Posts by Retrovirus

59

New to this site. Scared, Lonely and in a lot of pain due to shunning by my family.

by wonder*woman in

jw
friends

this is my very first post to this forum.

i am begging for some much needed encouragment and support by those who are kind hearted and know exactly the pain shunning causes.

i am a 30 year old former jehovah's witness and a mother of two beautiful girls.

Retrovirus

Hello and welcome, Wonder*woman!

I'm a non-jw with some family in. I'm also "bad association" because I failed to progress with my "Bible" study.

I wonder if your sister was prompted by the horrible July WT article about apostates.

I've slowly learned that there is no reasoning with beleiving jws, and no compromising either. The only hope is to connect when they are in "soft" mode, have a good time together, and just wait out the times they need to toe the wt line.

I'm so glad your mother rang you, and hope she keeps in touch.

All the best, Retro.

20

Oct 15, 2011 WT on jw.org now

by Gayle in

i could only scan quickly,,but some could point out other things there:.

(quote) we can create opportunities.

to rejoice with them by occasionally inviting.

Retrovirus

From the last paragraph on Page 7, exquisite irony

We have many reasons for rejoicing together!

Let us resist this world’s isolationist

spirit

"This world's" isolationist spirit?

29

It's my Birthday on Thursday

by nugget in

jw
friends

i am having my second birthday out of the jws on the 14th of july the first after disfellowshipping and just need a few ideas for the day.

we went to arudel today to do pre birthday shopping so i am really looking forward to see what goodies they found.

there was much whispering in the corner of shops.

Retrovirus

Hi Nugget!

Best wishes for your birthday!!

My kids and I are foodies, and we usually go to a good restaurant. Now that we're all adults together I also love cooking up a feast with them and inviting friends over.

A surprise is also wonderful. We took a work friend out to the spas for a day of pampering and country life and all had a really special day.

Enjoy!!

47

'BELIEVE IT OR LEAVE IT' - a long time faders dilemma.

by nicolaou in

i've noticed a lot of newbies aren't bothering with long fades from the wt.

good for them, perhaps this younger, more savvy generation are more comfortable sticking two fingers up to the organisation and forcing their families to make the uncomfortable decisions about associating with them.. i applaud you, you were happy to believe it or leave it.. me?

i submitted my last field service report more than 11 years ago and have been 'fading' ever since, and i'm sick of it.

Retrovirus

Welcome, MrDarkKnight!

Retro

34

I have decided to leave

by umadevi in

i have read coc, ccmc, isocf and captive of a concept.

i have been fading since april.

i have nothing to hold me back in wbts so i have decided to leave it.

Retrovirus

Congratulations! A very courageous decision.

You and your son will enjoy the life you deserve!

Retro

27

Pentecostal Madness: Panties, Wife swapping, aggression and epylepsy

by Wonderment in

though i have never been a pentecostal, i remember well the frequent stories i heard of this religious movement while going from house-to-house in the past.

i wonder if you guys heard similar stories.

one story i heard a few times was about the confession of some males going to pentecostal churches to peek at girls throwing themselves all over the floor in epileptic movements, and some mention the word "panties" being exposed as an attraction to them.

Retrovirus

Christianity is evidence based as a historical space-time revelation in Christ. God's creation and His dealings with Israel and the Church are also reality

. .. and Lord of the Rings is a historical space-time revelation of hobbits.

Perhaps you need education in what "evidence" means. It doesn't mean written in a book.

27

Pentecostal Madness: Panties, Wife swapping, aggression and epylepsy

by Wonderment in

though i have never been a pentecostal, i remember well the frequent stories i heard of this religious movement while going from house-to-house in the past.

i wonder if you guys heard similar stories.

one story i heard a few times was about the confession of some males going to pentecostal churches to peek at girls throwing themselves all over the floor in epileptic movements, and some mention the word "panties" being exposed as an attraction to them.

Retrovirus

Godrulz wrote:

Just because there are corrupt lawyers and doctors does not mean all are. Just because there are medical quacks does not negate the truth of evidence based medicine. Jumping to conclusions/stereotyping is not fair.

Setting aside that nothing religious is "evidence based", and therefore this is a false analogy. . .

This sounds to me exactly like the argument that people should stay in the wt and not be put off by a few "fallible" people.

There's not much to choose between dogmatic religions.

61

I hate JW jargon!!! (Alternatives please!)

by VampireDCLXV in

all of us who have any ties to the jws know that they have their own vernacular, their own slang.

sure, there are formal titles that we can't really get away from: pioneer, ministerial servant, elder, ______ overseer, governing body, the (watchtower) society, etc.

but there are plenty of other bits of parlance they use that i can do without.... for example:.

Retrovirus

"bible trained conscience" - unquestioning obedience to a few men

"honest hearted" - falling for the hype

63

Who's the most intolerant religious group?

by Wonderment in

i would like to hear people's opinions on intolerant religious groups?

who wins?.

somehow, i have this notion that pentecostals would win 1st place, followed by baptists, followed by jw's.

Retrovirus

Godrulz says

Some of you still don't get the concept that thinking one is right or actually being right is intolerant

I guess you mean "being right is not intolerant". The problem I see with your analogy is that religion is not evidence based.

Sure, you can believe you're right and still be tolerant. Most people do.

But some seek out people when they are likely to be doubtful and vulnerable, and push their views and agendas. They argue from a supposed position of superiority and cannot concede the least point in discussion.

Whether or not they are right, that is intolerant behaviour.

If by chance they are right, that will become apparent without such tactics.

68

As of today, I will no longer be one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

by Knowsnothing in

i spoke with my mother, told her everything, my doubts, my fears, my sins.

it came rushing out.

my mother is devastated.

Retrovirus

Hi Knowsnothing,

As a non-jw I cannot give detailed advice, but I've been in a couple of very stressful family situations. If your objective is to get through to your mother, it might help to slow things down a little. That would give you more time with her real personality, and hopefully reduce the chance of ultimatums resulting from the great stress you both feel.

Perhaps say that you want time to consider what the elders have said, and also time to talk it through with her. Be affectionate and reasonable. In discussions, take one topic at a time, and research it carefully first. I found jwfacts a great resource.

Best wishes to you in this difficult time. I respect your integrity and hope the situation turns out well.

Retro