Posts by StephaneLaliberte

78

Am I the only "witness here besides the admins?

by TheOnlyRealWittnessHere in

jw
friends

with all the negativity here i was wondering if i am the only one here that's a witness.

.

the topic pretty much says everything..

StephaneLaliberte

Hello TheOnlyRealWitnessHere,

I have visited this site a full 8 years before finally deciding to leave the JW. To be honnest, when me and my wife took our decision, it had nothing to do with this site or any apostate site for the matter. It all had to do with how I wanted to raise my kids.

The fact that you are here demonstrate that you are not fully in line with the Watchtower. That is fine. And should it not have been for my kids, I would have been happy with living in silence, trying to change things from the inside. however, when you have kids, that is not really an option. What would happen if they repeated something I thought that was not in line with the teachings?

Anyways, all this to say that you can explore this site and others and you may very well, like me, stay happy in the congregation for many years. In the end, it is not this site, or anyone else that makes decisions for you. It is you and you alone.

One more thing: The reason I love this site is that contrary to what many would think, it is not rampant with false information. From time to time, someone will share false information and generally, within the same day, they are exposed on this very forum. So, in short, people on this board try to be factual and truthful, no matter how we like that fact or truth.

22

The new LDC / RBC Requirements

by DwainBowman in

the new ldc / rbc.

requirements.

there are many requirements, but when you get to the end of the form.

StephaneLaliberte

I was raised in the truth and participated to some building work and very early on (before I was 20), I questioned in what way building stuff had anything to do with the preaching work.... when they get to the point of building a hall, they have a steady income by that point. So, why not get a mortgage with a bank?

Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the idea of maintenance work and small repairs being done by volunteers. But full blown construction projects where people are taken out of their house for months on ends... what does that have to do with Christianity?

When they start any sizable project, they compare with the construction of the temple... the same temple that Jesus said he would bring down as the truth was not in a building, but in people's heart!

28

How hard is it to attend a congregation outside of the territory where you live? Consequences for doing so.

by hoser in

jw
friends

i need to change congregation but stay living in the same place.

any experience with this.

StephaneLaliberte

I remember a time in my life where the congregation I was attending was discouraging me more than anything else. I was coming back from there less happy then I was before going.

In the end, I believe it was simply a matter of compatibility as some of my friends told me very good thing about that congregation. Anyways, I moved to another congregation without changing territory and I remember the elders were not happy about it, but I did tell them the truth.

Anyways, I was than very happy in the other hall for quite a while before I had my kids and my crisis of conscience.

You should not leave the JW because you don't get along with people in your hall. You should stop however if, in the end, it violates your personal beliefs and conscience. So until you reach that state, if you ever reach it... you should definately change congregation.

32

The elders came to talk about my facebook comment

by cookiemaster in

so, not long ago i've told you guys how one of my only two jw friends saw my comment against the borg and called me about it.

well, the little fraker also called the elders to tell on me.

i know i've been a huge idiot for posting a comment about jw's on facebook, but nonetheless i did it and what's happened, happened.. two idiot elders came all the way from the nearest congo, 30 miles away to talk to me about it.

StephaneLaliberte

Cappytan: if it's just a couple of elders, why do people even open their doors to them if they're faded?

I always open the door to the elders for the simple fact that I considered them to be my friends for many years. It is not me who will stop communication and act like a tool. It is them. And I feel that way about everyone I know in the JW. When I see them, I am polite, casual, and with respect for their beliefs. In essence, I act the way I want them to act with me. So far, I haven't been threatened by anyone about anything. This may change if they see me doing something that is frowned upon, but it will not be me who brings an end to nice, polite exchanges.

57

"Normal family affections and dealings" continue - If only?!?

by LHS123 in

i am new to this forum - it is only a couple of weeks since i have allowed myself to acknowledge and research my doubts.

i am trying to be fair by reading both sides of the story and considering jw official explanation of confusing matters.

one of the issues i have been looking at is shunning - and i was shocked to see the misleading information about shunning on the jw.org website: .

StephaneLaliberte

The shunning practice is the main reason why I have left. When you walk around Europe you come to realize the shear amount of people who have died for the freedom of expression; in someway, the entire land has bathed in blood, battling for the right of the people. Then, JW turn around and deny these very things to its members... it is despicable. JWs imposes laws dictated by a select group man and call it theocracy all the while freely admitting that they are not "inspired". They bring a dictatorship within democracy and call it "religion".

24

Went to a Catholic Funeral Today

by Captain Schmideo2 in

jw
friends

it was for a dear friend of the family that i have known all my life.now, bear in mind that i was born and raised jw, so my experience with catholic ceremonies can be counted on three fingers, a wedding, a "regular" mass, and this funeral mass.once they got down to the actual speaking about the deceased, i felt emotionally involved, but prior to that, i was watching and had questions about aspects of the services (these i have seen in common for all three times i have been in an rc church):why the "sing-song" voice during the prayers?

does god hear it better if you sound all spooky tenor?i observe that every time a reading from one of the gospels takes place, it is preceded by a big musical number:"alleluiah!

alleluiah"( "and nowwwwwwwwwwwwwww, heeeeeeeeeeeeeere's jesus!".

StephaneLaliberte

I remember being at a JW funeral where the brother at the front knew nothing about the deceased except that he was a member of the congregation. So, he went on and on about the JW teachings and almost nothing about the brother. Then, while the elder was still speaking, the oldest daughter of that deceased stood up and asked to say a few words at the front! While the elder was still trying to figure out the answer, she was already on the stage pushing him over (kindly) and started speaking:

Your group knew my father as a JW. However, since you rarely saw him outside of this setting, we, his children, would like to elaborate on how exactly he was with his family. And then, she went on about personal stories for a good 20 minutes.

One of the best funerals I have attended, because of her. Otherwise, in terms of the brother who did that talk, he was the worst!

That being said, I can also say that some of the most beautify funerals I have seen were also JWs. In the end, I believe it all has to do with the brother/preacher/priest giving the talk and the personal involvement he had with the deceased.

30

TROLLEY WITNESSING BECOMING A ROUSING SUCESSS!

by nowwhat? in

from last weeks meeting.

"we are now going to talk about experiences from trolley witnesssing" .

this is the honest to god response.

StephaneLaliberte

I remember, a little more than a year ago, at my last convention, I went to speak to a brother that reported about the success of these trolleys in very broad terms. I asked:

How many bible studies were started as a result of your 6 months sprint?
Have you observed positive changes in the life of anyone who listened to you?
Have you had a conversation with somewhere where you felt you made a difference?

Since the answer to each of these questions was "zero", I saw his face come down as if it hit him that true success is not measured by the number of hours or the placement counts. Rather, success is measured by the good you do and the good you help people achieve.

59

2015 Convention Reminders Video!

by Atlantis in

credit goes to mike & kim.. .. https://youtu.be/yj3x6wjrsaq .

.. .. atlantis!.

StephaneLaliberte

Oubliette: generally speaking they are severe cases of arrested development emotionally, socially, intellectually and spiritually.

Though I am no longer a JW, I will simply not go down the route of having no respect at all for all its members. I think this attitude serves the WT as it surely turns away JWs trying to get alternative, yet, logical and respectful arguments against their own teaching.

59

2015 Convention Reminders Video!

by Atlantis in

credit goes to mike & kim.. .. https://youtu.be/yj3x6wjrsaq .

.. .. atlantis!.

StephaneLaliberte

Toes up, I did vonlonteer planty at the conventions and yes, many are indeed self entitled a-holes, but believe me, the easiest way to put them in line for me was: So, which congregation are you from my loving brother?

You would feel their fear growing on them and do what ever you told them. As for elders, I sometimes pretended that I reported straight to the CO. It was like a magic wand.

In the end, no matter where you go, humans are humans and their Spiritual Paradise is non-existant.

That being said, does it mean it is a bad thing to make this video? I think not, I actually think that is a good thing. As for its infantile approach, well, if you are the type to push an old lady, you are obviously a retard and need to be talked to like a retard. This video is for these retards. The rest of the group can enjoy the break.

59

2015 Convention Reminders Video!

by Atlantis in

credit goes to mike & kim.. .. https://youtu.be/yj3x6wjrsaq .

.. .. atlantis!.

StephaneLaliberte

Oubliet,

with that logic, absolutely anything done by the JW should be condemned as they are a cult. On of the main reason I have left the JW was because they used to take things in bulk and call it evil. Everything from the world, even birthdays are bad.