Posts by Alive!

28

Question for believers, heaven or earth?

by Tornintwo in

just trying to figure out what i believe in the wake of leaving the borg.

jesus message appeals, of course.

i just wanted to ask believers, christians, on this forum if you think the hope is heaven or earth.

Alive!

Hi

I have been to a baptist church service where the physical resurrection was scripturally discussed.

I have read and listened to non JW Christian sermons regarding a recreated glorified physical body and reconciled creation.

One scholar referred to the 'drift towards decay' which is our lot in this dimension, and how the good news is the future glorified, indestructible resurrection and reconciliation of all creation. Can't remember his name! I'll look him up - He featured on a DVD about CS Lewis.

Like others, I can't deny this inner 'thing' in me that says there IS a purpose and we are on a journey......

You may want to ponder on the emphasis that the scriptures give to 'all being reconciled' - look up 'Universal Salvation' or 'Universal Reconciliation' if you are interested in exploring the thoughts of other Christians.

The point is - it's YOUR journey.

No longer are you obliged to change your understanding of scriptural verses at the whim of a stranger.....ie the WT.

This is all yours. As it should be.

69

Did you know anyone who commited suicide in the org?

by JH in

jw
friends

back in 1991, a young brother maybe 18 years old living next to my place committed suicide.

his father expected him to be very zealous just like he was, but the son never wanted to be like that.

he was always controlled by his father.

Alive!

In my KH there have been three horrific suicides by hanging in just 20 years, a sister in our KH lost a brother ( an elder) to suicide and sadly, there have been others in our circuit.

In my KH we have lost at least 6 born in teenagers of pioneering born in families ( that I know of) to prostitution and death dealing drug abuse....

(((((((( hugs))))))))) to all those who lost their loved ones.

25

Converts

by Alive! in

i've noticed there seems to be a higher percentage of born-ins here....who are the converted jws?.

does anyone care to share how they got converted?.

Alive!

Interesting to read the posts in this thread - thank you for your replies.

It almost seems like perhaps born-ins consider the converts to be a bit stupid, to have been sucked in by it all. :-)

Looking back, I remember many more than one born-in JW telling me 'how encouraging' it was for them to have someone like me from the world 'take the truth' - I often was perplexed by this... LOL.

I envied them being brought up as witnesses - why did they say that? The answer was that I'd truly made the truth my own....

I suspect there has to be several factors at play in ones life, for a cult to be so attractive and irresistible.

I think what makes it worse, is the united face of the JWS, friendly, intense interest and warmth towards new 'studies' - no- one lets on that they are in it because they are trapped. Everyone 'seems' so happy - one big happy family at the KH, at conventions etc. I was baptised just 2 years when the reality of dysfunctional life amongst witnesses started to reveal itself.

I can't imagine how awful it would be to be raised as a witness, to have all your family as witnesses - and to realise you don't 'belong' - being forced to play along simply for self survival.

I loved/love those guys. But the corporate dishonesty of it all really hurts.

If you were a convert and you could go back to your initial 'studies' - what questions would you now ask?

25

Converts

by Alive! in

i've noticed there seems to be a higher percentage of born-ins here....who are the converted jws?.

does anyone care to share how they got converted?.

Alive!

I've noticed there seems to be a higher percentage of born-ins here....who are the converted JWS?

Does anyone care to share how they got converted?

50

My family has known I'm an apostate

by cognac in

jw
friends

i found out that my husband has not only gone to the elders, but has been going to members of my family about me over a period of a few years.

this piece of news is just so depressing.

i've been wondering how my family knew i didn't go and thats why so many of them have becoming more and more distant.

Alive!

Hi lostwun,

I just want to share a thing or two.

When I was a full in JW (I'm talking fever pitch here ;-) ) - I had reason to be desperately disturbed by some of my husband's behaviour and....deep breath....I confided in Elders and 'mature Christian friends'.

Not just once, but over several periods during our marriage. I'm ashamed.

At that time I felt absolutely guilt free re sharing my concerns because I was terrified. Terrified that Satan was influencing my husband, that I might lose my husband to 'the world' - I wanted to be partnered with a spiritual head, to stand 'shoulder to shoulder' together. He always dragged his feet. It sometimes frightened me.

So, you may I ask what kind of person am I? Now, I look back and think how wrong that was.

We've been married over 30 years and it was actually me who first instigated pulling away from the Org as I kept uncovering the inconsistencies and my eyes opened wide to the dishonest nature of the org.

My husband has forgiven me for my breach of confidence, for dragging him in front of Elders and basically making our marriage a threesome with the Borg.

I loved him, I sought 'spiritual help' because I cared intensely.

A threefold cord with a cult is not a threefold cord with God. An entirely different thing.

We both know each other, the good, bad and ugly. He trusts me. We've learnt painful lessons. We're still doing life together.

It's not impossible to rebuild trust, just be aware that your husband is responding to the same terrifying brainwashing that I responded to.

If you stripped away all the religion, all the cult/mob mentality - do you see a man who loves you and who you could love back?

Thats the thing.

If this post is 'hi-jacking' - is it? I'm sorry if it is.....I'll hope for the best and press 'post'. X

13

I still get emotional about the "truth" .....even though I know it's all lies...what is wrong with me????

by Witness 007 in

my mum is doing kemo and i have gone to many meetings at my old hall and brothers have said how they remember my old talks how good they were (ass kiss) and i still feel emotional even though i know 100% it is lies, funny human mind did i do it all for personal pats on the back and self esteem....yes i did i was a loser who needed some luv.

Alive!

Hi ((( hugs )))

No, you are not a loser.

Take a step back - and breathe.

But.... You are on a journey - heads up my fellow friend and brother.

9

wait lets get this straight the gb discourages annointed nutballs to get together and talk about the bible

by poopie in

jw
friends

but they get together every wensday and talk about the bible is that hypocritical

Alive!

Does this total represent the number of anointed ones on earth? Not necessarily. A number of factors—including past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalance—might cause some to assume mistakenly that they have the heavenly calling. We thus have no way of knowing the exact number of anointed ones on earth; nor do we need to know. The Governing Body does not keep a list of all partakers, for it does not maintain a global network of anointed ones.

LOL

So, given that the scriptures appeal to each and every reader to avoid those who mislead, who make false prophecy and add to the original words....guess the GB is a touch in trouble?

Proof please that you, the GB who are mere men can fully convince the world that you are none other than the special annointed.

I would like to put you under judicial questioning.

31

Has anyone noticed how in the October JW Broadcast, Losch encourages good works towards ALL people?

by Tenacious in

i can't help but notice how this past year alone has seen the gb start to turn more towards the teachings of the christ instead of peddling their falsities.. study articles have talked in length about the fine works of christ.

assemblies have been dedicated to speaking about christ.

and this month's broadcast is about doing good to others copying the example christ left for us.. what's more shocking is that losch actually says kids should speak, share, and even give food and clothing to non-believers!!

Alive!

I see scripted damage control.

Caring for others who are not JWs - as in providing practical help and services - has NOT been the backbone of this relatively modern day 'religion' - a favourite scripture quoted amongst the 'friends' was 'you will always have the poor' as a reason why WE don't donate to charitable causes or spend time caring for those in need. Right?

Suddenly it's shifting - the WT is morphing and responding to public feedback.

Perhaps I should be encouraging and positive and say well, that's good. But you know, the manner and mode of the entire brand leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth.

I've seen behind the curtain - I don't like your magic, the weaving and conjuring of tricks. I've heard and seen senior leaders speak and answer to questions away from their protective smokscreen where THEY control the script. The Australian RC was ....simply and utterly revealing about the culture and nature of Watchtower speak.

It made me feel ashamed to have been involved with such dishonest men as my 'leaders'.

24

Jehovah's Witnesses - People of Integrity

by Saved_JW in

when i think of integrity, a lot of positive connotations come to mind.

i think of individuals grounded in principles, who do not operate on opinions that change based on the breeze of political or social change.

a life that is directed by a code of morality, not on capricious emotions.

Alive!

A good post for those quietly reading and questioning things.

Having integrity was always important to me - so when painful doubts about the organisation and the Watchtower could no longer be pushed away, I then had to manage a rough time whilst I struggled with 'losing' my integrity. The integrity that was built on a certain premise - loyalty to the FDS/Christ's self professed brothers was/is synonymous with loyalty to Jehovah/Christ Jesus.

This imaged 'integrity' battled with a grittier integrity - and as time goes on, peace becomes achievable - thank goodness!

The OP struck a chord with me - I recognised that major hurdle for witnesses, and how hard it is to deconstruct the image of group integrity ( and the dishonest nature of the organisation) and let personal integrity emerge.

33

A new member

by Kurteousmaximus in

hi... i am new and after nearly 20 years after being disassociated at 15 i would like to make contact with others who have similar difficulties.

my mother was disfellowshipped shortly after my rebellion and had all ties with both her mother and brother cut and that remains the case.. just really hacked off with not being able to put things in the proper place in my life after all these years.

for the record i don't know if i believe in god but am searching for some peace as i seem to self destruct on a regular basis.. any ideas anyone?.

Alive!

Hi there,

I was a convert in my 30s and have faded - some 25 plus years later.

A close relative described my loss of trust in the religion as being a traumatic event - and she is right. Years of mind altering influence, fear inducing doctrine is hard to shake.

Am happy to be influenced in a way that builds my character, but I can see the watchtower influence is unhealthy.

The latent fear, the sense of unreality is gradually leaving me - I have my own relationship with God. It's my journey and I feel safe and secure these days.

The cult control certainly damaged my general sense of well being.

Welcome dear - enjoy the precious moments and hopefully the unhealthy effect of cult group control will loosen its grip....a work in progress :-)

It's never too late to heal.