Posts by Retrovirus

48

JW ADVANTAGES vs DISADVANTAGES

by DesirousOfChange in

jw
friends

this earlier topic [why do it feel bad about my children leaving jw religion?

] is what causes me to ask this question:.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/208031/1/why-do-i-feel-bad-about-my-children-leaving-the-jw-religion.

Retrovirus

This is an interesting subject; I'll try for a more focussed post this time . . .

But, all things considered, are there more advantages than disadvantages?

There are aspects that would feel like advantages. The satisfaction of belonging to an elite group, the security of clear rules and regulations (at any one time), the comfort of routine and community. Misery's posts in particular give a warm picture of the jw community.

The big disadvantage I see would be the doubts. I cannot imagine that any jw with a reasonable education wouldn't have them. Answers like "wait upon Jehovah" and "more meetings and service" couldn't wipe them out. It would be like seeing things out of the corner of your eye but being forbidden to turn your head and look.

Young people most of all would be hampered by never being allowed to test their own judgement and initiative. And if for any reason you finally could no longer live by someone elses' rules, well, those are covered every day in the forum. The choice between living a lie and losing family, friends and community to live in a world you have been taught to fear.

I am in awe of the courage of those who take this step.

48

JW ADVANTAGES vs DISADVANTAGES

by DesirousOfChange in

jw
friends

this earlier topic [why do it feel bad about my children leaving jw religion?

] is what causes me to ask this question:.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/208031/1/why-do-i-feel-bad-about-my-children-leaving-the-jw-religion.

Retrovirus

DOC, just a thought from a non-jw:

I'm a single parent with two grown children. When they were young, I would have loved to have the feeling of security of a community with consistent standards, regular meetings etc. I felt as if I had to make up my rules as I went, and that I had little or no authority as a parent.

Having read a lot here and on other sites, I now think that "feeling of security", a sort of security blanket perhaps? cannot be confused with actual security. The ability to think clearly and say what I think is very much part of who I am.

I keep in touch with the jw ladies who "studied" with me; they are very pleasant and honest people. I wish we could be friends but they keep their distance as I have failed to progress. There must be something there for them.

Retro

21

Finally out!

by fade_away in

jw
friends

i've been loggin in to this site for about 3 or 4 months on an almost daily basis.

i decided to finally make an account cause i just have to vent and connect with those who have been in my shoes.

"worldly" people don't understand completely when i talk to them about the hardship of being born into a religion/cult, growing up with people making decisions for me, and having them choose my future, goals, and dreams; all the while sacrificing normal childhood joys and replacing them with study, service hours, and 5 minute talks.

Retrovirus

Welcome, fade_away!

Congratulations to you both on seeing the org for what it is, and being able to make the move now, while you still have your lives before you. You are right not to allow emotional pressure from others, even your parents, to keep you from living your own life.

I'm a "worldly" who "studied" but couldn't believe. I saw how my SIL (born out but baptised in late 20s; still in) changed from being feisty, secure and independant to becoming a wt parrot with anxiety attacks. Also lost her as a friend because I didn't make "progress"; all friendships are conditional on being in good standing.

Keep learning and welcome to the real world!

Retro

87

Is everyone on here disassociated??

by happi2b in

jw
friends

so i don't understand it seems to me from the posts that i have read just about everyone is disassociated.. just wondering if that's true or if i am not the only one on here still within the organization..

Retrovirus

Welcome, Happy2b!

I'm a non-jw who has family in. I've also studied with two jw ladies. I'd like to call them friends, because they really are as pleasant and honest as anyone I know. However, they limit their contact with me, because I haven't made the progress that they had hoped for.

I have also had a spiritual experience which has greatly helped me to cope with some difficult times in my life. I also want to live by my conscience and dedicate myself to doing what God wants.

My difficulty with the studies was that the material is simply incorrect. I cannot believe that any higher entity or power really wants me to offer misleading information to people and call it "truth".

"Make certain of all things" as the bible says, and I hope you find the right way for you.

Retro

44

Apostate Psychology

by Spade in

it's only fair that the psychology of apostates be assessed as they're intent on analyzing the psychology of jehovah's witnesses.

http://www.freeminds.org/psychology/mind-control/mind-control-or-brainwashing.html .

understanding mind control among jehovah's witnesses.

Retrovirus

It means I ignore the trashy posts loaded with profanity and imagery. . .

And you ignore the posts you can't answer. I made two points:

1. A couple of Bible verses out of context do not add up to an "analysis"

2. The wt accepts repentant "apostates" back. So is the Bible wrong or were they wrongly disfellowshipped?

If you claim not to be a troll, answers, please.

30

Does anyone else like industrial heavy metal?

by Pika_Chu in

jw
friends

just wondering...if there aren't, i'll be sad....

Retrovirus

Thanks for this thread; it's given me a lot more to try.

I was just into classics because pop was so boring, then my son took to leaving cds in the car and I got hooked on NIN and Rammstein.

Great!

17

Even Japan's Infamous Mafia Groups Are Helping With The Relief Effort

by possible-san in

even japan's infamous mafia groups are helping with the relief effort.

http://www.businessinsider.com/japan-yakuza-mafia-aid-earthquake-tsunami-rescue-efforts-2011-3.

in japan, even japanese gangs/mafia have helped disaster victims now.. .

Retrovirus

Possible-San,

I'm donating all I can to Red Cross through my work, which will match all staff donations. I'm thinking of all the Japanese people and their bravery and edurance.

That the JWs will not open their kingdom Halls to those in need is a very sad reflection on a religious group supposed to be known as having so much more love among them than us worldly ones.

(And Sizemik, we donated to Christchurch also).

Hope you are both keeping well and strong in these hard times.

Retro

44

Apostate Psychology

by Spade in

it's only fair that the psychology of apostates be assessed as they're intent on analyzing the psychology of jehovah's witnesses.

http://www.freeminds.org/psychology/mind-control/mind-control-or-brainwashing.html .

understanding mind control among jehovah's witnesses.

Retrovirus

In a nutshell, these scriptures define apostasy

So, when will we be favoured with your analysis?

OK, then, what about those disfellowshipped for apostacy who return to the so-called "truth"? ()

Were they "not really apostate" - that is, the elders with the holy spirit got it wrong?

Or did the Bible (and you ) get it wrong?

64

Hello..this is my story..

by Lozhasleft in

jw
friends

i'm pleased to have found this site...i've browsed a little ...read quite a lot and gasped at some stories, giggled at the one liners and nodded in recognition of others' strong opinions and can relate to a great deal.. i'll try and keep my intro as brief as possible for anyone kind enough to listen.. i got involved with the witnesses in the late 70's in the uk.

i was in my early 20s and had had a love and fascination for the bible since my difficult childhood.

i soon brought my life into 'line' although it took a long time for me to pack up the smoking which didnt go down well in those days when 6 months of study should have been enough and if you hadnt cracked it then it was suggested that you were some kind of loser.... i reared my 4 children in the 'truth' as well as i could but i cant claim that we were a 'strong' family in their terms...just muddled along really..my husband at the time was a very difficult and abusive man and home life wasnt easy for any of us with his anger, jealousy and violence.

Retrovirus

Loz, I'm so glad your life is better now! You are a great and strong lady.

I also had a spiritual experience at a low point in my life, which greatly helped me to stay strong for my children. As I didn't belong to a doctrinal religion, I didn't really know what to call it (and still don't!). Certainly I cannot believe that if there is a God s/he would only care for those of a particular religion.

Retro

317

Inviting djeggnog to discuss the blood doctrine

by jgnat in

djeggnog invited me to start a new thread about the blood doctrine, which i am happy to do here.

his objection was my statement,.

"i've seen the blood video, a deceiving mix of scripture, fearmongering and pseudoscience, with plenty of lab coats in view.

Retrovirus

@DJeggnogg writes:

I'm human and I tend to do human things, being absorbed in the emotionally gripping life-and-death accounts that are related to me that are a part of the human experience on this side of Armageddon, although maybe my subconscious mind was still "reeling" from your slight on Page 7 when, after quoting something you read in a dated Watchtower (1961, wasn't it -- as if the doctrinal beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses in 2011 must be frozen in time, cannot be updated and must remain the same as they might have been 50 years ago!), and accusing us of forcing others to commit suicide, you disparage the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses as being 'a bunch of senile old men,' or words to this effect, and after calling me "an asshole" in violation of the rules here on JWN I might add, I recall you going on to suggest that I come here to count the time I spend here on JWN when not one of Jehovah's Witnesses can in good conscience report the time spent on websites like this one, websites put up here in cyberspace for the entertainment pleasure of people like @cantleave, @wasblind and @OUTLAW (who obviously don't come here for the free beer, but because they are entertainers that come here not to enlighten anyone, but to entertain the JWN audience!) and then, without missing a beat, suggesting that I have "my sneak on" -- as the kids might say -- when I come to JWN, as if it were true that the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses must approve or disapprove my visits to websites like JWN where the message I might post can be read by apostates (if that should be what you are) and non-apostates (if that should be what you are) also visit and might post messages, despite my referring more than once in other threads to the 1974 Watchtower article, "Maintaining a Balanced Viewpoint Toward Disfellowshipped Ones," which gives a much better and reasoned perspective than I would give on the topic of dealing with those who are disfellowshipped; but none of this is a valid excuse for my untoward behavior toward you, @Mary, and for this I apologize to you for the perceived offense, and for seeming to ignore your posts on Pages 8 and 9 as well.

and subsequently, I learn

In pity for the rest of us, learn to use the full stop properly !