Posts by Retrovirus

After careful thought and prayer we found. . . But involve her in your research and thoughts. Teach her to spot logical fallacies in other slanted literature such as ads and infomercials and let her connect the dots in the wt "literature". Read Bible passages together and discuss how something in the wt material could have (or couldn't!) be derived from them.

Also explain your own feelings when you discovered these things.

A bit of work, but cult-proofing is a good idea with still-in relatives around.

52

I ended my bible study today

by still thinking in

jw
friends

i have officially stopped my bible study today.

i have been trying to for weeks (after 10 years of on/off studying).

it got to the stage where i was asking too many of those questions that made everyone feel uncomfortable.

Retrovirus

Also I just read your earlier post. Yes, the religions that claim "THE TRUTH" are a racket, every one. It would be a mean God who sided with one sect and condemned the rest wouldn't it?

You may wish to expand your Bible studies to studying the history of the time, or to other religious and/or philosophical works. It would give perspective, and there are courses and discussion groups. Not to mention forums!

Happy exploring!

52

I ended my bible study today

by still thinking in

jw
friends

i have officially stopped my bible study today.

i have been trying to for weeks (after 10 years of on/off studying).

it got to the stage where i was asking too many of those questions that made everyone feel uncomfortable.

Retrovirus

Stillthinking, I read it on my own, rather than studying it. I cannot believe it to be inerrant; too many internal contradictions! Still the KJV is good reading.

I am a member of a small religious group with very liberal beliefs (rather like Unitarians) and we have discussion groups about every two months. A bit far from my home but I enjoy them when I make the effort.

Retro

52

I ended my bible study today

by still thinking in

jw
friends

i have officially stopped my bible study today.

i have been trying to for weeks (after 10 years of on/off studying).

it got to the stage where i was asking too many of those questions that made everyone feel uncomfortable.

Retrovirus

Hi still thinking,

Like you, I'm a non-jw, but my bible study ladies stopped the sessions. I also asked too many questions! They are honest and pleasant people (even bought The Neck of the Giraffe to check my claims!) but I don't often see them now.

They always assert that nothing would make them doubt the wt, and I always pointed out that my questions came from facts and logic, and I had no wish to change them to anything.

It's a shame, but I don't think that anyone who puts someone's instructions ahead of their own conscience can ever be a good friend; certainly the friendship is always conditional on you being approved by the instructor!

I hope you find a like minded group or religion, and new friends.

14

I Guess I Don't Matter

by headisspinning in

jw
friends

i'm pretty upset.

my sister just asked me if my ex bothered to mention that both of my kids were announced as publishers last thursday night.. nobody said a word to me.. i just called my ex and told him that i was pretty furious - at least he apologized which i have to say, i have heard the words 'i'm sorry' from him about 5 times in the 14 years we we married.. anyway, i'm sad.

the kids didn't even bother to tell me... i would like to think that means it's not important to them... but with a sinking feeling i think that i'm what doesn't matter..

Retrovirus

Sorry for what you're going through, Headisspinning! When my marriage ended and the ex had a GF, the kids would go for the weekend and come back full of talk about how nice they were, presents they'd got, places they'd been to. I felt like a cast-off mum, just the mid-week carer.

But I promise you it will get better. Your kids will have someone they can talk to when the wt loses its grip on them as seems to happen with so many young ones. Hang in there and be there when they need you.

5

The Three Phases Of "The Truth"

by Kensho in

jw
friends

i had a discussion one day with my son about "the truth" i stated the truth is fluid it is always in motion never as black and white as we would like to think because as humans we are always growing and learning new things (hopefully).. ridiculed-violently opposed-becomes self-evident are the 3 phases that are seen when any new discovery in science or breakthrough technology first appears.

the following is what i surmize are the 3 main phases jw's go through when faced with the real truth.

(from personal experience).

Retrovirus

Yes, I can relate. Claiming to have "the Truth" cannot be sustained

In my "Bible Studies" I must have overdone the questions - or the tolerance for questions is limited even then.

I identified three stages which may align:

1. Denial - "read it again carefully" or " you didn't understand"

2. Poisoning the well - "where did you get that?" "who said this?" "They cannot be trusted" "that webpage is worldly/satanic"

3. Shoot the messenger "you don't really want to learn, do you?"

Sadly they never got beyond that - but seeing how others here have suffered as they exited, perhaps that's OK. My only aim was and is to plant a few doubts so that they'll be a bit hesitant with future converts.

46

My Study Conductor Jumped Ship - Any Possible Explanations?

by InterestedOne in

jw
friends

my study conductor has informed me that he & his wife are switching to a foreign language congregation that is far away from the territory they live in (it will involve a lot of driving back & forth).

because he is switching congregations, he said he will not have the energy to devote to my study and recommended another brother who could take over, and i have met him.

however, this change happened simultaneously with a decision i have made.

Retrovirus

What dgp and Lozhasleft said. I know that JWs are up for any kind of Bible study because my ex-SIL and I corresponded regularly for years and after a few months she'd say "that's the family news; now for the study. . . ". Didn't even know what is was in those days!

When I didn't "progress" she set the locals onto me. We lasted another 8 months, and then they abandoned me to Satan also.

The key is, do you validate their faith by "progressing in the Truth" (aka "growing spiritually" ), or make them uncomfortable by asking too many questions and failing to accept their "authority".

Hello kjw53!

by Retrovirus in

jw
friends

welcome to the forum!.

i noticed you have posted a consistent message on a number of threads, and wanted to give you a your own platform to tell us why you are here and anything else you'd like us to know.. fwiw, i'm a non-jw who has members and friends in the organisation.

i have limited contact with them because i've not "progressed" satisfactorily with my "studies".

Retrovirus

Welcome to the forum!

I noticed you have posted a consistent message on a number of threads, and wanted to give you a your own platform to tell us why you are here and anything else you'd like us to know.

FWIW, I'm a non-jw who has members and friends in the Organisation. I have limited contact with them because I've not "progressed" satisfactorily with my "studies". That is, they limit the friendship, not I.

Look forward to hearing from you, Retro

44

Quick Question (or two, or three)...

by AGuest in

jw
friends

may you all have peace!.

although i realize the responses may not be "quick", a response on another thread prompts me to ask:.

"what do you mean by "spiritual"?

Retrovirus

Thanks for correcting my understanding, Shelby.

Last year I completed training as a palliative care volunteer. One of the areas covered was identifying the "spiritual" needs of the patient and carers, and where possible linking with those who could help. Here "spiritual" covered everything bar physical; the need for peer companionship, atmosphere (eg country or seaside), music or craft, discussion on particular topics; religion was only a small part of it. So that's how I thought of the word.

You have a point about the "governing body" - they seem more like dictators than governers! And "Armageddon" is constantly used and abused by the media in particular. The origins of words are interesting, but origins don't own words, any more than parents own children.

Is there not another word that would better describe the "experience"?

Well, I tried "insight".

Wishing you peace also, Retro