Posts by StephaneLaliberte

39

Prince Harry and Meghan

by minimus in

jw
friends

what do you think of these two?.

StephaneLaliberte

I find many similarities with cults/religions in that there are no proper boundaries between the organization and personal life.

For instance, JW kids grow up in a controlling environment where they are told that everything, they do reflect’s on Jehovah (aka: their religion).

Same goes for people born into the monarchy: they can’t go where they please and a large portion of their personal life is controlled by others.

I was thinking of some similarities as well with the Vatican, or the GB. These people live in secluded areas. Sure, there are advantages, but in the end, you don’t have freedom.

We all have limits on our freedom. Everyone. For instance, though there is no law preventing me to traval, I’ve never seen the other end of my own country due to time and finance. But I do take for granted basic freedom such as walking down in the market and worrying about someone taking a pic of me scratching my bum.

For prince Harry, he was born into this. He’s trying to escape this and taste freedom. Still, even now, he doesn’t really have it. He needs to worry about security and a lot of media attention. So, he’s still not as free as most of us are. There is a lot of freedom in being anonymous.

As for his wife… well, she married into it… she had a choice and took that choice as a grown women… so, in terms of responsibility, a good part of it falls on her shoulder. Still, that doesn’t mean we can’t feel pity for her.

14

Why I care about people who see racism everywhere

by StephaneLaliberte in

today, i was watching a tv show and a black celebrity in quebec said that his latest incident of racial profiling was being asked questions by the police as he was walking in a quiet neighborhood at 2am while wearing a hoody.

then the other guest next to him validated his claim saying that she, as a white women, was never stopped like this by the police.

i became very frustrated and agitated.

StephaneLaliberte

I think you're right minimus. Recongnizing this is my first step towards healing. :)

14

Why I care about people who see racism everywhere

by StephaneLaliberte in

today, i was watching a tv show and a black celebrity in quebec said that his latest incident of racial profiling was being asked questions by the police as he was walking in a quiet neighborhood at 2am while wearing a hoody.

then the other guest next to him validated his claim saying that she, as a white women, was never stopped like this by the police.

i became very frustrated and agitated.

StephaneLaliberte

Today, I was watching a TV show and a black celebrity in Quebec said that his latest incident of racial profiling was being asked questions by the police as he was walking in a quiet neighborhood at 2am while wearing a hoody. Then the other guest next to him validated his claim saying that she, as a white women, was never stopped like this by the police.

I became very frustrated and agitated. Could they not see baseless this claim was? Any man, wearing a hoody, in a quiet neighborhood, walking in the middle of the night has very high chances of being talked to by the police. I’m a white male and I’ve been stopped multiple times for precisely this reason. Don’t you know what real racism is?

I was so frustrated about it that I had to call a friend of mine and tell him. My friend agreed with me, that it was just a bad claim of racism, but, unlike me, didn’t get worked up about it. This made me wonder: Why do I care so much about this type of thing? Why get all emotional about it?

I believe it has to do with my JW past. I was, and suffered at the end of, JWs accusing others based on some warped sense of superior righteousness. Having escaped this highly judgemental world that sees only the worst of people, I feel especially sensitive to anyone who, while proclaiming to be good, actually do harm by their words and behavior. JWs shun people and call it love. The “woke” place labels on people and ruin their reputations without proper basis and call it justice.

113

Try To Be Less White

by minimus in

jw
friends

that’s what coca-cola is telling their employees.

.

this is ridiculous!.

StephaneLaliberte

Racism is found in both white and blacks races. Somehow, many people don't seem to understand that a black person being racist against a white person is equally as bad as a white person being racist against a white. Racism is racism.

4

Studying the bible with my oldest kid

by StephaneLaliberte in

i no longer believe in the bible as the word of god, but do appreciate the value in teaching it to my kids.

its teachings influence the life and culture of billions of people today and shaped the history of the world.

so, i bought a book that quickly goes over the core stories and have discussions about those with my kid.

StephaneLaliberte

One thing I make clear to my kids: If they want to become Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, heck, even JWs, its their freedom to choose so. But if through their spiritual journey, they land some place where they are told that they should not discuss this topic or that subject or should not discuss with this person or that person for fear that they could be influenced in any direction, then that means they are in the wrong place.

You should always question your beliefs, always. No one is right about everything. As life goes on, you end up being more assertive about certain subjects based on your research and experience, but you should always keep an open mind.

4

Studying the bible with my oldest kid

by StephaneLaliberte in

i no longer believe in the bible as the word of god, but do appreciate the value in teaching it to my kids.

its teachings influence the life and culture of billions of people today and shaped the history of the world.

so, i bought a book that quickly goes over the core stories and have discussions about those with my kid.

StephaneLaliberte

I no longer believe in the bible as the word of God, but do appreciate the value in teaching it to my kids. Its teachings influence the life and culture of billions of people today and shaped the history of the world. So, I bought a book that quickly goes over the core stories and have discussions about those with my kid.

I have to say, its quite interesting to see his reactions to some of those stories.

· Because some people didn’t believe a man claiming to talk to God, and building an arc in the middle of no where, these people deserved to drown? Them, their families and all the animals? Really?

· So, God wants his people to be circumcised? Why that? Why not something else, like a tattoo?

· So, Jacob stole the birthright from his brother…. And they spin the story to make it sound alright? That’s just wrong.

· So, God killed Lots wife just for looking back? Isn’t that a bit harsh?

· Oh no…. you’re telling me that Lot’s daughters raped their own father??

· You’re telling me that Abraham was about to murder his kid and that is supposed to be a good thing?

Ahhhhh, the bible!

I remember that I had similar questions when I was a kid, and these were explained away by some mental gymnastics that never truly made sense to me. I’m glad I don’t have to do this with my kids.

20

Profanity on Surrey Kingdom Hall

by lssjr in

if it is a non-jw who did this as a result of their pandemic campaign (letter-writing and telephone calls), jehovah’s witnesses really need to check themselves.

they have been directed by their new york headquarters (since last year shortly after the start of the pandemic) to send letters to only people they know.

people don’t like receiving unwanted, unrequested, unsolicited letters and phone calls, especially from jehovah’s witnesses.. if it is a former member who received a letter as a result letter-writing pandemic campaign- most former members do not like being harassed by active jehovah’s witnesses and have been directed by their new york headquarters to send letters to and call only people they know.. .

StephaneLaliberte

Or wouldn't this be nice:

"You'll call the police on this graffiti, but not on your pedophiles!"

but this is fantasy... a crime is a crime. Don't do it.

20

Profanity on Surrey Kingdom Hall

by lssjr in

if it is a non-jw who did this as a result of their pandemic campaign (letter-writing and telephone calls), jehovah’s witnesses really need to check themselves.

they have been directed by their new york headquarters (since last year shortly after the start of the pandemic) to send letters to only people they know.

people don’t like receiving unwanted, unrequested, unsolicited letters and phone calls, especially from jehovah’s witnesses.. if it is a former member who received a letter as a result letter-writing pandemic campaign- most former members do not like being harassed by active jehovah’s witnesses and have been directed by their new york headquarters to send letters to and call only people they know.. .

StephaneLaliberte

If you're going to make a graffiti, why not actually communicate something meaningful. Like:

"My mom is shunning me!"
"My friend died by refusing blood"
"You forgave my molester and disfellowshipped me!"
"Your 1914 generation prophecy was changed when they died."
"You baptize children and break families apart."
"Your women can't divorce violent husbands!"
"You don't report the pedophiles you disfellowship!"
"You don't tolerate free speech within your ranks"
"Your man made rules are thicker than the bible!"
"Spirit directed ≠ inspired. Why same authority for your leaders?"
"If God destroys all non-JW (99.99% of the world), does he still love the "world"? "
"Preaching a lie across the world in 230 languages doesn't make it true"
"Christianity did plenty of "preaching works"! They're now 2 billion !!"
"You have religious titles: Elder, Overseer, Pioneer, GB member, etc."
"You have monasteries you call bethel!"
"You mislead people with emotional videos!"
When did Jesus preach about "Construction projects"?
Which family was preaching door to door in the bible?

I personally wouldn't tag their hall though. I'd prefer to print out papers and distribute that on their car windshield if I could.

20

Are faders like me just cowards? Should I show my face?

by Witness 007 in

i feel bad i just faded away and did not "come out" as an apostate hater.

my mum died refusing blood and still i hang back my wife still has witness friends and goes to the memorial every year..

StephaneLaliberte

As I have faded, my core family (wife and kids) are no longer under the full control of watchtower. I say full control as there are small things that still impact my core family: We cannot publicly celebrate Christmas, Halloween and birthdays. We still do, but we don’t do it in a manner that would be seen by JWs. We also don’t say anything negative about cults and the JWs on social media or in the vicinity of JWs ears.

Living with these hurdles has allowed us to keep a decent relationship with our JWs family (parents, relatives, and their JW friends). For instance, we can share meals with them and have conversations. To ensure that these relationships are based on respect, we’ve had a unique conversation with them years ago on “why we left”. They heard our reasons and never asked about it again. On our part, we never talked about these either and never criticize their belief since. On the contrary, we know their religion makes them happy and so, are willing to help when needed. This works as our relationship is based on love and respect.

Now, are we cowards for taking the path we've have chosen? By revealing our position to our family, we’ve taken very real and sizable risks in our lives. We’ve lost all our friends and several family members in the process. We also risked disfellowshipping should our family had chosen to report us. So, are we any less courageous for not facing our enemy and telling them straight what we truly believe?

Here is an example that will help put things in perspective:

During the Nazi regime, the JWs take great pride in the fact that they would not salute Hitler and face persecution head on. For those who did, we can say they were remarkably courageous. But what about those who saluted Hitler, lied about their beliefs, and blew up train tracks at night? Were they not courageous as well? Didn’t their actions have a greater impact on the Nazi regime than the martyrs willingly giving themselves up?

Same goes for the faders. Many will leave the WT, lie about why, and in the “evening”, write on apostate sites such as this one, contributing to the “resistance”.

Not willingly making yourself and your family martyrs doesn’t make you any less courageous, it simply makes you an astute enemy.

14

What’s Your Opinion of Companies That Decide To Stop Doing Business With You Because of Politics?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i think it’s terrible.

if someone wants to believe in a political party they should not be punished or censured because of who they like or what their politics are, right or left.

.

StephaneLaliberte

Well, if your business makes political statements and takes position for a party or another, then, yeah, sure. It makes sense. But otherwise, business should be business.