Posts by AudeSapere

5

Is this normal?

by bloominglotus in

jw
friends

i am reading steve hassan's book combatting cult mind control and wow is all i have to say.

i am pretty much convinced that this religion is a mind control induced cult.

he actually outlines step by step the actual mind control methods used in destructive cults.

AudeSapere

I have not read the book myself, but I sure identify with those feelings when I first found JWD/JWN and learned the truth about 'the truth'.

I'm guessing it's that you identify so closely that you are reliving the experience.

Maybe put the book aside for a few days (or weeks), take some deep breaths, go for a nice long walk and re-connect with your current life.

I agree with your husband, don't go back yet - if ever. If you want to see some of their techniques, read up and follow Blondie's series: "Comments You Will Not Hear at the Watchtower Study".

I don't know your current status, but if you have faded, showing up will put you back on their radar.

Do happy things and think happy thoughts. You are not under their control now.

-Aude.

15

I need help! Do you find it difficult pretending to keep your family?

by im stuck in in

jw
friends

yesterday and today have been extra hard days.

as most of you know i am trying to releive my wife and family of the burdens of the watchtower, thus staying semi active in the org.

recent happenings in the world have caused the witnesses to tighten the grip on the peoples minds.

AudeSapere

im stuck in wrote: I think I am too old and tired to start over with another wife. So where does that leave people like me.

Do you *need* a wife?

Many single people live happy, productive, fulfilled, and relatively stress-free lives.

-Aude.

20

What's Your Favourite Way to Treat a Bad Cold?

by lifelong humanist in

jw
friends

i've been suffering from a really bad cold, with flu-type symptoms, for almost a week now.

very unusual for me.. it couldn't have come at a worse time, as i've just started working as a self-employed person, working outdoors in all weathers.

no sick pay, so no money coming in.. i expect that i'll be ok for monday, though.. i'm right in the middle of making a homemade lamb curry.

AudeSapere

Lately I make my own ginger, honey and lemon 'tea'.

Heat water in a mug in the microwave. While that's heating I cut two 1/2" chunks of fresh ginger (use a steak knife to cut off the skin), cut a fresh lemon in half, and get out the honey.

When the water boils, take mug out of microwave, drop in the ginger, add the honey and squeeze half a lemon in the mug.

While it steeps for a few minutes, I get my nose and open mouth real close to the mug and breathe deep in the moist steam. I leave the ginger chunks in the cup.

When it's cooled down a little bit, I prop myself up on the couch, put my feet up on pillows, wrap up in a blanket and sip my drink. With my remote at my side.

For a little protein, the chinese restaurant nearby sells a quart of Wor Won-Ton Soup that is delicious and feels real good when I have head cold.

If not a full-blown cold but just starting to feel like I'm coming down with something, I go for little sushi lunch: Miso Soup, a few pieces of salmon and a california or spicy tuna roll with LOTS of wasabi and then a good night's sleep - seems to knock out whatever is starting to take hold.

No sugar at all when I'm sick or getting sick.

And get as much sleep as possible.

Feel better!

-Aude.

10

Its a Year!

by Simon Morley in

jw
friends

i know that this is not a new topic, or that important really.

however, it's now been a full year since we last attended any meetings or went out in fs.

just felt good today and jwn has been a great source of encouragement over the year.

AudeSapere

Happy Anniversary!

Do you still hesitate to make plans for a Thursday night? Took me about 4 years to get over that!

-Aude.

30

Do JWs Participate in Wars By Funding Them?

by cameo-d in

jw
friends

i think there are a lot of ways to get your hands bloody without actually joining the military or shooting a gun indiscriminately at foreigners in their own country.. can you think of ways that jws are participating in sponsoring wars without "going to war"?.

AudeSapere

Thank you, Outlaw.

13

NO WAY.

by NewChapter in

jw
friends

i was reading some old threads and found this article posted here.

i am...shocked.

i had no idea that the gb ever wrote such trash.

AudeSapere

YES Way. I remember the article. And the flip-flop. And the frustration of not knowing if the directive had to change.

Add to that the fact that WTS org teaches that women whose dresses are not at least to their knees are asking for 'trouble'.

It's alot of guilt to put on a 14 year old.

-Aude.

19

Therapy

by MrFreeze in

i understand how difficult it can be to leave the jw religion.

some even feel that they need therapy to deal with it.

how many here have seen a therapist as a result of the jw's?

AudeSapere

oops! Forgot to answer the question myself.

Yes. I was an irregular publisher when I started therapy. It took a while to find a therapist that I felt comfortable with. Eventually I found two places that helped me work through and understand some of my issues.

One of the private therapists was an associate of an elder in my hall who was himself a psychologist. The had a good amount of insight into the JW org and helped validate some of my concerns as they related to children and women.

The other venue was actually a group that I found. It was an ACA group (Adult Children of Alcoholics). While alcohol itself was not prevalent in my house, the manifestations and issues that my siblings and I had to deal with were surprisingly similar. I fit in really good with that group.

CoDA was also good for me in that it helped ease me into a group where I could start my journey of self-awareness.

-Aude.

19

Therapy

by MrFreeze in

i understand how difficult it can be to leave the jw religion.

some even feel that they need therapy to deal with it.

how many here have seen a therapist as a result of the jw's?

AudeSapere

JuanMiguel wrote: I had just a brief amount of therapy--three sessions--

You got ALOT of insight in those 3 sessions. Extremely insightful. Thanks for sharing~!!

btw - Welcome to JWN. I just found a few of your posts today and really enjoyed your thoughtful comments.

-Aude.

4

LinkedIn anyone?

by coffee_black in

jw
friends

i have been using linkedin for a while now... and am finding it to be a good business resource.

if you are on linkedin and would like to connect, pm me!.

coffee .

AudeSapere

Coffee - you have a PM.

I'm also interested in expanding my network so y'all can pm me, too. Just be sure to let me know who you are on JWN.

Thanks, Coffee!

30

Do JWs Participate in Wars By Funding Them?

by cameo-d in

jw
friends

i think there are a lot of ways to get your hands bloody without actually joining the military or shooting a gun indiscriminately at foreigners in their own country.. can you think of ways that jws are participating in sponsoring wars without "going to war"?.

AudeSapere

It doesn't matter if it was 50%, 10%, 1%, 0.00005%. They owned shares in it. They profited from it. They are culpable.

If you are responding to my post(s), then you are still not getting it.

My question is not about culpability. I think we ALL agree they are culpable.

What my point is that if we [apostates/critics of the WTS] make a claim and throw out 'facts' and statistics as truths, we should be sure that we are throwing out accurate information. You know how everyone jumped on the thread about the supposed active bethelite calling in to a conference call?? You know how many people think it's bogus?? Presenting false statistics diminishes the presenter's credibility. The same happens to us when we fabricate facts or exagerate statistics. We lose credibility.

And it's a valuable life-skill to check your facts before presenting them.

I'm just trying to verify the math and any links you can provide to help verify is appreciated.

-Aude.