Crisis of Conscience

Joined

• started 26 topics
• posted 1,022 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by Crisis of Conscience

• 
  36

  "Where else would we go?" - A common JW cliche'.

  by Crisis of Conscience in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  how many times have you heard that before, whether in or out?

  in the past, i truly believed that.

  if i were to leave the "truth", where else would i go?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Crisis of Conscience

  BTTT
• 
  54

  J.R.Brown

  by Mall Cop in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  it's been very quiet concerning him.

  anyone have an update, information on his where-abouts and current position?

  he use to be the spoke-person for the society in the news media etc.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Crisis of Conscience

  The YouTube video is definitely nice to see and hear. But is there actual video of J.R. Brown talking saying such things? It would be great to show someone else.

  I can picture a witness saying, "Oh I don't see any faces. How do I know that is him for sure and not some apostate talking like him?"

  Anything to defend the "truth"!

  CoC
• 
  39

  Did you ever try any of the awkward, and somewhat creepy suggestions in the KM for Informal Witnessing?

  by miseryloveselders in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the august km, has an article entitled, "you can witness informally!

  " this week's service meeting will cover half of the 13 questions.

  next week, congregations will finish the article along with a box full of several experiences with successful results from informal witnessing.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Crisis of Conscience

  Even when I was still focused on "pleasing" Jehovah, I still felt quite awkward about a lot of suggestions offered. Besides, they were only suggestions - but some people were so pushy about them.

  And I would ask myself why I was being made to do or say something I didn't want to? If I felt uncomfortable and didn't want to do it, leave me the H*&L alone!

  If I tried it and still didn't like it, leave me the H%^L alone!

  Needless to say, that KM part on informal witnessing this week was a bit disturbing. It was something I rarely did in the past because I found it uncomfortable. And I used to ridicule (to myself) those that were always talking about their religion or Jesus. So why should I do it too?

  As I heard that info the other night, I thought about how I will never informal witness again. In fact, it brought me back to the last time I did it, just as I was waking up to the smell of WT BS. I tried to inform a coworker what I believed in because he asked. He thought it sounded ridiculous. I'm glad he was so forward because at that time, deep down inside, I knew I didn't believe it either.

  Hey wait a second! That was a positive experience in informal witnessing! It does work.....on me. It helped wake me up!! LOL

  CoC
• 
  91

  Newbie: Roll Call ---- Oldies Returning: Roll Call

  by cameo-d in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have noticed a lot of newbies lately.

  (i also noticed that after being absent for a year happy1975 is making a return visit.).

  so, if you are a brand spanking newbie, post here and tell us a little about your interests, your state, your new direction in life, your favorite things, whatever you want to say---this is your thread.. .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Crisis of Conscience

  Thanks a bunch flipper !! I love it here!!

  CoC
• 
  194

  Bethel Rules

  by brotherdan in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  this was brought up just in passing on another thread.

  but i wanted to see if there are any bethelites or ex bethelites that remember some of the crazy rules we had to follow when we were there..

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Crisis of Conscience

  elderelite - You had to dress to go to all meals (shirt and tie) no matter what your job was. So you showered and changed min three times a day.

  you had to dresses to WALK to work (shirt and tie)

  Because of the job I was assigned to do, this drove me insane! At first I managed to only have to change clothes twice. And then they enforced the rule at Patterson that during dinner time, you could not go to the dining room and glean food if you were in clothes other than dress pants and dress shirt. Ties were still optional.

  Also, you weren't supposed to have guests in YOUR room overnight wothout permission.

  Saturdays - You had to attend morning worship. I learned really quick from a brother who had been at Bethel for over 10 years that it wasn't necessary, and no one seemed to ask. So I rarely went after that.

  And then I had to work Saturday mornings but I never had any work to do. Everyone else was off because of their time at Bethel. I began to wonder what my purpose was a Bethel.

  BETHEL CAME FIRST!! Obnoxious rule. (Not kidding either. They really said that.)

  CoC
• 
  10

  For those still "in" for whatever reason, how long did it take you to disconnect from the things you were taught?

  by Crisis of Conscience in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i'm coming up on a year of when i first "woke up" regarding the org.

  i still am "in" because i am trying to weigh out my options.

  my wife is still mentally "in" and i know way to many people.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Crisis of Conscience

  @ Doubting Bro - That is my next goal - to step aside from any congregational responsibilities. And this site is really giving me the strength and confidence to do it. Now for timing................................ It's coming. I can feel it.

  @ WalkTall - Thank you. Your example gives me hope that I can survive. At this point I've managed to control any screaming in my head. Their words mean nothing. I wish you the best.

  CoC
• 
  10

  For those still "in" for whatever reason, how long did it take you to disconnect from the things you were taught?

  by Crisis of Conscience in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i'm coming up on a year of when i first "woke up" regarding the org.

  i still am "in" because i am trying to weigh out my options.

  my wife is still mentally "in" and i know way to many people.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Crisis of Conscience

  I agree with Mickey mouse. I personally don't feel like I just have to leave or that I can't take the meetings anymore, despite being "awake" for a year. My problem, if I can call it a problem, is that I really am a people person. I'm not ready to loose everyone socially. So I play the game. And as long as nobody is shunning me because they don't really know how I feel, it doesn't seem to matter what I believe. I realize it may not be like this forever. But hey, I'll ride the wave!

  Keeping quiet is tough, but I just don't feel the stress that I used to. Sure I hear ridiculous things at the meeting, but I don't go home and "meditate" on them. And yes this site is the major reason I don't have that stress. I can express myself without repercussions!!

  Like St George of England , my wife is definitely a factor. I really, really, really have a good woman. She is not 100% brainwashed and that makes it a little easier. And I don't want to force things and cause problems. Slowly I hope to help her open her eyes.

  @ thenoblelodge - I actually do think almost daily, or rather wish, some big problem would arise in the congregation that would open my wife's eyes and cause her to say, "Deuces! I'm out!" And I would gladly support her. One can dream, aye.

  CoC
• 
  9

  Finally talked to my dad about it...

  by gutted in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  last night i finally talked to my dad about some of my views and problems with being a witness.

  he brought it up as he heard i am no longer going to meetings.. .

  his line of reasoning was interesting, though very similar to "it's god's organization, just follow it".

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Crisis of Conscience

  This is a great thread! Oh and what's with people talking to their fathers lately? LOL

  I have had the same conversation with my father recently. And let me say, that gollygeegoshdarned belief in the FDS is a tough nut to crack!!

  My father finally admitted to me that he hasn't attended a meeting in quite a while (which I already suspected). I thought this could be a good time to plant some seeds. So I let him know that I was very discouraged, though still attending meetings. I asked him his reason and he gave it to be the way some of the brothers in his hall act/acted as the cause.

  So from there it turned into a conversation lasting a few hours. I brought up doubts I had and things that I felt didn't make sense. He surprisingly agreed and admitted he thought about a lot of those things for a long time, even when he first started studying and got baptized. He said he especially hated the man-made titles and positions.

  But alas, in the end he still feels there is a FDS. Despite acknowledging the flip flops in teaching!! Now he attended the convention,said he really enjoyed it, and says he wants to start going back to the meetings but finds it difficult. AAARRGH!!

  I understand the frustration you all have with family, as I am in the same boat. I wish you all the best in the struggle.

  CoC
• 
  10

  For those still "in" for whatever reason, how long did it take you to disconnect from the things you were taught?

  by Crisis of Conscience in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i'm coming up on a year of when i first "woke up" regarding the org.

  i still am "in" because i am trying to weigh out my options.

  my wife is still mentally "in" and i know way to many people.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Crisis of Conscience

  I'm coming up on a year of when I first "woke up" regarding the org. I still am "in" because I am trying to weigh out my options. My wife is still mentally "in" and I know way to many people. And I must admit that at this point, as has been said on this site before, it is more of a social club to me now.

  But I attend the meetings regularly with my wife and am still serving in a "position of responsibilty." (TM)

  Yet I really feel completely disconnected from any of the things said at the hall. Certain things I hear only spring up thoughts of disgust. But the words in general no longer reach my heart. And I don't seem to feel a shred of guilt. All that's left is finding MY form of escape, what will work for me.

  So those of you still "in", how long did it take to adjust to having to attend like a robot? (You don't have to explain why you are still "in".) How do you feel when you are at a meeting? And how do you cope in general?

  Aw heck, even those out already are welcome to comment. I appreciate the input!!

  CoC
• 
  91

  Newbie: Roll Call ---- Oldies Returning: Roll Call

  by cameo-d in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have noticed a lot of newbies lately.

  (i also noticed that after being absent for a year happy1975 is making a return visit.).

  so, if you are a brand spanking newbie, post here and tell us a little about your interests, your state, your new direction in life, your favorite things, whatever you want to say---this is your thread.. .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Crisis of Conscience

  BTTT

  Time for the new folk to gather up and introduce yourselves if you already haven't. Welcome!!

  CoC