Posts by Murray Smith

29

Should I contact the Society and tell them I want out?

by sinis in

as of late i have been thinking about this.

my sig other and i have successfully faded, and the last kh i attended (cards were moved to) was like 8+ years ago.

i really do not care either way, however i have been asking myself as of late if i should.

Murray Smith

I'm one who has "faded" over about 7 years and apart from casual relationships which have lingered, and have never had any "official" treatment of my departure. I recognise the need for "closure" or some kind of "status acknowledgement", but with the passage of time see such as nothing more than a legacy to the mind-set of being a JW . . . still playing by thier rules if you like.

My current feeling is that your change of status is your business . . . let it remain a mystery to them . . . while that remains the case you will not be restricted by or feel the effects of that twisted way of thinking . . . allows you more freedom to be accessible . . . and that can be an advantage when others find themselves in a similar position . . . all the very best to you.

11

It really makes you shudder.......

by Reality79 in

jw
friends

kence grace calicdanthanks a lot jehovah!

u are the most powerful.... penny wali seen pics of where a tornado ripped through a town and it hit building on either side of the kh.

leaving the kh unharmed.

Murray Smith

11

It really makes you shudder.......

by Reality79 in

jw
friends

kence grace calicdanthanks a lot jehovah!

u are the most powerful.... penny wali seen pics of where a tornado ripped through a town and it hit building on either side of the kh.

leaving the kh unharmed.

Murray Smith

There are many among us Nugget and Amelia who share that shame. Having had our own Earthquake experiences recently (CHCH NZ), I am now proud however, not to share it any longer. Witnessing the courage and selflessness of some, if not most, in this community toward others in crisis makes me proud to be Human again. Recieving kindness from strangers is one of the most rewarding of human experiences, as is extending it.

I can't be sure but it's likely the branch was "spared" along with it's neighbouring buildings because it was in a relatively undamaged area . . . the above statistics from black sheep will, I suspect, be an average representation per capita . . . as we would expect.

40

Who converts and Why? SURVEY - Please contribute

by Murray Smith in

i've read some random articles of late and have found a recurring factor which could well be answered effectively by many of the posters here.

basically the notion relates to what makes one vulnerable to indoctrination into a high-control religious cult and goes lke this .

while most, if not all humans seek group approval and association to some degree .

Murray Smith

Another big thanks to all posters.

I might be sounding repetitive . . . but it is acknowledged that the personal circumstances of potential converts are many and varied and usually involve a degree of "vulnerability" for equally varied reasons.

I admit that parenting factors and the absence thereof are but a single facet of vulnerability and by no means provide any sort of "eureka" explanations. It is the degree of commonality of these factors I'd like to get more of a handle on through your contributions.

It remains my opinion, that understanding how the absence of parenting factors contribute can be helpful in fully understanding vulnerability and perhaps ultimately, be an aid in helping victims seeking to 'normalise',

Thanks again.

Luvonyall

53

Present some evidence for evolution...

by Spade in

there's no evidence that can't be overturned and exposed as deception in the scientific community.

jehovah's witnesses don't stonewall any new findings.

we have degree regarding adaptation.

Murray Smith

There's no evidence that can't be overturned and exposed as deception in the scientific community

For an explanation on how a [thinking?] mind can make a statement such as this . . . see any of the numerous threads on JW's and mind control.

40

Who converts and Why? SURVEY - Please contribute

by Murray Smith in

i've read some random articles of late and have found a recurring factor which could well be answered effectively by many of the posters here.

basically the notion relates to what makes one vulnerable to indoctrination into a high-control religious cult and goes lke this .

while most, if not all humans seek group approval and association to some degree .

Murray Smith

Thanks all! . . . there's some additional "light" being shone here . . . OUTLAW'S experience (thanks) has highlighted nicely the flow-on effect of the absence of parenting factors through successive generations of 'born in' JW's. Perhaps a line for research in it's own right but relevent here also . . . that opens the forum survey up to virtually all really . . . observations as well as personal experience . . . feel free to add.

Friendly reminder . . . not about blame necessarily . . . but feel free to express.

Thanks heaps.

Luvonyall

44

What Was Meant By 'Abstain From Blood'?

by headisspinning in

i have always been very hardcore about my aversion to blood and have never even considered the possibility that this was merely a dietary restriction.

i always bought into the analogy of a doctor telling a patient to abstain from alcohol... it wouldn't matter whether this individual drank the alcohol or took it intravenously... it would all be in direct contradiction to the doctor's orders to 'abstain' from alcohol.. or the other analogy is to an apple pie... if you weren't to eat the pie, it would not be okay to separate it out into the main parts (or 'components)... ie.

the flour, the apples, the sugar or the cinnamon... if they were taken from that pie, you were eating the pie.. so maybe you can see where the questions popped up for me.

Murray Smith

Sab's cross-thread as well as cofty's at the outset of this thread say it all . . . I can honestly say that the exact same understanding came to me through my own personal research (including some others input of course), . . . but what amazes me is that almost every individual that examines this topic COMES TO THE SAME CONCLUSIONS based on little more than thier own research/conclusions . . . that's saying something I think. Great thread . . . can't be repeated enough . . . this more accurrate and balanced understanding should be encouraged and progressed as much as possible

20

The Governing Body need to take note on how to get an urgent message out

by wasblind in

today, no matter where you turned whether it was by radio, tv, internet, cell phone, or news paper.

it was all about the earth quake in japan.

it was an urgent message to relay to anyone.

Murray Smith

Hello all Murray from CHCH NZ . . . as some of you know I'm on a week's R&R from CHCH Quake scene at the moment in NZ's north island.

I gotta report this . . . I had a JW in the preaching work wander up the path just yesterday when I was sitting outside smoking a cigarette.

I told him I was up visiting from CHCH and the conversation turned immediately to Earthquakes etc. What ensued was a 30-40 minute conversation on earthquakes, volcanoes and the general geology of the Earth. I guess because of my Earth Science degree, the conversation was in my favor but get this . . .

. . . at no point in the 30-40 min conversation was the bible, religion, God, Christ, etc even mentioned . . . not once! And at no time was any literature or bible based material offered or removed from his bag! . . . we just talked geology . . . and he left!

Warning work?? . . . my ass . . . this guy had nothing to say on the matter . . . NOTHING . . . nice chat though.

Nice to see you again Paula . . . you sound much happier.

49

SOME ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE NEWBIES AND LURKERS

by palmtree67 in

jw
friends

a quote from "crisis of conscience".

don't be afraid to read it.. .

whatever the initial distress - a distress that sometimes follows the demenaing experience of being interogated by men who, in effect strip one of dignity, make the weight of their authority felt, and presume to judge adversely one's standing with god - however torn one may feel inside, afterward there is a distinct feeling of relief, of peace.

Murray Smith

The mind which renounces, once and forever, a futile hope, has its compensation in ever growing calm.

Just found this thread . . . and add my appreciation for above quote as well as attest to it's truthfulness.

Palmtree . . . loved your early post on 'personal nature' of relationship with Christ . . . beautiful scripturally sound points (as always) and tremendous encouragement for those breaking free.

leavingwt . . . mentallyfree . . . fantastic stuff . . . looking forward to hearing more!

27

The blessings of being disfellowshipped

by JRK in

jw
friends

don't get me wrong, it does suck.

but after being on ex-jw boards for years, and being df'ed for almost 10; i do see some hidden blessings.. first, you do not have to struggle with fading successfully.

you are just out; the cord has been cut.

Murray Smith

Bit like you wobble . . . getting more and more 'sinful' as time goes by . . . been secretly hoping for my hour in the "naughty boys chair" just for a laugh . . . and a battle of wits??? . . . but nobody gives a shit.

Had a "witness' given to me today . . . right in the driveway where I'm currently staying . . . yeehah I thought!

Talked for over half an hour and not a bible, magazine, book, or even a bible subject was even hinted at the entire time! . . . what the hell was that!! . . . nice chat though!