Posts by ABibleStudent

57

Writing campaign to Washington DC papers in view of International Convention

by Londo111 in

ive heard from a credible source that the landover (dc) international convention is important to the society in view of the 100 year anniversary of "kingdom rule" and the location being near the capital of the "seventh world power".

perhaps they hope this particular international sends a message.

we know that come convention time usually there is some feel good fluff piece in the newspapers about the watchtower religion.

ABibleStudent

Hi Band on the Run, I like your thought about writing an Op-Ed to the NY Times about dangerous cults in general (and the WTBTS in specific). Since this thread is about writing a letter to the editor of the Washington Post, have you thought about starting a new thread about writing Op-Ed's to major newspapers? I would comment to such a thread.

Since the NY Times Op-Ed limits opinions from 400 to 1200 words and becomes the property of the NY Times, I feel the following simple template would have a high probablility of being published when written by exJWs.

[Edit paragraph as needed] I was a member of a dangerous cult. I didn't believe it when I was in. The Watchtower/JW.org even explained why I wasn't in a cult and I believed them! Based on my experience anyone can be "unduly inluenced" to join a dangerous cult when they stop critically thinking for themselves and blindly follow their leaders. There are lots of dangerous cults to choose from today!

[Insert brief paragraph to describe the Watchtower/JW.org and how you were recruited/born into the Watchtower.]

[Insert brief paragraph how long you were a JW, what you did in the organization, and how you were treated.]

[Insert brief paragraph telling how/why you awoke and what it cost you personally because of the Watchtower's/JW.org's doctrines.]

[Edit paragraph as needed to express your feelings based on your experiences] As the Watchtower rebrands itself as JW.org and celebrates its 100 year anniversary of “Kingdom Rule”, I sadly remember Witness victims of sexual abuse and molestation, those who died refusing whole-blood transfusions, and those who have been victimized by the Organization’s shunning doctrine and hope for more merciful changes for the Organization.

[Edit paragraph as needed] Beware of any organization, whose members say that only they have the "Truth" and promote ostracizing (e.g., shunning) members for leaving! To paraphrase Walter C. Langer, “People will believe a big lie sooner than a little one, and if a dangerous cult repeats it frequently enough, people will sooner or later believe it.”

[Edit paragraph as needed] Before accepting invitations to participate in religious or marketing organizations, please independently research and critically think for yourself about their history and doctrines and about dangerous cults by visiting reputable websites like www.freedomofmind.com or research the organization through the internet. Before accepting a bible study from Witnesses, please visit reputable websites like www.jwfacts.com , www. and watchtowerdocuments.com and search the internet for additional information . Confront your doubts and fears, so that you don't waste your life being a victim.

The following are links to HOW-TO submit opinions to the NY Times:

Submit an Op-Ed

Submit an Opinion Video

Submit a Letter

I wish that ApostateChick would create an opinion video for the NY Times like her following video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DbfC4RcLAY&NR=1&feature=endscreen

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

57

Writing campaign to Washington DC papers in view of International Convention

by Londo111 in

ive heard from a credible source that the landover (dc) international convention is important to the society in view of the 100 year anniversary of "kingdom rule" and the location being near the capital of the "seventh world power".

perhaps they hope this particular international sends a message.

we know that come convention time usually there is some feel good fluff piece in the newspapers about the watchtower religion.

ABibleStudent

Hi Londo111, Although I would prefer that Barbara Anderson (or Raymond Franz if he was living) write to the Washington Post because of her extensive knowledge of the inner workings of Bethel or Candace Conti, any JW who has changed their minds about believing that the WTBTS has any "Truth" and then lost relationships with close friends and family members could easily write a very poignant story to any News editor using the following template.

The most important things to remember are to write a respectiful and heart-wrenching story about one's personal experiences, to be compassionate towards JWs, and to remind readers to independently research the WTBTS and to critically think for oneself before accepting a bible study with a JW.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

template for letters to the editor

[Insert brief paragraph how long you were a JW and what you are actively doing to educate people about the Watchtower/JW.org or to help JWs.]

[Insert brief paragraph telling how/why you awoke and what it cost you personally because of the Watchtower's/JW.org's doctrines.]

[Edit paragraph as needed] As the Organization rebrands itself as JW.org and celebrates its 100 year anniversary of “Kingdom Rule” at its international convention in Landover (DC), I sadly remember Witness victims of sexual abuse and molestation, those who died refusing whole-blood transfusions, and those who have been victimized by the Organization’s shunning doctrine and hope for more merciful changes for the Organization.

Before accepting a bible study from Witnesses, please independently research and critically think for yourself about the Watchtower’s history and doctrines and about dangerous cults by visiting reputable websites like www.jwfacts.com,www.watchtowerdocuments.com, and www.freedomofmind.com.

57

Writing campaign to Washington DC papers in view of International Convention

by Londo111 in

ive heard from a credible source that the landover (dc) international convention is important to the society in view of the 100 year anniversary of "kingdom rule" and the location being near the capital of the "seventh world power".

perhaps they hope this particular international sends a message.

we know that come convention time usually there is some feel good fluff piece in the newspapers about the watchtower religion.

ABibleStudent

BTTT

I wish that Barbara Anderson would write a short letter to the editor of the Washington Post ([email protected]) to celebrate the Watchtower's international convention similar to the hypothetical letter below. Unfortunately, the hypothetical letter is < 325 words and not less than 200 words and does not reference a specific article in the Washington Post, so it would probably not be printed by the Post.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

hypothetical letter to the editor using information from Barbara Anderson's website www.watchtowerdocuments.com

I was a member of Jehovah's Witnesses from 1954 to 1998. I worked at the Watchtower's headquarters in Brooklyn, NY, from 1982 to 1992 where during my last three years there, I researched its official history as well as wrote a number of articles for the Awake! magazine. I have also done extensive research on issues related to child sexual abuse in the Watchtower organization leading to interviews on major TV and radio programs as an outspoken critic of Jehovah's Witnesses sexual abuse policies.

Before leaving the Watchtower’s Headquarters in 1992, I was authorized to collect information to alert and prove to the Governing Body of the Watchtower about a serious problem with child sexual abuse within the organization. Although I love individual Witnesses, I was in a dilemma. I could not keep my “compassion” in check and be silent about what I had learned about the hidden child sexual abuse scandal within the Organization. In 1997 my concerns for protecting innocent children within the Organization caused me to slowly fade from the Witnesses and opened my mind to other problems within the Organization.

Championing child protection within the Organization has come at great personal costs to me and my husband. After being disfellowed by the Organization in 2002, close friends and my son’s family strictly shun us in accordance with the Watchtower’s shunning doctrine.

As the Organization rebrands itself as JW.org and celebrates its 100 year anniversary of “Kingdom Rule” at its international convention in Landover (DC), I sadly remember Witness victims of sexual abuse and molestation, those who died refusing whole-blood transfusions, and those who have been victimized by the Organization’s shunning doctrine and hope for more merceful changes for the Organization.

Before accepting a bible study from Witnesses, please independently research and critically think for yourself about the Watchtower’s history and doctrines and about dangerous cults by visiting reputable websites like www.jwfacts.com, www.watchtowerdocuments.com, and www.freedomofmind.com.

43

When You See A Witness What's Your Reaction?

by minimus in

jw
friends

is it a feeling of---oh no!!?.

are you happy to see them?.

do you have a feeling of consternation?.

ABibleStudent

If I know a JW or JWs are out in service, I will say hi to them or attempt to engage them in conversation. I like being nice to them and causing them cognitive dissonnance.

Today, I saw my Spiritually-Strong (non-thinking) JW and former friend at Trader Joe's. I walked up to her and said hi. She responded that she could not get rid of me with a little laugh and attempted to give me a friendly hug. I haven't seen her for a few months when I attempted to say hi to her when she visited the gym that I go to.

We had a pleasant conversation for about 10 minutes talking about what we were doing in our lives. Unfortunately, I stated that I thought that the judicial committee's decision was B.S. to disfellowship her for engaging in pornei with the JW who she was/is dating. I doubt they reached 2nd base. I really wanted to scream at her (but didn't) that she is in a dangerous cult and how foolish she was for going to and telling the elders what she and her boyfriend did.

Then she said the thought-stopping platitude that that is the reason that we could never be together, I wished that I had said, "I have two better reasons than that for not being in a relationship with you." I would love to say to her that I could never be in a menage à trois relationship with someone I love nor with a member of a dangerous cult.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

34

Why is shunning wrong?

by noonehome in

consider an example i often hear.

youre sitting at a dinner table.

the topic of conversation is regarding your mother.

ABibleStudent

IMHO it is alright to excommunicate or disfellow members, but it is not acceptable for an organization to promote that members must ostracize former members. Organizations that promote ostracation (e.g., shunning) or discrimination (e.g., not associating with non-members) victimize their members. Organizations that use undue influence to promote ostracation or discrimination are worse.

People have brains and should be free to make their own decisions - good or bad.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

9

what is the current procedure for moving congregations?

by solomon in

i am moving congregations soon and what is the best way to do it.

do you just show up in the new place and tell the elders you are new there and they will deal with it?.

ABibleStudent

Hi solomon, Are you moving to another congregation or are you trying to fade quietly by moving to another congregation? If the later, you might get more recommendations about selecting what congregation to move to as well as when to stop attending.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

4

Pilot project - Jehovah's Witnesses in Manhattan

by LogCon in

jw
friends

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbohitd8goi.

the above you tube link shows jw's setting up the new cart complete with recorded interviews of the witnesses who are tending them.. in addition, the jw reporter interviews people on the street for their reaction.

the comments individuals make are very positive, such as the following:.

ABibleStudent

I feel that the WTBTS propaganda carts are a great idea by the WTBTS to thin the flock. I can hardly wait to encounter one myself. May be the WTBTS will have a cart at the Salsa Festival this weekend!!

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

42

Is the Bible just as fake as the JW's

by BackSlider in

jw
friends

it seems that the more i research, the more i find that it's all just a big scam.

is there any evidence that even the bible isn't just another big religion/government scam?

would we listen to putin or obama if they told us they have verified new holy writings?

ABibleStudent

IMHO the bible is a collection of stories (especially the OT) that can be described as didactic literature (read NOVA | Archeology of the Hebrew Bible - PBS). The creators of the stories wanted to convey a message. That message was conveyed by word of mouth until it was written down. Religions/people have used the bible for their own purposes throughout history which has victimized others. The WTBTS/JW.org has perfected victimizing JWs with BITE control, so I feel that the WTBTS is more dangerous than the Bible because the WTBTS/JW.org is a dangerous cult and do victimize JWs.

The bottom line is everyone has a brain, so use your brain and do not blindly follow what other people say. Do your own independent research!

To me the teachings and examples of Jesus Christ are useful to me to live a better life because Jesus Christ's emphasized loving others unconditionally and be wary of religions (i.e., Pharisees and Sadducees). After reading Steve Hassan's books to learn about BITE control, the Gospels become clearer that Jesus Christ was attempting to help Jews to critically think for themselves (or follow the Holy Spirit/Moral Compass inside of themselves) instead of blindly following the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

3

Reaching Out

by jim_bean in

jw
friends

hi all, i'll leave my full story for another time.

but briefly: i was born-in, raised by my single jw-mother, baptised at 18, faded less than 18 months later (never da'd.. or df'd to my knowledge!

), never gone back (though i looked over my shoulder for some time afterwards!

ABibleStudent

Welcome jim_bean, Thanks for relating your story.

Kuddos to you for reaching out to JWs. You are smart to only reach-out to the "Spiritually Weak" (still thinking) JWs and exJWs, because the "Spiritually Strong" (non-thinking) JWs would feel too much cognitive dissonance to do independent research themselves.

You have many options to help JWs/exJWs to overcome the WTBTS's BITE control. I would recommend that you read information by reputable cult-exit couselors such as Steve Hassan's books (i.e., "Combatting Cult Mind Control", "Releasing the Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves", and (his latest book) "Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs"), visiting his website on www.freedomofmind.com, and watching his FREE videos on his website. Just sending them emails with pictures of what you are doing (except for parties) might cause them doubts. If you start talking with them, learning how to overcome them using WTBTS's thought-stopping platitudes might help them to start to critically think for themselves.

Best of wishes on your upcoming Birthday(s) - may you have many more B'parties.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

127

I'm sitting here listening to a JW try to recruit somebody

by Terry in

jw
friends

i'm at starbucks .

just outside in the courtyard.. i'm trembling.

my hands are shaking.. wow!.

ABibleStudent

Terry. I hope that you also volunteered to always talk with him and/or to help Jordan develop a new support network, if his independent research confirms what you are telling him. It is unfortunate that the WTBTS and JWs will not allow JWs to quietly leave and live their lives to their full potential.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert