Posts by Alive!

12

ARC: WT cf VAG

by Joe Grundy in

(i never was a jw).. as a retired child abuse professional, i followed (and continue to do so - it's an ongoing process) the arc proceedngs closely.

my understanding is that the purpose of the arc is to establish what current practices exist in various organisations and institutions, how those practices compare with accepted best practice, and what organisations and institutions need to do to bring their procedures and policies into line with best practice.

(and to find a way to compensate victims for what's been done wrong).. wt is case study #29 in the arc process.

Alive!

The JW team did little to inspire trust or respect in the face of the ARC commission, overall.

The sad thing is that brought out into the "broad daylight" and being brought into scrutiny - the JW team appeared out of their usual habitat, where they never have to answer questions or be accountable etc.

They handled the questions and the whole process as they would answer a "readers question" - always framed within the JW thought process.

They were asked honest questions - the JW team did not give a "good witness".

They even failed to appear as simply "dellusional and yet pious" - they came across as something else.

I don't believe there would have been any non-witness in that court room who would have been moved to listen with true respect, to have had their "eyes opened' to the deep christian integrity of the JW organisation.

The JW team, overall, displayed something uncomfortably deceptive...

39

JW Talk

by Alive! in

was sipping my coffee, browsing here and there, and then focussed on reading here regarding arc, picked up some world news on same subject - and wondered if jw org would publish any information on their news site.. then, i flicked to jw talk - anything in their public news forum?

a newish headline 'australia and jehovah's witnesses' or something like that - i entered link - web page error, not found.

nope.

Alive!

Thank you Anakin.

It seems from reading here that JWs are not talking about the ARC in the congregations; and are shutting the mouths of eachother even in the relatively safe environment of a closed forum.

I noticed that you said there had been one member who tried to be rational and reasonable, but was 'dealt to'.

Thanks for the updates.

21

How do you overcome SHUNNING after leaving the organization and move on?

by suavojr in

jw
friends

it amazes me how many of you have left it all behind, including family, brothers and sisters, friends and a full network of people.

i for one cannot find the courage to breakaway, and this causes me great anxiety and stress.

it eats me alive to think that if i open my mouth everyone i know will simply turn their back on me.

Alive!

We haven't left 'family' in the organisation - as in blood relatives ( so, so grateful for that) - but we left a life of over 20 years, memories and friends who felt like family.

I grieve the loss - every year we would holiday with a small group of friends, we had so much fun. We really did.

I was 'aunty' to many of our friends children, I was there for the significant times in their lives.....engagements, weddings, births - and yes, baptisms.

It's all gone. We keep our distance because it is too hard for everyone to stay close.

We are not D/A or disfellowshipped - we just couldn't bear the manipulative and coercive words coming from the platform, the publications and more importantly the GB. We felt that the culture was sick, diseased. Couldn't do it anymore.

Its tough, to be honest.

77

Feeling rejected

by Esmeralda001 in

just a little disclaimer: english isn't my first language (i'm from france) thus the poor writing skills.here is the situation: i'm not a jw.

however, i'm in the process of becoming one.

in fact, i'm studying with the jw's, and i'll proceed to become an unbaptized publisher as soon as i finish the first book.to make a long story short i was introduced to the truth when i was 18een.

Alive!

So Esmeralda,

You have a congregation in mind that seems 'quiet' - mainly elderly etc, you say.

You do realise that congregations do change. People move around.

You cannot insulate yourself from the possibility of dealing with an unpleasant person who could make your life feel hellish.

Warning - what you are experiencing now with this unpleasant family is not 'unusual'.

77

Feeling rejected

by Esmeralda001 in

just a little disclaimer: english isn't my first language (i'm from france) thus the poor writing skills.here is the situation: i'm not a jw.

however, i'm in the process of becoming one.

in fact, i'm studying with the jw's, and i'll proceed to become an unbaptized publisher as soon as i finish the first book.to make a long story short i was introduced to the truth when i was 18een.

Alive!

Sadly a transfer of congregation will not change the reality that you will possibly face this situation again.

Then what?

475

What is the alternative to JW?

by Formerbrother in

i mean this with all due respect, i would like to hear from genuine people who think jw have it wrong and then what is the truth?.

im not talking about silly little quibbles here and there.. is jehovah real?

the the bible is word?

Alive!

Since drifting from the organisation, I've been touched over and over again by the sincere and genuine voices of my 'speicies'

So many showing and living a life that tries to uphold kindness, compassion....

'Truth' is not a brand.

77

Feeling rejected

by Esmeralda001 in

just a little disclaimer: english isn't my first language (i'm from france) thus the poor writing skills.here is the situation: i'm not a jw.

however, i'm in the process of becoming one.

in fact, i'm studying with the jw's, and i'll proceed to become an unbaptized publisher as soon as i finish the first book.to make a long story short i was introduced to the truth when i was 18een.

Alive!

Baptism should never involve a pledge to an organisation - it is not scriptural and is 'adding to the things written'

77

Feeling rejected

by Esmeralda001 in

just a little disclaimer: english isn't my first language (i'm from france) thus the poor writing skills.here is the situation: i'm not a jw.

however, i'm in the process of becoming one.

in fact, i'm studying with the jw's, and i'll proceed to become an unbaptized publisher as soon as i finish the first book.to make a long story short i was introduced to the truth when i was 18een.

Alive!

Esmerelda,

Keep searching, keep knocking.

Remember those words?

Do you want to settle for an imperfect package of beliefs - having your conscience messed with as doctrine changes 'just like that'....

It's up to you...you know something? I'm prepared to have faith that a spiritual education from our own very God is not dependant on forced inculcation.

I've been a witness for a mere 25 years, I have joined in congregational prayers, thanking our God for 'new truths' - they weren't truths - they were false teachings - my religion - the 'one and only true religion' taught me these false teachings and insisted that I believe each one at that time - or else surely I'd be out of step with my God.

You have just started - take no notice of the actions of other witnesses in your congretion, it's just life - and these people are full of.....a culture of deceit and lies - please, take notice of the organisations method of teaching.

475

What is the alternative to JW?

by Formerbrother in

i mean this with all due respect, i would like to hear from genuine people who think jw have it wrong and then what is the truth?.

im not talking about silly little quibbles here and there.. is jehovah real?

the the bible is word?

Alive!

I loved reading Millie's thoughts on this thread. Thank you Millie for putting together a beautifully crafted explanation of where you are at right now.

I'm working with what feels good and healing - and waiting, taking time and not hurrying to any conclusion.

My faith remains.

77

Feeling rejected

by Esmeralda001 in

just a little disclaimer: english isn't my first language (i'm from france) thus the poor writing skills.here is the situation: i'm not a jw.

however, i'm in the process of becoming one.

in fact, i'm studying with the jw's, and i'll proceed to become an unbaptized publisher as soon as i finish the first book.to make a long story short i was introduced to the truth when i was 18een.

Alive!

Esmeralda - Pete Zahut made a couple of points:

'People are just people everywhere, JWs are no different, they just think they are.'

I was a convert - I can't tell you how true this turned out to be....

Just be aware of this.

You will be required to defer to their position of what makes a spiritual person.

And this involves 'stuff' that is at odds with scriptures.

What is the good news that is to be taught?

This is your journey - do take care and look before you leap....