Posts by simon17

47

How does your congregation feel about the new song book?

by stuckinamovement in

jw
friends

i stopped trying to sing the songs last meeting.

it felt like a combination of chanting and stepping on a cat.

it is terrible.

simon17

The new songs are truly miserable (aside from a select few. This is the Way is a pretty nice song, maybe 1 or 2 others). I used to think the last songbook was bad, but that honestly had a few dozen songs that were either catchy or downright good. The new songbook just has so many songs that are simply not musical in any way.

I've asked a bunch of people which songbook they prefer and I get mostly this:

"I think i prefer... uh.... the new one. We're in Jehovah's organization and if thats the new book, then certainly there must be a reason. And I think we will certainly all grow to like the new songs more and more"

58

For those still in- why do you (really) stay, and what would it take for you to leave the org?

by serenitynow! in

jw
friends

for the so-called conscious class, those of you who know it's all a disgusting lie, what is the real reason you stay in?

i find it hard to understand how ones who know what the org truly is would continue to be an active jw.

i'm not talking about the "faders"- those with an actual plan to get out as painlessly as possible.

simon17

i may have to leave if they catch me living a double life.Being marked will be unbearable

Really? I think thats actually the easiest. You have no real guilt of leading a double life because people know you basically are. Your true friends and/or family will stick with you. The people you don't care about wont. And you dont really get bothered. You're a pariah to everyone you dont want to talk to lol. No expectations!

58

For those still in- why do you (really) stay, and what would it take for you to leave the org?

by serenitynow! in

jw
friends

for the so-called conscious class, those of you who know it's all a disgusting lie, what is the real reason you stay in?

i find it hard to understand how ones who know what the org truly is would continue to be an active jw.

i'm not talking about the "faders"- those with an actual plan to get out as painlessly as possible.

simon17

Its 100% family. They are a great family, very loving, know about my doubts and we discussed it very cordially and respectfully (albeit emotionally). They've supported me through 4 years of college and everything else in life. I go to the meetings and do not really listen. Sometimes I sit out of the way and just read something that I brough discreetly. Its not a terrible sacrifice to let them know "i'm still trying it their way."

They will not leave. One day I'm sure one of us will move away and then I'll hardly ever go. But if they are around, I'll put up the charade. I live on my own so basically the JW life only effects me 3x a week. At this happy medium they are saddened but content. They don't really ever try to engage me in a spiritual conversation and, in turn, I don't try to provoke them.

One thing I dont understand is people that are going like myself and are saying how they are "tortured being there and listening to their lies." Why are you listening? Can't you read something? Or bring a notepad and write.... anything (work, school, a story, baseball notes, etc). Jesus... I can't imagine actually sitting there and listening.

25

"This system is soo bad! Its so awfull!"

by highdose in

jw
friends

the above is something i often heard jw's say in one way or another, but they could never fully eleabourate.. so i propose a debate: is the world "bad and "soo awfull"?

as the jw's would have you belive?.

simon17

If you want to convince yourself that the world is a vile, horrible, awful place, you will NEVER, EVER have any shortage of evidence to back up that belief.

The nature of the universe is destruction and violence. From asteroid strikes causing mass extinctions to animals brutally ripping apart other animals to star's undergoing supernova and destroying entire solar system to some men trying to take advantage of other men.

71

I didn't even know i WAS an apostate!

by GrandmaJones in

i am currently just sick with grief.

i can't believe this is happening to me.

all the jokes i've made about me never "falling out of the truth" and self confidence about my spirituality.

simon17

I think you're ok. If you're in your 60s and have been a loyal witness for your entire life, you can pretty much get away with anything. My grandpa is literally crazy... he'll say the most ridiculous stuff but people just love him and think that he's losing his mind (probably true). Just don't go out and intentionally start waves and no one is going to "come after you."

Your whole family is in. No need to have an exit strategy and seperate yourself from all of them at your age. Just casually play along. Say you're not feeling well and "listen in" to the meetings via phone. Just take it easy.... free your own mind but I'd say play out your life as a JW who is getting older. No need to turn your life upsidedown

21

Looking back I Missed out on a lot

by lil.lady.03 in

so i'm thinking back to all the things i ever wanted to do when i was little.

and could not do because, anything i wanted to do was bad association or just bad.. when i was 4, i wanted to do gymnastics.. "no.

you get pulled into nationalism and develop a competive spirit.".

simon17

I had a pretty relaxed JW life... I guess living in a metropolitan area made JW's very "worldly" in what was acceptable. I had alot of friends, although I started dating after HS which was still ok. Earlier would probably have given more experiences. Went to 4 years of college so I had those experiences, although obviously I did not live on campus. I have to say, that I really miss the opportunity to play sports. I'm not sure I'd be very good but I have the competative drive that I think would at least make me excel in HS sports. Also, in college years, i got into moderate "trouble" by JW standards, such as a drunken night here or there, etc. Those are probably among my favorite memories I've had in life... I regret not having a few more. Would have liked to have gone to a few frat parties, just to see what they were like, and the like. Overall, I can't say I can complain. I was kept away from things that were harmful (smoking, drugs, etc), so losing a few things that were not harmful but still having a rather full and fun youth is certainly not something I'm going to be bitter about.

I feel bad for anyone that missed that. Skipping school with your buddies. Getting drunk at a concert. All the fun stuff of youth, you're not really going to get a chance to do again, even if you vow to make up for lost time. #1, you probably don't want to do some of that stupid stuff. #2, being a bunch of crazy 17 year olds is just a different feeling that being a bunch of crazy 50 year olds. I had enough to be happy with my life so far. But also enough to know a little bit more wouldn't have been a bad thing ;)

9

November Awake's I WAS RAISED AN ATHEIST" article

by I quit! in

jw
friends

after reading behemot's post on the article in the november awake i decided to do something i rarely ever do.

pick up a watchtower publication and thumb through it.

in the article a scientist frantisek vyskocil being interview by awake on how he came to his belief in god and became a jw.

simon17

The Witnesses don't believe that the earth was made in 6000 years, just that humans have existed for 6000 years (Which is also something that the evidence does not support but at least its a fairly controversial subject among many religions).

Also I would note that it really depends where you grow up as a Witness. Where I grew up, in a metropolitan area, I'd say at least 50% of witnesses went to college and got good degrees including many sons/daughters of elders.

61

Crap my District Overseer says

by easyreader1970 in

here are some things that came from the mouth of the district overseer over the course of the two days.

1. the recession isn't going to end.

things are screwed because the demons are controlling the world.

simon17

I will also add that a Christian family was shown to be sitting around playing Uno

Its ok as long as everyone playing is not rooting for themselves to win. How fun.

14

Letter Regarding Academic Researchers

by Bangalore in

letter regarding academic researchers.. .

.

bangalore.

simon17

I dont think they really get the concept of academic research lol. I dont think any university researcher is going to interview 200 JWs to try to figure out what their headquarters wants them to say. They want to see what THEY say.

Sad but predictable.

77

What if JWs are right?!?

by brotherdan in

i know this is a pointless question, but what if this happened:.

you came home from work one day, sat down, and turned on the tv.

there is a sudden announcement that the un has banned all religion.

simon17

Thought about it. Of course all things are possible. I guess in that case we lost a big hand.

I would feel ok saying "I tried what was right and it made no sense. It seemed wrong. If you can see everything, you know I'm a good person following my own heart and brain. I feel ok about my decision because it was fact and evidence based. It was carefully thought out. I'm sorry I was wrong, and if that is deserving of death so be it. But I am confident that, given the evidence presented, I made the right decision. The rest is up to you."