Mines not so bad, but I remember at some point we had only about 20 people attend service meeting and public talk for a week that I believe a lot of families were either on vacation, or helping where "the need is great" I think normal attendance is 80 or so.
IcingHeart
JoinedPosts by IcingHeart
-
17
What's the lowest meeting attendance you've ever seen?
by Open mind ini'm talking about congos with at least 40-50 publishers in the file.
we had a nearby congo that supposedly had 60-65 publishers and their attendance on one tms/sm night hit an all-time low of 14. they had a ton of elderly/infirm.
they finally merged and now everybody's happy about the "increase".
-
-
-
16
How sweet is it to NOT be a JW?
by new light indo you ever revisit the old jw ways of thinking, and then compare it to the complete freedom that you have now?
do you remember judging and fearing the everyday activities of the people around you?
remember that dread of restating "your" position on holidays every few weeks, knowing you would just end up further alienated from coworkers?
-
-
IcingHeart
Tuesday: "It's really the simple things isn't it."
Yes, it sure is. While technically still stuck physically, having to go to meeting with my family (they don't know yet), my mind has been liberated, and it's very refreshing. I never have to waste time studying these garbage publications. When I was in, it took me almost two hours to study sometimes because I would literally look up every scripture. Yeesh. I've been using that extra time to do "girly" stuff I never had time for, like doing my hair and wearing make-up. I get dolled up for meeting as practice for when I really need to :p You know, I always wondered how certain sisters seem to be able to do all that crapola (pioneer, study for meetings, etc.) and still manage to look their best. Guess they never sleep or something. LOL.
Of course, I'm also using my new-founded extra time to do more research on this bogus organization. -
30
Cults - Steven Hassan's BITE model.
by ithinkisee incombatting cult mind control : the #1 best-selling guide to protection, rescue, and recovery from destructive cults.
by steven hassan.
isbn: 0892813113
-
-
IcingHeart
Under Deception is the basic feature of all group recruitment. It is also what keeps people inside cults. I found this from JWFacts:
Notice in the following two articles the way a Witness is to deal with the question "Do Jehovah's witnesses believe that only they will be saved?" Stating that only Jehovah's Witnesses will be saved is to be avoided. It is recommended to say NO; even though the explanation given shows the answer is yes. After reading the whole paragraph, it is clear what is meant.
"Do they believe that they are the only ones who will be saved? No. Millions that have lived in centuries past and who were not Jehovah's Witnesses will come back in a resurrection and have an opportunity for life. Many now living may yet take a stand for truth and righteousness before the "great tribulation," and they will gain salvation." Jehovah's Witnesses, Who are they? What do they believe? (2002) p.29
"Do Jehovah's witnesses believe that only they will be saved? … Jehovah's witnesses believe that many will be saved who are not now Jehovah's witnesses. But with regard to the coming "great tribulation," and being saved through that conflict, the Bible shows that people must now turn to God and take their stand on his side if they wish protection from Him. Jesus said: "Just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. . . . they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be." (Matt. 24:21, 37-39) Noah and his family, however, were saved through the Flood, because they served Jehovah God. All the others were destroyed. Jesus said that is what will happen at the coming "great tribulation," and this Jehovah's witnesses believe." Watchtower 1970 Apr. 15 p.247 -
51
Hello, I'm new...
by IcingHeart ini just joined this forum today after reading the comments on today's watchtower (which i have to attend in about an hour unfortunately).
i was raised in "the truth" and it was only recently that i began to listen to a close friend of mine as he pointed out the secrets and lies that is the watchtower society and governing body.
even though he was informing me for almost a year, he never gave up on me.
-
-
IcingHeart
jwfacts - Yes, education is extremely important, so I've been doing a lot of research by seeking out older publications and finding information on the web. Specifically, your website has been a valuble asset to me. Thank you SO much for taking the time to make this wonderful resource
truthsearcher - Aw, how sweet! Thanks for dedicating that song
-
51
Hello, I'm new...
by IcingHeart ini just joined this forum today after reading the comments on today's watchtower (which i have to attend in about an hour unfortunately).
i was raised in "the truth" and it was only recently that i began to listen to a close friend of mine as he pointed out the secrets and lies that is the watchtower society and governing body.
even though he was informing me for almost a year, he never gave up on me.
-
-
IcingHeart
Oh, I think that was in Studies In The Scriptures. Yeah, I saw this thing:
-
51
Hello, I'm new...
by IcingHeart ini just joined this forum today after reading the comments on today's watchtower (which i have to attend in about an hour unfortunately).
i was raised in "the truth" and it was only recently that i began to listen to a close friend of mine as he pointed out the secrets and lies that is the watchtower society and governing body.
even though he was informing me for almost a year, he never gave up on me.
-
-
IcingHeart
It's nice to see you, too. Good thing you never gave up on me :D
-
44
Favorite Ice Cream
by poppers ini'm just wondering what everyone's favorite brand and type of ice cream is.
i recently have been able to eat dairy products after having my gall bladder removed.
i always thought i was lactose intolerant, but all along it was my g.b.
-
-
IcingHeart
Peanut Butter Zig Zag: Peanut butter and chocolate flakes swirled in a rich chocolate soy ice cream. Yeah, I know it's soy, but this stuff is orgasmic :9 -
51
Hello, I'm new...
by IcingHeart ini just joined this forum today after reading the comments on today's watchtower (which i have to attend in about an hour unfortunately).
i was raised in "the truth" and it was only recently that i began to listen to a close friend of mine as he pointed out the secrets and lies that is the watchtower society and governing body.
even though he was informing me for almost a year, he never gave up on me.
-
-
IcingHeart
LouBelle - Icing=love. Yum... *hugs back*
penny2 - Well, he'd been going on and on about things like the false predictions of the end, the nonesense of God destroying 99.9/100 people on earth even though Russell started the Bible Students because he didn't feel this way in the first place (or something like that), the pedophile settlings (our donations at work), and how the organization effects the brains of people (CULT), among many other things. In the beginning, I just didn't listen to him. Gradually, I ignored not only him, but feelings of doubt that I had to deal with for about six months I think. This was very difficult, because he's my best friend and I basically tell him everything. Keeping secrets from him is not easy. On a side note, I remained friends with him while I was "in" and never ratted him out as an apostate, because I just thought that concept was so stupid. We care for each other, and the bonds of our friendship are stronger than that. On another side note, the "friends" at my congregation treated/treat me like an outcast, so he was all I had. It sickens me that I could have had beautiful friendships with others, but was forced to stay away from them simply because of their "worldly" label. How was I supposed to have a decent social life when all the witnesses I know are snobbish tools? Anyways, a little over a month ago, I admitted to myself that there's something wrong with blindly following this organization, and research is warranted. So I told him, and he's been helping me every step of the way.
....yeah, sorry for the long post :)
Samuel Thorsen - Yeah, it sure feels like it... -
51
Hello, I'm new...
by IcingHeart ini just joined this forum today after reading the comments on today's watchtower (which i have to attend in about an hour unfortunately).
i was raised in "the truth" and it was only recently that i began to listen to a close friend of mine as he pointed out the secrets and lies that is the watchtower society and governing body.
even though he was informing me for almost a year, he never gave up on me.
-
-
IcingHeart
Thanks everyone! I didn't expect so many replies. I feel welcomed :) I've discovered so much, but I have a lot more reading and research to do.
-
51
Hello, I'm new...
by IcingHeart ini just joined this forum today after reading the comments on today's watchtower (which i have to attend in about an hour unfortunately).
i was raised in "the truth" and it was only recently that i began to listen to a close friend of mine as he pointed out the secrets and lies that is the watchtower society and governing body.
even though he was informing me for almost a year, he never gave up on me.
-
-
IcingHeart
Hello there. I just joined this forum today after reading the comments on today's watchtower (which I have to attend in about an hour unfortunately). I was raised in "the truth" and it was only recently that I began to listen to a close friend of mine as he pointed out the secrets and lies that is the watchtower society and governing body. Even though he was informing me for almost a year, he never gave up on me. Heh...Anyway, I'm currently reading a lot of information on the JWFacts website, and "borrowing" some old literature from my congregations library to verify quotes and things not available on watchtower library. He also felt it was a good idea to be apart of this community as my support group. It's hard going at it alone when you're surrounded by family and friends who are told that apostates are of the devil and shouldn't be listened too...
