Posts by Tenacious

75

Have we become what we despise so much?

by Tenacious in

the majority of members who tend to join this forum have been hurt possibly even traumatized sometimes to the point of wanting to end their lives.

upon joining the forum, new members are welcomed with open arms, welcome messages start pouring in, "likes" are freely given, a false sense of security is promoted where a member is free to speak his mind without having to worry about the wt gestapo.

again, similar to how potential converts are welcomed and "love bombed" upon entering a kh for the first time.

Tenacious

Simon wrote:
I think your real complaint is that you are a "believer" and don't like the fact that people are allowed to criticize religious beliefs. You don't have anything specific to complain about so instead you make insinuations of impropriety and unfairness to besmirch the site, it's members and those who run it.

My profile and posts since I joined this site is open to scrutiny by anyone and everyone.

Yes, I still believe in the Christian God of the Bible yet I've never pushed this belief on anyone, anywhere, at anytime nor have do I misconstrue any statements to further support my position. At times when I have disagreed with another member I'm always cautious to adhere to forum policies and common courtesy.

I appreciate you starting this site Simon. I know your site revenue is probably barely enough to cover hosting fees. Which is why I'm sincere when I say thank you. Your site provides an important forum for those of us that are still members, former members, and soon to be former members.

No, you are right, I don't have a specific complaint at this point in time but to say I wish to besmirch you or anyone associated with this site is far-fetched. I have, at times, pointed out to you specific comments on certain members that lack common forum courtesy as per your "welcome message" wording. Sometimes you act, sometimes you refuse to get involved citing an open forum. However, remember, I didn't write your "welcome message", you did, and that's the point I wish to impress and continue discussing here.

Seriously, how hard can it be for members to remain respectful and demonstrate common courtesy. This isn't a KH nor the U.S. Senate floor, but I do know it's not a back alley either.

75

Have we become what we despise so much?

by Tenacious in

the majority of members who tend to join this forum have been hurt possibly even traumatized sometimes to the point of wanting to end their lives.

upon joining the forum, new members are welcomed with open arms, welcome messages start pouring in, "likes" are freely given, a false sense of security is promoted where a member is free to speak his mind without having to worry about the wt gestapo.

again, similar to how potential converts are welcomed and "love bombed" upon entering a kh for the first time.

Tenacious

Thank you to all, yes to all, who have commented whether negative or positive. I realize it's an open forum yet Simon's welcome message is a little misleading to boldly state:

"provide a friendly, tolerant and informative environment where you can ask questions, share information and make new friends."

I have no problem engaging anyone on any topic so long as the discussion is kept respectful and said discussion leads to further information being disseminated on the subject matter. No one should have to the suffer the indignity of being subjected to the same type of treatment they would typically receive from elders or other "so called Christian brothers" for disagreeing on doctrinal matters.

While I have owned several successful websites, at the moment I have no intention to start one being that, for the most part, this forum has been very successful at exposing the WTS for what it truly is.

Simon wrote:
Everyone is welcome on the site to stay and post as long as they adhere to the fairly common and typical rules designed to enforce minimum expected standards of behavior and civility.

And the fact that forum rules are held to a minimum is exactly why many members join, myself included. However, those members that do "go beyond" these rules, time and time again, are the ones who need to have their actions curtailed. You know who they are and so do many other members. Sensitive topics would see an increase in posts if members didn't feel intimidated by the offending members.

Simon wrote:
I don't like when people are unnecessarily aggressive to newcomers or even those who are JWs challenging the "doubts". I've tried to keep on top of that and set a tone for discourse and overall I think we do pretty well self-policing the community standards.

Why do you feel that newcomers should be treated differently than those who have been members for years? Don't all members deserve the same treatment regardless of seniority or topic? This is what I was referring to when I mentioned the "honeymoon" period.

Simon wrote:
Some people don't mean to be antagonistic but are hurting and damaged and sometimes lash out, possibly due to the internal conflict they are feeling - they may be angry at the lies they've been told and decide the fault is the ones who exposed them and pulled back the curtain, not the wizard that told the lies to them.

I completely understand the hurt that members feel as I've experienced and continue to experience the hurt as well. However, this should not be used as an excuse for mistreating other members who they themselves have also been deeply hurt yet they do not lash out, myself included.

A member has a right to disagree with another member and yet remain respectful. It's called common courtesy. Religious or not it's a universal law adhered to by most of the civilized world. I understand that anonymity provides a personal protective layer that allows for a more open and frank discussion. However, it can also serve as a barrier that protects and promotes the kind of behavior that I'm speaking out against.

75

Have we become what we despise so much?

by Tenacious in

the majority of members who tend to join this forum have been hurt possibly even traumatized sometimes to the point of wanting to end their lives.

upon joining the forum, new members are welcomed with open arms, welcome messages start pouring in, "likes" are freely given, a false sense of security is promoted where a member is free to speak his mind without having to worry about the wt gestapo.

again, similar to how potential converts are welcomed and "love bombed" upon entering a kh for the first time.

Tenacious

The majority of members who tend to join this forum have been hurt possibly even traumatized sometimes to the point of wanting to end their lives. Upon joining the forum, new members are welcomed with open arms, welcome messages start pouring in, "likes" are freely given, a false sense of security is promoted where a member is free to speak his mind without having to worry about the WT Gestapo. Again, similar to how potential converts are welcomed and "love bombed" upon entering a KH for the first time. After the new member is extended the courtesy of a "forum honeymoon" period, which at first was very welcoming, very warm, and receptive to anything and everything said, now has to face the reality that many of those same welcoming and warm loving members are now antagonistic, condescending, intolerant, and unapologetic in their point of view. The false sense of security that member had upon reading Simon's welcome message on the home page is all but shattered. The respect and admiration for leaving or trying to leave the lion's den only to enter another hostile environment where some members are quick to bash and berate someone's belief can be equally disconcerting and psychologically damaging.

Your thoughts?

41

They Push You In,,,,Then Punish You If You Go!

by new boy in

they brag about the fact that they the don' t baptize their babies because "how can a baby 'know' what religion it wants to believe in the rest of it's life!".

but a 14 year old does?.....they put so much presure on their children to get dunked, that if your not baptize by 18 years old there is something really "wrong" with you.. so the poor kid does it, just to get everyone off their backs.

legally a minor can't be held to a contract if they are under 18 years old and why?

Tenacious

I had barely cleared Mom's delivery tunnel when I saw a brother standing there with a "Live Forever" book.

60

Those keenly following umbertoecho ARC Brief Update.

by MightyV8 in

i feel it is comfortable to say,.

yes her arc hearing has come and gone.. yes her hearing was so powerful, her allotted time was tripled!.

yes, information handed over "mind blowing" response from arc.

Tenacious

Here's to hoping that one day soon, real soon, Hollywood will make a movie similar to 'Spotlight' and expose these blood sucking GB maggots for the true filth that they are.

43

Lyman Swingle (GB) told me what would bring down the Organization!

by new boy in

it was about 15 years ago.......... i was at a one day special event in woodburn or.

i was talking to lyman swingle about how the society could save some money.

it was a crazy idea ( to crazy to relate here)...............anyway he laughed and said to me.. "brother..........we have always had the money to do the things we needed to do.......and if we didn't.......we felt it was god's holy spirit telling us, it wasn't what we should be doing".......so...i said "so the money is like a barometer, no approval, no money"......he said "yea..... i guess you could say that!

Tenacious

X

10

A New Year and a New Start For Lurkers

by The Searcher in

what better time of the year (than hogmanay) to encourage lurkers to examine black & white examples of org teachings which are false, and for them to rebelliously examine what is presented as "truth?

" (km september 2007 - question box) .

here are some previous examples for those who have yet to read them: .

Tenacious

X (thanks Searcher)

21

10 Years On...

by done4good in

jw
friends

just a note that 10 years ago, (christmas day, 2005), was my last time inside a kh.

a lot has taken place for the better in those 10 years:.

1. met the love of my life and happily married for 9 years, two days ago.. 2. completed a master's degree.. 3. work at senior management level in the it field.. 4. have a savings and retirement, and no debt outside of a mortgage and 1 car loan.. 5. lots of travel to several places that i never would have done as a jw.. 6. contribute to what i believe are meaningful causes.. 7. read, think, and meditate for myself.. 8. have a great extended family i inherited from my wife.. 9. lots of other great stuff, too much to list.. none of this is intended to be boastful.

Tenacious

Jason, I don't believe you for one second that all of the good things you listed you have actually experienced. No way!

You have deviated from the ex-JW miserable life script. And I for one will not tolerate it.

You should be knee deep in debt, gone through at least 2 divorces, have taken up hardcore drinking, dabbled in dope, have a real crappy job, slept with half the town, and are near the verge of suicide.

Oh wait, you didn't buy the bull**** when they were selling it.

27

Some amazing insights on why the the name Jehovah is no more used in the new testament scriptures

by paradisebeauty in

i read this blog post by a person i have no idea if she is still a jw or not, but it made me think and gain some new perspective on using the divine name.

please read it if you can, it will change your view!

and it totally devalidates the jw dogma that they are the only ones using god's name, no, they are actually orphans.

Tenacious

Thank you for the thread PB. Very informative.

33

Why do girls have a hymen?

by JWchange in

if you believe humans evolved, and were not created, why would having a hymen help, especially as no other mammal has one?

if you believe humans were created by {a} god, or intelligent beings with advanced technology, what was the reason for a hymen?

i'm interested to hear your thoughts on this unusual subject, not many people talk about..

Tenacious

@ cofty - your admittance just validates my point. Yes, your tone is rude and not conducive to a healthy friendly discussion environment where other users are encouraged to participate. Instead, they shy away because of precisely your ignorance to the rules of this forum. Read the following posted on the welcome page:

"......and provide a friendly, tolerant and informative environment where you can ask questions, share information and make new friends."

Yes, your tone should not be tolerated by me or anyone else for that matter. Perhaps you can convince Simon to change the wording on the welcome page to better suit you.