Posts by Switch

37

I went head to head with my family and I lost

by noontide in

jw
friends

just got done with a 3 hr.

argument with my family.

the essence of the conversation was that since im not going to the meetings, aka: in the organization, im not a good person.

Switch

Your experience sounds much like a conversation I had with my mom a couple weeks ago. We covered much of the same points and she always had the same defensive answers. Every week they are being warned in some form about apostate thinking and they chalk any independent thinking up to Satan. You certainly can't question the elders or GB, though imperfect, they are doing the best they can. (yeah, right).

My mom reminded me that I made a vow to Jehovah and I'd be breaking that if I didn't listen to the organization. (The org. and Jehovah are inseparable to her too). I firmly told her that I wasn't leaving Jehovah but I'm doing research and I don't believe it's the Truth because I'm finding lies. She grumbled and didn't have answers for that, but she said she's very sure it's the Truth.

So my goal now is to compile whatever misquotes and lies from the WT publications that I can find over the next couple months. I think the kicker for a lot of witnesses would be to see them for themselves in black and white. I'm not going to tackle deep doctrinal issues, though I will share some of the brilliant thinking of Russell and Rutherford. I also won't push the child abuse, U.N. scandals, etc. much cuz I think that'd immediately be dismissed as unreliable or some sort of overblown reporting.

I don't know even then if it will open the minds of my mom or friends, but I'm hoping to at least make them see why I've made the decision to leave and it's not because I'm a lazy or bad person. But it IS our lives we're talking about. Assuming it's coming, could I face God on Judgment Day and tell him I stayed and supported this religion not because I thought it was his true organization but simply because all my friends and family liked it?!

I wish everyone the best in their endeavors. Keep us posted.

18

road trip update....

by wings in

jw
friends

here is a link to my first thread: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/153425/1.ashx.

i am planning three seperate trips.

this one will be to go east.

Switch

Cool - that sounds like a great adventure, Wings.

30

What other toys should go in the bin?

by Switch in

jw
friends

the recent post about dolls has me picturing other conversations that parents could be having with with their young, impressionable children.. here's my own little scene inspired by the june wt.. (timmy is playing with his toy car).

dad: what kind of car do you have there, timmy?.

timmy: it's a super fast red porsche!.

Switch

I wonder why the Society hasn't gotten around to playing cards as a negative pasttime. Or maybe they have and I missed it. Playing cards have such a strong connection to gambling and - quoting wikipedia "the composition of a deck of cards has religious, metaphysical, or astronomical significance".

68

Jw upbringing and retarded social growth.

by AK - Jeff in

i was raised a jw, by an inactive jw mom.

looking back, and reflection on my childhood, causes me to wonder.. i honestly did not miss the holidays, for example.

i never had them, so nothing was taken away in that regard.

Switch

My life started out much like yours Jeff. For a few years, I didn't even feel like I fit in the cong. when my mom started studying. Everyone else had their whole family at the meetings, but for us it was just me and my mom. We weren't invited to all the get-togethers cuz the brothers didn't want to stir up trouble in our divided household. I eventually became buddies with another girl in the same situation. We got along but were pretty much opposite personalities.

I'd say the majority of kids raised in the truth have the same battle. I don't think if I was raised a Witness that I would have the wall-flower personality that I do. The fear of appearing different or drawing attention to yourself makes you hide in the shadows. How could it not? We all went through the most formative years of our life trying to please everyone else instead of figuring out what we actually like for ourself.

14

Response in the UK to announcement?

by sweet pea in

jw
friends

come on guys - we're over in the us and bluesbrother seems to be the only one who has commented on the reaction to the announcement in the uk.

any other reactions from the friends?

surely you've all had your meetings by now?.

Switch

Nobody talked about it after the meeting. The watchtower article was conveniently about being flexible and accepting what our leaders tell us. Coincidence?

30

What other toys should go in the bin?

by Switch in

jw
friends

the recent post about dolls has me picturing other conversations that parents could be having with with their young, impressionable children.. here's my own little scene inspired by the june wt.. (timmy is playing with his toy car).

dad: what kind of car do you have there, timmy?.

timmy: it's a super fast red porsche!.

Switch

The recent post about dolls has me picturing other conversations that parents could be having with with their young, impressionable children.

Here's my own little scene inspired by the June WT.

(Timmy is playing with his toy car)

Dad: What kind of car do you have there, Timmy?

Timmy: It's a super fast red Porsche!

Dad: Wow, it really looks nice. But do you think that would make a sensible car for going out in service?

Timmy: Probably not. It's only got two doors.

Dad: Yes, and it might draw undue attention to yourself.

Timmy: Thanks for your wise council father. Evidently a four door would be more appropriate.

Feel free to post your own scenarios. Perhaps the GB are running out of ideas and need our help.

9

Worked "no more bookstudies" into WT comment today!!!!

by oompa in

jw
friends

hey i can dream can't i?

that would have been fun to see the look on elders faces, and they would have had such an awkward time of correcting my comment, if even possible.

i did however manage to inform my wife of the change, tell her how i found out, and put in her head the thought that this could not really be about gas, or it would have happend in europe years ago, and would be implemented immediately.

Switch

very funny, oompa! Missinglink and I were impressed with how smoooothly the transition went from the WT study about being yielding into the letter from the GB. We were just smiling at each other.

44

you must destroy the dolls of your little girls

by chirac in

jw
friends

have you noticed the article of awake about toys?

after throwing records dvd tapes and son we must clean our houses of the toys particularly dolls can some one speaking a good english explain awake magazine dated june 2008 the article about "more than just toys".....http://www.jw.org/index.html?option=nbzr..they are mad please god forgive them..excuse my so poor english

Switch

I just read the article last night and couldn't believe how negative it was. I agree with Changeling - the history lesson is nice but what about all the pretend play/role playing that dolls teach little girls? It gets about 2 sentences of mention out of 3 pages. I was sooo angry when I read this article. Instead they write drivel like:

Because of the emotional bond formed between children and their dolls, wise parents will take seriously the influence dolls may have on their child's development. For example, some charge that the physical appearance and the endless wardrobe of certain dolls may have a harmful effect on girls. One critic claims that such dolls can corrupt "young girls with shallow messages that promote style over substance."

I, personally, never really thought that I'd look like Barbie when I grew up. do little girls really think they are going to have flawless hair and makeup and perfect figures? Now girls can't even pretend! I played with a Barbie when I was a kid and I loved the fact that I could dress her up in short skirts or gowns or whatever. The message from the article funnily enough sounds like, "Attention moms and daughters, you can't dress this way so your dolls shouldn't either. Keep those dolls in line and don't let Barbie go shopping too much or she'll get materialistic!"

27

If the Bible was written more clearly, would there be a need to preach?

by easyreader1970 in

jw
friends

part of the reason there are so many divisions and opinions and versions of the bible is because, quite honestly, alot of it just doesn't make any sense.

it's full of symbolism, metaphors, allegories, parables, and even some of the narratives conflict with themselves.

the book of revelation makes no sense at all.

Switch

I think it's about time the stones cried out. That would get everyone's attention.

But in reply he said: "I tell YOU, If these remained silent, the stones would cry out." Luke 19:40

81

Born in or Converted to JW? What are the stats here? and why....

by oompa in

jw
friends

can't everyone just put this one item on their profile before posting.

it seems like most posters have no profile, but this info could help in several ways.

i am just guessing, but it seems like more here were born in.....your thoughts on this?......oompa.

Switch

I had about 8 birthdays/Christmases before my mom started studying (see my profile for more). I've always been quite a reader so she quickly got the Bible Story book in my hands, then started dragging me to meetings using lots of bribing of promised ice cream and lunches out. My brothers and dad were never readers so I grew up in a divided household. My mom has always been a control freak and downright scary. I love her but get along so much better with her after I moved out. There were lots of sisters that wore the pants in our KH too. My mom was VERY much the boss of the house and tried to force my dad to quit smoking, wouldn't let him rent R movies, gave HIM spending money, etc. It was ridiculous. I've been a good little lemming and listened to everything the society says until recently. Now I'm rapidly fading in just a few months.