Posts by Phaedra

63

Your "Things That Make You Go Hmmm?" List

by FlyingHighNow in

jw
friends

i'll wager that the number is close to 100 percent.

what number?

the number of jws who have lists--lists of things that make them go hmmm or even wha'???

Phaedra

A few:

Counting time for endless pointless, wasted hours knocking on doors with nothing to show but expended energy and resources "volunteered".
Loving works such as attending to the needs of fellow JWs, shut-ins, visiting elderly, etc. didn't "count" for anything.
Categorization of and behaviors around judging other's spirituality. "Weak", "Approved Associate", "Marked", "DF" (Shunned).
Outward display (commenting, highlighting WT) more important than secret spirit of heart (loving, humble).
"I have to get my time in." Why? For whom? God? Really? Or is it a group of men?
The fostering of creativity and development of talents and personal interests frowned upon.
The realization of the legalistic nature of the org over the secret person of the heart earnestly trying to love her neighbor, do unto to others, seek peace, and connect with "God".
The phrase "frowned upon". Because the JWs do so much of that to guilt, shame, and show their disapproval at every attempt you have at experiencing normalcy in life. It's the social equivalent of "that's wrong, that's bad, and if you do it, you don't get our approval, you rebelous outcast."

Phae

17

It's True: You Never Really Know What A Person Is Going Through

by minimus in

jw
friends

people like robin williams can make you laugh.

we might think that they have it all but we really know nothing about their demons, their problems, their issues.

someone might be funny on the outside but be totally depressed from within..

Phaedra

We can only know what is inside of ourselves.

This is a poignant reminder of the value of compassion and understanding and remembering that everyone is on a personal journey and many are fighting layers and levels of internal challenges with varying degrees of circumstances.

May all of us healing former JWs find support and wholeness through our interactions with one another and allow each their own steps along the path.

Phae

36

It's my 25th yr anniversary of freedom

by rebel8 in

jw
friends

approximately 25 yrs ago today, i left the borg forever.. .

thank you jwn/jwd for helping me heal by listening to me.

there are not many greater gifts than freedom..

Phaedra

74

Robin Williams passes

by designs in

don't know quite what to say.

just stunned at the news.

comic genius and actor.. share your favorite robin williams moments.. .

Phaedra

You gifted the world so much with your presence, Robin.

15

Have you ever given CoC to a JW to read? Or any other "red pill" book?

by Captain Obvious in

jw
friends

i recently ordered a copy of coc for my wife.

she doesn't know it exists, but i'm hoping she's ready to read it.

it seems to be the best red pill out there.

Phaedra

Have any of you done that before? What was the reaction/result? It seems to be the best red pill out there.

LOL, it is one of the best red pill books, but contains a very kryptonite-like substance that JWs, who have not picked up the book themselves out of their own will and curiosity, that will immediately react with their cognitive dissonance with flashbacks of WT illustrations showing where that apostate-like material should be properly filed, in the nearest receptical.

I read COC and was forevever changed. And I had to get it the "long way around" before it was available online as a PDF... I had to request and check it out from the library. And yes, it felt like forbidden fruit that I dare bring into my home with a believing spouse, but I devoured that book in the privacy of my own reading room. When finished, I KNEW the JWs were a sham and I could never go back.

It's natural to want to share such enlightening stuff with loved ones ~ JWs trapped in... but it's a delicate issue of trust.

When I thought I KNEW my husband would trip and gape over the same info I read, and be ready to join me hand in hand on our mutual exit into the sunset, I was dismayed that he narily got a paragraph in before declaring the "twisted things" of apostates as he lopped the book back in my direction.

A close mind snaps shut like an iron gate if it's not ready to be opened.

Well-written posts printed out on neutral paper and friendly links to ambiguous web pages with good articles likewise tripped the iron gate. Over the span of several years I finally accepted that good intentions weren't enough to keep that iron gate from snapping shut.

Many battles, large and small, have been fought on our home turf about JWs, their beliefs, failed predictions, and control over people's minds and souls. Somehow we declared a truce and decided "going there" was detrimental to our relationship. We live and let live (of course, he has no qualms about letting me know I'm wrong, although he has his own reservations).

I still have a copy of COC on my shelf. And I believe he will never touch it. I've learned it's not for me to force him to, although I really, really, really, wish he would just approach it with an open mind.

Phae

16

I had a Tarot card reading

by LisaRose in

jw
friends

so, i am in washinton state visiting my son and his family and we went to a concert that had a fortune tellers booth, actually a gypsy wagon.

i decided to do something no jw would ever do, have a tarot card reading.

i wasn't really expecting anything, as i don't believe they are connected with the satan, but i don't believe they can actually read your future either.

Phaedra

handling negative thoughts that come up and things like that. I am not saying I believe in it, but I certainly got my $5 worth, it was certainly better advise than I ever got from an elder.

Lisa,

How interesting! $5 for a little fun is worth it.

I'm interested in hearing more about the advice she gave about handling negative thoughts. I can sure use some right now. Are you up to sharing?

Phae

42

My Elderette returns for a final Bible Study session, after I avoided her for 2 months (very long post)

by Faithful Witness in

some of this will be repeat, since it's been a little while since i posted about my "bible study" sessions with miss k, my elderette.

we are talking about the name of jehovah.

thanks for talking with us today.

Phaedra

Diana paused and looked at her, and said, "Noooo... I am here, because I think you are lost, and I wanted to try to win YOU over to the Lord."

LOL ~ what a lead balloon moment!

Thanks for sharing the wrap-up session. I can see where you're both coming from.

This scenario reminds me of that quote that goes something like, "Two convinced of their own arguments won't be swayed by the other."

If I were to be Christian, I think BA is the way to go over being a JW.

Hopefully it was worth your time and effort to engage Miss K all this time.

Interesting reading!

Phae

42

God listens and RESPONDS to your prayer if you know how to log on to Him! Here is the proof.

by exWTslave in

all my family members and friends (that include some elders) advised me to divorce my wife whose only joy was to pick up fight with me for everything i do, except my grand-mother who said: when you married her, you looked for only her good pointher regular pioneering despite having an opposing family.

for being good, you will ultimately reap something far better through her.

stick on to her.

Phaedra

Four months back, I met a former CO (Ex JW) who is now a motivational speaker to the corporate employees. He helped me with some meditation tips which were like a help to log on to God, and said: “Try this,...

Hi exWTslave,

Is there a particular program the motivational speaker uses with corporate employees? I'm interested in learning more.

Phae

24

Bethel experiences sound like a prison sentence.Why even go?

by goingthruthemotions in

when i read about bethel experiences my mind go to the show locked up raw!.

why would someone subject themselves to this without commeting a crime.. the wife and i went to see bethel in broklyn a few years ago and it was unlike anything i expected.

very cold.. went the bosert hotel and was talking to a brother there and asked how long he had been there, he said 25 years...i asked how old he was.

Phaedra

Oh, and forget any aspirations of going to Bethel of you're a pat lowly sister, unless you marry a man with a highly-sought skill for recruitment.

.... and then if a baby comes, zapp! you're both out.

Phae

24

Bethel experiences sound like a prison sentence.Why even go?

by goingthruthemotions in

when i read about bethel experiences my mind go to the show locked up raw!.

why would someone subject themselves to this without commeting a crime.. the wife and i went to see bethel in broklyn a few years ago and it was unlike anything i expected.

very cold.. went the bosert hotel and was talking to a brother there and asked how long he had been there, he said 25 years...i asked how old he was.

Phaedra

It's amazing how JWs frame "Going to Bethel" as some grand privilege ... when in reality it's not much different than someone selling their possessions and joining a cult while living at the compound giving away their time, energy, and youth in return for poverty, highly-structured activities, and living in a closed-group environment.

The number of Bethelites who've burned out and left and their harrowing accounts while there pretty much affirm this. Others who hang in there for years (I know of a particular couple who have been there since the late-80s) hoping for the end to come are in for a rude awakening when they will eventually be downsized out with the best years of their lives gone and nothing to show for it.

If all JWs had to leave their lives and live in a closed community like Bethel, there'd be no denying they are a cult. Problem is, they need the working class funds to feed the machine... which is why congregations are convenient means of support.

Phae