Posts by Retrovirus

bad advice is always bad, and when it's from an "authority" like a parent or elder it can well be lethal. No excusing that. But the comment didn't seem to be intended as advice, but as exploration, IMHO. Still not appropriate on thread!

But there's lots of depression among jws (my relative who's in has chronic depression), and this newbie may have been exploring from a personal perspective and attracted to the thread because s/he has a problem also.

40

Telling a Depressed Person It's Demons!

by NewChapter in

jw
friends

when a person is depressed, their cognitive abilities are depleted.

they are processing reality through a very negative filter and need help getting balanced.

they often experience fear, guilt, hopelessness and anxiety.

Retrovirus

I don't disagree with the OP, NewChapter, but the poster was new and may well have grown up believing implicitly in demonic inluences.

Likely no harm was meant, although it shouldn't have been brought up on that thread.

Retro

91

VERY depressed

by youngbro in

jw
friends

i have severe clinical depression and right now, for whatever reason it is really acting up....

Retrovirus

Hi Youngbro, I've had a few rounds of depression myself. Though I'm not a jw, what i've found is that each preceded a fairly major change on my life path.

now whatever the cause(s), depression is simply a treatable illness. In addition to meds, I was greatly helped by RET counselling, and would recommend a good counsellor to anyone. Also excercise helps (especially when I least feel like it!) and relaxation CDs. You can't be stressed once your body is relaxed. Even just a few deep breaths help.

Finally if you are not well, you should not be guilted into going to meetings, fs or having deep conversations with elders, or anything else that you don't feel up to.

Take care of yourself, and as you recover your balance, things will become clearer.

Retro

18

Hurt Email or Hate Email

by Snowboarder in

jw
friends

well recently i got a long email from a jw in vancouver, she read my blog ( http://sochiolympicgames.blogspot.com/ ) and attacked me hard!

can anyone tell me what i am doing wrong?

my blog simply states the truth, she can't understand the whole picuture.

Retrovirus

Hi Snowboarder, and happy birthday for the 25th (?)

My experience of jws is similar, even the ones who seem nice, attack the messenger as soon as the message isn't what they want to hear.

just reply that if they think it's an apostate blog they shouldn't read it!

person used a really stupid illustration he said he really wants to fly so he flaps his hands and nothing, he said that like my goals unattainable and unrealistic

Sounds like a poor sick turkey jealous of an eagle!

Zum Wohl! Retro

49

Anyone wanna place a bet on what will happen to me when I have to go to the Kingdom Hall this Saturday??

by Coffee House Girl in

jw
friends

well since there is no "betting" (as it reeks of gambling) in jdub land, lets place a friendly wager on what will happen to me when i go to my father's "memorial" service at the kingdome hall this saturday..... to give you newbies background info: i am neither df'd or da'd- i left 2 years ago with no explanation.

i have been hounded by elders in my cong because they have suspicions that i am living with a man, but they have no proof (well, no proof in jdub land- you know...two witness rule).

after many attempts to get me to meet with them- i finally sent the elders a "cease & desist" letter after one of them spied in my miniblinds to see me eating breakfast with someone (they couldn't identify who).

Retrovirus

As a non-jw, I'll disqualify myself and just have a for you!

My deepest sympathies on the loss of your father, and kudos for going to the KH with your mother!

160

I'm new here..... Studying with the Witnesses

by PenelopePaige in

jw
friends

hi- i just wanted to say that i have been checking the website out for a few weeks and have read some horror stories and some sad ones.

but i have been studying with witnessess for about six months and can't help but feel that they're completely sincere and maybe even, the true religion.

i love the watchtower and awake and to me, none of that seems crazy.

Retrovirus

Hi PenelopePaige and welcome!

I can relate to a lot here. I've had an unexplained experience that affected me profoundly, and I've also "studied" with two very pleasant and sincere jw ladies. Since I failed to make satisfactory progress, I'm now "bad association" and very rarely see them.

My take on "supernatural" events is to regard them as "unexplained". Science has taught us a great deal but there are still unanswered questions and always more to learn. And as with Sizemik's example, something can affect us profoundly at an emotional level but have a simple, prosaic explanation.

The jw literature is easy to read and seems to provide authorative answers - at first glance only. Here are a few aspects you might consider when you could be persuaded by any source of information:

Does it persuade or provide a balanced perspective? Is it complete? Are all reasonable objections addressed or only the "easy" ones?

Are sources given for quotes? (and not just Bible quotes). If they are from authorities, are they authorities in that exact field? Are they representing the mainstream viewpoint?

Is it objectively written or is the language loaded? (eg, "honest hearted people will. . .opposers deny. . .)

If the Bible is quoted as an authoritative source, which version is used? is the quote in context and applicable? If the bible itself is "infallible", why does it have internal contradictions?

Most important of all - keep thinking,learning and questioning. The wt will not want you to do that, but if we don't grow, we stagnate. . .

Best wishes and hope you keep posting,

Retro

61

Never, ever posted to a site before-Scarec silly

by PaintedToeNail in

jw
friends

hi, i'm scared to death writing this that i will be discovered and have major problems.

i had a good life being raised as a jw child.

many good memories of people, places and times.

Retrovirus

Hello and welcome, PaintedToe Nail!

I'm a non-jw with some family in the org, and also "bad association" because I didn't progress well with my "Bible" study.

However! I'm a also drug-free, VD-free non-smoker who raised my children equally healthy in mind and body. I can relate to the "addictve personality" thing - I enjoy good food rather too much, and that means a lot of exercise!

It's great to hear that your child will go to college!

I'm very sorry to hear you were abused as a child, and am sure that going out in service on Christmas must have been a nightmare.

I know some genuine, good people among the jws and I'm sure there are some good things to be found in the religion. I wish they would let me be a friend; I'd be entirely happy to avoid any contentious subjects.

I respect your courage in reading and posting here. Remember, truth has nothing to fear from examination and discussion.

Hope you stay around, Retro

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.