Posts by DesirousOfChange

60

Is it me or is John Cedars channel becoming a self important circle fest

by phoenixrising in

i still like the commentary on the jw.org monthly’s, i can skip through some parts.

but it seems like he is pushing too hard to put out videos and the quality is getting very low on the content..

DesirousOfChange

John likes to hear himself talk. Takes him 2 hours to say what could have been said in 10 minutes. And more listeners would have tuned in.

11

recent controversies in america brought this to mind , although i don’t want this to become a political thread , rather to discuss the wts rules that stop a jw showing respect for the national anthem.. the watchtower says that doing so is an act of idolatry, giving worship to the state or its icon.

as such witnesses remain seated when the anthem is played.

in britain people simply stand quietly to show respect, there is no hand gesture.. when i was a boy, every cinema show and theatre concluded with the anthem,being played .usually it was orchestrally with no words sung.

DesirousOfChange

Worship. That's right! When the National Anthems are played at the Olympics or at baseball games when opposing teams are from different countries (US vs Canadian), the players and fans stand for both (all) Anthems because they worship their opposition team's nation.

What a crock!

34

Economic Recovery after COVID-19

by Simon in

it feels like we've really turned a corner, this morning especially.. the covid lockdowns are ending and medical systems were not overwhelmed plus there are existing treatments that have been proven to be effective (like hydroxychloroquine) and new vaccines and medicines in the pipeline.

a week or so ago the dems were dead against opening things up but since they are encouraging protests (which often turn violent) they can't continue that stance - thus proving trumps claim that it will soon be gone.

the majority of the deaths were politician-assisted (which i hope people are prosecuted for) so it's not the big risk we were led to believe and (over) reacted to.. the bls reported this morning that the us economy just added a huge number of jobs (most on record) and will undoubtedly benefit even more from a drive to source local production and supply chains going forwards.

DesirousOfChange

Anyone else feel like it's going to be boom times for the next 5-10 years?

Not if Trump doesn't win re-election.

9

How Can So Many Protesters (George Floyd) Be From "Somewhere Else?"

by RubaDub in

jw
friends

i hear every mayor, every politician, claiming that the protesters are coming in from "other states".

at some point, with about 130 cities that had protests over the last weekend, where the hell are people coming from???.

there are only 50 states (57 per obama, but that includes us territories and kenya).

DesirousOfChange

Sounds like "somebody" has implemented a "plan" for the protest, doesn't it!

I hear all those protesters from out of town brought pallets of bricks with them, too!

AMAZING!

39

J. W's Are Afraid of Old Literature

by IWant2Leave in

i'm reading babylon the great has fallen, god's kingdom rules, published 1963. this was studied years ago when i was about 10-12 years old.

i wanted to just read some of the beliefs from decades ago.

my wife wants to know why i'm reading this book.

DesirousOfChange

OH, when that new truth fails to come to fruition ,then it becomes an old truth. ' ~ Smiddy

Or, the expression I've heard is, "It was the Truth for that time."

37

Why is this an APOSTATE site?!?

by LaraK in

i made a big mistake when signing up at this supposed website for jehovah's witnesses.

after reading some things on this site it has become apparent to me that this site is nothing put another pathetic site for apostates: people who betrayed jehovah, left the truth, and are so bitter about their experiene in the truth, and they are angry just like satan because they know they will very soon be dead at jehovah's hand!.

this website should be renamed something more fitting like "satan's playground" or a similar name that would get across the message of your site.. sincerely,.

DesirousOfChange

LaraK--

The greatest risk here is that you can NEVER forget what you have seen and heard about the Cult. (Yes, it is a Cult.)

Good luck,

We'll be waiting for your return!

25

Tips for a Slow Fade

by Huxley1979 in

jw
friends

i'm a born and raised witness.

i was an elder for almost 20 years.

almost the same in fulltime service.

DesirousOfChange

The toughest part will be replacing your friends. Even if you "fade", you will be persona non grata at social events, etc. You'll find that even those you thought to be your "closest" friends, will at least greatly restrict contact with you. And, as mentioned DO NOT TRUST ANY JW with your doubts or negative feelings. That's scriptural. They will turn you over to the "courts" (judicial committees) thinking they are snatching you out of the fire. Most of them are good and sincere people and wanting to "help" you. Thus it's important to try to build a network of friends at work or with neighbors. (Esp hard if you work with all JW's.)

The next toughest thing will be resigning from serving as an Elder. The CO will get involved and you'll be offered a sabbatical for 6 months, etc. "Why Dear Brother, why would you want to resign that great privilege?" Esp since you can't blame it on wife or kids. So, you better "zero in" on your reason. Job? Stress? Depression? Sick parents? We were "stumbled" by a prominent brother and the BOE, CO, and Service Dept bought his BS story. So, we are "waiting on Joe Hoover" to "fix" the problem. (We just are not waiting IN the Kingdom Hall.)

Resign, but stay steady for a few months so as to stay under the radar. Then gradually drop off Field Circus and meetings. Moving is a great strategy. As you know, elders are busy and most will not work that hard at motivating you. They're having a hard time motivating themselves.

You'll find everyone here willing to listen and to help. Although, many here are perhaps more "disenchanted" with the Organization than what you sound like being. You're likely to learn a lot more (negative) things about the Organization as you hang around here. LOTS of stuff out there that I had no idea of taking place. They do their best to "control" any negative information and they do a good job of it. Expect some "deer in the headlight" moments. You're welcome to PM me if you like. Esp if you want to discuss something that might identify you.

Good luck

10

JWs want to preach right now so very badly, they feel the fish are biting

by BourneIdentity in

they know many people are fearful and feeling vulnerable due to world events.. but something i’ve always considered is how will they be better off by becoming a jw.

they can be a jw, but the world events still are happening causing everyone anxiety.

and no, jws are not immune from this, jws are more anxious and paranoid as ever right now.

DesirousOfChange

What evidence is there that the ordinary JW “wants to preach so badly”? ~ Blues Brother

Agreed! Most JW's are happy to be sitting home in their underwear on Sat & Sun mornings. Even those who are doing any kind of phone witnessing are mostly loafing while watching/listening to poorly planned phone conversations. It's a joke!

17

Thunderous Applause Around The Stadium

by Number 6 in

growing up in the 70's and 80's in the jw religion who remembers the massive stadium gigs the watchtower used to hold?.

we used to denounce false religion in the starkest of terms.

we were right and by god we were letting anyone who listened know it.

DesirousOfChange

We thought it was Holy Spirit working on us. ~ BoureIdentity

Yes, I remember good and bad when leaving conventions. Good motivation to want to do more (good works). Bad in the guilt department. (Esp when I was exploring my raging hormones.)

I too think all that is gone. There is no real excitement at conventions any longer. The big excitement is to make homemade craft items for the international delegates. The talks are just "pablum" -- milk toast -- nothing of the caliber that Fred Franz could whip up.

Then it's out for burgers and beers! That's the most exciting thing about conventions now!

20

In love with disfellowshipped JW

by Amberlou in

i started dating a coworker who is a divorced jw.

found out he was disfellowshipped, and he was trying to figure out how to make things work.

i am not a jw, and his family is not supportive of the relationship.

DesirousOfChange

As MEATLOAF says in PARADISE BY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS --

STOP RIGHT THERE!!!!

First you need to know if they guy still believes the JW stuff. If he does, get the hell outta there!

Some people are DFd because they find out it is really NOT "The Truth".

Other people are DFd because they simply cannot live by the JW Rules. (ie, no pre-marital sex). If he is this latter case, then he will marry you and go right back to the JW Cult (now being to have sex with a wife and live by "their rules"). He will likely expect you to convert. (After all, JW's have The Truth!) He will expect (and be expected) to raise any children as JW's. Your children will be denied higher education and will be expected to sell WT literature door-to-door. He will refuse to approve of you or your children having a blood transfusion in a life threatening situation.

I don't think you know what you are getting into here yet. You need to have a sit-down and serious discussion.

YOU need to learn more about JW's before that sit down so you can ask pertinent questions. JW's are NOT just another protestant religion that happens to be a little "strange". JW's are a Cult. They are about "control". If he is married to a non-JW, he will always be a 2nd Class JW.

Good luck!

Doc