Posts by Crisis of Conscience

23

What good comes from joining a community like this for support/therapy?

by dances with smurfs in

okay so if anyone can give some imput on this, i would really appreciate hearing different opinions!.

(its downright impossible to make decisions, big or small, these days....sigh).

ive been thinking alot about the possible consequences and outcome of joining in on a community like this and using it as a form of therapy or a support group type setting when struggling over the witnesses.

Crisis of Conscience

man in black - It helped me realize that what I was feeling / experiencing when I left this religion was normal.

And the support was - is greatly appreciated

Completely agree. I'm still in but I finally feel that my feelings are normal.

Also, I think peoples experiences here can empower you to make moves or deal with the situation better. For me it feels like the nudge I have been needing for a while.

And not to mention the amount of laughing I do while reading some of the posts. It really helps to calm my frustration with this religion.

It really is making me more confident in seeking my own happiness, not always someone elses. My 2 cents.

CoC

7

Costa Rica branch to be closed, sold. Anybody know about this??

by monkeyman in

jw
friends

just got word that the costa rican branch is being closed and the buildings sold.

ive read some things here but cant remember why.. why?.

Crisis of Conscience

Yep, word on the street is that Mexico is taking over. The rest of the Central American branches are getting the ax. More Bethel layoffs!!

32

Do you think you have an accent?

by highdose in

jw
friends

apparently people ( like me) from the home counties of england don't have an accent, its just english...?.

for the record i would say my accent is rather like kira knightly.

Crisis of Conscience

From this point on, read every post in your head or out loud with an accent. Hilarious!!

CoC

65

Why has God allowed this to go on for so long

by watersprout in

jw
friends

why has god allowed this system to go on for soo long?

he's god he doesn't need to prove anything to anyone!

why have the billions that have lived on this earth had to suffer for what two people did in eden?.

Crisis of Conscience

He's just like me. We are on CP time. Proof positive that God, or his son, are not white.

My peeps know about CP time.

Disclaimer: This is NOT WBTS coded or trademarked language. If ya don't know, ya better ask somebody, ya heard!!

CoC

150

Most Ridiculous Thing You've Ever Been Counseled On

by MrFreeze in

i'm sure topics like this have already come up but they tend to get hilarious with the absolute absurdity that goes on in the kh.

i was once counseled for not shaving after two days.

i was also counseled by a sister for eating lucky charms cereal.

Crisis of Conscience

I forget where, but the NWT, written by the WTBS, translates a scripture to say "scummy dross." The horror!!

Anyone remember that? I wonder what that pickle head of a CO would've thought if you brought that up?!

Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

CoC

37

Most JW's are Concerned with Position/Appearance - Not Serving God

by flipper in

jw
friends

being raised in the jehovah's witnesses for 44 years ( exited 7 years ago ) - i observed many different variables that made each witness tick or operate.

but one of the most common variables was witnesses wanting to excel in progressing to positions becoming elders, ministerial servants, or pioneers because then and only then would they be looked at as allegedly " spiritual " or closer to jehovah.

but i learned as years went by that having a " position " in the congregation didn't make a person anymore " spiritual " or closer to god than witnesses who were not in appointed positions.. myself- having been appointed a ministerial servant at the tender baby age of 20 yrs.

Crisis of Conscience

flipper- Did any of you have pressure to excel and did you finally come to grips with these pressures ? Did JW family pressure you, or you feel pressured to PROVE your loyalty to God or the WT society by others ?

Feels like time for some personal expression

I was given many positive "shoves" in the right direction. I've been a servant since I was 18. (I've just given some personal information of myself. Uh-oh.) I enjoyed the attention, but only in the sense that it felt good to make others happy that I was advancing. They noticed it and their encouraging words filled me with joy to serve Jehovah. "You are going to be a good elder one day" was often said. I may not care to admit it now, but many caring brothers took me under their "loving" wings. I don't doubt their sincerity. And I never questioned much because I was so young. I just did things. I thought I was supposed to, to make God happy.

For years this continued. And the encouragement and privileges I received fueled me. This train couldn't be stopped. I never saw myself as coming to a stop. In fact, I often strived to be that crowbar that would pry my weak friends into action. How could I fail?

But time spoke to me and made me realize that these advancements, while at times in sincerity were my own desires, belonged to those around me, and their hopes. This is what they wanted from me. And so I continued filling my every minute with spiritual activity.

But as I advanced in some years, mentally I halted. I came to grips with what I was really doing - pleasing men. Alas (dramatic huh? ) I reached a point of no return of which I now offer thanks - burnout. My eyes opened. And the things that didn't make sense in doubt were now moved to having no sense for certain.

In realizing that I became a man pleaser I can now say that yes I felt the pressure. But I thought it was right. I now know it is not and am strategically planning how to step down from this man made position of MS.

Outward appearance is what is looked at and that is fact. Holy sprit is NOT involved. Otherwise people wouldn't still be making false predictions about my "bright, spiritual future". Oh BTW - great topic!!

CoC

2

Colchester, CT?

by new light in

jw
friends

has anyone here ever been affiliated with this congregation?

i have..

Crisis of Conscience

I know someone who's ex-wife was from there. And I myself may have been in the same circuit. I didn't live terribly far from there.

20

To all of you who continue to "cover your tracks" and are still in ((HUGS))

by Lady Liberty in

jw
friends

dear friends,.

there are so many here with circumstances that will not allow them to leave the borg, and who week after week have to put on a show, and go to the meetings and service, that i just wanted to send you a big (((hug)) for hangng in there.. though each situation is no doubt different, one thing most likely the same..you would leave if you could,, and you have to endure all the things being taught each week, that you have come to learn are lies!

but we are glad you are here!!

Crisis of Conscience

I'm in the same boat as MrFreeze right now. But at least my mind is disconnected from the nonsense.

26

If You Were Ever An Elder...

by Henry in

what about the responsibility of being an elder did you dislike the most?

i served from september 2003 - june 2006. there were two things that bugged me the most the first was i got sick of the bickering amongst the body.

we had 7 elders and in nearly every situation, big or small, there was some division that got personal.

Crisis of Conscience

Wow! I'm a MS yet I can agree with a lot of the things miseryloveselders says. Although I feel different though in that if I had been appointed an elder at some point last year, I probably would have continued "faithful" and my discovering the truth about the troof would have been delayed. I already had doubts so discovery was inevitable. But I felt like I could put things aside and being appointed an elder would show Jehovah's "blessing" (TM) and "spiritual growth and maturity" (TM) on my part. I felt I was ready but not qualified. Isn't that what Jehovah wants?

But now I am glad I wasn't asked to be an elder. I think it would've been a bigger chain to remove from myself. It's bad enough having to trod around like a faithful servant when I don't give a crap anymore.

WOW! That last line will really piss off the apologists and trolls!

20

To all of you who continue to "cover your tracks" and are still in ((HUGS))

by Lady Liberty in

jw
friends

dear friends,.

there are so many here with circumstances that will not allow them to leave the borg, and who week after week have to put on a show, and go to the meetings and service, that i just wanted to send you a big (((hug)) for hangng in there.. though each situation is no doubt different, one thing most likely the same..you would leave if you could,, and you have to endure all the things being taught each week, that you have come to learn are lies!

but we are glad you are here!!

Crisis of Conscience

Good read. Let's bring it back.