So true. The bible is simply a collection of stories and opinions written by various men over several centuries. It does not contain any clear, unified message as claimed by the Watchtower. They can only present the illusion of such by selective quoting of isolated scriptures even parts of scripture while adding a lot of convoluted explanations.
LisaRose
JoinedPosts by LisaRose
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Memorial Invitation campaign—A bitter experience
by economy inlast year when i went to distribute memorial invitation, i had a bad time talking to a house-holder who happened to be an ex-nun.
she said: you are wasting your time.
jesus had no idea that his death would have a sin-atoning value (which is of course a later invention by later theologians.
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A new low in public shaming (and groveling)
by Captain Schmideo2 ina local elderette at my former hall (the same type person who posts selfies while out in "service") posted this public admonishment.
the responses are so pathetic.
these are all adults, but they still act like scared children:.
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LisaRose
Nothing like a dose of public shaming to make you feel all warm and fuzzy about your congregation. I wonder how many are doing a slow burn because they had a legitimate reason for not staying but didn't feel they had to explain themself to sister bitchy pants?
It makes me think of this scripture:
Matt6:1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven"
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A brilliant psychologist
by voodoo lady ini've been seeing a brilliant psychologist.
he has been pivotal in drawing the parallels between my jw upbringing - specifically the hypocrisy i saw as a child - and the reason i've tolerated lies and inconsistencies in my most significant adult relationship.. i've seen one other psychologist in the past.
she didn't get the issues surrounding the religion whatsoever, didn't regard that aspect of my backstory as relevant, and was of little help to me.. has anyone else seen a psychologist - whether for help with coping in the aftermath of leaving the religion, or for seemingly unrelated issues that actually turned out to be related?
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LisaRose
Any psychologist that doesn't think being in a controlling destructive cult is relevant to psychological issues should have their licence revoked.
My daughter had substantial psychological issues as a teen, I think getting such help was pivotal in her getting better and going on to be a happy, well adjusted adult.
Some therapists are better than others, if you don't feel you are getter better or don't click with the first one, don't give up, keep trying until you get the help you need.
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The Neurochemistry of Flow States, with Steven Kotler
by Brokeback Watchtower inhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahp2hkue8rq
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LisaRose
I have heard that any hobby or work where you experience flow provides some of the same benefits as meditation.
Powerful stuff that. It helps my ADD brain
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The Neurochemistry of Flow States, with Steven Kotler
by Brokeback Watchtower inhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahp2hkue8rq
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LisaRose
Interesting stuff, I have heard of the concept of flow, it's very interesting. Many years ago I started a hobby, doing silk and dried flower arrangements. I distinctly remember the first time my subconscious took over and I found my hands doing something I had not consciously planned. It was an amazing feeling, like tapping into a different part of my brain. The other thing was that I found it changed how I did my regular job. I ended up coming up with a creative idea for a spreadsheet that automated a time consuming audit function, it won me an award and a trip to the Washington D.C.
That was many years ago and my hobby eventually evolved into a business with antiques and creative re-use of vintage things and I still tap into my creativity using this concept.
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Pride or Humility - I guess it depends how you look at it..
by bradford inone of the constant themes of the literature and of the well meaning witnesses who regurgitate it to those that have left or are in the process of leaving is this:.
you are filled with pride.
you think you know better than jehovah's organization.
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LisaRose
Wow, thanks! Yes, of course, feel free to quote me. -
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How do you feel about religion as a whole?
by FatherFirst init just seems to me religion in general primarily makes truly bad people worse, not genuinly good people better; and in many cases has even made good people do bad things in the name of their religion.
just curious, a personal poll if you will.
what are you guys' current views on religion as a whole?
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LisaRose
I don't belong to any religion, but I don't condemn religion as a whole. While there certainly been a lot of evil done in the name of religion, I have seen some good religions too. While I don't believe in God, I don't think everyone is ready to accept that he doesn't exist. Until we get to that point, I think a good religion, one that accepts science and doesn't promote hatred, is better than a bad one. Maybe eventually religion will be done away with, or maybe it will evolve into something better, who knows? I do think you cannot force people to give up that which brings them comfort, which for many is belief in God.
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Pride or Humility - I guess it depends how you look at it..
by bradford inone of the constant themes of the literature and of the well meaning witnesses who regurgitate it to those that have left or are in the process of leaving is this:.
you are filled with pride.
you think you know better than jehovah's organization.
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LisaRose
My answer to such a statement would be that if God exists, he certainly expects me to use what reasoning power I was blessed with to determine the best way to live my life. I would think he wouldn't want me to blindly follow others, but to do the hard work necessary to determine what organization, if any, is doing his will.
Having done this hard work and thoroughly investigated the WTBTS, and found that they lied about their history, beliefs and practices, honesty compelled me to sever my association with it. It was a very humbling experience to admit that everything I believed in was a lie, but that is my belief and I can do nothing less than follow my conscience, however hard that is.
If that makes me prideful in the eyes of others, then that is regrettable, but if they would condemn me without doing the hard work I did to determine the truth, then they are the prideful ones, not I, as they have blindly accepted an elaborate lie as the truth and then condemned for not doing the same.
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to date JWism has defined my life and i hate that TRUTH
by oompa inand i am finding the adjustment to the real world far more difficult than i ever imagined...i f...it has been about five years since i totally woke up to the fraudulant nwt and then all my other doubts i had carried for years were proved true as well.
but almost all of my few friends are exjw or slack jw's and i feel so isolated...my sons friends are mostly exjw too but not their gf's and they have way more normal friends .
how have you done at replacing lifelong friends and family?
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LisaRose
Eric was very active on this site and we all miss his presence and sense of humor. Sadly he is one of many Jehovah's Witnesses I know of who took their own life when the pain became too much.
If you are suffering from depression, please get help. Don't let this heartless organization win. There is help for depression and there is life after leaving the Watchtower. We are all only human, so stop feeling guilty if you have done wrong by the Watchtower's warped standards.
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i will just set this right here.
by Defianttruth inhttp://www.cracked.com/blog/5-reasons-you-get-tricked-into-believing-stupid-things/
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LisaRose
Very good article. It explains how as Jehovah's Witnesses might have done things that we now find repugnant, like shunning family or refusing to give a child a blood transfusion.