Hi, again, AndyG!
I didn't realize when I read your first post that you thought you were conversing with current, practicing Witnesses. The fact of the matter is, the great majority of the posters here are EX-Jehovah's Witnesses. As JW's are not allowed to question the dictates from the Watchtower Society and in fact are punished for doing so, those of us who are now OUT have learned far, far more about the Organization (AND the bible for that matter) than any of us EVER knew while we were in.
That is why we are so open-minded, LOL. You would not get answers such as these if you asked practicing witnesses, but you already know that, because you tried.
Cheers! We're glad you're here.
BabaYaga
JoinedPosts by BabaYaga
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21
whats it all about?
by andyg inmy mum used to be a jw, she was baptised after about 3 years and carried on for about another 2. she first started taking me to the meetings when i was about 8, and carried on week after week until she was disfellowshipped (she went a bit mad and left home, but that's by the by).
the point is im 21 now and trying to make sense of the stuff i was brought up with for 5 years.
if anyone could shed light on one or two things i'd be most grateful (and some of it i might have wrong anyway).. - before noah's flood, all animals were vegetarian.
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BabaYaga
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I guess I finally have seen the light thanks to yall
by hambeak inwhen i found this forum i was skeptical, even a few of my topics may have been a bit biting, but i have learned a lot.
after 33 years in the org.
and swallowing everything hook line and sinker for absolute gospel and feeling dirty over nothing wrong.
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BabaYaga
Wow, and HOORAY! You give me hope, Hambeak!
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Help! Suggestions on what to say to a Niece who is Studying...
by BabaYaga ini have been trying to prepare myself for an upcoming visit with a beloved neice who is studying.
the situation is this: my beloved nephew, her husband (he is like a son to me) was baptized and "faded" many years ago.
unfortunately, he has always vassilated on the subject of whether the jw's have "the (t)ruth".
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BabaYaga
Oooh, looks great, SKally, thanks for the link! I'll go back and scour it for pointers!
And thanks so much to all for the suggested resources... -
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I'm now in Arizona...
by Confession ingreetings, fellow arizonians (?),.
originally from michigan, but lived in southern california for the last fourteen months.
just this past week, my daughter and i moved into our new home in arizona--near phoenix.
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BabaYaga
How do, Confession! Glad you made the move okay.
Well, my Darlin' lived in Tempe and Phoenix for a while, he completely detested it EXCEPT for the FOOD! There are some incredible little Mom and Pop restaurants there (I guess being a college town and all.)
One suggestion: Sleep with a humidifier running! My Dear used to have NOSEBLEEDS every day in Phoenix, as it is so hellishly dry.
Yes, you are right about KaliforniCa real estate... IMPOSSIBLE. We lived there for several years and have just ESCAPED!!!
Best of luck! -
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We lost a family member today...
by morty inwhat a sad day for our family today.. also, i would like to mention that the men that killed him, did have the guts to come and tell us.
( at 6:00am this morning) a lot of people wouldn?t do that so, this is one thing i thanked him for.
he did feel awful and had more tears then i did when i picked him up and wrapped him in his bedding.. any ways............................ i called the vet to find out how much it would be for a cremation and they want $160.00 bucks!!
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BabaYaga
*hugs* Morty! Family member is right. We love our little fuzzy-four-footeds to the "enth" degree.
Strength to you, Hon. -
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How do you anticipate the Watchtower's fall?
by JH inslowly and progressively, or rapidly after a specific date?.
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BabaYaga
...how do I anticipate it? With a happy tear in my eye, a smile on my face, and a lilt in my heart.
Seriously, I think Lil is right. They are going to try to slowly re-invent themselves... that is the plan of action of any corporation in trouble. We know about their falling numbers (good thing they can still baptize kids or imagine what their numbers would be) and of course, they are first and formost, a corporation. With a sticking point as huge as the blood issue, they have to be careful... they may lose more witnesses (who are broken-hearted about losing loved ones) than they keep by becoming more leniant.
The Catholic church re-invented itself. It went from being the huge dictatorship to being pretty ding-danged lax, liberal, and leniant. I don't know about you folks, but I have had lots of friends and aquaintances becoming Catholic by their own volition lately! -
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Should Ex-JWs Speak Out?
by girasole inwhen it comes to the jws i used to hold the position, "to each his own.
" i still do in some respects.
i agree that it is most likely futile to try de-convert a die-hard jw.
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BabaYaga
Very good question that we all struggle with, I think. I have just posted a cry for help in suggestions of what to say to my neice who is just now studying.
I think it is part of our walking on eggshells in fear that we will lose even MORE of our loved ones, (those of us who faded successfully and who are blessed enough to have JW family who still openly shows love for us.)
Mostly I believe it to be fear of losing even more.
Secondly I believed, as you do, to each their own, and really fought the tolerence fight.
That was when I didn't really believe they were hurting anybody.
I have lost several loved ones to the assinine and hateful dictates of the WTBTS. The more I learn, the angrier I am. I think I may be becoming more of an activist on the subject. My tolerence is looking more like cowardice in my eyes.
Thirdly, whatever we do, to win our loved ones back, we have to be loving and subtle. Red-faced shouting from rooftops is not going to get them back. Trust me, I'm so angry I think I could... but it is not the way to get brainwashed frightened ones OUT... -
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Help! Suggestions on what to say to a Niece who is Studying...
by BabaYaga ini have been trying to prepare myself for an upcoming visit with a beloved neice who is studying.
the situation is this: my beloved nephew, her husband (he is like a son to me) was baptized and "faded" many years ago.
unfortunately, he has always vassilated on the subject of whether the jw's have "the (t)ruth".
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BabaYaga
Hello all...
I have been trying to prepare myself for an upcoming visit with a beloved neice who is studying. The situation is this: My beloved nephew, her husband (he is like a son to me) was baptized and "faded" many years ago. Unfortunately, he has always vassilated on the subject of whether the JW's have "the (T)ruth". I have had several conversations with him and whereas he has many, many ideas that in no way jibe with the WTBTS, he has never admitted to himself that the WTBTS is WRONG. Needless to say, he has never "Googled" looking for any dirt on them.
Well, his dear wife was raised without a religion or much guidance whatsoever, for that matter, and now that they have two gorgeous baby boys, she wants to raise them better than she was raised, and for her, part of that is studying the bible and taking them to regular meetings.
Mind you, they both my nephew and his wonderful wife know how utterly against the org I am... so they are actually sheepish to even admit to me that they are going to meetings. They don't want to even bring it up around me.
For quite some time it has been driving me slightly crazy on my back burner that I might possibly lose one of my precious great-nephews to something as furiously assinine as the blood issue (sorry but I have lost too many loved ones' lives to the JW's damning demands already), and I'm not too thrilled about them being raised in that mind-control, either. I have tried my best to keep level-headed about this, knowing that the more I open my mouth, the more determined they will become.
I am to drive out and visit with them in just a few days and stay for a couple of weeks. I have done lots of homework on this site. I want to be prepared to have an answer for anything that might come up, and I need to be SUBTLE!!! I just don't know exactly how to approach this, and I know there is no doubt that the subject WILL come up while I am there. She is already using Jehovah's name to answer any of the baby boys' pondering questions. I have considered showing them the video on the Witnesses, here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6861723185926041712
but I don't know if that would come on too strong. I have also considered just saying to her "well, you know how we just Google whatever business opportunity or medical advice we get to gather all the information possible, just promise me you will Google the Witnesses, too, so you can see all of the information from all sides."
Please advise with any tips or experiences that worked for you. Any and all comments and/or suggestions are tremendously appreciated. Thanks so much... and thank you all for being here. -
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Well, well, the elder FINALLY called and want to meet again!!!
by Lady Liberty insorry but my font size is all screwed up for some reason!.
let me start out by saying grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
my husband told him he would talk with me and get back to him.
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BabaYaga
Great advice from Lil...
They do not want to meet to answer your Q's - they have already shown by their actions that they are on a "witch hunt" (pardon the phrase).I'm not telling you what to do, just giving you some advice, I would call them and let them know you know about them questioning your family and since they did not apply the advice in Matthew and go to you and your husband first, But rather spread vicous rumors and gossip about you - that you both decided not to meet with them at all. And tell them you don't give a hoot what they do because it will be on their conscience and when THAT day comes, THEY will have to explain their actions to JEHOVAH!
I just want to say, GOOD FOR YOU, CONGRATULATIONS, and STRENGTH to YOU, Lady Liberty!!! *hugs* -
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Crosses (on necklaces and hanging in your home)
by earthtone inafter reading mary's post on crosses.
i got to thinking.......... how do people feel about wearing crosses as a memorial or remembrance of what jesus went through for us?.
does anyone remember witnesses using this explanation as to why they don't wear crosses or hang them in their home?
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BabaYaga
I had an antiques booth for several years (years after I was out.) I have always been intrigued by religious icons and artifacts from all over the world, and used the antique dealing as a great excuse to buy and sell these wonderful pieces that have always secretly wooed me. I loved mixing religious iconographys from all over the place. I love that feel... that everyone is searching and reaching... but nobody quite grabs onto the end-all facts of the situation.
I don't have a cross pendant, surprisingly enough, but I have lots of other religious artifacts that I just love. I am more intrigued by the bleeding and radiant hearts and that sort of over-the-top artistic stuff.
Funny, though, you are right... I have been out for 2 whole decades and I have never had a cross pendant. Funny how conditioned we are for life... aggghhh.