this is the story of how i ended up here on this site.... .
i was stuck in a situation where reaching out took forever, an eternity.
it was ridiculous - no matter what i did, there was always more to do.
Welcome Just Kidding!
Yes the Watchtower system cannot help itself - it is what it is.
The "good news" is that the system has done you a great big favour in pointing out that you do not belong.
You clearly are not good Pharisee material.
Nor do you belong in the "ruling religious clergy class".
And that is awesome news.
Best wishes on your life's journey, being true to yourself, and being the best you can, at whatever you want.
We'd love to learn more when you are ready to share.
Fernando
ok, so as most know, this is the weekend of the "special talk" .... if anyone is going to the k hall, please shaer your thoughts on what makes is "so special".... i bet it will be more recycled same same.... "god loves you, he hates violence, he hates bad things happening to good people, he wants you all to be jw memebers...or he will kill you all at the big loving armageddon!!!!!!!
!.
Even poorer me - this will be my fifth year of missing the "special" talk.
my mother is visiting us again tomorrow, only 5 weeks since her last visit.
things seem to be going pretty well with her, and the kids are enjoying having grandma back in our routine.
she is retiring at the end of may (age 65), so she promises that this is going to mean more time with family.
It is a process, and one you seem to have well in hand, especially creating time alone with your mom, and a safe space in which she can unload and process her thoughts, concerns and issues, without feeling manipulated, pressured or threatened.
If and when the time is right, you may want to direct simple questions toward your mom's main blind spot, namely the whole gospel, especially according to Paul.
For example:
Mom, I have a few questions I would like to ask you about the "good news" in the Watchtower library (on computer or on the internet). Please can you let me know if and when you are able to set a day or two aside for this?
Are you a "publisher of the good news"?
How long have you been a "publisher of the good news"?
Is it true that the (Watchtower) Bible refers to "good news" around 152 times?
Is it true that more than half these are by Paul?
So what is the "good news" according to Paul?
How many times does Paul mention "good news"? (85 times)
How many times does Paul mention "good news" and "Kingdom" in the same sentence? (zero times)
Why?
Copy & paste whole link: http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=%22good+news%22&fc[]=bi
so recently there have been several posts with references to talks and articles that imply the following:.
most of those who learn ttatt or fade from the "truth", are actually practicers of bad things, eg immorality, hence that is why 'we' now find fault with the org?.
i find this so offensive that they imply such.
I have not left "the faith" but found it.
I have not left "the truth" but found it.
I have left the apostate and idolatrous religious Watchtower organisation with their GB (Sanhedrin) and their "ruling religious clergy class" (Pharisees).
My experience has been like Paul describes: the power of sin is amplified by law, and weakened by grace.
i am so happy to be out of the cult.
i would never go back!
i don't know some still could accept this religion, be here, regularly and not just get out..
Delighted, especially with the freedom to think, question, research, grow and develop.
Although a big part of my past they no longer have any hold on me or my thinking.
hello, you read it here first!.
governing body of jehovah's witnesses.
to all congregations.
"It sounds like the GB is throwing the C.O. under the bus for lawsuits." - OTWO
Sounds like that to me too...
been lurking for years, but couldn't log on.
for some reason, my email spam filter is inaccessable, and ended up having to open another account, simply to become a member... wonder how many others have had a similar problem.. its been an eye opener reading everyones life experiences, often so similar.. i was almost a born in, with a hardcore family.
abusive stepfather who was one of the original jws in the area, so much so, that it was called the xxxxx family religion.... been out for 25 years, am glad every day for that!!.
Welcome Mikado!
we couldn't celebrate birthdays because that was self-idolatry.
young boys couldn't have posters of sports stars because that was idolatry.
young girls couldn't have posters of their favorite rock band, same reason.. however, as "pioneers" we were told to memorize the names of the governing body members and the names of the wts presidents.
True, and an important lesson is (initially) not to touch their idols (directly).
Instead focus on the solution that will cure them of their addiction to their idols:
"the truth of the Good News" according to Paul, as found throughout their own Bible and publications.
(ISoCF vs CoC)
first post here: longtime lurker but hesitant to take the leap.
my story is pretty much like everyone elses with little variance, but i thought id add a few details that especially tormented me when i was in.
im sure these are familiar, im afraid this is a bit of a rant.. --paradise: the constant chatter about a perfect world when most in the hall were not even slightly interested in taking care of the earth now.
Welcome BarHarborBarbara!
Yup, looking back one sometimes wonders what on earth made us put up with or excuse all the Watchtower's insanity...
Thank you for taking the time to post and share.
I'm sure you'll enjoy JWN and the colourful characters that inhabit this part of exJW land.
Greetings and blessings
Fernando
(A born-in who left for good mid-2009 after 3 generations and more than 4 decades).
saw a movie - 'gospel of john', recently.
had some questions:-.
1) when jesus said come follow me and you will get eternal life, what did that mean?
"Eternal life" or "everlasting life" is mentioned nearly 40 times in the Bible.
It is a "free gift" that cannot be earned, deserved or paid for.
It can however be rejected by following religion and religious leaders instead of Jesus.
