whyizit

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Posts by whyizit

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  31

  What message would you like to say to anyone studying with the JW's?

  by JH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'd say, beware, once you'll be baptized they won't treat you the same way.

  they will expect a lot from you, and you'll never be free again to say what you think about the religon or even think for yourself.

  they will control your life completely.

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  whyizit

  My best bud is not yet baptized, but heading that way. She's been studying off and on for about 9 yrs. Starting to go door-to-door now. I sure wish she could see your warnings, because I am sure she isn't aware of the way things are going to change. But she already shows the signs of her mind being closed to anything that is not of the WTS. (Yet, there is this "glimmer" of her old independant self.)

  If only she could hear it directly from those of you who know the inside scoop!

  She may not see it, but I hope there are others reading this post who will heed the advice. At least do some research about things you should ask before joining any group. Especially if people refer to it as a "cult". There is a reason for that! Look up How Cults Work . com and see if it rings a bell. It doesn't mention names, so you are not looking at apostate material. Just the definition of what a cult is and how it operates. If you feel the WTS doesn't employ any of the techniques of mind control, then you must be in a different group than the ones I have been around.

  Know what you are getting yourself into. Please don't be blind-sided later. This is your chance to make sure you are making the right decision. You have the right and the responsibility to check things out for yourself. With ALL information. Not just from the side of the person selling the goods.
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  5

  The counterfeit money illustration

  by I quit! in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  does anyone remember this illustration being used at the hall as a means to keep the rank and file from look at any information that wasn't from the watchtower?

  they would say that people are trained to spot counterfeit money by looking a the real thing.

  in other words there was no need to look at anything else as you had the real thing, "the truth" coming from the watchtower.

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  whyizit

  Funny you should mention that. That has been a very popular illustration among Christians. However, it is applied to the Bible, not a denomination or organization. Just like when you study real money, you will know the counterfiet when you see it. If you read your Bible first, study it on your own, then you will be able to spot false doctrines. You will know when something isn't right or when someone is trying to teach you a heresy.

  Unfortunately, many people get that advice a little too late or from the wrong source.

  But you can't deny that it great advice, if it used the right way!
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  10

  My son just moved to South Bend ,Indiana......

  by troubled mind in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  now my nest is officially empty ...........boohooo will i ever stop worrying about my kids ?

  he moved thinking he would easily find a job ....two weeks later and still looking .

  so if you hear of any jobs there let me know ....... or if you have any survival advice for me

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  whyizit

  Two weeks isn't much time. Most higher-end jobs don't rush when they are hiring. He may have to take a "less-than-he-expects" job, until the big deal comes through. My husband didn't get any responses at all for almost 6 wks., then he had all kinds of offers rolling in.

  What kind of job is your son looking for? Is he set on staying in South Bend? If there is anything opening up in my area (west-central INdiana), I could let you know!
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  35

  Have you recovered financially since leaving the Tower?

  by lovelylil in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  remember how many families (maybe even yours) struggled with money issues while being a jdub?

  i remember lots of families under stress due to being jdubs.

  you are always told by the tower not to work overtime if it conflicts with the meetings and not to go for higher education, for the same reason.

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  whyizit

  This topic is very interesting to me. I've never been a JW, so I am on the outside looking in. The JWs who used to come to our home told us all the time how churches are always trying to get your money, etc... That was a BIG point with them. The church we now attend has s system much like the KH, I suppose. They have boxes in the back where you voluntarily leave whatever you would like. They don't pass a plate nor do they make a big issue about money. However, I am aware that they have bills and many ministries and charities that they support. Donations are necessary, but no one takes a tally of who is donating what or how much.

  Since the JWs I have met have made such a huge point about how the WTS doesn't ask for money, how are the financial needs of the local KH's met? If everyone feels they don't need to donate to help, then does the WTS headquarters pick up the tab? Do they provide records to account for the spending? (Most churches do, so that is why I ask. It is kind of nice to know that they are accountable and to be able to see where the money does go.) Also, with all the materials that they hand out door-to-door, I was wondering, does the WTS provide these materials free to their congregations? If not, then how much do they charge? Our JW friends insisted that we needed NWT, so I asked how much one would cost. They told me $5. When they delivered it, I pulled out the $5 and they kind of acted like they didn't expect it. I was getting ready to put it back in my pocket, and the guy reaches for it. He then explained that they are $5, but that he has to take it in "donation" form. Also, how many JWs give out Bibles door-to-door, as opposed to the literature? I've never had a JW offer me a free Bible.
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  19

  No good deed goes unpunished

  by twinkletoes in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the last congregation we were at, decided to invite a neighbouring congregation to their territory to help them with the field service.. the elders asked my husband, if we would host the bbq for the brothers and sisters after the ministry, as we have a large garden.

  we were told not to worry about the amounts of food, as everyone from the other congregation would bring something.

  not even a bag of crisps arrived.

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  whyizit

  It seems logical that every meat-eating JW chowing on the BBQ at the party should have received the same note. I've never heard that BBQ is forbidden by the WTS. Seems like you could write in and say that the lack of love and appreciation shown by these comments has caused YOU to stumble. You are starting to feel that members of the WTS aren't as full of the "brotherly love" as they claim.
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  18

  WAC needs help. Things were going good until the Elder showed up

  by What-A-Coincidence in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  background: the fam.

  is doing the fade.

  everyone but mom (30 years in the org) is completely convinced that it's a scam.

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  whyizit

  Perhaps you could go to HOWCULTSWORK.com, take notes on what a cult is, how they operate, etc.... Then, without naming any names, of course, ask your Mom if any of the techniques ring a bell with her.

  She may even read it herself, because it is not critical of the WTS at all. They are not even mentioned.

  If you haven't read Steven Hassan's books about breaking the bonds of mind control, itmight be a good idea. It can help you to help your loved ones get past the phobias, etc...

  His book, Battling Cult Mind Control does not mention the WTS at all, so it might be something that you could have JW friends and family look over, without having the phobia kick in about reading "apostate" material.
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  36

  What JW 'belief' offends you the most?

  by jambon1 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ?

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  whyizit

  From the outside looking in (because I've never been a JW):

  I find it very unsettling that any organization in this day and age can send people door-to-door (often when many women with young children are home alone) who have not had a background check.

  I also think it should be a standard requirement that any religious organization should have a statement of faith included with any literature they place. Telling CLEARLY what their beliefs are and what is expected of their members who join, and what happens if they decide to leave. Just what is the "gospel" they are preaching, anyway? Define it.

  I find it highly offensive that a religious organization thinks it is okay to lie about its beliefs. No legitimate organization needs to do that.

  When a JW couple that was coming to our home slipped and told me that they think Jesus and Michael the archangel are one and the same, I nearly fell out of my chair! They also concealed the fact that you could be disfellowshipped for having a blood transfusion. Again, not in the Bible. Even orthodox Jews take blood transfusions, and they are experts in the O.T. blood rules. Had they told me that in the first place, I may still have invited them in, but I would have clearly had some prepared questions. I guess that is why they don't do that. It's all about tricking you into becoming a member, then scaring you into staying. Real Christians don't do that. Did Jesus ever do that?!

  Tsk, tsk, tsk.
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  12

  JW's and cosmetic surgery?

  by missk_ensington in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  does anyone know what the watchtower view is on cosmetic surgery?

  more specifically, breast enlargement?.

  thanks!.

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  whyizit

  I don't know, but if it is a no-no, then Michael Jackson and his some of his siblings have some serious explaining to do!

  I guess Michael is no longer a JW. I saw a clip on TV where he is now a Buddist, or something like that.
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  28

  Post "Sayings" that JW's don't say

  by JH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  maybe you can even make a sentence with a few of them....

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  whyizit

  One more thing. This particular topic will be of great help to those of us who have never been in the WTS, but have loved ones that are. Certain phrases and words send off the thought-stopping mechanism. It is very helpful if we know what they are and can try to avoid setting them off.

  I didn't realize that JWs are anti-"cross". Now, I know that if I use the word "tree" instead, it will not interfere with the conversation I am having with my JW friend. The phobia in relationship to the "cross" is not activated, therefore, the communication is not interrupted.

  I hope many will participate and add to this thread!
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  28

  Post "Sayings" that JW's don't say

  by JH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  maybe you can even make a sentence with a few of them....

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  whyizit

  I remember listening to a testimony of a former JW. She said that you were not allowed to say "pot-luck supper" or "bulletin board".