Count me in the conscious class. I also look around the hall, especially during WT studies such as this past Sunday and wonder why it is not dawning on anyone else that they are worshipping, professing loyalty to, and submitting to a corporation of men. And, worse yet, a corporation of men that doesn't give two hoots about them as individuals. They just parrot the answers in the paragraph and laud the organization's attributes. I sit there horrifed at how they cannot see what is going on. I agree with JWoods that the constant demand for complete obedience is evidence of the WT's realization that there are people who are waking up to their lies. But rather than addressing the issues that they must know people are learning about them and the Bible itself, they've decided to play hardball. This religion is more a dictatorship than a theocracy. What I hope is that someday their requirements become so absurd that people, especially younger people raised on the internet, will just give up. I see many in my cong. in their 20's and 30's who are lackluster Witnesses. I don't know how much they really know, but my feeling is they are only there because it is all they've ever known and their families are Witnesses. So we of the conscious class and all you who are already out must keep up the good fight in the hopes that it is this group of people that we can somehow reach and help them to see there is a better way, there is a better life.
WalkTall
JoinedPosts by WalkTall
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60
The Rise of the Conscious Class
by truthseeker in"i believe in one god, and no more; and i hope for happiness beyond this life.
i believe the equality of man, and i believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.
but, lest it should be supposed that i believe many other things in addition to these, i shall, in the progress of this work, declare the things i do not believe, and my reasons for not believing them.
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Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 1-17-10 WT Study (PLACE IN CONGREGATION)
by blondie in(romans 12:4-8; 1 corinthians 12:12-28; ephesians 4:15, 16; colossians 2:19).
8:34,35.. comments.
4:15.. comments.
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WalkTall
Thanks once again Blondie for a great wrap up. And, miseryloveselders, I love, and totally agree, with your observations.
This article was particularly brutal to sit through. I usually try to make some noncommittal comment to have the appearance of participation, but I couldn't find even one thought in any of the paragraphs that I could formulate an answer to in good conscience. I looked around and wondered how many people were really buying into this garbage or how many were just playing their Witness role but who don't internally believe one word of the propanganda. It's hard to tell. In one way, though, I think...okay, guys, bring it on. The more obsessed the WT gets with authority and control, maybe, just maybe, my family will wake up, or at least, start being disturbed enough by it to start thinking that something can't be right. That is the only thing that will make my suffering through this worthwhile. Actually, if anyone is freed as a result of this continued 'listen to us or die' drumbeat, it will be some consolation.
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The moment you know you will die, too
by dgp inat some point in life, everyone outside of the wtbts realizes that death if a fact of life.
no one gets to accept that fact easily, and the moment when you realize you will die, too, usually comes all of a sudden and takes you by surprise.
when you were a jw, did you have such a moment, even though the society told you you would never die?
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WalkTall
The moment I realized that the Bible was written by mere flesh and blood men, no different than me, it hit me that there was no paradise earth in my future, no everlasting life as a human being. It felt like a punch in the stomach. I'm still struggling with acceptance of this.
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Interesting WT Study today...Friendship
by monkeyman inblondie probably commented on this before, but i couldnt find it.............. here's how to make friends....... the meat of this article began with the subject of when friendships should end.
(oh that sounds friendly).
how to view friends who no longer believe some of the teachings of jw.............. (cut them off).
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WalkTall
This was one of those articles where it is really obvious what they are trying to indoctrination people to think by simply substituting the words ' the organization' every time you see the word 'Jehovah': we must cultivate friendships with people who love Jehovah (the organization); we must cut off friends who leave Jehovah (the organization) etc, etc. Sometime I wonder how those in attendance cannot, on some level, realize that that is what they are subconsciously being taught. They are not consciously thinking through the fact that someone can still love God, still be a good, moral, and loyal friend, but also leave the organization. Very sly indeed.
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41
I just feel like crying... I'm so fed up of the hypocrisy!
by cattails ini was very disgusted with the wt study for today.. towards the end of the article it refers to matthew 15 (see quoted scripture below).
this is a beautiful passage where jesus says his followers need to be hospitable, care for sick, hungry and imprisoned brothers.. they turn it around and say that for jw's this means they need to support the "faithful and discreet slave" by going in door-to-door witnessing, making monetary contributions to support the worldwide witnessing work, and following the directions and counsel of congregation elders.. and the worst part of it all is that there were several commenters giving almost word for word answers to that effect, they didn't even seem to listen to previous comments, they just repeated mindlessly what the paragraph said... i was ready to burst.
mom knew i was about to have a fit right there and then.
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WalkTall
Cattails, I don't know how much comfort it is to know that there are many, many others like you. They might even be in your own congregation. I have no factual evidence except my own general feelings, but I think the conscious class (those like you and me trapped inside but who know the truth about the truth) is growing. But they have their own set of fears and reasons to remain silent, just like you. I can't tell you how many times I have left the KH and felt like bashing my head against the wall just to clear my head of all the garbage I had to listen to. The physical pain would have been a relief. So, if it helps, think of me and others like me who are sitting there too, just as nauseous as you are.
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Last Nights Mtg. "Demonstrate Personal Interest" (New Bible Students Beware)
by WalkTall insometimes it just hits you how cold and unfeeling this religious corporation is.. last night there was a part in the kingdom ministry about helping new bible studies.
in one paragraph it mentioned how the new student might cut ties with former associates because they are not living by bible principles.
it says that their families might disown them.
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WalkTall
Sometimes it just hits you how cold and unfeeling this religious corporation is.
Last night there was a part in the Kingdom Ministry about helping new Bible studies. In one paragraph it mentioned how the new student might cut ties with former associates because they are not living by Bible principles. It says that their families might disown them. So what did it say the Witnesses are to do to help this person? They should "help fill the emotional void by demonstrating a warm personal interest".
How fake and phony does that sound? We are talking about someone's life being turned upside down. They are losing all they've ever known, their family and friends. But should we become a loyal, trusted friend? Should we FEEL compassion? No, we are DEMONSTRATE personal interest! A demonstration is a public display. I might demonstrate interest in my butcher's life while he's cutting my meat, but that doesn't mean I really care.
If anyone is studying with the Witnesses right now and reading this, I implore you to think twice before giving up your life. If you are lonely, there are other places to find true friends, people who will really care about you, for you, not because you are becoming what they want you to be. Many of the Witnesses are good people, but they are trained to be detached. Their emotional allegiance is reserved for the organization. The 'emotional void' created by becoming a JW will never be filled inside a Kingdom Hall.
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Has the WT Study Review Been Discontinued?
by WalkTall inis anyone doing the wt study review anymore?
i haven't seen blondie's wrap up in a while.
is it on another site?
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WalkTall
Yes, I forgot to include my gratitude to Blondie in my original post as well. Taking care of yourself should be priorty one. I wish you continued improvement in your health and all the best that life has to offer. You have done so much for so many of us who feel angry, hurt, and confused by the continued deceptions found in the WT.
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Has the WT Study Review Been Discontinued?
by WalkTall inis anyone doing the wt study review anymore?
i haven't seen blondie's wrap up in a while.
is it on another site?
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WalkTall
Is anyone doing the WT study review anymore? I haven't seen Blondie's wrap up in a while. Is it on another site? I know it is a chore to do, but I can't tell you all enough how much it helps those of us still in who have to be subjected to this indoctrination session each week. Those times that I have gotten to read the comments in advance, has helped tremendously to get through the KH WT study and to see how they use language, misquotes, and out of context references to instill their false ideas and gain control of minds. When I first started lurking here, it was the dissection of the WT and the revelation of the propaganda techniques used that really opened my eyes. And I hope it can continue to do that for future doubting lurkers who are just beginning to open the door to reality. Does anyone know if it will be coming back?
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Yesterday's WT
by WalkTall inthe whole wt yesterday, which was supposed to be about love, actually centered on how we should react to 'persecutors'.
it was horrible to hear the audience comments...calling 'worldly people' everything from 'they are unkind and mean' to them being 'hateful and unneighborly'.
i sat there and thought about how this 'us vs. them' mentality is the very thing that is contributing to the divisive and separatist world we live in.
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WalkTall
I think the insidious nature of their writing shows that the WT mag has the hallmarks of propaganda. The article appeared to be about showing love rather than retaliation, however, the true message conveyed is that anyone who is not a JW is your enemy.
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Tao Te Ching vs 22
by AK - Jeff inyield and overcome; bend and be straight.. empty out and be full; wear out and be renewed.. have little and gain; have much and be confused.. therefore, the true person embraces the one.
and becomes a model for all.. do not look only at yourself, and you will see much.. do not justify yourself, and you will be distinguished.. do not brag, and you will have merit.. do not be prideful, and your work will endure.. it is because you do not strive.
that no one under heaven can strive with you.. the saying of the old ones, .
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WalkTall
It wasn't until I started reading Wayne Dyer's book on the Tao that I even knew it existed. Having been a JW for so long, I didn't even realize that there were other ancient books out there that could teach us so much (dumb I know). It opened the door for me to realize there is so much ancient and modern wisdom to learn from. The Bible is included on that list, but it by no means is the only place we can search for understanding and life lessons. Farkel, you summed it up so nicely. Love the Tao!