humbled

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Posts by humbled

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  13

  Should Passive Resistance Be The Weapon Of Choice For Those Stuck In The Watchtower Corporation Cult?

  by frankiespeakin in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  what can a person do who is stuck in the watchtower cult movement but don't want to be shunned or disfellowshipped but want to follow a course of passive resistants, like ghandi did to the brits to get them out of control over india?.

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/nonviolent_resistance.

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  humbled

  I recall that it was necessary for the oppressor to possess a basic sense of decency for Ghandi's approach to work (thus ruling out the Nazi regime or Pol Pot) . The Brit's were sickened by their own aggressions to suppress the Indian's effort's to self rule.

  It would either require a polarizing event that the WT/GB could not suppress and/or organizationas BOTR mentioned. The GB would remain unmoved, I am convinced by any suffering among r&f members. But the rank and file might move if the outrages were so public as to be viewed without secrecy. they might talk and think.

  I personally don't think passive(if by that we are talking about "secret") resistence will bring the WTSTS to account for its corruption. Those secret things we might do on principle, fine. But I do not see it helping expose the extaordinary lies of the Corporation.

  But if that is all at your disposal--passive means--until there is a better plan to rally 'round----Go for it!
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  68

  Breaking the law under the guise of religion / getting away with slavery

  by wasblind in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in the past i've compared the wts to slavery, but this book validates what i've come to know about this organization.. .

  'cuz slavery ain't sweet, no matter how faithful and discreet.

  jesus states: "....the truth will set you free.

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  humbled

  band on the run,

  Southern slavery was monumentally vile, criminal, and any other ( inadequate) descriptor we can find.

  But the value of the OP is not in making point for point parallels between the two. But the comparison dramatises a critical truth: people who long accept a institution that regards slaves and masters as a holy arrangement from god destroy the inner man long before the slave dies.

  Also, a slave that feels they have intrinsic value is a threat to that system. A person who desires to exercise their free will cannot long survive slavery-- any who deny that the slavery structure can be maintained except through the most coercive means is deluded. The penalties must be severe. To accept the premises that underpin the operation of a master slave relationship corrupts not only the mind of the master, but of the slave as well. It's a living death of a person.

  It reminds me of women who are subjected to powerful and long term verbal/psychological abuse who say they might have left sooner if their men had simply beat them--but their minds and self concept had been so distorted that they had no power to leave--so they thought--and so it was true.

  As a side note: I am always glad when there is outrage that anything can be compared to slavery--Too often I have been around people who shrug slavery off as though it is no big deal--times being tough, wasn't it fine to have food and covering? etc...

  Also--we are comparing U.S. style slavery. There were customs for slaves in various cultures that were not identical to the mode of work and status that existed here. Slavery in ancient Israel (if we can believe that jubilee years were observed) granted more than monetary value to the slave/servant.

  ps. Did I mention that I hate the WTBTS?
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  9

  I Am Captive

  by compound complex in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am captive in both heart and body, .

  walled in by mahogany panels and .

  useless fears of too long standing.

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  humbled

  Good afternoon, Coco. (paint this yellow, please)

  I am waiting for my forsythia to bloom still.

  I am glad to see that two years on--- a door has opened in your cell.

  Better.

  I hope we live just long enough.....

  to walk into the midst of bright fragrant blooms.

  Maeve
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  68

  Breaking the law under the guise of religion / getting away with slavery

  by wasblind in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in the past i've compared the wts to slavery, but this book validates what i've come to know about this organization.. .

  'cuz slavery ain't sweet, no matter how faithful and discreet.

  jesus states: "....the truth will set you free.

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  humbled

  I've read the thread, wasblind.

  For people like Sulla (who objected to the comparison of pre-Civil War slavery in the U.S.) "where there is life there's hope" is a simple idea that makes them reject the comparison of WT slavery to the "classic" slavery of Africans.

  For some, the horror of death or bloody beatings for bucking slavery is not mirrored by the penalties of the WT for those who buck against their chains. If you can walk away in your skin intact, there is life.

  I ask--but is there hope?

  I fall on the side of the two slaveries being very much the same --only the effect of the WT being far more insidious than the threat of beatings or of death. I hate the WTBTS.

  I have to get ready for work now or I'd write more. But thanks for reviving the post.

  BTW, I've been missing Mrs. Jones for a while. I hope she and the fam are okay. She not scuttled like happened like happened to Tammy?
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  17

  Might Get to See My Grandchildren Today

  by mrquik in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my oldest daughter is still in the cult.

  i haven't seen my grandchildren in 5 yrs.

  my son-in-law's father died this week & the funeral is today.

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  humbled

  This sounds like a visit in a jail. Only shorter, with less talking.

  You are a champ for going.

  Live well, enjoy life, mr.quik.

  I hope they come around.
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  2

  Have you noticed how MISERABLE the trolley and other public preachers look?

  by hamsterbait in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  saw three "public preachers" standing in a triangle facing people as they approach.

  they all looked so depressed, that i almost went up to them to ask:.

  "where is your kingdumb smile - i thought jws are the happiest people in the world.".

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  humbled

  Maybe it's a way to build enthusiasm in(or punish?) in those who hate going door-to-door.
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  13

  Any one from Ireland? Happy St. Patrick's Day. How do you celebrate?

  by Miss.Fit in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello all, i know st.patrick's day is about over.. i was just curious how many of you observed the holiday.

  i live in the usa in the south west.

  where i live we have a large population of native americans and hispanics.. so st.patrick's day is low key.. we wear green and talk about drinking green beer.. i started to wonder what a real celebration would entail.. i dressed as a lepercaun for story time..

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  humbled

  crmsicl--

  Ouch! You are too right about St. Patty Paddy.

  Are you Irish-fresh-from-Eire?
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  15

  P R O U D of H E R: Daughter's column in the New York Times

  by humbled in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  she called last night to say it's online now, front page.

  it'll be in the print version sunday.. not everyone's cup of tea, at first consideration: she is slightly embarrassed to be featured in the modern love column in the style section.. the times people asked to make a short video of her article "fight or flight".

  they went to her bronx apartment to talk to her.

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  humbled

  Thank you all for sharing with me.

  Misery needs company--But it is joy that loves company most!

  cultBgone, BandOTR, BoC and Sylvia --

  ShirleyW--The Modern Love section (as my daughter told me) takes unsolicited submissions--and get plenty. Her piece was one she wrote some months after her breakup (maybe Nov.?) It was in remembering the good moments that she wrote it.

  She sent it in. Not a hope for more than the catharsis.

  Then she heard from them @ a month ago.

  But for my two older girls--yes, often they get a foot in the door some places, some times by networking (who you know).

  But sometimes, plain old persistence wins the day.

  They are around people that help each other--and their little sister coming along, too.

  Helping each other is really important.
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  15

  P R O U D of H E R: Daughter's column in the New York Times

  by humbled in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  she called last night to say it's online now, front page.

  it'll be in the print version sunday.. not everyone's cup of tea, at first consideration: she is slightly embarrassed to be featured in the modern love column in the style section.. the times people asked to make a short video of her article "fight or flight".

  they went to her bronx apartment to talk to her.

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  humbled

  Dear Band,

  Sorry--It's in the Style section--the ever popular Modern Love.There it was on the online, first page portion. If I knew how to make a link , I would.

  I don't know how.

  It is not a light weight piece--even considering the section it's in.

  Edit:

  Thank you!!!! cultBgone!
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  15

  P R O U D of H E R: Daughter's column in the New York Times

  by humbled in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  she called last night to say it's online now, front page.

  it'll be in the print version sunday.. not everyone's cup of tea, at first consideration: she is slightly embarrassed to be featured in the modern love column in the style section.. the times people asked to make a short video of her article "fight or flight".

  they went to her bronx apartment to talk to her.

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  humbled

  She called last night to say it's online now, front page. It'll be in the print version Sunday.

  Not everyone's cup of tea, at first consideration: she is slightly embarrassed to be featured in the Modern Love column in the Style section.

  The Times people asked to make a short video of her article "Fight or Flight". They went to her Bronx apartment to talk to her. So that is her voice narrating the 2:14 minute video. She has mixed feelings about it all.

  However.

  I am thinking that, for any lurkers or newbies who wonder about life and --yes--even love outside the Borg my daughter's essay says this: following your heart does not guarantee the outcome you hope for every time. Yet both life and love in the "world" still has ways to go gently on inspite of disappointment.

  --without harsh judgement we heard all the time in the Organization.

  She quit going to meetings at age 16. She walked away from the Organization that told her not to go to college. She went to college on her own and kept going. Writing and editing every step of the way. It was not easy.

  I stayed in 15 years more after my brave girl left. Then another daughter left and she went to college --on her own. It was not easy--likewise successful...None of my 7 children are Witnesses--- so much clearer thinking than I.

  I invite you to take the time to watch and especially to read her column(Even if it is not at all about the Organization).

  No one need say a word--I am just happy she had the sense to her life into her own hands. I am trying to do that now after all these years. It is not easy but---what is?

  Oh. And did I say I am proud of her?

  "Fight or Flight" by Sarah L. Courteau