Posts by greenie

1. So how would you all talk to a believing JW about the cult issue? It seems to me that to them, people calling them a cult makes them more commited. This is just another argument to defeat, IMO, on how no you're not persecute, and no because someone calls you a cult doesn't actually make you the true religion. Do you see what I mean? I've seen it used as just another indicator of how they actually have it right (as twisted as that is). Could I say, "You're right, I think people take it too far when they call you a cult. However, I do think you'd qualify as a very high-control group." Would that fly?

2. Recovering, I get how JWs meet numbers 1-6, but how does 7 work? Maybe I don't know what auto-hypnosis is...

67

Man Vs. Woman---The Organization's View

by minimus in

jw
friends

women in the "truth" are considered lower than men or even male children!

for years, females couldn't give talks in the ministry school.

now, interperters who are female must wear a head covering as if they were teaching, mot merely repeating for fear they might offend the angels!.

greenie

Yes, Highdose! They HATE those of us that are smart! What a complete waste! IMHO, they should take advantage of it and not demean, degrade and belittle it. How idiotic can you get? I've heard some say the women that stay have a sort of abused spouse syndrome, and I can see that. They make you feel bad about yourself and having brains long enough and you're either get beaten down and worn out, or have your fill and walk away.

67

Man Vs. Woman---The Organization's View

by minimus in

jw
friends

women in the "truth" are considered lower than men or even male children!

for years, females couldn't give talks in the ministry school.

now, interperters who are female must wear a head covering as if they were teaching, mot merely repeating for fear they might offend the angels!.

greenie

Can we just ignore this person? I'm sure it's AE, what with all the great grammar and subject verb agreement. I mean, they should feel free to post, I'd just prefer not to entertain their arcane, mysogynistic comments on women. There's only "respect" (their form of it which isn't it's true form) for women who "know their role" in that organization. It's a load of crap.

38

If You Never Were A JW What Religion Do You Think You Would've Been In?

by minimus in

jw
friends

my family were all catholics.

i think i would've been one simply because i was raised in it and even if i didn't agree with everything, i would still be able to talk to my friends and family.. i would think i'd be a catholic in name only.

"religion" doesn't get me excited..

greenie

Minimus - maybe try a Universalist or Unitarian church? That way, all religions are ok, explored and none condemned.

I don't think wanting to be part of a church is a form of weakness, it just has to do with personality. For example, professionally, I am not entrepreneurial. I'd rather go work for an well-established company that is respected and treats its employees well and where there's room for upward growth and promotion. I would not want to start my own business. I suppose I feel the same way about religion.

74

I need answers to so MANY questions.....

by Confuzzled in

jw
friends

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greenie

Here, check out this thread: http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/183032/1/Your-views-of-the-headship

OR just search the term "headship" on here. That's another exhausting thing about JWs, you really have to research EVERYTHING they say. You can't just take THEIR word on it. Though you see it written in the bible, they take it out of context (per usual) and put THEIR spin on it.

74

I need answers to so MANY questions.....

by Confuzzled in

jw
friends

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greenie

You need to talk to Wobble or others about the issue of women in 1 Corinthians. There is a developed school of thought that says Paul was responding to what the Corinthians were doing in their church, so in his letter, he would write their practice (like women covering their heads), then respond to it. Keep doing your research. It's interesting. Also, check out Gallatians which says that we're all supposed to be equal. Yes, it says THAT in the Bible too. He won't show you that though in his attempt to prove that women should be in subjection.

74

I need answers to so MANY questions.....

by Confuzzled in

jw
friends

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greenie

Couple more things:

1. Total BS that he won't take you to the KH. I've been with mine.

2. Did I mention women are expected to wear skirts at all meetings/services?

3. My JW always wants me to talk to someone who can answer my questions too, as he can't and isn't a good JW. Creepy that they all want that.

Sorry, I should've mentioned GaryNeal too! We all have strikingly similar experiences, and the same feelings about them. We should have our own category on this site.

Nameless One - thank you for posting! I hope you are doing ok after your six year ordeal.

GaryNeal - I really enjoyed your long post. Thanks for sharing.

74

I need answers to so MANY questions.....

by Confuzzled in

jw
friends

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greenie

Hey Confuzzled,

Like DGP, we are in very similiar situations. I am also protestant, my man is a non-practicing, unbaptised JW that wants to go back. First, I don't know how long you've been with this guy, but I would STRONGLY caution you to TAKE IT SLOW. You need to seriously research and seriously investigate this religion. If you find even one thing wrong with it, you should think twice before becoming part of it. It's not like being an Episcopal or Methodist, marrying a Catholic man, not really believing a core Catholic belief - like that the bread and wine turn into actual body and blood at communion - and saying, eh, I can still be Catholic for this man. Being a JW is giving up A LOT, and in my opinion unnecessarily. Through it, you'll also be hurting your family and your daughter. You need to SERIOUSLY think about this. If you go into the religion, you won't be able to celebrate Christmas with your family, or your daughter's birthday. Forget about Thanksgiving, Halloween, New Year's, Easter, Mother's Day. 4th of July, etc. etc. JWs are told not to have "worldly"friends, so any of your current JW friends would technically be out as soon as you are practicing. In a life or death situation you'd be expected to forgo a blood transfusion. You'd also be expected to deny one for your own daughter. That's right, you would be expected to LET HER DIE. Think of that. Seriously. Think of that. It's not just a religion is the thing, it's a whole CULTURE.

I know a lot of the way he/they talk about things is designed to make you feel guilty or shallow for wanting to celebrate holidays. You aren't. What they are doing isn't normal and natural, and worst of all, it's MAN engineered, not based on God/Jehovah or the bible. Also, as an Episcopal woman you should know how woman are treated in the JW religion. They are not valued (I don't care what it says in the Watchtower, they AREN'T);just today there was a thread about domestic violence being ok if it's only to a certain degree. Women also aren't allowed to pray in front of or deliver sermons to men. SERIOUSLY! In their services, women have to have a conversation on stage with each other in front of the crowd instead of just giving a sermon or a talk to the crowd. What kind of message do you think this will teach your daughter? In your personal life, you're supposed to follow the "headship" rule where whatever the man says goes. What a total load of crap! I'm not saying you will, but your man will be counseled, looked down upon, etc. for not keeping his house in order. It's so arcane!

And I learned all of this in just a few short months, so again, I'm not telling you to run away, I'm just telling you to take it slow. I'm in your position and know that's really not a viable option for those of us not born in and don't know the religion, and being with a nonpracticing JW. We don't know firsthand what it will actually look like. I know with your religious background and learning you probably feel bad when you hear all that "unevenly yoked" business because you were taught to be respectful and loving and accepting of all other religions, but unfortunately, this religion is different. One thing that helps me with this particular guilty thought is to think about how the JWs talk about MY religion. Are they respectful? No. Are they accepting? No. Just think about it.