I can't offer any more suggestions than the wonderful wisdom that has been offered here. I just would like to wish you well, no matter what you choose - live your life to the fullest and enjoy your freedom. Your parents are the ones imprisoned, not you.
independent_tre
JoinedPosts by independent_tre
-
28
To tell my parents or not to tell my parents...unfortunately that is a question
by feenx ini could use some perspective on something i'm struggling with.
first off, a little background info.
i am an only child and my parents, in addition to quite difficult circumstances we've all experienced, both personally and as a family while i was growing up, remain devout.
-
-
-
25
The real harm done by the WTBTS
by HappyGuy inwhen i first realized that the wtbts was not teaching the truth, i thought "well, they are basically good people and teaching some morals, so what real harm is there?"..
then i started looking at the opportunity cost.
by this i mean all the things that a jw does not have access to if they believe the wtbts nonsense.
-
-
independent_tre
Great post - an excellent summation of what's wrong with this cult. When I began to fade, I truly believed it was just a 'religion' with a lot of problems. Now, I fully see it for what it is, a damn cult. Reading Steven Hassan's book, I have felt so many OMG moments where he hit the nail right on the head. I'm desperately trying to figure out a way to slip my parents this book, so perhaps they can see it for what it is and get out while they still have years left to enjoy.
The point is that the WTBTS sets itself up as the ultimate, final, and only authority for every aspect of life in a JWs life and then provides NOTHING of value for really critical issues.
Monopoly on the truth. Another defining characteristic of a true cult.
-
100
To you what was the Watchtower Socity's biggest lie ?
by The Almighty Homer inyes, what was the biggest lie that you can think of, that persuaded you to realize that they were not who they said they were ?.
for myself it would have to be the year they picked as the destruction of ancient jerusalem 607 bc.. i have an assumption this was done purposely to coincide correctly with making 1914 an a important pivotal date.
in human history, which by all factual evidence it was not.. unassuming and deceiving manipulation for self marketing purposes.
-
-
independent_tre
That Jesus is Michael and that He mediates only for the 144,000.
Yep, that one. After reading Romans in a different translation, then discovering this little nugget in their doctrine. I knew I'd never go back.
-
16
I'm already starting to feel normal
by doublelife infor the first time today, when my boss asked what i'm going to be doing for thanksgiving, i didn't have to go into this awkward explaination of why i don't celebrate it.
i simply said that i'm going over my aunt's.
it may sound trivial but it feels great!
-
-
independent_tre
I totally understand.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, even when I was a dub, I was at a loss to explain why this holiday was supposedly so 'evil'. No pagan roots, no real nationalism or cultural ties. Just a day to be thankful.... wow, how sinful is that
-
49
New "apostate" here! Recent WT study- 'We may ask you to do something that may not understand' (basically- DO IT)
by 20+wastedYRS ini will get to the big shocker that i read within the last year or two in a wt study article, so please bear with me... i am new to this forum and have been reading postings for several days now, and can relate totally to many of the issues that many ex-jw have.
i was raised "around" the truth and although my parents were never "dipped", they wouldn't allow us to celebrate holidays or stand for natl anthem (not that i care now).
so i basically had many of the pressures and stress that witness kids had growing up, but with no spiritual support, as we attended only a handful of meetings while my parents studied when i was 5or6.
-
-
independent_tre
Welcome to the board. After you realize everything about the 'truth', it gets easier trust me. It will feel like a ton of weight has been lifted from your shoulders that you've carried around for 20+ years. Freedom is a wonderful thing!
-
96
I'm Drunk.
by creativhoney inand not on love or holy spirit.. just wanted to share with you all....
-
-
independent_tre
vodka, gin, clear alcohol = bad drunk
rum, whisky,cognac, dark alcohol = good drunk
wine = sleepy drunk
-
24
People dont get disfellowshipped anymore
by foolsparadise inthey are announced as no longer being one of jehovahs witnesses.
why then do people still shun them if they are not disfellowshipped.
witnesses talk to non jws all the time, so we should be allowed to talk to members who are announced as no longer one of jehovahs witnesses.
-
-
independent_tre
thanks!
-
24
People dont get disfellowshipped anymore
by foolsparadise inthey are announced as no longer being one of jehovahs witnesses.
why then do people still shun them if they are not disfellowshipped.
witnesses talk to non jws all the time, so we should be allowed to talk to members who are announced as no longer one of jehovahs witnesses.
-
-
independent_tre
Go to this Sunday's WT study. "Be Obedient and Courageous as Christ Was"
Anyone have a scan of this?
-
23
Beginning on JWN
by Thunderinus ini left the jws three years ago after having done extensive research through the internet where fortunately one can find an enormous amount of information regarding every aspect of the jws it's simply amazing how many websites there are exposing their real nature.
though in the end i don't blame so much the rank and file members who are themselves naive and ignorant victims, rather i blame those governing this organisation who are constantly and ruthlessly deceiving and holding captive in a spiritual sense their hapless followers.. i had several issues with them:.
the blood ban goes too much against common sense why would it be wrong to accept blood from someone that willing gives it and without any coercion or harm to himself precisely out of good kindness with the intention to save lives as indeed millions of lives were saved in this way.
-
-
independent_tre
great post, I think you covered many many reasons why thinking people become disillusioned, leave, and eventual come to see it not just as a religion with some faults, but as a controlling cult.
-
13
Need help: JW friend links every NT teaching to 144,000 only
by whyizit inyou know what i mean: every time she reads a passage in the nt, she instantly applies it to the 144,000 chosen anointed ones.
even though there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to make that connection.
i have even asked how her gurus have made that connection biblically.
-
-
independent_tre
Good topic; I'm currently researching the whole mediator teaching of JWs that Christ's covenant only applies to the 144,000 and the rest of us must simply be in good standing at the kingdom hall or be SOL. None of the scriptures quoted (insight book) to support this teaching say anything about the new covenant only consisting of the 144K. The scriptures point out that those of the new convenant are those who follow Christ and God.
Not only that, but in recent WT publications the org has been diminishing the importance of the annointed. Where does this illogical connection 144K = new covenant come from anyway?