Posts by Mrs. Fiorini

i always did, even when i was a dub kid sitting in my room (on the front of the house) in the dark, watching all the other kids running around the neighborhood.

Mrs. Fiorini

I always buy candy I like to eat just in case I don't get as many kids as I thought. I'd hate for it to go to waste.

13

Holiday questions

by searchingforfriends in

jw
friends

i have been thinking about some things, and realized i can't remember ever being given good reasons for not celebrating certain holidays... i was wondering if anyone here can help out with this.

jw's like to complain about origins of certain holidays and have come up with a bunch of reasons why they are bad, (such as birthday's and christmas) but there are others that all i've ever heard is just not to take part, or that jehovah doesn't like it.

even though i was "raised in the truth" i can't remember ever hearing why.....

Mrs. Fiorini

I have long suspected that the excuses the WT comes up with for not celebrating holidays is just a cover up for their real reasons. Not celebrating holidays would accomplish a couple of desirable goals for cults like the WT. For most extended families holidays are the main times they get together, especially for those who live out of town. Not celebrating holidays means that people will spend considerably less time with their "worldly" family. Celebrating these rituals together, with their various family traditions, gives many people their sense of family identity and connectedness to each other. Holidays and cultural celebrations give people a sense of identity and belonging within their communities and societies as well. One of the goals of a cult is to break down family ties and any sense of identification outside of the cult. The WT wants their followers to be totally identified with them. Their country, culture and even family must all take a back seat.

10

What is WT latest policy

by dogisgod in

jw
friends

i have been dissassociated for many years.

jws cant get in my yard have 6ft locked fence (witness protection program) (really it's about keeping my animals safe).

my mom is 89 and more hooked than ever.

Mrs. Fiorini

From your description it sounds like you are just inactive. When I was in, to be disassociated you had to tell the elders that you no longer wished to be considered a JW anymore.

4

What is this week's book study "lesson"?

by lrkr in

i've been told that its very "powerful" and been asked to attend as a personal favor to a loved one.. i might- as a personal favor- attend.. lord knows- i sat through a conservative jewish sing/reading of the torah as a favor..

Mrs. Fiorini

Maybe you can ask your loved one for the "personal favor" of listening to information on cults and mind control.

45

What Makes a Person Vulnerable to Join a Cult ? By Steve Hassan

by flipper in

jw
friends

most of us often wonder with amazement how we ever got caught up in the jehovah's witnesses mind control after having been out for awhile.

and we still wonder how some of our relatives stay trapped inside it.

well, steve hassans book " releasing the bonds " explains briefly in chapter 4 how it can happen.

Mrs. Fiorini

My mom joined when I was a child. We lived in a rural area with no close neighbors. She stayed home to take care of four young children with no adult company all day. Back then most families only had one car, so when my Dad was at work she was very isolated. Then two very nice Witness ladies came to visit and offered to study the Bible with her for free. Who would turn that down? She hasn't gone in years and pretty much doesn't believe it anymore, but unfortunately, my siblings are all still in, now along with their families.

23

A CLEAR definition of "higher education"

by easyreader1970 in

jw
friends

yesterday i went to the saturday segment of the two day circuit assembly.

the brother giving the talk wanted to make sure that all in attendance understood clearly what the watchtower's definition of "higher education" was.

this is not verbatim, but this is as clear as i can remember it.

Mrs. Fiorini

I wonder if that brother was giving his personal opinion on the subject. It seems to me that the society is down on any type of higher education, not just four years or more at a university. When I was in, even vocational schools and community colleges were discouraged. It's possible the elder assigned to give this talk has reservations about it, so he's trying to spin it this way.

26

Speaking of depression ...

by easyreader1970 in

jw
friends

i didn't want to hijack the suicide topic because it was a bit more serious than what i am about to say.

not that what i am about to say is comical.

i've been dealing with major depression for the past year and a half or so.

Mrs. Fiorini

Have you tried to reach out to your family to see what they really feel about the WT or if they might be open to leaving? Many have helped their families leave the organization. You might be able to find good advice on how to do this in Steven Hassan's books and others. He says everyone who is trapped in a cult has at least a subconscious desire to get out. It may take some time and planning to accomplish, but with that goal it could go a long way toward making it more palatable at meetings, etc.

35

Is suicide ever the answer?

by 2112 in

no.

are you okay?.

jackie.

Mrs. Fiorini

2112, New Light and Shawn, You have had to face up to the dark side of life, haven't you? I don't think there is anything I can say in this post that can adequately address your situations. But I would strongly encourage you to see a counselor. They are in a position to help you sort through the various circumstances of your lives and can show you a hopeful path to follow. I have greatly benefited myself from counseling and highly recommend it. Best wishes to you all.