SwampThing

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Posts by SwampThing

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  20

  Another question from the new guy...

  by SwampThing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have another question if you all would be so kind as to enlighten me.

  after reading hundreds of posts here, i understand now why some people stay in the wts even though they would like to leave.

  the loss of friends, family members and such from this bizarre practice of "shunning" could be devastating in the lives of some people.

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  SwampThing

  Hello again,

  I have another question if you all would be so kind as to enlighten me. After reading hundreds of posts here, I understand now why some people stay in the WTS even though they would like to leave. The loss of friends, family members and such from this bizarre practice of "shunning" could be devastating in the lives of some people.

  However, what if there was someone who want?s out, and has nothing of the sort to lose? In other words, there are no family members involved, and once they realize the cult environment of the WTS, they really don?t consider the acquaintances they?ve made as friends. What then? Is there still some sort of dis-fellowship hearing or some such thing? If the person I am describing decides one day that he or she just doesn?t want any part of it any longer, and just doesn?t go back, do they still try to make you appear before the elders to explain yourself and accept their form of justice?

  If so, why would you show up for that meeting or whatever it?s called? (forgive my language, ladies) I think I would have a tendency to shake my thing at them and tell them where they could get off the train.

  All help in understanding is truly appreciated.

  Thanks,

  Swamp Thing
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  7

  Seeking clarity regarding Bethel Ministries...

  by SwampThing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  good day everyone,.

  i have been reading a number of articles over the weekend from the freeminds website, and have a question regarding bethel ministries.

  i seem to remember a number of posts on this forum which led me to believe that bethel was some sort of jw institue of higher learning, saved for the ultra touched anointed.. please help me clear up my misunderstanding.. thanks,.

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  SwampThing

  "Bethel Ministries" is not the same thing as 'Bethel' the printing headquarters of jehovah's witnesses.

  That answers my question! Thanks, doogie.

  Swamp Thing
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  7

  Seeking clarity regarding Bethel Ministries...

  by SwampThing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  good day everyone,.

  i have been reading a number of articles over the weekend from the freeminds website, and have a question regarding bethel ministries.

  i seem to remember a number of posts on this forum which led me to believe that bethel was some sort of jw institue of higher learning, saved for the ultra touched anointed.. please help me clear up my misunderstanding.. thanks,.

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  SwampThing

  Hi doogie,

  Thanks for the response. I am still somewhat unclear as one of the article I read...

  http://www.freeminds.org/psych/come_out.htm

  discusses how to get someone out of the organization. Why would a WTS publishing house allow such an article to be published?

  Regards,

  Swamp Thing
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  7

  Seeking clarity regarding Bethel Ministries...

  by SwampThing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  good day everyone,.

  i have been reading a number of articles over the weekend from the freeminds website, and have a question regarding bethel ministries.

  i seem to remember a number of posts on this forum which led me to believe that bethel was some sort of jw institue of higher learning, saved for the ultra touched anointed.. please help me clear up my misunderstanding.. thanks,.

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  SwampThing

  Good day everyone,

  I have been reading a number of articles over the weekend from the Freeminds Website, and have a question regarding Bethel Ministries. I seem to remember a number of posts on this forum which led me to believe that Bethel was some sort of JW Institue of higher learning, saved for the ultra touched anointed.

  Please help me clear up my misunderstanding.

  Thanks,

  Swamp Thing
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  73

  Tell us about your avitar.

  by carefully faded in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i loved the recent topic asking what each of our screen names means.

  great question as i have always wondered about quite a few of our screen names.

  as i was reading the responses, i looked at holey cheeses - king of the juice's avitar and thought about how i have been wondering for the past three years, what the hell that is a picture of.

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  SwampThing

  Mine, of course, is a Swamp Thing. After looking at dozens of photos, this one had something in his eye which reminded me of the situation I am in right now; suspicious, cautious & untrusting.

  Swamp Thing
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  45

  Do You Think We Are Helping Witnesses Get Out Thru This Forum?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am curious , especially since we have so many new ones here, as to how many actually left the organization because of this board or others similar to it.

  i certainly would hope that we are making a dent in the jw organization by what we do here......,

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  SwampThing

  I would like to comment on this question from the perspective of both a Newbie and having never been a Witness:

  What I have learned from visiting this board has been, and will continue to be, life-altering in the weeks and months to come. Aside from reading the comments of some of the most dedicated, well-versed and intelligent people I have ever met, I have now recognized and understand the onion-like design of the JW Borganization. I can never thank you all enough for pointing that out to me.

  I understand now how my ex-friend got caught up in this cult, and how he was able to pull the wool over my eyes for so many years. The trust I placed in our friendship was based on his solid convictions with regard to his beliefs. He just never told me what he really believed. He allowed me to assume that a lie was a lie, and did not explain to me that in his ?religion,? lies can be told to nonbelievers with Jehovah?s seal of approval. In other words, he knowingly deceived me for his own benefit.

  Through the knowledge shared with me by those who make up this board, I will eventually be able to recoup all that has been lost by the deception of a fellow I once considered a dear friend. He used me for his own gain, and now I know why. He took advantage of my kindness, my generosity, my willingness to help him make his life better, while he was destroying mine behind my back. Why? Because in his eyes I am a nonbeliever, and it is an acceptable practice to use nonbelievers. But that?s ok because I know now what I am dealing with, and I know how to turn his own weapons against him.

  Had it not been for the wisdom and knowledge freely shared by the members of this forum, I would still be laying in bed at night grinding my teeth and wondering what had happened to my friend. I can never thank you all enough for showing me what the JWs are all about, and in the process showing me how to repair the emotional, physical and financial damage done to both me and my wife. This is a wonderful place, and I hope it will be here for many years to come.

  Most kind regards,

  Swamp Rat Thing
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  89

  What does your name mean?

  by pennycandy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i gave my intro and then disappeared for a month.

  just not enough time these days.. anyway .

  .. some of your names are self-explanatory, but some definitely have to be explained to be understood.. i'll start.

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  SwampThing

  jgnat, you stated.....

  If I have made somebody think by asking a few pointed questions, it has been a good day.

  If I were the only living testement to your statement, then you will have a lifetime of happiness. Blondie, too...

  Thanks, Ladies,

  Swamp Rat Thing
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  33

  Canada....what are the best citys?

  by Lostreality in

  1. social
  2. current

  looking to move soon...any tips?

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  SwampThing

  jgnat,

  Tell me what's bad about Toronto. My wife is from there and I want to rag on her...:)

  Swamp Rat Thing
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  89

  What does your name mean?

  by pennycandy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i gave my intro and then disappeared for a month.

  just not enough time these days.. anyway .

  .. some of your names are self-explanatory, but some definitely have to be explained to be understood.. i'll start.

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  SwampThing

  I may be too new here to contribute, but I'll try and fit in....

  I usually use the Nickname "Confederate Swamp Rat" when chatting on the Internet. The name comes from my being born and raised in the swamp-lands and backwater bogs of central and southern Florida, and from my proud Southern heritage. However, this site would not let me register that name. So, I shortened it to "Swamp Rat." It took the registration, and even issued me a password, but would not let me sign in. After 4 or 5 days of trying every way I could think of to say hello to you guys, I figured I would try a new name. I registered "Swamp Thing" and here I am.

  I really wanted to be the Swamp Rat. Is there anyway I can be the Swamp Rat? Please?

  Swamp Rat Thing

  In case you may be wondering, this is what a Swamp Rat would look like if I were one...
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  4

  Another request for help in understanding...

  by SwampThing in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  good day all,.

  i have another request:.

  please help me understand how to decipher the code where references are given, such as:.

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  SwampThing

  Good day all,

  I have another request:

  Please help me understand how to decipher the code where references are given, such as:

  w66

  12/15 pp. 742-743 Repelling the Attack of Wicked Spirits

  or...

  w96

  4/1 p. 24 "Work, Not for the Food That Perishes

  I am making the assumption these cites refer to the Watch Tower and Awake publications. While I am at it, what is the difference between the Watch Tower and the Awake magazines? If I were to get my hand on the CD I hear people refer to, does that contain all of the JW publications where I could research things from home?

  Thank you all again for the incredible help you have been to me.

  Swamp Thing