Similarly, my mom was a single parent with my brother and me. She did everything by herself and on her own. No one did anything extraordinary for my family. My mom was, and still is, a strong individual and wasn't afraid to stick up for herself and tell people to mind their own business or tell them straight up that they were wrong. For that, she was pegged as not being submissive or "obedient to those taking the lead". I say, why should she bow down to you elders when you do nothing for us. Jerks! And yes, we were not included in the family gatherings or what have you. My brother and I are out, thank goodness; and we are slowly working to get her out of there. Being in the WT and its congregations are like being in an abusive relationship, in my opinion.
Rethinking
JoinedPosts by Rethinking
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9
Divided household, spiritual widow, spiritual orphan. Propaganda expressions
by Mattieu ini grew up in what the society calls a divided household being a spiritual orphan the son of a spiritual widow.
looking back now, these terms certainly isolated us, or marked us as being different from the ideal families in the congo.. there were quite a few of us divided households in our congo when we were growing up and as most of the spiritual united families wouldnt associate with us on a social scale, we mostly hung out with each other.
a few of our dads became good friends as no doubt they had a few things in common, being the cause of divided households.. i remember one elders son saying they couldnt hang around us as his dad told him we were bad association, not that we were doing anything wrong, we pioneered on school holidays gave talks, answered up, did all the right things except we had a dad who wasnt in the truth.. these terms that the society use, also create an us versus them attitude within the family arrangement.
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Were You Afraid To Talk Out Loud For Fear The Demons Might Hear You?
by minimus ini know of many witnesses that were petrified that if they spoke about something out loud, the demons.
i swear jws think the demons.
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Rethinking
I can remember my mom telling me that if I thought I heard her call me from another room, I should come to her rather than shouting back a response because I may be responding to demons who were calling me. Kah-razy stuff. Why would they call on a little kid?
Now, when I'm able to, I read my (daily) horoscope!
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Now Billy Mays has died, he was 50!
by purplesofa inwow, .
i just heard he has died this morning.. .
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Rethinking
He was seen getting off a plane that made an abrupt landing due to a flat tire yesterday at Tampa's airport. That is, according to our local news. Don't know if that may have something to do with his death.
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I have the books....
by Rethinking in...crisis of conscience and combatting cult mind control in my possession!!
bought them today!!.
i can't say enough how much this site has helped me thus far!
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Rethinking
...Crisis of Conscience and Combatting Cult Mind Control in my possession!! Bought them today!!
I can't say enough how much this site has helped me thus far! Wish me continued luck on my journey.
Rethinking
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Any help will do
by Rethinking ini don't post often, but read posts very often on the board for encouragment.
haven't been to a jw meeting in about six months.
i started going again after not going for sometime.
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Rethinking
Thank you all for your responses. I will definitely read the suggested materials and take my time.
Oompa, you're hilarious!
Rethinking - b.k.a Convinced
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Any help will do
by Rethinking ini don't post often, but read posts very often on the board for encouragment.
haven't been to a jw meeting in about six months.
i started going again after not going for sometime.
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Rethinking
Hello All,
I don't post often, but read posts VERY often on the board for encouragment. Haven't been to a JW meeting in about six months. I started going again after not going for sometime. I guess I was still unsure. I was positive six months ago, though, that I didn't want to return to that kind of life - if that's what you want to refer to it as. I'm about to throw away all of the literature that I have as a celebratory-purging and may have a potential relationship with someone who doesn't believe in God. Go figure!
My continuous struggle in making new friends is that I'm in the habit of "disfellowshipping" them, if you will. If we have slight disagreement or I feel that they do something that doesn't meet my "approval", I find myself not speaking to them for some time or the classic avoidance behavior. They know about my past and can understand the baggage I carry. However, I'm afraid that they'll soon tire of it if I keep it up. I really am trying to get away from that mindset, but it is very difficult and it bothers me so that I can't sleep here at three AM.
Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Rethinking (who name should be changed to Convinced)
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Latest Witness comments about no more Bookstudy- Rejoicing and happy????
by Witness 007 ini've asked afew witnesses at work and around town about no more bookstudy.........they are all so relieved!
one elder with four kids said..."it will make things alot easier, with rushing home from work, the society understands our needs.
"......another brother said: "it's great, now we can go to the cinema on half price tuesday's!
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Rethinking
Someone please clarify this if incorrect.
Aren't elders allowed to "count" time for public talk and bookstudy because it is "teaching the congregation"? Now with the public talk time cut shorter and the bookstudy eliminated altogether next year, won't they have to get out "in the field" to get their required hours? A great majority of them won't be able to cut it.
(Oh snap! I just heard something on Family Guy about "Jemima's Witnesses" when a lady said "Y'all want some pancakes?")
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Unexped concequences of no longer being a Dub
by Amber Rose inhaving quit the jw's, i have found my past as a jw inconveniencing me in seemingly random situations.
finding a new hair stylist wasn't as hard as i thought it would be.
i need to get my teeth cleaned, but which office should i go to.
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Rethinking
I was kind of thinking of something along those lines today. Seriously, I'm having a problem dealing with people who may do or think things differently from me. At work or my neighbors, for instance. I find myself sort of "cutting them off" meaning conversing with them very little or not at all. What is wrong with me? It is okay for someone to think and do things differently!! I've got to rid myself of that automatic response of 'oh, I'm not talking to you'. I'm sure I've been doing that all the time, but now I'm noticing it!!
Has anyone else had that problem? What worked for you? I'm thinking that it will only take time.
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Just sharing
by Rethinking inwell, it's been some time since i've posted.
a lot of you have encouraged me to live my life without the shackles of wt and i have begun to do so - doing what i want to do in my life.
it is a lot of fun not looking at people and judging them because their "worldly" - they're human beings!!!
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Rethinking
Well, it's been some time since I've posted. A lot of you have encouraged me to live my life without the shackles of WT and I have begun to do so - doing what I want to do in my life.
It is a lot of fun not looking at people and judging them because their "worldly" - they're human beings!!! I went away for my birthday and had a great time, reconnected with some folks I neglected over the years because they were "bad". It is very refreshing to be myself without feeling guilty that I'm not following the WT rules of life.
Just wanted to share and my journey will continue!!
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Just to let you know
by Rethinking ini've decided to cut my ties with jws.. i don't post here much as i've stated before, but you all don't realize how much i appreciate this forum and the support it gives..
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Rethinking
Truthsearcher, yes, I am still interested in spiritual things. And I continue to read the Bible, only a New Revised Standard. Don't know how good a version it is, but I will explore others.
Thanks!