JAVA

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Posts by JAVA

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  3

  The Road Not Taken

  by larc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  friends,.

  we have taken a different road since we left our common heritage, our religion.

  so, with that in mind, i am interested in your thoughts on a robert frost poem, the road not taken.

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  JAVA

  Hi larc,

  Robert Frost also wrote:

  Forgive, O Lord, my little joke
  I played on Thee,

  And I'll forgive Thy great
  big one on me.

  Traveling the road less traveled might seem lonely and strange until we meet others traveling the same path. In time, most roads have wide lanes with occasional exit ramps. It's usually difficult exiting because we're making good time, and we have a detestation in mind (e.g., everlasting life, a earthly paradise). If the road we're on becomes a fool's journey, it's evident something must change. Becoming angry is easy because of time wasted, opportunities passed, but exit we must. Where? Which exit? Will I repeat the same mistake?

  Any road one has not been on is a "Road Not Taken," is it not? Some seek roads with similar goals as the old path. Others seek roads with different objectives. The "Road Not Taken" is always out there, until we travel its' path. In the end, that "makes all the difference" from where we began.
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  118

  Average age of apostates survey.

  by sleepy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i thought it might be a good idea to find out at what age or after how long we descided to leave the watchtower.. prehaps we my find a patern in it which we could use .. i think what we need to know are ,.

  1.age you left the watchtower.

  (or age you found out it was wrong).

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  JAVA

  Sleepy,

  Does this also show that much of the time spent in going from door to door is a complete waste?

  This list may or may not be a good representative group of former JWs, but it does suggest some interesting theories and questions, as you've pointed out. From this sampling, most former JWs were raised in the religion, which begs the question you presented. Door-to-door converts are few compared to the hours spent looking for them. However, the Tower makes millions monthly from this required activity. As Deep Throat said in All the Presidents Men, "Follow the money."
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  49

  BEARDS letter from GB

  by Shane in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  watchtower.

  bible and tract society of new york, inc.. writing department phone (718) 625-3600.

  25 columbia heights, brooklyn, new york 11201-2483, u.sa.

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  JAVA

  Shane,

  I will tell you all this, breaking free from mind control is at best difficult. This is best done if we can consider the many level headed ones in here then a person can do so successfully.

  I'm certain the internet helps countless former JWs adjust to the real world and get on with their lives. Ex-Dubs don't need to feel isolated, they can share with folks who have been there, and the process of readjusting takes less time. Thanks to the Web! The Web exposes the Tower to the masses, and offers the "Great Crowd" fellowship and support. Sometimes I question how "level headed" a few ex-Dubs are, but that's another topic.
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  49

  BEARDS letter from GB

  by Shane in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  watchtower.

  bible and tract society of new york, inc.. writing department phone (718) 625-3600.

  25 columbia heights, brooklyn, new york 11201-2483, u.sa.

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  JAVA

  The mere act of an adult writing the Society asking clarification about wearing beards speaks volumes! High-control groups require obedience from members. It doesn't take long before members/followers seek guidance (which is nothing more than asking permission) from leadership on frivolous topics such as wearing beards.

  Like the animals in Animal Farm, followers don't see what they've given up until it's too late. Before they know it, adults write childish letters to the Society saying, "Dear Brothers, may I please wear a beard"--and see nothing wrong with the question!
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  118

  Average age of apostates survey.

  by sleepy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i thought it might be a good idea to find out at what age or after how long we descided to leave the watchtower.. prehaps we my find a patern in it which we could use .. i think what we need to know are ,.

  1.age you left the watchtower.

  (or age you found out it was wrong).

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  JAVA

  I've enjoyed reading the different expressions used for our JW abstracts. I've copied and pasted various samples under 3 categories below--happy reading:

  Brought Up
  Converted
  Raised in it
  bred & born into it.
  Converted and diverted
  Raised a dub
  Captured and Enslaved at birth as a Borg Drone.
  Childhood indoctrination
  Converted/duped
  Raised in this crap
  Convoited
  Bred a JW in a litter of 4
  Da Toof was inculcated in me since I was
  Converted (like a jerk! I actually volunteered. She-e-e-sh)
  Dragged up in it
  3rd Generation Robot
  Parents converted to dubbism when I was

  Baptized
  Dunked
  Never got dunked
  Attempted drowning by old hairy brother
  Immersed in primitive farm bathtub to test waterproofing
  Dipped into servitude at
  I was dubtized at
  I was pushed under water at

  Left
  Started to fade
  Doin the slow fade thang now
  Started doubting
  "Violently opposed to the truth" by
  Woke up from JW sleep
  Realized defective programming in
  Escaped the Tower of Doom at
  Found out the truth about the truth when I was
  Got tired of all the crap
  Learned the truth about the Troof
  Sleep in on Sundays with kids and hubby.
  The bubble burst 2 yrs ago at age
  AWAKENED
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  118

  Average age of apostates survey.

  by sleepy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i thought it might be a good idea to find out at what age or after how long we descided to leave the watchtower.. prehaps we my find a patern in it which we could use .. i think what we need to know are ,.

  1.age you left the watchtower.

  (or age you found out it was wrong).

  1. 
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  3. 
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  JAVA

  1. Escaped the Tower of Doom at 39; Shunned at 40 for voting.
  2. Dipped into servitude at 18.
  3. Childhood indoctrination started at 9.
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  30

  What is your idea of paradise?

  by sleepy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is your idea of paradise?.

  imagine we could have an ideal world to live in , what would you like to see changed to make the world better for you and other people.. also what personnaly would make you happy just in your little part of the world.. does any of you answers fit in with the witness view of paradise?

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  JAVA

  Sleepy, the Tower's conception of "paradise" reminds me of fools gold. At first glance it looks good, but it's worthless; causing harm to many. Paradise seekers are easy pray for anyone selling snake oil that cures all, or fools gold because it shines.

  My idea of a better world is a world of thinking people that seeks ways to enhance all lives. That might not be a paradise, but the possibilities are endless.
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  6

  Paradise becomes a Prison

  by JAVA in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  while doing some research, i came across a cnn.com article, nov. 18, 1998, about the jonestown massacre, and reflections 20 years after.

  one subtopic, "paradise becomes a prison," caused flashbacks from my time in the tower.

  towards the end, i felt like a prisoner serving time.

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  JAVA

  While doing some research, I came across a CNN.com article, Nov. 18, 1998, about the Jonestown Massacre, and reflections 20 years after. One subtopic, "Paradise becomes a prison," caused flashbacks from my time in the Tower. Towards the end, I felt like a prisoner serving time. As former POWs (Prisoners of Watchtower) the question is not, "How long were you in the Truth," but instead, "How long were you in for?"

  I suppose my late and post-Tower reactions are typical, but wonder if others felt the same way? Did the JW "paradise become a prison?"
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  4

  WT, fascism and blind obedience

  by Norm in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  watchtowerism, fascism, philosophy and blind obedience.

  no one is better in describing themselves than the watchtower society.

  usually this is done by accident when describing others.

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  JAVA

  Hi Norm,
  

  So you who love to flaunt your “education” by using complicated words and spraying about names and quotes of famous philosophers are only undermining people’s (gasp) faith!

  Darn, all the money and time waisted when I could have been a magazine salesman. God truly works in mysterious ways . . .
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  29

  fruit

  by larc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what is your favorite fruit.

  i like cherries myself, if you get my drift.. aint't life grand, and isnt't fluff wonnerful.

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  JAVA

  larc--I know what you're doing . . .