Posts by leftchica

8

Definition of "Negativity" according to JWs

by LongHairGal in

i recently had a falling-out with a jw which i won't go into because it is nonsense really.

in one of the pathetic retorts i was told i was "negative".

this wasn't the first time i heard this from a jw over the years.. what i have noticed is that it is because i spoke about real life situations in the world and/or problems and wrong things in the religion.

leftchica

I agree with Madsweeney, I too, have only heard jws speak how horrible the world is and how "this life in the present system of things" is horrible, now way to live and they "cant wait for the New world".. My husband is still a jw, I dissasociated myself 2 years ago. I try hard to speak constanly of how "great life" is,, and how people are kind and share experiences from work and friends and talk of people i know who volenteer and help others. It throws him off but over the years it seems to be wearing off. (I hope)

But when i was around them,t I remember how they always had Nothing positive or happy to say or look at you weird if you talked about a hobby or asperations. They definatley don't say ANYTHING negitive about "THE TRUTH", thats very true. They arn't allowed, its un heard of. It was one of the MANY factors that made me feel somthing wasnt' right about this religion and was a red flag for me. I tried to fit in at first and invite the witnesses over to get to know them on personal levels but felt all they talked about WAS the religion, field service, Jehovah, how horrible the world it, how bad going clubbing or at a bar is..yada yada. I realized the only thing i had in commen with these people were the fact we believed the same belif and thats it. They rarely have other interest from what I have seen.

I remember when i was being converted, I had the 2 bible studies pioneers over for dinner and I casually said how i didnt enjoy the second half of the meeting, and that it seemed a waste of time to Re read the entire watchtower from podium, after we already read it in our homes. Smoke almost came out of the one pioneers head and her face got weird. The other one figeted around in the chair and then they both preached to me how great the watchtower studys are and how they benifit us.

Funny, now when i think back on that night. At the time, I felt wrong for thinking that way.

9

help! husband going to convention

by leftchica in

hi friends!.

so my story is this: i married a jw who was inactive and once we got married he got back into "the truth" and i started to "study" with people in his congregation.

i had many red flags and was hesitant to knocking on doors, but after a year of "what does the bible teach" being studied with a pioneer and having been pressured to go to meetings, i too, became a jw.

leftchica

thanks for your posts!

@blondie..yes, i agree. just because he isnt going doesnt mean he doenst belive its the" truth", in my opinion he isnt going becaue he feels "spirtually weak" which has been programmed in his mind by the elders. he has always been a non consisntant jw, however when he goes he comments and is a perfect jw. when he is home he wants to go out and drink and have an occasional smoke or two. so i do believe he wrestles with the good/evil mentallitly they push on the members..like if you miss a meeting you are lacking spirtiuallity, so its almost like " oh well, i missed 4 meetings so now i might as well do worldly things..i will clean my act up after the convention"...or so i feel is the way he thinks. i remember when i was a jw, we would get all pumped up and TRY to be the model jw , study more, comment more, service more ect but it always faded out in a few months. The thing is he knows i feel its a cult and am very adiment that i will never step foot in a kingdom hall ever again. Dont you think an off and on again jw would be a little curious about WHY his wife is so against it?

@blonde moment. thanks so much i will look up that info!!! @ scully... great idea on what to focus on. i feel i am running out of options. Nothing i have said in the past has made much impact. doctrines he could care less about, pedofile stuff, generation change..he didnt even know about it and still doesnt he missed so many meetings.

9

help! husband going to convention

by leftchica in

hi friends!.

so my story is this: i married a jw who was inactive and once we got married he got back into "the truth" and i started to "study" with people in his congregation.

i had many red flags and was hesitant to knocking on doors, but after a year of "what does the bible teach" being studied with a pioneer and having been pressured to go to meetings, i too, became a jw.

leftchica

Hi friends!

So my story is this: i married a jw who was inactive and once we got married he got back into "the truth" and i started to "study" with people in his congregation. i had many red flags and was hesitant to knocking on doors, but after a year of "what does the bible teach" being studied with a pioneer and having been pressured to go to meetings, i too, became a jw. I was active doing studies as well and it wasnt until a voice in my head said "this is a cult" during a talk at the memorial, did i start to research the jw religiion on line.

Its 2 years later, I have dissasociated myself and my husband is still a jw. It has been the hardest 2 years of my life. I have educated myself with all the info i can, cult awarness classes, meeting with ex elders, reading steven hassan books, and reading the bible (without wt material). Since then, I have become a christian and my husband has slowly started to miss meetings. Yesterday he told me he cant wait for the convention. my stomach turned and instantly i began to panic.

My thought is this..either he will go and become more deeply involved due to all the talks about how soon the world is ending and so forth. I remember that the conventions always pushed us to go out in ministry and make all meetings. My husband believes its "the truth" but hasnt attended a meeting in 2 months. I was hopefull he was doubting, maybe he is, but gooing to the convention with fellow "freinds"who know im an apostate scares me. Love bombing will follow. and he will sucker right back in.

What i would like to know, is what are the "talks" about, especially anything cult=related, like apostate talks, no education, we only have the truth, new light, obey the slave, that kind of stuff. I would like to prepare for myself a counter response to some of these crazy talks. I am curious what he will be hearing and if i can find ways to prove some of these "truths" false.

If any one has any suggestions on how I can help my husband please let me know!

thank you

Now

32

my letter to the elders and governing body

by leftchica in

.

to the elders of the maitland congregation and governing body of the watchtower tract.

and bible society,.

leftchica

To the Elders of the Maitland Congregation and Governing Body of The Watchtower Tract

and Bible Society,

This letter is to inform you that I, xxxx, no longer wish to be associated

with the Watchtower Tract and Bible Society, known as the organization of Jehovah's

Witnesses. As you know, I have not attended a meeting or filled out a time sheet

pertaining to any hours worked for the society in over a year. After a careful and

prayerful examination of the Scriptures and the history of the society, I have confirmed

what I was afraid to admit to be true: this is not God's organization and that I have

sadly been involved with false religion for over 4 yrs of my life. My relationship with

Jehovah God has always been present in my life, before learning "the Truth" and is only more present now.

I believe in my heart he has helped me see the light and has answered my prayers. I no

longer wish to be a part of this organization and obey the "faithful and discreet slave". I

only have come to realize through deep study of the scriptures that the NWT has been

altered to fit the demands and beliefs of this religious organization and is in fact, a

inconsistent translation and has changed entire meanings of passages to fit the beliefs of

the society. I also have done a complete history study of first century Christians only to

discover they are not similar at all to Jehovah Witness's today. How ignorant, i was to

just take the organizations word that they are the "first century Christians of today" .

I ask that you please respect my God given right of freedom of choice and no longer

contact me. I will not attend a judicial committee if asked to do so and I would like to be

put on the "Do not Call list". I am hereby disassociating myself from The religion known

as Jehovah's Witnesses. I respect your decision to be a part of false religion so I ask you

to respect my decision to "obey God as ruler, rather than man".

I understand you are forbidden by the Governing Body to read any material that is not in favor of the Society, however I have enclosed the reasons for why I feel the way I do in a separate letter.

"Look well to yourself and to your teaching:preserve in these things, for by doing so you

will save both yourself and those who hear you".

1st Tim4:16

sincerely,xxx

This letter is written to explain why I no longer wish to be associated with The Watchtower Tract and Bible Society.

The major misconception is that the First Century Christians "spread the good news" like Jehovah Witness's do today. This has proven to be false. Reason being; First Century Christians declared the "good news of Jesus", the Lord, which was about his coming, his sacrifice, his death, and his Resurrection. Acts11:21,4:33, 1Cor 2:2. It was not to spread the word about "Jehovah's Kingdom or Armageddon". In fact, the entire bible theme is completely different to that of the NWT theme. The Good News in the NWT is entirely "different" than the Good News in the

Holy Bible. First Century Christians preached the News of Jesus, the Messiah, and the

good things that were to come from him. They put their faith HIM, Preached for His

name, and worshiped Him. John 4:12,4:34, Acts 3:16, 4:12, 4:18, Romans

10:9,10.

They also taught that there is one mediator between God and man and that

through Him and Him alone could one receive forgiveness of sins. 1Tim 2:4-6. The

Watchtower teaches that Jesus is not your mediator UNLESS you are of the "little

flock",(144,000). Your are quoted stating in one of your books .." He is the mediator

between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel which is

limited to only 144,000 members" That totally contradicts what the bible says! What

scriptural proof is there that only the "anointed" have Jesus as their mediator? Jesus's

sacrifice was for ALL people, and stressing the importance all being one in Christ with no

distinction between Jews or Christian's..and just for BELIEVING in him we are to be

saved, it is literally that simple. Romans 10:6-13. I am appalled more by the FACT that

Romans 10:13 has been completely changed to vindicate the organizations beliefs and

practices. Jehovah's name has been inserted where Jesus's name was meant to be. If

one really meditated on the ENTIRE book of Romans, it clearly is about Jesus and not

Jehovah. How upset he must be with your leaders who translated the NWT with no

respect for his command:" and if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of

the book of this prophesy,God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree

of life and in the city of holiness which are described and promised in this book".

Another important scripture altered is John 6:68 where Peter asks Jesus " to whom

shall we go to, You have the words of everlasting life ". It is slanderous to see that the

Watchtower has changed "who" to "where" . The Watchtower's article "Nowhere else

to go" from March 1988 changes the meaning of this scripture by replacing the word

"who" to "where".This obviously is in favor for the Watchtower Society to claim that

when someone "leaves the flock" of Jehovah's Witness's they are leaving Jesus and

Jehovah. If you read the book of John it is not talking of leaving an organization and it is

horrifying to see once again a subtle change in words to change the entire meaning of

the scripture. Jesus instructed to "leave others on the account of his name" in the book of

Matthew. He said " in his name" , not for an organized religious group. He also teaches us

that " there is salvation through him and no one else" in the book of Acts chapter 4.

From Watchtower magazine you say " Come to Jehovah's organization for salvation"(wt

Nov 15th 1981) Jesus didn't say that in order to be saved you must join "Jehovah's

earthly organization." Acts 2:21 reads: " And it shall be that whoever shall call

upon the name of the Lord shall be saved". Its horrifying to see "Jehovah" replaced

with "Lord" in this verse when it is actually referring to Jesus. Again, you have tampered

with God's word. That alone is enough for me to know you are what Jesus referred to as

"wolves in sheep's clothing".

1st Century Christians also never claimed to know when Jesus would return, nor did they

speculate or suggest when that would be. They wondered and asked Jesus but they

never got on podiums and preached about it year after year and rile people up to think it

could be any day. Acts 1:7. I know as Elders and members of the Governing Body you

are aware of the past prophesies made by your organization and are quick to suggest

you never actually stated the world was ending but your strong style of suggesting and

speculation has been recorded and documented since the early 1900s. It is easily found

on the Internet and past books that the society has published. Knowing your strong

demands against researching the society it is hard for a dedicated witness to do proper

research. Only the ones who listen to their heart will venture on to research the

deplorable changes and cover ups made by the Watchtower and Bible Tract Society. It is

obvious you have fear of loosing members and watching the whole organization crumble

down. I am certain I am not the first nor will I be the last to have the guts and no "fear"

inside of me to go against the governing body's demands to research the truth about the

organization. Your claim on the end of the world has been recorded in your books, public

talks and in videos. Today witnesses are told "its right around the corner" and "it is

close". If that is not speculating a claim of Jesus return, than I don't know what is.

Matthew 24:36 states that Jesus doesn't even know when the world would end but

recorded in Proclaimers Book Rutherford(your former leader) claimed he did. Jesus

warned us about false prophets like Rutherford in the book of Matthew: "and many false

prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error" Matthew 24:11. You cant

deny that the Watchtower has "lead many into error" on numerous occasions. Matthew

24:24 says " For false prophets will arise and they will show great signs and wonders

so as to deceive and lead astray. I am saddened that your corporation has failed to

admit they have in deed done that in the past and still do it today claiming "The great

day of Jehovah is NEAR".

Jesus also taught us to love ALL people, not just those within the congregation. He came

to divide people on faith, not on religion. It is sad to see so many closed minded

individuals who won't befriend someone at school or work only because of the fear of

"worldly people" has been instilled in them. They go on with such a negative view of

others and loose out on so many beautiful memories and relationships. I was not raised

to be partial to people and to "only have limited association". I see the good in all

humans, just as Jesus did.

First Century Christians saw Jesus as the "Truth" not an organization. 1John 5:20,2cor

13:5 and with scriptural evidence Jesus is "the Truth" John 17:17, 1:14., not a

religious organization. Jesus told us He is The Truth . John 14:6,12:46,

5:39-40,6:34-37, Matthew 11:28-30. No religion can claim to have "absolute Truth"

when only Jesus was given that authority. Absolute truth is also something that your

organization has failed to prove time over time. You claim that " the holy spirit is at work

in bringing Bible Truths to light. That this magazine(the watchtower)has long been used

by the faithful and discreet slave as the primary channel for dispensing increased

light":( quoted from April 15,2010 study edition.) For one the bible and the bible

alone was created to dispense truth, not a man made magazine with misquoted

references and loaded language. Secondly, Proverbs 4:18 has nothing to do with

"dispensing information to a group of people". When one reads the entire chapter of

proverbs it is obvious to see it is about being a good person, it has little if anything to do

with "dispensing information that is right" at the proper time. Even if it did have

anything to do with how God progressively reveals the truth you would never pass that

"inspection from Jesus" on whether or not the Watchtower is God's organization because

you changed too many "truths". New light replaces old light which really means " what

we meant before we don't mean now..now we mean this". You once again changed your

definition of "generation" and this time the change can be found in The Watchtower. In

this April 15th,2010 edition it changes the meaning of a core doctrine for the 6th time.

Does that mean that Jehovah has been dispensing false light to the governing body or

better yet, he keeps changing his mind? For anyone to not see fault in this is lying to

himself. Will it change again in 5yrs or maybe 20? Regardless you are tampering with

Gods word and his reputation. I cannot support any organization who claims to have the

"truth" when they keep changing it and have no Real scriptural support to back it up.

This brings me to the core doctrine of your religion. Matthew 24:45-47. One mistake

that I have made when becoming involved in your organization is that I just accepted

what I was told in reference to that scripture. You claim the "Governing Body" is "The

Faithful and Discreet Slave". There is no scriptural proof of that neither is there any

evidence. With your poor history and false teachings I am 100% sure I no longer want

to be a Jehovah's Witness.

3

finally writing my DA letter

by leftchica in

jw
friends

hello freinds,.

i have not posted much on here in a while.

for those who might not remember me, i am a fader and have been fading for a year.

leftchica

hello freinds,

i have not posted much on here in a while. for those who might not remember me, i am a fader and have been fading for a year. My husband is still a jw. So it has been a tough year, and things are coming to a head as we speak. Elders are calling, he is being harrassed at meetings on "my attendence" ect...and my husband is demanding that i "confess to the elders my feelings" so they can" help me".... he also told me he wants to "clear his concience".... wow..

For the past few months i thought I was making progress with him on opening up his mind but i was wrong. The good thing is i have a lot of outside support being that i was not born a witness so my family and friends are all "wordly". I have never felt so much love and support from so many people and cant believe i shut all of them out for years.

I dont want to meet with the elders for I don't feel I HAVE to..these are "their rules" and I refuse to go by them. Even though the letter would be something I wouldnt normally do but the fact that my husband is still active in the congregation I don't have a choice. I am tired of the "calls" and the 'hiding" when they stop by and frankly tired of doing everything that is "normal" like celebrate a birthday ect and constanly be paranoid and looking over my shoulder. The letter is a way of freeing myself from this insanity and returing to my normal life before I became a witness .

I hope my letter might shed some light on my husband and maybe open his mind to explore the bible without Watchtower propaganda. I plan on quoting scriptures that they have changed and ones that are misued. I am doing this not only for me but for him. We are madly in love, have been inceperable for 10 years and this is the ONLY thing that has come between us. He married me even though i wasnt a sister but he was inactive at the time. He is respective to my decision but feels i have been swayed by "apostate litature" and just need "help from elders" because he is not the perfect example of a witness and i think he blames himself.

Just wanted to vent and I plan on posting my letter for you all to read soon. If you have any suggestions on some topics please feel free to share.

thank you!

3

You know what I've noticed?

by sd-7 in

jw
friends

after reading that 'assembly survival techniques' entry by kingagag, i was reminded of all the great quotes i took from previous assemblies/conventions/impositions of israelite rules on christian congregation (meeting 3 times in a year--straight out of the ot).

i noticed something about the programs.. every concluding talk for every program shifts the focus to the faithful slave.

the final talk at the convention referenced that term at least 8 times.

leftchica

you should never lie about who you are and by pretending just for the sake of your wife and current situation you are only digging a hole for yourself. marrying her while you believe one thing and she belives another is not a good idea...at all! you will never be happy. trust me..

33

paranoid and ready to officially leave!

by leftchica in

so i officially realized today that i am paranoid!!

everytime i hear a car door slam outside i peek out the window.

my blinds are closed and the telivision is on low.

leftchica

wow.. all of your advice and stories have helped. thank you! i did call the elder back after 2 more calls. He even asked on one message he left for my "hours"...um...havent been out in service for almost a yr! so i knew they just wanted to get me on the phone or see me in person. The message was about "meeting with me" so i assumed my husband had ratted me out and i freaked.

i called my husband and asked him what he told them very nicely..i stated i needed to know so i can be prepared when i called them back. He got VERY upset and started yelling " I havent said anything" ...very defensive! We started to argue a little and i started to cry. The more he defended THEM and their "loving motives" for calling and checking up on me the more i felt helpless and alone. He really is not on my side. I don't know what I have been thinking. Yes, he is not saying a word to me about "leaving the truth" because i frankly stated "i know in my heart 100% its not the truth!" several times and part of me thinks he is afraid to hear me out and turn his mind "ON"....?

He yelled " I like being a Jehovah Witness!!!" .."Just let me be and figure this out on my own! No more books and articles...if i want to research it i will when i want!"....I get it. HE has doubts maybe or just afraid to find out the truth. I apologised and we made up. I will not push the issue any more. He suggested we study the bible together as a couple. I agreed but told him i want to use another bible other than the nwt and that way we can COMPARE scriptures. He did agree to that. So now i really need to do my research and find all the scriptures that the nwt has altered. maybe this will open his mind?

Back to the elder call.....I returned his call and got the voicemail. I stated i was just really busy with my new job and going through some personal things i needed to straighten out. I would be in touch but do not feel the need for a visit.

my mom tends to think he did say something to the elders...do they really pursue those that fade? or did my husband give them a clue to my absence? not sure what to think anymore.

33

new WT rule: no holding hands durning public prayer!

by leftchica in

so i just caught a glimpse of this new wt magazine(study edition) of course.. from dec 28th titled.

"what do your prayers say about you".

so now they are focosing on every aspect of our lifes even our actions during prayer.

leftchica

So i just caught a glimpse of this new Wt magazine(study edition) of course.. from Dec 28th titled

"what do your prayers say about you"

so now they are focosing on every aspect of our lifes even our actions during prayer. When i was a witness my husband and I used to hold hands and somtimes he would even put his arm around me. I guess that is "stumbling" to many witnessess!?

so paragraph 19 is basically "changing the rules" or coming up with "new light" on this matter. I guess we have been praying "innappropiatly" all theese years! On holding hands it states ...."This might offend or distract some, including visitores who do not share our beliefs. Some marriage mates might discreetly hold hands but if they imbraced each other during public prarer, those who got a glimpse of such conduct might be stumbled. They might think or get the impression that the couple was focosing on their romantic relationship instead of Jehovah" ...Really? come on..this is CRAZY!!

Now whats even worse is the picture in the corner. It shows a group praying all with thier heads down and arms folded at sides or clutching the bible. No affection at all. I think if a "non believer" were to visit a hall for the first time the only impression that they might get is that we are cold and unaffectionate. Why cant we hold our child's hand or mate?

This is just another example of how the governing body controls witnesses and without them even realizing it. Show me in the bible where it says to not hold hands during prayer!! But many witnessess will abide by this new rule and see it fit for thier everyday lifes...more light from the governing body that is accepted with no questions asked.

amazing!

33

So I did it - almost!

by wantstoleave in

today, i'm not quite sure how it started, but i voiced my concerns about the religion i've been brought up in since i was 3. my dad went straight on the offensive, though kept nice and polite.

i told them that someone can not be df for accepting a transfusion.

not sure why i started with that example, but nevertheless... dad said 'since when' and started pumping me for information, when, where, what...you get the picture and biggest one of all 'how do you know this'.

leftchica

very brave of you! congrats on your first step to freedom. Always trust your instincts. And the world is not a horrible place! Alot of witnesses who leave the truth still believe its "the truth" and that is why so many go off the deepend. They are filled with guilt and fear! mY husband did the same. He left the organization not feeling "worthy" and in return started smoking, drinking heavily, doing drugs, ect. All the while beliveing in the organization and thinking the only way he could be saved is by returning to the congregation. He did and I followed with him thinking it would help him be a better person. Now i see how this organization has molded his mind. He feels the world is a horrible place with out the guidence of the organization. Your father probally feels the same way. If only they could free their minds they would then be able to free their souls. life is not bad out here. its what you make of it.

If you leave the organization knowing its "not the truth" you will be able to live a normal happy life and fullfill it any way you see fit. And i have made more loving friendships this past year in "the world" than I have in the 4 yrs i was a witness. You are doing the right thing, especially for your children.

welcome!