baptized at 19, married at 22 and now have 3 kids.

  my wife and i are leaving and are considering all the options.

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  Steve Lowry

  Man, I would walk away and not give them (the elders, etc.) a damn thing. Not one of them ever put a crumb of food on your table, I'm guessin', and you don't owe anyone an explanation for your actions regarding leaving. Let them figure it out. Hell, it dosen't matter how "nice" you leave the Watchtower Society, cuz they're gonna demonize you anyway. If you need closure and sending them a letter will help you, then fine. Otherwise, you're just wasting your time. Don't straighten the chairs on a sinking ship, get in the life boat! :u)
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  6

  jw's and verbal/written hit-and-runs...

  by in a new york bethel minute in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  seems like every day i have less and less jw friends... but every so often i'll receive an email or msn message from one saying something witnessy, only to not be able to reply to it because that person has blocked my messages.

  anyone else notice this trend?

  it seems to me that fearful or insecure people do stuff like that... they have plenty so say, but with no ears to hear anything back.... bethel

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  Steve Lowry

  Yea, I've this kinda chicken-shit before. They just wanna drop their bomb and run. How freakin' shallow do you have to be to get satisfaction from droppin' your load and running away before you can even hear the other's point of view? Empty "victory", for an empty mind. Typical JW crap, and what really gives me pause before getting into it with any of them any more. In the end, its just a waste of time. Debating with a JW is kinda like masturbating. It feels good, but in the end you're just screwing yourself.
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  31

  If you had 1 hour left to live, what would you say to Jehovah?

  by JH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  this should be interesting

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  Steve Lowry

  Uh, MY money's on that Jehovah's Witnessess, aren't Your Witnessess.
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  22

  What Would You Like To Vent About?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what don't you give a rat's ass over?

  what pisses you off?

  whaddya wannna tell us??

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  Steve Lowry

  I hate being the "guy" in a divorse with a child involved. I have to pay child support (which I am glad to do btw, for my baby's sake), yet I only get to see my kid a total of eight days a month (on Wed.'s and every other weekend). As an X-husband with a child involved, I feel I have like almost no rights. The system protects the mother and pretty much discards the father. At least my X-wife and I have an amiable relationship and that helps a great deal. But its really tough making child support payments and trying to have a life. Oh well, life is hard, get over it. LOL!
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  21

  Dateline

  by deeskis in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been reading many of the posts on the site for the last few weeks.

  i wasn't looking for a jw site but came across it by chance on a google search for australian music, when one of tijkmo's posts came up.

  my eyes nearly popped out of my head when i saw the jw chat!!!

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  Steve Lowry

  Hi Deeskis. It sounds like you and I have similar backgrounds. I was raised a JW and left when I was about twenty-four (twenty-six years ago). I didn’t fade away; I let them know in no uncertain terms that I no longer wanted to be considered a JW, for which they Df’d me of course. After I left, a few years later I went through the whole "got saved" thing, and I spent endless hours trying to get my JW to open her eyes and look at the Watchtower Society for what it really was. But I never accomplished a thing and only wound up alienating her and even made her more dedicated to her "truth". I don’t know if you’re looking for advice, but if I were to give you the benefit of my experience, it would be to leave it alone. I don’t think you’ll change them, or teach them anything. After all, you’re the child and they’re the parents and that puts you at a (teaching) disadvantage, even though you are the age you are. The dynamics of the parent –child relationship never really changes, I don’t think. I wouldn’t ever even mention the Watchtower Society to them, if it were I. Oh well, this just my opinion of course. Good luck!
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  16

  I've learned that . . .

  by Steve Lowry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  someone gave me a little book many years ago that was nothing but one-line sentences, starting with the words, "i've learned that .

  " and followed by the age of the author.

  some of these little sentences were hilarious such as; " i've learned that if i turn my ice cream cone upside down, i don't have an ice cream cone anymore.

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  Steve Lowry

  BTW, all the repsonses in thread have been very thought provoking and some have have made me laugh out loud! (broccoli in a glass of milk.... Now thats funny!)
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  16

  I've learned that . . .

  by Steve Lowry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  someone gave me a little book many years ago that was nothing but one-line sentences, starting with the words, "i've learned that .

  " and followed by the age of the author.

  some of these little sentences were hilarious such as; " i've learned that if i turn my ice cream cone upside down, i don't have an ice cream cone anymore.

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  Steve Lowry

  I've learned that you can't possibly imagine all of the emotions you're going to go through in a divorce, when there are children involved. (50)

  I've learned that when my ten year old little girl tells me she loves me, the cares of the day melt away.

  I've learned that very often its better to better prepared than smart when dealing with your adversary.

  I've learned that God honors hard work and sacrifice.

  I've learned that in looking back on my life, I regret more those things I didn't do, than those that I did do.

  I've learned that I can forget to do something if its unpleasent, but I never forget to do something if its fun.

  I've learned that the greatest liar I ever met, has been me, to myself.