Posts by passwordprotected

26

Do you still believe in the concept of absolute truth?

by JW_Rogue in

jws very much believe that there is an absolute truth and of course, they are the only ones who have it lol.

how about now though do you still believe that absolute truths exist?

or is everything subjective?

passwordprotected

I'm not sure it's absolutely true to say that there is absolute truth. Or even that there isn't absolute truth.

3

What to Expect When You Leave JW.Org - Life After the Witnesses

by passwordprotected in

the old-timers here will know me and my journey from born-in jehovah's witness, pioneer and - latterly - elder.

i've also written a couple of updates over the last 2 years or so, covering how i went from the jws to a frantic need to hold onto the idea of an all-powerful abrahamic god to a sceptic to an atheist.. however, i wanted to cover a couple of things to expect when you leave the watchtower religion and its tentacle-like control over your life.. birthdays and xmas.

if you've got kids, do it.

passwordprotected

The old-timers here will know me and my journey from born-in Jehovah's Witness, pioneer and - latterly - elder. I've also written a couple of updates over the last 2 years or so, covering how I went from the JWs to a frantic need to hold onto the idea of an all-powerful Abrahamic god to a sceptic to an atheist.

However, I wanted to cover a couple of things to expect when you leave the Watchtower religion and its tentacle-like control over your life.

Birthdays and Xmas

If you've got kids, do it. Embrace these worldly and commercial traditions for what they are; the chance to have fun, to celebrate and give gifts. The "pagan" element isn't anything to worry about. Research what "pagan" actually means and realise that it isn't anything to be scared of.

By the same token, expect to be a little uncomfortable about participating in these celebrations. That's ok. It's normal. We've all felt that way. It doesn't last long.

Politics

It's all bollocks and corrupt as fuck, but get informed, have opinions - even if they aren't popular. But don't expect people to see eye-to-eye with you, and be careful bringing up the subject in company. I made this mistake a few times and dropped a few clangers due to my immaturity.

And vote. It's your right. Encourage your children to have an interest in politics, encourage them to vote when they're old enough.

Friendships

Be proactive. Join clubs, seek out new hobbies and interests and find people who share them. Meetup.com can be a good place to start.

I didn't do any of this when I left, and as a result I'm don't have a social circle as such. But then I have joint custody of my three children, so that takes up a lot of my time, and I'm fortunate in that my girlfriend's friends and family circle is huge and they've taken me in with open arms, and are fully aware of my background.

The temptation is to get involved in another church setting, which is what I did. Yes, it will provide a ready-made social life, but it will be absolutely formed around acceptance of certain doctrines and beliefs. Sound familiar?

Religion and Faith

Once a mind has been open it should remain open, in my opinion. Much as you eventually took nothing from the Governing Body's table at face value, do not accept any belief pattern, religious or philosophical idea at face value.

Research. Analyse and keep your mind open.

Don't be afraid of not 100% believing anything. That's absolutely fine. Few things in life are absolute, especially in the genre of religion and faith.

Do, however, believe in yourself.

You are much stronger mentally and emotionally than the average man/woman in the street. Massively so. Place huge amounts of faith in you, in what you've achieved by freeing yourself from mental slavery and having the courage to act on it.

Few people can wrap their brains or imaginations around what it's like to have been part of a controlling religious cult and escaped from it. It boggles most peoples' minds. That's because survivors are amazing people.

Just like you are.

Enjoy the flavours and aromas of mental freedom. You've earned it. Experiment. Get a tattoo.

I've been out since 2008 and few weeks go by when I don't savour what I accomplished.

95

slimboyfat joins the Mormons!

by slimboyfat in

i know that some people on the board have experience of being mormons, so i would be interested in your feedback.

at church this afternoon it was an uncanny experience.

in the past i've read a lot about mormons, so i thought i was prepared in general for what it would be like.

passwordprotected

Question - did you ask about the magic under pants? And if so, how do you go about getting a pair?

17

What Happens at Judicial Committee Meeting on Apostasy

by passwordprotected in

this was a famous case here in the uk, based around the experiences of matt barrie (aka hobo ken).

we've uploaded the audio recording of his judicial committee meeting with the glasgow bishopbriggs congregation elders and you can listen/download the (long) unedited file here:.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k1pajlf7duc5zgh/matt%20judicial%20raw.mp3.

passwordprotected

First judicial hearing is here (unedited so lots of stuff to fast forward to at the start)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3xUhp9lfFlXSHpBVzF2TVg1b00/view?usp=sharing

Appeal hearing is here (again unedited):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3xUhp9lfFlXcjhpbnFQdkRObVE/view?usp=sharing

8

Update on My Journey: 8 Years After the End of Watchtower Control

by passwordprotected in

i last updated you guys almost 2 years ago here.. i thought i'd post an update.. the peace i discovered having decided to let the angst, worry and fear over what to believe is as strong as ever, although i am keeping more abreast of what jw.org (formerly known as wtbts) is up to, and i never cease to be shocked and surprised.. as my last post mentioned, i split from the jw girl i married in 1993 and both of us have moved on with new partners that better fit who we are as grown adults, rather than the children we were 23 years ago.. my partner has no religious background whatsoever, although her children are being raised as catholics by their father.

hearing her kids openly doubt, question and even ridicule the religion is heartwarming and exactly the way it should be.. as for my children, they continue to be a never-ending stream of joy and pride.. my oldest son is now 16, having been only 8 years old when we left the watchtower.

he had big anxiety problems for a while afterwards, worrying about armageddon etc.

passwordprotected

I last updated you guys almost 2 years ago here.

I thought I'd post an update.

The peace I discovered having decided to let the angst, worry and fear over what to believe is as strong as ever, although I am keeping more abreast of what JW.org (formerly known as WTBTS) is up to, and I never cease to be shocked and surprised.

As my last post mentioned, I split from the JW girl I married in 1993 and both of us have moved on with new partners that better fit who we are as grown adults, rather than the children we were 23 years ago.

My partner has no religious background whatsoever, although her children are being raised as Catholics by their father. Hearing her kids openly doubt, question and even ridicule the religion is heartwarming and exactly the way it should be.

As for my children, they continue to be a never-ending stream of joy and pride.

My oldest son is now 16, having been only 8 years old when we left the Watchtower. He had big anxiety problems for a while afterwards, worrying about Armageddon etc. That was very tough to deal with, but through time he left those fears behind, and I'm not sure I could meet a more calm, level-headed, open-minded and mature 16 year old. My girlfriend regularly comments on his wisdom beyond his years.

I can only shudder at what his life would be like - having the mind and outlook that he does - had he be confined by the harsh borders of JW life.

He's moving into his 5th year of high school later in the summer, and has absolutely no clue what he wants to do with is life, but he is certain he wants to travel and experience the world, an opportunity I'm all to happy to support him with.

My youngest son is now 7 and he never experienced the JW life, having been born almost a year after his parents left. Despite his mum and dad splitting up, he's an unbelievably joyful kid, a pure pleasure to be around. He recently told me that sometimes he feels like crying, and I was concerned and asked him more, only for him to explain that sometimes he feels so happy he could cry!

Unbelievable. How many of us "born ins" ever felt like that?

Again, another strong reward for the pain and sacrifice of cutting yourself free from JW mental slavery: the positive knock-on effect for your children.

At this point I'd say to any active JW who is worrying and doubting over what direction to take in life, if you have children, set them free by freeing yourself from the Watchtower.

Yes, it WILL be painful, but in the long run, the benefits afforded to you children are immeasurable.

A big worry, of course, is kids going off the rails if they no longer have the restrictions of the Watchtower.

To that I'd remind all parents that it's your responsibility to be examples for your kids, to coach them and guide them, and to love them unconditionally. You don't need any outside help with this, such as from a religion.

My 16 year old son was at a sleep-over party the other night. I had a quick chat with him about alcohol, telling him I didn't mind if he had a couple of drinks, but not to go mad. And he took that advice. But that's come off the back of loads of chats between us where I've openly admitted mistakes I've made. Again, this can be very hard to do in the JW world.

My 11 year old daughter is strong and confident and has a social life that I'm more than jealous of. But it's a social life devoid of the sniping and tell-taling that most of us "born ins" experienced.

On the health front, I'm a wee bit fucked. My heart disease reared its head again last December and I ended up in hospital over Christmas having survived a massive heart attack. This is hard to deal with at times. Genetics have played a massive part in it happening, but I've no doubt the stress and pain from 2008 to 2012 (when I finally made peace with religion and my upbringing) have played a huge part too.

I'm remaining positive that I'll get back to close to normal, but I'm realising it'll take lots of time.

So, for all my heart is a bit clogged up, my mind is still open and still at peace (in no small part to almost dying in a Glasgow hospital*).

I'm going to be keeping my eye on JW.org developments going forward, these are very interesting times for the cult.

*This is what it feels like: you're just going to sleep. It's very peaceful (until the doctors and nurses are shouting at you to "cough...cough! Stay with us". :-)

48

From yesterday WT, don't have kids and if you do then don't see them often nor the grandkids either

by purrpurr in

unbelievable paragraph in yesterday's watchtower was "encouraging" the sheep to not have kids.

most of their growth comes from the born ins and they are still on about not having kids?.

then it went on to "encourage" those that do have kids or grandkids not to spend to much time with them and instead to spend their time serving kingdom interests!.

passwordprotected

Can someone post the full quoted paragraph please, or at least the reference?

56

JW Threatened me with Violence Today :)

by cofty in

i popped into the supermarket for a few things after work today and found myself walking up an aisle alongside a couple who used to be in my tuesday group.

i see them reasonably often and always say hello much to their obvious annoyance.

i noticed that ian was sporting a shaggy beard.

passwordprotected

"It is their right to shun you."

Of course it is. Let's use this forum to defend that right and the childish behaviour that goes along with it rather than celebrate those who refuse to recognise the emotional and psychological abuse that is shunning.

13

LOST - one Slim Boy Fat

by besty in

jw
friends

looks like this:.

.

hasn't been seen for over a month.. if anybody sees this man please tell him to come back to jwn immediately and tell us wassup..

passwordprotected

I heard a while ago that he'd gone back to the Org. I heard this from someone who'd met him to buy WTBTS books from.

83

What woke you up?

by Israel Ricky Gonzales in

in march of 2014, i was a very active jw, a ministerial servant, gave a public talk, was an attendant for the memorial, and one of 4 cleaning captains for an international convention of 40,000+ attendees.

so what woke me up?

an innocent comment from a co-worker about the candice conti court case rang a bell that could not be unrung.

passwordprotected

The ditching of the book study groups and the "rising gas prices" reason.

I was an elder at the time and heard the pain from people who's only association was the little tea-drinking time spent in the private homes where the BSGs were held. I couldn't understand why the Governing Body would state "gas prices" as a reason to abandon the BSG arrangement, which just a few months earlier had been praised in the Kingdom Ministry.

I heard about the GBs letter through the grapvine before the body of elders had had it read to them. Icouldn't believe they were doing this, so I went online and Googled it (why? No idea now...) and came across an apostate blog. I glanced at some of the articles and seeds were sown.

I decided to try to look after my own spirituality, and that of my family, by reading the Bible more. This opened up more questions in my mind, and within a couple of weeks my life fell apart.

I resigned as an elder and quit the meetings. The whole process took about 2 months. I DAd within 6 months. Free ever since.

41

Canadian branch getting rid of their trucks and drivers

by wannaexit in

jw
friends

a recent letter to the elders outlined the new arrangement for delivering literature to the congregations.

the canadian branch will be downsizing by eliminating drivers and trucks and utilizing commercial carriers to bring the boxes of monthly literature .

more outsourcing and more lay offs.. the funny thing about it is that they want to have the literature delivered to various private homes of the rank and file rather than have the literature delivered to the kingdom hall.

passwordprotected

No more Book Study Groups in private homes because gas.

They never tell the real truth behind their cost-saving* changes.

*ditching the Book Study Group was about protecting the Org from legal challenges re. abuse in private homes.