This 5 minute Ted video perfectly explains what a cult it. It does not mention JWs, but perfectly aligns with them. It is put in a manner that would make some understand why JWs are considered a cult. I would love to see this spread throughout the JW community.
jwfacts
JoinedPosts by jwfacts
-
15
Far and away the best video I have seen explaining cults
by jwfacts inthis 5 minute ted video perfectly explains what a cult it.
it does not mention jws, but perfectly aligns with them.
it is put in a manner that would make some understand why jws are considered a cult.
-
-
-
30
Why is the approval of family so important?
by jwfacts inone of the reasons people remain pimo is fear of losing family.
those that are disfellowshipped and shunned regularly comment about how devastated that they have lost the approval of their parents.. when i respond to emails from people saying how difficult it is being estranged or looked down on by their parents, i would like to say that over time they will come to terms with it, except i not sure that people ever do.
i cannot shake that feeling either.
-
-
jwfacts
Thanks for all the great comments. A lot of different perspectives.
It almost appears to me that to be a Witness, one must be academically dishonest, disloyal to their natural instincts when it comes to love and mercy, unmotivated to do any research for themselves, easily offended by outside stimuli, judgmental toward others and callous to the plight of those in emotional turmoil around them.
Wham - that may be a bit harsh. Your summary is correct, but I know a lot of really nice, genuine JWs, which I have pondered for years in an attempt to reconcile. Cognitive dissonance is the go to answer. I also like to think that at the core JWs are so beaten down that they don't trust their own judgment. Who are they, as mere mortals, to question Jehovah (AKA Watchtower governing body leadership)?
-
30
Why is the approval of family so important?
by jwfacts inone of the reasons people remain pimo is fear of losing family.
those that are disfellowshipped and shunned regularly comment about how devastated that they have lost the approval of their parents.. when i respond to emails from people saying how difficult it is being estranged or looked down on by their parents, i would like to say that over time they will come to terms with it, except i not sure that people ever do.
i cannot shake that feeling either.
-
-
jwfacts
Contrast it with the folks who shrug off OUR love for no longer wanting to be a Witness. Do THEY appear to be well-rounded people?
Yes, I guess continuing to want the acceptance of such parents shows we have not lost our humanity.
-
30
Why is the approval of family so important?
by jwfacts inone of the reasons people remain pimo is fear of losing family.
those that are disfellowshipped and shunned regularly comment about how devastated that they have lost the approval of their parents.. when i respond to emails from people saying how difficult it is being estranged or looked down on by their parents, i would like to say that over time they will come to terms with it, except i not sure that people ever do.
i cannot shake that feeling either.
-
-
jwfacts
One of the reasons people remain PIMO is fear of losing family. Those that are disfellowshipped and shunned regularly comment about how devastated that they have lost the approval of their parents.
When I respond to emails from people saying how difficult it is being estranged or looked down on by their parents, I would like to say that over time they will come to terms with it, except I not sure that people ever do.
I cannot shake that feeling either. I wish that I could have convinced my father before he passed away that the live I am living is something that he could be really proud of. Or with my mother, convince her that although we share different opinions, overall I am still the same person that she was so proud of many years ago.
With JW friends it doesn't really matter to me anymore what they think.
Why is it so important to children to have the approval of family regardless of how they are treated by them, and is it possible to fully overcome that longing?
-
23
Is there anything recent in the publications about Jesus only being the ransom for annointed?
by NikL ini was trying to find something recent that i can show "still ins" in my sphere but it is proving harder than anticipated.. most of what i am seeing is couched in confusing goblygook wt style prattle.. my wife argues that it's not even true and i think that's the case with most jaydubs.. so i guess if it is a teaching that is being allowed to fade, maybe it's not worth pursuing?.
any of you scholars out there got anything recent clear and handy?.
-
-
jwfacts
The 2016 Watchtower index at wol.jw.org also includes the topic "Mediator ... for anointed only"
-
23
Is there anything recent in the publications about Jesus only being the ransom for annointed?
by NikL ini was trying to find something recent that i can show "still ins" in my sphere but it is proving harder than anticipated.. most of what i am seeing is couched in confusing goblygook wt style prattle.. my wife argues that it's not even true and i think that's the case with most jaydubs.. so i guess if it is a teaching that is being allowed to fade, maybe it's not worth pursuing?.
any of you scholars out there got anything recent clear and handy?.
-
-
jwfacts
Darkspilver- Look up 'Mediator' as the main heading - then look down to 'Jesus Christ', then 'for anointed only:'
I haven't noticed that before. A simply elegant way to prove to a JW that this is their teaching.
-
23
Is there anything recent in the publications about Jesus only being the ransom for annointed?
by NikL ini was trying to find something recent that i can show "still ins" in my sphere but it is proving harder than anticipated.. most of what i am seeing is couched in confusing goblygook wt style prattle.. my wife argues that it's not even true and i think that's the case with most jaydubs.. so i guess if it is a teaching that is being allowed to fade, maybe it's not worth pursuing?.
any of you scholars out there got anything recent clear and handy?.
-
-
jwfacts
See http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/mediator.php
The 2010 book God's Word For Us Through Jeremiah continues to present this teaching, though subtly so few JW's would even notice.
"... the new covenant is between Jehovah God and spiritual Israel, with Jesus as its Mediator." God's Word For Us Through Jeremiah p.173
-
10
Whether Jesus was a historical figure or not matters not
by venus inwhen i suffered some loss what jesus said came to my mind: “if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.” (mathew 5:40) principle behind this statement made flash to me: ‘here shirt is only a symbol of material things/comfort.
if you suffer a loss, have the mind-set that i have no problem even if i suffer some greater loss,’ and my worry immediately disappeared.
whether jesus was a historical figure or not matters not if what he (supposedly) said happens to be of great practical help..
-
-
jwfacts
Just about every book, fiction and non-fiction, can be cherry picked for wise sayings.
How about the things that Jesus is quoted as saying that were harmful and destructive? Jesus has been used as justification for evil as much as for good.
-
6
Did Watchtower get any money from the Holocaust Victim Assets Litigation?
by jwfacts inthe holocaust victim assets litigation (swiss banks) cv-96-4849 is a fund to compensate people suffering from the holocaust.
as stated at swissbankclaims.com/index.asp (3 mar 2006);.
"this is the official information website for the holocaust victim assets litigation against swiss banks and other swiss entities.
-
-
jwfacts
The Holocaust Victim Assets Litigation (Swiss Banks) CV-96-4849 is a fund to compensate people suffering from the Holocaust. As stated at swissbankclaims.com/index.asp (3 Mar 2006);
"This is the official information website for the Holocaust Victim Assets Litigation against Swiss Banks and other Swiss Entities. You may have important rights under a proposed $1.25 billion (U.S.) Settlement of a class action lawsuit against private Swiss Banks and other Swiss Entities for their alleged conduct related to World War II and the Holocaust."
In 1999, the Watchtower Society applied for compensation payable to itself. As of September 28th, 2009 www.swissbankclaims.com contains the letter from the Watchtower Society. Included is a request to receive a portion of the funds on the following basis.
"Some Witnesses died prematurely and left no heirs to make a claim to the Swiss Bank Settlement Fund. However, the legacy of spiritual resistance that they left behind is of great value in the education of future generations about the importance of standing up for the dignity and value of human life. Representing these individuals, the Watch Tower would be pleased devote any allocated moneys solely to the interests of Holocaust education and the remembrance of the prisoners who bore the purple triangle, according as the court might stipulate."
I am trying to confirm if Watchtower received any money from the fund. It appears that Watchtower did not, if I am reading correctly the statement of distribution as of 31 December 2015:
"Inadmissibility decisions were claims that the CRT determined to be ineligible to participate in the Deposited Assets Class process. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, only the accounts of "Victims or Targets of Nazi Persecution" were payable from the Settlement Fund (with the exception of Slave Labor Class II, which was open to all Nazi victims). The Settlement Agreement defines "Victims or Targets of Nazi Persecution" as those who were, or were perceived to be, Jewish, Romani, Jehovah's Witness, disabled, or homosexual. Neither the CRT nor the Court had the authority to address Deposited Assets Class claims asserted on behalf of account owners who were not “victims or targets” as defined under the Settlement Agreement." See swissbankclaims.com/Documents/Distribution%20Stats.pdf.
It does seem that individual Jehovah's witnesses did receive compensation as part of the fund, classified as part of the tens of thousands of "non-Jewish victims (Roma, Jehovah's Witness, disabled and homosexual)."
Can anyone confirm if my conclusion is correct?
-
34
Finally ready to join the crowd.
by Silent Knight inhello, all you damn dirty apostates!
please, allow me to join this community of diseased minds.
i have been lurking here for over 2 years and tonight i decided it's time to come out of the shadows.
-
-
jwfacts
Until last summer when it all finally broke thru and I woke up. I also didn't understand what happen to me next. A crushing depression hit me that almost ended my marriage, that did cause me to loose my job, and caused me to have no sense of direction in life.That is very much a shared experience and why the internet is so important to cult victims. I lost my job the same time I was disfellowshipped. Being able to know that you are not crazy, and not alone, is important to recovery, and I have no doubt has saved many lives.
