Posts by mostlydead

41

Former JW Survey

by Opus92 in

jw
friends

i'm trying to gather data on ex-jws to analyze for a statistics class.

i'd appreciate it if you'd click the link and take my short survey.

it's only 7 questions and is anonymous.. .

Being Under Cult Mind Control is a Psychological Disorder - Steve Hassan

by flipper in

jw
friends

thought perhaps some newer members who haven't heard some of hassan's thoughts on mind control might relate to this from their own experiences in jehovah's witnesses .

even though mind control is initiated by the cult involved in controlling it's members - hassan points out - it actually becomes a psychological disorder which can entrap the victim himself or herself - all the while - as they are being controlled by the leaders of cults.. on page 55 of hassan's book " releasing the bonds - empowering people to think for themselves " it states what happens in a destructive cult , " in a destructive cult, the locus of control shifts to the group or it's leader .

the new recruit abdicates his ability to make decisions.

mostlydead

Supposedly, making their own decisions and choices is what got Adam and Eve into trouble. Humans don't have the ability or the right to decide what's good and what's bad, only God does. God uses humans to convey his thoughts to other humans. If you accept all this, it's the perfect set-up for abdicating your thinking ability to a man-made organization that claims to be being used by God.

75

"The way of the truth is the best way of living. No better way can there be found."

by nicolaou in

"the way of the truth is the best way of living.. no better way can there be found.".

remember that?

it's the opening line to 'make the truth your own'.

mostlydead

I think the words are, "If your body members you control..."

164

My sister died in a head on collision last night

by Bumble Bee in

jw
friends

i still can't believe it.

she was here for the bbq, we had an awesome time, laughing, her telling stories from our childhoods.

i gave her a hug and told her i loved her before she left.

mostlydead

I feel for you BumbleBee. I lost my sister in just such an accident. There are so many questions…I hope you can find the answers you need. I send peaceful thoughts your direction.

37

Oct. 15th WT - WT Society Manipulation " Find True Friends Only in JW land"

by flipper in

jw
friends

well- you knew this was coming next after the article of how to be jesus friend.

so the wt society was setting it's members up to seek friends only in the ranks of jehovah's witnesses.

basically in this article " maintaining friendships in a loveless world " - even from the title you get the impression the wt is showing that the world is loveless- but the jehovah's witnesses are not.

mostlydead

The lie that forms the foundation of this entire argument starts with the words "people in general." What are they basing that on? Most of us have had good and bad experiences with people in and out of the organization but somehow I don't think they're including their own members as "people in general." And how can it be said that "worldly" friends are the betrayers when everyone knows that the first thing students are encouraged to do is to break off association their friends? Who is leaving whom?

5

Old friends in OR, WA - New friends in PA

by nwchick in

looking for old friends in portland, oregon or kennewick, wa.

my name was michelle west (maiden) and michelle savard (married).. i live in central pa now and would love to meet up with some exjws.

are there apostafests out here?.

mostlydead

Hello Michelle! I sent you a PM.

5

"The Dread Pirate Roberts" as the Governing Body

by gubberningbody in

jw
friends

you know, i imagine there's some sort of initiation ceremony that's involved with becoming a member of the sanctum sanctorum.

the dewey-eyed sycophants mentored into supporting this imaginary entity - the magical governing body.. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ekbukqekio.

mostlydead

"Your friend here is only MOSTLY dead." -Miracle Max

57

Why were you baptized?

by bluecanary in

inspired by another thread.. i was baptized at 12 years old.

i had a cousin, two years older than me, who was prettier, more outgoing and more popular in the hall than i was.

i couldn't beat her at any of that stuff, but i figured i could be a better jw than she was.

mostlydead

I was 12, my best friend told me she was planning on getting baptized at the district convention and so I decided that would be a good time for me to do it too. Since I knew I would some day anyway.

My elder/father (who was sexually abusing my younger sister) went through the questions in the "Lamp" book (I think that's what it was) no other elders were ever involved.

I knew I had to make a dedication in prayer, but when it got to that point, I remember lying in bed with my heart pounding, scared to death to make that commitment. If I'd had more sense, I would have known that was a big red flag right there, but I was only 12.

Got to the convention, best friend had changed her mind and not bothered to tell me. One of the two questions that were asked of the baptismal candidates at that time was, "Have you made request to God for a clean conscience?" I was panic-stricken, I didn't know I was supposed to make such a request! I said, "yes" anyway, just didn't know what to do at that point.

I'd had a near drowning accident the summer before, and for months I couldn't put my face in the shower water, let alone get into a swimming pool. But I did and felt fairly calm which I attributed to Jehovah's help. Got dunked, no fanfare afterward from my family (no surprise there) and life went on as usual.

76