Posts by Perfection Seeker

109

Does being called an 'apostate' upset you?

by wholewheat in

jw
friends

do all of you ex-jehovah's witnesses get upset when you are called an apostate?

you all call each other apostates, so why should you all get upset if i call you apostates?

if you don't like being called 'apostate', what title would you prefer?

Perfection Seeker

I think the whole word "APOSTATE" is misunderstood. The witnesses make it sound like if you're apostate that you don't believe in God, and that you are a lost cause. The ACTUAL definition is:

Main Entry: apos.ta.syPronunciation: &-'ps-t&-sE
Function: nounEtymology: Middle English apostasie, from Late Latin apostasia, from Greek, literally, revolt, from aphistasthai to revolt, from apo- + histasthai to stand -- more at STAND
Date: 14th century
Inflected Form(s): plural -sies
1 : renunciation of a religious faith
2 : abandonment of a previous loyalty

So, are we "apostates" yes- we have renounced our former faith. Does that mean we don't believe in God? No. It just means we don't agree that the witnesses have a direct & only like to Jehovah (God) and that we are finding him in our own way, or in another religion. I always believed that apostates were so bad- and they didn't believe in God or Jehovah. But, actually, most apostates do believe in God- just not the organization. I am an apostate, in the way that yes, I have abandoned my previous faith.

I like how the people refer to the use of the N word, or blacks, but also for overweight people- you can't say "You're fat" and get away with it, but a fat person can. I guess the main thing here is "Don't call ANYONE names" Who are we to judge others? Besides, if you're on this site- it is usually because you have left the organization, and you want to be bitter, or voice your stories, or find friends, or hear others experiences, etc.

31

Double Standards

by Perfection Seeker in

did anyone else have witness parents who the congregation thought were the "model" family, yet behind closed doors all hell broke loose?

i remember a time when my family was choosen to do a part at an assembly about the ideal family- yet behind the scenes, we were beat, yelled at, sworn at, never studied, had a family from hell, yet others always commented how "perfect" and christian our family was.

being a witness leaves deep & permanent scars.

Perfection Seeker

Hey Jewel- funny we were in the same circuit- probably counted the ceiling tiles at the same time! :-) How old? 33 here- do you still have family in the org? Mine is- poor group is up counting ceiling tiles in Minnesota- can't believe they ENJOY the 3 days of 8 hours of speakers. I always hated & resented it- was in since I was 5- tried to leave since I was 15. How about you?

31

Double Standards

by Perfection Seeker in

did anyone else have witness parents who the congregation thought were the "model" family, yet behind closed doors all hell broke loose?

i remember a time when my family was choosen to do a part at an assembly about the ideal family- yet behind the scenes, we were beat, yelled at, sworn at, never studied, had a family from hell, yet others always commented how "perfect" and christian our family was.

being a witness leaves deep & permanent scars.

Perfection Seeker

Well, my parents SURELY didn't spoil me then! I got the rod, the broom, the belt, the board- they didn't spare ANYTHING when It came to me! AND, they'd get mad if what they used on me broke! Do you have children sweet pea? Can you imagine doing ANY of this to a child?!?! I remember one time we were shopping, and my mom slapped my face- a lady came & said- do you want me to report you, and have them take your child away?!!? All it did was piss my mom off more- so got it again in the car. From then on- she was more careful in public but ALOT less careful at home! Man- there should be MORE "crisis of conscience" books out there- personal stories, support groups, etc. One question- if you could get hypnotized to forget ALL witness stuff, would you? I would- in a heart beat- as long as I could have my other memories- not that they were that great or anything. I have told BOTH therapist I've been to that I wish I could bump my head & forget EVERYTHING & start over. Hmm....maybe I'll try that :-)

P.S. Jewel- I'm sure noone on here will "tell on me" If people are on here- they are bitter, too, as well, and SURELY wouldn't support another disfellowshipping! Still, a little scarey since this is the first time I've been on the sites or spoke against the org- but it sure feels good! Did you see that post about the merchandise? Gave my life to the organization, and all I got was this lousy tshirt- TOO FUNNY! :-)

Edited by - perfection seeker on 29 June 2002 17:35:31

2

Intervention Classroom forming

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

classroom forming!

exit issues regarding the watchtower .

and other undue influence groups (cults)

Perfection Seeker

I wish they had this intervention in Iowa- I'd be signed up! :-)

45

Ideas for merchandise

by Simon in

jw
friends

i think i mentioned this some time ago but never had time to do anything about it.

i'm thinking of offering merchandise on the site for a bit of fun and also to help with the site expenses (although i don't expect it to generate a huge amount).

i think catchy logo's and phrases are the best.

Perfection Seeker

I love the last post! Sign me up for two of them! :-) Blue please :-)

45

Ideas for merchandise

by Simon in

jw
friends

i think i mentioned this some time ago but never had time to do anything about it.

i'm thinking of offering merchandise on the site for a bit of fun and also to help with the site expenses (although i don't expect it to generate a huge amount).

i think catchy logo's and phrases are the best.

Perfection Seeker

FREE AT LAST FREE AT LAST

31

Double Standards

by Perfection Seeker in

did anyone else have witness parents who the congregation thought were the "model" family, yet behind closed doors all hell broke loose?

i remember a time when my family was choosen to do a part at an assembly about the ideal family- yet behind the scenes, we were beat, yelled at, sworn at, never studied, had a family from hell, yet others always commented how "perfect" and christian our family was.

being a witness leaves deep & permanent scars.

Perfection Seeker

I can't believe your mom showed you as an example! Me, I was always stuck in long sleeves in the summer trying to HIDE my marks. Don't you think Witnesses beat their kids more than any other group? In our hall, one of the elders came up with this "RULE" that ANY child still living at home had to be accompanied to the bathroom by their parents. I was living at home at age 19- got up once to go to the bathroom- no, I really didn't have to go- but needed to move to keep awake- and I got back there- and noticed my mom coming right behind me! They also said no jean skirts in our hall, no shorter skirts, they said the brothers had to wear certain suits- are hall was a very STRICT congregation- they went WAY beyond the bible. They even said kids couldn't cruise around in cars unchaperoned! Who at 16 doesn't want to drive drive drive? Oh, and the last time I went to the hall- my sister was in the back with her baby- and I started talking to her- quietly- there was a door partition- an elder came up & said it wasn't social hour. THE NERVE

45

Ideas for merchandise

by Simon in

jw
friends

i think i mentioned this some time ago but never had time to do anything about it.

i'm thinking of offering merchandise on the site for a bit of fun and also to help with the site expenses (although i don't expect it to generate a huge amount).

i think catchy logo's and phrases are the best.

Perfection Seeker

I wouldn't be able to buy any merchandise, because I am still not "labeled" but when & if I am- look out- I want truck fulls! :-) How about an "OUT OF THE CLOSET" apostate or witness shirt? I am STILL laughing about the "dedicated my life & all I got was this lousy Tshirt- that is HILARIOUS~

45

Ideas for merchandise

by Simon in

jw
friends

i think i mentioned this some time ago but never had time to do anything about it.

i'm thinking of offering merchandise on the site for a bit of fun and also to help with the site expenses (although i don't expect it to generate a huge amount).

i think catchy logo's and phrases are the best.

Perfection Seeker

That merchandise is hilarious! Course, I'd just ask for donations if I were you. You should charge to post- I'd pay alot! :-) LOL. I have a few of my own- will I get a discount on the merchandise if you use it? LOL

1) Watchtower- just believe it

2) Don't question it

3) Friends dont let their friends become witnesses

4) Got nothing else to lose? Then why not?

5) Loner? Do I have the religion for you

6) Watchtower. Does the body good. (NOT)

7) Don't like to make decisions? Want someone to dictact your life for you? Join the BORG

8) The few, the proud, the witnesses (hee hee)

9) Like to be different? :-)

10) This is your brain on the watchtower............ :-)

31

Double Standards

by Perfection Seeker in

did anyone else have witness parents who the congregation thought were the "model" family, yet behind closed doors all hell broke loose?

i remember a time when my family was choosen to do a part at an assembly about the ideal family- yet behind the scenes, we were beat, yelled at, sworn at, never studied, had a family from hell, yet others always commented how "perfect" and christian our family was.

being a witness leaves deep & permanent scars.

Perfection Seeker

This last post really says it all- you were 16 and afraid. How many 16 year olds OUTSIDE of the organization are scared of anything???~? I spent my ENTIRE childhood & early adult hood AFRAID! What a way to grow up! You mentioned 75 pound heavier- speaking of heavier- ever notice how alot of the witnesses are fat? I mean, grossly fat? Like the end is coming soon- so why diet or exercise? So, is gluttony NOT a sin? I think they pick & choose their sins & pick & choose what they want to believe. So much bitterness over lost lives, lost childhoods. I can't believe the years I spent AFRAID. Nice, on some level, to know others felt & feel the same way. Before this website, I felt so alone.