i went to the kingdom hall for the very last time.
i went in the door in my guns n roses t-shirt and ripped up lucky jeans, new earrings and goatee.
i went up to the po of the congregation and told him i needed to talk to him.
I consider you to be a false religion that bases their hopes around the teachings of men. I despise how your religion tears families apart, and destroys lives all for the sake of the Governing Body?s own insecurities.
Wow Dustin -- Why didn't you tell them what you really think ? Well done my friend; you've taken the high road.
at my grandkids school this past saturday.
it made front page news in their local paper in oconomowoc and i can tell you that my daughter and other parents are not real happy about it.
this is a school that is for preschool up to fifth grade.
Is this the same group where several members were gunned down a week or so ago by another member? They have numerous churches in the US and other countries.
the kingdom hall where i used to go has the theocratic ministry school and service meetings on tuesday.
i have finally come to grips with my need to exit the jehovah's witnesses forever.
i told my parents today that i'm leaving the jw religion behind forever.
I was shunned instanstly by my father, mother, sisters and friends of over 20 years.
Matt -- I've been out of the Tower for about 20 years, and sometimes forget the struggle and courage many of the newer ones are going through. Most of us on the forum went through many of the same things, and had similar experiences, but as time passes, so does the initial trauma of exiting. But as you said, the rewards are that you get to discover who you really are, and live your life on your terms. Best to you and Dustin.
i forgot this cooky thing that i wanted to share with y'all.
my mum has a pet dwarf rabbitt...she puts a tie on the rabbitt and takes him door to door and to the bible studies....maybe she's compensating because i left the dubs...it all sounds like she is not playing with a full deck, it's funny and kinda sad at the same time.
My mum has a pet dwarf rabbitt...she puts a tie on the rabbitt and takes him door to door
That's hare- larious !!!
the kingdom hall where i used to go has the theocratic ministry school and service meetings on tuesday.
i have finally come to grips with my need to exit the jehovah's witnesses forever.
i told my parents today that i'm leaving the jw religion behind forever.
Dustin -- My thoughts are with you tonight, and I'm wishing you the very best. I'm sure attending the Kingdom Hall one last time will feel different as you cut the Watchtower's strings. Good for you as you move on to an exciting stage beyond the Tower's false promises. My best to you, friend!
has anyone on the forum been involved with the international cultic studies association (icsa) that was formerly american family foundation (aff)?
i receive mailings from them, and it looks like an interesting group.
they are an ?interdisciplinary network of academicians, professionals, former group members, and families who study and educate the public about social-psychological influence and control, authoritarianism, and zealotry in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments.?
Randy -- I would like to attend one of their yearly meetings, but they're usually not around Ohio. If one comes up within driving distance, I'll make a point to be there. I'm on their mailing list, and get e-mails, but would enjoy meeting some of the folks.
i remember awhile back many said they enjoyed the fictional book "the celestian prophecy" by james redfield.
well they are making a movie that has been in production for some time now and should be released some time this year.
hear is a site that can give you some interesting info about the author.
Someone said that it seems people are looking for somewhere to fit in and need to be lead.
That person must have been reading The True Believer by Eric Hoffer. It was written in 1951, but it's on target for mass movements and sects like the Watchtower today. His analysis of mass movements is brilliant, and still studied in sociology classes. He looks at what causes some folks with personal failings to join a cause or group, even if it's at their own personal peril, or that of others. Of course, the Watchtower is not referred to in the book, but anyone with the JW background will think he's writing about the Watchtower Society!
i remember awhile back many said they enjoyed the fictional book "the celestian prophecy" by james redfield.
well they are making a movie that has been in production for some time now and should be released some time this year.
hear is a site that can give you some interesting info about the author.
Summertime -- I think you're comments about the Bible is on target. However, when folks become believers based on a book or ism, do they usually leave others alone and cause little or no harm? If history is our teacher, the odds are against that happening. Some believers seem less harmful than others, for example, the Quakers come to mind.
i remember awhile back many said they enjoyed the fictional book "the celestian prophecy" by james redfield.
well they are making a movie that has been in production for some time now and should be released some time this year.
hear is a site that can give you some interesting info about the author.
I like your example of ?evolution and man morphing to a higher realm of existence.? The blending of facts and ?an imaginative mind? is needed and is part of normal growth. However, I believe growth stops and regression sets in when the imagined turns into a religion, and in time, ?the Truth.? As rebel8 pointed out, some are nearly doing this with the DaVinci Code. Now the Catholic Church is up in arms about that book, telling Catholics not to read it, which will cause most within the church to run out and buy a copy. :-) Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading The Celestine Prophecy, and liked the DaVinci Code even more. But when readers turn into followers -- that's a turn off for me.
i?m sure most of you have seen some coverage about the murder/suicide by a member of the evangelical church called the living church of god.
the church was founded in the mid-1990?s when it split from herbert w. armstrong?s worldwide church of god.
the living church observes the sabbath on saturday along with other old testament rituals.
Ken P. -- I think most JWs are "happy" being JWs, until something inside snaps and they start the process of questioning. When that happens, the world around them falls apart and their happiness quickly fades. One can see the stages a Witness goes through when this happens. It reminds me a little of Kubler-Ross' stages of Death and Dying.
