Posts by rebel8

31

List options for my escape here.

by tsunami_rid3r in

jw
friends

problem: .

want a normal life of going to college, freedom.

in return will get kicked out of the house.

rebel8

The WTBTS doesn't tell parents to put their children out of they want to go to college. I know that much.
There must be something else involved here that your parents want you out.

OK, DY, but then again, it's possible his parents are threatening to put him out if he goes to college, isn't it? There are a lot of decisions JW parents make that don't fall into a neat little category the WTS has made a specific rule about. They use their "consciences" and try to find the "principles" behind the rules to determine how to handle new situations.

PS-My JW mother did threaten to throw me out if I went to college.

12

How to relate to JW neighbors

by pianolady in

jw
friends

we have neighbors that are j.w.

and are very nice, unassuming people.

they are friendly but don't go out of their way to establish any friendships in the neighborhood.

rebel8

under74, I do agree it's commendable for the teacher to try to be politically correct and considerate. I do think his/her decision to carry it out in this manner is wrong. Birthday celebrations are cultural and are opportunities to teach kids social skills. I think they are nothing but positive, and it's unfortunate this teacher doesn't know he/she is supporting a destructive cult.

The kids can certainly go to the library or elsewhere in the school. The hurt feelings experienced by the kids (and I remember those) are caused by their parents' actions, not the school's.

30

JW False Teachings About Roman Catholics

by rebel8 in

apologies if this has been done before.... .

when i left the troof, i happened to learn many of the things i had been taught about rcs were lies.

i thought it would be interesting to see how many jw false teachings about rcs we can list.

rebel8

1 and only true religion: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/39/story_3960_1.html

Now the dubs have a rehearsed comeback?if they needed to change that proves they weren?t inspired by God in the 1 st place. OK, but what about their new light doctrine then? Honestly saying we made a mistake or we need to change is ok. Dishonestly blaming members for misinterpreting teachings or claiming teachings were not taught at all is not ok.

My other comebacks to that is all religions are created by humans and are hence fallible; religions are a cultural convention and therefore are as changeable as culture itself.

Nazis: The idea that RC leadership supported persecution of Jews and the Nazi movement appears to be well known. However, I find it hard to believe that RCs themselves all supported and agreed with it, and I believe others dispute that claim as well. I believe it is highly disputed that all of the RC leadership participated too. I watched a documentary about it once?wish I could remember more. There is some info here http://www.religioustolerance.org/vat_hol12.htm that seems to be legit (contains both positive and negative info). I think the past RC leadership is rightly criticized for taking a stance of neutrality out of fear of retribution, and for their negative teachings about Jews.

Communion/cannibalism: I do understand there is some literature supporting the contention that the hosts are transformed into the literal body/blood of Christ. I am just saying that I?ve read other places and have been told by 2 priests and other RCs that they do not believe that. I guess they?re engaging in ?independent thinking? or are "apostates", LOL.

6

NY proposed law requires reporting sex abuse

by rebel8 in

i came across this and thought it was of interest.

unfortunately, it only would require reporting the crime if it was witnessed, but it's a start.. .

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=a00094a00094 memo:.

rebel8

Nothing in the bill indicates anyone would be exempt, but keep in mind it only applies if the person witnessed the crime.

In NY there are mandated reporters, but clergy are exempt from that. The mandated reporter law only applies to healthcare workers, teachers, etc. who become aware of a possible crime, ie, they heard about it from someone else, saw a strange bruise, etc. That law is quite comprehensive. As a social worker, I used to have to call in every single suggestion that child abuse/neglect happened, even if I didn't have any evidence or believe the accuser. Once someone called my workplace and told a story of a neighbor's child being beaten, and I had to call the authorities even though no one involved in the story had any patient/client relationship with me or my company. If only that applied to clergy!

I found out some info on who to write to on this issue. If you are in NY, go here http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/ and enter your zip code to find your rep. You can also call 518-455-4218.

6

NY proposed law requires reporting sex abuse

by rebel8 in

i came across this and thought it was of interest.

unfortunately, it only would require reporting the crime if it was witnessed, but it's a start.. .

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=a00094a00094 memo:.

rebel8

I came across this and thought it was of interest. Unfortunately, it only would require reporting the crime if it was witnessed, but it's a start.

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A00094

A00094 Memo:
TITLE OF BILL : An act to amend the penal law, in relation to failure to report a sexual assault of a child
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL : To establish the failure to report sexual assault of a child as a Class A misdemeanor.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS : The Penal Law is amended by adding two new sections 260.35 and 260.40. Section 260.35 defines "sexual assault" for the purposes of this article. Section 260.40 establishes the crime of failure to report sexual assault of a child as a Class A misdemeanor. A person is guilty of failure to report sexual assault of a child when he, being eighteen years old or older, knowingly witnesses the sexual assault of a child less than sixteen years old, and fails to report such assault within twenty-four hours. Such report is to be made to a police officer, district attorney or law enforcement official within the county or city in which such assault was committed.
JUSTIFICATION : This legislation is in response to the molestation and murder of a seven-year-old girl in a Nevada casino in May of 1997, while a bystander did nothing.
In most states there is no legal recourse for this type of heinous activity because there is not a "Good Samaritan" law requiring witnesses to intervene on potentially dangerous situations. It does however require people to report the crime they witnessed.
At the federal level, legislation has been introduced to honor this child called the "Sherrice Iverson Act". The federal proposal amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to require states receiving funds under Section 106 of such Act to have in effect a State law providing for a criminal penalty on an individual who fails to report witnessing another individual engaging in sexual assault or abuse of a child.
In any event, in light of continuing crimes against innocent children in today`s society, it is of vital importance for New York State to be at the forefront of laws aimed at protecting our children.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY : 2004-Referred to Codes/Passed Senate

12

How to relate to JW neighbors

by pianolady in

jw
friends

we have neighbors that are j.w.

and are very nice, unassuming people.

they are friendly but don't go out of their way to establish any friendships in the neighborhood.

rebel8

Hi pianolady, it's nice of you to be concerned about your relationship with your neighbors.

Just so you are aware, most of the people in this forum are ex-JWs who have been deeply hurt by this cult and will have very little positive things to say about JWs. That is not to say we cannot give you some good advice, though. Just wanted to be honest about our points of view.

My advice is to maintain a cordial relationship that remains as distant as possible. Getting involved with them will only encourage their continued efforts to convert you. They are not allowed to socialize with people outside their religion unless they are doing so in an attempt to convert. Be wary.

Continuing to accept the literature, in their minds, is "showing interest" in their religion. This means you are encouraging them to continue attempts to convert. Your best bet is to tell them politely you no longer wish to receive the literature or to discuss religious topics with them.

If you bring up the issue of birthdays to them directly, they will view this as "opposition" which in their belief system originates with Satan. Challenging their beliefs most likely results in strengthening their resolve to adhere to their religion's rules. However, I do recommend you address this with the school. It is ridiculous for the rest of the children to miss out on birthdays. Normally, schools just allow the JW child to go to the library (or somewhere else) during an "objectionable" event.

Please also be wary about allowing your child to play with their children unless supervised by you. Your child will eventually be exposed to teachings you do not endorse.

As I said, this is a destructive cult. Please visit the following web sites for further information:

www.jwinfo.50megs.com http://www.silentlambs.org/education/index.cfm http://www.ajwrb.org/victims/index.shtml

19

Suicide among Jehovah's Witnesses

by cruzanheart in

this topic has been covered many times, in many different ways, but let's open this for discussion: if the witnesses allowed an elder per congregation to be trained as a "pastoral counselor" as other religions do, would that make it more bearable to be a witness and play by their rules?

would it lessen the number of depressed, suicidal people who feel they have no reason to live?.

nina

rebel8

Bad counseling is worse than no counseling at all because it can do a lot of damage. Even with "training", I seriously doubt someone who is so brainwashed and has so much power over the individuals' good standing in the Hell could possibly avoid doing more damage to the person.

46

My story

by Chia in

i have posted this story before on some other boards, but after "lurking" for a long time here, i have finally decided to come out and tell my story.

it is really long, so i'm going to tell it in a few parts.

that way i can also tell if i'm boring everyone to death, haha!

rebel8

Did you have an orgasm?

I know others have commented on this too, but I just can't get over it. Whaaaat possible relevance, even in JW dogma, could this question possibly have to admitting and repenting from a sin? (So, what's the answer? Just kidding! ) I'm a bit nauseated thinking of a group of wierdo elders asking a young woman this question. Sounds perverted to me.

Chia, I'm in central NY state. If I can help in some way, let me know. Good luck (pagan saying) with your difficult situation!

30

JW False Teachings About Roman Catholics

by rebel8 in

apologies if this has been done before.... .

when i left the troof, i happened to learn many of the things i had been taught about rcs were lies.

i thought it would be interesting to see how many jw false teachings about rcs we can list.

rebel8

Apologies if this has been done before....

When I left the troof, I happened to learn many of the things I had been taught about RCs were lies. I thought it would be interesting to see how many JW false teachings about RCs we can list. I'll start with the ones I was taught:

Myth: RCs believe the Pope is infallible in everything. (Fact: RCs believe the Pope is infallible in matters of doctrine, ethics and faith.)

Myth: RCs believe the communion "hosts" magically turn into the literal blood and flesh of Christ before they consume it. Therefore, they are cannibals. (Fact: I've never met any RCs, including priests, who believe it is anything more than a blessed symbol.)

Myth: RCs believe they are the one and only true religion. (Fact: RCs believe they are one of many paths to God.)

Myth: RCs consider you automatically excommunicated if you do not attend Easter Mass. (Fact: Not.)

Myth: RCs widely supported and helped the Nazi movement before and during WW2. (Fact: This is largely exaggerated.)

Myth: RC rituals and ceremonies are evil just because they are ceremonies/rituals. Any repetition of actions that occur in ceremonies are evil in themselves. (Fact: Humans have been participating in ceremonies long before RCs existed and exist in every culture/locale on Earth. Rituals are religious and non-religious. Rituals seem to meet a human need and are not evil unless they do harm.)

3

Wanna fell really really small? - website of stars

by Qcmbr in

jw
friends

http://www.anzwers.org/free/universe/index.html .

.

..and this is just the visible bit

rebel8

Wanna fell really really small? - website of stars

Sigh. I thought the 1st site was going to show the lives of the rich and famous.