Posts by PoppyR

144

Is repititive imprinting of ideas a primary cult tactic?

by hubert in

in a post by syn that lady lee has brought up again, there is this statement by syn.

i could underline my watchtower in 10 minutes, tops, and be sure that all the answers were right.

many esteemed researchers have shown that repetitive imprinting of ideas is a primary cult tactic, and i tend to agree with them.

PoppyR

I have tried to follow this debate, but given up. Sweet Scholar if you are trying to influence people who are open minded about if the 'truth' is the truth, you are so going about it the wrong way! Your posts are really hard to read, full of name calling and weird references, and you strike me as one of the many nutcases that I find associate with the witnesses. I just bet you've been going for years but have no privileges? Everyone in the cong knows you're a weirdo, everybody pairs up at the service group when they see you coming? Your attitude stinks, and out of all the lovely people I've read and replied to on this board, yours is by far the worst and you call yourself a Christian???? Yes there are some people here who resort to name calling etc, but should you join them? Should you sink to that level? At least some of the other JWs on this board have interesting and valid points to make and cause me to stop and think, you are not one of them. And I for one cant be bothered to try and read any more of your posts!

poppy

144

Is repititive imprinting of ideas a primary cult tactic?

by hubert in

in a post by syn that lady lee has brought up again, there is this statement by syn.

i could underline my watchtower in 10 minutes, tops, and be sure that all the answers were right.

many esteemed researchers have shown that repetitive imprinting of ideas is a primary cult tactic, and i tend to agree with them.

PoppyR

Hi Rebel8, I looked at your site with interest, but dont really feel it is unbiassed. For example your paragraph on baptism.

Watchtower 1988 March 15 p.13 Trust in Jehovah Leads to Dedication and Baptism
A person must leave his former way of life and dedicate himself to the Watchtower Society upon baptism. Baptism is the most important day of one’s life, as it symbolizes leaving the past.
Watchtower 1989 January 15 p.13 What Prevents You From Getting Baptized?
JWs must pledge loyalty to the Watchtower Societ

The article you refer to doesnt' say that anywhere, and I know we KNOW this is what it entails, but I think we have to be careful not to be as vague as the WTS when we are directing peoples attention to the faults etc. When we get baptised on no occasion do we say we are dedicating ourselves to the Watchtower Society. Not a criticism, just my point of view, I tend to turn off from ex JW websites that put things across in a way I know wasn't how it was. And I feel you are not getting to the very people you want to if you put stuff on there that is not backed up.

Poppy x

8

How to explain, need some advice.

by PoppyR in

jw
friends

to give you some background, i'm married, two pre-teen boys.

i haven't been to meetings regularly for about a year, and not at all now for about 2 months.

previously we were all hit and miss, so it's only very recently that my boys have taken any notice.

PoppyR

Thank you for your kind words and suggestions! And for BTTP for people who saw but had nothing to suggest! I did speak to them, and amazingly it went very simply. For background, my husband wants to stay with the org yes. And at this point in time I would like them to have the choice. I told them I was baptised very young, that I hadn't really had time to really examine the bible and now I realised I needed to do it properly. I still believed in God and the bible and just wasn't sure that some things 'men' taught were true. They were absolutely fine about it, and I'm so glad I was upfront. My youngest did come to me later and ask me if it was ok for him to swear now..lol, and I said NO, absolutely not! I also said at this point if their dad was going to the meeting they would have to go and I hadn't made any decisions. I realise I have to be careful about what they say to people. I so dont want to be d/f ed for their sake. thanks again.

Poppy x

8

How to explain, need some advice.

by PoppyR in

jw
friends

to give you some background, i'm married, two pre-teen boys.

i haven't been to meetings regularly for about a year, and not at all now for about 2 months.

previously we were all hit and miss, so it's only very recently that my boys have taken any notice.

PoppyR

To give you some background, I'm married, two pre-teen boys. I haven't been to meetings regularly for about a year, and not at all now for about 2 months. Previously we were all hit and miss, so it's only very recently that my boys have taken any notice. Today my husband went and took them and said word had obviously got around (I told my mother, she's faster than the internet) that I was not going, because lots of people came up to him and patted him on the back etc, and told the boys to look after him and that they were good. I can swallow all of this, but I realise I DO need to speak to my boys and explain to them why I am not going, however I am not at this point going to say it's all a lie etc etc. I am not ready to do that and dont want to totally pull the rug from under them. I just dont know how to do the conversation and would welcome any suggestions!

Poppy x

8

Tacoma Dome Parking scandal? please inform

by Beta Male in

jw
friends

i went to many a convention there.

whats this about?

PoppyR

Now it's all starting to make sense, about 5 years ago our summer convention was moved from a football ground to an inner city are with NO parking whatsoever! And then we were all shuttled on the buses which basically you were very unchristian if you did not use and charged extortionate prices to use them. I never did, because leaving 2 hours before we needed to, and paying 4 times what we would when we took the car and parked just did not appeal. There were so many complaints and why did we not use the football ground etc, but if this is a unilateral decision it all starts to add up!

poppy x

4

Blinded

by PoppyR in

jw
friends

so, i discussed with my husband about 607, showed him the un website etc, and he basically spun round 3 times like taz, and is now just back to saying.. yes there may be mistakes but it's still clearly the truth etc etc.. i'm torn between being frustrated because i know he can see it, and being glad because if he wants to do it, then all well and good.

i quickly realise that unless people are ready and already questioning, there is no point talking to them about the mistakes and lies etc.

it's getting really tough with my kids, because they are asking me questions about jehovah etc that now i want to give them a more balanced viewpoint on.. never in a million years thought i'd be part of a divided household, and if i ever did.. that it would be me that was the one not 'in the truth'.

PoppyR

You are so right about that! And I understand of course because that was me, there were some things I didn't know, but in my heart lots of things that are now obvious were bothering me even then. The whole cult and mind control thing is scary, and I just cant believe now I was part of it. And to some degree still find myself thinking along those lines. Guess it takes quite a while to get over it and I'm very new yet!

Poppy x

4

Blinded

by PoppyR in

jw
friends

so, i discussed with my husband about 607, showed him the un website etc, and he basically spun round 3 times like taz, and is now just back to saying.. yes there may be mistakes but it's still clearly the truth etc etc.. i'm torn between being frustrated because i know he can see it, and being glad because if he wants to do it, then all well and good.

i quickly realise that unless people are ready and already questioning, there is no point talking to them about the mistakes and lies etc.

it's getting really tough with my kids, because they are asking me questions about jehovah etc that now i want to give them a more balanced viewpoint on.. never in a million years thought i'd be part of a divided household, and if i ever did.. that it would be me that was the one not 'in the truth'.

PoppyR

So, I discussed with my husband about 607, showed him the UN website etc, and he basically spun round 3 times like Taz, and is now just back to saying.. yes there may be mistakes but it's still clearly the truth etc etc.. I'm torn between being frustrated because I KNOW he can see it, and being glad because if he wants to do it, then all well and good. I quickly realise that unless people are ready and already questioning, there is no point talking to them about the mistakes and lies etc. It's getting really tough with my kids, because they are asking me questions about Jehovah etc that now I want to give them a more balanced viewpoint on.. Never in a million years thought I'd be part of a divided household, and if I ever did.. that it would be me that was the one not 'in the truth'. I know I have to be careful now because I aim to fade and must make sure I keep up the 'I'm just questioning everything right now and haven't made any firm decisions' attitude.

Poppy x

46

How many left the JW cult after.....

by AK - Jeff in

jw
friends

the age of 40?.

seems like a lot have left after 1/2 or 2/3 of a lifetime.

what accounts for that in your mind, if you left in later middle years or older?.

PoppyR

Grand old age of 36... think like a lot here I didn't believe it wasn't the truth, was just SICK of doing it, and thought I was going to die at Armageddon anyway cos I wasn't doing it right, so figured why do it at all! Frustrating thing is that you have to have stepped away significantly before you can start looking at sites like this.. but then again if I looked at a site like this when I was really entrenched I just would not believe it. SUCH a relief whenI finally clicked that it wasn't the truth, but lots of other emotions... like.. maybe I should start looking after myself after all! I might get old!!

poppy x

7

Pre wedding talk

by loosie in

ok the comment undercover made on another thread brought this to mind.

what is a pre-wedding "counsel talk"?.

i eloped so i never had one.. can anyone here tell me what is said in this "talk"?

PoppyR

Cant talk from an elders point of view (for I am a mere woman!) but before you are allowed to get married in the Kingdom Hall the elder doing your wedding talk has to have a chat with you about your conduct while courting. It varies from a 2 minute discussion to a full blown study. He has to ask if you have been chaste while courting basically. And everybody lies...

Poppy x

33

New here.

by On the Fence in

this is my first time posting, although i've read for a while.

i've been a (bad example of) a witness now for about 15 years.

in all those 15 years, i did not at any time have a good friend within the congo.

PoppyR

Welcome! I'm fairly new myself, and the guilt is something I'm quickly getting over, you'll find as you study more and realise how you've been misled, it turns into joy.. tonight as I knew my cong were studying the same old dusty stuff at the service meeting I was laying in bed reading while my hubby watched the cricket.. I have so much more time and for the first time in years I have picked up the bible because I wanted to. When it becomes clear to you that the Witnesses are not Gods organisation you will no longer feel guilty for not going. Be clear, it is a mind control trick that works well on millions of intelligent people, but you are one step ahead, keep walking! And good to see you here, keep reading and keep posting!

Poppy xx