Posts by Tristram

statistics show that 2 out of 3 jw's raised in the cult leave between the age of 18 to 35. so like they always do- if the wt society sees a " need " or " problem " arising they address it in wt study articles.

thus notice how manipulative the wt society uses fear, guilt, and put down type comments to intimidate young jehovah's witnesses in this wt study article in nov. 15th issue.. under the titled article " young ones - what will you do with your life ?

Tristram

Nothing is EVER good enough...

It's telling how much this is repeated by those that have left, whether they are young or older. The constant feeling of no matter how hard you try that you will never live up to the congregation, elders, GB, Jehovah, parents, etc. demands or expectations is emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausting.

51

What kind of vehicle should I park on the Kingdom Hall Parking lot?

by asilentone in

jw
friends

huge tires?

.

Tristram

48

Whats the most bizzare way a JW has ever tried to "encourage" you?

by highdose in

in my case it was my best freind in the cong who decided to encourage me to answer up at the wt by... refusing to talk to me afterwards if i hadn't answered up!

!.

Tristram

"Quit college and you will be blessed." No post-quitting game plan, just get outta there and things will fall into place.

26

Is there a new 'rule' about disfellowshipping which can make it null and void?

by whitman in

jw
friends

firstly, if anyone involved in this situation is reading this i hope i haven't overstepped the boundaries by raising this question here.

i'll try to keep it as anonymous as possible.. so folks this is the situation.

it has just been brought to my attention that during some type of shepherding call to a a disfellowshipped person who is experiencing serious mental illness as a result of the situation and the shunning from his family (his father is an elder), an interesting twist of events occurred.. one of the 'shepherding' elders asked the d.f-d person whether they had prayed and dedicated his/her life fully to jehovah before the baptism.

Tristram

I personally know of a situation where this happened. It was over ten years ago, so the concept isn't new. It was determined someone's conduct leading up to the baptism wasn't in line with JW standards. So it was decided the baptism wasn't heartfelt and it was annulled. If I remember, the individual did an almost immediate fade and was gone quickly.

It makes me think about what probably are the vast numbers of baptisms that take place under pressure from family or elders. I think the growing numbers of really young people getting dunked attest to that. Some of them can barely tie their shoes or ride a two-wheel bike and they are making this very serious, life long decision.

34

Question for Billy The Ex-Bethelite and others who had forgone college sometime ago.

by garyneal in

jw
friends

i was talking with my wife today about college and i asked her about why the society makes such a big deal about witnesses not going to college.

in typical dub fashion, my wife tells me that they do not discourage college, but they do not encourage it either.

instead, they encourage placing kingdom interests first.. now i told her about you (billy) and how you were at bethel and are now starting college at the age of 40 (i think that is correct).

Tristram

I went to college straight out of high school 20 years ago. The pressure from the congregation to quit was immense. The elders would pass on little tidbits that the "friends" had said about me going as a way to get me to quit. The fact that I was making all the meetings and regular in service didn't seem to matter. I was trying to put myself through school without any outside support, family included, and eventually it got to be too much, both mentally and financially and I quit. Overnight I was embraced by the congregation for my fine "advancement" and given all sorts of "privileges" that my collegiate status prevented me from qualifying for. I never finished college, despite attempts at going back years later.

I'm not bitter or angry. At the end of the day it was still my call, and I was too weak to stand up for myself. I'm doing pretty well these days considering. The reality is that it is very difficult to enter the competitive job market these days without a degree. And it's not just about education in a given field, it's about showing potential employers that you are dedicated, have a good work ethic and follow through. A degree is a way to show this.

What it comes down to for me is that an individuals freedom of choice is stripped from them, and in an area that has nothing to do with biblical principles. If one chooses not to go to college, fine, but let it be their choice, not because of pressure from others or because they are afraid they might offend someone.

13

Sd-7

by Pistoff in

jw
friends

anyone know where sd-7 went?

?.

Tristram

I've written a 6.5 page treatise on 1914.
Only if it's written in your brilliant "Watchtowerease". Seriously though, would like to read it.

40

Justification, Sanctification, Substitutionary Atonement is Officially OUT Says WT

by Perry in

'also, it is to the spirit-anointed christians who will rule in that kingdom that most of the christian greek scripture is directed.

' (watchtower.

june 15, 1974, pg.8, caps for emphasis).

Tristram

Every so often it is brought up that the NT (excuse me "Christian Greek" Scriptures) were written only for the annointed. So why are we peons subjected to all the "rules" and brought up on charges for every little infraction if they don't apply to us?

34

A rough estimate of how many are still in for family or loved ones?

by dgp in

i'm sure it's impossible to know for sure but, in people's opinions, what would be a rough estimate of how many people are still in because of fear of losing loved ones?.

Tristram

That's me.