Posts by violias

50

My mother says I should just DA already.

by Julia Orwell in

cut the cord.

sever all ties.

start new.. and she's right.

violias

I didn't DA myself b/c by the time I finally walked out the door it was generally known I hated the ground the WTS walked on and despised them more than I could ever put in words. ( or put another way, would not have spit on them if they were on fire) I have extended family who "got themselves df'd" on purpose to just get it over. I know others who have done that too. I refuse to let them have that kind of control over my life. They have took so much time from my life and what time I have left I don't give a rat's behind what they think. Also we still have some jws family, but they all know how we feel. They all unofficially shun us. I too find less and less need for this board and more time out in the real world just living. I have found a variety of discussion boards on subjects that interest me . I like to still come here and see what the WTS is UP TO now b/c if it is noteworthy it will be on this site.

Many of us have had therapy, me included and it is helpful. We have do what is best in our situation and only you know what is right for you.

27

Did You Know Any Bad JWs?

by minimus in

jw
friends

over the years, i knew some individuals that were pretty bad witnesses.

they broke more commandments that most.

violias

Yes Blondie is spot on.

A number of jws would/ should be in jail b/c of rape. it was so common and brushed under the table. Really most any crime that involved women or children was rampant in the org due to it being a Patriarchal and misogynist org.

Of course there were always the jws with issues, weakness. The ones with addictions and mental illness or who just came from a bad home, were very poor, and had a bad upbringing. Those were abundant and they were the ones that most often got DF'd b/c they'd feel so bad they'd confess.

The other liars and cheats were seldom DF'd b/c they were either elders or had friends in high places and were very accomplished liars.

jws ( as do a number of religions) attract a lot of people who could not fit in anywhere else a then sadly they find they can't fit into the jws world either. Got to be a good liar and well connected to be a good jws. .

I also knew some very sincere people who tried as hard as they could to follow the rules. Most of them left the org eventually or if they stayed they turned into very sick jws. There are so many very ill jws , sick from stress disorders.

freemindfade

I agree with you

16

I think I figured out the WT's end-game

by nowwhat? in

the plan is to build many new kingdom halls with the "commercial' appearance.

store front flat roof etc.

after completion the gb will announce the tribulation is upon us!

violias

Violia - LOVE your avatar. My daughter sent me with that poster and it's the greatest! I hope everyone reads it - I like what the elders told you

thanks LV101 - the quote thing does not seem to work so I used the highlight.

Yes I saw this on FB and LOL and said, " that has to be my new avatar". .

yes the elder was at least honest with me. He had nothing to lose and neither did I. It was sort of sad hearing it for real. I always thought they were just a business he validated my perceptions.

151

If you don't believe in God where do you get the strength to cope?

by Miss.Fit in

jw
friends

i know there are some here that are going through some tough times.

some of you do not believe in god.

some are not sure.. i was told recently by a friend to pray to god for help and he would comfort me.. my first impulse is to pray.

violias

I have been helped a lot by the author Sam Harris,. He has two books I have listened to, " Waking Up a Guide to Spirituality without Religion " and " The End of Faith". I also purchased two audio books by the late great Christopher Hitchens.

I still believe in God but listening to Sam Harris ( in particular ) has given me a much more balanced view . When I first started reading this board I would refuse to read any atheist threads- it was just fear. Also sometimes mocking occurred and I felt that was uncalled for considering where we all came from ( a high control religion ) . Sam Harris was able to reach past that fear and get to my rational mind. I will be forever grateful to his books and you tube videos and his blog. I also found years ago a website that appealed to me called " Logically Critical" it is not current but all the episodes are up for anyone to listen to.

http://www.logicallycritical.net/Welcome.html

at the top there is a links and episodes link. to hear the episodes just click that link. He is really great and funny too.

151

If you don't believe in God where do you get the strength to cope?

by Miss.Fit in

jw
friends

i know there are some here that are going through some tough times.

some of you do not believe in god.

some are not sure.. i was told recently by a friend to pray to god for help and he would comfort me.. my first impulse is to pray.

violias

Misfit,

I read this thread thinking it was current . I am so glad you went to a doctor and you are feeling better.

I recall in my 30's realizing one day I did not have one single opinion that did not start with " I'm one of Jw's and we don't believe that ( words to that affect) or more commonly " elder bro. so and so says this" . I had reached the breaking point with depression and was near suicide. A wonderful psychologist and meds saved my life initially followed by years of therapy. Btw, my mom also had a break down and had ect with serious memory loss and I wish she had given us up. My life might be different now.

I still believe in God ( and use Jehovah as if feels familiar) and do pray but it is more of a connection with a higher state than formal prayer. Sam Harris I think calls it mindfulness. I enjoy listening to him b/c he so rational. I know a book I read that helped me was this one

http://www.amazon.com/Reading-Bible-Again-First-Time/dp/0060609192/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422120125&sr=8-2&keywords=taking+the+bible+seriously

this is reading the Bible seriously but not literally. I don't pray for forgiveness either, I ask the people involved for their forgiveness . I try to do no harm and make some contribution to this world. I can't imagine what else a God would want from us anyhow.

16

I think I figured out the WT's end-game

by nowwhat? in

the plan is to build many new kingdom halls with the "commercial' appearance.

store front flat roof etc.

after completion the gb will announce the tribulation is upon us!

violias

elders have told l me they knew it was just a Corp. and a lot of jobs depended on it. I believe the folks at the top know this is just a business and are keeping it going b/c it supports a lot of them.

43

Je Suis Charlie

by Slidin Fast in

this incident in paris makes me feel absolutely furious.

yes i feel desperately sorry for the victims and their families no one should have to deal with that.

the thing that makes me feel absolutely incandescent though is the attack on freedom of speech and expression.

violias

Thanks Simon

Sam Harris is pretty amazing. Love his podcasts. I have 2 of his audio books.

13

Was Cynthia Franz ever disfellowshipped?

by breakfast of champions in

i seem to remember that she was not ever dfd even though she was present at the fateful meal, but i don't remember where i saw that.

it seemed like they specifically targeted raymond, but cynthia was left alone.. i tried searching jwn, but the search feature seems to be not working.. also tried googling the answer, but to no avail..

violias

Definitely outspoken woman. Barbara is my heroine Borg does not like that. That will put you In the Jezebel group and get you canned.

19

Interesting statement made by CO. Is this new?

by stillin in

in his first talk of the week the co mentioned that people don't get df'd for joining the military or registering to vote because they are already gone, as compared with smoking secretly, which would merit df'ing.. i have been toying around with registering to vote in the next election (us) so this intrigues me..

violias

I am not sure but removing one from the cong. from voting could be an ACLU issue. I know the difference between DF and DA is moot, semantics or just legalize. It keeps them out of hot water with the government. But can a church say you can't call yourself one of them if you vote? Most folks ( older ones anyhow) take voting very seriously. it is a right you have as a citizen.

43

Je Suis Charlie

by Slidin Fast in

this incident in paris makes me feel absolutely furious.

yes i feel desperately sorry for the victims and their families no one should have to deal with that.

the thing that makes me feel absolutely incandescent though is the attack on freedom of speech and expression.

violias

the response by Sam Harris is really interesting . I know several of you guys follow him.