There is a distinction between "labelling them extremist" (fair enough, IMHO) and banning the religion (not only draconian but likely to backfire as it fuels their of persecution)
Retrovirus
JoinedPosts by Retrovirus
-
18
"Do You Think They Are Extremist Publications?" Well, Yes!
by metatron infrom the may 1 watchtower, complaining about those poor misunderstood witnesses in russia, who are (gasp!
) actually accused of being extremists!
can you imagine!.
-
-
-
19
Making a fetish out of bible inerrancy
by Terry inthe catholic church dominated christianity for a thousand and a half years without any successful christian competitor.. challenges came and went, but, the central authority won out.. catholic power stemmed from a simple idea: peter was bestowed by jesus and installed as the first leader or pope.. peter, then, passed his authority down successively; one pope followed another.. the central authority of catholicism was magisterium.. if you don't know what magisterium means you might want to look hard at the definition:.
the divinely appointed authority in the catholic church consisting of the pope and bishops whose purpose is to teach and establish the true faith without error.
the magisterium alone, according to catholicism, has the right to interpret the word of god.. www.carm.org/catholic-terminology.
-
-
Retrovirus
Terry,
I really enjoy your posts, thanks! Have another!
But when you write By OVER stating the authority of scripture christianity has shattered like a brick through a plate glass window
Doesn't that leave out the Christians who do not believe the Bible to be inerrant? Or have I misunderstood?
Retro
-
48
JW ADVANTAGES vs DISADVANTAGES
by DesirousOfChange inthis 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
Desirous of Change wrote:
Courage is surely an understatement. Someone who has been in for decades feels like they have nothing else to turn to. It's all they know. If you're a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation JDub, surely much/most of your family is also "in". All of your friends are other JDubs. You have built a life revolving around JDub tradition. You have taken a stand on things with all your "worldly" peers at school or work or non-witness family. Maybe you have "recruits" in that respect you for "all that you are" in the Truth.....
Then BAM! Something awakens you.........you start looking at things critically (oh, oh, the WT warns about those who are critical -- it's the first sign)..... you take off the blinders and.........(that's where I am).......
.............well you know the rest.
How long does this period of denial last?
How long before you get over the concern that everything bad happening in your life is divine justice?
DOC I agree, entirely, courage is too small a word. Yet Martin Luther once said "Here I stand; I can do no other".
The WT warns about those who are critical - yet the Bible asks for critical thought - "examine all things; hold fast to those which are fine". Great change for good has been brought about by those who refused to have their thinking controlled by governments and religions, but followed their conscience.
As a non-jw I cannot say how long denial lasts. I stayed in denial about some family stuff for decades before I was forced to deal with it . The delay didn't help one bit.
There are books and sites that will help with the concern that everything bad happening in your life is divine justice. They are frequently referred to on this site. You'll realise by now that God either loves all of us or none - not a particular religion.
I wish you all good things, and encouragement, strength and support on your journey. . Happy to talk any time you'd like to.
Retro
-
48
JW ADVANTAGES vs DISADVANTAGES
by DesirousOfChange inthis 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 inthis 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 ini'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 inso 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 init'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 injust 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 ineven 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