Posts by AllTimeJeff

26

JW's make the big time news

by eyeuse2badub in

lifestyle.

ex-jehovah's witnesses break silence on shunning: 'my mother treats me like i'm dead'.

detroit free press 3 hours ago .

Just read it. Boy did it bring back emotions and memories. Watching my brother become addicted to drugs and then take his own life because of the shunning (which I participated in at the time) will always be heartbreaking for me. This event also caused the breakup of my parents marriage, which led my mom to make some unhealthy choices herself. She passed away from cancer in 2010.

Having to leave and knowing I would forever blow up the bridge was the single biggest act of courage I have ever done in my life. Has my quality of life been lessened because of shunning? Hell yes! This thing is a cult, and I was a born in who fell for it until I woke myself up.

No need for sympathies, I have long since dealt with the trauma, and am at peace with what happened, because it did happen. My revenge is living well, and hopefully to offer some small support to those who are trying to leave. I don't care about political arguments on this board, or religious ones. I don't care that JW's teach some things that are harmless when they promote ideology that threatens peoples lives. (Blood medicine, shunning for seemingly small sins...) I just want you to leave if you're in and get mentally right. That frequently means getting professional help. Don't discount that. Don't be embarrassed. It saved me and many others.

26

JW's make the big time news

by eyeuse2badub in

lifestyle.

ex-jehovah's witnesses break silence on shunning: 'my mother treats me like i'm dead'.

detroit free press 3 hours ago .

AllTimeJeff

...

30

Sign of apostasy

by Ireneus in

elders arranged a sort of informal visit by a more capable elder accompanied by another brother who is more qualified than me from academic background.

their purpose was to reason with me as a last resort to avoid a jc.. during the two-hour discussion, i could make my point clear to them: “i don’t think any one particular religion has the whole truth.

it may be existing as bits and piece in all religions and schools of thought.

AllTimeJeff

Several years ago, a few conversations on this board noted that elders and elder bodies differ. Frankly, there is no uniform way to deal with "apostates" from the JW point of view, because interpretation and other variables are at play.Now that CO's are used to make local decisions directly to insulate Bethel from lawsuits and liability, that is even more the case.

So first of all, BE CAREFUL. Maybe they'll go after you, maybe they won't. For them to say that this is the beginning of apostasy should put you on notice. I am unsure if you want to stay in and fade or not. If you do, you have to commit to playing the game somewhat.

I actually like the suggestion of employing the mental health card, if you want to. I am all for using misdirection against them.

Lastly, all it takes for someone to get DF'd or to stay is momentum within the elder body and the CO that they consult. Some have been DF'd for less, or more. Your mileage will surely vary. Just be on guard.

21

Lurkers

by Freedom rocks in

do you think elders and gb members monitor this site to catch people?.

AllTimeJeff

If this is something one wonders about, to each their own. My personal thoughts are, the GB and some high rankers absolutely visit here. It's human nature. And as I am sure they have realized by now, they are only, all too human.

30

The "Imperfect Men" Argument

by steve2 in

one of the most common "defences" of jw organization is that "the brothers" are imperfect yet still strive to follow god's word.

"sure, they make mistakes," so the argument goes, "but so did god's people in the past, including in bible times.

" the key point is their readiness to keep studying god's word and learning from their mistakes.".

AllTimeJeff

It's amazing how two consenting adults can be disfellowshipped for touching each other, but you can't get disfellowshipped for a few false prophesies that adversely affected the lives of millions.

Yep, I'd say that's pretty imperfect.

33

besty - anybody remember me

by besty in

jw
friends

just checkin in - all good.

px.

AllTimeJeff

thanks for all the kind words- yes i will come back and be present ...
what did I miss?

Well, uh, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but the generation that saw 1914? They did in fact, actually die. #darkjwhumor

Great to see you!

18

How do you deal with "toppers"? [one upmanship]

by compound complex in

jw
friends

when in conversion, you sometimes get carried away and the talk becomes all about you.. then, you remember you're in a conversation, say you're sorry, and allow the other person to talk.

she goes on about what's happening in her life, you listen and ask some questions.

she tells you more and then shifts the dialogue back to you.

AllTimeJeff

I always appreciate it when a person lets me know sooner rather than later that they don't belong in my inner circle, and won't be mailed any invites. ;)

49

How Many People Here Still Believe In “God”?

by minimus in

jw
friends

because of this site i realized that there were many people who were active jehovah’s witnesses really didn’t believe in god at all.

i’m curious how many people believe in god?

i’m not interested in debating why you shouldn’t have a belief in a god or should.

AllTimeJeff

I have learned that this topic is not two dimensional. For me, it's an ongoing journey, but no, I don't go to church and do not talk to or pray to a specific entity. I do explore "spirituality" in its many aspects. I do my own thing. I'll never do group think again as a condition of "worship", whatever you'd like that word to mean.

29

Has Watchtower taken the joy out of 'the good news of the kingdom'

by UnshackleTheChains in

i ask this question for the following reason.

i was sitting at the kingdom hall thinking about all the rules, procedures, policies, teachings that each member must follow ......or else!.

at the watchtower study we are reminded of the paradise earth where we will all be the same and happy.

AllTimeJeff

I would strongly suggest that nostalgia isn't the way to go. I do understand that the GB 2.0 is even more cold than the original version, but it wasn't a cake walk either. You still had no freedom of thought or speech, and had to fake it to make it at all if you had a mind of your own.

Joy was never something any version of the Governing Body was about imo. And yes, it's even worse now, but it was never good before.

32

Welcome to all the newbies and lurkers that have joined this forum lately.

by smiddy3 in

jw
friends

i`m sure you have all noticed the ever increasing number of newbies and lurkers who have visited this site over the past months and i am sure we could all collectively welcome them to this site and support them on learning the ttatt .

and helping them to navigate how they can look up older publications and quotes of the wtb&ts that they would rather remain hidden.. we all know jehovah`s witnesses /governing body never apologizes for mistakes they make they just don`t mention them anymore and explain it away as new light from god.. actually a big cop out.. welcome to all you who are new to this site .. every day their seems to be someone new posting which is great .. and if this is any indication of what is happening in all other ex jw sites the wtb&ts are in deep trouble .

.

AllTimeJeff

Hello to all the newbies. You've got a lot of people who've been through everything here. Many great people and stories.

As a former Gilead missionary, I saw the rot directly. I have no desire to bring down this cult, I personally believe that it will burn out on its own, but what I saw while going through the Gilead at Bethel was the final straw. I have seen first hand the damage done to people, and how much the Governing Body will put their financial considerations over the people. (Pedophile stories like Candace Conti are just the tip of the iceburg.)

As Morpheus told Neo, if you choose the red pill, the only thing to be offered is the truth. THE REAL TRUTH, NOT THE BULLSH*T THE GB RAMS DOWN YOUR THROAT. Hopefully you'll find yourself as much as you find out the real truth about the Borg. As I like to say, live well and become who you can become, it's the best revenge against the Governing Body.