after listening to my family members go on and on about the new light regarding the generation, coming home from the convention all ramped out because "the end is so close you can feel it, it's just around the corner", i finally realized it.. they'll never see it for what it is.
even if the organization goes down, they'll sink with that ship.
there is not a rational person that could swallow the new generation overlap teaching and really believe it.
I've not read it, but when I read excerpts or recommendations from it that are posted here, it always piques my interest. I think I'll put it on my summer reading list!
Honestly, there is no reasoning with them, so I don't even try. It just makes me sad that otherwise intelligent folks can be so unable to see the truth.
after listening to my family members go on and on about the new light regarding the generation, coming home from the convention all ramped out because "the end is so close you can feel it, it's just around the corner", i finally realized it.. they'll never see it for what it is.
even if the organization goes down, they'll sink with that ship.
there is not a rational person that could swallow the new generation overlap teaching and really believe it.
After listening to my family members go on and on about the new light regarding the generation, coming home from the convention all ramped out because "the end is so close you can feel it, it's just around the corner", I finally realized it.
They'll never see it for what it is. Even if the organization goes down, they'll sink with that ship.
There is not a rational person that could swallow the new generation overlap teaching and really believe it. I had always thought that there must be doubt somewhere, deep in the back of their mind, that they push down whenever they feel it bubbling to the surface.
But there isn't. And that's heartbreaking.
any neeewww newwwws on this?.
Wow, first time I read that old excerpt. EnLIGHTening, indeed!
we had our po visit this week, and he was telling us about how the rank and file had to stop paying for their magazine.
why and how did this come about (i was born in 1983) so by the time i could get to the literature counter, everything (at least i thought when i was kid) was free.. .
was more of an emphasis put on voluntary donating?.
OMG! This is the first I've heard of this. I recall the literature becoming free(with a voluntary contribution, of course!) but I never knew why.
The light is brighter still. I wan't to print this out and mail it to my mom!
when religion is the bully.
by joel p. engardio.
the news of gay teen suicides this fall made me think of my college friend jeff.
Great read.
I lost a family member who was shunned due to his homosexuality. It destroyed his sweet, loving heart, broke his spirit and eventually took his life. I hate this religion so.
sorry if this has been posted already, i don't recall seeing it before.. .
http://www.wave3.com/global/story.asp?s=11554602.
first u of l woman awarded rhodes scholarshipposted:
Hey hey!!! A win for former dubbies everywhere! Good job!
a pioneer, bible students, recently awakened ... i have great empathy for the emotional turmoil you are most likely experiencing.. welcome!.
you will find much support here.. also, if you haven't read these yet .... crisis of conscience.
in search of christian freedom.
Welcome indeed!
for those of us that were baptized and faded, how long do you think before we can stop worrying about being called in for a jc?
i've faded 13 years ago, but i still never answer an unknown phone number, don't answer a knock at the door unless a friend has told me they are on their way, etc.
also, i avoid giving anyone other than my mom my contact info and no one gets my address.. i could care less about avoiding a df, were it not for my family that is still in.
Hey factfinder -- I would never let any JW know that. My husband is aware, so he is careful with what he mentions to my family as well. Thanks for the advice.
Loz, I hope you and your husband find a time when you have a greater freedom too. Life is wonderful, but it would be even better if the religion misleading our loved ones ceased to exist.
im luke warm and dont know what side im on, i dont mix well and i dont want to be worldly if u know what i mean,im a good person with morals and nowadays thers not many of us left., not were i live anyways,its so hard leaving it behind cos now i duno what to do with myself, and i dont want to go out and live it up or go on face book or go meet loads a worldly people and be like everyone else, and i dont wana celebrate pagan hols even thoe i might do xmas i still feel weird doing that.i dont feel right with myself one bit..
PS - I don't celebrate holidays either. It's not a requirement of being free.
im luke warm and dont know what side im on, i dont mix well and i dont want to be worldly if u know what i mean,im a good person with morals and nowadays thers not many of us left., not were i live anyways,its so hard leaving it behind cos now i duno what to do with myself, and i dont want to go out and live it up or go on face book or go meet loads a worldly people and be like everyone else, and i dont wana celebrate pagan hols even thoe i might do xmas i still feel weird doing that.i dont feel right with myself one bit..
Serein,
It's normal to feel like a stranger in a weird land. You've just walked away from an organization that dictated everything for you, and even decided who you should be friends with. Learning how to judge people without the JW grading scale (approved association versus not approved) is scary at first.
First, you have to decide what is moral and what isn't. And you can't simply make those judgement based on what the organization defined as appropriate conduct. There are many in the org that lived very immoral lived, and some that lived upright lives. The same exists outside of the organization. You must learn not to judge people based on the Org's standards, which is difficult, because that is all you are used to.
If you still consider yourself a Christian, you might find an open-minded church in your area and pay them a visit. Try to turn off your preconceptions, and sit through a service and watch people. They are worshipping their God the best way they see how. It might have a calming affect on you.
I remember how difficult it was. I visited a church and all I could see was "showy display of one's means of life" and lots of idolatry. Once I got pass that, I saw genuine people trying their hardest to live their life right. We all fall short. Best of luck on your journey.
