Posts by Incognito

22

Expect 90% of pimi's to go down with the ship here's why

by nowwhat? in

i have been feeding my very pimi brother tidbits and clippings of all the csa issues coming to light the last five years and all the org's business dealings of hundreds of closed halls congs dissolving etc.

and reminding him of all the failed prophecies etc etc.

although he would listen and acknowledge.

Incognito

Nowwhat, since your brother appears to have listened, you don't know what seeds of doubt you have sown.

Of course he will not immediately acknowledge doubt as JWs are so frequently pre-warned Satan will use whatever means available to cause them to leave Jehovah. When you were a committed JW, how would you have reacted if he fed you that same information you shared with him?

JWs will usually be more prone to acknowledge their own doubts and concerns when an issue personally effects them or an immediate family member. If for instance he is treated unfairly, or his congregation is dissolved and he is forced to travel an inconvenient distance, he maybe more vulnerable to acknowledge doubts and concerns, but expect he will also attempt to suppress his doubts by rationalization. Rationalization will usually become tiresome if the same issues are ongoing.

23

pictures for or of pimos

by waton in

a picture so embarrassing, even wtbts inc does not want to describe it?

this week's study, no 52, march 1 2020 wt dec 1919. picture description (on page 27) for pages 23 and 26 but not for the one on page 24, too embarrassing?

picture it, page 24. the wt lady, with a head volume ~8 times that of the gentlemen sitting behind her, eager to have her voice boom in the kingdom hall, raising arms with 3 other "sisters", whereas all 4 males are abstaining.

Incognito

Perhaps the photo was obtained from an early episode of 'Young Sheldon'.

52

Please help

by Dano3456 in

jw
friends

my wife and i are not religious nor do we want to be.

we are very set in our spiritual beliefs.

we have worked with a jw who's family have been like a part of our family for 6 years.

Incognito

She only goes with them a few times a year. But I am prepared to stop it if I hear anything alarming. - Dano

Dano, you appear to consider child abuse is the only issue we are warning you about. Although child sexual abuse is a major concern which you need to be aware of, many of the warnings given regard the teachings and indoctrination methods used by JWs. Do not consider attending JW meetings to be harmless or similar to casually attending a 1-hour Sunday service in a mainstream church.

JWs will not discuss the negative aspects or problems in the religion and will lie or deny being aware to protect the interests and reputation of the religion and the parent Watchtower organization.

Many JWs are not even aware of many issues as they are warned to not watch news stories or read negative reports as those are claimed to be lies and half-truths created by 'apostates' (ex-JWs) who are bitter and 'mentally diseased'.

Most of us who are regular participants on this forum are former JWs who have come to realize and accept the religion is actually a dangerous cult. Many have no hesitation discussing the negative and positive aspects of the religion, and attempt to inform anyone that is interested or exposed to the religion as to the teachings and indoctrination methods utilized. The person can then consider both sides to make an informed decision if they wish to continue involvement with the religion.

You said you and your wife do not wish to be religious and do not want even 1 of your children to become a JW. As such, why are you allowing anyone to take your vulnerable children to any religious service, JW or other? What do you consider is the purpose, benefit or expected outcome in allowing your children to attend JW meetings, even if 'only' a few times each year?

While your co-worker and her family may be very kind, generous and loving, their religious beliefs are their own. Remaining friends should not be based on a condition that your children must attend their religious services or be taught their beliefs.

As JWs are required to preach and teach in between meetings, it is likely that your children have been provided with their own JW books or watch JW videos which are reviewed and discussed when they visit.

52

Please help

by Dano3456 in

jw
friends

my wife and i are not religious nor do we want to be.

we are very set in our spiritual beliefs.

we have worked with a jw who's family have been like a part of our family for 6 years.

Incognito

With regard to child sexual abuse, the JW religion does have a major problem.

Obviously, not all JWs are abusers, but because JWs are taught they can trust other JWs with their life and that the worst JW is better than the best 'worldly' person, JWs such as your neighbors, will often trust other JWs they only just met. Because of these trusting attitudes, children too frequently become victims of abuse because they attended the kingdom hall washroom unsupervised or they were permitted to accompany another adult JW alone in service (door knocking), or permitted to sleep over with friends at another JW's home. Often, abuse is not known until years or decades after it took place.

52

Please help

by Dano3456 in

jw
friends

my wife and i are not religious nor do we want to be.

we are very set in our spiritual beliefs.

we have worked with a jw who's family have been like a part of our family for 6 years.

Incognito

Welcome Dano!

Your children will learn that God (Jehovah) will soon destroy everyone on earth that is not a JW. This often leads to highly influential children becoming stressed and anxious that they and their parents, grandparents, aunts, cousins etc will be killed at armageddon.

Because JWs believe they are doing a life saving work, they will use whatever methods they can to convert as many people possible into becoming JWs, including using children's fears to pressure their parents.

While I appreciate you think highly of these people, and while they maybe the best people you will ever know and trust, remember, they are JWs who believe they have the ultimate obligation to convert the masses to save their lives.

27

My husband and I told our families we want to disassociate

by erinee in

well, these stories are always fun, right?

let me share mine.. my husband and have been pimo for 2 years.

inactive for one year.

Incognito

Welcome to the forum.

ALL our family said they would shun us for the rest of their life, no matter what. Even if we have kids in the future ...
... they want us to just be inactive so they can keep talking to us.

They wish to blame you for their actions instead of accepting responsibility for their own choices.

No one is holding a gun to their heads to force them to shun you, but they gladly comply with the dictates of a cult run by men. For a group that claims to be bible based, the most loving and the chosen people of the 'god of love', it does not take much for them to ignore Jesus examples. They quickly discard family relationships if they are told by men that they 'may be' (not assured) rewarded for doing so.

We haven't done our research.

They have not done their research, but they are only reaffirming their belief that the cult they are members of, could never do such things. As they are too afraid to research for themselves, they accuse any one that states info that is negative or contrary cult teachings, to have fallen for false stories and half truths that have no basis in fact.

I recall a scripture that states to keep making sure of all things and hold onto that which is fine (proven), but JWs commonly ignore that scripture.

While your families accuse you of breaking your vows, were any of them members of other religions before becoming JWs? If so, did they not break their vows to God?

While there is no one course of action that is suitable for everyone, most PIMO and inactive (ex-)JWs remain such to maintain relationships with their families who may not know their true status. As your opinions are now known to your families, there should be no fear that your families will learn of your life choices so that may lessen your fear (looking over your shoulder) in just remaining inactive.

38

How Many Here Remember Hearing Details from the Platform on Why a Person was Reproved or DF'd ???

by RubaDub in

i just had this flashback when commenting on another thread about how they used to announce reproof or dfing from the platform.

at least in our congregation, it was a dramatic event (this is what i can remember from back in the mid-late 60's or early 70's when i was a kid).. at the end of the service meeting, just before singing the final song, the brother would announce, "we have a letter that must be read.

the "congregation servant" (my grandfather or later my father) would then slowly walk from the back of the kh to the platform.

Incognito

The specific reason for each Df'ing had been announced in the '60s, and then the reason was changed to only 'Conduct Unbecoming a Christian'. When that change happened, resulted in much speculation in the remaining congregation that the change was necessary because of law suits.

I recall when the announcement was again changed to 'first name, last name is no longer a Jehovah's Witness' that was again met with speculation with regard to the reason why the change was necessary.

As the Public Talk and WT study was considered a public meeting, Df'ing and other private congregation announcements were normally reserved for the weeknight Service Meeting, but I can recall one occasion where a Df'ing was announced on a Sunday, which the congregation found more shocking than the Df'ing itself.

19

Article: What Is The Clergy-Penitent Privilege And How Can It Protect Sex Offenders?

by AndersonsInfo in

https://www.oxygen.com/the-witnesses/crime-news/how-clergy-penitent-privilege-may-protect-sex-offenders.

how clergy-penitent privilege may protect sex offenders | crime news.

it’s a practice that is centuries old: confessing one’s sins to a trusted clergy member.

Incognito

Whether or not there is merit in the practice, a confessional is used by an individual to acknowledge and confess sin(s) they themselves have committed, to a single priest/minister, as a means to request absolution of the sin by God.

If the confessor and minister are known to each other, they may recognize each other's voice, but the practice is often performed anonymously and is to remain confidential between those two individuals only.

1) WT continually attempt to claim confidentiality of confession when a congregation member reports they are a victim of a crime. As a victim is not confessing a sin they themself committed (although elders often place blame on the victim), a report does not fit within the meaning or purpose of a religious 'confession'.

2) Once a JW Elder or Elders share details of a claimed 'confession' with the branch, legal dept, or other Elders that were not actually present when the 'confession' was given, then the sacred seal of confession is broken as it is no longer confidential between the confessor and their chosen religious representative(s).

58

Kh's will be gone in 5 years! Here's how it will work

by nowwhat? in

besides the media center they are going to build in n.y. it's been noted they are also building one and a studio in australia.

there is no way donations can cover these massive projects.

so the money will have to come from the sale of the remaining halls.

Incognito

LHG,

None of us know anything but are only speculating on what might/could happen.

Perhaps congregations will become virtual, continuing to be scheduled at specific times, with each attendee to login and be listed onscreen (similar to a webinar). The speaker and those making comments could be shown using their camera to everyone else in attendance. That may address your face-to-face concern.

While there have been various ideas given that some are quick to dismiss and claim could never happen, consider how many changes have been made over the past 15+ years, many of which were speculation but dismissed as not possible by members of this forum, before each was eventually announced/implemented.

58

Kh's will be gone in 5 years! Here's how it will work

by nowwhat? in

besides the media center they are going to build in n.y. it's been noted they are also building one and a studio in australia.

there is no way donations can cover these massive projects.

so the money will have to come from the sale of the remaining halls.

Incognito

WT are masters of double-speak so home groups could be 'suggested' without saying so directly, which then allows plausible deniability as to each group being an official requirement.

I think by not officially sanctioning 'home groups' will work to WT's benefit as they may then claim JW associates took it upon themselves to meet in small groups. As WT does not require such and as meetings are held in private homes which WT has no control over, then it has no liability for member actions occurring in a facility which WT does not own or control.

Many of the liability issues that have arisen have not necessarily been due to where an abuse occured, but more due to WT's lacking policies and how WT's agents (Elders) handled the situation once the matter was reported to them.

I anticipate to remain a JW in good standing, each family or individual JW will require a subscription to access WT's member areas. Again, double-speak will not use the word 'subscription' to convey a 'donation' so as to not create a taxable situation.

Perhaps WT will create an app or require its own browser or a browser plugin to access member pages. As videos and online information may be accessible 24/7, then individual JWs can access the relevant pages at their leisure. I expect each login and page visit duration will be recorded, while a list of questions will need to be answered at the end of each section to qualify as 'attendance'.

Since seeing other fellow believers acts to boost moral, group mentality and something to look forward to, maybe member only 'special assembly days' at WT owned assembly halls will become more frequent, perhaps 3-4 year. Of course, those functions will continue to generate additional donations due to overblown costs reported to attendees.

Those assigned will continually change to make it difficult for attendees to recognize who is missung (no longer a believer).

While JW member numbers will likely decline, I anticipate WT knows 25%+ of current attendees do not believe and are not contributing financially, so there will be no great loss if they loose them to retain the fully indoctrinated (and contributing) members.