Posts by Reopened Mind

46

what religion are you now?

by deservingone26 in

jw
friends

its been a while since ive been on how is everyone doing?

but just curious after you left jehovahs witnesses did you look into other religions?

or are any of you currently involved in any other religions now?.

My husband said I am a secular humanist which is what I call myself although I have not joined any group. This most closely defines what I now believe. I do not accept belief in anything supernatural. I think everything has an explanation even though we may never know what that may be. I believe in the human spirit, not any supernatural "holy spirit". I do not understand the shades of difference in the definitions of "atheist", "agnostic", "secular humanist", so I suppose all apply to me in some sense.

Before I became a Witness I had strong doubts in the existence of a loving, caring god. I thought the Bible was simply a collection of stories for the purpose of teaching children moral lessons. I was confident that science would answer all questions. I have returned to those basic beliefs with refinements. Thus I call myself Reopened Mind.

Reopened Mind

21

New to the Board

by 30 years out in

jw
friends

i am finally on board after lurking here for quite some time.

i have been impressed and depressed by what i have seen here and hope i can add something meaningful.

a little personal history: i was born the son of the then "congregation servant" and his wife.

Reopened Mind

30 years out,

I never could understand the prejudice people had toward those who were gay or black or communist or anything else for that matter. For the most part we all want the same thing---to live in peace with our fellow humans. Our differences is what enhances the fabric of our lives. Yet at one time I too was the judgemental narrow minded cult member. If feels so good to accept people for what they are instead of trying to squeeze them into something they cannot be.

I am happy for you that you have a life partner of 14 years.

Just curious, do you have any contact with your child?

Reopened Mind

32

What's The Longest You've Been In A Relationship?

by minimus in

jw
friends

and if you were dating someone "seriously", how long did that last?.

Reopened Mind

Congratulations to Vanderhoven7 and his wife(?) for 40 years.

TotallyADD and I passed the 37 year mark in March. Like typical JWs we dated for less than a year before we married.

It matters not the length of time but the strength of the relationship.

Reopened Mind

59

It's could've damn you! COULD'VE!! Not "could of". Aaaaaaargh!

by nicolaou in

jw
friends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3y0cd2cocs.

.

Reopened Mind

I, too, am one who likes to hear English spoken correctly, although from an American standpoint. One of my pet peeves was hearing the speaker say, "Turn to Psalms 83:18" instead of Psalm 83:18. And yes using "of" instead of "have".

For the first several years of our marriage I would constantly correct my husband's grammar and pronounciation. When he became an elder I thought he would appreciate learning how to speak better on stage. Unfortunately all that happened was that he just became more irritated with me. I gradually learned to let it slide most of the time. Well about four years ago he was diagnosed with ADD (he's the poster who goes by the name of TotallyADD) and he feels he has mild dyslexia. So now I've learned to be more understanding and try to listen more for what he is really saying and not so much as how he is saying it. Being raised by Witness parents who themselves did not speak English well and having no motivation to do well in school because the world was going to be destroyed anyway gave him little motivation to apply himself to learning how to speak and write correctly. So now I am just grateful that I have a good man by my side who has come to see the cult of Watchtower for what it really is and we are leaving together and making a new life for ourselves.

Reopened Mind

35

Well I've been 10 years on here

by mouthy in

jw
friends

am i still the oldest?

84???

?and the stupidist?.

Reopened Mind

Mouthy,

Like fine wine you are aging Grace-fully. You're not getting older, you're getting better.

We young whippersnappers need your maturity. So don't you leave.

Reopened Mind

16

She won't do it so I will. Be one year for Reopened Mind on JWN

by TotallyADD in

jw
friends

yesterday reopened mind told me it has been a year on jwn.

i asked her how many times has she posted in this last year?

she said not as many times as you.

Reopened Mind

LOL I told TotallyADD I'm like Mr. Ed; "I never speak unless I have something to say".

But guys, seriously, we both thank all of you for your support over the last year.

Reopened Mind

41

My 9th Year On Here........

by Mary in

jw
friends

holy crapola!

i joined this board 9 years ago today......i can't believe it's been that long.

i miss alot of the ones that were on here when i first joined: unclebruce, dr. jekyll, gumby, kw13, littletoe, xena, simplesally, dansk, bendrr, englishman, ozziepost, luna, brummie, juni, buttlight.......we had a lot of fun on the board but it's nice that there's alot of newbies on here too.......plus, i ain't the only old timer on here!

Reopened Mind

Mary,

Ditto what Vampire said. And HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! I have found your post always insightful, always interesting.

Reopened Mind

21

They May Have Hit The Bottom Of Dumb

by metatron in

jw
friends

the new brochure, learn from god and live forever", is a new low for the watchtower society in descending into illiteracy and ignorance.

it dips lower than the old "enjoy life" brochure.

it is hard for me to imagine what the thinking behind this work is, when the intended reading level is so profoundly abysmal.

Reopened Mind

What on earth are they hoping for? What kind of membership does this attract?

They are hoping for people who are not smart enough to ask questions or notice any changes.

They will definitely be a burden. But wait! They are not a charity organization. So quess who will be left to support them?

In the congregation we just exited there were just such people, one of whom was the Watchtower conductor who was functionally illiterate.

Don't get me wrong. I have nothing personal against people who did not have the opportunity to get an education. But becoming a member of the WT cult effectively stops any chance they will have of bettering themselves. So sad, pathetic really.

Years ago we were told that since Jehovah could read hearts he would take care of the mentally ill.

Reopened Mind

31

Amazing photos ....

by talesin in

jw
friends

from my friend's new website.. .

http://www.joeislesphotography.ca/slideshow.php.

.

Reopened Mind

Those were amazing photos talesin. Thanks for sharing.

Reopened Mind

47

Info For Newbies and Current Jehovah's Witnesses! Please Read!

by mentallyfree31 in

example: gravity is real.

because if 607 bce is wrong, then so is 1914 and 1918 and 1919. very simple.

so if we cannot trust secular research, then we can definitely discard the date of 607 bce.

Reopened Mind

mentallyfree31,

Thank you so much for posting such a logical argument. I am sorry to say that even though I was a lurker when you originally posted this I did not find it.

Point #6 about god destroying children who's only crime was not having heard about him was something that had bothered when I began studying with the Witnesses. Then cognitive dissonance became so entrenched that that concern became buried.

I have sent a copy of your essay to my son who has awakened to the truth about the "Truth" as he lives near JW in laws. My hope though is that he can use these arguments to help his wife and eventually get his family out of the cult.

This thread deserves to keep getting bumped.

Reopened Mind