troubled mind

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Posts by troubled mind

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  37

  Remember the two elderly sisters?

  by John Aquila in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  about a month ago i posted what had happened to two elderly sisters who were reprimanded by a couple of elders for crying because the jw broadcasting was going to be stopped at the kingdom hall and it was up to each publisher to learn how to use the internet.

  if you recall the sisters got together with my mom and talked about it and it resulted in all of them declining to make meals for the pioneers.

  here is the link.

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  troubled mind

  That is great ! Good for them .
  
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  45

  New Inactive One Saying Hello to all

  by Lostwun in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  lostwun here, i joined 2 months ago but am now just finding the courage after doing more research to formally introduce myself to the board and embrace my new beginnings as an ex-jw.

  i am a second-generation jw.

  i grew up with parents who are well known and very respected in many circuits.

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  troubled mind

  Yes Dubstep has some great suggestions ! I found after I read Ray Franz books my mind became much more calm and free .

  You said ,"ive been conditioned so long to care what other people think about me that to finally step out on my own and not care is nervewrecking!!" .....I remember those feelings so well !

  When you begin to realize these people have NO power over you ,unless you give it to them ,you will begin to lessen the anxiety .

  For example going out to eat with a co-worker is not bad ! You are only conditioned to think that way . Now you have to re-condition your thought processes . When you begin to feel anxious over something ask yourself ,WHY ? If it has no real basis then let it go .

  Here are some stock answers someone told me to use when I was first fading . If a witness sees you at the store and asks " Where have you been ,we miss you " You can answer 'Oh thank you ' It is kind for you to say so " PERIOD ,they don't need to know any more . When they pry for more information say " Oh I am sorry ,it is personal and I could not imagine discussing that with you ." RINSE and REPEAT .....it works !
  
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  45

  New Inactive One Saying Hello to all

  by Lostwun in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  lostwun here, i joined 2 months ago but am now just finding the courage after doing more research to formally introduce myself to the board and embrace my new beginnings as an ex-jw.

  i am a second-generation jw.

  i grew up with parents who are well known and very respected in many circuits.

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  troubled mind

  Welcome Lostwun !

  Oh I remember so well that sick ache in my stomach when I knew I was leaving ,and so anxious on how my husband and family would react.

  Do take it slow . I rushed it ,and it really scared him . We love each other very much ,but he equated leaving the JW's as leaving him . Over some tearful discussions I finally made it clear I was devoted to him ,but could not follow an organization I no longer believed in.

  My best advice would be to start rebuilding your social network . Make date nights with your husband to strengthen your relationship .Find a hobby or volunteer group you can get involved with that you can do while he is away at meetings .

  It is really hard at first ,but once the fear and guilt starts wearing off you will find it is pretty great to be free!

  If you would like to personal message any one on here look at the top of the page .There is a letter symbol for mail . Click on a users name and send a pm if you want . I will send you one now !
  
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  78

  I believe that the greater percentage of JWs-You Will Not Be Able to Help, no Matter What Facts You Show Them.

  by John Aquila in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  so i ran into this brother whom ive known for a while and the conversation led into me being invited to come back to the kingdom hall.

  we talked for about an hour during which time i explained to him 607 being the wrong date and a lot of other stuff including the child abuse cases in australia.

  but what i wanted to relate was the last few minutes of our conversation.

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  troubled mind

  This is exactly what my JW sister wants to believe .

  She does not want to know if something is really true or not .She just wants to believe the fairy tale that she will one day wake up in a paradise Earth healed from all her medical issues . The illusion that one day she will walk among pet lions and panda bears is what keeps her going .Reality is too frightening to her .

  We no longer discuss anything relating to the religion . Her life sucks ,and if being among other JWs is what brings her some sort of happiness so be it .
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  20

  I had requested them to put shepherding concerns in writing.

  by quincemyles in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  last week, i had requested the elders to put their shepherding concerns in writing and that only one elder visits me because i am uncomfortable with two.

  well, today they approached me and said we are not able to write to you and we are going to see you the two of us.

  i felt how inconsiderate and disrespectful of individuals the watchtower machinery is.

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  troubled mind

  What do YOU want to do ?

  If you want to continue going to meetings then I say use their words against them .During the RC hearings we all heard repeated that JW's believe in the practice of freedom of religion . They also say that no one is forced to worship their way .....So ,as long as you are not speaking to others ,and trying to draw others away with your questions and doubts ,then they are suppose to allow you to be inactive on your own grounds .

  I am glad you brought up to them the point Geoffery Jackson made while under oath #1) The GB is not the ONLY spokesman for God on Earth ....
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  100

  Exposing one's identity. When?

  by kairos in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been toying with the idea of just coming out and posting my name and location as an attempt to be available to locals that secretly browse the forum that have known me for up to 25 years.

  ( "reaching out", so to speak ).

  i'm not da'd or df'd, so this most certainly could end in a dramatic confrontation.

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  troubled mind

  Good for you Kairos ! Does it feel like a weight has lifted yet ? I hope this will now put an end to their harassment .
  
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  20

  Im feeling depressed

  by BlackWolf in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  well its been a while since i've posted on here but i guess i just need someone to talk to.

  i've recently turned 16 and i guess life is just starting to hit me like a ton of bricks.

  i'm still not sure what i want to do with my life.

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  troubled mind

  Hi Blackwolf !

  Education is your key !

  Do your parents have you enrolled in any home school programs ? Can you look into community classes such as for GED .
  

  My daughter in law was in a similar situation growing up .Her JW Mother was suppose to be home schooling her children ,but she taught them nothing . My DIL had to teach herself to read ,she has always had a thirst to learn . Her dream was to one day go to College ,but she never could imagine it would ever happen .

  She was very fearful that others would think she was to different . But you know what ? She got her GED ,worked a couple of years then applied to a community college . She was honest about her background and her fears which opened up so much support from teachers and guidance personnel . Her freshman year she was asked to speak at the commencement ceremony at the end of the year . She now has transferred to work on her Bachelor Degree in Biology at a major University .

  Growing up a Witness seems to squash dreams ,but you don't have to allow that to happen . You do have to become motivated for yourself ! No one can do it for you ,but there are plenty of people out there that will cheer you on .

  Empower yourself . Do not let fear hold you back . If I can give you any practical advice it would be this : Speak to you parents in a cool ,calm manner clearly explaining what you want for your future . Ask them to support you in your goals .At least you will know clearly if they will be a help or a hindrance to your future .
  

  Good luck Blackwolf, I hope the best for you .
  
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  28

  The Royal Commission and Watchtower - A game changer

  by Hidden-Window in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i had finished watching all the videos on the royal commission's investigation of jehovah's witnesses (yes, i know more videos are being released).

  i am still processing the information of everything that has emerged.

  i do not plan to cover it all here, but i would like to point out that it is patently obvious that some of the wt representatives provided misleading information.

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  troubled mind

  I agree umbertoecho . I think Mr. Stewart was laying a foundation to show how views have changed over the years ,and that this could be applied to the topic at hand .
  
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  49

  Phone call straight after the Royal Commission

  by umbertoecho in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  straight after the commission ended today within minutes, the phone rang.

  it was one of the people who are working on it.

  firstly she established if i was alright and did i want to talk.. i said i was too tired and unhappy that geoffrey jackson managed to do some preaching....she said they were aware of that.

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  troubled mind

  Thank you for the update Umbertoecho !

  It is good to hear you are being treated so kindly .

  It is reassuring to know the commission is so well informed ,and able to see through the lies.
  
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  42

  GeeJay at the RC: highlights, paraphrases and translations.

  by sparrowdown in

  1. social
  2. humour

  q: is there anyone that has the permanent role of coordinator or chairman?.

  geejay: no, we rotate yearly...... (translaton) we are all sparticus.. geejay: we are a faith driven org, we are not a group of lawyers, being overly concerned with legal matters..... fave quotes .

  on establishing headship principle 1cor 14: 33-35, 1 cor 11:3. geejay:...... that's talking about women not excitedly jumping up arguing with others..... geejay: ......our literature has said it, and we agree!.

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  troubled mind

  Did anyone else noticed at the very beginning of the testimony Mr. Stewart highlighted the fact that Jackson left formal education at a very young age ,15, I believe ? Was this a precursor to make you wonder how someone of such minimal education became a translator and head over a religious organization ? It just struck a cord with me ....