Mrs. Fiorini

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Posts by Mrs. Fiorini

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  34

  Do you feel embarrassed, humiliated, anger that you were a Jw?

  by LouBelle in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i ask because some posters say they felt totally humiliated, or wonder how they could have been sucked in, or some are extremely bitter and angry about their past.

  over the nearly 4 years i've come to totally accept that i was a jw, but have made my peace, and honestly can say i've forgiven, if you will, that part of my life.

  totally moved on and do not have negative feelings about it.

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  Mrs. Fiorini

  I do still feel anger, in large part because the damage done to me and my family continues to this day. None of my three siblings or their families will have anything to do with me since I'm no longer a JW. I am also seeing their kids being discouraged from college, which I think is an absolute crime.
  
  On the bright side, I graduated from college myself this month. It is twenty-five years late, but I'm still proud of myself for doing it. It will give me opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise, and the knowledge I've gained makes me a richer person. Also, I feel like I've gotten something back that the WT took from me.
  
  Maybe someday I'll get my family back too. I haven't given up!
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  67

  Horrible conduct by congregation Elders at my cousin's funeral.............

  by RULES & REGULATIONS in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  my cousin passed away last week from cancer at the age of 49. the cancer spread so fast it took our family by surpise.

  we figured she had a couple of years instead of months.

  she left 4 children(3 were baptised and 1 was disfellowshipped a couple of years ago).

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  Mrs. Fiorini

  WTWizard said, "I hope crap like this helps ruin the Washtowel Slaveholdery."
  
  It will and it is. My grandmother, never a Witness, was shocked and horrified at how my siblings treated me when I left the WT. Now when JWs call at her door, she tells them more than they ever wanted to hear!
  
  Others, too, who knew our family and saw what happened were more than a little appalled. JWs are taught that, by their good example, unbeleiving family members and friends may be encouraged to become JWs too. In my experience, it is just the opposite. People are horrified that anyone could be convinced to treat their own flesh and blood that way.
  
  It is an anti-witness, and the more people hear about such experiences, the bigger a turn off it becomes.
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  35

  Memorial Thread for "The 144,000 of JWD"

  by cameo-d in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  as we say goodbye to jwd and our friends here, i wanted to start a memorial thread to remember some of the posters who made jwd a living entity.

  i hope everyone will participate in acknowledging others who made jwd so special.. .

  gopher seemed to be the st. peter of jwd.

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  Mrs. Fiorini

  I appreciate all those who are still "in" and can give the latest info on what's going on with the WTS. I left almost 20 years ago now, and before I found this sight I was in the dark about current conditions. Thanks, especially, to the elders on this board that allow me to get the inside scoop.
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  52

  I am starting a new video series: Ex-Gilead Missionary

  by Awakened at Gilead in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i have been debating on how best to get the word out about jws and the wts... i have thought about blogs... but i just can't get myself to create the blog... and my youtube videos that i colaborated on with v have been successful on youtube... i have received many comments, and some inquiries from active jws based on the video.

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  i have created an introductory video that will give some background and you can see my style... i am also looking for constructive feedback... at the moment i am using windows movie maker, so the graphics are pretty cruddy, i apologize... if you know of a cheap or free movie editor that would be great.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtdmkgfxml4.

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  Mrs. Fiorini

  Great video! I'm sure it will be helpful to any who see it.
  
  I've been out for awhile so forgot how they talk about the "privileges" their followers can receive from the WT, like the many hours of work they can donate for a few dollars a month plus room and board. The WT has a real gift for spin, don't they? Others would describe that as slave labor.
  
  Keep up the good work!
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  8

  To All of you who's lost children and family coz of the WT

  by Newborn in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a thought of compassion and love from me.

  i can't imagine how extremely difficult that must be to deal with, loosing your children and how much that must hurt every day!!

  i've lost my only sister now since being disfellowshipped y-day and it breaks my heart.

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  Mrs. Fiorini

  The situation is heartbreaking for all of us. But I also know that, consciously or unconsciously, members of high control groups, like the WT, do want to be free. There is a deep desire in all humans to have a healthy and happy life. To the extent that the WT harms and abuses its own members, they will lose in the long run.
  
  The pain you experience is also experienced by your JW family and can eventually lead them out too. You have given a gift to your family by choosing to leave, as this opens the door for them too. Only they can decide to go through it, but statistics show a large percentage (over 60%) of JWs eventually leave. This is good news for those of us who have loved ones still in the organization.
  
  As was already mentioned, Steven Hassan has much good advice. His two books, "Combatting Cult Mind Control" and "Releasing the Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves" are well worth reading and give much good advice on how we can help people get out of cults. I got my copy of Releasing the Bonds from the Free Minds website.
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  2

  Dealbreaker?...WT to reinstitute concubine arrangement???

  by oompa in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well that would get me back to the meetings!!

  i would even go in service regularly.

  actually my point is that i asked an elder/friend of mine this question the other day, "what would it take for you to think jw's were wrong?

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  Mrs. Fiorini

  Oompa,
  
  That's a great way to get people thinking. As you know, one of the effects of cult mind control is that followers never really let their mind question the organization they are part of. You are helping open that door for people.
  
  Once I started questioning the WT, it became obvious to me it was a scam and I wondered how I ever could have believed it. All people have to do to find their way out is honestly ask the questions. The WT positions are so weak that mind control is the only way they can retain their membership.
  
  You're getting that conversation stated for people. Keep it up!
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  3

  Has Greg Stafford taken over the Watchtower?

  by slimboyfat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in 2002 when he published three dissertations on the teachings of jehovah's witnesses there were a few major changes greg stafford was calling for:.

  1. no arbitrary time limit on when the anointed are gathered, age should not be a factor.

  2. acceptance of 1914 chronology should not be necessary for fellowship.

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  Mrs. Fiorini

  I agree with previous posters. The organization will never give up power over its followers voluntarily. If (and that's a big if) it ever happens, it will be because they were forced to reform against their will. A change or die type of scenario. And, by the way, that could happen if they continue to be exposed and it gets to the point that they believe they will fare better as an organization by mainstreaming instead of remaining a cult. I'm not hopeful about that though.
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  101

  NEW KM style

  by stillajwexelder in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the january km is completely different.

  the style has been totally revamped

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  Mrs. Fiorini

  I assume that they are either experiencing or anticipating some less than flattering statistics and are making sure that they don't have to highlight them.
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  63

  Thought I'd properly introduce myself

  by JW Walking Away in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have been lurking on this site for nearly a year now and finally feel comfortable enough to begin posting.

  so i thought a little introduction would be appropriate.

  my whole family, except for my two sisters, are jw's.

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  Mrs. Fiorini

  Thanks for sharing your story. It really is amazing. I just don't understand how some JWs can possibly think its ok to abandon your sister when she needs you most.
  
  Don't they remember the story of the Good Samaritan? The priest and the Levite avoided helping a desperate stranger because touching a dying man would have made them unclean. They felt it was more important to follow their priestly obligations than help others in need.
  
  I find it interesting that it was a Samaritan who gained Jesus approval in the story. Samaritans were considered apostates by the Israelites and were avoided as such.
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  63

  Thought I'd properly introduce myself

  by JW Walking Away in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have been lurking on this site for nearly a year now and finally feel comfortable enough to begin posting.

  so i thought a little introduction would be appropriate.

  my whole family, except for my two sisters, are jw's.

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  Mrs. Fiorini

  Welcome! And Congratulations on getting out. I consider my decision to leave the WT one of the best things I ever did for myself. I hope you enjoy posting here and share your wisdom with the rest of us.