Posts by Saoirse

12

Could The Tragic Death of Our First Child Be Why My Wife is Still a JW?

by lifelong humanist in

jw
friends

after 6 years since i dad myself, it has just dawned on me today, that my jw wife is (probably) only still involved with her jw religion because of her religious belief in a resurrection back to life on a 'paradise earth'!.

let me please explain - our first child was a wee girl, born in 1972. her name was joanna.

she was a great, intelligent, healthy child and we were both proud parents with a marvellous hope - a 'jw' certified version of the future ahead of us!.

Saoirse

Geez DJK, insensitive much? We don't have all the facts so we are in no position to judge his decision. LH and his wife are the only ones in a position to make that call, not us. Croup deaths are rare but they do happen. Let's not rub salt in the man's wounds.

LH, I'm so sorry for your loss. I have often thought the same thing about my in-laws. They lost a daughter due to cancer when she was 19. His Dad resigned from being an elder at that point but in every other way they've been faithfully plugging along in that religion ever since. Sadly, their hope of Paradise seems to bring them little peace because every year that goes by they seem to become more and more negative. I have a feeling that their son's "apostacy" has really shaken their world. They want everyone together in Paradise and he's rejecting that. I think they deal with it by demonizing me and painting him as the victim of an evil scheme to break up their family. JWs will do and believe anything to rationalize their shaky beliefs.

28

Was there a recent KM that said WT is more important than the Bible?

by Saoirse in

someone told me that there was a kingdom ministry within the last 2 years that said something along the lines of "jws should follow what the wt or fds says and not the bible".

is that true?

and if so, could someone point me to a copy of it?

Saoirse

Modern day Bereans carefully check their Watchtowers to verify anything a new CO or Presiding Elder tells them.

Or as my mother-in-law says, "I DO research! I always look up the scriptures quoted in the Watchtower."

Take a look here! http://www.quotes-watchtower.co.uk/

Awesome! Thank you so much!

29

How long did it take before you started talking to others about being an ex-dub?

by the real life in

jw
friends

i was just wondering if any of you took time to speak openly about being an ex-witness.. sometimes, when it came up naturally, i told some of my friends; in other cases, i felt really uncomfortable talking about it.

in fact, it's a little strange, but i felt more comfortable telling casual friends rather than the people closest to me.

i often felt like it was a huge revelation to make, often to find that people weren't really that shocked.

Saoirse

It took me about 10 or 11 years to admit that I was raised a JW. I guess I was kind of embarrassed about it and I was afraid that people would think I was a weirdo or something. I was also trying to do the fade thing but that only works for so long. When I finally started telling people the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. 9 times out 10 people congratulate me for leaving and want to hear what life was like as a JW. I've even gotten a few dinner invites out of it.

I feel like I have a responsibility to warn people about this cult. I don't want any other child to go through what I went through. The JWs are out everyday knocking on doors and trying to convert people. If we all remain silent then how will people know to stay away from them? I don't go around with a ex-JW sign or anything but the topic usually comes up whenever the conversation turns to religion, holidays or annoying solicitors.

I've only gotten a negative reaction from two people for speaking out. Both were DFed and didn't attend anymore but I guess they still held on to the belief system and deluded themselves into thinking that the JW religion is good one. That's a really sad place to be.

28

Was there a recent KM that said WT is more important than the Bible?

by Saoirse in

someone told me that there was a kingdom ministry within the last 2 years that said something along the lines of "jws should follow what the wt or fds says and not the bible".

is that true?

and if so, could someone point me to a copy of it?

Saoirse

This is why we always get a glazed expression every time we tell JWs that we won't go to the KH anymore because the org puts the WT ahead of God's word. They can't imagine reading the Bible without the help of a Watchtower.

I'll have to hunt down that WT and I'll post it if I find it. I really miss that Watchtower Quotes site. He made it so easy to find stuff.

28

Was there a recent KM that said WT is more important than the Bible?

by Saoirse in

someone told me that there was a kingdom ministry within the last 2 years that said something along the lines of "jws should follow what the wt or fds says and not the bible".

is that true?

and if so, could someone point me to a copy of it?

Saoirse

Thanks all, I think I found it. It was a KM that discouraged private "spiritual research". It even went so far to suggest that those who want to study should read WT publications. No mention of studying the Bible.

Here's the link: http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/139148/1/OKM-09-07-english-Just-another-brick-in-the-wall

28

Was there a recent KM that said WT is more important than the Bible?

by Saoirse in

someone told me that there was a kingdom ministry within the last 2 years that said something along the lines of "jws should follow what the wt or fds says and not the bible".

is that true?

and if so, could someone point me to a copy of it?

Saoirse

IA, do you remember how long ago it was?

28

Was there a recent KM that said WT is more important than the Bible?

by Saoirse in

someone told me that there was a kingdom ministry within the last 2 years that said something along the lines of "jws should follow what the wt or fds says and not the bible".

is that true?

and if so, could someone point me to a copy of it?

Saoirse

Someone told me that there was a Kingdom Ministry within the last 2 years that said something along the lines of "JWs should follow what the WT or FDS says and not the Bible". Is that true? And if so, could someone point me to a copy of it? Thank you!

16

Interesting Thought about JW's and People Outside the Org

by Mrs. Witness in

on another thread, aude sapeare said:.

jws make this huge assumption that once you leave the 'protection' of the org, you will go off the deep end and become totally irresponsible, drink, smoke, do drugs and have sex with anyone and anything.. that is what i have been fighting with my husband about for 3 years now.

when he was kicked out of his jw's mom's house when he was 15, that is exactly what he did for about 20 years.

Saoirse

Saoirse, I agree, but try telling that to a JW who thinks that if he leaves the religion, he has no other choice but to sink into depravity. To him, all JW's are good people (even when I point out to him that there are some questionable people in his congo) and all worldly people are not to be trusted (even me--his wife).

I don't even know what to tell you to do about someone who is that blinded. Even when I was a JW, I could see that there were hypocrites in the congregation. It must be difficult at times to live with someone like that. I'm sorry you have to deal with that.

16

Interesting Thought about JW's and People Outside the Org

by Mrs. Witness in

on another thread, aude sapeare said:.

jws make this huge assumption that once you leave the 'protection' of the org, you will go off the deep end and become totally irresponsible, drink, smoke, do drugs and have sex with anyone and anything.. that is what i have been fighting with my husband about for 3 years now.

when he was kicked out of his jw's mom's house when he was 15, that is exactly what he did for about 20 years.

Saoirse

Being an ex-JW only means that you're an ex-JW. Some ex-JWs go off the deep end but there are plenty that attempt to live decent, moral lives. On the flip side, there are many JWs that are hypocrites and live double lives. You have to look at the person, not what religion they are or aren't.

89

Being Under Cult Mind Control is a Psychological Disorder - Steve Hassan

by flipper in

jw
friends

thought perhaps some newer members who haven't heard some of hassan's thoughts on mind control might relate to this from their own experiences in jehovah's witnesses .

even though mind control is initiated by the cult involved in controlling it's members - hassan points out - it actually becomes a psychological disorder which can entrap the victim himself or herself - all the while - as they are being controlled by the leaders of cults.. on page 55 of hassan's book " releasing the bonds - empowering people to think for themselves " it states what happens in a destructive cult , " in a destructive cult, the locus of control shifts to the group or it's leader .

the new recruit abdicates his ability to make decisions.

Saoirse

I just don't bother with them- don't need that negative influence in my life. I consider it THEIR loss , not mine. It's how I deal with it and stay strong.

Thank you Flipper. You seem like a good-hearted person and it's a real shame that the JWs are trash-talking you too. I guess it's inevitable when you leave the borg. We pretty much have little to nothing to do with our JW relatives. Unfortunately, the gossip always seems to get back to us - our families & social circle are just too big I guess. Maybe I should ask my friends not to tell me everything they hear. I'm sure they mean well but I don't need to keep hearing the negative stuff. At this point, it's not like it's a surprise or anything. You're right, it's THEIR loss. Take care..