AllTimeJeff

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Posts by AllTimeJeff

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  12

  Motives Matter

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  there is a difference between the leadership of the borg (gb 2.5, is that what they're on now?

  ) and the sheeples, that for a variety of reasons, stick with this nonsense.. not every jw publisher believes this stuff.

  the gb knows this.

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  AllTimeJeff

  Interesting turn on the discussion. The Sheeples are a special lot. As an old saying goes, “If you don’t have anything planned for your life, you’ll likely fall into the plans of someone else. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much!”
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  24

  Are you better off as a worldly person or a JW?

  by Jules Saturn in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i was having a conversation with a relative who has been inactive for several decades (part of the ‘75 generation) and he argued that a person that is a born in is better off staying in the organization rather than someone like him who lived as a “worldly” person but then became a witness later in life.

  he argues that when you’re born in, all you know nothing outside of the organization, so you’re better off in than out, that’s why when born ins leave the org, they always come back.

  i agree that as a born in, your social circle is composed of witnesses but i do feel that even born ins would be happier outside of the org than being in.

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  AllTimeJeff

  If you examine the statistics at any point since the 1990s you’ll see that the amount baptized is way more than the overall membership growth. There are plenty who leave and are worldly. They never post here or anywhere on the internet. They just left and moved on. For them, it was an episode in their life. This includes a lot of born ins who move on. Not everyone is a troubled mentally disturbed person because they left. We just never hear from the ones who leave.

  I’ve never been desirous of letting my JW past dictate my future. That’s why my calling isn’t in the online movement. I’ll certainly call a spade a spade with anyone who asks. But I just want to show the GB and former associates who knew me that, yes, I’m doing just fine without you and your shit eating, “Have a Watchtower and get saved” grin.
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  12

  Motives Matter

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  there is a difference between the leadership of the borg (gb 2.5, is that what they're on now?

  ) and the sheeples, that for a variety of reasons, stick with this nonsense.. not every jw publisher believes this stuff.

  the gb knows this.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AllTimeJeff

  There is a difference between the leadership of the Borg (GB 2.5, is that what they're on now?) and the Sheeples, that for a variety of reasons, stick with this nonsense.

  Not every JW publisher believes this stuff. The GB knows this. But if you play the game right, you can be called "weak" and be able to hang out with family and friends, with minimal fuss.

  The motives of the Sheeples class is not what this is about. Simply put, it's about the leadership. I learned this the hard way in 2005, when I studied the bible in depth, and the whole point of it was to "build my faith up" that the bible, and most/all of the major characters in it (Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Judah, Joseph, Elijah, Elisha, David, Solomon, someone stop me here...) all "prophetically" pointed to the existence of Russell and the JW's in the 20th and 21st centuries.

  So, why do you think there is so much "change" in doctrine? About things like the "generation?" Why do you think there is a lack of acknowledgement about 1914 and the generation that saw it? Why do you think they talk so little about 1914 these days? (Big hint, it is 2018...)

  The leadership is all about one thing, keeping power, and keeping their fruity little cult going. The scriptures, as I sadly learned at Gilead, are never about the Sheeples. Amazingly, throughout the history of JW's from Russell on down, the ruling class has used the bible to support their leadership, and because of that, you should follow them. THEY are the chosen channel, not you. THEY have a special relationship with (YHWH/GOD/CHRIST/THE LAMB). Not you.THEY get to partake of the emblems, not you. THEY are anointed by holy spirit, not you. When a prophetic doctrine has to be changed because it simply never came true and never had a chance, THEY get to claim that god's spirit is with them, and YOU were wrong to believe it, and remember, change with us because the holy spirit is with us.

  Motives matter. This cult isn't about improving your relationship with god. It's another sad exercise and peek into the human experience, that shows frankly that most people do not have, or do not want to, think critically or think for themselves. In farming off that responsibility, and not questioning reality or what you hold dear, delusion sets in, and you get groups like the Sheeples that live their life, unaware that it has never been lived.

  That is why I say, think for yourself, live a life you have dreamed and imagined, and go for it. Choose happiness in life, and don't spend too much time chasing this fruity little cult around. They are truly the wizard behind the curtain, and never mattered at all.
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  117

  Lloyd’s new book

  by jwfacts in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i see there has already been discussion over lloyd’s new book how to leave the jehovah's witnesses.

  this includes discussion around his personality, motives and financial gains.

  i have written a foreword for this book, because it is an important topic that has not been covered in such a complete format before.

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  AllTimeJeff

  One thing about the internet, it shows what you're about. If you want to troll and find fault, you can and will. We are all mostly anonymous so we can be brave without having to truly confront. I personally think it is a waste of time to judge motives on internet and social media sites.

  Healthy confrontation btw, is a lost art, and one I have struggled with, but improving in. Healthy confrontation is about setting expectations and boundaries. It's way too easy on the internet to question motives, which turns into unhealthy confrontation, mixed with a lot of toxicity. (I would suggest it is easier and more relevant to criticize actions...) And I think it's a waste of time to confront too much on motives. Want to debate political or religious positions, or activities and their relative value? That's fair game. But you don't know me and I don't know you...

  A book on how to leave JW's is, on the surface, of much more value then some in the ex-JW community who sensationalize things JW's don't really do (like "seeing" subliminal images in WT art, or holding ritualistic sexual meetings at Bethel...) There is so much low hanging fruit when factually attacking JW's because.... (drum roll....) THEY ARE A CULT! Blood doctrine, child molestation, that is real easy. Stick to the facts, and help those who want to leave to leave. That's a pretty worthwhile endeavor.
  
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  8

  Has this quote on hatred been true in your experience with JW's?

  by Wasanelder Once in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i came upon this quote relating to the results of hatred: .

  "i imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.

  has your hatred of the organization been an effort to avoid dealing with your pain?

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  AllTimeJeff

  PS, just my two cents, but if you stay angry at the Borg, you fulfill their "prophecies" about you. That is why I say the best revenge is to live life on your terms and be happy. (acknowledgement, happiness is pretty elusive even for non JW's, but it's worth the pursuit, or the decision to be happy...)
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  8

  Has this quote on hatred been true in your experience with JW's?

  by Wasanelder Once in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i came upon this quote relating to the results of hatred: .

  "i imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.

  has your hatred of the organization been an effort to avoid dealing with your pain?

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  AllTimeJeff

  Oh, I think you're on to something, but it's not just hate.

  We are hard wired to avoid pain. That is why we procrastinate. That is why we lash out. We don't say what we really mean, and it doesn't have to be hate. It can be shame. It can be frustration.

  It's truly a rare person that can genuinely be in possession of themselves, and admit (or know) what is really underneath.

  As I like to say, anger is like 1st gear in a car. It's limited value can be in going forward again, but you can't do highway speeds in first gear either, or you'll eventually burn up and burn out.
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  20

  New JWism in April broadcast?

  by AuntBee in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  does anyone know what it means to be "securely wrapped up in the bag of life"?

  is this a new special wt terminology?

  they said it or a slight variant of it, several times in the broadcast, perhaps 3?

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  AllTimeJeff

  Yes, you too can be wrapped up in YHWH's "Body Bag of Life". Comes complete with a stretcher, usually used when refusing blood medicine...
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  50

  How long is a generation?

  by LevelThePlayingField in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  what splain does in his talk and chart illustration is make the leap that a generation can have two groups.

  and in this case the two groups span more than 108 years.

  but no where in scripture is there ever a notion that a generation has two groups.

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  AllTimeJeff

  Just read this. WOW. They're still trying to hang their collective cult hat on the word generation? Like trying to nail jello on a wall...

  They shot their foot off when they re-did the explanation the first time in the mid-90's. The bad timing for GB 1.0 back then was, AOL and 28.8k modems were becoming popular. That started the information movement against the GB. They had no clue that their flock wouldn't like the fact that, yes, the generation that saw 1914 would indeed die, and, what (?!) they were lied to??? Circumstances and naivete doomed the JW's from 1995 on...

  I think there must be a sense of resignation within the GB that so many within the flock are on the internet and are "faders". Splane is also following a tried and true GB method by floating ideas at talks before they are published. Franz was notorious for that. (he was also a crazy loose cannon) That's why he was couching his ideas in that talk. They aren't official doctrine yet. They are trying to figure out how to mitigate the damage while still claiming to be inspired... And to that I say, good luck, and good riddance.
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  11

  Boundaries

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this post hopefully will get you thinking about therapy, along with good mental and emotional health if you are dealing with the traumatic choices associated with leaving jw's, or if you are considering leaving.

  because it is a trauma.. imagine a married couple in their late 30's.

  because they took last weeks watchtower seriously, they have decided to talk to an elder in their congregation because they have practiced oral sex on each other, and feel a need to confess and get "spiritual help.".

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  AllTimeJeff

  There are likely several ways to get to a place of mental health, where you can feel good about yourself and not worry about what others think, unduly. I was surprised to learn how much shame I still carried. That is something I need to continue to work on daily.

  Beware though, the Borg calls setting appropriate boundaries "rebellious". How dare you have a mind of your own, speak up if your conscience impels you, or reject something that clearly isn't anyone's business.
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  11

  Boundaries

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this post hopefully will get you thinking about therapy, along with good mental and emotional health if you are dealing with the traumatic choices associated with leaving jw's, or if you are considering leaving.

  because it is a trauma.. imagine a married couple in their late 30's.

  because they took last weeks watchtower seriously, they have decided to talk to an elder in their congregation because they have practiced oral sex on each other, and feel a need to confess and get "spiritual help.".

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  AllTimeJeff

  Because of the horribly icky preoccupation this cults leadership has with sex in particular, many have had to have uncomfortable discussions with an elder about masturbation, sex practices, and other matters that are frankly none of anyone's business.

  Confessions have been heard from JW's who had 4 (four!) drinks over several hours in the privacy of their own home and were concerned that that equates to drunkenness, even if it was one time.

  When I was at Gilead, one young Bethelite who had no family in, (read, if he was kicked out, he truly had no where to go) was kicked out for playing "violent video games". He was turned in by his tortured 19 year old roommate. I hope he left with both middle fingers in the air and has discovered an awesome life for himself.

  The GUILT and SHAME this cult engenders in every day behavior and thoughts is ridiculous. It causes mental problems and distress. That's why I wrote this. Get some relief. Don't carry their guilt thoughts around.