Posts by Alive!

48

The shift: from follower to wanting to leave

by paradisebeauty in

this week has been the week when my whole way of thinking shifted.

i still cannot believe how this can happen so fast.

over a period of seven days i went from not even imagining that i could ever not be a witness to wanting to get out of this organisation.. .

The shift: from follower to wanting to leave

by paradisebeauty in

this week has been the week when my whole way of thinking shifted.

i still cannot believe how this can happen so fast.

over a period of seven days i went from not even imagining that i could ever not be a witness to wanting to get out of this organisation.. .

Alive!

"I was wondering how did the shift in thinking happened to you? Was it gradual, was it sudden?"

Hi there - I'm relatively new to posting on this forum, have been away from meetings, FS etc for coming up to three years in a few months time.

I converted and was a dedicated JW for well over twenty odd years.

I never, ever dreamt I would be at this place in my life - I mean NEVER!

My shift in thinking initially came from factual exposure to the WTBS's habit of misquoting and taking statements from published documents, in order to drive home the WTBS argument.

I was shown this by a non- witness recipient of the Trinity brochure and our blue creation book. At first it didn't really sink in - but as fresh evidence of further dishonesty came to light, I roused from slumber!

How often do we agonise over stumbling people on our ministry, praying for the right words, kicking ourselves when we didn't have the right scripture at hand. This work meant peoples lives.

Really, wouldn't you be furious if you found that your own carefully crafted words were taken out of context - and then published in an argument which you would strongly contest, along with your name, as if this had your very own seal of approval?

Yet WTBS has a track record of dishonouring other humans, taking their words and twisting them - and publishing them on a global scale.

They claim to be the spokesperson for God. The ultimate, the only channel for the hope of salvation in these "end times".

If I were the victim of this incredibly disrespectful practice - I'd say that I'd be severely stumbled and not the least bit interested in this "life-saving" literature.

Enough.... Please!

So cognitive dissonance kicked in harder and harder - another turning point was the illustration of Jehovahs earthly organisation that showed the GB at top of the pecking order sitting around a boardroom table in their Pullman executive chairs, all the way down to humble stackable chairs for the publishers and no Jesus in sight.

Then I snapped and was free.

It did my head in, LOL.

Getting much better...

30

"Evidence" of a "smokelike pall"... This was the last straw for me back in 2008. Fade began with this:

by DarioKehl in

from that nutty red book of insanity, the grand climax at hand book, chapter 22, paragraphs 7 & 8. .

i had my doubts since childhood.

i went along with it to please people.

Alive!

2007 was a difficult year personally - I didn't remember studying the book until memory was jogged by last post.

Man, just 8 years ago this book was still hot to trot.

Would they dare push this book out there now?

30

"Evidence" of a "smokelike pall"... This was the last straw for me back in 2008. Fade began with this:

by DarioKehl in

from that nutty red book of insanity, the grand climax at hand book, chapter 22, paragraphs 7 & 8. .

i had my doubts since childhood.

i went along with it to please people.

Alive!

I'm sitting here and it's ALL coming back to me.

The vile illustrations, the mad, bad interpretations.

They wouldn't dare place this as book of the month on the public trolley cart today....not exactly in keeping with the nu-look of JW.org.

YET, it's only some 20 years since this book was very relevant to the "religion" - why on earth did we have to study it 4 times! What was that all about?

Just 20 years ago it was our spiritual plat du jour.

I'm thinking of all the intelligent, reasoning people amongst the worldwide congregations, and how we all studied, answered and regurgitated it all.

Unbelievable.

The power of mind control.

32

Seeking support during confusing and stressful 'cognitive dissonance'

by LHS123 in

jw
friends

sorry for the long post but i need help.

ive been a jw for 20 years - still active and attending meetings, baptised at 18, i have recently become very dissillusioned.

a few reasons: ill treatment of my kids by a prominent 'assembly speaker' elder, then my son left the truth at 15 (not baptised) and was 'dropped' instantly, despite this community having been his whole life for 15 years.

Alive!

Hi there,

When I was reading the first few paragraphs of your post, it hit me that you could be a sister who has been very close to me.

Your story, word for word could be written by her, with a few details changed. The difference being that she is still imprisoned within a congregation that leaves her for dead - she is in impeccable 'standing', is faithful and loyal, but no- one helps. I've been her only close friend and have supported her, listening over the years to stories of such horrible spiritual neglect towards her....and now she hasn't even got me. In her mind, I'm out of bounds.

Your distressing story is being played out globally in one congregation after another.

This is so wrong. And when cognitive dissonance kicks in, it feels like our minds will explode.

You are not alone dear.

As someone wrote on this forum 'at least now I know where to assign the insanity'.

26

David Schafer's Mistake

by Hold Me-Thrill Me in

thanks cappytan for posting the thread "jehovah's people as a whole can never be corrupted".

it's a sad example of how low in simple reading skills the present gb and their helpers are.

david schafer referred to philippians 4:7 on jw broadcasting.

Alive!

. We signed up because we love God and Christ we did not sign up to follow the Governing Body into spiritual hell.

Absolutely.

26

David Schafer's Mistake

by Hold Me-Thrill Me in

thanks cappytan for posting the thread "jehovah's people as a whole can never be corrupted".

it's a sad example of how low in simple reading skills the present gb and their helpers are.

david schafer referred to philippians 4:7 on jw broadcasting.

Alive!

Frank,

I'm personally very grateful for your beautifully crafted insights - your latest post was keenly observant.

The balanced insights on this forum are like medicine to many like me, I hope at some point I can contribute.

It takes time to write with the aim of making a line of thought easy to read, thank you and to all other forum members.

24

"What will I do if I leave Jehovah's Witnesses ?"

by Balaamsass2 in

whenever we visit the board we see a lot of angst among jehovah's witnesses who are just learning the tatt (the truth about the truth).

hey, don't feel bad, we had it at one time ourselves.

"angst means fear or anxiety (anguish is its latinate equivalent, and anxious, anxiety are of similar origin).

Alive!

Great thread - and very relevant to my circumstances right now.

We have no JW family - but we do have non witness family who live overseas, and with whom we have always kept a happy relationship.

Thankfully, over the years they refused to let our dominant religious beliefs, such as not attending important family birthdays, Christmas etc etc get in the way of us being family to each other.

I'm getting through, day by day, processing the loss I feel about my 'faith' and most importantly 'trust'.

That includes trust in myself.

I feel ashamed and this causes me some bad down time.

My integrity felt increasingly compromised by the looney tunes coming out of WBTS... It made me feel sick.

I do have a couple of old friends from my former life who have stayed as real friends, but not living locally.

And I was absolutely delighted to get a surprise email from an ex business colleague this week - she and her husband are moving back into the area - and are looking forward to reconnecting with 'special' friends.

Last year, she and I had to attend a funeral together - having not seen each other for several years.

She spoke so warmly of our connection through the years - we hope to build a more involved social life together now she is going to be around.

It's the navigation from one life to another on a daily basis that causes grief and hurt.

Also out of the blue a dearly beloved 'sister' texted me - saying her heart is tied up with mine..... We had a major fall out when she decided that my factual criticism of the GB was more then she could handle.

But she wants to keep our relationship - even if it will be changed.

One of my non witness in laws has asked me to do a small city vacation with her....

We all have opportunity to create a new day, every day.

But we have all endured a huge shift and kindness to ourselves is paramount.

Some days will be dark.

But not every day.

Getting rid of the syrupy toxic stuff takes time it seems.

205

Hi Everyone. Answer to prayer countdown...

by Stumpy in

jw
friends

i've been lurking for about 3 months now and thought i'd better finally sign up.

you have all been an immense help to me as i have come to realize that this isn't the truth so i want to say a great big thank you!

what a crazy, emotional ride it is to finally face the truth about the doubts that i have carried for many years.

Alive!

Hi,

i just read this entire thread - thank you for being so kind as to respond on my own topic thread entitled "Struggling" a few days ago.

I'm in one heck of a state on and off - not because I'm vacillating between going back to meeting or staying well away.... But because of the grief.

I hope you and Mrs S keep strong together.

The more I dare to watch the JW TV channel, the more I feel utterly sick.

In the meantime, my whole psyche is in turmoil.

Take care of yourselves... There will be good days and not such good days.

15

Faithful and Discrete Slave Apostate Stew – BQA, Watchtower May 2015 (Part I)

by Nicola.threeangelsmessage in

i was curious to know what stew was brewing in the faithful and discrete slaves apostate kitchen.

where better to find out than the watchtower scullery.

i opened the watchtower, may 2015 pot, and was immediately hit with the stench of deception and false-doctrine which almost completely knocked me out.

Alive!

Here's a question.

Jesus talks about different grades of judgement....and judgment is for those who have not put faith in Christ ... And they get judged according to their deeds.

So, if eternal destruction is the only outcome for ALL who are the resurrected unrighteous, which is a one size fits all judgement- why does Jesus speak of "heavier judgements" for some of the resurrected unrighteous.

Just throwing a question out there.....