Posts by MelbaToast

13

What's your opinion?

by MelbaToast in

jw
friends

taken from the journal families and society 84 no.

4. cults and families.

my take: although jw's are not fully accepted as a cult in psychology or sociology (jws are listed as an "established sect"), this article has many points that have interested me.

MelbaToast

Taken from the journal Families and Society 84 no. 4. Cults and Families

My take: although JW's are not fully accepted as a cult in psychology or sociology (JWs are listed as an "established sect"), this article has many points that have interested me. I want opinions, thoughts, etc from anyone that cares to respond. Thanks for your help!

Melbatoast

Article Excerpt:

Developmental theories state that part of growing up involves beginning to question the status quo, or what the child has been raised believing. This questioning enables maturing children to sort out what they believe versus what their parents believe and what their values are versus what those of their parents are. This process supports the individuating self. In cult situations, both children and adults recieve punishment for questioning the group, and children learn to suppress autonomous thinking. As a consequence, childrens cognitive development is stunted.

Do you think that your cognitive development was stunted? What was the first instance you remember of questioning a belief ( to either a parent or someone in the congo?

21

EVERYONE LOOK! I NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

by MelbaToast in

jw
friends

ok now that i've got your attention :) .

i am currently writing a psych paper, and i decided my topic is going to be jw's and the higher percentage of mental illness in the organization( in not so many words) i have been doing hella research in medical journals, and i would like to pose a request to anyone out there that has information on this subject to pm me or attach it to your response.

i would really appreciate it, and btw, if would be even better if this was from a peer-reviewed journal, because i have already searched all the sites and got the research from freeminds, watchtowerobserver, and sites such as this.

MelbaToast

Blondie: I tend to agree with your opion in the fact that WTS attracts people with mental Illness- it gives them a sense of hope in their lives. Desperately looking for answers to lifes questions: "Does God care? Why is the world so filled with_____? (name your poison: hate, war, drugs) Albeit, they are incorrect assumptions for a buch of suits to make.

Also I believe it gives people that are introverts a sense of belonging they may have not experienced before. I am going to be asking a lot of questions on this board and I am hoping for some corroboration on the WT side of thinking too, so I will be calling on your expertise in finding me some articles. *devilish grin* Thanks for your opinion!

I love this board.. Melba Toast

21

EVERYONE LOOK! I NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

by MelbaToast in

jw
friends

ok now that i've got your attention :) .

i am currently writing a psych paper, and i decided my topic is going to be jw's and the higher percentage of mental illness in the organization( in not so many words) i have been doing hella research in medical journals, and i would like to pose a request to anyone out there that has information on this subject to pm me or attach it to your response.

i would really appreciate it, and btw, if would be even better if this was from a peer-reviewed journal, because i have already searched all the sites and got the research from freeminds, watchtowerobserver, and sites such as this.

MelbaToast

Ok now that I've got your attention :)

I am currently writing a Psych paper, and I decided my topic is going to be JW's and the higher percentage of mental illness in the organization( in not so many words) I have been doing hella research in medical journals, and I would like to pose a request to anyone out there that has information on this subject to PM me or attach it to your response. I would really appreciate it, and BTW, if would be even better if this was from a peer-reviewed Journal, because I have already searched all the sites and got the research from Freeminds, Watchtowerobserver, and sites such as this.

I will also post portions of research that I have read and if you have any corroborating information: it would be greatly appreciated!

I have yet to decide whether or not to send a copy to my mom after it is finished, but she might feel like she is reading apostate material. I dont want to waste good paper (or time) sending it to someone who wont read it!

Eitherway, once I get done, of course it will be available to everyone here that is interested in a good long read!
Thanks for all your help! melbatoast

25

no meetings this week

by missy04 in

jw
friends

i feel kind of silly posting next to you guys who were in the organization for much longer, like i know what i'm talking about or something, lol, i don't.. but i think it's really sad..all of these people, mostly really good people, who spend their whole lives or at least alot of it trying to do things..field service, studying, giving talks, giving up good jobs, ect.

for this religion.

i am really sad that i can't just save 'em from it.. i haven't been to any meetings this week and i think i finally might have the guts to tell them i'm done.. wow, it must have been realllllyyyy hard for all those who have family in the org.

MelbaToast

(hugs to you)

Sarah: you are really going through a tought time with this. You poor thing, you've been encolsed in that world for so long, and I know it hurts to be in your situation (more than a few people here have had similar cold remarks from friends, family.)

Its a sore subject. I am 27 and have been dfd since I was 19, after a long, drawn out process that irritated me, and still does to this day.

I can tell you that it will get easier, you are on the cusp of breaking free, and once you decide what YOUR beliefs are ( by true reseach, not the JW crap) the you breathe the freshest, sweetest smelling air of true knowledge.

It comes to you: Little things like: Do you consider yourself as physically "weaker" than men? Shouldn't a good marriage be a partnership, not a dictatorship with a head of the household? What about all the people that have died because of heeding the orgs warning of not getting immunized, refusing organ transplants, refusing blood because they were told to?

Just things to ponder. I am so sorry for the pain that being a free-thinking person has brought you in life. But you can make a decision. You can stay with the crowd and "friends" at the KH and live your secret "double-life" to make everyone else happy. Or you can be truly free, and decide that God gave you a working brain for a reason. This is where you can attain true happiness.And dont knock it till you tried it: therapy might help with some of the doubts and troubles you are going through, it sure did for me.

Just my .02

12

Passing JW Comments about Halloween

by roybatty in

jw
friends

was it just me or did it seem each year when halloween rolled around, jws would always say "boy, seems like more and more people are celibrating halloween this year" and everyone in the cargroup would nod their heads in agreement.

this was soon followed by a discussion how this was sure another sign that satan was hard at work and that the end of the system was near.

just something i was thinking about earlier today as the kids and i skipped church and put some finishing touches on our scary halloween decorations.

MelbaToast

My report: as the youngest is 10 months, me as the doting mom got her a lion suit. I didnt take as many pictures as I wanted, because the model I chose was very HOSTILE, as you can see from the pictures. She and I have colds right now, so we went and visited all our friends, instead of going through the neighborhood I ended up just letting her wear jeans and a vest.

45

IF YOU CAN'T SAY SOMETHING NICE . . .

by Corvin in

jw
friends

.

say something kind about someone else on this board.

try to pick someone you don?t know as well as the others and focus on what it is about them that appeals to you.

MelbaToast

hmm...first and foremost thanks to simon for the board

nextup: Farkel, Blondie, Narkissos, RR, and many others whose biblical knowledge astounds me!

For strength, I look to Scully, she is very wise, also Jgnat, and Gretchen956 have always been there for me when I need someone to talk to.

Corvin has rocks the size of boulders (oh yeah, would like an update post on how the girls are doing)

Valis, Gumby, Hillbilly, Sassy, Candidly Nuts, KLS: the "Wild" ones :p

And a BIG thank you to Joker10 and Brownboy for reinforcing Everything I don't believe in! You two definately give me reasons to stay away from anyone that even somewhat resembles a dub.

Melba of the "Don't forget Lady Lee and all her wonderful work" class

18

Who are these people?

by Soledad in

as i was walking home today (about 7pm) i passed in front of madison square garden.

there, a little boy, about 7-8 years old, hands me some literature.

the literature is eerily similar to a watchtower, but i knew that the people handing them out were not jws.

MelbaToast

Ew.

Also saw the site. Now that Im out of the JW's I saw the resemblence....very close to the what the JWs have said in the past.

Thats all the reply that they are going to get from me- That pic of the lamb and the child on the first page sealed it for me.

Melba of the "I have to go take a shower now" class

42

help please

by koolkeithfl in

jw
friends

i cheated on my wife and i told her what happend and she forgave me......but she told my sister #1(baptized but doesn't go to meetings) what happend.

then sister #1 proceeded to tell sister #2 (die hard witness).

now sis #2 is giving me till wed to turn myself in or she is going to do it.

MelbaToast

Keith:

Unfortunately, we all aren't perfect...and your wife must still love you, if she has forgiven you for the infidelity.

my 2 cents: dont let the elders dictate whether you are repentant or not, for they are all men!

BTW: what happened to "Judge not, lest you be judged?". I understand where some are coming from, as this thread might trigger some bad memories to others: but this guy needs SUPPORT, and is really in need of some verifyable options available to him.

You have a pretty wonderful wife to forgive you, and recognize that it is her choice to stay with you. After all this crap in your life dies down, she may feel different.

It is your choice what to do with your life, but if you want to keep your wife- NEVER CHEAT ON HER AGAIN.

my .02

Melba

16

Comments You Will Not Hear at the 10-17-04 WT Study

by blondie in

comments you will not hear at the 10-17-04 wt study (september 1, 2004 issue)

read this and tell me.. http://www.geocities.com/athens/academy/6040/sect.htm.

jesus said at john 10:27, 28: "my sheep listen to my voice, and i know them, and they follow me.

MelbaToast

Excellent discussion as always blondie. I wish we could have been at the same congo...you would've given my elders a run for their money.

Um, er, yes....Sister Blondie, that is one way to interpret the scriptures.....But the answer we are looking for is "Jehovah"!

I really enjoy the insight of these articles you put together. and I have much Id like to add, but the young one in my domain has awoken from her slumber.

Melba

2

A breather from the politics, bad excuses for relatives, and crappy stuff

by MelbaToast in

jw
friends

whew.. after spending some time catching up on threads, my overall thoughts are leaning way toward the negative side.

we all need some love in our lives.

(ok, i've been listening to the beatles too much) .

MelbaToast

Whew.

After spending some time catching up on threads, my overall thoughts are leaning way toward the negative side. We all need some love in our lives. (ok, I've been listening to the Beatles too much)

Think of one good thing outside of this board that you have done for someone else- give yourself a pat on the back!

Regardless of your present beliefs, do you believe that good things come to those who make an effort to do good things? (eg Karma?) How bout the bad? One of my main philosophies that I believe in is that if you do evil to someone, there is an equal force that bad things will happen to you. Do you think that this philosophy holds true in your life?

And please, be gentle, for I am but still a newbie, and always in the process of bettering myself as a person.

Cheers!

Melba of the "I want to hear from you" class