Hi Macy's, I would go with your idea to get reinstated (as hard as that will be) and then slowly fade. DONT give the 7 men at the world headquarters the power to take your family/relatives away from you. You are a young person and not worth the trauma at your young age. once faded, you still have normal contact with your family and there is nothing the elders in your hall can do about it.
Truthexplorer
JoinedPosts by Truthexplorer
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I miss my family so much. I thought I was over it but I have breakdowns every few months thinking about my family
by macys inas most of you know i have been shunned by my family for 2 years because of a photo posted on facebook of me kissing another girl at a party.
the matter was not dealt with fairly but it is over now and i am 100% certain that jdub org is a cult.
but i miss my family so much.
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Survey: How long were you in the cult vs what year you were baptized
by ILoveTTATT2 inhi people,.
i want as much data as possible on the effect of the internet on the time captured by the cult.. please answer the three following questions about yourself or about someone you know (for example, if your parents or grandparents were jw's and left).
1) were you raised as a jw, or did you convert?.
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Truthexplorer
a/ convert b/ baptised in 1991. c/ fully awake in 2004 after reading coc (still in due to family) -
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How do you overcome SHUNNING after leaving the organization and move on?
by suavojr init amazes me how many of you have left it all behind, including family, brothers and sisters, friends and a full network of people.
i for one cannot find the courage to breakaway, and this causes me great anxiety and stress.
it eats me alive to think that if i open my mouth everyone i know will simply turn their back on me.
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Truthexplorer
I walked away once for several years and then went back again. Now 5 years later am on verge of fading again. its so difficult when family are in. -
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SHUNNING - Unchristian Psychological Torture
by EdenOne insome time ago, i wrote an extensive article on shunning and published it on my website.
since that website had views on doctrinal matters that no longer reflect my current stand, i took the website down.
however, my views on this matter are still current, and for the benefit of everyone here, i'm going to post the article here.
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Truthexplorer
Hi Eden. I will have a good read of your article on shunning when I get time. If I had known that the 'society' had such a practice when I decided to get baptised, I would never have got baptised. The practice of shunning anyone who simply chooses to leave the Borg is disgusting. It is a cruel practice that must stop. -
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Legalized marijuana. It's coming to canada and I want to try it.
by hoser inas a good jw i never smoked a joint or nibbled on some brownies.
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Truthexplorer
I wouldn't, I did when younger and it is very addictive and hard to break the habit. It also causes paranoia and depression. -
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Feeling rejected
by Esmeralda001 injust a little disclaimer: english isn't my first language (i'm from france) thus the poor writing skills.here is the situation: i'm not a jw.
however, i'm in the process of becoming one.
in fact, i'm studying with the jw's, and i'll proceed to become an unbaptized publisher as soon as i finish the first book.to make a long story short i was introduced to the truth when i was 18een.
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Truthexplorer
Esmarelda, don't get baptised for the wrong reasons. If you get baptised, are you doing it for your love for God and his son Jesus Christ or are you getting baptised to prove to the superfine apostles (aka elderette and others) that you are spiritual? You really need to weigh things up before you commit to the organisation. once baptised, your conscience will be in conflict. Yes there are many genuinely good people within the org, but it is the small number of super righteous ones who will make your experience uncomfortable over trivial matters such as choosing higher education, not doing enough etc. Once baptised, it is very hard to leave. Life goes on. You may meet someone and marry relatively quickly and settle in for years. You may get to where many of us are at this time, quietly go along with things as best you can, staying under the radar, but always wishing the org would budge their finger on so many things such as the shunning policy etc. For me, I am now settled in for the long good night and wait on Christ to come back and bring an end to all man made error. Whatever you decide to do, ensure to pray on it. Best regards TE -
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What is the alternative to JW?
by Formerbrother ini mean this with all due respect, i would like to hear from genuine people who think jw have it wrong and then what is the truth?.
im not talking about silly little quibbles here and there.. is jehovah real?
the the bible is word?
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Truthexplorer
Hi FB, that was a question I asked many years ago. I spent years researching the society and different Christian faiths. The conclusion I came to is this. Christianity has sectarianised itself into thousands of groups all with their own interpretation of scripture. Some are closer to biblical truth than others. Satan has done a great job at sowing discord. There is no Christian faith group on earth that will be 100% perfectly right. There are some groups that are clearly rotten to the core. But, there are also some groups who sincerely want to follow in Christ's steps as closely as possible. Though I see the flaws within the WT, I now follow my heart when it comes to truth. I believe things that outrightly conflict with WT teachings. In fact I never refer myself to others as a JW. I always tell people I am a Christian (thats all). Though I find the meetings a bit of a bore listening to the same thing over and over, I remain spiritually upbuilt by reading wonderful writings on sites like perimeno, and Beraeon Pickets. I also take solace in the fact that Jesus on his return will bring an end to all man made errors as to what we are to believe. Allow the holy spirit to guide you in your journey through life. I hope you find the peace of mind you are looking for. TE -
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Feeling rejected
by Esmeralda001 injust a little disclaimer: english isn't my first language (i'm from france) thus the poor writing skills.here is the situation: i'm not a jw.
however, i'm in the process of becoming one.
in fact, i'm studying with the jw's, and i'll proceed to become an unbaptized publisher as soon as i finish the first book.to make a long story short i was introduced to the truth when i was 18een.
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Truthexplorer
Hi Esmarelda, You obviously are a spiritual person and want to lead your life as a Christian. That is perfectly fine. That's what I thought I was doing when I was baptised 24 years ago. Little did I know how controlling the society was. I joined what I thought was an honest Christian faith group that would help me fill my spiritual needs. As time went on, I experienced the self righteous, superior attitudes by a number of individuals in various halls whenever I wasnt doing well spiritually. NOTE: that once you are baptised, you can not freely choose to leave, if for instance, in the future you decided to join another Christian faith group. You will be shunned. That's the Governing Body policy on the matter. Things get really tricky when you get married, have family in the org. You will be viewed as spiritually weak and frowned upon by some (not all) for engaging in higher education. You will never feel good enough if a little bit wishy washy with field service, meetings etc. You will continuously have doubts about all manner of teachings, policies, written and unwritten rules. I am in good standing in my hall. I have family and relatives who are witnesses. It is now more a social club from my perspective. I have my own 'Christian' beliefs that I feel are in accord with Gods word. I dare not discuss my beliefs openly with others at the hall as know I would be disfellowshpped. I have to secretly celebrate my child's birthday, ( which my totally in wife is happy to do, thank goodness). You need to research before committing yourself to what is basically a publishing company. That's what the Watchtower started out as; simply to edify or build up Christians in their faith through their publications (without the control). 'JW facts' is a good research tool. Allow the holy spirit to guide you in the way of truth. All the best to you. TE -
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One Reason Why I Could Never Again be an Elder
by Nicholaus Kopernicus inthere appears to be several crises inflicting themselves upon the wtbts all at once.
the crises are likely related....financial difficulties - hence the increasing publicity given to contributing money.
reduced production - probably related to above (literature and building principally).
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Truthexplorer
NK.......I agree with you entirely regarding WT's policies, particularly concerning child protection. It used to turn my stomach at the thought that I was being pressured to become an elder knowing ttatt. The very thought of enforcing WT policies turned me off ever becoming an elder. As someone who has had extensive training in social care work and know first hand how damaging abuse can be to an individuals, I feel incredibly sorry for all those who have been damaged further as a result of how cases were handled by untrained elders, the fault for which lies squarely with the men at the top of the 'Tower' the GB. My heart goes out to the woman who gave her experience at the ARC hearing who having received no justice by her religious organisation had no other alternative but to disassociate herself from that organisation. As a result of this she is further isolated from her relatives and friends. Her social network wiped away by the men at the top of the tower. What damage that must have done to that poor woman and thousands of others affected similarly, I can only imagine. For sure NK, I completely understand why you never again be an elder. -
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One Reason Why I Could Never Again be an Elder
by Nicholaus Kopernicus inthere appears to be several crises inflicting themselves upon the wtbts all at once.
the crises are likely related....financial difficulties - hence the increasing publicity given to contributing money.
reduced production - probably related to above (literature and building principally).
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Truthexplorer
My theory regarding elders are that there are 2 types of elders- the born in's - most of whom believe every word coming from 'WT' to be the correct way of dealing with matters ie Jehovah's way in accordance with WT interpretation of scripture and have been brainwashed from knee high to a grass hopper to be loyal company men. There are however some awakened ones amongst this type who for similar reasons to the OP can't conscientiously serve as elders. The other type of elder are the ones who became JW's who have experienced life before being held captive to the WT. Many of these ones will have been experiencing doubts and more inclined to question WT policy, though some of these too will be company men through and through. It's a bit of a mixed bag, but think that most born in's who are elders are more likely to feel most comfortable in their role as elders by pushing 'doubts and critical thinking' to the back of their mind and simply get on with it!