Posts by LisaRose

447

Does Anyone Still Believe in God?

by LaurenM in

do any of you ex-jw's still believe in god?

even with the new rebranding/softening of this religion, i still don't see how people can believe in him.

the god of the old testimate is an angry murderer who approved rapes and slavery and killed thousands of men, women and children.

LisaRose

I used to do very technical, complicated work, writing programs to determine overbilling issues and correctly credit people who were overcharged. It was stressful, because a mistake could cost the company I worked for money, potentially large sums of money, the billing system was complex, convoluted really, overbilling could potentially run into the millions, my work was audited, but those audits were limited by the skill of the auditors.

The only way I could sleep at night was to give it my best, use all the skills and knowledge I possessed, work hard, and then stop worrying about it. At the end of the day, if mistakes were made, I would know that I did the best I could, given the limits of my knowledge, skills and abilities and the challenges inherent in the job.

That is how I feel about belief in God. I did my best to look at all available evidence and made a rational decision based on where the evidence led me. I found the evidence for God was lacking. If there is a God, and he judges me unkindly for making the best decision I could make, then he is not a fair and just God, and therefore not actually God, or not a God I could worship.

37

This morning's magazine trolley encounter..

by GodZoo in

was just out shopping and came across two middle aged female witnesses with their magazine trolley..

i approached them and they were all glee and smiles and ready to hand me a couple of magazines.

one moment ladies i have just a couple of questions..

LisaRose

I understand your feelings tornapart, but you have to realize these women are not innocent in all this. They are choosing to publicly support a religion that they don't really know anything about, one that hurts people in a very real and serious way. Their feelings were hurt for a few minutes, but they have a choice now, stay and support this cancer of a religion or leave and free themselves and not risk dragging other innocent people into it.

21

On a need to know basis - The Letter

by no-zombie in

we've just had our sunday meeting and the letter was read out to the congregation.. however, there was no mention of the bethel lay-offs or the building program shut-downs.. looks like we are on a need to know basis, here in australia..

LisaRose

Perhaps it would be good if those who still attend meetings could spread the word about the Bethel layoffs and construction stops. It is being talked about on the pro JW discussion sites, so it's not like it would make people wonder where they got the information. Everyone loves a good piece of gossip, especially if it seems like insider information.

This cult is run on secrecy, it's time people in the organization find out what has been going on. That information alone will not make anybody wake up, but it's a piece of the puzzle that might make people more aware that things are not all as perfect as they pretend. If I were still in, I would wonder why it isn't being discussed openly. If it's a sign that the end is nigh, and more focus is being put on the field ministry, why isn't the Watchtower talking about it? If the field ministry is now so much more important, why are the rank and file not being told?

49

New member checking in

by Old Major in

jw
friends

been reading for about 2 and a half years, thought i would take the plunge and sign up.. my circumstances... i live in uk, serving as ms. i am fully awake.

i can not leave due to family, so just treating the meetings as a bit of a social club.

i would like to give out more details, but i think you all know the drill.. complete disillusionment and i suppose natural curiosity woke me up.. don't know what else to say right now, just hello, and i hope to get to know some of you guys better.

LisaRose

Welcome, glad you could join us.

Lisa 🌹

21

Top three reason for it to be cult and/or not the true religion.

by Powermetal4ever in

jw
friends

alright, i want everyone to list your top three reasons for jw to be cult and/or not the true religion.

1.you can't look, or wear whatever you want.. 2. blah.

3. blah.

LisaRose

1) Their practice of shunning, which breaks up families and causes severe harm to some, including suicides. Showing no mercy or concern for those who have mental issues or other problems, being more concerned with punishment than healing or care.

2) Their glorification of ignorance by insisting the bible is literal, and that we didn't evolve, despite the mountain of scientific evidence that we did, also their ridiculous restrictions on higher education.

3) Pretending they know when Armageddon will come, despite multiple failed predictions in the past, convincing people to make life changing decisions based on those predictions, then refusing to take any responsibility for it. Doctrine flip flops, especially the generation doctrine, which has been redefined to the point of being absurd.

12

Meditation linked to increased age, health, and smarts?

by EndofMysteries in

i recently read how advanced meditation increases the brains waves, higher frequency alpha waves which is linked to higher state of consciousness and intelligence.

now i saw this article, http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/10/health/can-meditation-really-slow-aging/index.html?hpt=hp_c3 that it also increases life and health, etc.

i haven't really read or researched meditation but i was wondering if anybody has got into it, into a 'non religious' aspect of it.

LisaRose

I feel that formal meditation is not for everyone. But, rather, that meditation can be found in listening to music, playing an instrument, knitting, lying on a beach reading a book, working out or running or climbing. The mind can enter a phase of focus or non-focus, depending on you and your needs.

It's true, any hobby you do that is deeply engrossing to you can give you some of the benefits of meditation. But I find if I really want to get into a deep meditation, which is where I see the biggest improvement, I need to do do at least some the real deal.

18

I gotta ask,... Is the org gonna fade from itself and just take what money that is left and run?

by gda in

jw
friends

i just can't shake this odd thought...

LisaRose

They are nothing without their power over people's lives. I don't think money was ever the main motive, it's about power and prestige. They are not going anywhere, I think they would rather be demi-gods in the small pond of JW Dom than wealthy nobodies.

10

C.O.'s Are Perfectly Safe...

by The Searcher in

... until they have fulfilled their role in the org's master plan to sit down with the bodies of elders in the circuits and ascertain which congregations should be merged or consolidated.

this "culling" of k.h.

's will now have to be accelerated - considering the panic to rake in cash.. after the c.o.

LisaRose

It's a hierarchy, they need someone to enforce the rules, I can't see them getting rid of circuit overseers right now. They especially need to keep an eye on the money and make sure the congregations are not holding back on donations. I think its possible they will cut down on how many they have though. Since the main point will be to protect the income stream they won't spend as much time with the congregations, just meet with the elders and make sure they are not withholding funds. It will become more of a bill collector/enforcer function, pay up or sleep with the fishes.

12

truth

by Sabin in

jw
friends

i`ve been thinking, a thread was put up about a month ago asking the question " why me?

basically why some of us find out ttatt while others are so blinded, good, sincere people that we love.

well after some consideration i have come to the conclusion that 1) some are in the truth 2) others want truth.

LisaRose

Yes, I am an idealist. I believed in it, and due to mind control I wasn't inclined to question things, but when I realized it wasn't the truth I left. I could never have stayed in a religion I didn't believe in no matter what the consequences.

I suspect that a certain percentage of JWs are idealists like me, another percentage are hardcore believers, their faith is in the Watchtower, not God, they will stay no matter what. I think there is a third group who are social JWs, they are in for family reasons or convenience. They won't necessarily leave if they find out disturbing things about the Watchtower, but they will leave the minute it's not convenient or their family leaves.

74

A call from family - Armageddon this month!

by kaik in

i very seldom receive a call from my jw siblings, i mean seldom.

i can count them on my hand in past 10 years.

while we talk about mom a lot and i am in touch with her, i was very surprised when i received this call.

LisaRose

That's hilarious. They are sending out more pioneers because they can't afford to pay for their living expenses at Bethel, it's really just a big layoff. If course if they can sell it to the rank and file as a strategic move die to the Armageddon being close, so much the better.

You should have made a wager with your siblings that Armageddon wasn't coming by October 31st. If it doesn't come, he owes you $200, if it does come, you leave him $200 in your will.