Posts by Cadellin

63

w14 12/15-E Study Edition

by wifibandit in

click "premium download".

.

pdf: http://bayfiles.net/file/1kv2k/uaqn2y/w_e20141215.pdf.

A quick skim shows the cultic rhetoric hard at work. A couple that stood out were (1) An exaggerated "Us v. Them" delineation, with the entire JW world lumped together as one undifferentiated mass of badness, in contrast to the JW world which is pure, wholesome and beyond questioning; (2) Strong invocation of fear as to the consequences of leaving the group; (3) the implication that there are no alternatives--everything is either this or that, and there's no room for contemplating other possibilities, in any context.

Moreover the study articles all follow EXACTLY the same template: The first few paragraphs outline a challenge or problem, then the middle section looks at a couple of Bible examples, usually at least one from the Hebrew scripts and one from the Greek, then the application is made pointedly to current member behavior, with the last paragraph mentioning something about Wonderful Benefits of Obedience. I mean, there's no straying from the formula, not even a little. And the legitimacy of the application of the Biblical examples to modern day behavior in terms of the actual "lesson" is a reach, in many cases. It's a clear manipulative device to control behavior.

Oh, wait--sounds like a high control religion.

45

Lying about Shunning! jw.org conceals the "truth"

by Skinnedsheep in

jw
friends

http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/ .

"those who were baptized as jehovahs witnesses but no longer preach to others, perhaps even drifting away from association with fellow believers, are not shunned.

in fact, we reach out to them and try to rekindle their spiritual interest.".

Cadellin

Of course they are being deliberately deceptive. They are presenting a limited or exceptional example while being silent on the broader, more realistic range of actual situations in which shunning would apply. The example--man with a wife and children--is probably the least hurtful example because of course his wife and minor children aren't going to shun him. In almost every other circumstance, a "former member" (and we know what that means, as has already been pointed out) would be shunned but good by everyone. And being profoundly immoral, as is also implied on JW.Org, is only ONE of many scenarios leading to DFing. This is a case of presenting the most acceptable public face possible while maintaining a very different (hidden) agenda.

The WT's pants are smouldering...

31

Hi! I'm new here

by Powermetal4ever in

jw
friends

thought i am gonna introduce myself.

i am a girl from a country in europe, and not an english speaking one, so if i am writing strange or something, you know why.

anyway, have been reading here for a while now, the other day i thought it was time to register as a member.

Cadellin

Welcome, Powermetal! Your English is very good, so no worries there. Yes, it's hard to masquerade but you'll find that many do it for a wide range of legitimate reasons. If you are dependent upon your parents and fear they will kick you out if you are honest about your feelings about this religion, it's understandable why you might want to continue with the charade. Still, it gets harder and harder and it is inevitable that you will either want to be honest or slip up in some way. You want to plan your exit carefully and honorably, especially if you want to maintain communication with your family. Many find that "fading," which is a very slow drifting away, is a good way to go.

You don't say how old you are (and don't divulge anything if it will reveal you) but are you in a position to move out on your own? That will make being honest easier.

55

JW.Org Blitz

by Theredeemer in

jw
friends

i've noticed, partilcularly on instagram, a advertising blitz for jw.org by the dubs.

primarily its the younger ones 35 and under vs older ones.

i dont know if its just my friends or everyone but they are obsessed with jw.org.

Cadellin

Just had an interesting convo with my elderly super-zealous parents. The ministry is "completely changing," and it's all about using tablets now. In fact, there are classes being given on how to use a tablet in the ministry (anyone else hear of this?) I think this is locally, like at the local assem hall. So now my parents are trying to decide if they need to buy two iPads or if they can keep using their Samsung Galaxy and just buy one new tablet but all the JW apps seem to be for iPads, etc. etc. Keep in mind that while the parents aren't destitute, they are pensioners on a very limited budget. I see what's happening--publishing paper mags is a huge expense. The WT is in the process of drastically limiting the amount of paper printing it will have to do and shifting the expense of information distribution to the publishers.

Oh, well, this is very exciting for my parents, who have lived their whole lives expecting the big A any day and right now, really don't have a whole lot else in their lives. In a way, I'm glad they are still so zealous as the religion has lent a lot of meaning to their golden years, even if it is illusionary. Okay, now I'm depressed.

52

Stagnant JW growth at international convention

by kneehighmiah in

jw
friends

so at the international convention 235 were baptized.

the attendance was 34k.

that's resents less than 1% its about .6%.

Cadellin

It's worth noting, too, that the demographics of those baptized seem to be changing. My teenager went to the Int'l Con in Indianapolis and was shocked by "all the 5-year olds getting baptized" (his words, not mine--I wasn't there.) My teen has no interest in being a JW, just went to make dad happy and is generally indifferent to all of the ins and outs of the religion but this was really troubling to him. He kept saying "They (small children) can't make a decision like that!"

I'm sure there were young children getting dipped when I did but I don't remember that. I remember mostly older teens and adults.

Side note--the other thing that he noticed when he wasn't on his phone or dozing was how all the emphasis/worship is now directed to the organization, and how it seemed like Jehovah and Jesus weren't mentioned that much, or at least, not as much as JW.ORG. Again, this is from someone who really doesn't care one way or the other.

62

Roll call of those of us stuck in for our spouse or whos spouse is still in!

by BU2B in

jw
friends

i just wanted to get a feel for how many here have awakened to ttatt but are still carrying on some jw activities to pacify them and keep the peace.

also trying to hear from those who have left, but whose spouse has stayed in the wt and in the marriage.. for me it comes down to my own mental anguish.

i am mentally tortured by attending the meetings, yet i feel compelled to because my wife would kill me with her personality if i had her drag 2 small girls by herself there.

Cadellin

Husband in and a fervent elder. I'm out and my teenager is, too. My husband and I have been able to keep our relationship together, somehow, and I have to say our marriage is stronger now than ever. Basically, the religion is a no-fly zone and we've learned to respect each other's differences. Easy? No, but worth it to stay married to this man, whom I love deeply.

24

Bizarro world conclusion to the 2014 International Convention Public Bible Discourse

by rory-ks in

jw
friends

it was entitled earth's new ruler - who really qualifies?

given by brother mark neumeyer*, "who has been a full-time servant for nearly 35 years, and is a helper of the governing body of jehovah's witnesses.

" it was his second talk of the convention.

Cadellin

It's interesting that he goes into the we'll-answer-any-questions-from-the-Bible routine, and yet the questions he offers as an example of what they will answer are the same-old, same-old boring crap like Why Do We Grow Old and Die? and Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? that we've heard over and over.

The REALLY interesting questions like How Do You Explain Neanderthal Fossils? and Why Do Ice Core Samples Reveal 100,000 Years of Continuous Ice Coverage of the Poles If There Was a Global Deluge a Mere 4,700 Years Ago? and Why Haven't You Published Anything On Radiometric Dating in the Last 30 Years? don't get raised. But those are the ones that REALLY need answering!

25

A few thoughts on the District, um, Regional... sigh....

by Apognophos in

i don't even know what the bloody event is called anymore.

i think it's still a district convention until it goes to two days, isn't it?

my convention program leaflet just says "convention of jehovah's witnesses", seemingly intentionally avoiding the change in wording.

Cadellin

You are TOO funny! Thanks for making my day!

83

1975 end prediction

by FL_Panthers in

jw
friends

does anyone have the article written by the wt saying that the end would come in 1975?.

how did people back then come to this year?

i need this information becuase i was told, this was never literally written by the wt in any publication.. thanks.

Cadellin

Panther, I know others have said it, but let me chime in here. Reading somewhat convoluted material written by the WT and figuring out what is being said is necessary if you want to know the truth about the truth. If you weren't a strong reader before embarking on this journey, be prepared to become one.

Also, with respect to your comment about "people just serving Jehovah until 1975" and "running" with vague statements made by the GB, reflect on this: Those assertions assume that disappointment over 1975 sprang from the publishers themselves, that they brought it on themselves by baselessly magnifying or misconstruing statements by the GB. This tendency to blame the victim is consistent with how the WT likes to characterize people who leave the organization--shift the burden of proof to them and keep it off the organization. Yet is that accurate? Remember that the power relationship between the Society and the average publisher is not equal. The Society/GB repeatedly insist on unquestioning obedience, and emphasize that everything they produce is from "Jehovah's table," inferring that it's all straight from him (while at the same time disavowing inspiration, something of a trick). The average good publisher seeks to obey, to go along with what he/she is told and takes what the Society says as "Food at the Proper Time." So when the Society makes slippery statements about the end coming "within the next few years at most," what the heck is the pubisher to think? How could s/he ever not expect the big A otherwise?

Lastly, how can you or anyone claim that someone is doing something just for or until a date? In fact, what is the difference exactly between just serving for or until a date and "keeping the end closely in mind"? When the date goes by, another one is handily provided--1975 was replaced by the end of the 20th century, which was replaced in 2009 by the meaningless "imminent," if you recall that DC where the word was used in literally every talk on the program.

64

First Post - Emotionally Torn

by scaredtospeak in

i haven't been on here long but i found this site a couple days ago and quickly realised it had a lot of posts by people going through similar experiences as me.

i read some of the answers and it helped relieve some inner anguish i've been carrying since everything i came clean to my parents about everything i've been reading about.. .

i just have been going through a rough patch right now; that might be an under or overstatement depending on your own personal experiences with this kind of stuff.

Cadellin

Welcome! You ARE NOT ALONE. When I read your first post, I felt like I was reading my own story. The only difference is that I'm in my 40's and I went through my awakening about ten years ago, when I was already on my own and married to an elder. Here's what you need to remember:

--Your brain is telling you that there is a problem (well, multiple problems) with this religion. Your brain, not Satan. Your brain is telling you this based on credible evidence. Listen to it. The credible evidence is not going away.

--You are not responsible for your family's happiness and they have no right to imply that you are. You ARE responsible for being respectful and loving to your parents but that does not mean they should control your life or decisions (assuming you are eighteen or older. If you're not, hang in there--you soon will be).

--There is a tremendous amount to learn. Being raised a JW means that, even if you consider yourself fairly well read, you aren't. Exercise your sentience and read credible, authoritative material about evolution, and other phenomenon, written by educated people who actually know what they are talking about (unlike most JW writers).

--Read Ray Franz's Crisis of Conscience. It's amazing.

--Get an education, even if you have to finance it yourself by working full-time. As someone who finally went to college in her thirties and is now a university professor, I can tell you it's worth it.

--You are not guilty of wrongdoing. I felt like I had committed a murder when I finally started researching the Truth About The Truth. Yet all I was doing was exactly what we encourage people of other faiths to do about their own faith! This weird unwarranted feeling was strong evidence that my mind had been messed with.

--Keep coming here and reading and posting. We want to know how you're doing!