Posts by ivanatahan

28

Newbies , Are We Seeing An Accelerated Increase? This Past Year ? Newbies Feel free To Respond Please .

by smiddy in

jw
friends

is it just me or does anyone else see more newbies joining this site this past year and especially in the last few months .. we would love to welcome you with genuine friendship ,support ,encouragement ,a place to vent ,and not judge you.. you have the freedom to express whatever view you like and you won`t be kicked off the board.. and to learn more about the "truth" about the truth , you will not hear at a kingdom hall .. smiddy.

ivanatahan

" My dad got up and walked out in the middle of that meeting and walked all the way home. He missed Tony's special part but I was gracious enough to show him all the wonderful places on YouTube he could get filled in. Go Dad, he's 75 btw and has been in the Org since the 1960s."

The only people who left from our group of congregations were the ones who couldn't understand English. Appearantly, the Watchtower cares so little about non-English speakers that they wouldn't even translate the annual meeting for them, the very event that was highlighted for its "importance" and that everyone was supposed to attend.

I guess I'm technically a newbie, having joined a few months ago. I also have indeed noticed an influx of new members, but since I've only been lurking a month before joining, I haven't really paid attention, since I didn't know how the trend was before I first stumbled upon this forum.

67

How do you feel about religion as a whole?

by FatherFirst in

it just seems to me religion in general primarily makes truly bad people worse, not genuinly good people better; and in many cases has even made good people do bad things in the name of their religion.

just curious, a personal poll if you will.

what are you guys' current views on religion as a whole?

ivanatahan

I, for one, support the progression of mankind. Having said that, I feel that religion is indeed the "opium of the masses" and only acts as an anchor that hinders the progress of mankind. Of course, some religions aren't as much of an anchor as, say, the three main monotheistic religions.

Many people are just find without religion, but there are some people who need the hope, albeit false hope, that religion can offer. I don't need that hope, and likely never will. To be honest, the Jecultah's Blindness religion has made me hate religion as a whole, although I appreciate the culture and traditions of religions, like the architecture of Orthodox churches or the Hajj to Mecca.

5

Foreign Language Congregations

by SonoftheTrinity in

are they stricter or laxer?

i've read comments on this board that the spanish speaking congregations are stricter.

somehow i imagine pacific islander congregations are laxer because they aren't as at odds with the culture.

ivanatahan

I'm in the Russian in America, and I can tell you it is SUPER relaxed. We get like 1 DF'ed brother/sister every few years, and those that do almost always come back or are never seen again. Many brothers/sisters are "unspiritual" and the elders cast a blind eye. Even I do things that are contreversial and I don't even get mentioned in any elder's meeting, at least according to my father, who is an elder.

9

Walking Dead season 5 is finished!

by stuckinarut2 in

so the walking dead season 5 has finished??.

now what am i going to do if i want to watch brain dead rotten corpses attack the living and suck the life out of them??.

oh, no hang on...it's ok.....i can just watch the gb on jw.tv.org!.

ivanatahan

"Wife and I watched the final show- it was good . Too bad the " cult compound " boss ladies husband got killed - but I'm curious - any ideas on who the new guy is in the show that came to the compound and said " Hello Rick " ? To Rick ? He could sure fight good when he helped save the other two guys earlier in the show. Is he a former sheriff friend of Rick's I guess ? Any opinions ? I guess we'll just have to keep watching " WT Society Night of the Living Dead GB Members 2.0 " for awhile. LOL. Peace out, Mr. Flipper"

That's Morgan. He was the guy who found Rick shortly after he woke up from his coma in the pilot episode. He had a son and his wife "turned" and he was too scared to kill her. Rick next met up with him when he stored up a massive stockpile in the apartment of the mayor of the town Rick was from, sometime in Season 2, if I recall correctly. You might also remember the occasional scenes that showed him treking his way following the route the Ricktocracy took across America.

Sad to think I have to wait half a year to get my weekly dose of one of the best TV shows out there...

11

Telling Parents About TTATT

by ivanatahan in

jw
friends

my parents are zealous jecultah's blindnesses, but my sister and i are not.

because of this, we are limited in our abilities/opportunities in life.

mu parents hate my sister because she went to college and started a full time job and thus isn't able to go to meetings or service.

ivanatahan

Thanks guys for the excellent advice!

How old are you?
-vivalavida

I won't disclose any personal information, such as age, but if you really want to know, just PM me.

If you are Baptized then minimize your involvement with the JW's as much as possible. Get through HS and plan on University or at least a two year degree in something that would allow you to make enough money to complete your education.
If you are not Baptized all the better. You can try to put in as little time as possible re meetings and FS.
-Giordano

I am baptized, unfortunately.

Tell your dad you would like a bible study with him, then while studying ask little questions that he can't answer as a JW. Bring up scriptures that blow up thier dogma and ask dad to explain. Plant seeds while studying, this is how others got thier families out.

I like this idea, but I'm not sure if I'm prepared enough to do something like this.

Everyone else:

I think I will talk to other people about this, and I have discussed this with my sister. She's been willing to actually fund my college tuition fees and provide a place to live when she moves out of the house, so that's a good place to start (though it would pain me to leave my parents in such a way). I do see reason to understand that my parents won't learn TTATT by my sister's and my tactics, considering any evidence or proof can be easily "disproved" by the JW circle-logic. I would ask them questions about the WT false teachings, but it would make them think I'm on to something, considering I rarely (if ever) discuss WT teachings. My father never does, either, and he's an elder!

11

Telling Parents About TTATT

by ivanatahan in

jw
friends

my parents are zealous jecultah's blindnesses, but my sister and i are not.

because of this, we are limited in our abilities/opportunities in life.

mu parents hate my sister because she went to college and started a full time job and thus isn't able to go to meetings or service.

ivanatahan

My parents are zealous Jecultah's Blindnesses, but my sister and I are not. Because of this, we are limited in our abilities/opportunities in life. Mu parents hate my sister because she went to college and started a full time job and thus isn't able to go to meetings or service. As a result, my parents are cracking down hard on me, because they don't want the same to happen to me. I really don't want to live at home, marry a Jdub, or work with my dad or any other crappy job. I want to go to a good university,to marry a wife who loves me and I her, and to get a good job. I can't do that because this is the opposite of a "happy life" as described by the Great 7. What should I do to make sure our parents love and treat us as their children, regardless of our religious beliefs. Should we try to convince them of TTATT? We don't want to have parents who disown us because we live our lives the way we feel the most comfortable.

19

JW going to prestigious university

by ivanatahan in

jw
friends

i've been debating this, and my mother (the spiritual head of my family, she even controls my father spiritually, who is an elder) doesn't seem to be starkly against me going to a prestigious university.

in fact, i've been going over my chances, and i'd say i have a pretty decent chance of going to my dream university, oxford university, to study philosophy, politics, and economics.

naturally i wouldn't tell my mother about me wanting to take the three most hated subjects of jws at a university that would bring me into bad relations with "spiritually sound jws".. do you guys know any ex-jw or knowledgeable jw who knows ttatt that went to a randall group or ivy league school?

ivanatahan

"Comparing Gilead to university is like calling a paddling pool an Olympic swimming pool"

True, but many JWs take pride in their "higher education" at Gilead and the other theocratic schools.

19

JW going to prestigious university

by ivanatahan in

jw
friends

i've been debating this, and my mother (the spiritual head of my family, she even controls my father spiritually, who is an elder) doesn't seem to be starkly against me going to a prestigious university.

in fact, i've been going over my chances, and i'd say i have a pretty decent chance of going to my dream university, oxford university, to study philosophy, politics, and economics.

naturally i wouldn't tell my mother about me wanting to take the three most hated subjects of jws at a university that would bring me into bad relations with "spiritually sound jws".. do you guys know any ex-jw or knowledgeable jw who knows ttatt that went to a randall group or ivy league school?

ivanatahan

I've already missed a lot of opportunities (compared to other students my age). Hopefully I'll be able to do more in school and outside to be able to look more appealing to the admission tutors at Oxford. My mom now seems only concerned about the distance between my parents and me, money, and "where I can go out in service". Unfortunately my parents are more cautious considering my sister, though still a JW technically, doesn't go out in service or meetings after going to college and getting an internship at a major accounting firm. We'll see, but hopefull the forces of the Universe can help me fulfill my dreams to go to Oxford.

On the topic of why PPE, I've looked at many courses and since I'm not exactly sure what I want to be (a politician would be great, but a lot more other careers also look appealing, so I'm confused about what I want to do), PPE covers a whole range of careers under my range of interest, so it looks great for me.

Also, the Watchtower does have its own "university" - Gilead and other theocratic schools. No way in hell am I ever even going to think of going there.

19

JW going to prestigious university

by ivanatahan in

jw
friends

i've been debating this, and my mother (the spiritual head of my family, she even controls my father spiritually, who is an elder) doesn't seem to be starkly against me going to a prestigious university.

in fact, i've been going over my chances, and i'd say i have a pretty decent chance of going to my dream university, oxford university, to study philosophy, politics, and economics.

naturally i wouldn't tell my mother about me wanting to take the three most hated subjects of jws at a university that would bring me into bad relations with "spiritually sound jws".. do you guys know any ex-jw or knowledgeable jw who knows ttatt that went to a randall group or ivy league school?

ivanatahan

"Are you Ivan or Ivana? Anyway, If at all possible, do not miss out on studying at Oxford University! It will give you the confidence to excel at what you do best. It will also give a greatly enlarged income potential. You will find friends there and good company who will stay with you throughout your life.

My other half studied philosophy at Oxford before going into law and a few years back she was invited to Buckingham Palace with the likes of David Attenborough as one of four hundred people who are the leading lights in their professions in Britain.

I live not far away from the glorious city of Oxford and have taken degree courses there as a mature student. I found studying there a total delight. Whatever happens in my own life, I feel that having escaped JW indoctrination and having had a good taste of the discipline and benefits of serious study, it has given me a solid platform on which to assess information. To see how the world really works is something denied to JWs who are destined to rely on magic thinking. I think of JWs as people stumbling in a hall of mirrors in a fog, sustained only by a fruitless hope... It’s a tragedy for them. You though, have a great opportunity ahead of you and I truly wish you the very best in it."

Thank you for your generous reply! I really found it comforting and it touched my heart! I'm glad you and your mate were able to experience the benefits of Oxford, it must be quite the change from the fake life JWs live and hope to live. There's nothing in the world that could cease my dream of going to Oxford. Trust me, I've looked.

Also, the name's Ivan.

19

JW going to prestigious university

by ivanatahan in

jw
friends

i've been debating this, and my mother (the spiritual head of my family, she even controls my father spiritually, who is an elder) doesn't seem to be starkly against me going to a prestigious university.

in fact, i've been going over my chances, and i'd say i have a pretty decent chance of going to my dream university, oxford university, to study philosophy, politics, and economics.

naturally i wouldn't tell my mother about me wanting to take the three most hated subjects of jws at a university that would bring me into bad relations with "spiritually sound jws".. do you guys know any ex-jw or knowledgeable jw who knows ttatt that went to a randall group or ivy league school?

ivanatahan

"You mean a Russell Group Uni? I did. I was made an elder and started at Edinburgh Uni in the same month, 8 months later I'd resigned as an elder and quit meetings.

I'd highly recommend it."

Yes, I meant Russell Group. For some reason I wrote Randall, didn't even notice it.