done4good

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Posts by done4good

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  8

  Interview With An Apostate: done4good

  by done4good in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  tell us a little about yourself and your family.. family first started studying with jw around 1977. i was 4 then, and raised pretty much up the religion from that point onward.

  my father studied, lost interest, but mom picked up where he left off.

  simultaneously, my aunt studied with another jw, and dove in head first.

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  done4good

  Simon-

  Thanks.
  

  d4g
  
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  8

  Interview With An Apostate: done4good

  by done4good in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  tell us a little about yourself and your family.. family first started studying with jw around 1977. i was 4 then, and raised pretty much up the religion from that point onward.

  my father studied, lost interest, but mom picked up where he left off.

  simultaneously, my aunt studied with another jw, and dove in head first.

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  done4good

  Magnum -

  I went for my undergrad BS in Telecommunications Management back in the early '90s. I had a couple of good JW friends, (both are mentioned above), that directed me towards college, despite the fact it was largely frowned upon then, (this was before the 1992 toned down stance on higher ed). They were/are truly exceptional people, and I am forever grateful for their assistance. Both are smart enough to know the current higher ed bashing by the organization is incredibly stupid. Unfortunately, one of them is the person who shunned me, once she learned I D/A'd several years ago.

  I am working on an M.Eng currently that I will finish this semester. I still do plan to work on a doctorate, just in either electrical engineering or computer science.

  d4g
  
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  57

  Are atheists more likely to be morally good than Christians?

  by FusionTheism in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have no problem saying atheists and christians are equal.. but some people seem to have the belief that atheists are more likely to be morally good, or more likely to change the world for good, than christians and theists.. but what evidence do you have to support this claim?.

  if atheism is what causes people to do great positive things for the world, then why weren't martin luther king, jr., william wilberforce, isaac newton, francis collins, barack obama, mother theresa, abraham lincoln, or john f. kennedy atheists?.

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  done4good

  Phizzy - Most Atheist/Humanists that I know use the rule of thumb that works well, i.e, "That which does the most good, and the least harm" is the best course of action.

  This principle is adaptable to time and circumstance, and has rarely let me down. So called "Christian" morality let me down in the past, it did not guide me into doing what is right.

  Well put.
  

  d4g
  
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  57

  Are atheists more likely to be morally good than Christians?

  by FusionTheism in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have no problem saying atheists and christians are equal.. but some people seem to have the belief that atheists are more likely to be morally good, or more likely to change the world for good, than christians and theists.. but what evidence do you have to support this claim?.

  if atheism is what causes people to do great positive things for the world, then why weren't martin luther king, jr., william wilberforce, isaac newton, francis collins, barack obama, mother theresa, abraham lincoln, or john f. kennedy atheists?.

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  done4good

  While we are quoting Voltaire:

  "If God made us in His image we have certainly returned the compliment."

  "It is clear that the individual who persecutes a man, his brother, because he is not of the same opinion, is a monster."
  
  

  "What is tolerance? -- it is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other's folly -- that is the first law of nature."

  "Superstition sets the whole world in flames; philosophy quenches them."
  
  

  And my all time fav....

  
  "It is one of the superstitions of the human mind to have imagined that virginity could be a virtue."
  
  

  d4g
  
  
  
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  8

  Interview With An Apostate: done4good

  by done4good in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  tell us a little about yourself and your family.. family first started studying with jw around 1977. i was 4 then, and raised pretty much up the religion from that point onward.

  my father studied, lost interest, but mom picked up where he left off.

  simultaneously, my aunt studied with another jw, and dove in head first.

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  2. 
  3. 
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  done4good

  Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

  Family first started studying with JW around 1977. I was 4 then, and raised pretty much up the religion from that point onward. My father studied, lost interest, but mom picked up where he left off. Simultaneously, my aunt studied with another JW, and dove in head first. I was baptized a JW in 1988. I was very lucky to get an education at a time when it was mostly verboten, (yes, it is again). Married a JW at 22, divorced 10 years later. I left the organization shortly after that breakup. Married now to a wonderful, never been a JW lady. I work as an IT director for a major NY hospital.
  

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  Were you a born in or a convert?

  Neither. Raised in from 4 y/o.
  

  Are your parents / family JWs?

  Mom was, now deceased. Aunts, uncle, sister, and cousin on mom's side are "in".
  

  How many generations have been JWs?

  2
  

  Did you hold any position in the WTS? (MS, Elder etc...)

  HA! Could never play the politics there...Figured out when I was 25, and an IT manager with a fortune 100 company, that the politics were something out of a good ol' boy's network out of small town USA. Made the corporate world seem fair and equitable by comparison.
  

  Did you *really* believe in the bible, in spirits (angels, demons)?

  Yep. Not anymore.
  

  Did you get baptised? When and why?

  Yes. September, 1988. I wanted off the fence. It hurt.

  (I also fell hard for a girl, that wouldn't give me chance without it).
  

  
  

  What was the initial trigger that made you start questioning things?

  See my comment above about the good ol' boy's network in the KH. That was the beginning of the end. It took another 8 years.
  

  Where did you find information? Internet sites? Books?

  I began to research only after I left. The first site I researched was Timothy Campbell's Beyond Jehovah's Witnesses, in 2006.
  

  How difficult or painful was the process of leaving?

  Easy to leave when I was ready. Just walked away. The tough part came years later, when shunned by a dear old friend. Hurt like nothing I experienced, and still very damaged by it.
  

  Was it a big dramatic exit or a careful quiet fade?

  Just walked away.
  

  Did you convince anyone else to leave with you?

  Nope.
  

  How were your family relations affected by your decision?

  Lost all JW family.
  

  Were you or are you still being shunned by those who didn't leave?

  Yes. All but one friend. The brother of the friend mentioned above.
  

  How long have you now been out?

  Almost 10 years.
  

  Was there anything you looked forward to doing when you left?

  Being me.
  

  What are you most proud of achieving since you left?

  Being me.
  

  Is there anything you miss about life in the congregation?

  No.
  

  Red pill or blue pill? Do you regret waking up to reality at all?

  Red pill ALL THE WAY.
  

  Did you become an atheist or transfer your faith elsewhere?

  I took a while, but atheist after about 5.5 years out.
  

  How do you now feel about religion in general?

  The world needs to be rid of it.
  

  Do you feel any guilt celebrating xmas or birthdays or doing any other JW "no-no"s?

  Hell no!
  

  Have you attended any face-to-face meetups of ex-JWs?

  Yes.
  

  Describe your circle of friends - mostly other ex-JWs or regular people?

  Regular people. I have one ex-JW friend, (his new wife is an ex too), but that is it.
  

  Do you tell people about your JW past?

  If there is reason to.
  

  Do you feel animosity or pity toward current JWs?

  Nothing but pity and sadness for the good ones. The assholes know who they are.
  

  How do you respond to witnesses when they call at your door?

  Don't answer.
  

  Storm the barricades or tend to the wounded? (do you favor activism or support)

  Support. People will research on their own when ready.
  

  What do you think is the most effective approach to reaching people still in?

  See above.
  

  Do you think the WTS can or should be destroyed, will continue on as-is or grow / change?

  Social evolution will cause its demise, or change it beyond recognition.
  

  How has your life been impacted by your JW past?

  One tenacious SOB.
  

  Are there things in your life you blame the WTS for?

  Losing one of my dearest friends. FU GB!
  

  JW upbringing - a protection or a curse?

  Neither.
  

  How do you fill your time now it's not filled with meetings and field service?

  Career, continuing education, working on second career to start teaching. Yard work, working on house, hobbies, music, ANYTHING ELSE!
  

  Do you still have an interest in JW beliefs and doctrines?

  Just to get loved ones out.
  

  How much of your time is still spent on JW related matters?

  Not much. Just some socializing here.
  

  What do you think of the ex-JW community?

  Awesome people!
  

  Do you see yourself still being associated with the ex-JW community in 5 or 10 years time?

  At some level, yes.
  

  Do you fear the future?

  Not at all.
  

  What advice would you give to anyone starting the journey of leaving the WTS?

  Your life will never be better...Go for it.
  

  What would you change in your life if you could go back and talk to yourself?

  Would have had doctorate and became a physicist.
  

  Do you have any regrets about life since you left?

  No. Life is what we make of it.
  

  Can we read your life-story anywhere? (links to online or books)

  Bits and pieces are here, Strathmore's Who's Who, some corporate stuff from years past, etc.

  Want to share your own story? Please use the Interview with an Apostate: Template and post it in the Personal Experiences & Reunions section with the title "Interview with an Apostate: [your name or alias]"
  
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  12

  These Aussie girls are popular around the world for lipsing

  by barry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmpqusqcjfg.

  what on gods earth is the world coming too.

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  done4good

  Clever, cute, (I mean the video, of course...)

  Definitely time to get back to work...

  d4g
  
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  46

  We are slowly moving away from that kind of preaching work

  by oppostate in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  john hoyle--jws go knocking on strangers doors and try to get inside homes to preach.. wt rep--we are slowly moving away from that kind of preaching work, we do more preaching by using literature carts and personal telephone calls.. .

  the above quote is from john hoyle's website:http://insidethewatchtower.com/doctrine/phone-calls-to-bethel-jw-org-email-and-contacts/.

  it's interesting, isn't it?

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  done4good

  Sir82 - Eliminating the concept of a "publisher", and the handy numerical measuring rod of "hours", would so fundamentally change the nature of JWs that the organization would become unrecognizable.

  I agree with that, and think the JW organization will become unrecognizable because of this. The choice will be either adapt or go extinct. Social evolution is pushing them in that direction. In 5 years, cart witnessing will be the only witnessing done, and by special "privilege" only. The Conti decision, whether we realize it or not, sealed that deal.

  d4g
  
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  67

  'Conti' Court decision secures Watchtower's Policy of confidentiality

  by telemetry11 in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  the court on the rule of confidentiality of penitential communications and evidentiary privilege--.. decision reads:.

  "the law generally protects the confidentiality of communications with clergy like those of kendrick to the elders here.".

  "if the person has a constitutional right to independence in making religious choices, the recognition of an evidentiary privilege is an apt means of protecting that autonomy.

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  done4good

  WT is concerned about the legal precedent, not the payout.

  The appellate decision was a subtle loss for the WT. Not the big one, we all wanted, but a loss for them nonetheless. The decision will force them to do FS differently, and they know it. They are trying to buy time.

  d4g
  
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  75

  What was your eye opening moment?

  by WasOnceBlind in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  if you had to pinpoint the time or experience that finally made you open your eyes, what would it be?.

  i think for me it was the time i saw my dad shun his brother who he had not seen in decades just because he was a da'ed jw.

  i thought to my self "no way jesus would do that.

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  done4good

  Vidiot - From my POV, the '95 Generation Change bought the WTS some breathing room for the script's sequence of events to still play out as predicted, therefore enabling the WTS to still - in the end - be (mostly) "right".

  I remember that well. Many were troubled by this change. However, I remember myself being somewhat relieved at the time, since knowing we were past 80 years, something had to give. I was more troubled by the fact the explanation they tried to apply to "generation" then made zero sense, and no two people understood it the same way.
  

  d4g
  
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  52

  Very Offensive Statement Directed To JW Parents-Watchtower 4/15/2015 Page 11 Paragraph 9

  by JW GoneBad in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  wt is insinuating, worse yet, blaming senior jw parents for there not being more younger brothers reaching out to be ministerial servants and elders.

  page 11 paragraph 9 reads as follows: .

  "elders in affluent lands may face an added challenge: how to motivate baptized brothers in their 20s or 30s to get involved in congregation activities.

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  done4good

  I have to give the org. credit...They seem to be finding new angles of paranoia all the time now.

  It used to just be, "do more, do more, do more", now it is about putting blame on those for why others are not "doing more"...

  The wheels are slowly coming off.
  

  d4g