Posts by Terry

21

THE SHADOW OF 75 still hangs over us all . . .

by Terry in

few of your are old enough to have been there, i suspect.

i had been in prison two years as a jw conscientious objector when the exciting news about 1975 spread like wildfire.. .

i was paroled from prison in 1969 and immediately began pioneering.

Terry

Few of your are old enough to have been there, I suspect.

I had been in prison two years as a JW conscientious objector when the exciting news about 1975 spread like wildfire.

I was paroled from prison in 1969 and immediately began Pioneering. The pressures began mounting throughout the organization. You could only conduct a Bible Study for six months. If your study didn't get baptized--you had to cut them loose; time was too precious to waste!

I married and had little kids to worry about feeding on minimum wage from a part time job. It almost gave me a nervous breakdown. So, I moved the family from Fort Worth to California.

I met non-JW's who were much nicer and more caring about me and my family than the Witnesses. Everybody was relaxed and enjoying life.

I suddenly woke up!

________________

My wife, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck. This was 1974 and she could practically hear the countdown clock ticking inside her head.

When 1975 came, the kettle was boiling.

Every JW on planet Earth had bug eyes.

And then. . . it got very quiet.

____________________________

Then. . .It was over.

The word you are looking for is a short and simple one: STUNNED.

Dubs were simply stunned.

Why?

Their religion had suddenly been tested for truth and proved FALSE.

Stop and think about that for a second. It was like your Mom and Dad suddenly telling you that you weren't their kid--you were adopted.

It was like finding out your best friend was a serial killer.

People were heartbroken, shaken, upset and finally depressed.

But, what happened next was truly terrible!

You know what it was?

Of course, you don't--not unless you were there.

Instead of an angry mob of disillusioned JW's demanding a hearing and statement of accountability they just shut up and shrugged and went about their business like good little robots!

Did you ever see a documentary about the Holocaust when Nazi soldiers marched a group of condemned Jews to an excavated trench and had them kneel down next to that empty pit? A soldier with a pistol went one by one and shot them in the back of their head while the others down the line waited and waited. . .

Did you ever wonder why they didn't try to run or all rush the soldier and stop him?

Well,l folks, it was that sort of resignation.

JW's were defeated, dispirited, and depressed and they just gave up.

Those people have swallowed the whole thing and shit it out and flushed it away like it never happened.

There. That's your answer.

Cognitive dissonance.

My wife became an alcoholic.

She died coming home from a bar, drunk--chased by cops because she had been stopped and her driver's license had already been taken away.

She tried to escape and drove off at top speed and crashed into the back of a parked car.

This was the legacy of the religion she so loved and trusted and believed for so long.

The shadow of 75 still hangs over us all . . .

66

THE LINGERING SHADOW OF '75

by Terry in

none of you are old enough to have been there, i suspect.

i had been in prison two years as a jw conscientious objector when the exciting news about 1975 spread like wildfire.i was paroled from prison in 1969 and immediately began pioneering.

the pressures began mounting throughout the organization.

Terry

I said to my (former) best friend, a still-in JW, "What is a more obvious disproof of False prophecy than 1975?"

This fellow is a masterful deflector. He replied, "I personally know at least 30 or 40 who were upset enough to leave the Organization over that 1975 issue. You know what I think? I think they were only in this religion to save their own asses and not because they loved Jehovah!"

This absolutely floored me. Did you see what he just did? It was amazingly sly. He switched the connotation and reframed the problem in less than a second!

I replied to him the following.

"So do I hear you saying to me that a Christian is required to spread false prophecy to others in Jehovah's name, under his Authority for no better reason than we shouldn't care about our own asses because we mistakenly demonstrate "love" by becoming complicit in blasphemy?"

He was silent and the wheels clickety clicked. I watched fascinated as the processing whirred along. Seconds later he answered slowly.

"No-o-o, I'm not saying that. I'm saying I am not perfect and neither is anybody who is a human being connected with any religious group. I'm saying we have to trust the Faithful and Discreet slave are doing the best they can with what they've got. Jehovah corrected them. That was Him showing His love. We show our love by waiting and not running ahead."

Wow!

That steamed me. For one thing, it is so self-satisfied, complaisant and smug. Further, it completely IGNORES the central issue involved!

I tried yet again.

"Why is there a test for False Prophets in the Bible in the first place if isn't going to mean anything when we discover one? Does the Bible urge us to act patiently when advised by a False Prophet and to wait on Jehovah--or does it say the False Prophet is to be PUT TO DEATH? Sounds rather cut and dried to me. What am I missing?"

I knew by now I wasn't dealing with an honest thinker and that this was his ego being protected. I felt I had put him on the mat and he wasn't willing to cry "Uncle."

He responded. "What am I supposed to do--become a Baptist again; start believing in Hell and the Trinity? Where do I go that has true Bible teachings better than what the Society gives us?"

Did you hear that? He's so sneaky! He loves switching the premise out from under the discussion. It is so shady!

I was growing angry and not quite able to hold back as calmly as I should. After all, I had known this JW my whole life. He's the bastard who recruited me into the cult!
I growled at him:

"You're so full of it. That's like buying apples with only one worm because the other apples have two or three worms! Who wants to eat a goddamned worm in the first place? What makes you think you have to join any religion and go along to get along? Why can't you have a personal relationship with God as an individual . . .?"

And just as I was saying these words I knew in advance what his rebuttal would be. I could have made it for him. So I suddenly veered off and intercepted it preemptively.

". . . and don't tell me Jehovah only works through the Organization. Paul was a Lone Ranger and Jesus himself constantly argued with Jehovah's "Organization" in his day where the governing body were the freakin' Pharisees!"

I watched his face and knew I wasn't calm enough to make any sober impression on him. He waited till I was quiet and calmly followed up.

"I am waiting on Jehovah and making the best choice I know how to make. I'm sure Jehovah will deal with those Brothers who got 1975 wrong and stumbled thousands of little ones. It has nothing to do with me. I can only be loyal to his appointed leaders and trust he'll show me the way."

Oh fer Crissakes! How bleedin' fake humble can you get?

So, you see, there was no progress made at all and I got a spike in my blood pressure for nothing.

"Here is what happened and make no mistake about it. Millions of us took time out of our lives to spread a big, fat stinking piece-of-shit False Prophecy because we trusted some crazy old coot named Freddy Franz who had one foot in the insane asylum and the other foot on a banana peel. We got the world focusing on a fake date and then nothing happened which only made the world laugh out loud at our FAKE GOD Jehovah because of all our millions of hours spent for nothing. They stole part of my life and I will never get that time back again. I went to prison for absolutely nothing. I will never get my 21st birthday back because I spent it sitting on my ass in prison. I was lied to and I was sent out to lie to others. If you think this is an act of LOVE to go along with it and smile and eat their shit like it was mom's apple pie--go right ahead. I think it is a miserable excuse for Christianity. If you want to know what ELSE you could do--how about this? Spend some time working for a charity, visit a hospital, visit the sick and elderly, take meals door to door instead of rag magazines with puke in them. Help crippled children, become a volunteer fireman, build houses for the poor. . . how's that for a start?"

He simply shrugged and said the rather feckless phrase. "We'll just have to agree to disagree." And that was that.

66

THE LINGERING SHADOW OF '75

by Terry in

none of you are old enough to have been there, i suspect.

i had been in prison two years as a jw conscientious objector when the exciting news about 1975 spread like wildfire.i was paroled from prison in 1969 and immediately began pioneering.

the pressures began mounting throughout the organization.

Terry

I was taught by my grandfather to watch very carefully when you see somebody who is apologizing to you so you'll know their true character. When you harm somebody you create a debt and an imbalance between you and the victim. How you address that debt requires proper acknowledgment and a request to be allowed to restore the balance.

According to my Paw-paw, an apology is different from an excuse. An excuse is a list of reasons why the person who got caught thinks you shouldn't blame or punish them.

A real apology comes from a person who clearly states their awareness of the harm done, the people hurt, the consequences to others, and the debt the person owns for having started the whole thing.

An apology always contains the word "Sorry" and it stands next to the words "I am."

Anything other than that is waffling deflection.

Finally, a true apology finds the one who did the harm asking or even entreating (begging) for forgiveness directly from any person(s) harm. It is a question and not a statement of hope.

"I hope you'll forgive me" is not good.

"I'm asking (begging) you to forgive me" is good.

"What can I do that help you to forgive me?" is best.

98

OKAY, GAME OVER! The number one reason the New Testament amounts to bunk

by Terry in

for me, the dead giveaway is this.

jesus wrote nothing.. stop and think about that.. if jesus were the authentic messiah, his ministry would not simply be local.. his instructions, his mission, the details of his teachings would be too precious to risk leaving it in the hands of "men unlettered (illiterate) and ordinary (blue-collar yokels).".

jesus, were he the one and only hope of mankind, would be absolutely certain to write down with great simplicity and specificity the exact owner's manual necessary to rescue mankind.. never happened!.

Terry

The truly remarkable thing about human intellect is the practically infinite interpretations which can be extracted from a text.

I always stop people who are talking about Christianity as though it were a solidarity movement. I say, "Hold on now--there are almost 40,000 denominations under differing banners, policies, theologies, doctrines, interpretations and degrees of conviction as to how "right" they are compared to all the other denominations "wrong."
So, CHRISTIANITY is one of the most general concepts and not a unity of people or purposes.

66

THE LINGERING SHADOW OF '75

by Terry in

none of you are old enough to have been there, i suspect.

i had been in prison two years as a jw conscientious objector when the exciting news about 1975 spread like wildfire.i was paroled from prison in 1969 and immediately began pioneering.

the pressures began mounting throughout the organization.

Terry

"Out of zeal and enthusiasm for the vindication of Jehovah's name, Word and purposes, and the desire for the new system, some [IN THE WRITING DEPARTMENT UNDER INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE GOVERNING BODY] of his servants have at times been premature in their expectations." Watchtower 1979 Jul 1 p.29 How Jehovah Guides His People

There now--that feel more like a responsible approximation of an admission of negligence. Yet even with that additional bit, this really isn't abject apologizing at its best is it? No. It is deflection. Tsk tsk tsk

5

THE SHADOW OF '75

by Terry in

few of your are old enough to have been there, i suspect.

i had been in prison two years as a jw conscientious objector when the exciting news about 1975 spread like wildfire.. .

i was paroled from prison in 1969 and immediately began pioneering.

Terry

YESTERDAY I tried and tried to upload this topic and the efforts just "hung" there, loading. . . loading. . . loading.
I tried again and again.

So, apparently these efforts were successful--but now duplicate versions have appeared.

I would ask a moderator to please remove all but one.

Thanks!

66

THE LINGERING SHADOW OF '75

by Terry in

none of you are old enough to have been there, i suspect.

i had been in prison two years as a jw conscientious objector when the exciting news about 1975 spread like wildfire.i was paroled from prison in 1969 and immediately began pioneering.

the pressures began mounting throughout the organization.

Terry

Rebel- Terry would have been a watchtower star had you remained inside so I hope you appreciate what an articulate and meaningful voice for thousands you are on the outside.

________________

Sort of off-topic but in response to the above:

_________________

I developed a reputation for quick preparation of talks and sermons and it backfired on me in a hurry.

On at least 2 occasions, I had to prepare an hour sermon in less than 24 hours and deliver it after driving 30 miles.

I was known as an "artist" so this backfired too.
The Elders (they weren't called that back then; they were "Servants") piled on and piled on the "privileges" until I was a human pack mule.
Brother Mackey, Circuit Servant, assigned me the job of being in charge of making signs FOR THE UPCOMING ASSEMBLY. Over 500 hand-painted signs I would have to create AT MY OWN EXPENSE.
Brother Lonnie Payne, in my Kingdom Hall, actually earned his living as a sign painter. He was upset and I'm guessing, jealous. He expected to take on the responsibility since he'd always been their guy before I was paroled.

What happened was this. I bought a load of materials and stayed up all night working on parking signs and direction signs for the local coliseum where the assembly would be held. AHHH BUT NOTICE THIS . . .

Brother Payne (in the ass) offered no help at all--even though he was assigned as my assistant. (Blow to his self-esteem.) He waited until my signs were completed and then informed me of something I had not known (he withheld the information.)
There was an information guideline sheet with specific instructions about sizes of signs and colors for lettering.
My signs, of course, varied (my ignorance.)

Payne (in the ass) went behind my back and told Bro. Mackey I wasn't following guidelines. Next thing I knew, my signs were in the trash and Bro Payne was in charge of it all.

I immediately realized the New World Society's idea of privileges and service were punitive and the people were no different than so-called worldly folks.

It is definitely an EGO TRIP for young Brothers at first, but ends up being burdensome and a real time-waster.

5

THE SHADOW OF '75

by Terry in

few of your are old enough to have been there, i suspect.

i had been in prison two years as a jw conscientious objector when the exciting news about 1975 spread like wildfire.. .

i was paroled from prison in 1969 and immediately began pioneering.

Terry

Few of your are old enough to have been there, I suspect. I had been in prison two years as a JW conscientious objector when the exciting news about 1975 spread like wildfire.

I was paroled from prison in 1969 and immediately began Pioneering. The pressures began mounting throughout the organization. You could only conduct a Bible Study for six months. If your study didn't get baptized--you had to cut them loose; time was too precious to waste!

I married and had little kids to worry about feeding on minimum wage from a part time job. It almost gave me a nervous breakdown. So, I moved the family from Fort Worth to California.

I met non-JW's who were much nicer and more caring about me and my family than the Witnesses. Everybody was relaxed and enjoying life.

I suddenly woke up!

________________

My wife, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck. This was 1974 and she could practically hear the countdown clock ticking inside her head.

When 1975 came, the kettle was boiling.

Every JW on planet Earth had bug eyes.

And then. . . it got very quiet.

____________________________

Then. . .It was over.

The word you are looking for is a short and simple one: STUNNED.

Dubs were simply stunned.

Why?

Their religion had suddenly been tested for truth and proved FALSE.

Stop and think about that for a second. It was like your Mom and Dad suddenly telling you that you weren't their kid--you were adopted.

It was like finding out your best friend was a serial killer.

People were heartbroken, shaken, upset and finally depressed.

But, what happened next was truly terrible!

You know what it was?

Of course, you don't--not unless you were there.

Instead of an angry mob of disillusioned JW's demanding a hearing and statement of accountability they just shut up and shrugged and went about their business like good little robots!

Did you ever see a documentary about the Holocaust when Nazi soldiers marched a group of condemned Jews to a pit and had them kneel down next to an empty pit? A soldier with a pistol went one by one and shot them in the back of their head while the others down the line waited and waited. . .

Did you ever wonder why they didn't try to run or all rush the soldier and stop him?

Wel,l folks, it was that sort of resignation.

JW's were defeated, dispirited, and depressed and they just gave up.

Those people have swallowed the whole thing and shit it out and flushed it away like it never happened.

There. That's your answer.

Cognitive dissonance.

My wife became an alcoholic.

She died coming home from a bar, drunk--chased by cops because she had been stopped and her driver's license had already been taken away.

She tried to escape and drove off at top speed and crashed into the back of a parked car.

This was the legacy of the religion she so loved and trusted and believed for so long.

The shadow of 75 still hangs over us all . . .

66

THE LINGERING SHADOW OF '75

by Terry in

none of you are old enough to have been there, i suspect.

i had been in prison two years as a jw conscientious objector when the exciting news about 1975 spread like wildfire.i was paroled from prison in 1969 and immediately began pioneering.

the pressures began mounting throughout the organization.

Terry

None of you are old enough to have been there, I suspect. I had been in prison two years as a JW conscientious objector when the exciting news about 1975 spread like wildfire.
I was paroled from prison in 1969 and immediately began Pioneering. The pressures began mounting throughout the organization. You could only conduct a Bible Study for six months. If your study didn't get baptized--you had to cut them loose; time was too precious to waste!
I married and had little kids to worry about feeding on minimum wage from a part time job. It almost gave me a nervous breakdown. So, I moved the family from Fort Worth to California.
I met non JW's who were much nicer and more caring about me and my family than the Witnesses. Everybody was relaxed and enjoying life. I suddenly woke up!
My wife, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck. This was 1974 and she could practically hear the countdown clock ticking inside her head.
When 1975 came, the kettle was boiling.
Every JW on planet Earth had bug eyes.
And then. . . it got very quiet.
. . . . . . . ____________________________.
It was over.
The word you are looking for is a short and simple one: STUNNED.
Dubs were simply stunned.
Why?
Their religion had suddenly been tested for truth and proved FALSE.
Stop and think about that for a second. It was like your Mom and Dad suddenly telling you that you weren't their kid--you were adopted.
It was like finding out your best friend was a serial killer.
People were heartbroken, shaken, upset and finally depressed.
But, what happened next was truly terrible!
You know what it was?
Of course, you don't.
Instead of an angry mob of disillusioned JW's demanding a hearing and statement of accountability they just shut up and shrugged and went about their business like good little robots.
Did you ever see a documentary about the Holocaust when Nazi soldiers marched a group of condemned Jews to a pit and had them kneel down as a soldier went one by one and shot them in the back of their head? Did you ever wonder why they didn't try to run or all rush the soldier and stop him?
It was that sort of resignation.
JW's were defeated, dispirited, and depressed and they just gave up.
Those people have swallowed the whole thing and shit it out and flushed it away like it never happened.
There. That's your answer.
Cognitive dissonance.
My wife became an alcoholic. She died coming home from a bar, drunk--chased by cops because she had been stopped and her driver's license had been taken away. She tried to escape and drove off at top speed and crashed into the back of a parked car.
This was the legacy of THE TRUTH.

Sorry--I meant, "the Lie."

12

A very short short story

by Terry in

jw
friends

i wanted to see how short i could make a story and it still would be effective.

you be the judge.

did i succeed?.

Terry

SAME STORY WITH ADJECTIVES REMOVED

_____________________________________

He sat on the bed and wept.
Her head rested on the pillow. A halo of hair shone illumined by the moon.

His hand clasped the woman's wrist. Her arms were arranged across her chest. He choked and sputtered his words.

"Mother, I'm so sorry. I know I've been a disappointment to you. . ."
The young man's words trailed off into a whisper.

Outside, the storm scattered splashes against the window panes; rattling as though hell itself were breaking loose.

"I know you don't wah-want me spending time with strangers. . .um wuh- .women. . ."

He stuttered and kept his eyes downcast so as not to confront his mother's face.

" I hoped you wouldn't think. . .I would dis-disobey you. . on purpose."

A flash and thunder punctuated his confession. All at once the rain subsided until the only sound was that of his own sobbing.
Minutes passed.

Finally, he lifted his hand and dried his tears and stood to full height beside his mother's bed.

"Don't worry. I won't talk to her--that woman-- again unless it's about business."

He turned toward the door of the bedroom and remembered the light switch, flicking it on and wincing at the expression on his mother's face.

"Don't be ang-angry mo-mother. . I'll behave like a gent-gentleman."

He was about to exit the room when he whirled suddenly around. . .

He cocked his ear and the leak next to the hall banister made itself known.

"Wha-what did you say, Mother?"

He listened in the way priests listen for the voice of god.

"Oh--her. . her name?"

He froze in place and forced a smile.

"She said it was Crane. Marian Crane. . . sort of like, um the bird."

He stole a glance at the taxidermy owl he'd given his mom for Mother's Day all those years past.

Silence filled the room as he fidgeted and darted his eyes about.

Finally, the young man shrugged.

He entered the hallway and skipped down the staircase toward the door where he paused and took in a breath, slowly exhaling--then proceeded into the night toward the motel office.

There were things which must be done.

Mother would be pleased.
_______

End