Posts by Retrovirus

36

Everything is "Satan" ... Now what?

by roxanesophia in

firstly, i'm a study who initially believed every word of the jw's.

figured "no other religion takes the time and effort to help people understand the bible by publishing the watchtower and the other literature" not realizing that all it does is pick and choose scriptures to suit whatever sentence they'd just written, which can be done using any book, not just the bible.

i felt foolish, after that.. .

Retrovirus

Welcome, roxanesophia!

Like you I was a "bible study" but have now been promoted to "bad association" because I "failed to progress"

Ah well.

My question is how do i tell a zealous study conductor that I want to stop studying if "Satan" is the answer to everything

I'd bear in mind that the apparent affection and kindness they show, and the time they've given you is all recorded as "service" for which they get credit; it's hardly a personal favour of any kind. Your study conductor is zealous because of her beliefs and position in the cong, rather than because of any bond between you.

So, either of two ways - politely say that this will be the last study because you need to "consider prayerfully" on your own for now, or

Ask enough difficult questions that she will want to terminate. There is plenty of material here and on jwfacts if you prefer this course.

If she overplays the "Satan" card - just play along until it gets ridiculous even to her. Did satan make the wt redefine "generation" 5 times? Where was Jesus at the time? Did satan create so many animal and insect species that there's no way at all they could fit on the Ark? Can satan keep God from getting through to you?

Good luck, and kudos for being too honest to go out in "service" - because that's what it really was. Do your own research, and keep in touch!

Retro

25

Perhaps some helpful advice. My rant on the JW mindset.

by garyneal in

jw
friends

pride and prejudice abound in the watchtower religion.. i go to the assemblies and it becomes very clear that the speakers are so proud of the fact that their religion is the one true religion and that they are so much better than the other churches out there.

the amount of pride i heard coming from the platform is astounding.

astounding still is the fact that they cannot see it themselves and at one point in time, i could not see it either.

Retrovirus

Sometimes, I think we go through life seeking the approval of others

There's a lot in that. Often in the "bible studies" I was tempted to please my jw ladies by giving the "right" answers, and felt guilty when I objected yet again. They were after all, two polite and friendly ladies giving me their time. I was in a low spot then due to family difficulties and it really seemed to matter that I didn't alienate them.

Yet as my mood lifted over time I realised that they were, deliberately or not, working on the guilt and insecurity. Particularly they invited confidences about things I'd handled badly, sure that their religion would "help".

Something must be wrong with you to learn the truth and then deny it

That happened a lot. Whatever objections I raised with their primitive creationism were put down at once with "Darwinists just want to deny Jehovah so they can do as they please" - even when minutes earlier we'd agreed that we believe in the same God! Sheesh!

Seems crazy but I know that there is a saying that says, "It is not what we think of ourselves but what others think of us that defines our character

."

In the sense of "perception is reality" - perhaps. But still it's only their reality, not yours.

Hang in there. Retro

71

Sex at 14?

by headisspinning in

jw
friends

hello all.... some of you have been following our story from the beginning - and even those of you who haven't should be able to relate to my quandary.... last week my 14 year old son told me he no longer wants to be a jw.

we laboured over telling his jw dad all week.

well, on friday night he finally came clean.. but in a bizarre and unexpected twist, after having sex with his girlfriend for the very first time - in his father's home that very afternoon.

Retrovirus

Hi headisspinning,

Wow, such a lot is happening to you!

To recap, it seems that in the space of about a month, you son became a publisher, then told you he didn't want to be a jw, then told you he is sexually active with his gf? Have I followed correectly?

Teens are a volatile time, but I'd suggest the family problems may also be involved here. Certainly it's great and important that he can talk to you. Can I suggest that counselling might help him? (not elders, of course, but perhaps you could find someone appropriately qualified and experienced).

Failing that, check the library and the net for helpful books and articles for both of you. Coping with change, growing up; other peoples' accounts of transitional experiences. He has had a lot to deal with.

Also don't forget the sibling(sister?) - in my experience it's the quiet ones you need to watch!

And. . . in your place, I might leave Ray Franz' book somewhere he could see it.

Best of luck and hope you had a good Mothers Day, Retro

9

Final Separation from the JW brain washing

by Lehaa in

jw
friends

i made the final step the other day.. i donated blood.. .

i've been meaning to do it for ages, just never gotten around to it.

felt absolutely no guilt or akwardness at all.

Retrovirus

Congratulations, Lehaa!

I'm a blood donor also; one of the major things that "stumbled" me in my "bible studies" was that insane doctrine!

40

JWs who do a "disappearing act" because of damaging gossip and trouble in the hall

by LongHairGal in

i know of a few jw friends who from time to time have to do a disappearing act from their hall.

one jw finds a "reason" to leave town to visit relatives and another jw would go to "visit" another hall in a nearby vicinity.

in all honesty, they are fleeing from the strife in the kingdom hall when they are in the spotlight.

Retrovirus

Hi Maze,

At the heart of its activities, Jehovah's Organization works against harmful gossip and slander. In fact, slander is a disfellowshipping offense

Well if it "works" against them, it doesn't seem very successful, eh? Or does it have a "wicked heart" too?

This sounds like a variant of "don't let a few imperfect people divert you from the "Truth". The wt makes great claims of having the "truth" and being known for "having love among them".

The trouble with big claims is that people can test their validity and call bs on them.

67

You'll lose your life and that of your children if you don't come back

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

it was a beautiful, sunny day.

i was in the supermarket doing an early morning shop when i see an old friend of the family, a jw sister.. she asked me if i'd gone to the memorial and i told her no.

she said that the end is so close what with all the earthquakes and brother truthseeker, you need to come back to jehovah otherwise you will die and so will your children.

Retrovirus

MrFreeze writes:

And Djeggnog replies:

The choice isn't akin to blackmail,

True, the choice isn't akin to blackmail. It is blackmail.

Talk about blackmail. If you dont join us your kids die. Thanks for the choice God!

36

My Wife is reading "Learn From a Great Teacher" to my oldest daughter.

by garyneal in

in the past, i've tried reasoning with my wife concerning the reading of religious materials to our children but the reasoning is not getting through.

she believes that since my oldest daughter prefers church to the kingdom hall (no surprise) that in order to provide any kind of 'true' religious instruction she must read wt material geared to the kiddies.

in the past, i reasoned that if she insists on reading material to her that will ultimately trash my way of life then i could do the same.

Retrovirus

garyneal wrote My oldest is very intelligent indeed

Then you're very probably home free. Who do kids listen to in late primary school and their teens - their own age group or their parents?

151

Introducing Myself

by StandFirm in

jw
friends

hello to jwn!

this is standfirm.

i mainly post on the topix jehovah's witness forum, but i decided to give it a try over here also.

Retrovirus

StandingFirm,

I'd like you to support your initial assertion that "apostate material" is unconvincing - not by quoting the wt as saying so, but by giving examples and showing the fallacies in them.

Retro

12

my mind is screwed has anyone ever felt like this?

by deservingone26 in

jw
friends

my mind is screwed.

i am so messed up and there seems to be nothing i can do i can try to be as positive as i want but it always comes right back to this!

right back to me hating myself.

Retrovirus

deservingone26, it sounds like depression, and depression can be treated. Get a referral to a good counsellor!

Also, I've never been a jw, but do know that the stress that you are under must be immense. You don't have to carry it alone. Getting help is as sensible as getting an infection treated before it worsens.

Whatever you do, it will take time but it will get better. You are not without personality or boring ,everyone seems boring while they are depressed. That will change, and you can become whatever you choose.

You are as valuable and important as any other person on the planet.

Take care of yourself through this hard time and keep in touch here!

Retro

31

My Experience as JW

by umadevi in

hello, i am new to this site and it is comforting to know that i am not the only one that has problem with wts.

i'm 36 and single parent with 8 year old son.

i work full time from 8am to 5pm in order to support both of us.

Retrovirus

A warm welcome, Umadevi!

I'm a non-jw (failed to progress at "bible study", so now bad association). I also raised my two as a single parent.

Any God that may exist and love us, would know that caring for and providing for your son is the best and most important thing you can do.

Read on here, read the books suggested and have a look at jwfacts; then make up your own mind! It's important, more especially for your son's future!

Best wishes always, Retro