Posts by troubled mind

41

New WT and Higher Education...Beware of the logical fallacy in the first sentence.

by maninthemiddle in

beware of the logical fallacy in the first sentence, not to mention all the loaded language.. .

wt 2011-11-15. .

11 vigilant christians refrain from using the world to the full with regard to higher education.. many people in this world consider higher education an indispensable stepping-stone to prestige and an affluent.

troubled mind

Well put NV !

Just in my family I have two young people going to College for the sheer quest of knowlegde . My DIL has a desire to understand genetics and biology . She is not looking at becoming rich ,but possibly doing research into cancer for better ways of treatment .

My son has a real gift in understanding Math . He loves Math and Astronomy . He just called me the other day and is considering quitting his (good) job and going back to school fulltime for his Masters in Math /astronomy . We discussed how it may never be a lucrative carreer (astronomy ) ,But it would fullfil his desire to be learning and doing something he has a passion for ...which he considers worth more than money .

I think if we had encouraged education much more as children they would feel more fulfilled now as young adults . They would have taken advantage of more oppurtunities to seek out what they were passinate about than settleing for mediocre jobs that made enough money to survive on .

Love of learning and having a passion for a particular field always made me think, even as a Witness ,was something God put in us to fulfill .It never felt right we should all be lumped together to only pursue knocking on doors as our life long profession .

50

My study teacher just text me.....do I ignore it, or give her a great one liner?

by Pams girl in

jw
friends

shes a nice girl.

nothing against her personally.

she hasnt been in touch for monthes, havent seen her for monthes.. is something happening that she needs my bum on a seat for?.

troubled mind

Witnesses are told to terminate studies after six months if there is no apparent 'progress' ,meaning meeting attendence ,giving up old habits ect .

She will continue though to make casual contact just incase your circumstances change ,and you miss her association so much that you can be guilted into doing more (the future mantra of any JW convert "do more,do more Do MORE ) You will be invited to special talks and the Memorial . There will be special visits to warn you the END is NEAR, and you should seriously consider the safety of the 'ark' of salvation provided by attending the KIngdom Hall .

So now what do you want to do ....are you convinced they do not have the truth ? If yes then I would text her back something like this : " Thank you for the time you spent sharing your unique Bible ideology . However after much serious contemplation I have decided it is not a view we share in common . Good -Bye" ps - no reply necessary

That would be the nice version .... You could be more straight forward and tell her "Thanks ,but I would apppreciate no further contact with JWs .I do not want to be indoctrinated any more with your religious beliefs ."

5

"it's not about people"

by stillin in

jw
friends

that is what my wife always says if i express discontent with the present-day organization.

i should just put my unease aside and serve jehovah, regardless of what the other people are doing.

but they are just plain embarrassing sometimes!

troubled mind

I quit going in FS months before I quit the meetings . My thought was the same as others have stated here 'How can I ask others to come into the congregation when I found the people there full of back biting ,deciet,and jealousy ??????"

The prevelant statement "They are imperfect men " started out as an explaination of the Governing Body when they made a mistake. If they are given such leeway ,and they are God's chosen channel , then why are they so hard to judge Christendom ? Are they not imperfect also ?

The congregation of true Christians was suppose to be identified by the LOVE among themselves . In my experience that love proved very shallow and conditional ......not genuine love and caring . I do believe there are individuals among the congregation that have genuine love in their hearts for others ,but it is slowly being sucked out of them .

17

Unbelievable! Two prayers and encouraging words in the last two days

by TotallyADD in

jw
friends

on friday morning i got a phone call from someone who was interested in buying a utility trailer i had for sale.

the man came over and looked at it and ended up buying it.

i invited him inside our home to fill out the paper work.

troubled mind

I Totally understand ADD.......something very similar happened to me when I first faded . The real love and concern I was shown helped me so much early on when I was so lonely and angry with the WTS . It was something I needed at the time .

At the time I even believed maybe God was showing me I was right about fading ,and that there were Christians out there that really did display true Christian love.

I had several talks with a pastor and attended his church for a brief period . It was a good,positive experience ,and opened my eyes on how wrong the Witnesses are about other religions . The concern and love for each other was comforting and something I longed for , However , I just don't feel the same euphoriaas others in worshipping an unseen spirit creature . I came to the realization that I just don't believe that way . Who knows if that will ever change ,but for right now I just don't feel the need for religion .

Good luck with your journey and discovering what is next ffor you and your family .

P.S. ( I always wanted to be asked to give my experience as a Witness to the Church congregation ,I hope you get to do it )

15

What's the first thing you did when you got out?

by fallen_princess in

i was thinking about all the things i missed out on growing up as a jw.

many of those things i will never be able to do anyway, like join in any extracurriular activities or go to senior prom.

but one of the first things i did when i got out if the borg was join a ballroom dance class and go to a nightclub with some of the students in the class.

troubled mind

I made friends with several girls from work and they introduced me to bar activities . Soon one of the girls and her husband started going out with my husband and I ,and we found local bands to follow . I love to dance ,and have had many fun nights going out with friends dancing, and acting like the kids we never got to be in our youth . That first year was a bit wild as I figured out boundries for myself ,but I got a lot of things out of my system during that time with no regrets .

Right away I started celebrating my birthday, and those of my loved ones. I see no reason to pass up an occasion to share love and make memories . I also celebrated holidays right away with non-witness relatives ,and it felt great to behave as a normal human being during these warm family times .

Once I stopped attending meetings I immediately tried out anything I was too afraid of before ....attended Church services,signed up to vote (and then voted), went to movies that interested me no matter what the rating ,tore up my blood card and informed my Doctor of the change .

60

Since You've Left The Organization Have You Turned Into A "Bad" Boy or Girl?

by minimus in

jw
friends

the witnesses say that if you leave the religion you will become a very vile person.

you will probably get vd.

you will get into drugs and booze, your life will go to hell.. personally, i've been pretty much the same guy although i would now be viewed as a "fornicator".

troubled mind

19

I'd like to talk to some ex-JW couples

by Mad Sweeney in

i know a few of the guys here started to fade and managed to bring their wives and family along on the exit.

i will be sending some of you a pm or fb message some time soon.. are there any ex-dub ladies here who managed to influence your husband to re-examine and eventually quit the borg?.

it is very difficult to get to the genuine personality of an indoctrinated jw but if anyone can do it, a loving spouse can.

troubled mind

OH and I meant to add as a couple we are much HAPPIER too. We laugh together so much more now .

19

I'd like to talk to some ex-JW couples

by Mad Sweeney in

i know a few of the guys here started to fade and managed to bring their wives and family along on the exit.

i will be sending some of you a pm or fb message some time soon.. are there any ex-dub ladies here who managed to influence your husband to re-examine and eventually quit the borg?.

it is very difficult to get to the genuine personality of an indoctrinated jw but if anyone can do it, a loving spouse can.

troubled mind

I was the one in our family that decided to leave . I knew my husband was not happy or that particulary active as a Witness ,but he was mentally entrenched in the concept of the Witnesses having the 'Truth'. I pulled the rug out from under his feet when I told him I was done and never going back to the meetings . If I had it to do over again I would have prepared him first . He thought I was going to leave him and that our marriage was over ....it makes me sad to realize the mental ,emotional pain I put him through . At the time I just did not know any other way out I was so afraid of what was going to happen , and at that time i was really afraid to honestly talk to my husband . We both held back our true feelings about so much when we were Witnesses .

Luckily after he realized it was just the JW's I was leaving ,he stopped going to meetings too . It has taken him a bit longer to work through the JW web of lies ,but I think he now sees it definitely is not the truth .

We are much closer now . We communicate and talk about everything freely now ,no more judgemental attitudes we worried so much about as Witnesses .He used to be so exhausted and depressed on meeting nights . Now if he comes home from work tired ....he takes a nap , and doesn't feel guilty because he didn't rush around getting ready for a boring meeting.

21

What keeps you going after your exit from the Watchtower Society?

by Awen in

i am curious as to what you first did when you left the watchtower society's mind control cult.. did you try to find friends who had gotten out also?

did you go to school (college/university)?.

how different was the "world" you now found yourself in compared to living in jw-land?.

troubled mind

Did you try to find friends who had gotten out also? Did you try to get others out?

I faded in 2006 . In the past three yrs I have contacted old friends that had also left the witnesses ,mainly on facebook .

I have no desire to 'get anyone out ' . Leaving the religion has to be a personal decision made when a person reaches the point that they can admit all is not what it seems with in the KH walls . Even my own children had to make their own choice without pressure from me . HOWEVER ....If anyone that is an active Witness asks me why I left .....I will certainly not hold back the whole TRUTH and reasons .

Did you go to school (college/university)?

I was born and raised as a Witness and left when I was 44. I would love to be able to go to collge , but just feel it is not feasible money and age considered .

How different was the "world" you now found yourself in compared to living in JW-Land?

It feels like a very heavy burden has been lifted from my shoulders . I feel for the first time in my life that I am truely FREE to live my own life . In the congregation I was constantly worried about stumbling someone . I questioned my choices all the time worried someone at the Hall would consider me weak . I always felt NOT GOOD ENOUGH . The witnesses used emotional blackmail as a way to keep 'friends' in line . Such as "Well if you get more hours in service You will get more social invites ." You are not liked because of who you really are as a person ,but what appearence you make in the congregation .

What surprised you? Were the "worldy people" anything like what the WTS had warned you about pre-exit?

What surprised me was how easily we were welcomed by 'worldly friends'. The best surprise I have received was that my older DA'd brother accepted me with open arms even after all the years I had half heartedly shunned him .

I attended a Church the first few months after I left and I cried at how sincere and loving these people were .....so very different than what the KH had preached about them .

I have made many new friends and so far none are as horrible as the WTS described . Instead i have found friends that are accepting ,without manipulation .

It did not happen over night .The first two years were tough ! But I can honestly say "I am happier now than ever before ,and it was all worth it to feel this alive ,finally "

39

WTB$ joining the UN was lies all LIES I TELL YA!!!

by punkofnice in

i've been a very naughty punk and am hoping a good looking babe will spank me.....any offers?

ahem!

away from desired fantasy and to reality...........(but you can pm me...wink wink).

troubled mind

check jwfacts.com there is a copy of letter on there.