Posts by Doubting Bro

30

jehovahsjudgement. UN - NGO apologist site.

by bigmouth in

anyone seen this site and marvelled at the ignorance and credulity of the anonymous writer.

read the condescending letter on the last page.

we can come back to the borg.

Doubting Bro

OTWO,

I totally agree. I've read this site and it never addresses that fundamental issue. It's just a bunch of spin.

Truth doesn't need spin. Humility doesn't need spin. If you're humble and you make a mistake, admit it, apologize sincerely and move on. The reason why folks are being df'ed over this issue is because the WTS knows that if it becomes common knowledge among the flock, they will lose many members and much money.

It isn't the association with the UN that really bothered me. It's the cover-up that shows me they don't have Jehovah's blessing or spirit.

46

Encouragement for Codeblue

by bebu in

jw
friends

hey everyone,.

codeblue is needing some major cheering up.

she's been hit very hard by some very difficult news recently, and i know it's been very hard for her these days.

Doubting Bro

(((((Codeblue)))),

Sorry you're going through a rough time. As hard as it may be, try to focus on something positive. Things have a way of working themselves out. In the meantime, my prayers are with you.

356

Say You're a Bethelite & Monitoring JWD - How Would You Feel About THESE??

by Seeker4 in

jw
friends

i'm talking about the new posters, like kitten whiskers, who started posting today (hope this works: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/120817/1.ashx).

and it seems like we're getting a few like this nearly every day.

people who were raised jws, really worry that they are doing the right thing in leaving, yet who have been made to feel not good enough by the wts, who felt they never measured up, who struggled with it, but came to realize that what they'd been brought up to believe was just not the truth.. the same stories are told over and over again, and they come from sincere, good people - not whiny, fault-finding apostates like the rest of us riffraff around here!

Doubting Bro

This has taken some interesting turns since I last checked in.

I know there are some that feel folks in my position are cowards for not speaking what we believe the truth to be. Maybe your right. For me personally, being a JW is the only thing I know. To wake up suddenly one day and completly change your belief system is quite difficult. I am angry with the WTS for associating with the UN, for putting out false prophesy, for the all the people that were hurt for the blood policy, etc. I'm disappointed about the lack of love, about the Pharisee mentality. But, the thought that it is somehow still God's organization has been pounded into my head for so long, its tough to shake. Mentally, I can see it but emotionally it still tugs at me.

The last thing I think I can do is go off half cocked. I strongly disagree with the disfellowshiping policy but understand if I were to take the suggestion of using one of my meeting parts as a tirade, that's where I would be. Cut off from family and friends. I understand that still is likely to occur but I need time to formulate a plan and prepare myself to deal with the consequences. Is that selfish? Yes to a degree. But what about my wife? Don't I owe her something? How would my giving a farewell speech help her?

Also, the fact is that NO ONE will listen to me if I do that. I will be dismissed as being mentally distrubed. They will shut me down as soon as I talk. I just don't see how that action would be very loving to anyone. Auld Soul mentioned how he got out 7 people. Do you think it was by being confrontational? I think that has its place but more in line with preventing people from being JWs not convincing JWs to leave.

Right now, I can gently point people in the right direction. I just have to be very careful. I am sure that I will not remain an elder for much longer but I'm very cautious by nature. Remember, I'm the one who has to live with the decision. Arthur made a good point when he said that we have to take care of our family first and foremost. My entire life has already changed. I'm beyond the point of no return and have no confidence in my future.

I understand the anger. And I'm not looking for anyone to feel sorry for me. Being a JW elder is not up the food chain very far from Joe Publisher. It seems Bethel holds us all in derision.

Anyway, thanks for the warm welcome and I appreciate all the PMs. Because of the kindness shown to me, I am convinced that the WTS is way out of bounds when it comes to the way those who leave are treated. I think you've shown more Christ-like love and compassion to me than I've experienced elsewhere. I hope one day that I can repay that kindness.

22

Active JWs: lurkers and posters, is your religion ritualistic?

by AuldSoul in

watchtower october 1, 1998, p. 14, par.

2. the coldhearted attitude of the pharisees constituted a crime against humanity and a sin against god.

(john 9:39-41) with good reason, jesus warned his disciples, "watch out for the leaven" of this elitist group and other religionists, such as the sadducees.

Doubting Bro

Everything JWs do is a ritual. The 2 CO visits each year (same bs goes on at each one), 1 SAD, 1 CA (fill in the blank parts), service is a huge ritual ( insert problem to talk about, offer WT. Spend 1 hr (ish) door to door and then 1 hour on RVs (drive as much as possible and of course get some coffee to pad the time). As mentioned, all the meetings, talks, memorial.

I think people find some comfort from ritual. The problem is that they think they really are serving Jehovah by doing all these things. Yet, in the same breath, the Pharisees are condemned for putting their rituals above all else. But, that's exactly what I did. Sigh, how dumb is that?

34

Where have all the elders gone?

by becca1 in

jw
friends

Doubting Bro

Hey Becca,

I'm still here. Haven't been posting much but still reading.

32

Cover Letter and Letter of Disassociation.

by AK - Jeff in

i am forced to either accept df'ing without any defense [i clearly have none against charges of apostasy], or to at least 'speak my mind' one last time as i exit, with a hope of perhaps helping others to 'wake up'.. to that end - i have elected to send a letter of da to the elders - but more importantly - a copy of it, with a cover letter, to several families in the congregation.

most of these things never have a positive result, i know.

but at least i have attempted in this way to give a little defense for my position.

Doubting Bro

Jeff,

A very moving, well thought out and well written letter. I haven't decided what to do (fade or da) but your research and others who have posted similiar letters to this board do a great job of setting forth the issues.

If I were to receive such a letter during my die-hard days, I would have been prompted to research in an effort to "set you straight". Of course, you already are straight and I would probably end up at the stage I'm at right now.

Thank you for posting this! Best wishes to you & your wife.

25

Letter to Elders/Family

by JimWood in

jw
friends

i know a lot of this has already been hashed out before, but for my own personal mental health i feel compelled to post this stuff.

who knows maybe someone out there can use it towards their freedom.

so here is the last letter my wife and i submitted to the elders: .

Doubting Bro

What a powerful, well researched letter. I wonder what's going throught the elders mind when they receive it? I'm not sure how anyone could truly believe this sort of treatment could be "Christian". So, Thomas can question the resurrected Jesus (in so many words saying he was a fraud), Abraham can question Jehovah over whether it was just to destroy Sodom, yet we can't question a group of uninspired men? This is why I haven't written a letter myself (yet) because I'm not ready to be kicked out at the moment. However, the point about tactic support is well taken and I do feel guilty for continuing part of the org.

Well done! Your courage is an inspiration.

34

Seven Trumpets of Revelation

by Zico in

i read on here that the society teaches that the seven trumpets of revelation are representative of seven conventions held in america in the 1920. is this actually true?

is it old light?

i asked some witnesses but they all gave me a look like i was weird and said it couldn't be right, and i can't check the watchtower library as i can't get it on my computer (apparently the society doesn't think mac users are worthy of the 'good news') i mean... it would be a bit...odd, wouldn't it?

Doubting Bro

This teaching is the most embarrassing teaching (in my opinion) that JWs have. And that's saying something! I think even the most die-hard JW has a problem swallowing that one. But, the blasts are supposed to take place right after Jesus begins to rule, so they had to come up with something or the whole thing falls apart. Not that the whole "invisible ruling - 1914" teaching makes much sense to begin with.

76

Keep ears and eyes open: Possible announcement this Wednesday

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

no hype - no rumor please.. anyone who still goes to the hall might hear something during the announcements.

i will be going myself and will be sure to report back what is said, if anything.. from channelc.. .

http://www.channelc.org/cgi-bin/eboard30/index.cgi.

Doubting Bro

There is no way that a major or minor announcement would be sent to the BOEs and them to be able to keep it secret. I wouldn't hold my breath on this.

50

Good news: No longer an elder; Bad news: Disappointed wife

by doinmypart in

jw
friends

my wife & i have a good relationship except when it comes to things dealing with the wts.

over the past few years we've both made concessions, and i even made some headway in getting her to think about some things.

but from time-to-time we would end up arguing about something wts-related and there would be days of tension between us.. well, a few weeks ago we were having a casual conversation about wildlife in our area, she mentioned something about jehovah ruining those who ruin the earth.

Doubting Bro

doinmypart,

First congratulations on your step. Can I ask, what did you say in your resignation letter? Hopefully, it will be nothing they can torture you with later if you plan on fading.

Blondie is right, women have no congregational status and get any status from their husband's position. She just took a major drop in the congregation's eyes. She may be upset over that or it may be that she's disappointed that you're somehow not a spiritual man anymore. I agree with many of the posters above that if you really want to save your marriage, you'll need to be "Super Husband". Work as hard as you did when dating. She'll see that you truely love her and that the love is unconditional.

When I brought up the subject of stepping aside a few months ago, I also got a pretty upset response. I could see the disappointment in her eyes, that I somehow was failing as a husband. Really, that's what the WTS wants folks to think. That if you can't "cut it" as an elder/ms, then you really aren't worth much. I decided to back off then until I could come up with a good plan. Still working on that one.

I really hope your wife comes around.