Posts by freemindfade

54

"Even if it isn't the truth, it's still the best way to live"

by Simon in

have you heard that old chestnut?

i have.. typically it's the last resort when you have dismantled a jws beliefs and they have no way of defending them.

they know they are beat so they come out with that one.. its effectively an admission that you are right and they have no argument but they are still going to attend meetings because they like the social club.. what a lame way to defend your faith..

freemindfade

Yes and I almost consciously (not subconsciously) believed it.

We even used to have an elder (PO and later COBE) say even if it wasn't the truth he wouldn't choose any other way to live.

poppycock!!

Witnesses think they are morally superior, but that is only in the context of the Bronze Age Goat Herder's Guide to the Universe also known as the Bible. According to actual human rights, mental health, and so on, they are a horrible organization and a horrible way to live.

Every totalitarian movement must have some redeeming qualities they can claim, it doesn't excuse the damning qualities though. its not ideal. I can count the good things being a JW did for me on one hand and they are not the only place you can get those things.

20

My Story

by Freeandclear in

just thought i'd introduce myself and share my story.

up front, i'm not bitter.

okay now that that's out the way..... i first heard "the truth" when i was about 14 years old from a friends mom who was studying.

freemindfade

So that's my story. I'm happy to be free from the shackles of "The Organization" but I'm also sad about the fact that I no longer have the answers to all life's questions or a wonderful delusion of a Paradise Earth (The ultimate sky cake).

Most of us experienced that sinking feeling, but keep exploring and learning its really not such a bad thing. Not having all the answers is normal and its not so bad. And without that "promise" of the perfect fix for everything, right now you have everything to live for, each day is special, you are going to find life is far more beautiful this way.

32

What are the biggest holes in the ransom sacrifice?

by Half banana in

how honest are the proponents of jesus as the ransom sacrifice?.

curious to see what type of response there is on a topic like this or does their study only seek to confirm their preconceptions and ignore uncomfortable facts?.

freemindfade

Ransom sacrifice = child sacrifice, think about it.

par for the course in the Abrahamic death cults.

53

Finally posting and I'm FRUSTRATED!!!

by stephanie61092 in

okay, i'm about to engage in a major word vomit.

just giving you fair warning as your time may be better spent somewhere else.. so, i'm sitting on my lunch break, bawling my eyes out, and writing on this forum to people i don't know yet probably have a great deal in common with but at the same time, used to scare the daylights out of me.

for years, i would come across this forum and 'lurk' awhile if you will, or see things on youtube.

freemindfade

Take a deep breath,

the pressure of this thing (jw organization) is painful. You are here now and broke through by sharing this. So take a breath and come here to vent and protect your sanity. We can't control the had we were dealt only the way we play it out, so this hand, its time to play smart. You are about to own the rest of your life, but you may need to go through some serious detox!

Welcome

FMF

32

What are the biggest holes in the ransom sacrifice?

by Half banana in

how honest are the proponents of jesus as the ransom sacrifice?.

curious to see what type of response there is on a topic like this or does their study only seek to confirm their preconceptions and ignore uncomfortable facts?.

freemindfade

1. Jesus isn't real...

19

A conversation with my dad

by magotan in

i talked to my dad today, after i text him when i was angry after a night out.

i'm starting to get closure on my parents relationship with regards to me.the dynamic between them versus me is abusive.

my dad didn't think i had any reason to be bitter.he said i chose to leave "jehovahs people" and this is what i should expect as treatment.

freemindfade

You are walking out of a prison, a prison anyone can leave any time they want. Its the prison of what other think of you. The witnesses choose to stay locked up their, and sometimes we fear leaving because our perspective is wrong, we see shunning as a prison, when really its them inside, we are walking out to freedom. I have experienced like you the trauma of this ordeal so i am not being unsympathetic, just giving you some perspective from further down the road. Rise above them, pity them in their small prison of fear and treat them accordingly. You can't shake them awake, that only causes them to put up walls. Take the high ground whether they come with you or not, and try to make it past this painful part.

16

Do JW get counseled for buying a home?

by thedepressedsoul in

i was curious, i couldn't find much on it.

if anything, there are a few articles that give advice on how to properly buy a home, mortgage, good location etc... .

do you know if the elders can counsel on this matter or remove privileges over it?

freemindfade

Short answer, its not dogma, and you will never find such a thing in writing.

That being said, I had received backhanded compliments from friends and family when i bought my first home 15 years ago or so. Guess i was showing my lack of faith Armageddon was coming any day.

A lot of the JW nitpicky things come from a few things

The area you live in (believe it or not there are vast differences based on geographic location)
The congregation you belong to (this can even be within the same hall, you can have tow congregations with different "rules".
The overall pressure created by the JW religion to be judgmental and an asshole. So people, and halls make up their own rules.

26

Charles Darwin was not an Atheist

by LAWHFol in

personally i have the same viewpoint of darwin, when he said : " the safest conclusion seems to me to be that the whole subject is beyond the scope of man's intellect".

i'm not trying to convince anyone about the existence or non existence of god.. rather, i encourage everyone to keep seeking.

keep searching for the truth that makes the most sense to them.. darwin is the grand father of evolution, and his findings and life work, did not make of him an atheist.

freemindfade

Just remember not to blur the lines of wanting to believe something and REALLY believing it. I'd kinda like to believe in aliens, but I don't go around telling people I do, because I can't, I have no proof. That's a profound thing about this icon from the xfiles, notice it says "want to believe". Its ok to search and wonder about things, but belief is very valuable and should be hard to come by. Don't give it away unless its worth it.

26

Charles Darwin was not an Atheist

by LAWHFol in

personally i have the same viewpoint of darwin, when he said : " the safest conclusion seems to me to be that the whole subject is beyond the scope of man's intellect".

i'm not trying to convince anyone about the existence or non existence of god.. rather, i encourage everyone to keep seeking.

keep searching for the truth that makes the most sense to them.. darwin is the grand father of evolution, and his findings and life work, did not make of him an atheist.

freemindfade

My response to my "In" family when interrogated about "what I believe". It used to make me anxious because i want to tell the truth about what I don't believe in, but not give them ammo to spew witness rhetoric at me. So now when asked my response is simple.

I believe what I know to be true.

26

Charles Darwin was not an Atheist

by LAWHFol in

personally i have the same viewpoint of darwin, when he said : " the safest conclusion seems to me to be that the whole subject is beyond the scope of man's intellect".

i'm not trying to convince anyone about the existence or non existence of god.. rather, i encourage everyone to keep seeking.

keep searching for the truth that makes the most sense to them.. darwin is the grand father of evolution, and his findings and life work, did not make of him an atheist.

freemindfade

I'm not trying to convince anyone about the existence or non existence of God.. Rather, I encourage everyone to keep seeking. Keep searching for the Truth that makes the most sense to them.

That's what its all about. The ability to say "I don't know" and keep searching. That's what leads us to understanding, and away from superstition.