Posts by tooktheredpill

I had a very positive situation a couple of weeks ago. I called a very good old friend that was disfellowshipped about 3 years ago. As I'm still an Elder, he was not that surprised that I called.

The funny thing was that during the conversation, I started asking him about some questions about the organization, and if he wanted to return, (in order to see if he knew something or noticed something strange in the organization)... Guess what... He knew everything!! He has spent more than a year investigating, and he read CoC! He's no longer a slave!

After that we've been talking almost every day, and sharing our findings. He is really happy to have an old friend to talk and to vent, and me too! We know each other since we were kids, and it feels really great to have our friendship back!!

BTW, this forum has been a great tool for me. Please keep sharing your ideas and experiences. I know that we can free many more minds.

Have a great day!!!

Tooktheredpill

22

Special Bethel Talk Last Week

by BBOARD in

as you know i still attend all meetings with my still-in family.

last sunday a bethel speaker came to our hall (crenshaw congregation) and gave two talks.

one on "avoiding satan's snares" and the other on "showing patience towards jehovah and his organization.

tooktheredpill

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/file/388773A5-D98F-4D50-A39A-7C677408F6CB.ashxGuys:

I'm still an Elder, and I have a college degree. Every time I hear a young witness saying that they are not going to college, I try to reason with them in the following way, and maybe it will help you too to make them think:

1) "If you have to provide for your family, how many hours a day you will have to work"? Answer: 8 to 9 hours.

2) As you WILL need to work at least 8 hours a day, what will make a difference in pay? Having an education!

3) If you don't go to college, you will probably earn a minimum wage. That will force you to work OVERTIME to pay for your expenses. "You will be sacrificing the time you need for the meetings/spiritual things then!" (Working during the nights or weekends)

4) "YOU are the one that decides if you want to earn $5.00 an hour, or $25.00 an hour". Go to college!

5) I always has a copy of the article from Awake!1969 May 22 p.15 in my suitcase. I show it as a last resort.

It says:

"If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. Of the generation that observed the beginning of the "last days" in 1914, Jesus foretold: "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur."-Matt. 24:34. Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in highschool and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone!"

After showing that, I point out that the young people that didn't go to college in 1969, are near 60 years old now, and most of them don't have a retirement plan today. And they regret the choice they made!!

By the way, one of the young brothers that I said that last year, is currently in college. I hope that the "higher education" will open his eyes to see the truth about "The Truth" TM.

Click here to see the copy:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/file/388773A5-D98F-4D50-A39A-7C677408F6CB.ashx

44

Hi there!

by breakingfree in

jw
friends

i have been coming to this site to read news and your stories for about a year now, but have never posted due to my mortal fear of somehow being found out... i have family in as most of you do, who are all very sincerely convinced that they are on the path of light.. i have never been happy with the beliefs, mainly the doublespeak on the status of women, the hypocrisy, the dramatisation of the smallest of matters, and the general guilt trip that was my life until i stumbled across some hard evidence that my suspicions about 'gods channel' were well founded.

unfortunately i am now addicted to turning over every piece of information i can find, there seems to be no end to the amount of $#*& below the surface.

i will probably remain in this state for awhile, hungrily devouring all the information that makes me feel validated for my stand against much of the mindless rubbish that has gone around me during my life as a jw.

tooktheredpill

Welcome to the board, Breakingfree!

I'm still a newbie too, and your experience is very similar to mine. I spend months reading at the postings here, until one day I had the courage of subscribing and posting too!.

All my family is inside the organization, and you know how difficult is to try to make them think for themselves. I'm still an Elder, and just imagine how much trouble I'm having to deal with this situation. I'm trying to step down from my "priviledges" TM , and struggling with all the mixed emotions.

This board has been a blessing for me. You will notice that you are not alone, and that there's a life after the WT.

Hang in there! You've found a new family that understands you!

46

So... is everyone here an x JW? Or currently??

by Elyse867 in

jw
friends

i'm a fader myself.... mentally exhausted from thinking of all the reasons why i've given up the "truth" and then the whole "what if" bs... anyway, welcome me, i'm new.

:)

tooktheredpill

Hello Elyse867!

I'm still an Elder in good standing. 2nd gen. JW. All my family and friends JW.

You will find a LOT of people going through your same problems here. That has helped me during all these months.

I started having doubts years ago, but started seeing things clearly since Feb. 07.

Welcome to the club!!! :)

20

What positive aspects do you find about being a JW in the past?

by tooktheredpill in

jw
friends

a couple of days ago, i posted a comment for a newbie like me (http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/145459/2623555/post.ashx#2623555), and i told him this:.

i try to focus in the few positive aspects of being a jw, and how that can help me to improve myself.

i like to help people too, and that is something that i really enjoy.

tooktheredpill

Thanks a lot for your comments! :)

20

What positive aspects do you find about being a JW in the past?

by tooktheredpill in

jw
friends

a couple of days ago, i posted a comment for a newbie like me (http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/145459/2623555/post.ashx#2623555), and i told him this:.

i try to focus in the few positive aspects of being a jw, and how that can help me to improve myself.

i like to help people too, and that is something that i really enjoy.

tooktheredpill

Hello!

A couple of days ago, I posted a comment for a newbie like me (http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/145459/2623555/post.ashx#2623555), and I told him this:

I try to focus in the few positive aspects of being a JW, and how that can help me to improve myself. I like to help people too, and that is something that I really enjoy. I make "wordly" friends very easily, and I've known very very good people outside the organization.
As JW, we are not afraid of "cold calling" on people. Think about this: If we are capable of "selling" a Watchtower magazine to a person that we don't know, and that's not really interested in it, we can be the best salesman/saleswoman in the world! As you mentioned, we have the ability to speak well before a class, without problems. We can convince people. Use that in your favor!

Have any of you use your "WT training" in other aspects of your life, for your benefit? Have you been successful?

Have a great day! :)

35

Studying To Save Lives Again!

by KnowlegeSeeker_UK in

jw
friends

i have served as a jw since 1986, im now nearly 30 yrs old.

i pioneered, i served at bethel then i read the bible............. oh !

hang on..... something doesnt seem right.

tooktheredpill

But saying all this, I feel scared , I feel lonely.

KnowlegeSeeker:

I understand perfectly how you feel. I'm still an Elder "in good standing" in the congregation. All that I know, my family, friends...JW. All my life I've been a Witness. Not even my wife knows that I have doubts, or that I don't believe anymore in the organization. I'm still inside only because of them. I love them with all my heart. And I'm scared too. Scared of loosing them.

I try to focus in the few positive aspects of being a JW, and how that can help me to improve myself. I like to help people too, and that is something that I really enjoy. I make "wordly" friends very easily, and I've known very very good people outside the organization.

As JW, we are not afraid of "cold calling" on people. Think about this: If we are capable of "selling" a Watchtower magazine to a person that we don't know, and that's not really interested in it, we can be the best salesman/saleswoman in the world! As you mentioned, we have the ability to speak well before a class, without problems. We can convince people. Use that in your favor!

In my case, I'm working in the healthcare field too, and recently I finished my BS degree, studying online during the nights. Most of the people in the KH doesn't know it. I've accomplished a lot of things, but I can't share my hapiness with everyone...

I'm having a difficult time dealing with these issues, but I still think that God exists, that he loves us all, and that I still have the need of knowing him, without "filters".

And reading the posts of so many people that are feeling like me has helped me a lot during all these months.

Just write back here if you need to "vent".

111

A Moment of Silence For Linda

by BFD in

jw
friends

.

tooktheredpill

100

The Average JW WILL NOT Leave!!!!

by minimus in

jw
friends

you could have stupid new light every week published and the vast majority aren't going anywhere.

you could see proof of contradiction after contradiction right in front of your nose, if you're a witness.

and you still won't budge.. the reason: mental and spiritual laziness.

tooktheredpill

"the only place where a high school drop-out can climb the ladder to "success" and become "somebody" (an elder) with authority".

I agree completely with your statement. Most of the elders and overseers I know do not have a degree. If a person does not have the experience of being a supervisor at work, or have any similar experience in a 'normal" life, the congregation is the only place where he will feel "useful" or "somebody", as you mentioned.

At least I studied and have a degree. That helped me to start thinking by myself some time ago. I haven't quitted because of all my family and friends are still JW's...