Deepest symapthies from TotallyADD and Reopened Mind.
Reopened Mind
JoinedPosts by Reopened Mind
-
65
A Brother Died At Bethel
by MrFreeze ini got a text from my mom when i got into work today saying that a brother i've known for a while had died.
he was a bethelite and they found him dead in his room.
he was the same age as me.
-
-
-
32
If the Watch Tower Society discontinued shunning.... new survey!!
by cedars ini'm pleased to announce that juan viejo2 has launched a new mini-survey on jwsurvey.org.
the survey tackles the premise that the society might one day abandon shunning (at least between family members) and asks: what effect might this have on us?.
the survey is primarily targeted at df'd/da'd and active jws, although there is one question applicable to all, which asks simply whether you agree with the practice of shunning.. there are only a handful of questions, so if you feel inclined, please do visit and take the survey on the link below:.
-
-
Reopened Mind
cedars,
I looked at your survey regarding shunning. I am neither an active Witness nor DF/DA. Therefore I did not answer any questions as I felt it did not pertain to me. I do agree with the above posters who say the Society will never do away with shunning. Shunning those who leave and instilling fear into those who stay is a powerful tool to keep the flock in line. I must say I was a good JW while in and communicating with someone who left had no bearing on my leaving. What began my awakening was an article in our local newspaper, then looking up an internet site, and reading, reading, reading.
When our oldest son was 18 and still living at home he was disfellowshipped for what would be considered by any non cult member as normal teenage stuff. His father, an elder at the time, and I would talk to him about anything not related to Watchtower land. He was reinstated a year later and has since left. He confessed he knew then there was no holy spirit guiding the elders on his committee because they would not believe him when he told them the truth.
TotallyADD and I moved 1000 miles away to fade from the clutches of the WT. Although there is an active congregation in this town we have not been contacted in the year we have lived here. Maybe they're not that active after all. We do live on the outer fringes of their territory.
Reopened Mind
-
52
cowboy films.
by bigmac insome of us uk members of a certain age really enjoy cowboy films.. what was your most favourite cowboy film of all time?.
mine was on tv again today-----.
---- the magnificent seven.
-
-
Reopened Mind
My favorite cowboy movie is "Dances With Wolves", especially the four hour version.
I named a dog Sisko after the horse in the movie and a cat Two Socks after the wolf in "Dances With Wolves". Next month Two Socks will be 23 years old. Sisko, being a rottie only lived to 14 years of age.
Reopened Mind
-
56
5/15 WT - WT Society Displays Condescending Attitude towards Marriage
by flipper inas most of us know the wt society has always claimed that it's dissapproved in god's sight to marry a non-jw .
although they've never made it a disfellowshipping offense, any jw who marries outside the jw organization is looked at as " weak " or lacking " spirituality " and loses certain alleged " privileges " in the congregations.
they use scriptures in the old testament as support for this.
-
-
Reopened Mind
TotallyADD and I dated according to all the WT rules, including being chaperoned during our courtship, then we were married in a kingdom hall. We raised our two boys in the organization. Were we happy? Not really, the WT kept us too busy to notice whether we were getting what we needed for our own happiness. Now that we have both left together we find we are freer to express what we really feel. We have drawn closer together as we discover our authentic selves. My life is so much better now that I am married to someone who is not a WT drone. TotallyADD and I just passed 38 years together March 23.
Reopened Mind
-
79
What does your profile name say about you?
by usualusername ini use usualusername as i am not creative enough to think of anything sexier.... .
what significance is there behind your profile name?.
.
-
-
Reopened Mind
I closed my mind when I joined the WT. Sites like AJWRB.org, freeminds.org, jwfacts.com, and of course JWN have helped me reopen my mind.
Reopened Mind
-
31
Be a part of research about leaving the JWs...
by TerriO inhi guys,.
some of you may remember me, i've been on here before in the past and been about on the exjws forums on and off for about 7 years now.
you've probably also seen me advertising the xjw meet ups in london as well..... :-).
-
-
Reopened Mind
I was happy to participate in your survey TerriO.
Thanks to JamieBowers for making the link clickable.
Reopened Mind
-
41
Tomorrow is a big day for me
by coffee_black ini will be 60 tomorrow.
on the one hand, it's just a number.
on the other hand, it's a big number.... .
-
-
Reopened Mind
CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE! Dance to the music!
Congratulations for making it to 60. Congratulations for escaping the WT. You deserve to have a wonderful day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many more.
Reopened Mind
-
33
When Someone You Love Is Removed As An Elder!
by Bubblegum Apotheosis inlast week we lost a wonderful elder (removed, stepped down is what i will believe) , this man was as real, as you can get.
he loved the sheep,.
his eternal optimism of humanity is a rare quality in the jw religion.
-
-
Reopened Mind
Nugget, what you said really resonates with TotallyADD and me. We experienced similar when he decideda to resign as an elder. There were those who wanted him to remain an elder, but I suspect it was because he was one who would willingly take parts when others were sick, spearhead the remodeling of a woefully neglected hall, help with repair of elderly sisters' houses, serve in any position, not to mention his regularly taking the lead in field service. When hurricanes threatened he called everyone to make sure they had a safe place to stay. Like your husband when he stepped down there was no appreciation for his faithfulness through the years. It is so true what you said, "a bad elder with influence can accomplish more than a good one with principles."
truthseeker1969, please don't make a blanket judgment of all elders. There are good ones. Unfortunately they get chewed up and spit out by the organization. Often they leave due to burn out or frustration. In my 40 years in the organization I have known elders on all points of the sprectrum.
Reopened Mind
-
41
NEW TO JWN and Lovin it!! A Little about me
by Zordino inhello all, i've been on this site for a few weeks (reading for longer) and i have to say this site has helped me a great deal.
i see from reading all the posts that many many people share my views on the whole jw thing and i'm so glad i can express myself without getting into problems with getting reported to the elders or something.
i am currently in my late 30's happily married to a jaydub with 2 kids.
-
-
Reopened Mind
sabastious,
Thank you so much for posting the article explaining why people convert to the JW religion. Since my reawakening I have been wrestling with why I converted in the first place. When I began studying as a teenager I had family trying to dissuade me to no avail. My new Witness friends were so beguiling and they had all the answers to my questions, even ones I had never thought to ask! My research was quickly narrowed to only WT publications so information isolation ocurred to the point where no other explanations were accepted. The girls who studied with me became my closest friends.
Incidently, wouldn't it also make sense that the one willing to give up friendships and acquaintences probably lacks substantial and rewarding involvement with others in the first place?
This was me as a socially awkward teenager.
Reopened Mind
-
14
What is the best way to stop your child becoming an athiest? Great Answer
by finallysomepride in.
-
-
Reopened Mind
So true!