I got baptized in 1969, so I was around for the hoopla leading up to 1975. I saw the endless speculation, the parsing of every thing said from the platform and written in the magazines, the speculation about every news event. It's so sad to see history repeating itself and people still falling for the same bait and switch. The few people still around from then have conveniently forgotten what happened, or don't dare say anything about it if they haven't.
LisaRose
JoinedPosts by LisaRose
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33
A sucker is born every minute
by Sour Grapes ini was an elder in the 1970's and i was not a big fan of the "stay alive until 75" dogma.
i was looked down upon by the heavy hitters on the body of elders and in time i changed my mind.
i knew of the failed prophecy of 1914 being the end of all times which was repeated for the year 1925...yet i came to believe well maybe this time they've got it right.. with every new watchtower, i combed over every word to find support for my change in my belief that the end was coming in fall of 1975. at the district assembly in 1975, everyone clung onto every word in the final talk.
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Help Please - Finding It Hard Adjusting To The Real World
by pale.emperor inim asking for you guys help in a phase im going through right now.
im sure it’ll pass but id appreciate your advice..
born in, my family consists of mum, dad, two brothers and two sisters.
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LisaRose
This is totally normal. The brainwashing does not go away the moment you realize it's not the truth, that takes time. The organization has had you for thirty years, they have impacted and molded your thinking, probably in ways you don't even yet realize yet, because it is so much a part of who you are. This is the nature of cult mind control.
It's going to be uncomfortable for a while, but it does get better with time. As you guessed, thus is where people tend to go running back to the organization because it feels comfortable, but that is just a temporary band aid to a huge problem, it doesn't solve any problems because the doubts and unhappiness are still going to be there for them.
Think of this as a character building moment. You need to trust yourself that you made the right decision, even if it feels uncomfortable in the moment. The organization teaches a kind of learned helplessness, this idea that you can't trust your own thoughts and mind (because that's coming from Satan don't you know). Don't believe it, it's a way to make people afraid to think for themselves. Trust that it will get easier in time and that making it through the fear will make you a stronger and better person.
. So I feel like im starting my life again at 31yo. I passed up going to medical school when I was in my early 20s because Armageddon was so close. Now, it’s too late to start down that path.
I call BS on this. It's never too late, and 31 may seem old to you, but from my perspective you are just a baby. I was forty five when I left, I've had a whole other life since then. I am recovering from two serious medical issues and restarted my business last year at 60 and I still have plans and goals, so don't limit yourself. People are living longer these days and staying healthy and productive longer as well. I won't lie and say it will be easy, but don't limit yourself. If you can make it through leaving a cult, why not take that newly found strength and wisdom and apply it to medical school? You might be even more successful as a mature individual.
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2016 RC & my family
by BeautifulMind ini hope you are all well.
i haven't posted in a little while.
i've just been adjusting and enjoying my new life outside of the org.
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LisaRose
You did very well breaking the news and standing up for yourself. It's so sad that she feels she has to cut you all out of her life, but The reality is there is nothing in the bible that says a grandmother needs to shun her grandchildren and nobody would get that from reading the bible on their own, they need a cult to tell them to interpret things that way.
The irony is that she will probably be more hurt by it than you or your husband and children will, your lives will go on and she will miss seeing her grandchildren grow up.
The Watchtower, spitting families up for generations now.
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How are you with your temper?
by The Rebel inlet's be honest everyone has their limits, their breaking point.
personally i try to remain placid when provoked, but on occasion i can loose it.
the last time i lost it was when chelsea came to watford and some chelsea supporters had some how got tickets and were sitting in the home end.
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LisaRose
I practice meditation, so I rarely lose my temper.
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What happens if everyone you care about suddenly wake up?
by StarTrekAngel ini've been at this quest for a good part of two years.
i've experienced every negative feeling a human body and mind can experience.
i have, at times, become consumed.
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LisaRose
Yes, of course you do tend to worry about being taken in again, but the reality is that cults are quite easy to spot once you know what you are looking for. At the heart of it they all tend to use the same techniques. Do they claim to have special knowledge of some sort? Do they try to isolate you from former friends or associates? Do they monopolize your time? Are there negative repercussions if you leave?
Most charities or other organizations do not do this.
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I need help, I'm falling in love with a JW girl
by nebula-- inso i met her at my last job that i worked & we started off as friends.
i didn't know her faith at the time & i honestly couldn't have cared less, seeing as i'm agnostic.
after about a year, i began developing emotions for her & sure enough, we ended up dating for a little while.
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LisaRose
You've the second guy this week with this kind of situation. Although I doubt it will do any good, I am going to suggest you try harder to forget her.
This religion is not something you want to get involved in. It's a religion of guilt, guilt and more guilt. Your girl will always feel guilty for dating you. At the same time, there are far more women than men in the organization, so dating prospects are slim. She may weaken and take you back, but the likelihood of her dumping you again are great. If you have sex, she could be disfellowshipped and shunned if you are found out. If you get married the organization will be a third party to your marriage. Your children would not be allowed to celebrate Christmas, birthdays or Halloween. They will be raised to believe everybody but JW's will be destroyed soon at Armageddon, even them if they are bad. They will be discouraged from getting an education and will have the same pressures to conform and marry only within the religion.
If this does not discourage you, I would at least encourage you to research cults so you know what you are up against. Howcultswork.com is a good starting point, and to learn more about the religion, JWfacts.com
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Saw a great therapist and was diagnosed with post traumatic stress. Any one else?
by Beachlover ini took your advise and found someone who could help and was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.
has anyone else been this route and have some positive feedback or been thru this?.
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LisaRose
I highly recommend meditation.
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NEWS 5 INVESTIGATES: Sex offender going door-to-door
by OrphanCrow inhttp://www.koaa.com/story/32799137/news-5-investigates-sex-offender-going-door-to-door.
by carlos vergara, investigative reporter.
colorado springs -66 year old waymon ivery is re-living a nightmare that happened more than two decades ago.
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LisaRose
Even if this guy is totally reformed (and that is very unlikely) why would he ever be allowed to work with the public in any capacity? You don't put innocent children at risk, you just don't.
And using PTSD as an excuse is pathetic. You are either wired to prefer children sexually or you aren't, no amount of stress will change that. Just like any pedophile, he minimizes and excuses his disgusting behavior.
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what a wonderful site!
by scruffmcbuff inive been reading through this forum for a while and thought i should contribute!.
so im df, i was very involved regular pioneer for several years and i slowly started to wake up.. my exprience of leaving is horendous and contains alot of shocking (but apparently not that rare in the orgs) judicials and various encounters with the elders.. ive been out 10 years now and at 27 loving life!
running a succesful business and dont all thay materialistic stuff thata frowned apon, like providing my wife and kids with a nice car and house!
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LisaRose
Welcome to the forum.
Lisa 🌹
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In love with a JW girl
by rastapau inneed advise.
i was in a relation with a jw girl for almost three years(im am not jw) and we are so inlove with each other until someone saw us from her congregation and she was disfellowed and that where the oddness happened.
her family and friends are not talking to her anymore, she wants me to stop seeing and talking to her anymore not until i became a baptized jw.
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LisaRose
The problem good sir/maam is that i have a serious disease. I have stage 4 colon cancer. I just want to be with her before i ..you know. Im afraid to tell her about my situation because i dont want her to get back to me just because of my illness. I really dont know what to do. Im depressed, stress physically emotionally and spriritually..
I am so sorry.
Well, she used you then changed the rules and decided you had to change to suit her, so no one would blame you for using your situation to your advantage.
But I think she would want to know, so tell her and let her decide what to do with the information, there is no shame in that.