38 Years

Joined

• started 5 topics
• posted 331 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by 38 Years

• 
  37

  What's a JW's main motivator?

  by PopeOfEruke in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  what's the main motivating force behind the average jw?.

  i'd say it's a fear of their own death.

  fear of dying.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  38 Years

  Mine was fear and guilt. As a child, I had fear I would die a horrible death at Armegeddon with dogs and birds eating my bones and flesh. I would not be with my family in Paradise either. Through adulthood, guilt because I could never do enough for the "Organization" to please God.
• 
  4

  Did it seem like most of the lit. was always defending a JW belief?

  by zack in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  even as a kid i couldn't shake the feeling that the literature taught in negatives--- instead of advocating for a position, it seemed to be defending it and attacking.

  an opposing position.

  it seemed like they always had to beat up on something or someone to make their point..

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  38 Years

  Absolutely. They can twist anything around to their advantage using a scripture or misquote some worldly publication that will validate their doctrines. They always pick a subject that is of public interest and direct it back to themselves and how scripturally correct they are.
• 
  16

  The printing presses of the WTS stopped working...could they really preach?

  by RULES & REGULATIONS in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  we know that the whole objective of the preaching work is to place( sell ) magazines and books.

  the labor is free from the warehouse to the distribution at the door.

  they preach today's bad news and topics from the bible.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  38 Years

  I think most publishers have tons of old magazines hanging around the house. That might last for a while. When they run out they will get a presentation they will study and memorize from the Kingdom Ministry, which will include the usual scriptures to start Bible Studies or invite people to the Kingdom Hall. At the KH, they could cry poor and get contributions in the special box marked "Special Contributions for Kingdom Work", or some similar label.
• 
  24

  Sorry if done before..10 Songs that best describe being a JW???

  by ilovegravy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this may have been done before, but i was wondering what songs best describe your life as a jw.. 1. road to nowhere.

  talking heads.

  2. road to hell.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  38 Years

  Here's a few:

  The Vultures Fly High - Renaissance

  Land of Confusion - Genesis

  No Son of Mine - Genesis

  Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas

  Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
• 
  24

  Fader's update on the wife.

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so my wife is still very close to me.

  she acts like she hopes i come back to the meetings but.

  she doesn't really expect it.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  38 Years

  Your update is so encouraging! Your wife is starting to think and speak outside the cult, so that's really hopeful.

  I am trying to get my sister out. She is really bad about meeting attendance and never goes out in field service. She agrees on some doctrines and fully disagrees with others. We started fading at the same time, not on purpose, just out of discouragement. We are very close, best friends. When I first quit, I was so excited, I wanted to tell her everything about Brooklyn and how great it was to be free. She got defensive, so we agreed to disagree. In my opinion, she is practically not a witness anymore but she would never admit it. It would be great if she would quit and get the black cloud over her life to go away. I know it's the guilt and brainwashing that has her under control. I still listen to her complain about Brooklyn and the congregations, but I don't say a word. I just keep telling her she's right, and I stop myself from saying anything more. Right now, this is the best strategy I can think of. If you have any advice, please let me know. Thanks!
• 
  8

  Need help with parents

  by 5thGeneration in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my wife is having a problem.

  she has so many issues and is always talking to her parents about them.

  they consistently agree with her, to the point that they skip meeting where things they don't agree with are discussed.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  38 Years

  Well, this is the way I told my devout JW mother. We weren't in the same congregation, so for a couple of months, I didn't think I could tell her at all. Then it just couldn't wait any longer since she talks about the Kingdom Hall and Watchtower all the time. I started out by saying that I had never told her this but I had been miserable in "The Truth" for about 20 years. She seemed surprised. That amazed me since I had been inactive for years and barely went to the meetings. Anyway, I told her that I really tried very hard and prayed to do better, but it wasn't happening. She seemed okay when I told her that I was still going to read the Bible and live as a good Christian. I further told her that I would not try to make her leave, and I knew that she was very happy as a Witness. Then she started asking the typical questions about Armegeddon and the New Order so I had to tell her I hadn't agreed with what the Witnesses teach for many years. She said that she did and that they were Jehovah's people. I told her again that I was glad she was happy and but I wasn't.

  She kept up with the objections and I decided I had to tell her that I had done some research and found out many disturbing and shocking things about what was going on with the Governing Body during our 38 years of being Witnesses. She got a little defensive, the typical, "you can't believe what is printed", "everyone's against Jehovah's organization", etc. I told her I probably know more about what is happening in Brooklyn than the congregation members, and I asked her if she knew who the current President of the WBTS was. She didn't, of course, but she thinks that's okay.

  A couple weeks later, she told me she was going to talk to a brother that she could trust about me because it was bothering her. I told her about the risk of getting me disfellowshipped and that would effect my son more than it would her and I. I told her that since I had faded, a disfellowshipping would be like quitting a job and the employer hunting you down to fire you. She said she would talk to me anyway if I were disfellowshipped, she just couldn't talk to me about religion. (Actually, that would make my day )

  On her way to see the brother, she rear-ended the car in front of her. She was fine but the car was totalled. I was glad that she wasn't hurt. I love my mom, and she loves my sister and I very much. It was pretty ironic to smash up your car and walk away from it on the way to have a "spiritual" conversation with an Elder. I almost suggested to her that it was a sign that maybe it wasn't a good idea. I don't think she ever followed up with that brother, she hasn't mentioned it since.

  You know your family. I would say to mentally prepare for the worst and how to respond. It might go better than you expected. I expected my Mom to cry and carry on like I was dying. But she's fine. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
• 
  23

  inactive a year

  by changeling in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this month marks a year since i reported fs.

  i can't remember the last time i felt this proud of an accomplishment.

  i have come a long way in my de-programing.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  38 Years

  Be proud you are doing something better with your "time". I stopped reporting hours over 10 years ago, but finally quit going to meetings and the Memorial 4 years ago. I never regretted missing field service. I was so sick of it. Good grief, how long were we supposed to keep telling people the end was coming? I'd been doing that since 1967! Even counsel from elders couldn't get me to start going from door-to-door again. One sister even tried to give me one of her Bible Studies to help get me motivated. I refused to take it from her and it didn't bother me one bit.

  Freedom is great! Enjoy!
• 
  13

  from Bethlehem

  by bethlehem in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  hey guys,.

  i really admire your work, which in a way guided me to the real truth,.

  here is my story,.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  38 Years

  Welcome. No, you are not crazy. You are completely right about the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. Many of us still have family members that we are trying to get out of this cult. My sister is miserable being a JW, but still will not listen to anything I say. It took me 38 years to get out. That's how strong this cult is.

  This board will be very helpful to you for support and getting ideas that may help your situation. Keep researching on other sites about the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Ask any questions you need to. These folks are very knowledgeable and understanding.

  38
• 
  45

  what's in it for the women???

  by chelsea in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have often wondered what's in it for the women???

  i just read the story of minimus and it is so clear that such power and privilege on offer to males in the borg would be enticing and probably addictive... but the women will never have such offers or opportunities.

  they will always be required to be in subjection.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  38 Years

  I spent my entire time in the "organization" listening to sisters talk about being dominated by their husbands. Going out in field service during the week with married sisters can be very eye opening. There were so many ridiculous stories. One sister had to wear dresses down to her ankles. Her Elder husband thought that women's knees were ugly. One sister had 4 kids, no help from her Elder hubby, but he would wake her up all night long for more sex. But she had to give her husband "his due". She looked exhausted and sickly all the time. Some sisters were physically and emotionally abused.

  I dated a lot of young brothers, but would never get serious. Between what I heard from the sisters and the platform, your chances were pretty high that you would have a dominating husband. Not only can they dominate, but they have scriptures to prove they can get away with it. The elders will support the husband. My opinion was that once you got married, the only way out of a bad marriage was death, or someone needs to commit adultery. Hopefully, it's him, (but it will be your fault because you weren't a good wife).

  I hope I didn't offend anyone, but that's how I grew up as a sister in the congregation.
• 
  28

  I'm graduating tommorrow

  by Shawn10538 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it's been a nine year battle, but i'm finally graduating from college with a bachelor's degree and a certificate.

  it's important to me that this community knows that.

  there are probably a lot of you here who didn't allow themselves to go to college.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  38 Years

  Congrats! You've worked long and hard. I got my bachelors degree 10 years after high school. I decided I had time because it didn't look like the end was coming. I did it while still in the organization. I took a lot of comments from elders and most of the brothers and sisters never got over it and threw it in my face. But they can't disfellowship you for going to college, although they can be very nasty. But it was well worth it.

  With your degree, you'll have many more opportunities now. Enjoy!

  38