i'm not proud of the fact that it took me over 50 years to realized what the organization really was and to finally leave it.
not proud at all, i feel pretty stupid.
however i didn't lose my children.
Don't beat yourself up. A friend of ours, who left years ago, told us that he thought he was doing the best thing for his family (by being a JW). It made a mess of his family.
I apologized to my kids for being so stupid. One responded...."it's ok, I turned out fine."
We can not undue what has been done, we just have to move forward and forgive ourselves. The important thing is, we got OUT and are free!!!
no , they have the governing body { some would say the popes of the religion }.
and you do not under any circumstance go against what they say./ .
they also have branch overseers , district overseers .circuit overseers , and elders in a congregation .. they are all up and above the rank and file of the average ordinary jehovah`s witness and they are looked upon as such by the rank and file member as equivalent to a clergy class.. oh and lets not forget the legal department that has a lot to say in how the jehovah`s witness organization responds to allegations of child sexual abuse around the world.. and when an allegation arises about child sexual abuse the w.t.
The WT has more titles than any other cult or organization.
https://www.care2.com/causes/will-the-metoo-movement-hold-jehovahs-witnesses-accountable-for-sexual-abuse.html.
"the leak video said that the GB didn't even know how many KH there were in the U.S."
The rank and file are supposed to put their confidence in these idiots? Yeah, I'm going to trust their guidance on the blood issue and their interpretation of the Bible?
If you don't know how many Kingdom Halls you have, how can you expect your followers to have any confidence in you?
I hope the rank and file see these leaked videos and start to question WT's credibility!
https://www.care2.com/causes/will-the-metoo-movement-hold-jehovahs-witnesses-accountable-for-sexual-abuse.html.
" I think the Watchtower is getting the Watchtower into further trouble."
Like the ole saying, give em enough rope and they will hang themselves. WT is doing it to themselves.
in this summer's convention theres a video showing the tale of a rather geeky plain looking brother whose relating the tale of how the prettiest girl in the whole school fancied him (!
) and sent him a love letter, the letter is read and it says .
"i think we would get along,i'm attracted to you, i like your personality, and that's not all, i think we could have fun together.
It is a typical WT way of depicting the "world." Remember, if you go out into the "world" you will meet nothing but people who are addicted to booze, drugs and sex. Funny thing, I met more alcoholics, pill poppers and horny ass*oles in Jah's organization. Funny how that works eh!
my sister texted me last night with an invitation to watch our dad give his first ever public talk.
i don't live particularly near to my family, but i'm not too far from them to make the journey, and i am on good terms with them, having never been baptised and so not disfellowshipped; they don't shun me and likely wouldn't even if i were disfellowshipped, it's not in their character.. i haven't been inside a kingdom hall since 2006, and i would like to keep it that way; i only intend to step inside one again in the event of a family wedding or funeral service.
i don't want to be rude to my sister, ignoring the text isn't an option, so i need a diplomatic way of declining her invitation.. i've considered saying that i'm busy, but this leaves things open for her to ask again in the future, and i'd rather she got the message that i'm not interested, without me having to say so in an explicit way.. any suggestions from those who have been in a similar situation?.
I think , if you don't want to make waves, that is probably the best way.
my sister texted me last night with an invitation to watch our dad give his first ever public talk.
i don't live particularly near to my family, but i'm not too far from them to make the journey, and i am on good terms with them, having never been baptised and so not disfellowshipped; they don't shun me and likely wouldn't even if i were disfellowshipped, it's not in their character.. i haven't been inside a kingdom hall since 2006, and i would like to keep it that way; i only intend to step inside one again in the event of a family wedding or funeral service.
i don't want to be rude to my sister, ignoring the text isn't an option, so i need a diplomatic way of declining her invitation.. i've considered saying that i'm busy, but this leaves things open for her to ask again in the future, and i'd rather she got the message that i'm not interested, without me having to say so in an explicit way.. any suggestions from those who have been in a similar situation?.
We have also had invitations. If you do not explain to them why you won't attend, they will just continue to invite you. If you feel comfortable, speak from your heart. Be honest.
We have had to do this with our family. We told them we love them and nothing will change that. We will be there for them BUT if you don't believe in the doctrines, tell them.
You have one advantage, you are not baptized.
If you dodge them, they will just come back to you with more invites.
If people WANT to be in your life, they will, If not, at least you were honest with them. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
i have been reading the blog of bruce gerencser, a 61 year old evangelical pastor who moved on to being an atheist and humanist.
his description of climbing out of that box and the reasons why he did so will, i am sure, resonate with many of us on here.
https://brucegerencser.net/2015/02/danger-box-makes-sense/.
Fantastic article! Thank you so much for sharing this!!!
i was watching lloyd evans rebuttal to the saturday program of the be courageous convention.
lloyd pointed out something that had occurred to me as well:.
all this talk and examples of courage, whether it be standing up in class defending intelligent design, putting up with being imprisoned, not running away from bullies, always having a reply to someone who tries to ridicule your faith... the young ones are encourages - nay, commanded - to stand their ground and be courageous.
Great post PE!
After watching Lloyd's video, my spouse and I were just talking about this very thing. These GB members are cowards! Maybe one day they will have to feel the very pain of spending some time in prison. So many brothers and sisters have suffered due to WT's policies. Karma is coming for them!!!
It seems WT's yearly text should say..."do as we say, not as we do."
They also want to squelch any rank and files ability to better themselves with higher education or enjoy something they are good at (like music, sports, etc.) WT doesn't have any problem capitalizing off of others higher education or something WT can benefit off of for free. i.e. Lawyers, doctors, musicians, engineers, etc. The list could go on and on!!! Hypocrisy to the moon and back!!!!
i gotta say i'm loving their head-down-we-gotta-shun-you interactions.. yesterday at the hospital i was headed out when in comes an ex-elder with his sadly ill mother in law in a wheelchair.
since he was wheeling her in, i held the door for him, and shined a big smile both to his mil and to him.
she looked at me with very open eyes, (she's never been a jw), and seemed to appreciate the friendly favor.
"He on the other hand bent his neck to the side and his head way down"
It really is pathetic.
Just a hint: Keep your hat on so they can't see your horns. lol
It really shows the kind of people they are.
We find, like you, they are really perplexed if you give em a smile, are pleasant and VERY happy.
Remember, they are stuck in a cult, you aren't! Sucks to be them! Rock on!!!
