Posts by lostinnj83

63

What were your favorite assembly foods?

by NoRegrets in

so i'm young enough to not remember having hot prepared meals at assemblies, but heard all about it from my parents and the like.

but what i do remember were all of the cold sandwiches and institutional snacks and soda.

remember the food tickets we started to use?

For those still "in"... is it just me?

by leaving_quietly in

jw
friends

i'm still "in" and i've noticed an odd trend recently.

conversations with jws seem to be more jw-ish than ever!

in normal conversation, i'll hear: "these watchtowers are just wonderful!

lostinnj83

Perhaps we are picking up on these types of things much more now that we are "awake". Probably went over our heads before. I am so tired of hearing "the slave" this or that!!

But yeah I agree, the more I stay "in" the more cultish and creepy it gets for me.

19

For anyone unsure as to whether JW's are a cult..please read...

by lostinnj83 in

if the informaiton i am posting is redundant or has been posted, please forgive me.. i know we are all at different stages of this journey.

for me i am still "in" but working towards being out and leaving.

any one in this position or who has been here knows how diffucult of a time this can be.

lostinnj83

Thanks for posting Finkelstein.

The "BORG" matches up with ALL of those too!

1

For anyone still unsure as to whether the JW

by lostinnj83 in

For anyone unsure as to whether JW's are a cult..please read...

by lostinnj83 in

if the informaiton i am posting is redundant or has been posted, please forgive me.. i know we are all at different stages of this journey.

for me i am still "in" but working towards being out and leaving.

any one in this position or who has been here knows how diffucult of a time this can be.

lostinnj83

If the informaiton I am posting is redundant or has been posted, please forgive me.

I know we are all at different stages of this journey. For me I am still "in" but working towards being out and leaving. Any one in this position or who has been here knows how diffucult of a time this can be. Our emotions are running on high. We don't know what to believe. We are unsure if we are making the right choice with wanting to investigate things for ourselves. We are doing so much research, we are on here, we are watching you tube videos, we are asking ourselves over and over if we are making the right decision? What if the JW's had it right? Where do I go from here? There are some really nice people in this organization, they can't possibly be a cult, can they? Have we really been lied to all this time?

Check this list out for yourself and see how the JW compares. The list gives the criteria of a mind control/brainwashed/spiritually abusive environment.

I came to the very harsh and sad realization that the JW's met each and every one of these criteria. See for yourself. I know for me it was truly heartbreaking, but maybe for you this is just the confirmation you need to walk away.

In the book, Lifton outlines the "Eight Criteria for Thought Reform":

Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of "Brainwashing" in China is a non-fiction book by psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton on the psychology of brainwashing and mind control.

Milieu Control . This involves the control of information and communication both within the environment and, ultimately, within the individual, resulting in a significant degree of isolation from society at large.
Mystical Manipulation . The manipulation of experiences that appears spontaneous but is, in fact, planned and orchestrated by the group or its leaders in order to demonstrate divine authority, spiritual advancement, or some exceptional talent or insight that sets the leader and/or group apart from humanity, and that allows reinterpretation of historical events, scripture, and other experiences. Coincidences and happenstance oddities are interpreted as omens or prophecies.
Demand for Purity . The world is viewed as black and white and the members are constantly exhorted to conform to the ideology of the group and strive for perfection. The induction of guilt and/or shame is a powerful control device used here.
Confession . Sins, as defined by the group, are to be confessed either to a personal monitor or publicly to the group. There is no confidentiality; members' "sins," "attitudes," and "faults" are discussed and exploited by the leaders.
Sacred Science . The group's doctrine or ideology is considered to be the ultimate Truth, beyond all questioning or dispute. Truth is not to be found outside the group. The leader, as the spokesperson for God or for all humanity, is likewise above criticism.
Loading the Language . The group interprets or uses words and phrases in new ways so that often the outside world does not understand. This jargon consists of thought-terminating clichés, which serve to alter members' thought processes to conform to the group's way of thinking.
Doctrine over person . Members' personal experiences are subordinated to the sacred science and any contrary experiences must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the ideology of the group.
Dispensing of existence . The group has the prerogative to decide who has the right to exist and who does not. This is usually not literal but means that those in the outside world are not saved, unenlightened, unconscious and they must be converted to the group's ideology. If they do not join the group or are critical of the group, then they must be rejected by the members. Thus, the outside world loses all credibility. In conjunction, should any member leave the group, he or she must be rejected also. [3]

1

For anyone still unsure as to whether the JW

by lostinnj83 in

lostinnj83

53

Why Did You Get Baptised

by God_Delusion in

hi guys,.

so then, why did you get dunked?

were you pressured into it too, or did you do it because you honestly thought it was the right thing to do?.

lostinnj83

I was 11! What did I know??

7

Do you ever wonder...

by OneDayillBeFree in

if there are any brothers or sisters in your kingdom hall that are mentally awake to ttatt?.

do you ever wonder if some of the posters here (who are still in) are in your hall?

studies, un-baptized publishers, pioneers, ministerial servants, elders?

lostinnj83

I was at the hall yesterday sitting there thinking who else is of the conscious class?

47

Should Employers be WARNED about Jehovahs Witnesses

by BlindersOff1 in

any gov agency or private company that has private personal info of customers/clients should be aware.

its common knowledge to long time witnesses that jws will violate customer privacy laws and rules when they see something a customer does or buys that they think jw congregation elders should know about .

thats right they will spy for the elders.. .

lostinnj83

Well religion should not play a role as to whether a person gets a job or doesn't, however JW's involve religion. They choose an organization over the law. so in that case I feel it should be disclosed.

I knew of a person who had access to public records reporting to the elders that someone unmarried was treated for an STD. That is completely unacceptable to me.

64

I'm new, please come and meet me!

by Julia Orwell in

jw
friends

long time lurker, first time poster.

i'm really glad i can join your community because i've been in the wts for the last 14 years and now i'm on my way out and it's great to meet like-minded people!.

about me: i started learning jw ways when i was in my teens.

lostinnj83

Hello & Welcome

I also have a husband who is still a believer, we are both "born-ins" though.

PM me if you ever want to chat.