Posts by clare

16

Seventh Open Letter

by Rijk Janssen in

seventh open letter to the dutch branch office and the headquarters of the watchtower society in brooklyn new york for the personal attention of brother

ted jaracz

maarssen, .

Well done for your continued fight for justice from this 'evil slave'; never can they say that they were not warned. You probably realize that you are wasting your breath though! They don't think that God's laws apply to them just like God's representatives on earth have done over 1000's of years. If you believe in Jehovah or whatever true name God has then it is clear to see that he has finally rejected them because of their association with the U.N., and other disgraces that have brought shame on him. No religion that claims to teach 'truth' and claims to have integrity, and yet allows these outrages can really be a spiritual organization.

Don't despair, and don't spend your life energy trying to expose them; the world will do that (and is very good at it). If we believe in God's word it said that at the time of the end there would be an organization that would 'shine' before the nations. It is obvious that JW's don't. However, take a look at the website truebiblecode.com because they seem to be on the right track. They contacted and had meetings with the governing body to reveal that JW's were in danger of losing God's spirit in the mid 90's; it seems that some members of the governing body were actually scared about it; but as usual did nothing about it. Since then the LW's (Lord's Wittnesses), have been revealing amazing prophecies at an alarming rate. Could they now have God's spirit as they are suggesting? I don't know. One thing for sure is that they seem to be the complete antithesis of the Watchtower socitey; they do not have reems of rules and regs for example like not smoking (they say that a good number of the FDS that died before the smoking rule were actually smokers so to say that any JW who smokes is not acceptable to God is a lie) because they believe in free will, that we cannot say we have free will with a death threat over our head! It is not a carte blanch to do what you want, but shows the trust that God has in his human creation that has the law written on their hearts.

Many more unscriptural teachings have been clarified by these people; it will be interesting to see what happens according to their take on prophecy. However, for now I am just doing my own personal research: 'once bitten twice shy' so to speak comes to mind! I spoke to a devout wittness the other day about it; she said she didn't care what the organization did, and had a personal relationship with God that wasn't dependant on the society. That's the key I think, to keep that personal relationship going. Sometimes we are so blinded by our sense of grief and anger at the injustices we received from the organization that we forget that if there is a God, he sees everything, and will sort it out himself. So we can just get on with learning more about him from the scriptures and leave it all to him.

I hope you find a peace of mind eventually, and look forward to hearing about your forthcoming escapades. Power to the people!!!!!!

46

i told my mother that i do not desire to be associated with jws anymore and

by drunkenpikachu in

she totally flipped out.

all i was trying to do was find some mutual respect for my decision but she started smacking, punching, pushing me.

soon after, she threw the biggest tantrum and it disgusted me to see her acting in such a manner.

clare

Hi there,

Pretty much aggree with what has been said here. I was a JW when my youngsters said they wanted to leave; I didn't react like your mum but I can tell you what was going through my mind. When your youngster leaves, you believe that they have a death sentence over their heads. You think;'what was all the point of the training (and hopefully in your case) love, and hard work I put into these youngsters only to see them taken away?' Your mum truly does believe you will die, and considers worldly people 'scum' who have taken you away from her. It's like you have just told her you were dying for real. Can you imagine what that feels like? If you can then you must tread gently. You must keep your cool, and if possible show even more respect than before. If you react negatively, she will just use this as a confirmation that you have turned 'bad'. You need to show her that you still love her, and that you have not changed; you are still her flesh and blood (tell her to look at the story of the prodigal son; he was allowed to leave, and his parents still cared for him as they were constantly hoping for his return). It took me months to get my head round it, and it may take longer for your mum. Also, remember that she is completely brainwashed, and cannot think outside the 'box'; if anything she is to be pitied. Remember, that all parents in the world clash with their youngsters when they reach for independance; the love they have for them, which is probably the most intense love that exists in the world, causes them to aggressively protect their youngsters. See it in these terms, try to understand what she is going through, and when she has calmed down (which she will) just try to reassure her, be a good son and prove that you do not need the truth to lead a good life. If nothing seems to work then just keep a low profile, or if possilble move out, but always keep up contact because even if your parents are mad they will be worred sick about you. They are not capable of doing the right thing; you are. I hope this will help.

14

My JW "ex" girlfriend is going crazy (if anyone remembers me)...

by starcrossedpimp in

i wrote a while ago about the relationship i was in with a witness.

it's still posted under this category i believe.

anyway, it was her decision to go along with her parents and stop talking to me.

clare

Hi there,

Mnnnnnnn I might be contradicting all the good advice here; If you truly love her you will stick to her like glue until she decides finally that it is over, and if she does then you have to be firm and say that this is really the end. I have finally left the organization, for all the reasons you see on these pages. I did think I would go back at one time, but I had a 'Wordly' boyfriend who truly was my soulmate, and then of course I found out all the bad things that were going on in the organization which were kept secret from me while I was a member. No-one could tell me; I had to find our for myself. The fact is that this girl cannot be disfellowshiped for dating or marrying outside the organization (of course the sex thing comes in to it as well); I was going to go back even with a boyfriend. If she is disfellowshiped then it might hit home that they don't practice what they preach. It seems that she must be going through a terribly confusing, and upseting time, but if you do the right thing by her then at least if it all does hit the fan you will know that you were loyal and supportive to the last; you will not have nothing to reproach yourself for. You have to keep in mind that she has been seriously brainwashed; all her thoughts and actions monitored; she is incapable of thinking for herself; she is deserving of pity and support. However, you may just not be able to stand all the stress, and decide that you have to end it. This of course is your perogative; only you know what you can bear. Ultimately, it rests on whether you truly love her, and by this I mean you probably will spend your whole life together, and how much of this irratic behaviour you can bear without putting yourself under such stress that it would make you ill. If you search your heart and find that you don't love her then it's probably not worth all the pain.

However, you might do a service to her as her friend to point out that although there are many good JW's, nevertheless there are many things that have been done by them in the last 15 years which according to their own teachings are wrong: they have had U.N. connections as an non governmental organisation or NGO, (absolutely condemned by JW's according to their teachings); they invest in tobacco companies whilst banning their members from partaking; they have made rules and regs, which according to the scriptures they teach, is a sign of a sect not a true religion; more than 23000 documented sexual abuses so on and so forth, whilst claiming that they are a shining light to the nations. They will say 'everyone makes mistakes' and 'we are imperfect', but the fact is that in this world when somebody stands up and says they have integrity (like our politicians, or any public figure), and they are found out, disgrace and sometimes legal action follows: they are NOT above the law of any land. However, they keep serious situations that should be in police hands 'in house', which is a very serious matter not only to the laws of the land, but to the God she believes in. How would he feel having such shameful conduct representing him? She might be interested to know that according to scripture they will have lost 'Jehovah's'' blessing because of these many wrongs. But, if there is God out there, he blesses people of all sorts, and all nations, and if you believe in Jesus, it was said that he gave his life for everyone not just a few 'saved' individuals (or else what was the point in him sacrificing himself?). Sorry, got carried away there because it makes me so angry. I put my life on hold for 24 years; I was a promising musician, but gave it all away, bit by bit to be controlled and dominated by their teachings. Luckily, I'm at uni now doing the degree I dreamed of; in a post punk band singing the top of my head off about all these sorts lies taught by religions, and the corruption in government. I enjoy life; I have found truth; and I treasure every day now. It's taken me years to 'get it', and it may take your girlfriend some time too.

It is very difficult for you though isn't it? It's easier said than done sometimes. All you can do is think of your strategy, and stick to it, and I hope for the best that you will be together. I'm sorry if I have said anything to upset you; it certainly wasn't meant that way. Keep talking about it here because there is a great crowd of people who are willing and able to support you! If only she could access this site, she would soon come to see that free will meant just that: YOUR CHOICE!

27

Calling all "unbelieving mates", AKA husbands and wives of cult members

by Check_Your_Premises in

hey all.

any who have been reading my recent posts, know that they chronicle my unsuccesful attempts to prevent my wife's baptism.. it is unfortunate and clear to me that there is nothing i can do untill i really understand the problem.

i am currently reading steven hassan's, releasing the bonds.

clare

Hi there,

I'm a newbie and posted some initial thoughts a few days ago under the topic 'what about free will' which may be of some interest to you. As I said in that post there is no need to 'throw the baby out with the bathwater'. I think those well grounded in the JW teachings who then leave can feel genuinely completely abandoned and condemned even if they realise that they have been mislead. I still believe in God, but realize that he is a 'God of freedom', and expects us to use the brains we've been given to guard against those who speak like a lamb but act like wolves. Also, that he wants to save the WHOLE world not just a chosen few. Nevertheless, it is a scary path to take; consequently I am very encouraged by reading examples like yours because so many non believing parters have been there to encourage and support leavers. 'LOVE NEVER FAILS'! All the best for the future. clarex

21

Hi and what about free will!

by clare in

i think i've finally left the jw's.

i have not been an active member since 2000, but always thought i would go back.

the problem (or solution) has been that i started to reason on how the true god or super being really viewed mankind.

clare

H goldminer,

It must be very difficult for you, and it is good that you are reasonable and only bring up the issue occsionally with your wife. JW's are so indoctrinated, and I only realised myself a few weeks ago that I had in fact been brainwashed. For them, as you probably know already, to leave is to bring a death sentence on your own head, so they battle on even if what is left of their reason is telling them that things are not ok. However, you can't hide the truth forever; just like I eventually found out the truth she will too one day. When she does she will be confused and devastated; life will lose meaning for a while, but with help and support she will be ok. Hopefully, she will keep some kind of faith; if there is a God out there and he did send his son to redeem the world it was for everyone not just a few. Well done anyway for being so supportive, and hope to hear more about you as time goes on. Clarex

21

Hi and what about free will!

by clare in

i think i've finally left the jw's.

i have not been an active member since 2000, but always thought i would go back.

the problem (or solution) has been that i started to reason on how the true god or super being really viewed mankind.

clare

Dear all,

Thank you so much for your welcome; it was really touching. I have a lot to say so I hope you will all put up with me moanin and complainin cos I think I still have a lot to get out of my system. For those reading who are still JW's my issues are not to do with the 'great crowd' who after all cannot be blamed for their actions since they are still under the influence so to speak, and have been seriously mislead over the last 30 years or so. My issues are with the oversight. The fact that JW's are restricted from even viewing this site is bad enough, but to generally influence the congregation not to seek truth other than from the organization is very dangerous. Additionally, if we claim to be 'christians' and believe in the bible then we should not accept and follow teachings in any christian religion that are man made, our understandings should be gained directly from scripture; to do otherwise is to follow a sect which is condemned in the bible. Futhermore, in the time of the end the scriptures say that all your sons and daughters will have visions and will prophecy; the wonder of the scriptures and the knowledge and revelations that come from it are open to everyone not just the FDS, or the JW's as a whole. (who apparently have not had any new insights for many many years). Therefore, anyone can discover a new idea or unravel a prophecy, but if you did this in the JW's you were told that you were being 'presumptous'. I was regualrly pre-empting material in the Watchtower a year ahead through my own personal study; people thought I'd lost it that I was going too far because they could not understand my answers at meetings. What was really strange was that elders at time came to me for spiritual advice, which supposedly they should not have done. To be frank it all sent me a bit potty because I knew I was doing the right thing in independantly studying the bible with whatever references I could use, but this clashed with other members; it was like they did not want me to stand on my own two feet!

Of course, generally there are heaps of information and advice in the world which could be wise to follow and there is nothing wrong with that. For example, I had a nervous breakdown in 1997, but was warned about seeking therapy outside the organization. There were JW therapists but they practiced privately and I could not afford. So, I just suffered, and by the time I left and could access therapy, I was too ill to make the hour journey to the hospital. Anyway, last year I borrowed a book called 'Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy' by Sarah Ban Breathnach, a self help book for women who feel that they have lost their authentic indentity of themselves (I really did not know who I was any more when I left). You are supposed to start it in January; it's a bit like the daily text in this respect. I however read it in about six weeks and wrote a whole A4 pad of my feelings about it. It quickly lifted me out of depression, made me like myself again, and most importantly for the 1st time in my life I was appreciating just actually 'being'; relishing every aspect of life as it was meant to be appreciated (the JW teachings did not do this for me; I just felt like I was a sinner and had a black cloud following me around, and since you are told to constantly look to the new system for happiness you forget that although the world is in turmoil you can still enjoy life now, which the scriptures tell you to do). It also started me thinking about spiritual things once more. Although 1 or 2 of the things in it I did not agree with like viewing yourself as a 'goddess', generally it deals with your home/work life, your attitude towards problems, your relationships (especially the relationship with yourself; how can you love God or in fact anyone when you don't love yourself ), and much much more using quotes from famous people, stories, and anecdotes. I was quite capable on my own of deciding which information in the book could possibly be spurious. Now, if I had been a JW I would not have touched it with a barge pole, but if I had had this book in '97 then I would have been cured in a couple of months.

No true religion should restrict and control your access to knowledge on a 'need to know basis, or be afraid of any challenges that are thrown at it; in my book if that is the case then the religion has something to hide because to find out the 'truth' about a matter there needs to be openess and honesty. The JW organization started to falter for me during the early 90's, which some bible researchers believe according to prophecy, was the beginning of God withdrawing his spirit from the FDS, who were under warning that this would occur over a 10 year period if the FDS did not change their ways. Now I'm not saying that this is necessarily true; I am just beginning my further search for 'truth' again, but it sure explains a lot of what has happend during this period if this is the case. As I make my journey I will share what I have discovered, and hopefully by me being open and honest then you can all 'shoot me down in flames' if necessary, or we can all just have a jolly good discussion about a matter, and hopefully get to the bottom of it all and gain a new insight and understanding about 'truth'.

Anyway, thanks again; busy over next few days so don't know when I'll be here again. Been in bed with a migraine all day so now got to do loads over the weekend cos getting close to final assessments at Uni. Take care everybody! Clarex

21

Hi and what about free will!

by clare in

i think i've finally left the jw's.

i have not been an active member since 2000, but always thought i would go back.

the problem (or solution) has been that i started to reason on how the true god or super being really viewed mankind.

clare

Hi there everybody!

I think I've finally left the JW's. I have not been an active member since 2000, but always thought I would go back. The problem (or solution) has been that I started to reason on how the true God or super being really viewed mankind. Is it free will when you are faced with giving up smoking or die? I don't think so. If Jesus died so that sinners could be saved then it was all a bit pointless because according to JW's it's only them who are saved, and of course they are practically perfect! Consequently, I believe that if the end does come EVERYONE will have the opportunity to live. If the pharisees made over 600 laws over and above the law they were given and were condemned for it, why do JW's make all sorts of little laws (and serious ones) like what colour shirt you should wear on a platform, the clothes you wear in general, your grooming, how you use your money etc? We are quite able on our own to work out things on our own. But this was only the beginning for me. I still believe in God, but I believe in personal freedom along with it. Not in the sense of just doing what we want; we are educated in the world about the dangers of behaving in certain ways and the consequences of it, but in that we take personal responsibility for our actions; after all we were given brains to use, not for someone to use them for us!

I think what finally did it for me apart from the horrendous time I had whilst a member (and to be fair I had some great times too), was their connection with the UN (despite the claim that this association was for research purposes), the tobacco connection, how they encourage you to 'keep things in the congregation' for them to deal with situations that should be reported to the police (since they are, like all of us, subject to the superior authorities), and how the 'counsel' they give can at times lead to great mental suffering. Their actions are sometimes more like the evil slave' than the FDS! That said I have always thought that there would be something else at the time of the end, since these people according to the bible will stand out from all the others, which JW's certainly do not. On a more balanced note, there are still many good and genuine people who are still members; just like in all religions. Additionally, they have performed good works at times.

I still feel a bit 'cut loose' so to speak, but I am thinking more fairly and independantly than ever before. I am not bitter because I think the JW's were there for a purpose. It's like going to school, but eventually you grow up and go to university and learn how to be an independant learner, making your own decisions. Presently, I think that they have lost God's blessing. Look in the bible and you will see that this has happened quite a few times before. Additionally, many of the faithful were in fact not Jews; God has used all sorts of people, and nations to do his will.

Well, that's all from me. Maybe you think I should not believe in God at all, but I find no need to 'chuck the baby out with the bathwater' because of my bad experiences with the JW's. It's not the case that I need a belief to lean on in life, but just that I do believe there is something out there, and if there is I want to know about it. I apologise if I have sounded too 'preachy'.