Posts by Dagney

25

"Brother Jodie jenelle began his bethel service in in 1990....."

by nowwhat? in

but what they don't say he left started and ran a real estate company and a global real estate consulting firm and apparently after making a fortune come back to bethel a few years ago.

how in the hell could a non lifer now be anointed and appointed to be a gb member.

sure can't be for his spiritual qualifications!.

Dagney

I've been thinking about this appointment.

The GB today is not what it was as is this corporation is not what it was. It is a multi billion dollar international real estate corporation. The GB was looked to for "spiritual guidance and prophecy" BARF, I know, but it was.

The faithful don't really need that anymore I think. People are leaving for all sorts of reasons. The faithful just do their thing, grateful for beards and pantsuits.

I watched a few minutes of either Sanderson or Jackson...I get those two mixed up, but whomever was doing this introduction. He looked like a bloated, contented j-a$$, who could not be more pleased with himself landing in such a comfy for-life job. They/he doesn't have to come up with any life shattering new light...they just need to keep people tuning in and sending in the donations. I have felt for years the GB are the figureheads and much much smarter business men are driving the van. So bring on the music videos and dramas/movie productions! Anything to keep people donating and engaged.

So Jedele sounds like a good candidate with the new direction of the corporation.

31

What made you look behind the jw curtain?

by Touchofgrey in

i was listening to a lunchtime call in radio show about jws and the personal experiences of being disfellowshiped, and a former elder called in saying he was disfellowshiped for asking about jws and their involvement in the un in the 1990s ,and he just said look it up.. thinking that it was a made up lie ,so i looked it up and it was true even a letter confirming it from the un itself and that led me here and to jwfacts and further research into the history and teachings of jw and walked out the door about 5 years ago.

.

Dagney

I'm a born in second generation, my parents were baptized in 1938. For the most part I just accepted it as it was my life, and the congregations I was in had lots of teens and gatherings, and we had a lot of freedom.

In around 1978 I started a long term relationship with a non JW, UCLA grad. I stood on my JW soapbox, made him study and come to meetings. We continued to discuss everything. One day on the way to his house, I remember the time and the place, it just came to me, "it's all bulls**t." The crazy prophecies, the out of context quotes rules were made on, the dates...oy the dates... I kept driving and convinced myself the "brotherhood" was special even tho...

I stayed because of family and friends. The 1995 generation change was the final straw. I knew it was all made up from FF and prior dogma. The summer of 2000 I was at the meeting and just felt I didn't belong there. I felt like I was on the outside observing the comments and discussion, and knew it was my last meeting and it was.

I used to pray and thank J I was raised in the "truth" because I never would have believed it if introduced to it. It's been a complicated journey but never regretted leaving.

57

2024 Annual Meeting Doctrinal Change

by Listener in

a change to their doctrine came from jackson.

this isn't a transcript of his whole speech but i thought i would try and get some of his main speech in writing.. at around 1hr26 minutes he starts talking about some dangerous thinking in feeling there is some wiggle room in regards to the schedule for the gt.

but you see, we need to be careful about what we are thinking about the number of anointed ones left on earth.

Dagney

IMHO, sunk cost fallacy, as well as being in a long time community from what I observe. No reason to change unless you feel the need you have to.

Also, the paradise is a big carrot and stroooong desire. We look at them and want to say "it's not happening!" They feel like they are almost there...

30

Experiences After Leaving

by Freeatlast2024 in

i am writing to ask if anyone cares to share their experience and/or offer advice for people leaving.

i was raised in the religion, and both my parents died when i was very young.

i recently stopped associating because my conscience no longer allows me to preach or support the organization.

Dagney

Welcome Freeatlast2024! (Great name BTW!)

Most of us here have been right where you are...our social circles developed over years POOF! are gone. Being raised a JW we were taught to not be a "joiner". I am old and I struggle with that today.

HOWEVER, you are at a very exciting time in your life because of your decision. You can do and be whatever YOU want to be. Not that easy to figure out...but you can do some things that will set you on the journey.

Find a group that interests you and aligns with your values. A place to start is volunteer work in your community, or if that's too close, go to a place close by, food banks etc. Just google and many things pop up.
Check out Meetup. Do you like wine, yoga, book clubs, writing, movies, music...the list of groups is endless. You may not find a match at first, but hanging out with people with similar likes is a good place to start.
Do you like tennis, soccer, softball...do you want to learn? Teams are a good place to find some mates.

Taking the leap to leave is brave and it takes courage. It's a bit scary. I heard a quote recently, "we don't grow in our comfort zone." You have your whole life ahead of you, and the best is really yet to come even though it doesn't feel like it. But you will see that it is.

Good luck on your journey. You got this. If there is anything we can help you with we are here for you.

57

2024 Annual Meeting Doctrinal Change

by Listener in

a change to their doctrine came from jackson.

this isn't a transcript of his whole speech but i thought i would try and get some of his main speech in writing.. at around 1hr26 minutes he starts talking about some dangerous thinking in feeling there is some wiggle room in regards to the schedule for the gt.

but you see, we need to be careful about what we are thinking about the number of anointed ones left on earth.

Dagney

I’m not even hearing this guy speak and his condescending manner of “Watchtower speak” is screaming at me.

What a load of cockamamie word soup bull s**t!!! It is truly laughable, to me.

PS. As a side note/comment. I went to the KH yesterday for a memorial of a distant relative by marriage. I have not seen the deceased in decades but went to support her daughter who is not a JW and was estranged ffor that reason. And I figured I wouldn’t know anybody there except the family, so a little less anxiety.

Two things stood out to me.

The attendance was very small, maybe 20-25 non family. The folks were very sweet, older, very kind…tired. I cannot even imagine these people giving a hoot about these changes. They just want to make it to paradise.

Out of a combined number of this group of family, maybe 30ish still living, only the sister of the deceased and 8 on my side of the family are still JWs. 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

Thank you for posting this recap. It reminds me of how grateful I am not to have to depend on the whims of the FDS. 🥂

10

Be Obedient and Submissive to the Faithful Slave. Hmmm...Sounds kinky!!!

by WingCommander in

jw
friends

seriously, how have i never caught on as to how kinky this weird cult language sounds?

"be obedient and submissive to the faithful slave.

"may i have another flogging, mr.

Dagney

Smack (lol) on WC!

The unscriptural evolution from the term of "servant/slave" to overseer/prince/governing body/king-priests etc." is in opposition to the context from which it was taken in Matt.25.

When I am asked if I recognize the FFD/GB as "Jah's channel" or whatever, (and I'm always asked),...I just point them to the verses below and say, " it doesn't matter one tiny bit what I think. It only matters how "they" treat "us," and if God finds it acceptable.

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
[46] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
[47] Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
[48] But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
[49] And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
[50] The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
[51] And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

And I don't think this sudden love for "Jeeesuz" came from the GB. I think it came from the business/marketing end of this corporation, as anyone could see this "Christian" organization was anything but that. Many of us saw it for years. Now that recent talks and literature is bringing Christ back, (lol), it looks better to the "world" for reasons they need it to be.

2

Book recommendation about Ancient Rome

by KerryKing in

i've been reading a series of books about ancient rome, written in novel form but based on real people, dates and facts, itvhas been very eye opening as it creates a very real backdrop for the gospels and especially the letters to the congregations.

they're by steven saylor, roma, empire and dominus.. below is a quote from dominus: .

"reason means nothing when the worshippers are completely reliant on the revelations of the prophet.".

Dagney

"Reason means nothing when the worshippers are completely reliant on the revelations of the prophet."

How relevant with the JW cult. Baptism question #2 makes it clear.

Reason means nothing when the worshippers are COMPLETELY reliant on the revelations of the organization.

135

Rumour 144,000 literal number teaching to be abandoned at Annual Meeting

by slimboyfat in

say it ain’t so!

.

in one sense it’s a no brainer because the figures just don’t add up any more.. in another (negative) sense it’s a no brainer because it’s been fundamental to jws since year dot and might undermine the whole thing?

Dagney

If Rev. 7:4 is to be taken literally, why not verses 5,6,7,8?

I think also this change can happen, with the "we just don't know" or some sort of word soup.

Like most here half my family are JW's. I'm in communication with them regularly, my sibling is up in years and has serious health issues. I think he knows the questionable issues. He's been in that secret international group that discuss all these subjects for decades. That being said, he's got his eyes on the prize during this difficult time.

The other relatives are traveling all over in groups and having a great time. I think it will be discussed in private circles, but they are content with their way of life and have no need to change it. .02

135

Rumour 144,000 literal number teaching to be abandoned at Annual Meeting

by slimboyfat in

say it ain’t so!

.

in one sense it’s a no brainer because the figures just don’t add up any more.. in another (negative) sense it’s a no brainer because it’s been fundamental to jws since year dot and might undermine the whole thing?

Dagney

The math never worked.

Estimated 1st century Christians to about 320AD = 7,000,000

Estimated martyrs during that time = 2,000,000 (due to heavy persecution)

Add the faithful to death in the following 1500 years the estimate is many millions more.

I read Foxe's Book of Martyrs when I left JW. The persecution was cruel and horrendous, nothing like what the JW "faithful slave" has gone through. (My favorite martyr, Perpetua, sniff) Boiling oil thrown on then, skinned alive, fed to wild animals... I knew for sure the JW interpretation of the little flock was BS.

Just do the math with any adjustments to the estimated numbers...the math does not support the JW dogma. And at some point they were going to have to down play the number.

This is just my take on the whole thing.

PS. My brother, elder, kept track on spread sheets the numbers reported in the annual report. There were some years I think in the 70's that the WT did not report the partaking numbers. He knew something was up.

15

A Jehovah's Witness family's excellent Letter of Resignation trending on exjw Reddit today

by Balaamsass2 in

i got an email notice today on this excellent letter of resignation from a german family that is trending on reddit.

i thought i would share it here if anyone is so inclined to write one.

for those with pimi jw family and jw business connections, it may not be wise to share such a letter, but i imagine it must be very freeing to send such a letter.

Dagney

Funny thing is nobody ever asked me directly why I left.. It’s as if they didn’t want to really know.

👋🏻LHG - same, agreed. 🥂