zoiks

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Posts by zoiks

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  57

  You are Still Special After Exiting the Witnesses-You Have a Purpose in Life

  by flipper in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i wanted to post this as we have so many new ones on the board here - i thought they might benefit from some uplifting words from steve hassan's book " releasing the bonds " .

  many newly exiting the jw 's feel lost , like they don't know what to do , or where to turn, what causes that ?

  notice these quotes from steve hassan .. on pg.

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  zoiks

  flipper-

  Thank you so very much.

  zoiks
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  2

  Useful information on cults for those wanting to leave jw / undecided

  by CrazyBlonde in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  http://www.factnet.org/rancho1.htm.

  http://www.factnet.org/headlines/destructive_cult_warning_signs.html.

  i found this information useful.

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  zoiks

  Thank you very much, CrazyBlonde. This is useful info!

  zoiks
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  9

  Words of Wisdom from Stephen Colbert

  by bluecanary in

  1. social
  2. humour

  "i'm not a fan of facts.

  you see, facts can change, but my opinion will never change, no matter what the facts are.".

  i love this quote.

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  zoiks

  Jeff-

  I too am a big fan of your avatar! I hope you don't mind if I think of you as actually being Stephen Colbert. It would make things a bit... easier.

  zoiks
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  42

  On my way out of the "organization" and feeling very lost...

  by 2pink in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  firstly, thank god i found this forum!

  i've spent the better part of today while my kids were in school reading many threads.. some background...i am in my mid 30s, married, 2 kids.

  i was born and raised a jw...came from "good" stock...elders, pioneers, etc.

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  zoiks

  Welcome, 2pink. I am also new here and have more recently decided that The Truth really isn't. I really admire your courage and integrity - you're getting all the way out, while some like me are too intimidated by the severe social consequences to do so (yet).

  I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts and getting updates. Also, I too am interested in people's thoughts on a good bible translation!

  zoiks
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  31

  November 15 2009 Watchtower (Study Edition) - Treasure Your Place in the Congregation...

  by CrazyBlonde in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  thought this one was quite creepy - the article to be studied january 11-17 "treasure your place in the congregation", page 13 para 5 reads (italics mine):.

  "the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience" is so widespread that it is like the air we breathe.

  (eph.

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  zoiks

  By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today.

  So, I can still challenge the WTS teachings, then...?

  zoiks
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  20

  Let's Welcome LifeIsTooShort to the Board

  by snowbird in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  post #1 .

  my husband insisted that we go to the doors even if they had no trespassing sings.

  we have had guns drawn on us and shot up in the air.

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  zoiks

  All too familiar-sounding comments. Welcome.

  zoiks
• 
  43

  reasons for the new song book, according to a dub

  by highdose in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just asked a loyal dub i know why has the org now given out a song book, with so many songs taken out?

  she looked at her convention notes and replied that the soceity said that some of the songs in the old song book were too difficult for new people to learn to sing.. and this was said with all seriousness... she totaly brought it!.

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  zoiks

  I vaguely remember that part at the convention. One thing that sticks in my mind was when the speaker diplomatically stated that some of the songs were difficult for untrained singers, a large chuckle went through the crowd. Indeed, more than a few of the kingdom melodies just sound subpar when sung by a room full of shrill off-key "unlettered and ordinary" singers…

  Of course, they are also chock full of “old light” and not-quite "present truth".

  Zoiks
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  32

  Is Life a Blind and Pitiless Existance?

  by passwordprotected in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  if we're merely animals, controlled by greedy, selfish genes, if life is just a blind and pitiless existence which perfectly reflects the universe in which we live, what is the purpose of it all?.

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  zoiks

  Having been told what the purpose is for so many years, I am excited to explore this question with an open mind. Perhaps there is a purpose. Perhaps not. I do not believe that our ability as humans to seek a purpose necessarily means that there is one.
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  16

  An introduction

  by zoiks in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>normal</w:view> <w:zoom>0</w:zoom> <w:trackmoves /> <w:trackformatting /> <w:punctuationkerning /> <w:validateagainstschemas /> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:saveifxmlinvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:ignoremixedcontent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext> <w:donotpromoteqf /> <w:lidthemeother>en-us</w:lidthemeother> <w:lidthemeasian>x-none</w:lidthemeasian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>x-none</w:lidthemecomplexscript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables /> <w:snaptogridincell /> <w:wraptextwithpunct /> <w:useasianbreakrules /> <w:dontgrowautofit /> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark /> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp /> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables /> <w:dontvertalignintxbx /> <w:word11kerningpairs /> <w:cachedcolbalance /> </w:compatibility> <w:browserlevel>microsoftinternetexplorer4</w:browserlevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont m:val="cambria math" /> <m:brkbin m:val="before" /> <m:brkbinsub m:val=" " /> <m:smallfrac m:val="off" /> <m:dispdef /> <m:lmargin m:val="0" /> <m:rmargin m:val="0" /> <m:defjc m:val="centergroup" /> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440" /> <m:intlim m:val="subsup" /> <m:narylim m:val="undovr" /> </m:mathpr></w:worddocument> </xml><!

  [endif] hello,[if gte mso 10]> <mce:style><!

  /* style definitions */ table.msonormaltable {mso-style-name:"table normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"times new roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} [endif].

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  zoiks

  Thanks all for your gracious welcome. I will keep you apprised of developments as they occur, if possible. I look forward to developing as an individual and sharing my thoughts in a more tolerant environment.

  Thanks again!

  Paul* of Many Words

  *Name has been changed.
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  16

  An introduction

  by zoiks in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>normal</w:view> <w:zoom>0</w:zoom> <w:trackmoves /> <w:trackformatting /> <w:punctuationkerning /> <w:validateagainstschemas /> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:saveifxmlinvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:ignoremixedcontent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext> <w:donotpromoteqf /> <w:lidthemeother>en-us</w:lidthemeother> <w:lidthemeasian>x-none</w:lidthemeasian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>x-none</w:lidthemecomplexscript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables /> <w:snaptogridincell /> <w:wraptextwithpunct /> <w:useasianbreakrules /> <w:dontgrowautofit /> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark /> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp /> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables /> <w:dontvertalignintxbx /> <w:word11kerningpairs /> <w:cachedcolbalance /> </w:compatibility> <w:browserlevel>microsoftinternetexplorer4</w:browserlevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont m:val="cambria math" /> <m:brkbin m:val="before" /> <m:brkbinsub m:val=" " /> <m:smallfrac m:val="off" /> <m:dispdef /> <m:lmargin m:val="0" /> <m:rmargin m:val="0" /> <m:defjc m:val="centergroup" /> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440" /> <m:intlim m:val="subsup" /> <m:narylim m:val="undovr" /> </m:mathpr></w:worddocument> </xml><!

  [endif] hello,[if gte mso 10]> <mce:style><!

  /* style definitions */ table.msonormaltable {mso-style-name:"table normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"times new roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} [endif].

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  zoiks

  Hello,

  I have lurked around this board for a while. I just joined and now feel that I should introduce myself to the group. My name is Paul* and I am currently serving in an appointed capacity in my local congregation. That will probably not be the case for very much longer! I have had my doubts for years and years but always pushed such “independent thinking” out of my mind so as to stay loyal to Jah’s Organization. Several developments in my life and in the lives of several of my friends in the congregation over the past few years have forced me to step back and take stock of what I truly believe. I have done much research, and against the express instructions in the Watchtower, I have researched ALL SIDES of many issues. It has been and continues to be a very difficult personal journey, but I have recently concluded that I do not believe in a god or gods. Furthermore, I feel that some of the teachings and policies of the organization are not only incorrect but actually harmful to many.

  So this brings me to a bit of a dilemma. I cannot in good conscience keep serving, so I will step down. My friends and family have no clue what is coming – most are Witnesses who would absolutely stop speaking with me if I were to disassociate myself or was disfellowshipped for airing my opinions. My wife is in no way going to leave the organization. I believe my only option is to try to pull off The Fade, as it seems to be called by those in the know. I have read the threads on this board dealing with fading from the organization, and I am hopeful that I can pull it off. I know that I am risking much by doing this.

  I recently confided in a non-witness friend and his advice was to “fake it” for as long as possible. I believe that I have done this for as long as I can. I am considered a very good speaker and am often assigned to give public talks around the circuit. I hate the sound of my own voice as I deliver these discourses. I hate standing up on stage during the school or service meeting, saying things that I no longer believe to an audience that has no idea. It is horribly dishonest of me, and I cringe when I think that some argument of mine based on faulty logic, delivered in a convincing manner from the platform, might be responsible for inhibiting someone else’s ability to think.

  In any case, there is as much of my story as I can share at the moment. I apologize if my thoughts are in a bit of a jumble – this is a big and frightening step! If anyone has any suggestions or encouragement, I would really appreciate it! I will attempt to log in and contribute to this group as much as I am able, but the opportunities are few at the moment. Thanks for reading…

  *Name has been changed.