Posts by freddo

49

Motherly Love, that "Unbreakable Bond"

by Simon in

my father died a couple of months ago.

he'd been ill for some time and had many health scares and heart troubles over the years but always managed to keep on going.

then one time he didn't.. i'm glad i got to know him again and spend some more time with him after so many years missed because of the wts but those years will always be lost forever.

freddo

Well it's your fault obviously Simon ... you must be punished. Start at 1:20 ...

https://youtu.be/BKaQLYPf5hM?t=79

13

abandoning a damaging cult is not a crime, in fact it might be viewed as a moral imperative given the levels of abuse awaiting those surrendering to its teachings and worse –its "ecclesiastic authority".. it has always seemed counter productive to inform potential enemies when your life´s goals now conflict with their rigid agendas.

disassociation letters and manifestos may be cathartic in the writing, but the outcome is a 100% certainty because of the inflexibility and lack of caring by the very group it is delivered to.. .

"fading" from under "high control" seems an oxymoronic risk at best, and currently faders walk on eggshells and look over their shoulders for years during and after the attempt - fearful that the price of their freedom will be the destruction of their friendships and family ties.. perhaps a peculiar additional preparation to a fade can reverse the balance of power – and high control cults are all about power.. .. bear in mind: - .

freddo

GfG - I was with you until your last sentence ...

"You can´t be Df´d because you are no longer subject to ecclesiastic authority, and because you have done absolutely nothing wrong."

But your clandestine letter does absolutely nothing to stop the local goons (with the branch goons hands up their derrieres) DF'ing you when you do something against JW standards as interpreted by them.

You might shrug and ignore but sadly the vast majority of your still in family will ignore (you) and shrug (at your attempts to have a relationship with them).

28

advice please/data protection

by Phoebe in

jw
friends

i have just received an email from an elder's wife regarding the new data protection laws.

between the lines it sounds like she has been asked to contact me.. she says they 'don't want to leave me out' so they want me to fill out the form as 'i'm still part of the congregation'.

also, my blood card needs updating, apparently.. the elder in charge will be in contact.. obviously, i'm not doing either, but what do i do?

freddo

Anders wrote ...

"The fac[t] that an unauthorized elderette knows you haven't filled out these forms and that your dpa is overdue shows how much JW cares about your personal data.

They will share it with everyone and anyone whenever they want."

It's so blinding obvious! Why didn't I pick up on that?

Because the lack of confidentiality is so commonplace among JW's the elder who asked his wife to chase you up didn't even think about it!

9

The Face of Jesus (in the wood grain of a grandfather clock)

by TerryWalstrom in

jw
friends

a couple of years past retirement, i moved into a "retirement community" (i.e.

old folks home) which was convenient like a hotel.. once a week there would be a coffee and doughnuts meet and greet get-together so you would know who your neighbors were.. well .

.. i went to few and missed a few.

freddo

Love your writing Terry - but as a snooty Brit I've just got to say ...

"Only in America"

28

advice please/data protection

by Phoebe in

jw
friends

i have just received an email from an elder's wife regarding the new data protection laws.

between the lines it sounds like she has been asked to contact me.. she says they 'don't want to leave me out' so they want me to fill out the form as 'i'm still part of the congregation'.

also, my blood card needs updating, apparently.. the elder in charge will be in contact.. obviously, i'm not doing either, but what do i do?

freddo

You have a pm Phoebe.

TLDR?

Don't sign it. Say no. "No I won't be signing that." is a complete discussion.

They may ask why or state veiled consequences and the answer is still "Nevertheless I won't be signing that."

5

Spent weekend with 2 all in JWs

by JaniceA in

(warning, rant ahead) .

so much indoctrination!

one who is battling terminal illness was going on about how jehovah blessed them with a good used trailer years ago when they were homeless.

freddo

Good of you to spend time with them JaniceA. A truly kind act.

23

interview with an apostate- morpheus

by _Morpheus in

when i saw simons thread and the "interview" series of threads that came from it i really enjoyed reading the life stories of those that shared.

a bump for newer people seems like a good idea and i figured i would add mine as well.

again, thanks to simon for the concept of a guided interview thread and the template.. tell us a little about yourself and your family.. hmmm... easy question, hard answer.

freddo

Really good! Some points chime with me and are very useful indeed.

You wrote:

"Did you convince anyone else to leave with you?

i did! not at the same time but i have convinced 8 people thus far to see ttatt. my parents and brother among them. My sister saw the light long ago on her own."

That is fantastic news - especially without getting df'd too.

63

2018 Convention movie: Jonah.... oh my god it's bad......!

by stuckinarut2 in

so, once again the society has produced a cringe-worthy, spew-inducing piece of "cinema".. i don't recognise this religion anymore...... enjoy this review:.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f0tovqkfem.

freddo

Exactly P.E.

Lloyd's commentary posits that she is put in the video (no mention of Jonah having a sister or a wife in the Bible) to represent a good loyal wife urging her reluctant "loved one" to do as Jehovah says without question.

I understand that it would be to much of a stretch for even the WT to give Jonah a wife in this video for him to leave behind while he goes off doing Jah's will - but fast forward to the present day and she is there as a role model for all the loyal sisters to urge their male family members to "put Jehovah's (AKA the GB's) requirements first and foremost.

And woe betide any male jw who wavers because said loyal (to the GB) wife/sister/mother will get their panties in such a bunch that their marriages and family life will come crashing down before they admit it's a bunch of hooey.

RANT narrowly avoided.

25

Can You Make Sense Of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

by minimus in

jw
friends

as a child growing up, i would see different arguments to defend a certain belief.

it may have required mental gymnastics in order to make a point but there was an actual attempt to explain, teach, and educate....even if the belief or teaching was bogus.. nowadays, it appears that jws couldn’t explain any belief.

they are drones and do as “mother “ has directed..

freddo

Dunedain's post so chimes with me - not that I count myself as bright as Dunedain's father. But as a reader with a thirst for knowledge, the 1970's fitted the (now obviously wrong) predictions of Freddy so perfectly when I was a teenager.

The late 1960's to 1975 was perfect - a 75 year old born in 1900 saw 1914 "with understanding" - the horrors of WW1/WW2 - the rise and fall of Hitler then Stalin and the nuclear age with fear of WW3 around the Cuban missile crisis in 1962.

"Signs in the stars" with the space race, Vietnam and the King of the North (Communist bloc) pushing into Eastern Europe and putting the King of the South (USA/UK) on the back foot.

Even the jolt of '75 didn't stop the steam roller, because the generation could be stretched to the end of the 20th century - which it almost did.

Now it has crumbled into theatrical scenery - very pretty on the outside but hollowed out and fragile.

How anyone goes with "explane's" overlapping generations (104 years into "invisible kingdom rule") and predict paradise "soon" is beyond me and crazy.

Good money after bad comes to mind; emotionally invested senseless fools pretending the emperor has any clothes at all - let alone new ones!

17

Qualifications of elders question

by charity7 in

hi guys!

i thought you guys would be able to clarify something for me.

according to jw’s what qualifies you to become an elder and who does the appointing?

freddo

In theory you "meet the qualifications" of at 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

In fact to be an elder you have to have a penis, be late 20's or older and have either or preferably both a brown nose or tongue from licking the derriere of the prominent elders in your congregation and of course the CO when he visits.

Putting 10 hours a month on your report with a "balanced ministry" (a handlful of RV's and "placements") which if you have kids would include a "family study" helps enormously.

You need to be "visible" as in out cart-minding or door knocking weekly or at least 3 times a month.

Attending nearly all meetings regularly and "participating" by answering up.