first off, let me tell you that i don't view you guys, or myself, as apostates.
that word somehow carries along with it a negative sense of destruction and hate.
what i'm wondering is, what is an apostate then?
Well the WTS defines its own terms...'apostate' is similar to the word 'heretic'. I would not be too bothered about how the WTS uses the word. If they want to demonise those who leave they can. It is all about damage limitation...minimising the effect of people leaving.
ISP
i have been out of the jw org.
for over 16 years now.
i'll just say that i'm not the most "mentally strong" person as it took me 14 of those years avoiding my problems, and 2 to really deal with it.
Hey Pettygrudger....I don't think there is anything petty about your WTS grudges!
ISP
first off, let me tell you that i don't view you guys, or myself, as apostates.
that word somehow carries along with it a negative sense of destruction and hate.
what i'm wondering is, what is an apostate then?
Hi fed up!
From a WTS view an apostate will be anyone who doesn't keep to the latest teachings of the WTS, and is therefore in opposition to the organisation.
It is used as a label to categorise all those who would have the temerity to think for themselves.
ISP
i simply want to say what a great feeling it is to be free of the strangle-hold of mind control, guilt and the suppression of being in the truth.. i remember a co in a public talk saying how the new system would bring relief from the pressures of this system as if a huge weight had been removed from your shoulders.. and then those talks about being a "slave to sin" which carefully twists the "apparent" freedom of worldly persons into slavery.. i used to pray at night, that unlike my siblings in our large family, i wouldn't loose the truth.
i think something inside of me was scared i would.
i don't know why.. ok, so it took me through pioneering and a hopeless marriage but eventually i did loose it, and never wrote to thank them, and even though i'm not sure if i still believe in god or not, i should at least thank him, as i had prayed, a few days prior to my disfellowshipping, for him to guide me out of my troubles, whatever they may be.. i just want you all to know that although i post about anger at the wtbts, i trully am a very happy person, and i am happy to be here and to feel like that huge weight has already been lifted.. *
feel like that huge weight has already been lifted.
With you there ballistic!
ISP
when we have american jw relatives visit they are frequently shocked at the difference between how they live their lives and how jws over here live.
its almost as if we are from two different religions.. that divide seems to be getting wider.
i have noticed in the past two or three years a noticeable relaxation among british jws.
Hi anewperson, the GB as was, are all aged and in there 90s etc. They resigned leaving many other Great Crowd guys in charge of all areas. The 'reason' given was to allow the GB to devote themselves to 'spiritual things' which I think meant making sure they got to the toilet in time. I don't think there is anything that these guys do on a day to day basis that does anything for the WTS. What do you think they do?
ISP
two months ago, a friend came to our house and during the conversation, he told me that there were a lot of rumours going around various congs about my wife and i. this upset us.
so we had a think and came to the conclusion, that we should send all our friends a letter to let them know what we have been doing.
so we printed out my website ....www.607v587.com and put it together with a covering.
Hi UO, I think you said that the elders were on to you following the letters. Any developments?
ISP
while having a wonderful visit with my way-cool sister, waiting, her hubby, her and i were discussing the number of hours per week it took to be a jw.. here's a breakdown of the time i spent per week:.
5 meetings a week = 5 hours.
getting dressed and travel time = 5 hours.
You could always save time. I did sometimes underline my WT in the restrooms during the public talk.
ISP
you will be happy to know that the board saw a new peak in registrants for the past month of 375, surpassing our last peak in june during aux pioneer season.
special thanks to regular pioneer hawkaw who was no doubt responsible for much of the fine growth during the last month.
more numbers regarding placements and studies for october will be forthcoming.
Hey that sort of growth is sure evidence of Gods blessing.
ISP
hello everyone, i've been reading a lot of posts here over the last week or so and decided it was time to introduce myself.
i'm from pittsburgh, pa and was not brought up in the "truth", so to speak.
i only became interested when i met a girl at work (who was a witness) and we started a friendship that eventually grew into a strong relationship.
Hytech, my wife and I have been out over a yr now. The kids do birthdays and stuff. The elders have kept their distance. I think there are ways of avoiding obvious conflict..but generally its a matter of time..........
ISP
i am looking for some people to talk to.
i have no friends and i do know why.
people are very judgmental about the way i look.
Hi Ny, I think you have a good chance to make friends here. We are not judgmental and there is a good blend of folks. I hope you keep in touch.
ISP
