Posts by Sail Away

24

What is the number 3 talk?

by carla in

i was enjoying the funny memes thread https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4796195022045184/funny-ex-jw-memes.

but what is the number 3 talk?

there were a few references to that particular talk.

AudeSapere, as far as I can tell you nailed the format of the school back in the day. Man, the JWs have it easy now! The 10-second timing rule was what caused me the most duress, that and "extemporaneous speaking".

I recently took a yearlong meditation teacher training. They assigned a five-minute talk. We had to use the theme from a slip of paper drawn from a bowl, and we only had an hour to prepare. I was already so anxious, because it felt so horribly familiar, and then the teacher said that since there were so many students, that the five-minute mark was a "hard stop". I dissociated (PTSD). The teacher said he was waving his arms trying to get my attention, but I was just staring straight ahead.

I started the "school" when I was nine-- pre-1975. You are right, it's a "F'n, lying, child-hating cult."

Also, I think more and more elderly JWs are realizing it's bogus, and they are going to die, including my father-in-law. His wife died in February this year, and his doctor just put him on antidepressants. He doesn't even go to meetings any more, and he won't even invite the elders in for a "shepherding call".

24

What is the number 3 talk?

by carla in

i was enjoying the funny memes thread https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4796195022045184/funny-ex-jw-memes.

but what is the number 3 talk?

there were a few references to that particular talk.

Sail Away

I found it difficult to get the assigned "householder" to practice. They nearly always wanted to meet right before the meeting and go over it in the library. Of course, this brought dirty looks from the school overseer for not preparing ahead of time.

Then there was the alcoholic sister that, even with my note cards in front of her, asked the wrong opening question. I said, 'That's an interesting question, we can cover that in next week's study.' And gave the talk filling in her parts.

One time, a know-it-all elderette refused to give me notes. She basically said, I should do the research and wing it. Another time I sat in on a study with her and a Catholic nun. She, the JW sister, didn't even crack the Bible open in over an hour.

Interestingly, this elderette's husband went rogue and had to be pulled off the stage. He was DF'd for apostasy and took about half of their prominent extended JW family with him. He kept on repeating, "Always remember your Mother." I never figured out what he meant. He later sent me a book he had written about his issues with JW doctrine. I circular filled it.

Fun times!

24

What is the number 3 talk?

by carla in

i was enjoying the funny memes thread https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4796195022045184/funny-ex-jw-memes.

but what is the number 3 talk?

there were a few references to that particular talk.

Sail Away

What days of future passed said! Our School Overseer seemed to take perverse delight in assigning talks with bizarre settings, assigning topics that were not age appropriate for the householder or counsel points that were not applicable to the material. Ever try to give a talk on the meaning of Daniel's dream image, the 70 Weeks of Years or some random WT numerology from Revelation in five minutes? I was having panic attacks before talks at the end of my stint as as JW.

31

Jehovah’s Witnesses Really Have No Power Over You Unless YOU Let It Happen!

by minimus in

jw
friends

should i go to a judicial committee and perhaps get disfellowshipped?

should i talk to the elders just because they say they want to talk to me?

should i simply disassociate myself and have nothing to do with the organization?.

Sail Away

Unless you want them to stop showing up on your doorstep unannounced and you want them to leave you the hell alone. I wrote a letter of resignation and threatened to sue if they made an announcement from the stage. Worked for me!

18

Former2free bio and intro

by former2free in

oh where to begin i am a born in witness witness mother and father and grandparents though only 2 of the 4. i was born in the early 80’s and immediately my parents faced the blood transfusion issue course in their minds at the time it wasn’t an issue it was not gonna happen.

i don’t wanna go into too much detail but fortunately it worked out well as is evidenced by my writing of this back story.

i had the usual spiritual goals that most witness children have i got baptized at 13 then i started running mics and doing sound and giving more talks.

Sail Away

F2F, welcome to the rest of your iife!

30

Cheese!

by neat blue dog in

any cheese lovers out there?

i just love virtually any kind, from creamy and soft to brittle and sharp, from cottage cheese to the 'moldy' cheeses like gorgonzola.

i like to try new things, so any suggestions for cheese varieties you have tried?

Sail Away

Halloumi, pan fried or on the grill! Yum!

28

Great news!

by Half banana in

it's a case of two down and one to go.

my darling daughter has announced to the extended family that she has left jehovah's witnesses!

deep joy!.

Sail Away

This is absolutely fantastic news, HB! You must be over the moon!

56

The Latest Thing Waking People Up...

by pale.emperor in

since i woke up and left i've been contacted by others i knew from my youth who've also left the cult.

also people around the world on facebook adding me out of the blue because we have mutual friends and they occasionally ask me stuff or share their story.. what i've noticed in the vast majority of cases, is that people are waking up not because of the arc or doctrine but apathy.

active jws are becoming less and less interested, less and less bothered.

Sail Away

Pale.emperor, this is exactly why I walked away after 42 years! Nothing was ever good enough-- constant reminders to do more in the ministry, because so many people (including my children) were going to die and, most importantly, there was no way I was going to shun my son.

Six months before I left I had an Intensive Out-Patient (IOP) hospitalization for severe, recurrent clinical depression and PTSD. I wouldn't call it apathy. I was in tremendous emotional pain and simply couldn't live life that way any longer.

I chose life here and now with my family over a promise of living forever without them. Best decision ever. I'm seven years out now and am off all prescription medications. I do still struggle with mild depression and PTSD, so I see a therapist, meditate and use medical marijuana as needed.

36

Go Bags, Safe houses and cartoon of two kids.

by scruffmcbuff in

i have been out a good 10+ years and until recently didnt pay much attention to what the jehovahs are up to.. why have they taken this turn with the bunker videos and making all the brainwashed people like my parents pack a go bag.

now let me just clarify.

im a military man i believe everyone should have an element of preparedness canned goods,bottled water and a bug out bag is a great addition ( ill stop waffling on about that now).. but what concerns me is the fact they are advising elderly people to bug out.

Sail Away

^^ perfect example ^^

36

Go Bags, Safe houses and cartoon of two kids.

by scruffmcbuff in

i have been out a good 10+ years and until recently didnt pay much attention to what the jehovahs are up to.. why have they taken this turn with the bunker videos and making all the brainwashed people like my parents pack a go bag.

now let me just clarify.

im a military man i believe everyone should have an element of preparedness canned goods,bottled water and a bug out bag is a great addition ( ill stop waffling on about that now).. but what concerns me is the fact they are advising elderly people to bug out.

Sail Away

I understand PIMO. But how can one be POMI which ive seen mentioned a few times?

I've seen this. If some one drifted away or was DF'd, they are physically out, but may still be mentally in. They haven't examined their beliefs or done any online research. They still believe that it's "The Truth", but they just can't live up to it. They are the problem, not the belief system. They are still captive.

There is a strong possibility that if some life event left them feeling vulnerable, they might return. Also, when a POMI has a chil, they may feel the need to return in order to save the child's life at Armageddon.