In his book "Releasing The Bonds", Steven Hassan refers to cognitive dissonance as a reason that people don't leave cults. Perhaps for some of the more intelligent ones pride is a factor too.
Maddie
Posts by Maddie
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85Elder asks me why we quit... (Long)
by Odrade inin this thread i mentioned having a long chat with an elder last summer.
i didn't realize i had never posted the story, so here it is.. last summer (when i went to buy my new camera lens) i ran into one of my favorite jws at the photography shop.
he was buying a camera bag for his new dslr, and i saw him, went up and greeted him, hugged him.
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The Gift of Speaking in Tongues?
by Maddie inwith the increase in evangelical churches there seems to be a lot more emphasis on the practise of "speaking in tongues".
i quite like the way these churches conduct services, with live music and great singing.
it is so different to the kh meetings and like fresh air.
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Maddie
SUNSPOT - Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Are you hoping to be able to talk in tongues too?
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The Gift of Speaking in Tongues?
by Maddie inwith the increase in evangelical churches there seems to be a lot more emphasis on the practise of "speaking in tongues".
i quite like the way these churches conduct services, with live music and great singing.
it is so different to the kh meetings and like fresh air.
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Maddie
Emotions of entire audiences can be changed. It happens at rock concerts and cinemas every day. Think of the scene in Independence Day when the President gives his rousing speech. Everyone feels a part ofsomething bigger, something powerful. Others cheer so it feels natural to join in.
SEROTONIN - I have to agree with you on the above as I have studied a little about crowd behaviour in Psychology. Thanks for reminding me, it probably accounts for a lot.
CHALAM - Just to make it clear, true speaking in tongues is not something you can work up yourself, is not babel but a heavenly prayer language and is a gift from God for those who believe.
If it is a gift from God today, then this is how I would expect it to be - not babel and not a frenzied state which a person has brought on by their own merit.
JGNAT -
Don't you think JW's have had it drilled in to them that if anyone claimed to be of the "anointed" they had to think of themselves as exclusive and "special" somehow? That's what happens if you break it off as a"class" of people and make it an exclusive club.
JW's put the anointed and God in an exclusive little box of their own, which shuts everyone else out of a personal relationship with God. They steal a persons spirituality which is wicked IMO
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Confidential Body of Elder Letters from 1981 through 2006
by Elsewhere inhere it is guys.
this is what darth frosty was talking about in his post the other day (http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/149460/1.ashx).
this is a collection of confidential letters from the watchtower society that were sent to the bodies of elders in the years 1981 through 2006. these are the letters that you were never meant to see or read.. there's all sorts of information in them ranging from the boring and mundian to instructions about how to handle child molesters.. many thanks to darth frosty and others (who i'm not sure can be named) who worked very hard and took risks to collect and scan the information.
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Maddie
Thank you for all for this information. It is so important in fighting the borg.
Maddie
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The Gift of Speaking in Tongues?
by Maddie inwith the increase in evangelical churches there seems to be a lot more emphasis on the practise of "speaking in tongues".
i quite like the way these churches conduct services, with live music and great singing.
it is so different to the kh meetings and like fresh air.
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Maddie
MUST OBEY - Would Jesus allow deception by demons? An interesting question because I don't think he would, unless the gifts aren't still available today and its the demons pretending they are.
DINAH - Your friend felt at peace after the experience so it seems do many others.
SNOOZY - As I said to MUST OBEY above - that is the biggest problem
CHOOSING LIFE - Perhaps it was psychological if he had used LSD in the past. Maybe if he hadn't then the experience would of been pleasant - just a thought
HMIKE - It would really be a turn-off for me if I was made to feel less "spiritual" - too much like being a JW and having the feeling of being judged.
I attend a Pentecostal church, and I speak in tongues. I was never prayed for, nor was I in an excited emotional or mental state when this event happened about six months after the Lord saw fit to save me. I have only spoken in tongues during my personal prayer time, and it usually occurs when I am in deep intercession for people XJW4EVR - You sound very sincere and thats how I imagine it should be when it does happen. -
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The Gift of Speaking in Tongues?
by Maddie inwith the increase in evangelical churches there seems to be a lot more emphasis on the practise of "speaking in tongues".
i quite like the way these churches conduct services, with live music and great singing.
it is so different to the kh meetings and like fresh air.
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Maddie
PEC - I agree that some are fakes (maybe most), but does that mean they all are?
HEATHEN - If it is truly a gift from God then and abused to trick people for money then it is unforgiveable, just like the WT is a wicked deception.
GETOVERIT - Perhaps your friend was convinced it was wrong by the people in her new church. Very sad if she truly experienced something beautiful.
ERANDIR - I haven't actually seen it first hand so I may think the same thing if I do
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The Gift of Speaking in Tongues?
by Maddie inwith the increase in evangelical churches there seems to be a lot more emphasis on the practise of "speaking in tongues".
i quite like the way these churches conduct services, with live music and great singing.
it is so different to the kh meetings and like fresh air.
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Maddie
If you believe that God is good and He only gives good gifts to His sons and daughters then what is to fear?
Chalam - I have thought about this before and that is one reason I started this thread. I know that there are many hang-overs from being a JW but that doesn't automatically mean that everything they say is wrong. As you will understand the last thing most of us want to do when getting out of the cult is to be drawn into another deception, so I try to take my time before coming to a conclusion. I am seeing the scriptures with new eyes now (if you know what I mean) which is interesting. Thank you for your post.
Maddie
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The Gift of Speaking in Tongues?
by Maddie inwith the increase in evangelical churches there seems to be a lot more emphasis on the practise of "speaking in tongues".
i quite like the way these churches conduct services, with live music and great singing.
it is so different to the kh meetings and like fresh air.
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Maddie
Once had a person on the doors speak to me in tongues when I asked him if he could do it at will. That was creepy!
Must obey:-
That is creepy, perhaps he was just trying to be clever. Scriptually it is supposed to be a gift and not summoned at will or so I understand it.
Maddie
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The Gift of Speaking in Tongues?
by Maddie inwith the increase in evangelical churches there seems to be a lot more emphasis on the practise of "speaking in tongues".
i quite like the way these churches conduct services, with live music and great singing.
it is so different to the kh meetings and like fresh air.
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Maddie
I'm doing it now while typing. I dont think I am full of any spirits at the moment, I havent even had a beer today.
jaguarbass - Can't you take something for it? It sounds like a case of being a free "spirit
Chalam - I know that people take the practice seriously and are sincere about it being a heavenly language. I am a bit intrigued by it I must admit, but still wary.
"Yehono tosho mono tosho bono tosha mono taha. Yahono mono ma."
LtDmc.Lore - I didn't know you cared
I guess I'm saying that I have not been impressed with the "speaking of tongues" as a meaningful expression of Divine contact, though I can't say what the experience was like for the "speaker". I don't give see thespeaking in tongues as an important mark of inspiration
VoidEater - It isn't a requirement for Christians according to scripture so maybe it gives a sense of comfort in drawing close to God, if thats what happens.
Maddie
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Newbie Hello
by yomomma ini am very new to the site and i'm sure there is a learning curve, so please bear with me.
i have looked around a little and find the site very interesting and encouraging so far.
it is heartwarming to meet other people with questions or experiences who can relate them without needing to hide behind blatant negativity or automatic judgemental attitudes.
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Maddie
Wecome yomomma to JWD
It is good to have you with us and thank you for telling us about yourself. You will definitely find that many here are in the same difficult situation as yourself with JW family. Some try to fade so as not to lose their loved ones, whilst others make a clean break and DA or have been disfellowshipped for speaking out about the lies and deception of the WT. It is indeed cruel and evil to use emotional blackmail in the way they do.
We look forward to more of your posts soon.
Maddie