Posts by freddo

41

How much do you think the internet has hurt JW growth?

by HereIgo in

the internet is what helped bring me and so many others out of this evil organization or at least confirmed our doubts.

i have to say, i have seen quite a few youtube videos recently of ex jw's secretly recording their interactions inside of different congregations, halls, etc and see how empty the halls are!

so many people comment on how the attendance is so low, far more emptier than when i was in 6 years ago, even on a weekday meeting.

freddo

I liken it to the gears of a car.

1st Gear: Up until the mid-2000s the internet was only available on the family PC or the worker with their laptop and internet access. Also WT was very scathing of the internet and gave it a red light.

2nd Gear: Mid-2000's onwards Smartphones and tablets became increasingly available and surfing the net in privacy became much more easy to all family members. WT gave an amber light to limited use of the internet by going on line itself.

3rd Gear: We've shifted into this gear with pre-teens and poorer countries getting smart technology. JWborg is in full flow with the internet being embraced with a tacit green light. JWTV is out there in all its awful parody/glory. Everyone from 9 to 90 is being encouraged to go on line to receive JW litter-ature. Trolley-Dolleys encourage the public to check out JWborg. (What else will they check?)

Result? Increasing concern, apathy, disbelief, quiet rebellion and out and out apostasy. In the field only the mentally ill come in and only the born-in kids get baptised.

7

Shunning

by sinboi in

did the org have any guidelines on shunning?.

if the son is d/a or d/f, are the parents supposed to disown him, chase him out of the house?.

for husband and wife, do they need to divorce or what?.

freddo

Hi Sinboi here's "da rulez"

You cannot be DF'd for associating with another DFd person unless you are vocally going about saying you don't agree with the decision to DF or otherwise sticking it in their faces where they bring in "brazen conduct" - the clever catch-all sin. If the parents are discreet it may not be an issue. If caught out by some nosey busybody who runs to the elders they (the parents) can claim "necessary private family business" without disclosing what it was.

If the DF'd relative is a minor then the parents get a free pass to keep them in their home until they are an adult before they get pressure to do otherwise. This is not rigorously enforced at age 18 but at 19 or especially 20 upwards they will get pressured to consider why the DFd person is there. If it is perceived that you are there because you just want to then the parents will get more pressure. At the other end of the scale if the householder wants his DFd parent to live with him because he is aging or unwell then the same scrutiny will apply. Needed or just convenient?

Now if the Parent is a pioneer or especially an appointed MS or Elder then his qualifications will be "considered" (scrutinised) and unless there is a damned good (JW) reason then they will be deleted from their position.

If they aren't an MS or Elder then the elders may choose to restrict "privileges" as they see fit.

If you are joining the army then I guess you would only be able to try to visit your parents when you are "on leave" and so if your parents operate an "under the radar" policy the problem shouldn't arise.

I guess the problem will be whether your parents will go against "da rulez" rather than the elders who may not be aware of your visits.

39

Assembly experiences that strech the truth

by karter in

jw
friends

elder and his wife build a flash house.. they go on the stage at an assembly and give an experiences of how they sold the flash house to simplify their life so they can go pioneering.. the real story.. elder and wife can't afford the flash house and have to sell it he never goes pioneering she does until they are declared bankrupt.. why were they bankrupt?.

the money leaft over from the flash house they invested in a yet to be build apartment and the developer goes bankrupt takeing their money.. just one of many.. karter..

freddo

I was asked to do an interview at the CA about 6 or 7 years ago where the brother taking the item wanted to explain how I had "bounced back" from not taking counsel and losing my "privileges" to being reappointed again and how it showed that I had "learned my lesson" in a "humble way". (Barf! I know. I know. - )

The CO thought it a good example but he was interrupted by the DO who was riding shotgun at the rehearsal.

The DO thought it was too negative and that I hadn't showed humility by resigning in the first place and cut the interview out. (That was fun - standing on the rehearsal platform in front of all the circuit heavies and being kicked off! LOL!)

That DO was demoted to CO in 2014 along with all the others and if I have his age correct he will just about be getting put out to grass in outer fumbuck as he will be taken off of being CO as he approaches age 70.

A nice opportunity for him to show humility!

22

As a JW how would you answer this if someone brought it up in the ministry?

by NikL in

as a jw i pretty much just went along with what was taught from the platform i didn't do any real bible study.

as a result, now that i am out of the org.

i find scriptures that blow my mind.. i am not sure how i would have reacted if someone had pointed this out to me when i was a jw but now i can't believe i've never noticed this before.

freddo

I used to say "You cannot find ALMIGHTY anywhere in the Bible in reference to Jesus. Only to Jehovah."

I also used to say "Which is the more senior? Father or Son? ... So as a Son, then Jesus is subject to his Father, Jehovah."

If you want a scripture to cut the feet from under JW's try Luke 21 v 8.

41

How much do you think the internet has hurt JW growth?

by HereIgo in

the internet is what helped bring me and so many others out of this evil organization or at least confirmed our doubts.

i have to say, i have seen quite a few youtube videos recently of ex jw's secretly recording their interactions inside of different congregations, halls, etc and see how empty the halls are!

so many people comment on how the attendance is so low, far more emptier than when i was in 6 years ago, even on a weekday meeting.

freddo

MR MAGIC

What an excellent use of the internet! Please tell us more of how you get your anti JW message out there.

PETE

I always love your posts. That JW lady cannot fail to have your truthful experiences and what you said lodge in her brain.

... ... ...

In general terms the internet is also hollowing out JW's from the inside. Those that only get a glimpse of anti JW stuff, those that quietly research, those that doubt but feel unable to say anything at all and those "in for family" will vote - even if only subconsciously - with their wallets and their feet.

Armageddon never comes; The old school baptised pre -1975 stalwarts age, get sick and die; Peace and Security never comes; The King of the North has disappeared and the spoutings of the GB appear more manipulative, money and property focussed and inaccurate.

This is why meeting attendances and "door-to-door" are down, weekends away are up, lethargy and anxiety are on the increase and treading water is common.

Yay for the internet!

23

How many "leave the truth" because of the behaviour of harsh elders?

by stuckinarut2 in

just wondering how many are assisted to wake up after experiencing harsh treatment from "the loving shepherds of the congregation"?.

perhaps some were starting to wake up, and such behaviour or treatment gave them the push to leave?.

as jesus supposedly said "come to me all who are toiling and loaded down, and i will refresh you.

freddo

Does an idiot C.O. harshly enforcing unwritten rules count? If so - raises hand.

31

The Dub At My Door (is back for Return Visit)

by TerryWalstrom in

the dub at my door ___________________i’d rather have a root canal than agree to a sit down with an active jehovah’s witness.i’m an ex-jw.

for good reason.

fool me once....i’m an activist and an author of a book or two exposing and vilifying the destructive jw cult organization.yet i agreed.

freddo

Great! What are the three traps Terry?

3

Australia: Successful Liability Case against the Watchtower

by Listener in

there's some fantastic news on jwvictims.org regarding a liability case filed against the watchtower in australia.

according to the reporter, alexandra james, the civil case was mediated on last month and therefore there will be no court proceedings to report on.

the reporter understands that there is no gag orders but it is currently under confidentiality privileges.also reported was the fact that the case had run for 18 months and involved a western australian abuse survivor.

freddo

Excellent news! Thank you.

23

Does anyone under the age of 25 know what KFC stands for? (What about WT or JW?)

by stuckinarut2 in

as we have seen, the society has so smoothly rolled out the rebranding of the organization in just a few short years!.

(in fact, i remember a thread post here a few years back, where it was mentioned that all halls are going to get the jw.org signs on them.

it was initially laughed off and doubted) https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/279409/jw-org-signs-put-on-all-kingdom-halls-new-directive.

freddo

truth_b_known

COBE or CoBE is the "Co-ordinator of the Body of Elders."

But your point is well made.

6

Government grabbing worship places? Surely not.

by punkofnice in

a local jobo recently told me (or told me recently), that the uk government will seize unused kingdom halls and other churches if they are empty or not used.. the jobo said this was a new thing from the uk government.

the jobo was vague about it and couldn't verify their source.. now, i know russia is doing stuff but i've not heard anything about the uk.

it doesn't sound plausible.. i've searched the tinternet but can't find anything suggesting this.. i'm sure it's just utter jobo propaganda scare tactics and rumours.

freddo

Sounds like Bollocks to me.