Geez, I'd love a scanned version of this article!
satinka
18 if you face a similar situation, please remember that jehovah sympathizes with you.
by cutting off contact with the disfellowshipped or disassociated one, you are showing that you hate the attitudes and actions that led to that outcome.
however, you are also showing that you love the wrongdoer enough to do what is best for him or her.
Geez, I'd love a scanned version of this article!
satinka
to the intellectually honest witness, it seems like it often comes down to this principle.
"fine, if the witnesses aren't the truth, then show me the better answer and i'll consider it.
" and how do you deal with that?
That question is part of the JW brainwash. The JWs teach their members to self-destruct if they dare to leave. The cult sets us up to fail upon leaving.
I got into therapy before I left the JWs. So, when I finally got myself disfellowshipped, I had another foundation under me.
When the jws kicked out my legs from under me, I could stand on my own. I wasn't co-dependent with that religion any more.
I had a mind of my own and I could move on and walk away.
I had a therapist who knew about cult mentality. I had my dance world filled with caring friends who were there to support me through the shock of losing my children via shunning.
Another thing that helped me was the realization that in order to really heal from the jw brainwash, I had to purge all the old beliefs and replace those antiquated ways of thinking with something healthy.
I am a true Apostate because I don't believe what the JWs preach any more. They don't have the truth, in other words. I absolutely know that now.
I have my own belief system which feels healthy to me and serves me well.
satinka
i'm curious about what made you realize that your ex-religion was not "true"?.
i've had discussions with many religious people, and they're always trying to protect their beliefs, rather than allowing anything i say challenge what they believe.
was there ever something someone said to you, or something you read that maybe made you doubt your beliefs for the first time, or had a similar effect?.
Truth can stand up to questions and doubts.
For elders to constantly suppress people with doubts means they do not have much faith in their religious convictions.
satinka
has anyone seen this?
it's so similar.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b64oebuheky.
and here's their website.. http://www.iamanexmormon.com/.
Very nice!
Thanks for sharing.
satinka
according to this article:.
harpers government???
pu-leeease...harper is not even a ruling majority!.
So no one here is concerned about Canadian political brainwashing...
satinka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxxsderj5aw.
But seriously, koolaid-man...I listened to your audio tape of the actual committee meeting with you.
I was shocked to hear how the commitee blatantly defended the child-molesters. Actually asking you how you would feel if you were disciplined in front of the congregation as a known child molester. To that I would ask the elders, how would you feel if you were a victim of child-abuse and the congregation elders did not defend the victim; instead the molester was defended. Because that is what the elders really do.
I agree that the pedophilia list is important. The public and the congregation members need to know and deserve to know. Public knowledge of this list might help the felon face the heinous nature of his crime.
For elders to keep silent is to enable the criminal to continue his sick criminal behavior.
Overall, it seems to me tthat the elders had their minds made up before going into the meeting. I know what that feels like. It happened to me, too.
At the time it felt like a terrible injustice. My two kids shun me now. What you say about inciting hatred is true of the JWs.
Truth be known, I now admit I am better off out of the JWs, even if it is without my kids.
I feel much healthier these days.
Thanks for sharing this painful story.
satinka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxxsderj5aw.
"Thanks for the 'come back offer" ... but you know, ....I found steak, I found prime rib. Why would I ever come back to baloney?"
Loved it!
satinka
ok i listened in on the phone last night to the co's talk after the book study.
i am truly starting to realize that otwo is right and it is just making me more depressed and mad.
but my husband still goes and it is helpful to be able to bring things up with him.. so i was half listening when he starts to go on about where the money goes that we put into the world wide work box at the back of the hall.. i started to tune in more and he was going on and on about how the ones in the full time service do not have any money and how what we give is what keeps them going and how we need to give.
I guess the CO didn't mention the $$$ in legal bills to hide the sex scandals.
Or the lobbying dollars to provide good press, "The Watchtower is Most Popular Magazine in the World"
satinka
hi, im paula from wales, uk.
ive been studying for 6 years with jws.
they came at a vulnerable time, my best friend died in a car accident when she was 6 monthes pregnant, i was drinking heavily, no work due to agoraphobia, meddling with the ouija board etc....i felt they helped me, cured me if you like.
Welcome Pam's Girl!
I suggest you talk to your family doctor. Tell her/him what you told us.
Some counselling might be a good start ... to get things put into perspective.
satinka
been listening for quite a while to the many conversations found here on this forum.
i'm a good listener as my friends will tell you.. i am a born in jw, inactive for at least 2 years now.
i originally joined this forum to find out what my husband was "up to".
Hi and Welcome Applehippie!
I thought if I asked for help it would get fixed. Hmmm. I was told to go home and be a better wife.
Yours is a common story coming from sisters. I was told that as well---must be the standard answer when sisters complain about conditions on the home front. It is belittling to have our feelings negated; in fact it feels more like blame instead of support, doesn't it?
Glad to have you with us, sista!
satinka