Posts by truthsearcher

26

What movie or TV show would U recommend 2 break thru cognitive dissonance?

by Open mind in

talk about "food at the proper time"!!

i was just perusing this forum and stumbled across a post by abandoned called "the joy of sect".

it's a simpson's episode where homer joins a cult.

truthsearcher

Hey there:

What about Logan's Run (sci-fi from the '70's, one brief scene of nudity with the main character having to change wet clothes) which could provide an interesting discussion on mind control and beliefs about the world "outside". Google search this site for more info on that.

National Tresure showed masonic imagery--you could tie in Russell's early WT symbols (use the photos in the Proclaimers book)

What about stuff on the Mormons or other cults? There is a scene in the movie Bee Season with the son of the family being recruited by the Moonies. (I found the movie to be disturbing in other ways).

Talk about cults, and how they control people, don't let them think outside the box. There was a film recently on tv about polygamous Mormon sects and people trying to escape. I think there is a tv series about a guy with a couple wives, but haven't seen it.

TS

28

Introduction

by White Dove in

jw
friends

i might have posted an intro in the wrong place so i will try again.

i have two kids, a girl and a boy, and am in college full time studying sociology (at least that is what i'm supposed to be doing instead of talking to you.

i prefer talking to you).

truthsearcher

Welcome to JWD!

I also wondered why my prayers were not answered. I really don't think a loving God would make a person suffer over and over again while praying a bazillion prayers to him. He would answer and not play mind games with people who love him.

Guess what, sweetie? He did answer your prayers--He said "Get out of this corrupt organization!"

I hope to hear more from you in the future.

TS

38

Something creepy just happened here.........................

by Warlock in

as some of you know, my office is a converted garage.

the day has been fairly still here, and all of a sudden the front door started shaking like someone was trying to open it, as if it was locked.

when i heard it start to shake i looked up and the door was moving as if someone was trying to get in.

truthsearcher

Did you have chilli for supper?

30

"Did not defile themselves with women"

by Legolas in

so the 144000, wouldn't you say then are all men?.

i can't remember what crap excuse they gave for that one to get out of it not only being men....but all the writer had to say was 'they were virgins' if it was both sexes.. what do you think?.

truthsearcher

There is way too much detail in this passage for it to be meant in a purely spiritual sense. Look at that list of the different tribes...exactly which ones of the annointed are from which different tribes. If it is spiritual, what does it mean? No one will answer me on that point...

35

Christians - Does a JW baptism count as Christian?

by AK - Jeff in

i tend to accept that mine did - i was baptised prior to the changes that made one a 'watchtower disciple'.

my dedication was and is to god - prob the reason i am finally out.. opinions?.

jeff .

truthsearcher

Jeff: It is my understanding that baptism was a cultural practice that identified the ones being baptized with a certain group. So Christian baptism identifies us as followers of Jesus Christ after we have already made the decision of faith in him as our Saviour.

Has your understanding of the person of Christ changed since you have left the organization? It seems to me that the WT definitely puts Christ on the back shelf--for example, in the What Does the Bible Really Teach book, they don't get around to him until chapter FOUR. Not even a mention under the topic of How do we get close to Jehovah?, when the Greek Scriptures clearly give Christ pre-eminence and show us that Jesus has revealed the Father to us. (ie to get to know the Father, get to know the Son). (see the book of John)

Anabaptist Protestants understand that the act of salvation is separate from the act of baptism, done at an age when the participant is old enough to have a personal faith. Therefore, if you wish to publicly identify yourself as a follower of Christ, as opposed to a follower of the Watchtower, then maybe it would be a special thing for you to do so through a re-baptism, as it were. It could be a time of real celebration in your freedom from slavery. And I would be interested in being a part of that party.

I had a neighbour who was an exJW and he was very interested in being rebaptised. We had some of our elders come over and talk to him about Christian baptism, and he was rebaptised in his new church, in a pool I think. Mouthy was there, if I remember correctly.

TS

10

Installment #1 - My first contact !

by AK - Jeff in

i was born a nothing.

that is to say, my family had no religion.

in my early years, i never heard my dad speak of god, nor my mom of jesus.

truthsearcher

I love to read these stories--Newboy's were addictive.

I hope this will be therapeutic for you and helpful to others as you share your history with the Witnesses.

Looking forward to more, Jeff.

TS

13

How has the forum helped you?

by avidbiblereader in

jw
friends

whether you were over the wt or not, how has the forum helped you?.

does it still help you or are you here strictly to help others?.

did the forum get you through any rough times?

truthsearcher

I come here to clear my head after studying with the JWs.

I find encouragement by reading about those who have left the organization and opened their eyes about the WTBS.

26

My life after Bethel

by new boy in

thank you for this place in cyber space, this is therapy for me.

there is something about writing things down, that helps put things in perspective........ the day i left it was pouring rain........i really screwed up, i found out the night before, as i was packing things up, that i had way under estimated how much stuff i had.

i had two large suit cases (that i could barely shut the lids on) and a large army duffel bag.

truthsearcher

Hey Dad, looking forward to this sequel to "My Life at Bethel".

PS bills are piling up, please send money

149

My plan--fully revealed

by Junction-Guy in

jw
friends

i think most of you already know what i have been planning.

i have mentioned it somewhat already.

i have sent bits of pieces of my story to several christian ministries, and they want to know more.

truthsearcher

My family keeps telling me that Im young and that I have my whole life ahead of me, and that I should be moving on from my marriage to Amanda, but there is so much to this that I dont think it would be fair to any woman to just forget everything, find another woman and start dating, it just wouldnt be fair. I plan to get therapy, and then and only then I must always be honest and not try to hide things from my past.

I will need to find another woman that understands me and is willing to look past my issues that I have had

Dave:

I read Amanda's post on one of your previous threads where she said she still loves you and maybe there could be a second chance for you together as a couple. I, for one, would like to vote for giving that relationship some more work (including her in the counseling that you realize that you both should have had years ago). Why move on to someone else when there is so much waiting for you with Amanda? She seems like an exceptional woman!!! I wouldn't want to throw that away too quickly.

Take care,

TS

29

Do you ever just feel like crying?

by Bumble Bee in

jw
friends

tonite was one of those nights.

the stress of the last month or so just finally got to me.

i had a trying day at work today.

truthsearcher

(((((((((((((Bumble bee)))))))))))))))))))

I hope you are feeling a bit better this morning. Sorry that you had a rough night. I really think that you need to express the same thoughts from your post to your husband, so he understands why you are upset--not just that he didn't buy a gift, but that you are trying to put extra effort into the marriage and feel that you are doing it alone. Had you two discussed doing something special on your anniversary at all before the day? This is a good way to gently remind spouses how important the date is to you both.

I have to confess that there have been times when we were so busy that we didn't cards or dinner. It just didn't feel right! Sure, we are to try and express our love to each other every day, but it places a value on the marriage to remember the anniversary date.

I hope that you can turn this incident around into an opportunity to strengthen your relationship, and opening up to each other in a loving way could do this.

TS