Posts by Anon2

44

Should I get babtized?

by BlackWolf in

jw
friends

i know this sounds like a ridiculous question but i was talking with my mom in the car today and of course we got on the topic of getting babtized again.

she told me that jehovah holds me accountable for my sins regardless of wether i am babtized or not so i have no reason to be holding back because it won't change anything.

my parents are the type of super strict jw who will shun you just for not being a witness.

Would your parents be ok with you getting married right now if that's what you wanted to do? Baptism, like marriage, is supposed to be a lifelong decision. If you're not ready for marriage, how could you be ready for baptism?

My sister and I had pressure to be baptized. She did. I didn't. I never regretted it. She did regret it and resent it, and still does.

26

Good idea or bad idea?

by stephanie61092 in

first and foremost, thank you so much to so many of you who have reached out to me over the past few days since my post on sunday.

i'm not totally in the best mental state, however, i do have a very small amount of people that i can lean on for support.

i relayed my feelings to a friend (my only friend, really), who took the initiative to inform my family.

Anon2

Sooo glad you checked in Stephanie. Bet I'm not the only one who has checked each day to see if you said how you were doing and given a lot of thought to you.

Had a thought this week I'd like to share. Wouldn't it be interesting if each person who wanted to leave JW's, or was DA themselves, or knew they were being disfellowshipped, spoke to their family members and closest friends and told them that you were leaving and if they didn't also leave within a certain time, you were shunning them. And as an afterthought, to add, "if your choice is to stay and have me shun you, know that there is no reinstatement in my decision. You'll be forever dead to me." I know it isn't realistic, but it was an entertaining thought. Simple minds are easily amused. 8)

Can't answer your question, but can once again wish you well. Glad you had a friend to talk to and that it worked out well. Stay strong, and know people care. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and my sincere hope is that someday you will have an outlook that doesn't give two cents worth of care to what a cultish group of humans think of you. Hugs, Stephanie.

21

Thoughts during the meeting today

by stephanie61092 in

while i'm politely sitting during the meeting today, restraining myself from rolling my eyes as the brother drones on about how "having an independent spirit is devilish in nature" and "independence from gods organization only results in pain and strife", i only have one thought going through my mind over and over.

"what would happen if i pulled out a gun and blew my brains out in this kingdom hall?".

would anyone notice or care?

Anon2

"What would happen? Many people would be very, very sad. Every single person who has posted here would see it in the newspaper and think, "I should have said, I shouldn't have said, wish I'd have thought to, wish I'd have thought not to, if only I could have done this, I should have done that....," on and on. Endlessly. I don't know you but got tears in my eyes reading your post.

Yes many would notice and care. Blood spatters from shooting victims. It can travel a way. Might get on someone. Yes, they'd care. (sorry, bad attempt at humor)

Blame and denial are common in any death. It's doubtful anyone would think that being ostracized had anything to do with it. Anyone but themselves and their policies will be blamed and any responsibility will be denied by anyone and everyone. Us? We could have contributed to this? Nope.

My guess is that anyone but themselves and their policies ruined you. You could be deemed "mentally diseased"...no fault of theirs and nothing to do with their cruel practices. A life well lived will affect them more than anything you could do....and it's the best revenge.

Best guess about your family seeing it's not the truth, without knowing your family, is they would think that "if only" you'd have "returned to Jehovah" it wouldn't have happened. When someone accepts the "truth" about anything, it has to be in their time and on their terms.

My hope is that you see the truth in how many people care about you. Things will get better. It's been my experience that you don't want a long term solution to a short term problem. Sending you a virtual hug and hoping we'll all be here to see when that cruel psycho Corporation collapses on itself.

8

My Bethel Experience Part 7

by new boy in

besides the about 48 hours you worked there a week, you would have other duties too.

there was dish duties.

then you had the night watchmen duties.........once every 2-3 years in the home, you pulled an all night watchman duty.

Anon2

Another fine story. Makes a person count their blessings. Some of the Bethelites seem like they'd be a lot of fun to cook for or offer a few home baked goodies. Regardless of a life choice, a person who commits to working for another should be fed decently. To think a hero sandwich and beer was good eats is sad. The food service and lack of enough food was just wrong. And unchristian.

152

If YOU had to make the decision, would you respect a JW relatives wish to refuse a blood transfusion?

by nicolaou in

a few years after i quit the meetings my mum needed her medical directive signed and witnessed and she asked if i'd do it.

i was surprised to say the least!.

i think she was just angling to include me and maybe find some lever to get me involved again.

Anon2

A question to make Aristotle bite his fingernails. Maybe it's something we can't "really" know until we're faced with it, but my most truthful answer would be no, I wouldn't respect her wishes.

Many years ago, a car ran a stop sign and pushed my car into a cement bridge. Most of my bones were broken, organs ruptured, etc. It was bad. My parent's are JW's. I left home and the religion as soon as possible. Was never baptized. They knew how I felt and knew I didn't accept their stand on the blood issue.

My husband was killed in the accident, which left decisions to my parents. Knowing that I wouldn't stand a chance of living without blood, my mother said no. They told her they would get a court order but my time to live was severely limited and the time it took them to get the order might make a life or death difference. She refused. They woke a Judge and got the order.

Though she said "it was the hardest thing she ever did," saying no, she had no choice. How does someone say that about their child? How does someone put a humans word that the Bible means what they say it means ahead of a life? How does a person put fear of disfellowshipping ahead of their child?

I don't know, but feel pretty sure that I'd sign for her to get one. Not from any sort of "payback", but simply because I couldn't live with myself knowing she died because I wouldn't sign that paper.

37

My First post

by Simple Minds in

i have been lurking on this site for 3 years and this is my fist post.

i would like to thank everyone for helping me wake up.

i was baptized at 24, married at 25, ms for 18 years mentally in for 24 years but started to wake up 3 years ago doing research to give public talks, and the actions of arrogant and narcissistic brothers and sisters did not help.

Anon2

Welcome Simple Minds. I don't post a lot, but enjoy reading. So many interesting stories. Yours must have been hard to write and harder to accept what you've been through. Glad you're strong enough to do what you feel you need to do. Best wishes and happiness to you. PS. Your spelling is fine.

94

ELDERS, ha ha ha ha....!!!!!

by brandnew in

jw
friends

so as many know....ive been df'd goin on 19 years already.

i drive pops to meetings, and drop him off on saturdays for fs.. well yesterday, the elders ask to speak to me, and tell me that if i plan on returning to jehovah, i had better shave my beard off..

omg!!!!!!

Anon2

anon2. Regarding manners? what the heck do you monkey butts know about manners? you have an entire website dedicated to bashing a religion, and praising people that insult them in PERSON. So Im thinking You can talk that talk but cant take a SINGLE PERSON speaking back to you puppets.

I don't see this website dedicated to bashing a religion. From what I've seen, it's many caring people supporting others through deeply emotional events in their lives while finding compassion and understanding.

Sometimes people like praise, to be told they are doing good things. If the purpose of this posters thread was to have someone tell them such, then here it is. What that person was doing was a kind and loving act. It doesn't seem fair to me to find fault with someone doing something kind and loving. You probably have something specific in mind when you say "praising people that insult them in PERSON," but I have no idea what you mean.

There are many good people here. Speaking for myself, this is someone else's home. I respect the home of the person I'm visiting. There's a difference between disagreeing and being disagreeable. If things annoy me it's my choice to leave. I wouldn't go to a JW website and tell them what condescending governing body worshipping cultists they are. They can delude themselves to their hearts content in believing they are serving God. It's their home, regardless of how dysfunctional.

I do hope you hang around. Haven't been here long myself, but have seen nothing but kindness. People who have the anger you are showing have usually been deeply hurt. I hope your pain can be resolved. Thank you for acknowledging my post.

9

My Bethel Experience Part 5

by new boy in

the machines conquer all!.

after our meeting with knorr and the heavies, some of the boys and me got a job changes.

i was sent to bindery 5th floor, building 3, bindery line 5..

Anon2

Just wanted you to know that I've read and greatly enjoyed each one of your Bethel series. You convey the emotions very well, making the reader feel as if they are there with you, and your writing is good natured and has a "light" tone for such a heavy subject. A hard thing to do when writing. Great job. Looking forward to the next installment.

16

Letter to my wife

by Truthexplorer in

i decided to write the following letter to my wife after years of frustration.

it was the only way i could express my feelings to her.

so far i have had a mixed reaction from her which i can later tell you about.

Anon2

Truthexplorer, if I were your wife, this would be my response to your letter:

Dear husband,

First, thank you for your thoughts. I've often wondered if you ever had thoughts. (hahaha...this is humor; I wouldn't add this)

I was rather taken aback in the beginning upon reading that you are writing because you feel that " it is impossible to have a rational adult conversation" with me. Because the computer must have messed up, some of your words are cut off and I'm left to guess at what they say. If my guess is wrong, it will likely make it appear that I'm not trying to have the "rational adult conversation" that you desire, so forgive me in advance that I've chosen to not respond to much for fear of making a wrong guess and making it appear that I don't desire a rational adult conversation.

It would be wonderful if you could give me an example of what you consider to be a "rational adult conversation" and how I've failed in my efforts to fulfill that role in our relationship.

Your letter makes me feel that I've been placed in position of a Judge who is listening to a criminal who is representing and defending himself while possibly hinting that others and their policies are responsible for my feelings and actions. Unfortunately, I don't have the power of a Judge to release you, to sentence you, shorten your sentence, prosecute those who you feel are responsible, or to advise you.

So, giving up my Judgeship, I'll go back to the wife role. Dear heart, many of these issue, I agree with you. Like you, I can't change them. Like you, I can't change others; only myself. If I felt the way you are seeming to feel, I'd be very concerned that where I'm at isn't somewhere I want to be. Is there another place you'd rather be? Never can tell; it might be a place we would both like to be. Maybe in a place we could communicate with our voices and emotions?

If you'd like to discuss it, my schedule is always open for you. If I knew a short while in advance, there could even be some soothing, soft, gentle music and some refreshments.....as soon as I hang my robe. Hoping to hear from you at your convenience.

Your loving devoted wife

7

recently left, need some advice

by loner1995 in

ok. some back story.

i was born into the jw thing.

so was my dad and mom.

Anon2

Your feelings and emotions are probably a lot more common than you know, and easily understood. You can't live your entire life in the atmosphere you were raised, then expect to compensate right away. Give yourself time. Maybe what you're offering is too much information too soon. Casual acquaintances don't usually need much info about your past, but you might want to share more when you get closer to a person. If questioned, maybe a short answer would be better without adding details. Things like, "we were pretty sheltered. Home schooled and parents were religious freaks," said with a smile. "Quite an eye opener not being in that environment any longer." You can tell by their reaction if you think it would be better to wait a while to share more.

Wish I could be some help. Can't really tell you what you want to hear, but if it helps, know that others have felt, and will feel, just like you. I've noticed people don't care much about anything as long as you listen to their story, try to sincerely feel empathy for their frustrations and happiness for their success, and make them feel important. Everyone truly IS important. Some you have to look harder to see it, but it's there.

You'll soon adjust and it'll be worth your wait. In the "world" as opposed to JW's, you can make "real" friends. Not fair weather, follow the rules or we'll shun you people. Best wishes to you and I hope you'll let us know how things are going for you.