Posts by Had Enough

17

To Rick on H2O...

by Simon in

jw
friends

i just posted this on h2o and though i'd put a copy here as well.... hi rick,.

i just thought it may be appropriate for me to express my appreciation for your site and what you have accomplished over the last few years and i'm sure will continue to do.. like many others, h2o was one of the sites which helped to open my eyes to the watchtower society and beliefs and practices of jehovahs witnesses and realise that there were things seriously wrong which a lot of other people saw as well - it wasn't just limited to our local congregation.. i did participate on h2o occasionally as caliban but never really kept up-to-date with all the posters, personalities and what was going on between them.. the reason i decided to create an alternative forum, www.jehovahs-witness.com, was because at the time it appeared that the very pro-jw community was well served by witnet and the anti-jw's had h2o but that it may have been a bit too much for the 'mildly curious' jw to visit.

my idea was to have a forum more like witnet which would gradually allow more open discussion than was allowed there without being too off putting to many as a way of introducing the issues to them more gently.. i'm sure your views and standpoints have changed over the years and mine have too.

Had Enough

Simon:

I just want to say thank you to you too for this site. I had been intending to send you an email expressing my gratitude but seeing this topic, I'll tell you here.

I too started just reading posts at H20 since I was ready to start searching more information out about the WTS, but was too timid to jump in at that time. Some postings lead me to 'freeminds' site and from there, I found this site. I am so grateful for this avenue of healing and learning and appreciate the caring, empathy, caliber of knowledge that I see here so far. It's just what I needed...to know that there are so many out there in the same boat I'm in and not be made to feel guilty for doubting the things I've been taught that just haven't added up once I started to really ponder over things.

I was raised in the "truth" but I started losing my faith due to a lot of things, in family life. I was finally moved to post some of those things in my "Hi..I'm new here" story here about a month ago. I was so nervous about posting but the response I received just overwhelmed me. (I registered as had_enough just a week before you were making some technical adjustments to the site and I couldn't get back in so I re-registered as Had Enough and have posted under that name since.)

Anyway...I just wanted to express my gratitude for all you have done to create this site. I agree with riz that you have style and heart dispite what the WTS has put you and your family through.

Just reading your experience and all the others here, just helps me so much in my conviction that I've done the right thing in no longer associating.

Thank you again,

Had Enough

78

Panties or Thongs, WHICH????????????

by JT in

jw
friends

i thought the name of this thread was so on time for this thread demostrates one of the sad things about claiming to speak for god, when one actually does not.. when i was a newly appointed elder at the tender age of 27 .

i was introduced to the world of the judical committee.. it was in fact my first case.

i had gotten a call from the po before the meeting stating that their would be an elders meetings to discuss some judical matters.

Had Enough

JT:

I appreciate your reminder to me to not get upset at posters like StiLL. I admit he brought out some anger in me that was lying quiet for awhile. I'm new to the board here and going through different stages of emotions. The anger is one I don't like feeling and should never a bothered to post to him.

I told him I too had been snug and smug in the knowledge that we were "the ONLY true religion" and I'm not proud of feeling like that either, but that knowledge spurred me on to try and help others, but I never would have stooped to kicking people around that are supposed to be "spiritually sick and weak" like they label us.

Being new here, I have not yet healed enough to deal with another arrogant person who spouts out dirt at us when he himself, is breaking the "rules" for being here and as you put it "he is thumbing his nose up to the instructions from the FDS on being on the net and don;t even know it". I know many more are like him because they are the products of intense indoctrination pounded in, by bashing others not "blessed" like they are.

If he was here because he truly was concerned about us and wanted to know why so many have left and wanted to help us, I would have welcomed him. I guess that would have been easy. I have a long way to go to be generous to such a cocky little bully as he came across. All I can envision is him sitting in a committee meeting with that leering attitude causing the downfall of some other person who has stumbled. I hope some of what was said to him will sink in.

And again, I appreciate your posts.

Had Enough

26

To StiLLinTruth

by LoneWolf in

jw
friends

this is only the second post that i've made on this board, so i hope that by posting this a second time, that i'm not violating some rule that i'm unaware of.

if i am, then i apologize to all.. however, this answer to stillintruth is on the fourth page of his last post, and i want to make sure he and as many others as possible can see it.. you will note that i sign my real name to the bottom of this.

that is meant as an open challenge to any and/or all to do something about it.

Had Enough

Hi there Lone Wolf:

Glad to have you join us. This little puppy yapping and nipping at our heals was getting tiresome. He needed a good swat. You did that with reasoning and your experiences, with a firm hand.

He sounds like a spoiled little bully who needs to bolster himself up by picking on others. I told him to read many of the horror stories of those of us who have been victims of the harsh, unyielding, brutal ways of some elders in power. I too have known very loving, kind, empathetic elders in my time, my own father being one of the best, but he too was done in by those wielding the sword and not the Word of God. Unfortunately, the good these elders accomplish is muddied by the dirt of the ones that have an attitude like StiLLinTruth.

I told him that "possibly one day you will be on the receiving end of what many of us here have experienced. If not I can guarantee, you will be among the ones handing it out the hurt... and you then will have to answer to God for that."

I fear for the ones subjected to his kind, if he becomes an elder with his 'holier that thou' attitude. The effect that loving treatment has on the flock, can NOT be so easily, and sarcastically dismissed as StiLL did in the first thread.

Elders like that, as we who have been there and seen it all, are so far removed from Jesus' loving example as the caring shepherd who leaves all the rest to go searching for the one lost sheep. He treated the lowly, weak, suffering ones with kindness and his yoke was light, not burdensome with rigid man-made rules.

Many, many of us are here, NOT because we want to lead degenerate lives, but because of things that don't make sense in the WTS' interpretations of scriptures taken out of context and the fact that they won't bend when questioned.

Anyway it was interesting reading your post and looking forward to many more.

Had Enough

78

Panties or Thongs, WHICH????????????

by JT in

jw
friends

i thought the name of this thread was so on time for this thread demostrates one of the sad things about claiming to speak for god, when one actually does not.. when i was a newly appointed elder at the tender age of 27 .

i was introduced to the world of the judical committee.. it was in fact my first case.

i had gotten a call from the po before the meeting stating that their would be an elders meetings to discuss some judical matters.

Had Enough

JT:

What a horrible heart-wrenching story. I know what you say is true because I too have been on the receiving end of those "necessary???"
questions. The whole system disgusts me and the fact that those elders feel they are justified in treating an obviously repentant sister that way further disgusts me.

I am relieved to hear the remorse you feel for what those monsters did to that sister. If you had come on this post sounding like the drivel I have read from StiLLinTruth, including his latest load of garbage, I think I may have lost it tonight. (But I won't give him the satisfaction) These past 2 days have had too much spewing of arogance and self-righteous superiority being thrown at us. I can feel the disgust in your post for what you had to sit through.

(I just edited my post because I realize that I mis-read your post, JTm as though you still were a newly appointed elder. I have since read further. My mistake..but it's good to hear how negatively that experience affected you. I know too of those who were too interested in knowing the details of committees they didn't even sit on because they thought knowing the details "would help them to 'help' the poor sister".)

Had Enough

Had Enough (but it just keeps on going on)

114

I cryed today...

by silentlambs in

i recieved this note from a young person i know personally.

it brought tears to my eyes for someone so young to see things so clearly.

why can't six million others see this simple reality and the need for change?.

Had Enough

Hello Silentlambs:

What a heartbreaking thing to have to happen to any child. I just would never have thought in a millions years that such a thing could take place in the "safe haven" of the org., let alone have it handled the way the WTS is handling it (even though they make righteous claims of handling the situations and telling the proper authorities). I think the "proper authorities" they're referring to, is only the Headquarters not the authorities with power to stop these people.

I said before on another post that I always defended the org. saying that Jehovah would never anyone get away with that. If they sinned, He would cause the sin to be found out. I really believed that. Now to hear of how extensive this problem is, is just too mind-boggling.

For a young girl of fifteen to have seen as much as she's seen already and to have such a mature handle on seeing and expressing herself about where the problem lies, is so heartbreaking.

I can't fathom how the WTS is going to get out of this one smelling like a rose. I have to believe they're going to have to own up to their deficiencies, and that hopefully the good that will come out of this will be many will have their eyes opened finally.

Do you think many in the r&f realize the uproar that's going on? We have no news coverage of it here and I don't think any in the cong. know anything about all these cases in the news elsewhere.

Had Enough

80

Why...

by Simon in

...is no one posting here?.

ok, i'll be the first !

Had Enough

Hi Tina: (had to log off for half hour again)

Just looked at the post of Duncan's. Just what the doctor ordered.

I'm keeping that for when I need a giggle again. I keep a couple of my closest friends (they're on their way out too) "posted" (pardon the pun) of things that are said here and they too would feel so much better and less bitter if they had a computer. Maybe someday they'll be able to join in because they're carrying around a lot of baggage too! At least they get to hear some of the things that are said here and I print stuff out for them that really helps them.

Anyway I'll post again and hope and don't blow a gasket again!!

See ya,
Had Enough

11

Describe JW/ A mind altering cult/ Dangerous Cult

by nojw86 in

jw
friends

i am sort of interested to your responces if someone might ask a ?

about the jw how might you describe the jw?

would they to your personal opinion be a mind altering cult or a dangerous cult?

Had Enough

Hello nojw86:

When a non-witness relative called us a cult a few years ago because of how my witness family shuns my da'd son, I strongly disagreed with her. I always pictured a cult to be like those following Charles Manson or Jim Jones. To me a cult followed one man, put him on a pedastel and did anything he said.

Now I look at the WTS with a more objective mind. I see the mind-control, the 'do whatever the WTS says because they're directed by God'.

neyank:
I 've defended my JW family for their shunning of my son by saying to others who criticized them, that, like you said "the individual JW (for the most part) has a good heart and sincerely believes he/she is doing what God wants". Now like you say, I add, like most JW's, they do whatever the WTS tells them and don't reason on the full meaning of the scripture they 'think' they're obeying.

I too remember the frog illustration being used and agree it fits better to JW's than the world.

Why couldn't I see that then??? I guess I have to now agree that JW's belong to a cult that controls their minds....Dangerous? I don't know. I don't want to think that. I scares me how right and righteous the WTS thinks of itself and that mentality is mirrored by many r&f as we have either seen in congs. or have seen in other posts. How far would they go if told by the WTS that 'new light' has become clear and now all should do this or that?

When I was still active, a non-witness family member said to me a couple of times how he was afraid the day would come when the WTS would say it's time we all pack up and go to some place for safety because Armageddon's here. I used to laugh at that, but now, with my eyes opened I wonder......I wish I had the answer...my family is still my family and they're deep into the WTS.

Had Enough (but wondering how much more is to come)

80

Why...

by Simon in

...is no one posting here?.

ok, i'll be the first !

Had Enough

Hi Tina:
Just logged on again. Thanks for your interest and ((HUGS)). They're greatly needed at times.

I guess it was obvious that an exposed raw nerve in me was touched. I've always been accustomed to the indoctrination that we should hold in anger and be passive. I guess a lot of buildup just exploded. I don't have any other avenue that here to find some peace of mind. I can't talk these things out with those I love most like my daughter or the rest of my blood relatives who are still deeply entrenched in the org. and who would just not discuss anything negative about the WTS. I think they think if my da'd son comes back, I'll become active again.

My husband never was a Witness and it's hard for him to understand the need to talk these kind of things out, to try to make sense of them and to try to get some direction.

I read the help given to others in like or worse situations and take that help into my own heart for healing. I'm glad that kind posting are more the normal kind than hurtful ones, for my sake and for many others that are here looking for the same help.

I agree that elders like Ozzie and some others that post here are the kind you would expect to find as shepherds. Unfortunately, in many congs. and the borg. they are outnumbered.

Thanks again--I certainly do appreciate your kind words though Tina. (My blood pressure is back to normal now.)HAHA

Had Enough (of anger -- now I'm ready for some laughs)

80

Why...

by Simon in

...is no one posting here?.

ok, i'll be the first !

Had Enough

Thank you larc, Tina and Ozzie:

Your comments and support are greatly appreciated by me.

larc: You are right that anger poisins the one carrying it. I went to bed last night right after my last post and stewed most of the night over the words of RR. Reading his comments and those of StiLLinTruth in the Main forum, felt like my bandage had been ripped off and a knife stuck in the wound. The callous remark to make a whining forum was not needed here.

Tina: You said to RR: "Jesus didn't speak to the suffering callously and coldly......you seem like one of those folks who has left the wts,but the smug condemnatory attitude you display shows you still carry their thinking." Your words echoed the thoughts that made me toss and turn last night. I remember elders like that. Fortunately I do remember elders who display a loving concern for the flock as Ozzie expressed he felt.

Hi Ozzie: I agree that unfortunately the Borg. did produce hard-hearted qualities in those that would be leaders. And perhaps, without realizing it, that may be what has happened to you, RR. Either that or that's just normal for you and your circumstances are such that it wasn't hard for you to move on. No aging dearly loved mother to leave behind...no children to be torn away from..etc. etc.

I agree that we do have to adjust our lives to live with the hurt we have received but not everyone just left because they were fed up and moved on. Many have open wounds of family separation, parents from children, grandchildren. Life is short and to be forced to be separated from loved ones is many times unbearable.

Coming here and getting encouragement makes it easier. That doesn't mean we should or will spend the rest of our lives moaning to everyone here about it.

Part of healing is helping others, and I look to Jesus' example of how he treated the suffering. Yes he chastised his disciples when they showed a less that loving attitude to others. He expected them and all to treat the lowly and down-hearted with love and support not "buck up and get on with it".

So RR, as a Bible study leader, I hope you highlight Jesus' love and compassion and justice, and not the callous, attitude you showed last night.

Had Enough

80

Why...

by Simon in

...is no one posting here?.

ok, i'll be the first !

Had Enough

Francoise:

Well said! I too know a lot of people who have been hurting for a long time. Betrayal IS devastating and when broken families are involved, it is a daily pain.

RR:

Many times the disruption in their lives is just too much to bear alone and for them to get on with their lives. They have a daily reminder that they have flesh and blood that feels they are doing the righteous thing by disowning them.

Can you imagine how a mother feels after carrying a child for nine months, giving birth, nurturing, cuddling and adoring her baby, watching it grow to adulthood only to have that child shun her because this man-made org. tells them God wants them too? I've told others here to put themselves in that scenario for a minute, meditate on it, feel it. The hurt doesn't go away. Not seeing your children or grandchildren is devastating!

You say you had to enforce those silly rules. Many of those rules were far more destructive than silly. So how many lives and families did you disrupt or destroy? Maybe none but then again maybe more that you'll ever realize...Try to FEEL how they feel.

They don't just carry a grudge for the heck of it. The one you refer to for 30 years?--maybe he hasn't been able to find any comfort or direction until coming here. I've only been out for a short while, I've got healing to do but I'm not wallowing in self-pity. I'm trying to find some constructive direction here, but it doesn't come from criticism and put-downs. It comes from the encouraging words and suggestions directed to me and to others I read about.

You say less religion and more Jesus.

How about more qualities of Jesus' being shown..like not kicking the skinned and burdened down. He said his yoke was kindly. He didn't say 'get over it'.

Had Enough (of hard-heartedness)