Ever notice how nobody ever gets DFed for gluttony, materialism, or, for that matter, heavy drinking? I have known people who got a job even though their husband made six figures just so they could avoid service, but they were fine because of their social status. Or who pioneered for a hall pass on their materialism. Way down, nobody WANTS to go by the rules of this religion. It is an insurance policy just in case they need it, and the meaner you are in the name of righteousness the better. BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE SAME SPIRIT!!! I understand what JamesThomas is saying. Human beings respond to love. If the relatives know that your door is open and you drop bitterness (be mad at the org. not them) the day may come that they will approach you. We are all responsible for our own feelings, but I do feel for you in your situation and your perception of the situation is interesting and probably accurate. It is just so important not to have the same attitude that got them where they are now...I can see how religion in general has sprouted from the idea that we are all separate.
Numinous
JoinedPosts by Numinous
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95
First & Last, One-time post
by journey-on ini have been lurking for quite some time now on jwd.
my story is pretty much just like everyone else's, "only the names have been changed".
in reading your posts, i have both laughed and cried till tears ran down my cheeks.
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Did you ever falsify your time?
by avidbiblereader inas a witness/pioneer, did you ever falsify or lie on your time card?.
abr.
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Numinous
After pioneering 5 years I went from being really honest to counting time for anything that matched up with the phrase "I could be doing something else right now". So. The minute I left the house the time was counted and whatever happened from that point on was out of my control...the oppression of never having a moment of free time eventually got to me. Restrangled, my life wasn't as bad as your dad's but...that "self-sacrificing spirit" is so exhausting. One more thing about reporting time...my elder SO husband would hand me the files of people that needed to be phoned for their service time while he was upstairs watching an old Gilligan's Island. Lots would just tell me an hour and I would write it up...but I would wonder how an hour was possible. Even if you went out for a morning it would be...let's see...for me that would be...
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Numinous
I feel for Antonella Barba, the 20 year old who's creepy ex boyfriend posted nasty pics of her on the net...like it isn't nervewracking enough.
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My first post!
by Crafty Lady ini've been reading a while and decided to join in.
my jw experience: my mom got hooked during a vulnerable period (marriage split up).
we went to a couple of congregations in queens, ny, and then moved to the finger lakes area of upstate ny.
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Numinous
Hi Crafty! I am also a very new poster, but I have been looking in the window at this gang's party for years. There are some wonderful people here. I really enjoy what they have to say. Look forward to hearing from you!
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Over 1 million $ for Brit's hair...
by Numinous inat 7:30 this morning, ebay's auction price was up to 1.1 million.
the description of this is "a piece of history that cannot be duplicated.
" any comments?
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Numinous
I think her mom said something about her being a good mother...I feel really sorry for her. That hits a place that's...not even below the belt, it is a place in a woman that is Cro-Magnon. She thinks that someone will try to take her children away. How scary for her...
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Over 1 million $ for Brit's hair...
by Numinous inat 7:30 this morning, ebay's auction price was up to 1.1 million.
the description of this is "a piece of history that cannot be duplicated.
" any comments?
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Numinous
At 7:30 this morning, ebay's auction price was up to 1.1 million. The description of this is "a piece of history that cannot be duplicated." Any comments?
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df'd and having doubts..JC knows
by Caine inbefore i got df'd for you know what i told the brothers i was having doubts....think theylll keep me out longer?.
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Numinous
One of the best books out there that helped me was Steven Hassan's Combating Cult Mind Control. The beautiful part, to me, was the fact that he never once mentioned Witnesses. You would think that that would be a point for the Borg, but no, as a simple read through would make the most devout believer understand way deep in their gut the simularities the organization has with other known cults. Saying your not a cult apparently is a great way to get people to think you aren't in one. Here are some things he mentions:
The doctrines leave no room for interpretation. It's the TRUTH, perfect and absolute. Any flaw in it is your fault.
We are good, the rest of the world is evil. We are the chosen elite
Thinking of oneself or for oneself is wrong. The group comes first and absolute obedience to superiors is a main theme.
Love is unconditional and unlimited at first, then, as time passes, love depends on good performance. When someone does leave, that love turns to anger, hatred, and ridicule.
Problems are always your fault, and fear is your main motivator.
The leader is constantly shifting the time-table. Armegeddon is just around the corner.
There is never a legitimate reason for leaving. You are either weak, insane, brainwashed, and if you do leave, terrible consequences will follow.
This is from a man who studied cults. If it walks like a duck...
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That's What I'M Talkin' About!
by Farkel incall me a curmudgeon.
there are just some expressions in today's vernacular that are just idiotic, and "that's what i'm talkin' about" is one of these.
it is so ghetto.. several people are saying 'blah, blah, blah, de blah and more de blah..." suddenly, a dimwit in the group hears something that dimwit didn't even mention but happens to like the subject and then dimwit blurts out, "now that is what i'm talkin' about!".
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Numinous
I also hate "awesome" and "yadda, yadda, yadda". Hey! What's ebonics for Toys R Us? We Be Toys!!!
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PUNISHED by WBTS for obeying conscience.
by yesidid ini have a friend well call michael whose conscience landed him in trouble with hq.. .
he was a district overseer in the pre 75 era but his conscience would not allow him to .
endorse the unscriptural date setting.
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Numinous
The ex-elder husband who I worked with didn't care much for my friendliness to DFed people who came into the shop we worked at. My conscience, really my humanity and common sense got in the way of doing what I was told. Vanilla Mocha, I gotta say, that's funny being hauled into the back room for a hamster resurrection idea.My personal "gnat extractions" that were taken care of in the back room were : inappropriate sandal wearing, non Avon lady-like hair, colored nylons, and someone overhearing my saying "That's crap, I'm not doing that." right after the announcement to the congregation that we should all start informal witnessing like a moonie in a parking lot.
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Do you recall your "point of no return"?
by JH inwas there something special that happened, an event or maybe a deception, that triggered your point of no return as a jw.. .
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Numinous
I asked myself the question "how can it be possible that I love people, myself included, more than God"?