Posts by ABibleStudent

22

Yes, I see you shunning me!

by Blackbird Fly in

even tho i grew up in the org, so much that once seemed normal behavior now seems so bizarre and even cruel.

i have run into at least 3 people from our old cong since the memorial (i didnt attend) anyhow i have noticed how each time they go out of their way to say hello and flash me a big bright smile, only to immediately avert their eyes and end any possible commitment to a conversation.

i dont really care as i dont have anything to say to them anyhow.

ABibleStudent

Hi Blackbird Fly, Why not ask them, "Why are you bringing reproach on the WTBTS?"

When they deny it or ask why are they bringing reproach on the WTBTS, ask them, "Why are you behaving in an unChristian manner and like a member of a dangerous cult?"

When they say that the WTBTS is not a cult, tell them, "I agree with you that the WTBTS is not a religious cult, but it is a dangerous cult. Visit www.freedomofmind.com to learn what a dangerous cult is. Ask yourself why the WTBTS does not reference any recognized and reputable cult experts like Steve Hassan on www.jw.org?"

When they say that they are behaving like "True Christians", then ask them, "Show where in the Bible did Jesus Christ teach shunning or not associating with people who did not believe as he did. If you are Christians, you should be following the examples and teachings of Jesus Christ, and not what "imperfect men" teach JWs."

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

17

Guess What? Elders Can't Get Clergy Insurance !

by metatron in

jw
friends

http://www.americanprofessional.com/clergy/.

elders don't qualify for clergy malpractice insurance, even if they wanted it.

no divinity school degree.. .

ABibleStudent

Interesting idea metatron. If elders owned a house, I wonder if personal liability insurance would cover them? If elders could not get coverage for clergy insurance nor personal liability insurance would cover them for their elder activities, maybe exJWs should write them emails to warn them about how financially risky this "System" could be for them waiting for the Big "A".

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

43

DF'ed and Confused...

by Stumbeline in

so i think the title pretty much says it all.

i have a tendancy to be long winded about things, so i'll just give a general introduction and maybe tell things as i go along.

i don't even really know what i want from this site (ironically i remember jehovahs-witness.net mentioned from the platform as a site not to go to).

ABibleStudent

Welcome Stumbeline, Thanks for sharing your experience. DITTO what punkofnice wrote about reading Steve Hassan's book(s) and Witness My Fury about visiting www.jwfacts.com.

Since you went to college and are 25-years old, you are very lucky and have the rest of your life to enjoy. Make your plans to live your life to reach your full potential. You should consider the following in your plan:

Vent on JWN as much as possible so that you do not make your JW family and friends more suspicious about your attitude and hopefully to discover ways to communicate better with your JW family and friends. No matter what you learn in the future, be compassionate and patient with your JW family and friends. Your best course of action is to live a happy, fun, and interesting life.
Independently research the history and flip flopping doctrines of the WTBTS like you would in college on a subject that you knew nothing about to confirm your doubts or dismiss them. Visit reputable websites like www.jwfacts.com, www.watchtowerdocuments.com, www.jwsurvey.org, www.freeminds2.org, etc.
Read information by reputable cult-exit counselors like Steve Hassan's books ("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"), visit his website at www.freedomofmind.com, and watch his FREE videos on his website. Ask yourself why the WTBTS does not refer to cult-exit counselors by name when the WTBTS writes that it is not a cult?
Search the internet and local newspapers for fun things to do in your community that you enjoy or would like to do and where you can make new non-JW friends. You need to build a support network of unconditional friends, who will be your friends no matter if you believe differently then them. Have you visited www.meetup.com?
If you can afford it, talk with a counselor (preferably a cult-exit councilor) about your feelings and to help you overcome the WTBTS's BITE control that it uses to victimize JWs.
Start/update your Facebook page as a way to let your family know what is happening in your life.

Best of wishes in enjoying a long and happy life. The WTBTS's Big "A" is not coming soon.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

3

Sexual abuse Royal Commission starts in Perth today.

by umbertoecho in

it is sad to see the terrible abuse that has come out of religious socities and how well they have covered things up...so sad infact that i felt compelled to make an application to this commission this morning asking why the wtbts has mangaged to stay out of the news.

i know this is a controversial subject but my story is just one of many stories.....i was a child raised in this religion, i never felt like a good person and was told that i was crazy by my father and the rest of my family, more times than i can recall.

the fact is, i wasn't crazy.

ABibleStudent

Hi umbertoecho (juliette), Thanks for sharing your experience.

I'm sorry that your father abused you. Parents are suppose to love, protect, and encourage thier children - not abuse them. If you can afford to see a reputable counselor, it is worth it to help you realize that you did nothing wrong and you are a good person. Your father was a predator and he victimized you.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love

Robert

112

All appointed men are being told they have to pioneer now!

by stuckinarut2 in

yes, you read correctly..... all appointed men have been told in a new letter that they have to pioneer to "set the lead" whenever there is a "special" campaign month.

they use some scripture saying that these ones have to show by example.... so for any of us who are appointed and have learned ttatt, it is going to be very hard to fade during this time!.

.

ABibleStudent

How much FS do GB members do? If they do less than elders, aren't they being hypocrites?

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

19

Mom is coming over tomorrow. What should I ask?

by Faithful Witness in

my mother is visiting us again tomorrow, only 5 weeks since her last visit.

things seem to be going pretty well with her, and the kids are enjoying having grandma back in our routine.

she is retiring at the end of may (age 65), so she promises that this is going to mean more time with family.

ABibleStudent

Hi Faithful Witness, You did great!!

You may have a plan for your Mom's visits, but the most important things are to listen to what your mother is saying/trying to say, to ask your Mom simple questions, to pause and let your Mom think about what she just said, and to either ask your Mom what she meant or to get her to repeat something that she just said that sounds strange to her. Your mother has doubts and fewer friends at her KH, which is good news to help her ctrically think for herself.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

47

Hi Guys, I'm new here...

by Mikado in

jw
friends

been lurking for years, but couldn't log on.

for some reason, my email spam filter is inaccessable, and ended up having to open another account, simply to become a member... wonder how many others have had a similar problem.. its been an eye opener reading everyones life experiences, often so similar.. i was almost a born in, with a hardcore family.

abusive stepfather who was one of the original jws in the area, so much so, that it was called the xxxxx family religion.... been out for 25 years, am glad every day for that!!.

ABibleStudent

Welcome Mikado, I'm glad that you have enjoyed 25-years of life free from the WTBTS. Have any other membes of your JW family faded or are less active?

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

12

Using Disgust

by jgnat in

another poster saw a flash of ...disgust.... from a loved-one, and pondered the implications.

good catch.

disgust is an interesting emotion and it is linked to all sorts of behavior.

ABibleStudent

When a look of disgust flashes across a loved ones face, how about asking, "Did I do/say something that bothers you?" When they say that its nothing, ask, "Are you sure? I love you very much and I feel that we should be open and honest with each other so that small issues do not become huge problems that seem impossible to solve."

Once a loved one says what is the issue, ask simple questions to learn why, express empathy for their feelings, validation for their feelings, and asking them how they would feel if they were you. The most important thing to remember is to remain loving (i.e., control feelings of anger, frustration, betrail, etc) and compassion. Harville Hendrix, Ph.D. wrote "Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples" which provides more details and examples of how to improve communication with couples.

If a spouse of a JW can figure out how to communicate with a JW's authentic persona, I feel that books by Steve Hassan, Harville Hendrix, and John Grey can help a critically thinking JWs to help a JW loved one's authentic persona to critically think and become stronger.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

22

My fading files volume III

by Jon Preston in

well its been a while since my doubts were first realized.

ive been through hell mentally, but no where near what some on this site and those lurking have been through.

i got lucky, if you believe in that sort of thing.

ABibleStudent

Thanks for sharing Jon Preston. It is amazing how wonderful, exciting, and simple the world is when seeing it through the perspective of a child. I sometimes wonder if adults think too much.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

4

Feeling very frustrated.

by Crazyguy in

i thought i could go back to the hall to be in and to point out things to wake up my children but i can't seem to go to much bs and going seems as though i'm telling my kids i agree, yet at the same time i feel helpless.

wife is completely in and she goes to a very good hall as friendlyness goes.

most my kids still not teenager's but feel as if i'm going to loose them to this cult.

ABibleStudent

Hi Crazyguy, Would you remain under the radar if you encouraged your children to go to college and to make more non-JW friends? Would overcoming thought-stopping platitudes when your children or wife use them get you into trouble? Be patient and ask simple questions like Billy the Ex-Bethelite did in the thread exJW Psychology 102--How to Ask a Question When Questions Aren't Allowed to plant one seed at a time. You never know what will work for your children and your wife.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert