[note: the quotes below are to the best of my memory, but may contain minor errors].
a follow-up to the un evidence i sent to my mom (orignal thread here: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/11/69232/1.ashx).
i phoned my mum last night to enquire if my missionary-elder .
Wow, makes me realize once again what a mind controlling cult the WT actually is. I too was in denial about many things even after I could no longer be a JW. The denial thing is heavily programmed into the minds of the members of this Org. It scares me to think how entrenched I was in the program. I'm out now, but still seeking support so I guess I am not totally over the programming myself and that's why I am here this morning I suppose.
i as much as anyone would love to see them fall flat on their hypocritical behinds, but what would really be the outcome?
there are those who have spent their entire lives in the org.
and many of these are elderly, and basically have only the org.
There would be a lot of splinter groups as there were in the past, more so then, but probably still exist today. Many would need therapy--they already do, but don't realize it. Some would be relieved ,especially the young ones who are forced to be there against their will. I do feel sorry for the elderly though and those who have slaved away for years and years. I'm sure many of these people would not even know how to function in society. That is very sad. But with all of that I still want to see the WT exposed to save the lives of many others who will come in after these ones. There is no avoiding pain with this group--either way somebody gets screwed.
god does not want you people to worry but to have comfort.
for all people your errors have been pardoned.
with every sin you have done, for you have been pardoned if not once but yet a second time.
Who are you to judge the pain and suffering of those who have been used and abused, spiritually, mentally and physically and then lost their families and so-called friends under the cruel dictatorship of the WT Bible and Tract Society Multibillion dollar real estate investment corporation and book publishing company?
here are the updated alexa ratings.
jwd is the top rated christianity site as well as the busiest jw site.
i'm very proud of the fact that lambs roar is the second busiest site in both categories.
So good to be here. So glad I found you guys out here in cyber-space. I was a lost vessel when I crash landed here. This place has done me a world of good and I'm sure has helped many others too. I can see why this site has made it to #1 and I am proud to be here. Thanks for the hard work. Celebrate and have some cake. cheers!!!
hi, i have been looking on the boards for a few months now, and it has had a profound effect on me.
thanks to all who i have spoken to, who have really helped me.
i was been bought up a jw.when i was 23 i left home and started 'living', got involved with a worldling, who i tried to convert so that we could be accepted.
Welcome Chok,
Lots of good support here. I'm glad you broke out of the Org. Look forward to reading more of your posts.
Unconditional Love,
cybs
a "circuit" (northern california area including south of sacramento and foothills) had only half of their expected attendance at the 10-11 april circuit assembly.
only some 600 from a circuit of about 1100 were present to the dismay of the district and circuit overseers responsible for the assembly.
of major concern was how to foot the bill for the event which is funded by member donations.
The last district convention held in my area was an international one and a plane ride away (I live on an island). The hotels in this city where the convention were held were quite expensive and the airport was far enough away that you needed a rent a car. Also the cost of food would have been high as there is no cooking in hotels. I figured it would've cost me about a $1000.00 to attend. Many people, especially with large families couldn't afford to go. The society offered travel packages of room and flight (are they in the travel business now too?) and it was expected that you go through them for your travel needs and to be obiedient to the society's rooming arrangements. There were forms you had to fill out for the travel package that the elders had in their possession so you had to speak with them to get one. I was still half way in and half way out of the Org and didn't have the money to put out and wasn't feeling like going either, but was still guilty over it. There was an annoucement that many had not yet signed up to go to the assembly and they were really pushing all to go. I'm sure that many were very discouraged by this as most here do not have a lot of money and it would've been a great expense for them (I figured a family of 4 could add up to $2000.00) and living in a economically challenging area this is not easy. The other thing that really got me is the annoucement that no food would be allowed in the assembly hall and the only choices for all 4 days for lunch would be either chili beans or hot dogs from a vendor at the convention center...I kid you not...Of course all were encouraged to stay at the assembly hall for lunch and encouraged not to leave...I didn't go...
we all know the big problems with the wts, but what was the first thing that made you realise there were problems with the organisation ?
with me it was realitivly small stuff like an 8 year old getting baptised and a comment my best mates made about another of our friends asking if we should be hanging round with her as she might be bad assciation (she had just been reproved, but they had been mates 20 years).. .
how ever the first time i ever thought something was really wrong was when i was about 11 and my grand farther died, and mu mum wouldn't go to the funeral, i remeber thinking that surely it was better to say good bye properly than worry about if the service was in a church.. .
I always had doubts, but I was in denial for about 20 years. My first slap in the face was when there were some elders mishandling situations in the congo including my life. I thought that certainly the Organization would do something about these things. I wrote the benevolent society 2 times begging for help. I received one form type letter with a few old WT quotes in it. My second letter again pleading for help was never answered, but the elders received a letter and from what the elders told me it was in favor of them. I talked to a CO too and he to supported the elders. It was just a bunch of nonsense what they all said--nothing that made any sense nor could it be explained to anyone logically. It was then I realized how insane this religion was and there was no protection for the flock and the wolves in sheeps clothing was the WT Organization. Then I found out more...
since i was an active witness for so many years, i only recently discovered many beautiful gospel and spiritual songs.
can anyone tell me why jw's are so against singing any other songs than kingdom melodies.. .
most are just, well in a word bad.. i actually remeber when all of our songs were played on a piano by a tone deaf elders bethelite's wife.
I live across the road from a church and on Sundays I hear them singing. It seems like a very soulful church and the singing I hear sounds very heartfelt and beautiful and even while I was still a JW I secretly admired these songs. Many JW songs enfoced the WT brainwashing and didn't have a lot of heart to them--some were a lot like anthems ...a few choice lines: "Let's watch how we walk and watch how we talk and stumble none in our minestry" "They are neat and well prepared and oh so polite" "I do not sit with wicked men of lies...with those who truth despise" " Were Jehovah's Witnesses...Our is the God of true prophesy, what he foretells come to be"
I'm sure you all know the rest....Hate it that I still have all those little dittys floating around in my head.
cybs
i was at work today and i noticed a tradesman walking through the building wearing a t-shirt with a company name on it.
i knew it was a dub's trade name and felt sick in the stomach.
i didn't recognize the man wearing the shirt and thought maybe the business had been sold to someone else.. at lunch time i sat near a door and saw the boss of the company.............yes, it was the dub!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
I'm sorry Bliss,
I think it still happens to all of us to one degree or another. i still start to shake when I see the elders in my old congo--I am so angry at them now it hurts. I am working on it though and have been assured that the pain will become less intense in the future. I'm am sorry you are hurt too. We are only human.
Much Love,
cybs
a morbid topic i know, but one that has played on my mind since i was df'd.. my mum is still a very devout witness.
if anything happened to her, what would the witness position be on my attending the funeral ?.
i know she would (quite rightly)expect a service at the kingdom hall.
Bull,
I have always believed that the point of any funeral or memorial service is to comfort the living. Do what you must to comfort yourself and others. Make some real friends--those are the ones who will be with you in times of need. As we have learned the love shown by the Organization is conditional and based on your performance in the Organization. It is all very twisted and takes some sorting out. I am presently seeing a therapist to help me do so. It has been the best thing I could do besides opening up to people outside of the Organization. Friendships with non-JWs are not based on your performance for the Org and a lot less stressful. There are some great people in this world--those who are truly loving and kind and supportive--reach out and find them.
Much Love,
cybs
