i find it interesting reading posts from ex-witnesses or those that are slipping away and yet the terminology is still brain-washed into us.
i mean, i've managed to stop using the terms myself.
sometimes i might catch myself using the term "the truth" or "brother" or "sister", but i quickly correct myself.. the fact is for me, as much as i agree with a lot of their values and beliefs, those people were not my "brothers and sisters" nor was the organization "the truth".
Vernon, I think you've hit the nail on the head for why the terms annoy me. It's that emotional connection that the term "brother" and "sister" or "truth" have that makes me uncomfortable.
Mr. DJK, :-), I too have talked to an elder (damn it, errrrrrrrrrrr senior member in the Kingdom Hall) and I referred to him by his first name loud and clear. Like you, I felt so good in doing so!
Rubens
i find it interesting reading posts from ex-witnesses or those that are slipping away and yet the terminology is still brain-washed into us.
i mean, i've managed to stop using the terms myself.
sometimes i might catch myself using the term "the truth" or "brother" or "sister", but i quickly correct myself.. the fact is for me, as much as i agree with a lot of their values and beliefs, those people were not my "brothers and sisters" nor was the organization "the truth".
I should clarify. When I say "a lot of their beliefs", I am referring to things like loving your neighbour, respect for parents, having a close family, being a good person in the community, obeying the laws, well mannered and polite. Things they preach and most of them somewhat actually do...
But there are a lot of fundamental beliefs I strongly disagree with now, for which I can freely speak about without having to worry about my trained answer. And because of that, I've had some of the best discussions about religion since I've left. Not to mention I have a lot more respect for people who don't share the same beliefs as I have.
I remember my old boss and I talked for 4 straight hours one day from the time I got to work until lunch time. I finally had to stop to tell him I had work to do. But you know what? I'm sure all the elders were concerned with was that I didn't put in "service time" on my card! LOL!
Rubens
it's all about power!!!!
all 9 parts are there.
enjoy, and don't forget to let us know what you think.
Haha, I think you might be right Inquisitor!!!
The hypocrisy. It drove me nuts that I would go to someone's door trying to get them to take the Watchtower and Awake and yet if that person offered me some of their literature, I was not allowed to take it. I debated this with an elder recently and we went back and forth for a while. He told me they don't take them because they have "the truth" and so they don't need to read any other literature. To which I replied that the person on the other end also has the same conviction for what they believe, making you a complete hypocrite for forcing yours but not taking theirs... I even went as far as telling the elder, "Let's say for arguments say you do indeed have the truth. Your belief is firm and you can defend it with the Bible. Your faith is that strong and its backed by your works. Then you have no need to worry about taking someone else's literature because you can always prove them wrong, or put nicely, show them the right way". He had nothing to say to that... but still indicated they could not take anything.
It felt good to tell an Elder the truth, that he was a hypocrite!
The other thing I am disappointed with is how much they preach love from the platform. In all my experiences, I saw very little evidence that anyone in the congregation loved my family. Again, hypocrites.
Rubens
what is the real reason why kingdum halls don't have windows?
to people on the outside looking in that is just too wierd and very cult like like they have something to hide.
wasn't in the 80's when they started to build them without windows?
I never gave any thought to this in the past, but its so true. My initial guess would be cost, and I'm sure it would make the weekend builds go a lot quicker. However, not having windows also means no distractions from the outside world, no wandering... just focus on the stuff they want you to learn.
Rubens
i find it interesting reading posts from ex-witnesses or those that are slipping away and yet the terminology is still brain-washed into us.
i mean, i've managed to stop using the terms myself.
sometimes i might catch myself using the term "the truth" or "brother" or "sister", but i quickly correct myself.. the fact is for me, as much as i agree with a lot of their values and beliefs, those people were not my "brothers and sisters" nor was the organization "the truth".
I find it interesting reading posts from ex-Witnesses or those that are slipping away and yet the terminology is still brain-washed into us. I mean, I've managed to stop using the terms myself. Sometimes I might catch myself using the term "the truth" or "brother" or "sister", but I quickly correct myself.
The fact is for me, as much as I agree with a lot of their values and beliefs, those people were not my "brothers and sisters" nor was the organization "the truth". It took me a long while to realize how entrenched I had become in using those terms when there was no validity to them, at least for me. It almost made me feel as those I had been brainwashed, because a clear indication of that is not recognizing your everyday thoughts and actions have now become normal... Its not until you step away that you realize how far you had travelled.
So I'm curious how everyone else feels about this. Thoughts? Feelings? And for those that still use the terminology, why do you (not meant in a bad way either, just wondering)?
Rubens
i just read blondies wt review and it made me angry.
how can the society continue to place more importance on pioneering than getting an education or getting a good job?
why do these men insist on making young ones (and even older members) feel bad for wanting to have a secure future, what the hell is wrong with not wanting to live in a tent?
And you know what? I fear its getting worse with time. I remember a "brother" I studied with had two young beautiful kids, both under the age of 7. However, these kids never attended a regular school. They were completely home schooled and to the best of my knowledge, it was the parents intention to do that as long as possible.
Now lets say these kids grow up and decide to be pioneers, maybe even going to Bethel. Essentially, the father was trying to keep them away from "the world". What happens if they have children of their own and have to leave Bethel? It boggles my mind to imagine what kind of shock those kids are going to have when they are introduced to the real world. As much as I understand the concept of pioneering and keeping your kids away from the world, they do need to experience to grow on their own.
Those extremists may as well wrap themselves and their kids in a bubble...
(End of my Rant)
Rubens
it's all about power!!!!
all 9 parts are there.
enjoy, and don't forget to let us know what you think.
I haven't been to a convention in years. I really wish I could pinpoint what it is, but something about seeing it again has me irritated and tense... annoyed...
Rubens
i used to balance my checkbook sometimes.
another favorite was unsticking the pages of a new bible or folding back the dogears of an old one.
You've got a point there! Someone posted a video of one of the 2007 District Conventions. I couldn't help but listen to the skit and think that it is the same as when I went 10 years ago.
i used to balance my checkbook sometimes.
another favorite was unsticking the pages of a new bible or folding back the dogears of an old one.
A friend of mine's father used to be able to sleep with his eyes open, so peacefully. We proved it at a DC by waving our hands in front of his face, nothing... no movement at all. We all envied him!
Rubens
