((((Truman))))
Posts by MMXIV
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322My son was murdered today
by truman ini have been on this site daily, almost from its beginning, since i left the jws in 2001, but i have been more of a reader than a poster, as you can see from my post count.
i know few here know me, although i know many of you through reading your posts.
maybe it is not right to ask for support, when i generally stay quietly in the background of this forum, but i want only to speak a human misery of the deepest kind.
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20
Were you surpised how little the "world" new about JW's after you left?
by donny ini have been out of the jw organization for some time now and have been fairly active in discussing my adventures in watchtower with those who are interested.
what really surprised me in the first few years after leaving was how little the "world" knew about jw's.
we were taught that we have been warning the unwashed for 100+ years and they resist the message because satan keeps them from grasping this "good news".. in the many discussions i have had with these folks since leaving, it is amazing how little or no understanding about jw's beyond the blood issue and holidays they have.
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MMXIV
When you're told your whole life that you belong to God's only true religion, that you have been chosen and involved a life saving work - it's kind of a reality check to realise that:
a) people don't know the JW teachings (well most JW's don't know their own teachings - or current teachings anyway)
b) people don't know what great examples JW's are (maybe because they don't really do anything for the comminuty except annoy them and often arn't nice people)
c) people's lives do not revolve around trying to be bad in full knowledge they are not following the great standards that JW's do
d) people are not JW's because they are stupid or willfully disobedient.
The reality is JW's are insignificant. They do an unskilled, ineffective leaflet distribution service which tends to waste people's time so results in apathy. People don't care because they know within a few seconds that it's a complete waste of time, probably a lie and did I mention a complete waste of time? Of course they have little idea of how damaging it is - this does surprise me although in some countries such as Germany the message is spreading.
mmxiv
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MMXIV
Manon des Sources which should be watched soon after Jean de Florette. Incredible ending to a slow powerful story.
The secret in their eyes. Subtitled film that grows and grows on you throughout and provides an unexpected ending.
Shawshank Redemption
The Good the Bad and the Ugly
Seven
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41
"Overlapping Generations"... one year later...
by Alfred inwow, it's hard to believe it's already been about a year since this subject was covered in the wt study at kindgom halls around the globe... let's read it just one more time, so we don't forget just how ridiculous this sounded when we first read it.... watchtower (study edition), april 15th, 2010 issue, pages 27-29:.
"this magazine has long been used by the faithful and discreet slave as the primary channel for dispensing increased light.
... what does this explanation mean to us?
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MMXIV
Evidently the end never came and evidently all those who saw the events in 1914 (this generation) are now dead so evidently the faithful & discreet slave were wrong about 1914.
Evidently the faithful & discreet slave had to make up a new interpretation (again) and this one is inspired by holy spirit (again) although evidently either the last few interpretations were not inspired by holy spirit or they were inspired but the holy spirit was misleading them - not sure there is much evidentliness for that.
Evidently the WBTS are making it up as they go along.
mmxiv
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10
Does every congregation have a "perv" elder?
by donny ini have been listening to a variety of podcasts over the past couple of months raging from christian based to to various skeptic and atheist ones.
so far i have come across two podcasts where former elders of jw's were interviewed and both of them mentioned that when it came to judicial situations involving issues of a sexual nature, that one or more elders often asked for way more detail than was necessary to ajudicate the situation.
i know that was true in our congregation, but i assumed we just had a kinky elder who liked detail.
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MMXIV
some congregations have more than one
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45
Introduction Bio
by JakeM2012 inhi everyone, i would like to introduce myself and tell my story.
from the standpoint of being one of jehovahs witnesses, my whole family is deeply involved as i was the 5th generation of witness and any children that my brothers or sister have will be the sixth generation.
as some of my brothers and sisters are grandparents, i guess that makes their grandchildren a potential 7th generation.
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MMXIV
Welcome JakeM2012,
Thank you for sharing, it would be brilliant to have this on JWfacts so more can understand the personal impact this has on extended families. I agree with Jemba, those first hand experiences are something the WBTS cannot rewrite and give an amazing record of events.
What I find interesting is how your father and most of your other relatives didn't act on the clearly failed prophecies but stuck to what they knew.
Sorry you missed out on your education and had so many occasions being treated disrespectfully by so called examples in the congregations.
What a story!
mmxiv
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MMXIV
I'm stingy back. They see me being generous to everyone else and wonder why
mmxiv
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21
How many have gotten interested in Human Services, Charity, Social Justice, Social Work and the like after awakening to Watchtower aberrance?
by Fernando inwhilst under watchtower influence i had little interest or awareness in these areas.. now they have become a passion.. i wonder if it has something to do with the "cult identity or self" versus the "authentic identity or self" as outlined by steven hassan in the "interacting with dual identities" chapter of his book "releasing the bonds - empowering people to think for themselves".. who has had a similar experience and/or change of career related to unplugging from the watchtower?.
or a story to tell?.
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MMXIV
a little of my story...
I did my fair share of "volunteer work" as a JW - I did lots of hours on FS, spent some time running errands for some of the old ones and a few quick builds but nothing really notable that couldn't be put on a report.
However, looking back I basically spent most of my time involved in something that did not pay me anything (instead cost me money) and that I got no real reward for.
When I was fading I did get involved with helping a few charities out on a professional basis although I never charged for my services. What struck me was how happy, positive, non-propoganda, genuine and worthy the people and causes were.
There is a clear difference between the WBTS, which is classified as a charity within tax criteria only simply a religion, compared to a real charity that actually does good.
Since leaving and having time / confidence / motivation I quickly started becoming a charity fundraiser and found it seriously rewarding. I've met great people and done things I'm so proud of.
This has now led me to be seriously involved with charity, working with great innovators that are changing people's lives and making a global difference. I am hearing about sustainable solutions to health or social issues instead of the negative rubbish spouted in the KH. I am often speaking to hundreds of people about life changing stories instead of shyly knocking on doors with a deceptive message of doom.
JW's I meet never ask me what I do, have zero interest in what good gets done, zero interest in learning about something positive.
When a disaster happens I am a cog in a machine that responds, helps, reduces suffering.
I am so lucky.
mmxiv
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322
My son was murdered today
by truman ini have been on this site daily, almost from its beginning, since i left the jws in 2001, but i have been more of a reader than a poster, as you can see from my post count.
i know few here know me, although i know many of you through reading your posts.
maybe it is not right to ask for support, when i generally stay quietly in the background of this forum, but i want only to speak a human misery of the deepest kind.
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MMXIV
Dear Truman, another busy day in the office and another few minutes taken to pause to think of you. 104 is an amazing age to reach and how touching your words are of your grandmother's reaction to a photo so many decades later. So sad a story and in those moments she let you know so much - something that you can truly understand now. We learn so much from others and they are not always aware of it. There is a great deal you are teaching us. Thank you.
mmxiv
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11
Higher Education and Career
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MMXIV
Good find Ding and congrats again for making your stand and getting an education!
The WBTS still has the same message today and JW teenagers are still pressured into making such life ruining decisions. Not surprisingly lots see through this poison and leave the organisation although sacrifice contact with their families to do so.
They could almost have written..."don't brush your teeth - why waste this time that could be spent preaching - the end is sure to come before decay sets in"
mmxiv