Actually I got pretty gung-ho at one point, didn't last long though. I must say though that talking to householders with different beliefs probably helped me move on, because you do have to atleast kind of listen to them, and I always thought it was fair to really hear what they have to say anyway, so you never know..
Introspection
JoinedPosts by Introspection
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43
Did you/Do you actually LIKE Field Service?
by LovesDubs ingod i hated it..every living breathing minute of it.
it was pure hell for me, and based on the pace i see the jws all over the world moving, they aint so fond of it neither.
the persecution that the jws feel they get is from irritated householders who know nothing about their religion except that they hit people over the head with it and then judge them because they dont like being hit over the head with it.
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"The truth? You can't handle the truth!!&q...
by Introspection ini just wanted to point out that questioning every belief one has always held can be very unsettling psychologically speaking.
i wasn't even raised to be a jw so i can only imagine the depth of the indoctrination for those who were.
please remember that too much too soon may not be a good thing, in fact it usually isn't.
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Introspection
Patio, some just leaving the org. may be emotionally fragile. Yes, we want them to start thinking for themselves, (actually that's another reason not to shove too much info down their throat) but tact helps.. Why not use some of those techniques we learned, some like asking questions are useful. BTW, I think the point of that is to let them come to the conclusion or atleast have a chance to PROCESS it, not to answer for them. In addition, if they ARE thinking for themselves, they may come to different conclusions. Yes, they may be wrong and not as smart as you, know diddly about logic and critical thinking, but they would be thinking for themselves. Isn't that what we want?
Mark
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"The truth? You can't handle the truth!!&q...
by Introspection ini just wanted to point out that questioning every belief one has always held can be very unsettling psychologically speaking.
i wasn't even raised to be a jw so i can only imagine the depth of the indoctrination for those who were.
please remember that too much too soon may not be a good thing, in fact it usually isn't.
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Introspection
I just wanted to point out that questioning every belief one has always held can be very unsettling psychologically speaking. I wasn't even raised to be a JW so I can only imagine the depth of the indoctrination for those who were. Please remember that too much too soon may not be a good thing, in fact it usually isn't. Of course, if you just want to vent that's a different story, and this is a public forum after all. But really, who in the hell knows it all anyway? I can see there are some very intelligent members here, but mind reading is tricky business, we don't always know what someone else needs. For that matter, I'm sure none of us wants to get preachy either.
Mark
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What if we put God on trial?
by Amazing inwhat if we put god on trial?
of course god cannot be put on trial by humans, and i doubt that he would submit to any subpoena from a human court.
but, what if we were able to do such a thing?
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Introspection
Well, I don't know where you all stand, if you believe in the possibility of a God outside the framework of what we were taught (really key actually) etc.. But it seems to me this question always comes back to free will. I mean if people have free will and are, well awake, they'd be responsible for their own actions..
As for the death sentence in the Genesis account, well I'd really have to point back to the whole theology we were taught.. There are people out there who believe in God, a personal God even and whole heartedly, and are loving toward other human beings, and doesn't give a second thought about the afterlife. Are they plain stupid, or what is their deal? I think simply put, they've REALLY sacrificed their life on behalf of others. After all, if you're just gonna be resurrected or go to heaven that's not really a sacrifice is it?
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StephenW - Myss' stuff
by Introspection inhi stephen, i noticed that you posted a few things about caroline myss' work, i find it interesting as well.
i'm curious, have you ever investigated buddhist philosophy?
it's not necessarily a religion i think... mark
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Introspection
Stephen, it's not so much about another tribe, it's what they stand for. If the opportunity arises I'd like to be in a good one, though even the better ones is mixed I think..
M
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StephenW - Myss' stuff
by Introspection inhi stephen, i noticed that you posted a few things about caroline myss' work, i find it interesting as well.
i'm curious, have you ever investigated buddhist philosophy?
it's not necessarily a religion i think... mark
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Introspection
Stephen,
It is an old story of course, we just happen to be attached to this case due to our past and some also have loved ones still in the org. More and more are waking up and taking note, maybe not enough yet but the numbers are certainly growing. I believe it is a natural process, that's why I'm not into preaching even if it is "the truth about the truth." After all, it is not enough to break away from this particular organization, you don't want to get right back in another one.
Mark
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StephenW - Myss' stuff
by Introspection inhi stephen, i noticed that you posted a few things about caroline myss' work, i find it interesting as well.
i'm curious, have you ever investigated buddhist philosophy?
it's not necessarily a religion i think... mark
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Introspection
Interesting Stephen, I may have to look at Myss' work more closely. I find it ironic that many treat Buddhism as a religion, making up altars with statues of Buddha, Tara, Quan Yin or whatever, whereas that attachment is really against what Gautama Buddha taught. I can see why there is some question over whether Buddhism is even a religion. To be honest, I actually know very little about world religions, all I know basically came from a comparative religion class I took. I don't really "practice" anything, because it's all about how you live from day to day, bringing mindfulness and compassion to it if you describe it in Buddhist terms. I think regardless of your religion and spiritual practice, you're ultimately missing the point if you become attached to the form. Maybe that's where the "don't know mind" comes in, when you do away with the preconceived notions you have then the truth becomes self-evident..
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Your Top Ten Books
by GinnyTosken ini love the book lists on amazon; i get lost in them for hours.
recently someone asked me for book recommendations, and i thought it would be fun if we shared our lists of top ten books that helped us think our way out of the jw dogma.
im putting aside the obvious ones, like crisis of conscience and apocalypse delayed.. heres my list, in the order i discovered them as best i can recall.. ginny.
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Introspection
I would also recommend the Tao Teh Ching, just don't read a silly paraphrase like Stephen Mitchell's "translation", or more appropriately his interpretation. I've enjoyed a version published by Shambhala by John C. H. Wu.
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The Elders' are Coming, Need Questions..!!!!
by Casper inthe elders are coming this saturday to do their yearly.
shepherding .. .
i desperatly need a couple good "questions" to throw at.
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Introspection
Cas, why do you want to "rattle their cage"?
Try to find support in your area as well, I'm sure there are kind people who love God like you. This board is nice but I'm sure you'd agree it would be nice to have some friends close by.
Mark
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depression and why JW's don't reconize it
by nogs inwell as you know unless you are an elders son or daughter generally jw's don't lift a finger to help all those ones feeling downtrodden and lonely.
i felt like this from july 1994 to march 2000. i prayed to jehovah constantly for help to ease the loneliness, i begged the elders and even others.
for a long time the only ones who would talk to me where the elderly ones(who i miss now since i left) i cried every night and felt after five years of being at meetings and feeling invisable (even though i was an auxillary pioneer) i decided that my life was worth fighting for.
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Introspection
Thank you Naomi and everyone for sharing your story. I too experienced depression when I left, and at one point I went through what you might call a "dark night of the soul". Sad to say, I know of one brother who hung himself. They talked about how he had a plate in his head from the war, but that is just rationalization to make them feel better about the organization. He was fine.
I think the reason why JWs don't recognize depression, or in some cases recognizes it but denies or rationalize it away by some nonsense like not enough field service hours is frankly because their hearts are closed. It is interesting to note that in the Chinese language, the expression for happiness are the words "open heart". This is why regardless of how many hours you put in service, you cannot reach people if your heart isn't open. I hope you all realize that despite having been hurt by those who are so cold, you are stronger. Those who don't allow themselves to feel anything may be "tough", but those who open up their hearts to what comes and keep going are the truly strong.