This is crazy! I told my husband about this awhile ago and he brushed it off. If this was any other religion, he would think they were totally NUTS!!!
Looking forward to reading about Franz.
but i thought it was very insightful as to the craziness of rutherford.
in these articles, he is interviewed by the san diego sun and time magazine.
i'd like to know what everyone thinks!
This is crazy! I told my husband about this awhile ago and he brushed it off. If this was any other religion, he would think they were totally NUTS!!!
Looking forward to reading about Franz.
so i just learned on another thread that there are adults who have never been to a funeral, not that that's a bad thing.
makes me wonder because i got dragged to one at 6, and i still remember how i felt, what song we sang- and who i was sitting next to (an adult, not my mother for some reason) who helped me to stand up to sing the song because i was so distraught.
is it a jw thing to make kids go to funerals?.
I'm really sorry you had to experience that as a child. That would be horrible.
My grandma died when I was maybe 8 or 10? I was too young to understand what was really going on. My parents didn't speak about death, and I don't cope with death...in my mind people aren't "gone," they are still "here." I was at my Grandpa's bedside when he passed, but I still think he's "here."
I think some JWs have a strange response because we're told how to respond: to remember that the person is sleeping and we'll see them soon. If they are wordly, we can hope to see them again too.
when i was a firm believer that the wts was god's chosen organization, i didn't really research too much.
never gave much thought to other opinions.
if the insight book said so, than it was factual.
I am totally obsessed right now. I took furious notes at the convention, even accidentally shaking my head when I didn't agree with something the speaker said. I study my WT and wonder how in the world did I ever believe this! There are few scriptures to back up any of their points. We were taught not to think or question.
Gentile Times Reconsidered was fascinating. I want to read all I can about the WT, and have just started delving into other religious books. Sometimes I wonder if I am normal...most people my age probably don't spend much time thinking about religion and I'm trying to get to the bottom of everything. One question leads to many more. When my husband is out, I'll probably stop obsessing about it. It's so hard to see a critically thinking, intelligent person put the blinders on.
we have been out of the organization since 1-1-2004 - at least that is the way we mark it to remember.
we began to read ray's books in late fall/early winter of 2003 - a thousand pages later and a few weeks - viola - we were out to never return.. i was contemplating just how significantly i have personally changed in that period of time - not the stages, though there have been many stages.
but the raw contrast of my opinions, moral stance, and view of the world is amazing.
Thank you for sharing your story with us Jeff. I am just starting my journey, and realize now that it will be long and difficult, but it will be worth it in the end. There is nothing greater than freedom.
i am asking you for your opinion/advice on questions or ideas to introduce to my friend to make him start doubting the wbts.
no doubt when he sees my new goatee it will be a bit unnerving for him, maybe i could use this as a starting point.
perhaps you have things that have worked others?
I agree with Blondie! I just sent a cryptic message of support and it was intercepted or turned in by the questioning teen. Be careful!!!
so i screwed up big time here.
there's a nice young witness who is leaving the "truth".
i sent them a short facebook message and it seems their parent intercepted it...they asked if i sent anything to their kid today.. i said it jws are cultlike, i had doubts i wished i listened to, and to follow their heart.
Thanks yknot. I'll use that if it comes up again...I called my sis and she coached me through it too, lol. I apologized and overstepped my boundary trying to help appeal to his heart. We'll see what happens now.
Apparently, I like learning lessons the hard way.
so i screwed up big time here.
there's a nice young witness who is leaving the "truth".
i sent them a short facebook message and it seems their parent intercepted it...they asked if i sent anything to their kid today.. i said it jws are cultlike, i had doubts i wished i listened to, and to follow their heart.
This is a really good lesson for anyone who wants to reach out to others!!! Don't trust anyone!!!
I could try the hacked thing too...I'd like to be kinda honest though.
so i screwed up big time here.
there's a nice young witness who is leaving the "truth".
i sent them a short facebook message and it seems their parent intercepted it...they asked if i sent anything to their kid today.. i said it jws are cultlike, i had doubts i wished i listened to, and to follow their heart.
I said "A few months ago I realized JWs are clutlike. I wish I'd listened to my doubts years ago. Follow your heart. If you need to talk, I'm here."
Maybe I can say, yes, I was trying to reach his heart so he knows he's not alone. We all doubt at times, and we can work through them???
so i screwed up big time here.
there's a nice young witness who is leaving the "truth".
i sent them a short facebook message and it seems their parent intercepted it...they asked if i sent anything to their kid today.. i said it jws are cultlike, i had doubts i wished i listened to, and to follow their heart.
LOL, Australia sounds great...I'm screwed!!!
i have 2 small kids, ages 4 and 5 yrs and one on the way (via adoption!).
my husband and i faded/suddenly disappeared last fall, never to go back to meetings.
we outed ourselves and told our super hardcore parents/family members that we didn't believe it anymore, were choosing a different path etc.
I would be really upset if the grandparents wanted to see the children without me or my spouse there. I don't think I would let that happen. Hang in there! I hope things get better for you soon.
In the meantime, you can focus on you and your family, and creating fun traditions and holidays together.