Posts by Anne Marie

39

Getting Even With The Watchtower SocietyIs It Necessary?

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

getting even with the watchtower societyis it necessary?at the close of their lives as jehovahs witnesses, some individuals have written books, .

created websites and others have approached the media and the legal system about the .

watchtower society.

Anne Marie

The Watchtower has always been good at saying things like, "If you knew there was a dangerous storm coming, wouldn't you feel a moral obligation to warn others about it??" This is the motivation for JWs to get out and preach "the end of the world" to the innocent public.

Once we know that the Watchtower is built on lies and fear and control...that they are not the "voice of God," then some of us are moved to tell "the truth" about "the" truth. It is natural to want some form of "revenge," but in that vein, I think this is more of a need to "heal" from the effects of being lied to; to find the strength to regain some sense of normalcy, and life in freedom.

By the way, the book: "30 Years A Watchtower Slave," by William J. Schnell, (published in 1956, available at http://www.bakerbooks.com), is a wonderful and enlightening book on how the society developed, and "perfected," mind control...beginning in Germany, and then practiced in America. I agree...the title does sound "negative," but back then, the Watchtower had many "classes" of JWs, and many were viewed as "slaves"; and the author is only stating in the title what he, himself, was to the Society.

I do hope that you will look into getting this book for yourselves. It is an easy read, and extremely informative!! It really gives the reader an understanding of how the society went from a simple publishing company (that let each congregation guide themselves) to this current All Controlling "Theocracy" Government.

I have read MANY books exposing the truth about the Watchtower Organization, but this one book really brings EVERYTHING into focus.

Thank you

36

What is the best thing you have done since leaving the truth?

by mtsgrad in

jw
friends

as a fader i felt delighted at clinking glasses at a pub.

it may seem trivial but it meant a lot to me.

what is the best thing you have done since leaving the truth?.

Anne Marie

Hey, Open Mind!! Congradulations on getting in touch with your brother!! My own brother's...one an elder, and the other, a pioneer, both, after almost twenty years of "shunning" me, have made sure to let me know that they love me very much...though they have had to do this on "the sly."

Open Mind, you go and do whatever you feel you need to do, and you go and say whatever you want to say!! The wonderful thing about not having your life...everything about "your" life...dictated to you by the "almighty BORG," is that you find that it really is OKAY to use the brain that God gave you; that it's okay to be YOU!! Sweet, obnoxious, and WONDERFUL YOU!! You GO!! Darlin'!!

12

NEW PUBLICATIONS

by testigay in

what are the new publications released at the district conventions this year?

?

Anne Marie

I find it so interesting that the Watchtower is using the theme: "Follow THE Christ." I mean, doesn't that sound odd??? Why don't they just say, "Follow CHRIST"??

Oh, gosh!! I forgot!! The Watchtower doesn't want any JWs following CHRIST!! If any JWs DID choose to start following Christ, there'd be a whole lotta disfellowshipping going on!!

The Watchtower has already put themselves in the place of Christ...beginning with way back in Rutherford's day. It is too bad, and so sad, that the average JW does not seem to "catch on" to what the theme is really saying...that the Watchtower, in a round about way, is THE Chirst to "follow." (And JWs still don't think that "mind control," and hypnosis is not being used on them??) Scary. Damn scary.

21

If Children grow up in the Truth but never get Baptized, why no shunning?

by NotaNess in

jw
friends

i kind of understand the "never made the real commitment" part, but isn't learning the "truth" for 15 to 20 years, and going out into the "world" as opposed to committing,... the same as choosing to not accept jehover's (aka wts) ways and be with the brothers and sisters in union?.

why is the shunning treated different?

is it because, there's always hope by the parents, that they will come around?, etc.. .

Anne Marie

It's just a thought, but perhaps it is because the Borg is becoming sensitive to the rank-and-file starting to "get it" in regard to their "fallibility." Too many JWs are no longer as "igorant" as they were in the past...before education was "accepted," and the internet came to the homes to educate anyone who searched for "truth." They don't want to be as "strict," so that they can "hold on" to as many members as they can...perhaps thinking that if they are more "tolerant," the JW child will "come around," and become an official member. After all, if families start to leave...entire families!!..think of the monetary losses to the Borg!! So keeping the "patience" regarding the wayward JW child just makes "sense."

32

Circuit Overseer's Callous Remark

by snowbird in

i was just thinking about a co's closing remarks one sunday after the watchtower study.

he stated that he had heard that ray franz was dead.

he didn't call him by name, of course.

Anne Marie

Well, I am happy to say that Ray Franz is alive and well. In fact, he is eighty-two this month, I believe. He did have a severe problem with the blood vessels to his heart, but he says that he is recovered from that. Also, his dear wife, Jackie, (I think her name is), had open-heart surgery, but she, too, is doing pretty good.

They both have been through so very much in what the Watchtower put them through...at least they have had many people come to visit them from all over the world, and they have "real" friends. I guess the Watchtower "powers that be" would really hate to acknowledge that!

33

Do You Miss Not Being With Your JW Family & Friends?

by minimus in

jw
friends

personally, i keep very little contact with any of my witness family except my mom.

i don't miss the conditional friends or family, really.

but i do know that many here are devastated by their being abandoned.

Anne Marie

Only my loving JW mother stood by me when my whole world fell apart. For sixteen long years, my brothers would have nothing to do with me, and I never got to meet, or know, my niece and three nephews. My son re joined the Watchtower after he grew up, as his now wife had begun studying and she told him he had to join her if he wanted to be with her. Though neither of them was baptizied at the time, I was the only one not invited to their wedding.

The JWs are known to profess that their religion "makes families stronger." Well, this is only true if each member is unitedly dedicated to serving the Watchtower Organization. But let one member become doubtful, or leave for any reason at all, the "family" of "love" is now "shattered." Ultimately, like many other "Watchtower fallacies," this belief proves to be nothing more than a fantasy. And "waking up" to "reality" can be a very painful experience, indeed.

4

A Gathering of Love and Joy for ex-JW's!!

by Anne Marie in

dear brother or sister, .

my name is anne marie.

i used to be on the forum a lot until i lost my internet service.. last august, through god's grace, i finally "got it" and turned my life over to the care of jesus.

Anne Marie

Dear Brother or Sister,

My name is Anne Marie. I used to be on the forum a lot until I lost my internet service.

Last August, through God's grace, I finally "got it" and turned my life over to the care of Jesus. It was so simple, and at last I am at peace...and so very happy!

Anyway, this is why I am writing. I have discovered a wonderful gathering of ex-JW's, and other "escapees" from controlling religions, that takes place in Mill Valley, California, once a year. The atmosphere is so wonderful there! The conference is held at a beautiful Bible College, and they have dorm rooms.

Call Rick at (415) 380-1748. He is in charge of registration. He's really great! Also, you can contact Daniel, an ex-JW elder. He has written several books that clearly show the truth of God's word, and is a real sweetheart. He puts the conference together, and has done much work in the Lord's service. His number is (707) 776-4705.

I highly recomend Dan's books...especially "The Armageddon Cult...". I have been out of the Watchtower organization for over 17 years, and I had read many books in search for the truth...but it was this book that made me finally "get it"! And I am forever grateful. It was the most informative, and clearly written book about the JW religion, and the Bible.

This next Grace Conference is (I think) Friday, August 13th through Sunday, August 15th.

It is a wonderful and spiritually fullfilling experiance! Please try to come! You will be so glad that you found what Jesus really meant when he said "by this all will know that you are my dicipiles, if you have love among yourselves.

In his arms,

Anne Marie

3

Watch "Dateline" on Tueday, May 28th!!

by Anne Marie in

i think that it is very important that the word goes out to everyone who can hear that "dateline" is doing a report on the problem of child molestation in the organization, and how it's been routinely covered up.. there will be former and currant members interviewed, and they even show an "awake!

" article!.

check "dateline's" web site for further details.. this is important since we all know that nothing we say holds any water with the jws..and they're not "allowed" to view our web sites...but what can they say about national television?!!.

Anne Marie

Hi there!!

I think that it is very important that the word goes out to everyone who can hear that "Dateline" is doing a report on the problem of child molestation in the organization, and how it's been routinely covered up.

There will be former and currant members interviewed, and they even show an "AWAKE!" article!

Check "Dateline's" web site for further details.

This is important since we all know that nothing WE say holds any water with the JWs..and they're not "allowed" to view our web sites...but what can they say about NATIONAL TELEVISION?!!

Let us hope that this may be a real beginning of some long overdue "eye openings"!!

Anne Marie

"The unexamined life is not worth living."

Plato

33

Well, here's my story... Like it or not.

by staceman in

wow... i feel guilty about even being here, let alone posting my story.

but here goes.... it was back in the late 60's that my dad (actually stepdad who adopted me and my older sister when he married our mother) got witnessed to by a guy that he worked with.

he was invited to our house for dinner along with his wife and that was the beginning of my new life.

Anne Marie

Dear Staceman,

I have read many personal stories on the web...on this site, and on many others. Yours was the first where I actually had to stop to cry.

I believe that your Father, who is in the heavens, Jehovah God, and His son, Jesus, love you very much, and that it was Jehovah who put it in your mind to write from your troubled heart. It was an important step!

First, please re read ALL the responses again...and again! There is much good advice! Especially the advice about getting to a meeting of "Adult Children Of Alcholics". I believe that the entire 12 Step program is from God himself. It is an entirely spiritual program. You learn, really learn, what it means to have a loving, and secure relationship with Jehovah!

You are not worthless!! The "feeling" of worthlessness is not from God, but from your adversary, the Devil himself!

You are so right, there are so many dear Brothers and Sisters in the organization, but that doesn't mean that the one's who have been running the show are doing so for your own good! You are responsible for your life. And you have never LIVED your life! As you said, you spent most of your life trying to please your father. But your Father, Jehovah, gave you your life to live!

Read the "Crisis Of Conscience", by Raymond Franz. You can get it at any Bible Book Store. It is not an "apostate" book. It is a book written by a dear Brother, much like you, and it is humbly written from the heart of a broken, and sad man.

As it was advised to you earlier, above all else, PRAY! Do not let any negative feelings of "not worthy" get in your way! Read the scriptures with prayer, and an open heart. There is much comfort and joy in store for you!

Ask for Jehovah's constant guidance in this scary transition faze of the birth of your life. With God, all things are possible!

I know you are sad for the loss of your father and children, but your first responsibility is to you, and your spiritual and emotional healing. And that is going to take a long time. Take the first step. Pray about the advice you have been given here. Call the main number of "Alcoholics Anonymous" and ask for the ACOA number.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

You are not alone! Keep posting! Pray! Believe that Jehovah knows your pain and that He wants you to be happy! Jehovah is a happy God! And He wants you to be happy, too!

And remember, Jesus died so that your sins might be forgiven. He died so that "who so ever believed in Him might not perish...". Do not think that you can earn your way into Jehovah's good graces. You already are. All you need is His love, and you have that, and to accept what He has already provided.

In His Arms,
Anne Marie

18

When you are crushed......

by simplesally in

i am disfellowshipped.

whoa.

i just wrote that as the first thing.

Anne Marie

Dear Simple Sally,

Your post touched my heart! I so understand how you are feeling. You are at the beginning of a difficult "transferance" stage. You are numb, in shock, and in pain...in short, in post-traumatic shock.

Yes, shock. To be a Jehovah's Witness, to truly believe that YOU are a "witness" of the only true God, and that your Brothers and Sisters in the "truth" are the only other "witnesess", and to then LOSE that identity...that is extremly rough. And, as you say, you have no real support system.

You NEED ONE!!

Get thee into couseling--immediately! I strongly suggest the 12 Step group for "Adult Children of Alcoholics". Don't scoff. This is primarly a group of "adult children" who need help in coming to terms with their pasts and their past choices and behavior. Most JW's learn to be very co-dependent. They have to be in order to be "humble", and to survive! And you really learn what it means to rely on Jehovah!

Sally, please look into it! Give them a try! All of the 12 Step programs are centered on healing, and relying on God. And you will find true friends!

Also, if you can get past any prejudice you may have against "worldly" Christians, I urge you to look for "Lakewood Church", on the "Family Channel", on Sunday nights. It comes on at 12:00am (midnight) in California. I think that it comes on at the same time everywhere in the states so you can adjust the time to your time zone.

The pastor is a young man named Joel Osteen. Watch for him. He is extremly uplifting, and truly "brings light into a dark place". Also, Joyce Meyers is wonderful! She just "says it"!! (smile)

You are in my prayers! And you will find so much support on this forum. I love this place! I was so alone for many years...but no more!

Keep posting! Keep praying! Remember that man does not determine your standing before God, or with yourself! You will get through this. Giving birth to yourself is the hardest thing you will ever go through but it is worth it.

Welcome to your life! Welcome home!

Anne Marie

"The unexamined life is not worth living."

Plato