Posts by AudeSapere

11

What's Your Definition of TTATT ?

by Pete Zahut in

i need to explain this to someone later and need a concice way of putting it.

f you had to give a "in a nutshell" definition of ttatt, what would you say or what main points would you use to define it ?.

( thanks in advance for your help ).

AudeSapere

I was a walk-away believer. I believed that the JWs had the truth but they had strayed and would eventually get back on track. Until that happened, I could not participate with them. To sit in my seat at the Kingdom Hall was to be complicit with things I knew were happening that were not kind, Christian, or legal.

After 13 years of near-complete inactivity, I found JWD (now known as JWN). The 3 most impactful 'truths' I learned here taught me that the WTS / JW organization is not what it purports to be. Crisis of Conscience convinced me.

My 3 'Truths' that led to my spiritual freedom were:

1. UN/NGO

2. Mexico/Malawi

3. 607/587 (??)

.

UN/NGO was secret, unnecessary, 10-year affiliation with the Wild Beast.

Mexico/Malawi seemed to smack of racist disregard.

607 cannot be proved by either the bible or by secular history. Without 607, the 1914 doctrine fails. Without 1914, the FDS is not god-appointed.

.

With those three 'truths', the entire house of cards fell for me.

That's my personal 'Truth About the Truth' - in a nutshell.

-Aude.

5

Russell Peters' 2014 Xmas Special

by talesin in

jw
friends

and yes, the jws get a door-knocking joke around minute 15, in the pam anderson skit.. it's for tv, so not as edgy as "black white and brown" or his other shows, but for a xmas special, what can you expect?.

ho!

AudeSapere

I'm in California and it's playing just fine for me. Listening to this now. Thanks!

Russell Peters is so funny~! I saw him live in SantaBarbara about 2 months ago. Very fun night. Front Row seats. He kept chatting up my friend thru the whole show.

-Aude.

22

Disfellowshipping painting

by Rambo Morris III in

jw
friends

made by kirsi-maria aho.

name of the painting is "committee".

here is the link if picture doesn't appear.

AudeSapere

I woke up in the middle of the night and had this image in my mind. It is haunting.

I'm a fader. This photo just breaks my heart for those that have endured a JC and were DF'd. A half dozen people come to mind.

The donkey's tears are my own.

Incredibly emotional.

-Aude.

22

Disfellowshipping painting

by Rambo Morris III in

jw
friends

made by kirsi-maria aho.

name of the painting is "committee".

here is the link if picture doesn't appear.

AudeSapere

Emotionally Powerful.

-Aude.

43

Apostate with the HIGHEST ENTERTAINMENT VALUE has to be this lady

by Terry in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swgzcvh3rns&feature=youtu.be.

she is magnificent!

katie kitten.

AudeSapere

I remember from here!! YEARS ago. I think it was around the time that we had EvilForce and then the board wars. Around the time Simon was thinking he'd had enough.

Will definitely check out her videos.

-Aude.

41

If you have been inactive for over a year can you get disfellowshipped?

by cognac in

jw
friends

i've read conflicting things so was hoping to get this clarified.. .

.

AudeSapere

Balaamsass2 wrote: ... presiding in a fine manner.

More like "... presiding controlling in a fine an oppressive manner.

WT-approved, of course.

-Aude.

4

How Much Pleasure Can You Tolerate?

by Greybeard in

jw
friends

.

AudeSapere

The link worked. Marking to view later. Thanks!

-Aude.

51

New ExJW here for the first time.

by WideAwake7 in

i am here for the first time ...but have enjoyed reading others experiences that i feel i can relate too.

i used to be an elder for more than 20 years .

i have successfully faded with my wife and children.

AudeSapere

I agree with Balaam EXCEPT I would not ask if anyone is reinstated. JWs get so hung up on status within the org. Just make basic, normal inquiry about old friends.

Behaving like a normal, decent, happy person seems to confuse most JWs. They don't know how to relate.

Think up a few happy, non religious things that you and your family have done lately. Smile big and mention those things then ask what they've been up to.

Be ready for the questions about which cong you attend or your relationship with Jehovah. My own answers are: None right now.I'm taking a break. I'm very happy and confident with my relationship with Jehovah. Never been better. Really.

If pressed for details, tell them this is neither time not place for that conversation.

Btw... welcome to JWN! Nice to have you join us and looking forward to hearing more of your story.

Aude Sapere (meaning: Dare to know, Dare to have wisdom/understanding, Dare to think for yourself )

34

Is It Just Me??

by What Now? in

we're 2 years in to our exit from the witnesses.

we're not disfellowshipped or disassociated ... just inactive.

none of our friends speak to us anymore.

AudeSapere

I just read your follow-up comment about 'church' and the bible-thumping friend.

You can join the church for what you get out of it and join a separate play group for association on a mommy level. You don't have to find everything all in one function. It's really, really hard to do that.

As for the friend who keeps witnessing to you... Just tell her that you really enjoy her company and the kids like playing together but you are not interested in hearing about her church. It's just too raw for you right now after having been spiritually abused for a few decades. You can share your story or not. But *most* people will take the hint to tone down the preaching after the second or possibly third reminder. Just cut her off mid-sentence when she starts to preach. Unless you really don't want to give her another chance.

I have a new friend who has bible study evening weekly with women from her church. Mostly they get together to drink wine. We laugh about it. She enjoys it. She knows I have zero interest. Sometimes she tells me about a topic they discussed. Sometimes I tell her my thoughs. Sometimes she cares and sometimes she doesn't. Same with me. But we are still good friends. We don't *have* to agree on theology or philosophy in order to appreciate each others better qualities - and the mischievious ones, too!

-Aude.

34

Is It Just Me??

by What Now? in

we're 2 years in to our exit from the witnesses.

we're not disfellowshipped or disassociated ... just inactive.

none of our friends speak to us anymore.

AudeSapere

Toddlers are tough. Then all of a sudden (almost) they snap out of it and become delightful preschoolers.

Find an activity to do outside EVERYday. Go for walks. Stop and look at flowers. Take a class just for yourself. Take a different class for your toddler and you to play together.

Check out local craft stores. Likely there are holiday things to do. (You can participate even if you don't relate the religious side of the holidays.) This way you will start creating holiday memories for your child(ren).

Do something fun - EVERY day.

It will get better.

There are many posters here who have been where you are now. They have created good supportive friendships for themselves and their children. Besty and SweetPea come to mind. Maybe SweetPea can tell you what helped her to make new, non-conditional friends...

-Aude.