All it takes is one of us to mention it in our area and it WILL spread. First, JW's love juicey gossip. What can be jucier than Jackson on trial? Any sane witness would be curious to the bone. Second, I feel it is important for witnesses to know that the entire world can download the Shepherding the Flock book. Because that really tells us how dire the situation is. That should be told to at least one elder. I know that my body elders knows all about it. And now it will spread like wildfire.
vinman
JoinedPosts by vinman
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I've heard 2 people have found the RC hearings
by Dagney inone "brother" was just texting me how good the regional convention was 2 days ago, when today it was "did you see what is happening in australia?
jackson was interviewed!
" lolololol.
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What went wrong in your congregation?
by The Rebel inthe target is converts.. why does it seem such an outrageous aim for a congregation to recruit new converts?.
in my old congregation, the enthusiasm was there but the knocking on doors produced zero " baptisms" in my final years.. a) why so little interests?.
b) was it the internet ?.
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vinman
I was in sign language for 4.5 years. 40 publishers. Out of that, 22 were regular pioneers. Average Meeting field sevice: 8 including kids. And not always that many. Most counted time driving to the for winds. Some would send an email in the morning at 7 just to get time started.. Others would work at jobs that involved driving. Well they would ask the first person if they knew of any deaf and count time throughout the day. Out of the 40, maybe 5 were go getters.Facts are, most JW's live counting time. But ministry? Nope.
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My 67 Year Old Elder Brother Is Depressed Because The Younger Elders Are Taking Over
by minimus inhe was the school overseer but they relieved him of that to allow younger elders the privilege of the job.
now he is depressed and actually shed tears, believing his worth has diminished.
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vinman
Sad. But his worth has diminished. Like any corporation, no one wants to hire any one over 50. My wifes grandfather, was a CO into his older years. When his health declined, family had to cook meals for him. I helped with that. He died a lonely and sad man. I asked if people stop by to see him. He mentioned one older couple. He would just sit in his wheelchair and look out the window. When I tried to encourage him, he would respond simply with a yeah. I view myself as a compassionate person. But with all honesty, I must say that cult affects your thinking so bad. With hindsight. I can can say like most, with my lips I would honor the elderly. But in my heart, it was about me and what I can accomplish as an elder. Older elders were truly viewed as baggage by the majority. That is why the elders assign OTHERS to perhaps drive an older one or mow their lawn. They were never hands on. It is interesting that for most of us, the things that woke us up, aren't the things that keep us out. When waking someone up, it is hard to speak to them because you want to give them the complete picture of what is really going on here. You want to explain the forest , when you really need to show the trees so to speak. What a sick climate the Watchtower is! It is deceptive on all levels. -
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Life after the witnesses, friends, faith etc
by Theburstbubble inhi everyone, this is my first post so go easy on me :) i have been a witness all of my life (i'm 37) and truly believed it until 3 years ago.
my husband and i had become spiritually weak and over time i began to question more and more until i came to the conclusion that the witnesses were not the true religion but just one of many religions and that if god is there then there are many paths to get to him.
anyway, i've battled with keeping going as my husband still believed and i didn't want to be in a divided household as we have a young daughter and thought it would be very confusing for her (and us).
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vinman
I agree with OnTheWayOut.
"As far as your need to believe or not, take your time. If God doesn't understand your need for time out, then he is not who they say he is."
When I first left, I panicked. I wanted answers now! But now I can see that you need time to recover from shock. That will take time. As time passed, I began to see that for me personally, God felt natural. I had felt his presence in the organization. I have learned so much in the nine months I've been out. I am still working on seeing my path.. And I feel somewhat distracted. But I totally agree that God understands. The Watchtower was like drugs for me. It was an absolute nightmare to learn TTATT. I personally loved the organization. But I love genuine truth more. It will take time to heal. This article and the entire website helped me in my recovery:
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Fading and finding our REAL beliefs
by BeautifulMind inhey all.
i hope you are all having a good day.
just a quick update on our fade.
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vinman
When I first left, like most, total confusion hit. I was reading anything online to find answers. Two links really helped me to get my bearings. I am very grateful for finding them. While I am still learning, I now feel I am where I should be. The dust is beginning to settle.
http://www.biblebb.com/files/ryle/inspiration.htm
http://wernerbiblecommentary.org/?q=book/print/2
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What woke you up?
by Israel Ricky Gonzales inin march of 2014, i was a very active jw, a ministerial servant, gave a public talk, was an attendant for the memorial, and one of 4 cleaning captains for an international convention of 40,000+ attendees.
so what woke me up?
an innocent comment from a co-worker about the candice conti court case rang a bell that could not be unrung.
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vinman
Finding out we worshipped Jesus till 1954. Come on!! You can't get that right and you call yourselves Jehovah's Witnesses?!! What the heck!
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The elders of the 1980s are now in their 60s and 70s
by truthseeker inhaving just come back from the uk and spoke with some witnesses to find out how my old congregation is doing, i realized i am now the age that my elders were when i was a kid.
and i wonder what the elders who are now in their 60s and 70s are thinking when they look in the mirror and an old face looks back at them.
many of the elders in my old hall are now retired.
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vinman
I think of this all the time. All your comments are spot on. A lot does have to do with age. Being forty five, I realised I had to act swiftly and not ignore reality. I still have a lot if energy. It is sooo depressing to contemplate this subject. -
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" See ourselfs as others see us"
by The Rebel inthe membership rule is simple, you join the organisation for life and undertake to serve for life.. my o.p is based on the poet robert burns who talked about the gift to " see ourselfs as others see us".
i think maybe the hardest thing for me to leave, the jehovers witness " organisation" was to accept how my family and friends will now "see" me.. so my questions are how difficult was it to leave:-.
a) knowing the reaction of friends and family?.
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vinman
I understand how a person feels this way. I currently have been avoiding the thought. But I must admit, their are maybe a few individuals and one family I do care how they view me. I just wish they would listen to me and at least acknowledge why I left. Right now, I haven't seen a witness come near my house in months. I am like a barrel of toxic waste that no one wants to disturb. -
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Recommended Read
by vinman insince i discovered ttatt, i am always looking for a good book that can help me recover.
if you think you need a therapist but can't get to one, i highly recommend this book: exiting the jwcult- a healing handbook.
the author (bonnie zieman) was a witness for 30 years, then became a professional in psychology.
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vinman
Since I discovered TTATT, I am always looking for a good book that can help me recover. If you think you need a therapist but can't get to one, I highly recommend this book: Exiting the JWCult- A Healing Handbook. The author (Bonnie Zieman) was a witness for 30 years, then became a professional in psychology. It is sooo good. It is a new book. It is so professional, you forget sometimes that she is talking to witnesses because it is not just a book about our beliefs. It helps you through your thinking process. The electronic version is only 7 or 8 dollars on Amazon. I give it 5 stars. -
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Introducing Myself
by Peony ini've finally got round to joining the site (after over 2 years lurking!
i was born into jws, pioneered for 10 years (met my husband at pioneer school).
had health issues that saw me catapulted away from 'the centre of the cong' and wow what a different place that was!
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vinman
Like everyone, I welcome you as well. You mention panic attacks. The same happened with me. I had to get to my car to feel safe. Isn't it strange that once you know TTATT, the bigger picture unfolds. It is actually terrifying. The KH becomes this creepy place due to mind control.
I'm happy for your escape!