for yourself and others.. do you think the wts can or should be destroyed, will continue on as-is or grow / change?.
do i blame them?
so i blame that on them.
Hi DeWandelaar, many thanks for sharing. I feel we have much in common although I have spent a little more time making friends outside the truth.
Loneliness I think is an issue for many. Sharing your entire life with people for decades and then being cut off from that and anyone who has known you and your experiences since childhood is bound to have an effect. Some more than others.
You have a very balanced view on many things.
mmxiv
a few weeks ago i got a visit from a sister from the old congregation.
she was our uber pioneer, fearless, regular and often accompanied by her husband, a ministerial servant.
she didnt know i lived here so it was a brief visit after she found out i had disassociated myself.. i got a knock at the door a few minutes ago and it was her husband this time.
Also well done for being polite to his wife when she called on you. If she'd gone home and told her husband how nasty or terrifying you were then he'd never have opened up to you. Being approachable and reasonable leaves the door open in ways we never expect.
mmxiv
london baby!.
natural history museum, british museum, science museum, art museums a weekend of cheap hotels and eating out... maybe a show!.
wouldn't that be a great weekend?
name the date
i've just watched a program on tv about bullying (in australia).
and my wife and i were just commenting on how much the jw's bully so many of their followers, as in shunning disfellowshiped or disassociated ones, even ones that have faded.
their bullying tactics also invove using famiky members not to talk to them.
bumped as I still believe bullying to be a serious issue amongst JW's. I hope those that have been victims of bullying (especially sisters) understand this isn't about satan. This is about the environment and behaviours encouraged by WBTS. The only way to stand up to bullying in the organisation is to plan an exit and exit.
mmxiv
"however, it would be appreciated if such donations are made without restrictions as to where and how the funds may be used.
" additionally, at this time, there is no need for donations of food, clothing, or other items.
if such needs arise in the future, you will be notified accordingly.
gorgia2, well done. everything helps. anyone in desperate need is not always aware of where the relief comes from - it's just gratefully receieved.
mmxiv
the caption under the picture in the first article.
hail christthe glorious king!says:.
birds will be called on to cleanse the earth (see paragraph 18).
Do they still encourage the elders to arrive early at the kh to greet their flock? Early Bird gets the worm!
"however, it would be appreciated if such donations are made without restrictions as to where and how the funds may be used.
" additionally, at this time, there is no need for donations of food, clothing, or other items.
if such needs arise in the future, you will be notified accordingly.
In the UK charity law requires annual disclosure of funds and details of restricted funds. These are available for all to see without charge on the charity commission site.
The WBTS in the UK detailed receiving £16,099 during year ended 31 Aug 2012 for their "relief fund" which is "for the purpose of giving support to areas experiencing distress or natural disaster". They did not spend one penny of these funds in that year. When the latest set of financials are available then we can see if they spent this.
Edited to add: They also brought forward £143,679 from the previous year (31Aug 2011) and none of this was spent either. I'm intrigued to know what disaster takes two years or more to respond to?
If only American charity law would be like UK charity law and allow complete transparency.
The WBTS is not in the business of disaster relief. Any claim otherwise is a lie.
mmxiv
most of the time i just lurk .
lots of times throughout the day.
however, something has come up that i would like some advice on, especially from members who were exiting the jw religion with young children.. .
Hi SnailsPace2, welcome!
We're unable to make life decisions like who we should marry until we're old enough. 6 years old isn't old enough to decide who we're going to spend the rest of our life with and neither should it be old enough to commit to a religion. You're his guide.
Be honest. Your son sounds a very mature and kind child. I'd tell him you've read a lot of things in the bible about Jesus warning us to be careful of false prophets. That the people in charge of JW's have been teaching some wrong things about Jesus and the bible. Ask your son if he thinks it's more important to do what God & Jesus want us to do in the bible or what some church leaders want us to do.
Clearly this approach will raise questions about his grandparents and why they believe it. Maybe let him know that they have believed it for so long they can't change their minds over things and that you need to be respectful of what they believe.
The toughest part will be to set boundaries for the granparents. Give then an inch and they will take a mile. I'm sure your son will be fine.
mmxiv
it seems like lots of people have big dreams of 'destroying the watchtower'.
it's usually linked to a story of how they were wronged and want some revenge.
do these 'in your face' attempts to convince people that the truth isn't the truth really have an effect?.
the majority fake spiritual interest because it's expected and everyone else seems to be doing it
you're not wrong!
haven't posted anything here since my first post almost 5 months ago (you can read it here: http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/experiences/255032/1/great-roi-successfully-fading#.uopjv-kdzyi), but i'm lurking around here almost on a daily basis.. short update:.
- all jw's on my part of the family are fully awake about ttatt and have fast-forwarded into 'fading mode'.
they are missing meetings, no longer go out in field service (but still send a fictious time slip at the end of the month), have missed the recent assembly.. - my father is now an ex-elder.
Skipper12,
This really is an interesting update - many thanks. I'm not sure I've heard of quite such a mass fade for a long time. Your father stepping down will be a big deal to a lot of people. Any elder who is well like and appreciated (not the majority) will make a lot of people think - especially when people know why. Great to hear you're free - life is for living :-)
mmxiv
