Posts by Alive!

13

Jehovah's Witnesses DO break up families

by UnshackleTheChains in

this recording was the final straw for me.

https://youtu.be/ks2ld6pjybo.

Alive!

So glad I have no children under the control and authority of these sick men.

Clearly, she was 'policed' and spied on by those in her congregation.

I remember when a dear sister who I loved as a true sister was being treated for cancer.

Her eldest daughter sadly informed her that she'd be 'limited' in what she could do for her highly respected Mother. Why? Because she knew that her Mother had limited and discreet contact with a disfellowshipped daughter who was a struggling solo Mum, and had been helping with childcare and babysitting.

Looking back, it's clear to me that the culture of JWs is steeped in this kind of crap.

I thought it was just a few instances that came to my attention at the time, forgetting how the pile of instances was a fast growing heap - but in truth, I was in denial about the prevalence of ugliness throughout....and in truth I witnessed years and years of this mind messing craziness.

Deeply ashamed.

6

WTBTS/CCJ.W.'s incriminate themselves

by The Searcher in

we are deeply indebted to wifibandit for such revealing documentation.. https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5690963588546560/november-1-2016-all-bodies-elders-re-using-maintaining-kingdom-halls.

incidents: .

38. when property damage occurs, quick action can go far in preventing further damage.

Alive!

Sad.

24

Been witnessing today - first time in over 2 years!!

by The Searcher in

and it felt wonderful!!.

i went into the city to where i knew there was a "cosmopolitan witnessing" trolley, because i wanted to ask a simple bible-based question.

the trolley was attended by an elder and a sister who was another elder's wife.

Alive!

That must have felt very satisfying Searcher.

It was satisfying to read of it - in that it truly puts the spotlight on the poor scriptural understanding that is promoted as 'truth' by JWs.

It seems an indoctrinated JW feels no accountability for what they teach but when 'pulled up' looks for a 'way out' and uses the 'you are attacking our organisation card'

Your simple highlighting and exposure of John 5:29 should have shocked that 'preacher' to his boots when you think about it, if his heart was softened towards honesty and truth instead of rigid pride.

It seems to me, an honest Christian would have turned a little pale at your ability to turn his teaching on its head - he should have declared 'Forgive me if I'm somewhat speechless and shaken, in all my years of reading this scripture and applying our literature's understanding, I have never truly understood that we have the wrong end of the stick, I may need to sit down. Please, talk with me further sir..." but no, it sounds like he slipped into auto mode, not looking at you as some one who gifted a real spiritual insight, but as an attacker of his 'org'.

But this is the culture of mindset the 'org' creates and continues to spread - very sad.

Freedom of the children of God?

Well.....perhaps not.

19

We are imperfect

by HereIgo in

i can't tell you how many times i have heard this while growing up as a witness.

every time i questioned hypocrisy in the org i was told " well we are imperfect" and its was beyond annoying.

at what point does "imperfect" turn into just not christian?

Alive!

It's kind of amusing in a warped way.

And I like the OPs point re accountability - certainly, one wonders at what point would an indoctrinated JW have to concur that certain things surely fly in the face of being a spirit taught Christian....

One example - just two decades ago, JWs were taught that if a 'wordly' person was delivered 'the ring of truth' by means of a Watchtower by a JW and at that same time was given 'a good witness' and rejected this - then they had received their chance of salvation and had rejected it and if they died the next day, there was no chance of a resurrection - they had been judged. Remember that anyone? Remember the sighs? 'Oh well, they've had a good witness' - What? A witness that Armageddon was coming within the lifetime of the generation that saw the events of 1914? For sure. Without doubt. Be warned.

Tell me, on what level and at what point does the teacher/believer become accountable for spreading this lie about the salvation of God.

Stop and think about it - it's downright wicked. To judge others like that.

About time they owned this. I see no shame or despair that they misrepresented a 'God of truth' - nope. They are just imperfect men...really? How about the forgiveness that they bestow on themselves re such things be accounted to others who are not JWs.

What is that scripture about judging others?

54

According to one JW there can only be 1 of 3 reasons why you left.

by Bonsai in

i asked an old jw friend of mine why so many baptized individuals leave the jw religion.

"did it ever occur to you, old friend, that maybe they know something that you don't know and have valid reasons for leaving?

", i asked.. his response set me back for an answer.

Alive!

Hi Bonsai,

When you next talk to your old friend show him this......

I am a 60 year old female - I have no desire to do anything immoral by biblical standards.

I have not been stumbled by anyone in the sense of my pride being hurt, but after nearly 25 years I have been disturbed to the point that I had to face my hurt conscience and ultimately I was pushed to walk away from a group of people who have difficulty being honest in spiritual matters, use manipulative language amongst themselves and to non witnesses as a matter of form and who follow men who appear to use 'Gods word' with a lack of respect which is breathtaking, turning scripture to suit the whim of the day without due consideration for the conscience and faith of their listeners.

I left an environment which was my home - lost a 'life' of friendships and have had to rebuild my world at a later stage in my life.

It's not been 'cosy'

Would your friend like to consider the three main reasons people stay as cult members? I don't think so.

83

Seeking support ... Where can a Christian go

by Sevan in

jw
friends

hey all, .

so i recently posted for the first time and introduced myself.. i have been spending time reading various posts.

some informative, some not so much.. since i've been reading on here, i've read a lot from atheists.

Alive!

Hi Sevan,

Am feeling for you.

It was a terrible time for me when I did the unthinkable, looked the 'organisation' in the eye and thought 'this is wrong'.

I have always sensed there was something unseen going on, before I became a JW.

It is a rough road exiting the mind control of the organisation.

I believe.....like I breathe.

I'm not going to explain why or how - I just do.

This 'sense' just won't leave me or go away....you are certainly not alone.

The ancient writings that promise that God wills that All will be reconciled back to him.....

25

Study article: "Go, and Make Disciples.." is a hot mess

by Sanchy in

jw
friends

so i hooked into meeting via phone this week to listen in and was shocked at the absurdities mentioned in the study article (2016 may watchtower: "go,..and make disciples of people of all the nations").

the answer is obvious—only jehovah’s witnesses.

the answer the missionary priest gave in no way proves that jws are the only ones "preaching the good news".

Alive!

Is there a scripture where Jesus addresses hundreds of his disciples with the commission to tell the good news?

Just wondered if anyone had it handy?

I'll have a search in mean time.

so glad I don't have to read through those self praising Watchtower articles.....the last few years have got worse and worse.

20

UPDATE: My existential crisis comes to a close

by Freeandclear in

jw
friends

in case you read my other thread regarding my existential crisis and how it was making my life miserable and left me feeling hopeless, purposeless and joyless i though i'd share what's recently happened to me and my way of thinking and have i've for the time being resolved my existential crisis.

i write every day in a journal.

i've been doing this for years.

Alive!

Well, you are in good company of all sorts of men, from the great, from brilliant minds to the small and simple - for many, God just is...

Keep strong :-)

61

Did others experience this on the ministry or among JWs generally?

by slimboyfat in

sometimes it's hard to know if our own experience of jws was typical and what features were peculiar to our own area or the individual jws we knew personally.

i was wondering if others experienced this among jws:.

a few times on the ministry, when we were working wealthy areas with large houses, some brothers and sisters would make the comment that they look forward to taking ownership of one of these big houses after armageddon, when the worldly people have vacated them.

Alive!

@Old Hippie.

A few times out on ministry I witnessed Seasoned JWs jokingly talk about 'leaving their songbook' in the letter box by the gate of a desirable property - in order to have first dibs after Armageddon....their explanation, not mine....

This occurred in two different countries, and no-one looked shocked but laughed at the 'inhouse' joke....we're talking elders and pioneers here....a quaint little custom in these English speaking lands apparently.

I was a foolish little 'convert' - the stuff I heard, I should have ran, ran, ran.

Many were also obsessed also with what they wanted for an improved body.....and we are talking cosmetic here....

61

Did others experience this on the ministry or among JWs generally?

by slimboyfat in

sometimes it's hard to know if our own experience of jws was typical and what features were peculiar to our own area or the individual jws we knew personally.

i was wondering if others experienced this among jws:.

a few times on the ministry, when we were working wealthy areas with large houses, some brothers and sisters would make the comment that they look forward to taking ownership of one of these big houses after armageddon, when the worldly people have vacated them.

Alive!

Yes. I've heard that kind of conversation a few times in different countries - how very spiritual, ahem - last time I heard it, was the last time I went out in field service.