this is a moderated forum and unfortunately it's occassionally necessary to deactivate accounts of posters who purposefully and/or repeatedly violate the simple & sensible posting guidelines, there to ensure that the forum is a welcoming and friendly place to visit.
most deletions are not permanent however.
we appreciate that some are the results of misunderstandings or personal circumstances coloring people's behavior.
I'm new enough where I don't know anything about rivalry between boards or tension between members here. My experience here so far has been very pleasant, which I appreciate since I know my views don't always match the consensus of the Board.
Simon, I can find no fault with your new policy. It is very fair and reasonable.
in the 80's we used to pass around tapes.
we were warned that we did not know where these came from and eventually it stopped.
some of the tapes were quite good.
Sorry wednesday, although I was pretty active in the 80's tape sharing wasn't in our area. How about e-bay?
i've been using the walk away, avoid elder contact play for a couple of months now.
my boss (an ms in a different cong.
) leaves me a message saying that the elders from my hall called him at his meeting last night.
I'm glad you straightened your boss out. If you don't want to talk to them just make that point clear to them, what happens, happens, your not obliged to play their game. I'm anticipating the same crap when I go to the Memorial this April.
my heart is palpitating even as i write this.
it was only recently that i was introduced to this site.
i had long had doubts but could never bring myself to peer over the wall built in my head about the evils of apostates.
Time...and allowing yourself to think critically again, to analyze and see the errors of the JW's.
To understand it is their thinking (or lack of it) and not yours, that is the problem. There are likely to be some rough spots ahead but in time you'll go from this to this .
Welcome.
hey everyone, i haven't posted here as often as i would like, but i've been busy with other stuff.
but i noticed something interesting in the km for april.
in the section with suggestions for presentations, the one for the may 1st wt.
Why all the fuss? Don't you know religious leaders can ALWAYS be TRUSTED??
i have not seen any announcement from the watchtower stating that they have settled their tax liability with.
the nation of france.
they went thru the courts there - and lost.
"Any of you apologists or lurkers care to prove me wrong, you're welcome to do so."
Not me! If the WTBTS can rationalize a UN connection they can rationalize non-payment of taxes.
After the appeals run out it's time to pay!
ok...my sis is a few years younger than me...she was a loyal jw and even took to counseling me for things like watching movies.
then, she began to snap.
after her child was born, she saw that her husband was really, really abusive (he stopped being physical a long time ago, but he wasn't any nicer...he even forbade her from seeing our worldly mom.
Before I left, the GB was pushing the idea that Christ held the Elders in his right hand. DF'ings like this shows that's not entirely true. Did she try to appeal it?...No guarantees, my appeals committee was a joke!!!
i recall my parents saying that they would go around and say that "nuclear bombs" were, at one point, imminent, and what you would do if you died today?
i'm not sure if that's the exact wording, but just wondering if they really said weird things like that; like there were fighter jets in the sky with nuclear capabilities that nearly caused "armageddon".
true or false?
I don't remember anything weird, I do remember though a CO being really aggressive, yelling and telling the householders "They would DIE!!" if they didn't change. Sad to say, others followed his example.
i don?t know how many caught this, but the watchtower of march 1st, seems to put a new twist on a familiar watchtower theme of power and control by the gb.
did you notice the last 3 paragraphs of the last study article?
to me, they?re pregnant with hidden meaning, that is, regarding the power struggle that has been going on since the creation of a plethora of corporations a few years ago.. .
lisaBObeesa,
Yes, 'Stay Tuned' is right. As I understand it, what's left of the Anointed are supposed to make their 'trip' at the end of it all. 1Cor. 15:52 , Rev.11:15. They may not be as confident of it as they once were.
i don?t know how many caught this, but the watchtower of march 1st, seems to put a new twist on a familiar watchtower theme of power and control by the gb.
did you notice the last 3 paragraphs of the last study article?
to me, they?re pregnant with hidden meaning, that is, regarding the power struggle that has been going on since the creation of a plethora of corporations a few years ago.. .
Hello cyberguy,
Believe me I can RELATE! However you choose to handle your exit the outcome will be the same, you will be shunned and ostracized by all 'loyal' witnesses. The question for you to decide is how painful do you want your exit to be? The fade is longer and more agonizing, in my opinion, than just leaving. I've done both during my time as a Witness. Do you live by yourself or are you with other Witnesses?
"I?d like to get out, but I?m having difficulty because I?ve grown up in it, and it?s hard to get into the "world," as JW?s call it!"
You don't have to leave Jehovah to leave the Witnesses cyber. I don't know what your belief in bible is, I for one believe it contains God's word, yet, not every word in the bible is from God or His Son. I also believe the Witnesses have the basics right about God, man and the future.
It's not easy worshiping Jehovah alone, yet, for my/our own mental and emotional health it's better to put distance between us and the congregation.
"...I?ve talked to several x-JW?s recently, but in the final analysis, I have to divorce myself from it. Also, my brother is an avid JW, self-righteous Elder, but no longer talks to me because, as he said, "I have very negative feelings toward the organization."
That's typical, and part of the guilt manipulation they use. If you disagree your a problem, if you stick to your dissenting positions your 'hardened.' The ancient Jews had this same problem of narrow thinking and elitist views. Look what happened to them long term.
"...I think it best if I do the "slow-fade-thing" if possible."
That's your choice, there is no right or wrong way, it's what works for you.
"The local elders are nice to me..."
This is only temporary, once they see your determined to chart a new course away from the organization they'll shun you also.
"...but realize that I know the Bible much better than they do and are afraid of confronting me, as I see it."
That's funny, I enjoyed this too. The last meeting I had with the Elders they couldn't get out of the room fast enough :) Besides, they're not trained to think on they're own. They use scripted answers and statements and playbook strategies. When we use our logic and correct critical reasoning they get frustrated.
"In any case, I?m trying to deal with my situation, but it?s becoming harder and harder as time goes on."
Of course, because your using your mind and see the organization for what it is, warts and all, it becomes harder and harder to play the game.
"Once a person realizes that JW?s are not the "truth," it?s all down-hill from there!"
Yes, it is. We change in they're eyes, it becomes an us vs them situation. We become the enemy.
Good vs Evil and in they're small, dictated world, we're evil. 'How dare you question the organization of GOD!' Is their position. Just like the ancient Israelites the murdered Jesus!
"...Therefore, I will eventually stop going, but I'm trying to do the "slow-fade-thing!"
If that's best. I know for myself being away from the Witnesses, yet, not being in the 'world,' it can be difficult at times, but the freedom from all the man made and unnessasary rules is worth it. Free from all the guilt and fear, free from the constant pressure to do more. Free to have a life again or perhaps in your case for the first time. Again, I don't know what your beliefs in God and the bible are, I just wouldn't attribute the error of men to God.
If you want, feel free to PM me any time. Plus, there are many others here your could help you and support you. Perhaps ask for their opinions in a new Thread. ~ Flash
