there was quite a debate on another post about the increase/decrease throughout the wt history surrounding 1975 and subsequent time periods when ther have been major adjustments in doctrine.
it was said that the stasticis from 1965-1985 do not reflect a massive defection, despite the failure of the wt's prophecy for the end of the wicked system of things by 1975. .
i see the overlapping generation as another potention issue to cause fallout.
I'm still in but mentally out. It's mainly for my wife's family and social aspects.
As far as people in my hall that also maybe out mentally, it's hard to say. But I would guess maybe less than 5%, and perhaps even lower. There are a lot of older ones and they seem to be true, hardcore believers.
CoC
i get to work, turn on my computer and right away open a tab for jwn, and scan through all the new topics and updates on other interesting ones.
then i leave that tab open all day long to look at the threads when i have time.
then i go home... and read crisis of conscience!.
I'm hooked too! LOL
I can get it away from this site on the weekends or vacation for the most part. But I'm always reading something about the JWs. Getting educated is key.
CoC
have been a member of jwr since 2008 and have not been to hall since june 2009, have celebrated 2 yrs without memorial - woohoo - that being said i have stopped by here frequently and decided yesterday to join your group.. it has been very enjoyable to read your stories as well as the other group i have been with, and so it just seemed reasonable to belong to both.. my story is no differant than all the others, the only thing is i was not born in.
that being said i also have no real issues with being an apostate (although i do believe it is used in the perjorative sense by the wt).. peace - brad.
Hey there Brad. Welcome!
Thanks for sharing your background a little bit too!
One question - what's the status of your wife regarding her stand/beliefs (if you care to discuss it)? (My wife is aware of my current feelings but is still a believer.)
Either way, nice to have you here!
CoC
http://kristenfrihet.se/vtsvar/vtsvar1.pdf.
(thanks to augustin for bringing this to our attention in another thread.
).
Marking
and
Bumping
i have just started my new course to be a qualified counsellor.
naturaly i am studying this because of my own background and now i want to help others who have had similar strains on their lives.. i know the pressure that the jw organisation puts on its members, so i was wondering, if you dont mind saying so of course, did any of you attend counselling sessions due to the pressures and problems that the jw life brought along?.
i can imagine that the majority of my old congregation (myself, my dad and my brother included) would need some form of counselling or medication in order to remain sane.
Yes to the OP, and I highly recommend it.
CoC
i'm pleased to announce that despite some considerable teething troubles (of which many of you will be aware!
), the 2011 survey of jws is back on the road!
there is no need for any donations, so none will be asked for in any way, shape or form.
Way to go cedars! Great job!
CoC
are the wbt$ spies watching us?
i like to think we are guiding them although they hate us so much they are even suggesting we should be killed!
they have already called us 'mentally diseased'.. on the forums and elsewhere we've seen this quote many times =.
Nice catch punkofnice. Thanks for sharing!
CoC
Mine I picked for 2 reasons.
1st, because Crisis of Conscience seemed like a great book to read upon my waking up. (And when I finally read it, it was!)
And 2nd, because upon waking up, I was having a literal crisis of conscience as to the JW's claiming to have the truth (that's what I'd been taught for years), and realizing they didn't. The crisis involved what decisions to make and steps to take next.
CoC
as an ex-jw do you tell people about your jw past?
how much detail do you go into when you tell non-jw's about the organization.
i usually only ever say anything if somebody asks about my religious affiliation or mentions jw's.
Although I'm stilll "in" but inactive, I do make an effort to let others know about what I have been a part of. I only do that if the conversation leans that direction in some way.
I hated informal witnessing in the past, but I tried to do it at times because I thought I had to. However, I avoided it as much as I could.
It was actually an informal witnessing conversation though that aided me in going further to find out the truth about the "truth". I was already doubting and so my defense regarding my religion was weak, and I knew it.
So now I feel it is good to anti-witness because it feels like a release of the things I have been taught and no longer believe. It doesn't involve pushing anyone to join any crazy religious group. But it certainly makes them aware to stay clear, especially if they were already suspicious or doubting, of the JWs.
CoC
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That's great iclone! I enjoy my Saturdays very much. I only made it to the rank of MS, but I was like you, very faithful in supporting the Saturday "arrangement".
I haven't been out in service for months now and I don't miss a thing of it. Sleeping in feels great, and at times I enjoy working out also, but mostly spend time with my father. (My wife is still semi-regular in service, but some Saturdays are spent with her which I very much enjoy.) Sometimes, I even work!!! LOL
Enjoy yourself with your family and keep up the good work with your wife!
CoC
