Posts by wantstoleave

82

Can you Believe Some of the New Posters on Here?

by lifelong humanist in

jw
friends

in life, i usually trust new people, at least on face value, until i discover otherwise.

yet, my normal belief system is now in doubt.

i've just replied to a thread started by 'goldensky' - an alleged spanish lady with lots of history as an extremely devout jw in spain.

wantstoleave

Did they just have too much time on their hands? Lol..

11

this is only my second thread here on this forum, so forgive me if i put this on the wrong board.. i'm a jw on the way out....past few years and esp past few months of thinking have pretty much sealed the deal for me.

i'm done.. so anyway, as i allow myself to think more and more and question more and more of the bible, something i have always wondered about is the flood.

did god regret doing that, hence the rainbow promise??

wantstoleave

The more I read on this site, the more I question myself and all I've ever known. For instance, the flood has been a question for me too. But, then I think of other religions/cultures and all of their religious stories. Take Australian Aboriginal people and their 'dreaming stories'. Just like other religions, they have a reason for how things come about, were created or designed. Just in a different manner to the more christian religions.

In fact before reading this, I today asked my dad about the animals going into the ark and how other religions have their take on this and my mom said that's because most religions date back to the basics of the bible, but over time it's kind of ben distorted, much like chinese whispers. You know, when something starts out as truth, but the more it gets passed along, things change.

I've always thought that with Jehovah God, anything is possible. Thus the nature of physics in the way we understand it today, was not even a point of contention for me. I just believed that Jehovah was the grand creator, so he could have changed the laws of physics (at that time) if he so wished.

Bluecanary, thanks for that link. Was a great read!

19

Have you ever insulted an elder or you know someone that did it?

by asilentone in

wantstoleave

No I haven't but there is one elder in our Kh who is always picked on. He just puts up with it, though he's told my family that he gets really upset by it. He comes across as stiff, opinionated and unyielding but in reality, he's a big softie. Just his exterior doesn't give that impression.

8

who is the authenic you?

by highdose in

jw
friends

i feel like i'm just begining to discover you i really am.

all that jw borg style programing is falling away and whats left is someone who keeps surprising me.

i'm alot happier in myself now, and alot more at ease.

wantstoleave

I'm still trying to find myself too.

9

Official Jehovah's Witness Records

by wouldacouldashoulda in

jw
friends

hi posters.

i am looking to collect an official document on jehovah's witness world records.. .

here goes some for the uk.

wantstoleave

I know of ones baptised as young as 8! I know them personally even. But I'm not in the UK. Geri Halliwell left the witnesses as a teen I believe and from what I've read her quoting, she says her mum left when Geri became famous. She was stumbled or something. I read this only the other day actually.

121

November 15 Watchtower (Study Edition) - discourages showing affection to your spouse

by CrazyBlonde in

jw
friends

another gem from the same edition - article to be studied december 28 - january 3 (which most will miss lol coz of summer vacation) entitled "what do your prayers say about you?

" page 6 para 19 reads:.

19 when we are being represented in public prayer, we need to display reverential "fear of god.

wantstoleave

I told my parents of this article, and at first mom said 'thats so wrong!'...then she changed her tune, deciding that it has been mentioned because it is perhaps upsetting those that are single, or have lost their mate in death. She believes that for 1.5hrs (sunday meeting for eg), people should be able to restrain themselves enough not to hold hands etc. Dad added that when going to a meeting, it's for worship and to learn about Jehovah, not to stand and hold hands. So, that's their take but of course, they're still in (and probably always will be).

82

Can you Believe Some of the New Posters on Here?

by lifelong humanist in

jw
friends

in life, i usually trust new people, at least on face value, until i discover otherwise.

yet, my normal belief system is now in doubt.

i've just replied to a thread started by 'goldensky' - an alleged spanish lady with lots of history as an extremely devout jw in spain.

wantstoleave

Quietlyleaving...wow!! Someone actually did that for 2yrs? That was some effort! I wonder what makes people lie about themselves? These types of sites are invaluable for people who don't no where else to turn. For someone to abuse it like that, it's really sad.

33

So I did it - almost!

by wantstoleave in

today, i'm not quite sure how it started, but i voiced my concerns about the religion i've been brought up in since i was 3. my dad went straight on the offensive, though kept nice and polite.

i told them that someone can not be df for accepting a transfusion.

not sure why i started with that example, but nevertheless... dad said 'since when' and started pumping me for information, when, where, what...you get the picture and biggest one of all 'how do you know this'.

wantstoleave

Thankyou!!! I do feel quite strong right now! It's an amazing feeling. I wonder though if my dad will ring the elders? He did that when I was 13, unbaptised and tried smoking :/ Push might come to shove......

82

Can you Believe Some of the New Posters on Here?

by lifelong humanist in

jw
friends

in life, i usually trust new people, at least on face value, until i discover otherwise.

yet, my normal belief system is now in doubt.

i've just replied to a thread started by 'goldensky' - an alleged spanish lady with lots of history as an extremely devout jw in spain.

wantstoleave

I'm a newbie and so glad to be here. Being here has helped me work over some doubts I have had for some time, it's also shown me how little I actually know about the religion I was baptised into. If it weren't for this site, even though I've not been on it long, I would still be attending the KH feeling worthless. I say give everyone a chance, if they are trolls, it will soon be evident.

33

So I did it - almost!

by wantstoleave in

today, i'm not quite sure how it started, but i voiced my concerns about the religion i've been brought up in since i was 3. my dad went straight on the offensive, though kept nice and polite.

i told them that someone can not be df for accepting a transfusion.

not sure why i started with that example, but nevertheless... dad said 'since when' and started pumping me for information, when, where, what...you get the picture and biggest one of all 'how do you know this'.

wantstoleave

Today, I'm not quite sure how it started, but I voiced my concerns about the religion I've been brought up in since I was 3. My dad went straight on the offensive, though kept nice and polite. I told them that someone can not be Df for accepting a transfusion. Not sure why I started with that example, but nevertheless... Dad said 'since when' and started pumping me for information, when, where, what...you get the picture and biggest one of all 'how do you know this'. I told him I'd read it somewhere, not sure where, from a friend. My sister immediately got out the WT cd and did research. She came back through telling dad I was right!

Anyway, the questions I had went from there. I questioned how we know we're the right religion, what happened in 1914, why weren't there witnesses between Jesus time and the 1800's etc. You get the picture. Dad got out the bible and turned to the back, to the chronology section etc and pointed out lots of headings to me, and scriptures to look up and prove to myself that it's true. He said not to take his word for it, to study the scriptures myself. He said he'd study with me if I wanted. He's so scared of 'losing me' to the 'world'.

My mum got in on it, surprisingly. I thought she'd more laid back, but she went on to say she prays everyday for my brother to return. Dad was pacing and telling me I was responsible for my children living or dying...and was I thinking about that. After about an hour, I burst into tears. My sister started crying her eyes out. She said she'd known it was coming for a long time. She told me she has little knowledge either, but that she believes it's the truth. I simply told them I just didn't know that I could pretend to be fake anymore and sit at a meeting I didn't want to be at.

Dad was very loving with me. He told me that he'd been in the world (up until his 20's) and that there's nothing out there. He said that if I step into it, I'll go from one extreme to another. I told him that not every person who leaves the organisation goes off the deep end. He urged me to study. I heard him saying to mum 'I don't know what to say. There's nothing I can do'. Afterward, I talked a little to my sister, and she said it sounded as if I'd made my mind up. She was very calm. She said she'd even went as far as thinking recently that maybe I had an xmas tree hidden somewhere! I thought that was funny. (No I don't have one...lol).

I'd said to my parents that what kept me in is fear they'll stop talking to me if I leave. Mum said that she hasn't stopped talking to my brother. I guess in her own way she was saying she wouldn't stop talking to me. I don't know. I did say to my sister after that I think if the elders told dad to, he would stop talking to me. She agreed.

So, there we have it. I've planted the seed of doubt I guess you could say. My parents will probably fret over me now. In fact, I know they will. Dad's a worrier. And now they'll think they've lost 2 kids. My dad did ask me during the conversation whether I'd let him study with my children. They are preschool age. I said I didn't know. I don't know at this point. My sister later said that it would be so confusing for them if I celebrated holidays with them, but then they would visit them and ask why there is no tree or, why they didn't give them a birthday present etc. Of course, that's way down the track. And I'm not sure on my decision yet. But, it's given me a bit of breathing room as far as getting it off my chest. At least they know where I stand as of this moment. Thanks for listening :)