Posts by Crooked Lumpy Vessel

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.

Crooked Lumpy Vessel

I am not sure if it has to do with revenge as much as it may have to do with setting the record straight.

As a JW I was told that Jehovah was 'sweeping house' in the 70s and that apostates had intentionally infiltrated the Watchtower Society in an effort to do great harm. I was also told that those who left were only in God's organization for paradise and not for God himself. When I read CoC it came across as more of a 'setting the matter of truth' straight and the moral delimas involved in the legalistic agenda of the WTS.

When we are in court, we listen to both sides of the story. I find the WTS only offers their version of events and then scare those who dare to investigate the whole story with tactics like 'the devil is out to snare you. or that they are apostates with only one agenda -- to rip you away from Jehovah'

Once you take the leap and dare to investigate the other side of the story and discover that the WTS lied to you and that the 'so-called enemy' was speaking the truth regarding specific matters, its hard to keep quiet. Some of us lick our wounds in the corner while others feel very dedicated to exposing the lies.

The WTS spends a lot of energy diffusing outside sources of truths with scare tactics. So I think its all fair game.

10

Club Meeting, America the Beautiful and the Pledge of Allegiance.....

by AK - Jeff in

all in one night.. per some good advice a few weeks back from this board, i have attended my first 'service club' meeting of my life.

carmel had suggested to try kiwanis international - and so i did.

the introduction began to break jwism's from the get-go [precisely where i am at in my paradigm].

Crooked Lumpy Vessel

I think its great. When I was a JW I never really felt as if I was really contributing to our human family or our community. Congrats!

3

Any recommended readings on the 19th/20th turn of the century religions?

by Crooked Lumpy Vessel in

i have read some historical references regarding william miller and his 'end world' predictions back in the mid 1800s and how after the 'end' did not come, the religion broke off into what is now seventh day adventist and church of christ (i think).

there were also some interesting references attributing the establishment of jehovah's witnesses to william miller in a round about way, since charles t. russell was originally an adventist who broke away and started international bible students, carrying some of the same teaching but modified towards his interpretations.. i found this stuff pretty interesting history but was wondering if any one has ever written books that comment more in depth on this evolutional change in religion during the 19th and 20th centuries.

without of course the personal slant towards a belief system.

Crooked Lumpy Vessel

I have read some historical references regarding William Miller and his 'end world' predictions back in the mid 1800s and how after the 'End' did not come, the religion broke off into what is now Seventh Day Adventist and Church of Christ (I think). There were also some interesting references attributing the establishment of Jehovah's Witnesses to William Miller in a round about way, since Charles T. Russell was originally an Adventist who broke away and started International Bible Students, carrying some of the same teaching but modified towards his interpretations.

I found this stuff pretty interesting history but was wondering if any one has ever written books that comment more in depth on this evolutional change in religion during the 19th and 20th centuries. Without of course the personal slant towards a belief system. I would like to read something more on historical fact than some cultish belief.

I am particulary curious as to why in the last couple of hundreds years people have been saying it is the end times. Maybe they have been saying it forever.... I dunno. Perhaps in reality, it has been the same group of people just changing faces and renaming.

32

District Conventions

by EAGLES in

i hadnt been to a d.c. in about 10 years is it really true that congragations have to sit together now????

whats up with that is it so that the elders can see who's there and who isnt.

that would blow my scam from way back when i would maybe make one half of one day and tell people i made all 4 days.

Crooked Lumpy Vessel

The sister was single, but not a pioneer and the family encouraged the daughter to rethink the decision because "you know, she is not a pioneer, she works full-time so how spiritual can she be?

This is a common practice/lie. We were constantly told not to examine the spritual gardens of our brothers, yet talks and dramas you mention have them do exactly that.

I remember a CO was supposedly giving an encouraging talk but I didnt see it that way. His talk was about a sister he was out with in service who he thought should full time pioneer. Her reply was that she was working full time and had bills to pay and what not. Then he concluded that this sister had a large house that she didnt really need and if she really wanted to she would readjust her priorities.

All I remember thinking was this poor sister was doing everything she was suppose to be doing according to WT rules and all the thanks she got was being used as a BAD example in front of the congregation.

The congregations are being judges every second of the day in every aspect of their lives.

13

JDubs living across from my house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by kittyeatzjdubs in

jw
friends

we were going out to dinner the other night and when we pulled out of our driveway, i noticed something strangely familiar at the foot of our neighbors driveway.

hmmmm....light brown books, encyclopedia size...what the?!!

!....bound volumes!!!!

Crooked Lumpy Vessel

I would just completely ignore them....your acting badly toward them may only solidify that they are being persecuted for righteousness.

Wait until she approaches you with her mumbo and then lay the freak on her. Say something like, "My boyfriend's uncle's, wife's brother is a JW and a registered sex offender. Or tell her that your afraid of JWs because they are penis worshippers or that you heard women cant wear pants and men cant grow beards, or that they are anti-education and anti-home ownership.

Or better yet... that JWs cant have oral sex and that the woman is only allowed to lay on her back with her legs sticking up in the air during intercourse.

17

Mormon program on PBS

by LovesDubs in

jw
friends

i watched this program...it was amazing.

you will be astounded how similar this organization is to the jws if you have not already come to that conclusion.

you can watch the whole program online.

Crooked Lumpy Vessel

kindness they were extending her hurt more because she knew the kindness was covering up the VIOLENCE of their excommunicating her."

I saw her interview as well and really felt for her. I found it interesting how she had prepared a well thought out statement as to why she felt justified and misunderstood in her writings, including biblical quotations/scriptures to verify her arguements, but was interrupted and told that they would not be 'lectured by a woman.'

Similarly, JW elders may allow you to speak your mind, but their minds are already made up long before you make an argument.

Many times I felt that same hurt by the false kindness of a JW who were covering up their violent/unloving actions towards me.

17

Mormon program on PBS

by LovesDubs in

jw
friends

i watched this program...it was amazing.

you will be astounded how similar this organization is to the jws if you have not already come to that conclusion.

you can watch the whole program online.

Crooked Lumpy Vessel

kindness they were extending her hurt more because she knew the kindness was covering up the VIOLENCE of their excommunicating her."

1

Remembering My First KM

by Crooked Lumpy Vessel in

i remember my bible instructor inviting me to a school meeting and giving me my very own 'our kingdom ministry' she sternly instructed me that this magazine was not for the public.

it should have been my first clue that there were documents to lure people in and other documents strickly for brainwashing.. i showed up in sweat pants.

i remember pulling someone aside and saying 'i thought they said it was a school?

Crooked Lumpy Vessel

I remember my bible instructor inviting me to a school meeting and giving me my very own 'Our Kingdom Ministry' She sternly instructed me that this magazine was not for the public. It should have been my first clue that there were documents to lure people in and other documents strickly for brainwashing.

I showed up in sweat pants. I remember pulling someone aside and saying 'I thought they said it was a school?'

38

What did you think of "new light"?

by reneeisorym in

jw
friends

you kind of get to a point where you know all the answers when you are a jw.

you don't really have to research much more because its the same stuff they present over and over again.

"jehovah's reminders" but i kind of looked forward to new light.

Crooked Lumpy Vessel

I also remember anticipating the anouncement of 'new light' waiting.....waiting.....waiting. Then finally......new light reveals......'No more free food in the cafeteria'.......WTF!!....Then it was no restaurant food during lunch hour..only cold bologna sandwiches. Next it will be 'bring your own 'toilet paper'

32

District Conventions

by EAGLES in

i hadnt been to a d.c. in about 10 years is it really true that congragations have to sit together now????

whats up with that is it so that the elders can see who's there and who isnt.

that would blow my scam from way back when i would maybe make one half of one day and tell people i made all 4 days.

Crooked Lumpy Vessel

How do they decide who gets the good seats the ones people show up at 6am to save?

People stand it line outside the doors; and when the attendants open the doors, everyone files inside and seeks out their own seats.

The last convention I attened with my infant son I arrived early and sat at the doors for an hour. When they finally opened it was like the Kentucky Derby meets musical chairs. Trying to run to a seat with an infant while at the same time trying not to push anyone...only to find the first 25 plus rows of seats draped with watchtowers which were saved by those with talks/parts. So there I was, arriving hours earlier for sucky seats while the other members were sleeping in and enjoying breaskfast and getting the best seats in the house. There I was....stuck in nosebleed...trapsing up and down the steep narrow steps to the nursing mothers room and back. They announced several times not to save seats and not to push and shove. But every day I arrived early and the good seats were gone and people were knocking me over.