Posts by TastingFreedom

35653 · 2010-04-01T00:47:00Z

I was an elder for 8 years as recent as 6 months ago. I was being investigated, so I simply resigned and faded! Totally igoring them now

35653 · 2010-03-25T20:01:00Z

Reincarnation, literally "to be made flesh again", is the belief that the soul, after death of the body, comes back to earth in another body. According to one belief, a new personality is developed during each life in the physical world, but the soul remains constant throughout the successive lives.[1]

Belief in reincarnation has ancient roots. This doctrine is a central tenet within the majority of Indian religious traditions, such as Hinduism and Jainism. The idea was also entertained by some ancient Greek philosophers. Many modern Neopagans also believe in reincarnation as do some New Age movements, along with followers of Spiritism, practitioners of certain African traditions, and students of esoteric philosophies such as Kabbalah, and Gnostic and Esoteric Christianity. The Buddhist concept of rebirth although often referred to as reincarnation differs significantly from the Hindu-based traditions and New Age movements in that there is no unchanging "soul" (or eternal self) to reincarnate.

There is a something about the belief in reincarnation... so I'm exploring this belief system.

Makes me wonder if we are in a cycle to grow as human beings/spiritually throughout our lives.

Do you feel that this may be possible? Do you think you existed before in a previous life?

35653 · 2010-03-22T17:22:00Z

Thank you for your kind words. I have tried to reach out to some people that were part of JCs, however, some are back in, and they believe everything to be correct the way it is. So, there is very little I can do about that. I have faded so far, so trying to be careful not to lose some of the family contact that I have. Don't want to be labeled as an apostate yet.

I accept what I did was wrong but not my fault, just part of what I was expected to do.

I hope that I can write more about my life experience as an elder and JW on here soon. Already have written my story on JWR. This story was posted a year ago, when I was still serving as an elder:

http://www.jehovahswitnessrecovery.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1935

35653 · 2010-03-20T02:51:00Z

CyberJesus is my close friend. I forgive him!!

35653 · 2010-03-20T00:28:00Z

I know that this apology helps me for healing my beaten soul, but it may help those who went through such difficult ordeals. I hope it does help you also. Like some of you said, it's important to move on, not to live in the past.

We are fortunate enough to be sane now, able to recognize the circus performed at JW halls, where they play games of fear, intimidation and manipulation.

Poor those that are still suffering. A minute of silence for those captives!!

35653 · 2010-03-20T00:04:00Z

Just like many ex-JWs have apologized for knocking on people's doors and disturbing them, I want to do something similar.

I want to ask for forgiveness to all those people who were subjected to horrible treatment in a Judicial Committee.

During my years as a mental slave and serving as an elder, I participated in Judicial Committees where poor people were exploited for personal perversion and mistreatment.

Many fellow elders (repressed people) could not help but to be turned on by the details confessed by the alleged sinners. Therefore, they needed to ask more personal and intimate details that would make any person very uncomfortable. Even I felt uncomfortable in some cases.

The Watchtower is to be blamed for their policies in the Flock book. They have enabled the situation by instructing body of elders to find out some more details about the extent of a sin, like how far did it go, whether parts were touched, etc. According to the WTS, this helped to determine if it was porneia, which turned out to be the case in almost 99% of the time.

As elders, we were instructed to find out as much as possible, such as how many times it happened, to determine if this had become a pattern in life, whether the person was remorseful and repentant, etc. In such a position that I held, I know that I caused a lot of pain and suffering.

For that reason, I want to apologize sincerely for condemning you if we as a body of elders determined that you were unrepentant or rebellious. I realize now that we were not really helping you to be spiritual or to repair the relationship with Jehovah, but rather, we were destroying your world. We were humiliating you and thus, taking away your dignity.

We were taking away from you everything you considered valuable like your family and friends, your support system. I am truly sorry for me being part of this for 8 years.

There were many times that I tried to help by being more reasonable and understanding during a Judicial Committee, sometimes it worked in favor of the alleged sinner to avoid getting DF'ed, other times, I couldn't convince the majority, and so I was forced to form consensus.

There were times that I could not sleep before or after JCs. The emotional drain was unbearable, deep down I was afraid of such horrible outcome for the person subjected to this.
There were times that we just rushed through the proceedings, making it part of the routine, without thorough meditation, prayer or preparation. Sometimes, we would make a ruling just to get it over, and to get out of there. I sincerely apologize for being part of this injustice.

Judicial Committees were the most difficult part of the "privilege" of being an elder. I am so relieved not to be part of any of this anymore.

Once again, I apologize for judging people and subjecting them to such horrible treatment. I was also a victim of mind control and could not see what I was doing. I was following instructions and guidelines that were provided by what I thought were God's organization on earth, the Watchtower Bible and Tract society of New York.

35653 · 2010-03-17T01:25:00Z

I think I have a need for spirituality! I don't know if I'm a convinced Atheist, I'm more agnostic than anything. I feel a need to congregate, sing, and talk about the concept of a god, which is higher consciouness. Still doing my free and responsible search for truth and meaning which is personal to me.

To me the concept of god is helpful in my personal spiritual journey. I would call it an open source religion without creeds and dogmas.

I think each person is free to search for his or her own personal truth on issues, such as the existence, nature, and meaning of life, deities, creation, and afterlife.

This sort identifies what I believe in:

The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

I would define myself mostly as humanist. Partially a Buddhist.

35653 · 2010-03-12T04:13:00Z

I need a bear hug... :)

35653 · 2010-03-12T03:04:00Z

You are free man... It seems tough now, but time heals everything!

Welcome to Hell!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCLcwV-Iyfg

35653 · 2010-03-11T02:25:00Z

Trust your innerself, you will make it. There are much better days ahead of you. Many of us have been there, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and you know from your heart you are doing the right thing.

Best of luck!

TastingFreedom

Posts by TastingFreedom

Was You a Bethelite, Elder,CO, DO, GB, Publisher, Missionary,Ministerial Servant or Pioneer class?????

TastingFreedom

Do you believe in reincarnation?

TastingFreedom

Please accept my apology for being an elder and participating in Judicial Committees

TastingFreedom

Please accept my apology for being an elder and participating in Judicial Committees

TastingFreedom

Please accept my apology for being an elder and participating in Judicial Committees

TastingFreedom

Please accept my apology for being an elder and participating in Judicial Committees

TastingFreedom

Ex-Atheists: What Changed Your Mind?

TastingFreedom

GROUP HUG!!!

TastingFreedom

It's official--I'm out.

TastingFreedom

Ambushed!!!!! Fam'ly Intervention!

TastingFreedom