Posts by sd-7

59

QFR..Feb 15 2010. RE Shared Living Accommodation??

by BluesBrother in

if this has been posted, then i missed it... .

.

sd-7

I would add, however, that undercover makes very good points. Circumstances may require a bunch of folks to live together in one place. That's what I meant about the world being gray. We can't always have ideal circumstances. That being said, while the guidelines here are logical, there ought to be plenty of leeway for unusual circumstances, especially in hard times or for those who struggle to make a living and can't afford to be on their own. People shouldn't be judged if a bunch of unmarried folks chose to live together 'cause it's cheaper.

SD-7

59

QFR..Feb 15 2010. RE Shared Living Accommodation??

by BluesBrother in

if this has been posted, then i missed it... .

.

sd-7

First of all, it is the business of Jehovah's organization to make rules about this. After all, the 'other sheep' are the 'belongings' that Christ has entrusted to the faithful slave. That being said, why not make rules about it?

Second, for Christians who are interested in being reasonably cautious, the logic in this article is pretty sound. Why put yourself in a position to sin? And while in many Western communities, an unmarried couple living together is no big deal, elsewhere that may not be the case. It is logical to be careful not to stumble anyone.

As for a bunch of mixed-gender unmarried folks living in the same place, well, if you're a JW, this ain't The Real World, okay? So it doesn't make sense to put oneself in that position. Clearly there is no scripture forbidding it, but it would pose a real danger, like it or not.

As for divorced couples, it seems logical to assume they mean scripturally divorced individuals--this could probably be extended to those who are unscripturally divorced too, because they would need to legally remarry for the sake of appearances. While that may seem harsh, it is logical. I don't see a need to make it into a judicial issue if a couple that wasn't scripturally divorced did something, so long as they were exclusive with each other. But for appearances, they would need to get remarried legally. That's how the machine works.

Love 'em or hate 'em, when it comes to this moral issue, I think this article makes some good points, at least for Christians. I know I'll get maligned for saying it. But that's how I feel. There are good things in this religion, even despite its evils. Can't say that makes for an easy time in a world that's so gray, including the organization itself, mind you, but it's wise counsel.

SD-7

25

The Story of SD-7 - Chapter 2

by sd-7 in

jw
friends

given that i'm very sensitive emotionally, i tend to avoid mentioning my personal life here if possible, preferring to stick to evaluation of watchtower publications and doctrine, particularly the newest material i can get my hands on.

but i felt it was time to talk again.

i hope at least some of you will be gentle.. i'm married now.

sd-7

On crack? No. Certainly not. The future is uncertain. There is no way of knowing for sure that this cannot work. Besides, I'm not really inactive. I've used plenty of opportunities to share the good news with people at work, so I'd count the time for that if anyone asked. As for the meetings, we'll be going back this week. Problem solved.

Dude, it's just a program. If a Communist spy can do it, and do it well enough to get a position, I think I can at least stay afloat. I've been doing this all my life, after all.

Regardless of what I believe, if it reaches an impasse, worst case scenario, I'll be going with her to every single meeting and beside her all the way. I'm beside her no matter what. I don't have to believe in it to support her or to love her. But if that's going to be make-or-break for us, then I'll surrender. I did this because I wasn't going to let the Society take her away from me. If that's insane, or crack-induced, call it what you like.

I am determined not to break her heart with my personal beliefs. As long as I adhere strictly to the Bible, I believe we can find a way through. It cost me 5 years of my life to get her back, and that's all that matters. If I must, I'll just get reprogrammed. At the very least, some good is and can still be accomplished inside this religion.

And it's a lot bigger than just her anyway. So, HappyGuy, while your criticism is noted and is no doubt similar to my own serious concerns, I have nothing else left to go to. The world they set up made it that way. Not everyone will understand what I'm doing or why I'm doing it. But I'm convinced that this needs to happen for a reason, even if I myself don't know the reason.

I would appreciate a more tactful tone in the future, though. We're here because we've been through enough already. Let's not make it harder with needlessly hurtful statements. Thank you.

SD-7

25

The Story of SD-7 - Chapter 2

by sd-7 in

jw
friends

given that i'm very sensitive emotionally, i tend to avoid mentioning my personal life here if possible, preferring to stick to evaluation of watchtower publications and doctrine, particularly the newest material i can get my hands on.

but i felt it was time to talk again.

i hope at least some of you will be gentle.. i'm married now.

sd-7

Thanks, everyone. FuzzyPaul--not sure I'm ready for another religious group. Heck, I couldn't do that--my wife would be heartbroken! She'd never accept it. She might very well leave me. And while I'm expecting that anyway, every time I fly off the handle and speak my mind about the organization's motives and methods, I'm at least hoping to stall that until I can help her grasp the concept of mind control. Maybe I can, maybe I can't.

But I can't do any other religious stuff. I can barely keep my eyes open as it is and I still haven't gone to any KH meetings for months now. That, and I just don't trust religion anymore. I think there's plenty of good in the Bible, particularly in Jesus' teachings, but beyond that, men have screwed everything up, turned Christianity into something it's not supposed to be.

Reminded of what my mom said to me about 'apostates', that since I haven't been around the block enough times (ie. haven't lived under mind control long enough), I didn't understand. "They [apostates] meet in little groups," she said condescendingly. Wish I'd fired back with the fact that (1) she's denying our very origins--Russell met in 'little groups' to study the Bible and that's how the Bible Students got started. (2) Aren't Book Studies 'little groups'? We used to meet in those 'little groups' for decades. Or shall we only have 'organizationally approved little groups'? Sounds like dictatorship-style 'don't meet in groups larger than three--we don't know what you're up to!' (3) Jesus said that 'where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst.'

Anyway, thanks. I've been in therapy for awhile, but it got interrupted with the whole unexpected relationship, then marriage. Now I'm continuing it. Hope it'll help. Well...you guys are the best. Thank you for your kind words.

SD-7

25

The Story of SD-7 - Chapter 2

by sd-7 in

jw
friends

given that i'm very sensitive emotionally, i tend to avoid mentioning my personal life here if possible, preferring to stick to evaluation of watchtower publications and doctrine, particularly the newest material i can get my hands on.

but i felt it was time to talk again.

i hope at least some of you will be gentle.. i'm married now.

sd-7

Guess I'm a bit melodramatic and long-winded, so...at least I can talk to myself about this.

"Hang in there, bud. There are a lot of people out there who have been where you are and worse. Things will get better in time."

Thank you, self. Take care.

SD-7

31

What Irritates You?

by minimus in

jw
friends

please vent with your irritations.. .

sd-7

Being born into a cult and not figuring it out until I was 25% through my existence. Crap-tacular.

Not getting proper sleep.

Illogical humans and their illogical lines of reasoning.

Impatient drivers.

Not being able to buy Star Trek on Blu-ray.

Not being able to buy anything on Blu-ray.

Not having any idea what's going on in the Superman/Batman comic series.

Making $10,000 less than I probably should be.

My older brother.

That former elder who always offers unsolicited advice and whose own life is far too jacked up for him to offering so much as a suggestion for what tie I should wear.

All current elders and their lackeys who are company men.

All those older pioneer sisters who are full of themselves and judgmental.

All those younger sisters who gossip even about their 'close friends' for no reason.

The fact that people have not created flying cars yet, or even decent robots, and it's almost 2010.

Oh, and...sexual desires also irritate me. A residual cult thing, but I still hate 'em.

And...every new Watchtower article that mentions the Governing Body.

I think that sums it up.

SD-7

25

The Story of SD-7 - Chapter 2

by sd-7 in

jw
friends

given that i'm very sensitive emotionally, i tend to avoid mentioning my personal life here if possible, preferring to stick to evaluation of watchtower publications and doctrine, particularly the newest material i can get my hands on.

but i felt it was time to talk again.

i hope at least some of you will be gentle.. i'm married now.

sd-7

all logic, but still a slight improvement over being alone with my self-hatred (or worse, self-pity, which is even more disgusting to deal with).

In whatever time I have left, with what little remains of my sanity, I will continue offering my thoughts on my continuous research on matters of Watchtower doctrine, mind control/thought reform, and Bible topics. I often wish I'd remained ignorant, stayed in the easier, lonelier, depressing life I once had. My mind just...wanted answers the elders couldn't give me. I knew they weren't intelligent men, just policemen following laws they were told to enforce. I needed more than that in order to understand why the machine seemed so ruthless. Though it hurts me to no end, I'm glad I found the answers I was looking for. Deep down, I always knew.

At the heart of the city,

There is a building that looks down over all there is

And the man in the tower

Controls it all without raising a single fist

It's like they gathered up the city,

Sold it to the Devil, and now

It's gone to hell and they wonder how

A friend once told me, men,

They would follow any man who would turn the wheels

Now the wheels are spinning out of control

What would they do if we held them still?

If you destroy the working parts,

What you get is a broken machine

A beacon of light from a burning scene

Light up the night

There is a city that the darkness can't hide

There are the embers of a fire

That's gone out, but I can still feel the heat on my skin

And this mess we're in,

You and I

We can light up the night

--"Light Up the Night", The Protomen, "Act II: The Father of Death"

Those of you--and that means most of you, I hope--who are made of stronger stuff than I was, I hope life treats you well. Enjoy your freedom. Every tear that fell for you was worth it. Cherish your freedom. It came at a terrible price, I know. But cherish it with every breath. Cherish it, for those of us who cannot.

SD-7

25

The Story of SD-7 - Chapter 2

by sd-7 in

jw
friends

given that i'm very sensitive emotionally, i tend to avoid mentioning my personal life here if possible, preferring to stick to evaluation of watchtower publications and doctrine, particularly the newest material i can get my hands on.

but i felt it was time to talk again.

i hope at least some of you will be gentle.. i'm married now.

sd-7

Given that I'm very sensitive emotionally, I tend to avoid mentioning my personal life here if possible, preferring to stick to evaluation of Watchtower publications and doctrine, particularly the newest material I can get my hands on. But I felt it was time to talk again. I hope at least some of you will be gentle.

I'm married now. Today marks 3 weeks since the wedding. She still believes in the organization. I do not. She is the reason I choose to believe in it again. At least outwardly.

Thus far, we have not yet attended any meetings as a couple. She has a daughter, too young to understand much about spirituality, save that she looks at me every time there is a need for a prayer. Guess the headship concept was drummed into her infant mind somehow... Like Darth Vader upon being placed in his walking iron lung, I see that freedom presents itself in the form of a potential apprentice, one perceptive enough to appreciate the true nature of Christianity and to join me. Even so, I don't feel it's my place to interfere in their lives with my ideas. Nothing gives me that right, even if I am correct about my belief that the JW religion is in error.

I only say that because it nearly drove me insane to find out the truth. It led me to make some of the worst choices I've ever made. Things I'll never forgive myself for. Without anything more in my life, it left me with nothing else but an obsession with knowledge itself and a desire to fight back against cults like this. That's no way to live. Why put someone else through it? It may not even make a difference. Just like everything else I've done in life so far.

The more I read of recent material, the more demands for obedience I see from the Governing Body. I have this feeling that something is on the horizon, something that may lead them to ask us all to do something dangerous, detrimental to ourselves. Maybe I'm wrong, but something is out of place. I can feel it. It creates a sense of urgency about getting us all out before it's too late.

Of course, I don't know where we'd go. I know I want to follow Jesus and not some anonymous group of men sitting in front of an open Bible on page 110 of a book they didn't even write but will take credit for. But that's all I know. I have nothing to offer them.

Marriage has been full of ups and downs, joys and pains. I do not look forward to adding JW activities to an already impossible schedule. I am certain it will create serious problems in our relationship, at least unless or until I get "re-educated" according to "Jehovah's viewpoint". But so be it. I wasn't going to do anything with my life anyway, apart from watching movies and being lonely and depressed. At least with her, I'm not alone, and I can just forget about these issues when I'm with her, as needed. I can teach her the doctrine, even go out and recruit others to believe in lies. People who work for political campaigns are no different. It's one form of hypocrisy and lies over another.

Learning the truth about Jehovah's Witnesses convinced me that most of what we do is irrelevant. I always believed that. In this immense universe, we aren't even a stain on the fabric. As Dr. Manhattan wisely put it, "The existence of human life is a highly overrated phenomenon." At least knowing that there is no real true religion confirms that for me.

I gave up on happiness long ago. So this, for me, was the natural choice. The totally, utterly wrong choice by

35

How are you faders doing?

by pat1060 in

jw
friends

just wondering how all you slow faders are doing.i know this subject is discussed many times,but personally i wish it was more.we should post every once in a while just to say how we are doing,we need to encourage each other.as for me,it is still going very slow.right now i'm looking into the history that is being covered up.i have learned so much just by reading the older threads.it is very painful for me because this was the truth.and to be finding out so much crap that 99% of jw don't even know,it just is unbelievable.i have cut my field service down,and miss more meetings then i ever did.i'm hoping the sister that is in my face all the time,trying to help me,will forget about me soon......so how are you doing?.

sd-7

I'm giving thought to my exit strategy, but I also understand that this plan is high-risk--very high-risk. I've mentioned in other posts that it is a suicide mission. That being said, at least I have no grand expectations of succeeding. I lost touch with the decent person I once was at a certain point this year, and it became clear that in order to restore some semblance of honor, I had to make this choice. As I once wrote, even though it sounds arrogant to say that, "Life often leaves us with none but the most disgusting of choices." That being said, I chose the option that seemed least disgusting to everyone around me. But still disgusting, as they hate my wife, whether they openly admit it or not.

So...there you have it.

SD-7

7

Contributing to Defence Tax

by God_Delusion in

in cyprus, everyone who earns a legitimate salary, pays 2% of their weekly/monthly salary to the republic of cyprus' defence fund.

this fund provides the mod (ministry of defence) the funds to purchase their arsenal and fund all and sundry in relation to the republic's armed forces.. shouldn't jehovah's witnesses put their foot down and say that they won't pay this tax?

i don't think it's physically possible to not pay this tax and as far as i know, that's the reason they give for paying it.. thing is, why do they always portray other religions of the world blessing the soldiers before going into battle?

sd-7

Very true, I suppose. There are scriptural reasons for paying taxes, mind you--but...those taxes do support war inevitably. It's funny. A Bible student of my brother's presented this very issue--shows he had a very keen mind, hence why he's never joined the Borg that I know of to this day. We danced around the answer and ended up saying 'do it because the Bible says we should pay taxes'. But we don't consider the reality that it's impossible to pay taxes without supporting war, quite literally FINANCING it. Which highlights how impossible it is to be 'no part of the world' as JWs define it.

JWs' hands are logically just as blood-stained as anyone else's. Even more because they just give the money and then decide there's no need to be involved in the process of choosing leadership that will use that money wisely (at least in nations where one is given a choice). That, of course, gets into murky territory for me, and I'm sure my logic is a little flawed along the way. I'm not big on politics myself, and I'd be a middle-of-the-road kind of guy if I were. Another story. That's my take on it.

SD-7