Posts by Enlighted UK

82

Prevalence of JW Suicides - Real or Imagined?

by AMNESIAN in

jw
friends

in one or two recent threads i've seen reference to the possibility of a rising number of jw suicides being another of the organization's very dark realities about which it is vigilant in keeping concealed from its pub populace.

is there anyone reasonably informed regarding this?

is there reason to suppose the incidence ratio among jws is any higher than among any peoples/religion?

Enlighted UK

I know of one instance a few years ago.

Brother in his late 30's, married, 1 stepdaughter, 1 son, 1 (very new) baby daughter.

Had MANY cleaning jobs to make ends meet (I used to baby sit while both parents were out cleaning in the evenings).

With all the pressures from the org, he couldn't take it anymore. He had spoken to many elders in the cong, there was no comfort from the org.

Around memorial time, he drove his car a short distance, and ran a hose from the exhaust pipe into his car, closed the windows and turned on the engine..................................

His wife has since remarried but hates memorial time because of all the memories. She has since asked elders (one in particular) many deep questions about the organisation, which he can't answer, he can't help her. She is still struggling.

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Part of my job is to collate suicide statistics for the region. I shall have a closer look and see what I find.

I hate the thought of someone thinking life is not worth living, when all they have to look forward to is many more years as a pressured JW.

Enlighted UK

10

RE: Busted by Wife (thanks to all for your help)

by Big Jim in

jw
friends

i really do appreciate all the advice that i received from you all on this matter.. i even appreciate the ones who gave critical advice and downed smoking.. i took all advice that was given and have resolved the problem with your help.. here is where i am at with the issue now; i have been with my wife for almost twenty years now and we have always had a very strong and good relationship especially when it comes to communication.

well to her i betrayed that special bond by not telling her i was smoking.

so in her mind she figured if i would hide this from her what else could or would i hide from her.. so after digesting all the good advice that i have received from you all, i had a long heart to heart talk with her and reasured her that even though i am no longer a witness that i would never do anything to destroy the family that i love.

Enlighted UK

Big Jim

WELL DONE!!

But what about your quote:

" I spend time with my kids and try to make the best of what I can with them all even though I am not a Witness. "

I feel that you will be an EVEN BETTER dad to your children now that you are not a witness. You will now be able to encourage them in their pursuits; careers, social activities etc, without the fear or stigma that is attached to "worldly pursuits".

I am not a JW now, although my husband is.

It is my daughters 3rd birthday today. On Sunday we are having a "first" birthday party for her - (My husband will be there!!) - I have wanted to do this for 3 years. Now I can without fear of being condemned for it everytime I walk in a Kingdom Hall (which neither me or my daughter will ever do again).

You will be able to do far more for your children.

ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM.

Enlighted UK

9

Objection by an elder

by cnn77 in

jw
friends

i approached one of the elders with some of my doubts..... i mildly pointed to the fact that the wtbs had been errent in it's prediction of 1975 as well as some of the other "new light" issues.. his response was one which i have heard many times before: "the society is made up of imperfect men.

interestingly, in 99% of cases most witnesses will accept this explanation and feel guilty for questining a their fellowman ( the humaistic side of the organisation is unconscioulsy impressed onto the mid of the questioner).

at least that is how it has worked on me - until recently.. the next time i am fed this line of reasoning i would like to ask the following question: "ok brother elder, i accept that they are not perfect.

Enlighted UK

This "excuse" of the society being made up of imperfect men has been used on me MANY times.

One notable occasion; from my book study conductor/field service overseer.

On separate occasions this one man has told me that "it is made of of imperfect men" on another occasion "the organision is perfect", and "the truth is NOT worth losing your marriage over" (thereby implying it is not perfect.

I refused to trust him on anything else from that point on.

It must be sad to be that confused!!

Enlighted UK

16

LIES in Current Watchtower!

by Eusebius Hieronymus in

jw
friends

after posting on the maximus nourishment for the spirit thread about elaine pagel's "the origin of satan" and "adam, eve, and the serpent," i check my mail and find the watchtower for august 15, and a qfr (whole page) answering the question, "for how long a period of time did job suffer.".

they say "job's suffering and its resolution may have occurred within a few months, perhaps less than a year.

" blah, blah, tribulation momentary and light, blah, blah, christ will himself finish your training.

Enlighted UK

Thank you Hmmm for your comments,

It seems that it could have Fred Hall himself that my brother was talking to, if it wasn't for the slight problem of being on different continents!!

It is true that JW's are unified - they ALL don't think deeply and reason issues through!!

Enlighted UK

33

Losing Loved ones to Death While in the Org..

by Roamingfeline in

jw
friends

did anyone lose beloved family members or friends to death while in the org?

if so, how did you feel about it once you came out of the cult and figured out that everything you'd been taught about the new system coming soon, and loved ones being resurrected was a big fat lie you'd been spoonfed?

how did you feel and react to that?.

Enlighted UK

The trouble with a belief in a resurrection is that JW's feel that answers everything when someone dies. But for the individuals feeling the loss it is not enough.

There are a number of sisters in my old cong, who have lost family members to cancer. They are all elders wives, and have been on antidepressant medication since. This resurrection/new system hope has not helped them one bit.

My daughter was critically ill when she was born. After a while she did recover to a degree so that we could take her home. We then had to return 2 weeks later for elective heart surgery. Various procedures in between, and then open heart surgery in September 00.

I received the following encouragement:

Elders wife - "It is probably better that she dies now rather than later".

Spiritual Brother - "Don't worry. Everything will be better in the new system".

Mother in law - (after surgery when daughter was really ill and the medical team, as a last resort, were suggesting the use of blood to improve recovery chances) - "well have you told them about erythropoetin (sorry about the spelling!!)." Her grandaughter was laying there and she was STILL churning out the rubbish from the blood brochure.

The Hospital Liaison Committee were far more concerned about the academic exercise surrounding which medical apparatus was going to be used during surgery.

The Hospital Visiting Service (local London congregation near to hospital) - were more interested in telling us about the interesting calls and return visits they had made during the week.

THEY JUST DON'T CARE!!

Enlighted UK

Enjoy your life, it is the only one you'll have.

16

LIES in Current Watchtower!

by Eusebius Hieronymus in

jw
friends

after posting on the maximus nourishment for the spirit thread about elaine pagel's "the origin of satan" and "adam, eve, and the serpent," i check my mail and find the watchtower for august 15, and a qfr (whole page) answering the question, "for how long a period of time did job suffer.".

they say "job's suffering and its resolution may have occurred within a few months, perhaps less than a year.

" blah, blah, tribulation momentary and light, blah, blah, christ will himself finish your training.

Enlighted UK

Funny you should mention that particular scripture:

On Wednesday of this week, my brother ( a former JW) was called on at his place of work by two JWs.

My brother informed them that one point he couldn't understand was why JW's didn't allow birthday celebrations, as Job did. The JW's said that wasn't the case, he didn't celebrate birthdays.

My brother then read the scripture from Job, from their own bible. The JW's said that birthdays are not allowed because it elevants one particular person.

Ok , my brother said, that would include Wedding Anniversaries as well, but you allow them.

The JWs couldn't answer that.

I don't think they will be making a return visit!

Enlighted UK

Enjoy your life, it is the only one you'll have.

200

How Many States / Countrys Are Represented Here?

by Big Jim in

jw
friends

i am from houston texas myself.

Enlighted UK

To Englishment: I am guessing either Blackpool, Brighton, Margate or Yarmouth (has Yarmouth got a pier??)

BTW I am from Sussex, England - near neighbours to Anglise!!

Enlighted UK

Enjoy your life, it is the only one you'll have.

27

Part II of Survey! Please Respond Again.Thank's.

by Big Jim in

jw
friends

the first survey i asked how you were brought into the non-truth.

my next survey is along the same line, however what i would like to find out is on the average how many hours you spent in the field service and were you ever able to bring anyone into the non-truth via field service or via incidental witnessing.. and how long you were associated with the borg?.

thank you in advance for your input.

Enlighted UK

I was brought up in the truth from the age of 3.

From age 5-16years = averaged 4 hours a month.
16-23 = 3 hours months average.
Auxilary pioneered for 1 month = (I was in reality just a chauffer driving around a regular auxilary from one coffee call to another)

Left organisation in Oct 00 at age of 23, taking my 2 year old with me. (She is NOT getting involved with it) My parents and brothers have also left the org at around the same time. I am currently working on my husband!!

Brought no-one into the organisation.

Enlighted UK

40

No More Harboring Private Ideas!

by RationalWitness in

jw
friends

just finished reading the august 1, 2001 watchtower.

the second study article is entitled how to make your advancement manifest.

well, after quoting ephesians 4:11-14, heres what paragraphs 8 and 9 advise:first, since oneness is to be observed, a mature christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned.

Enlighted UK

First of all:

Quote
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They want a group of followers who will follow them to the death. If this trend continues, along with the incumbant corruption that such power holds, it will eventually lead to a Jim Jones type of group, where they are reduced in ranks, but what is left are willing to drink cyanide coolaid.
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How soon will this take, as I believe my in-laws will easily fit into this category!!

and Secondly -
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Remember that in God’s eyes your worth as a person is not measured by how much you do in the field ministry. All of Jehovah’s servants are precious to him.[/b] (Haggai 2:7; Malachi 3:16, 17) What you do in the preaching work may be more or less than what others do, but as long as it represents your best, Jehovah is pleased, and there is no need for you to feel guilty.—Galatians 6:4. (bold mine)[/quote]
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My husband was advised by the Service Elder, that they way to become a ministerial servant is as follows:
For a few months before a CO visit, make sure you do 10 hours a month in the ministry.
Put down on your report that you study with your daughter (yeah like at 3 months it is a STUDY).
When the CO visits, he will look at your card, see what you have been doing for 6 months - these figures will please the CO and you will be a Ministerial Servant.

Yes we said, but my husband cannot keep doing 10+ hours a month, as well as working full-time. And if you are then made a MS, you will need to keep that level of ministry going??

That doesn't matter, said the elder, as soon as you are made an MS, you can drop your hours again. Just do enough for the CO to be pleased with.

Jehovah NEVER came into the conversation. Only the CO (a bit like staying late at the office to please the boss and gain promotion- but then likely your place of work is not claiming to be Gods organisation on earth)

The whole thing stinks.

Enlighted UK

6

Clear as Ink

by Norm in

jw
friends

anybody who studies the christian religion and in particular the fundamentalist part, will soon discover how important the devil is.

he comes in handy in all kinds of situations.

when a fundamentalist is cornered and unable to answer questions he can always accuse his opponent of being an agent of the devil.

Enlighted UK

Quote
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During this 20th century, only Jehovah’s Witnesses have cooperated with the angels in this vital work.
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Self-righteous is an understatement!!

Enlighted UK