Posts by outsmartthesystem

11

little things that make you see the "truth" about this religion

by lostinthought in

jw
friends

i had tears in my eyes at work today.

there was an arbor day celebration and some teenagers had some speeches and they planted a tree...most people would not be as touched by the events today as i was but one of the women recieving an award said that she was proud of these children because they were doingsomething good for the communtiy...and i was proud of them too, but i was sad for jw's who would think these children are "bad" just because they are not witnesses...or the jw who would not let their children associate with these teenagers or even be part of a "wordly" club..that's what made me sad, all those years i missed looking at the little beautiful things in life in a positive light and not the negative debbie downer way jw's look at things..

outsmartthesystem

Not only that......but if a witness teen tried to get involved in a local community outreach program.....he would be chastized by the local elders for 1) getting involved with worldly people and 2) putting his trust in noble man instead of allowing Jehovah to take care of the earth. That one was used on me once. When I decided to get involved in the community.....the elders took the tone that it was not advisable because whether I am raising money for cancer research or cleaning up littered streets.....it is only a temporary fix.....whereas....if I used all that time preaching.....I'd be working towards a PERMANENT goal.

Neither the mags nor the local elders will tell you that you can't get involved in the community......but they will definitely urge you not to. It makes me sick that they will do their best to make a person feel GUILTY for trying to help other people out in the community

22

Are Your Morals The Same As When You Were A Witness?

by minimus in

jw
friends

even if you consider yourself a moral person, would you say that you are as honest, faithful, or any different than you were as a jw?.

outsmartthesystem

Mine are actually better. I am now trying my best to become a better person.......because it is the right thing to do......not because I am afraid of God's judgment

24

Spot the obvious mistake with this JW pamphlet.

by biometrics in

.

that's right it should be "1970s"(without the apostrophe) not "1970's"..

outsmartthesystem

I was once chastised by an "acquaintance" of mine that was 2 months older than me but was made an MS when he turned 18. He tried to lambaste me for not wearing my badge on my street clothes. I told him he could turn his badge sideways and shove it

41

Whats the real reason men want to become elders?

by usualusername in

jw
friends

discuss..............

outsmartthesystem

What Cedars said.

45

Introduction Bio

by JakeM2012 in

jw
friends

hi everyone, i would like to introduce myself and tell my story.

from the standpoint of being one of jehovahs witnesses, my whole family is deeply involved as i was the 5th generation of witness and any children that my brothers or sister have will be the sixth generation.

as some of my brothers and sisters are grandparents, i guess that makes their grandchildren a potential 7th generation.

outsmartthesystem

Welcome. I am GLAD to see that 50 years of indoctrination was not too much to overcome

21

How many have gotten interested in Human Services, Charity, Social Justice, Social Work and the like after awakening to Watchtower aberrance?

by Fernando in

whilst under watchtower influence i had little interest or awareness in these areas.. now they have become a passion.. i wonder if it has something to do with the "cult identity or self" versus the "authentic identity or self" as outlined by steven hassan in the "interacting with dual identities" chapter of his book "releasing the bonds - empowering people to think for themselves".. who has had a similar experience and/or change of career related to unplugging from the watchtower?.

or a story to tell?.

outsmartthesystem

I've gotten more involved in community outreach programs. It is a complete shame that the Watchtower makes its subjects feel guilty for giving their time and $ to a charitable cause. When I was fresh out of college....I had some "independent thinking problems" but I was not free of the shackles of the borg. My first job made it a requirement of me to get involved in a few local civic groups. I recall worrying about this....for fear that it may not be "approved". I did a lot of research within the publications and determined it would be ok. Then the elders got wind of it. I didn't end up losing any "privleges" but they were not happy about it. They told me that it is unnecessary association with worldly people. They told me it was a waste of time because the only worthwhile and lasting work that could be done is the preaching work.....since this old system is just about to crumble. They "reasoned" with me.......why should I be giving my $ and resources to a charity (it was hinted that they are ALL corrupt) when I could be donating more to the society? They laid a BIG guilt trip on me.

I still got involved in some local civic groups.....but I'll be honest.....it was not comfortable. The whole time I was helping the community I was wondering if God was displeased with me.

Only a radical cult could manage to make a human feel guilty for helping out those in his community

24

out of the closet

by so confused in

jw
friends

so this week was stressful and emotional.

my husband's witness family found out that we where not attending meeting anymore.

she stated if "i keep talking like i am i'm going to get myself disfellowshiped.

outsmartthesystem

"One of them said if I dont go to meeting I'm just letting Satan in."

Make them prove this is true using only the bible. Bring out to them that people in other religions say the same thing to their loved ones. It is nothing more than a guilt trip tactic.

"My husband and I both thought they where totally not going to want to talk to us again. I feel uncomfortable around them and anxious."

I know how you feel. I am living it right now. It all depends on your family. There are some families that will treat you like you are disfellowshipped. They are hard-liners. They take the stance that you "know the truth" and by not going to meetings you are no better than a disfellowshipped person. There are some families that will look upon you with pity. They will think you are spiritually and mentally weak. They won't withdraw completely but they will curb much association with you. And then there are the liberal types. These are few and far between, but they will continue to love you no matter what. Which family you have.....I don't know.

"She stated if "I keep talking like I am I'm going to get myself disfellowshiped. ""Do I know what that means. You have a lot to lose. I wont speak to you anymore. You will loose most of your family""

Exactly. This religion is not christianity. It is an authoritarian structure where you dare not question the leaders.

"I dont want my baby to not have family and feel insecure. I want him to feel well loved. I dont want to take that away from him."

Keep in mind that the most IMPORTANT thing is that you and your husband are in this together. You are damn lucky in that regard. Regardless of what happens....if you and hubby are together and you love those kids with all your heart.......that is ALL they need. Extended family is a bonus. But keep in mind what extended family means for you. If your kids stay the night with grandma and grandpa.....cult indoctrination will likely occur. Grandma and grandpa know that you dont go to meetings so they will feel like it is their God-given duty to instruct your kids with witness teachings. The more your kids are around witness family....the more they'll be exposed to indoctrination.

Sadly, your mother is "captive to the concept" that the society is God's one and only organization and even when they are wrong....they are right. If you haven't done so....read Captives of a Concept by Don Cameron. It explains perfectly why witnesses think exactly like your mom does. You can be an inactive witness.....yet still be so captive to the fear and authoritarian rule of the society.

Don't discuss doctrine or errors anymore. Their minds are programmed to shut down and go into defense mode when they hear it.

Above all else.....the biggest challenge for me was to try to remain calm. It is so easy to want to lash out and it is easy to get angry over the fact you've been duped. But remember.....your family are nothing more than victims.....just like you were. Only......they don't yet KNOW they are victims.

114

What exactly is a relasionship with God?

by tootired2care in

jw
friends

growing up and jw and being around them all my life i constantly heard the expression "a relasionship with god".

this always confused me, because how do you have a relasionship with someone that doesn't talk back to you after praying?

this was always rationalized as god talks back to you when you read the bible.

outsmartthesystem

"Most JWs don't know what a relationship with God is because there is an organization between them and God."

This statement is powerful. Has anyone watched Bill Maher's documentary "religulous"? At one point towards the end of it, he says "Most people would think it's wonderful when someone says, "I'm willing, Lord! I'll do whatever you want me to do!" Except that since there are no gods actually talking to us, that void is filled in by people with their own corruptions and limitations and agendas"

This is exactly what is so mind boggling. I would understand if a christian truly thinks that he has a relationship with God. But how can a Jehovah's Witness, who puts 100% trust in an organization....and who allows that organization to insert itself as mediator in lieu of Christ, truly feel that he has a relationship with God? When a witness prays....his "prayers" are answered by meeting parts and publications by the society. Exactly what Maher said.

19

Visit from anointed

by wezz in

jw
friends

so tonight i get to be graced by the presence of one of the anointed.

last time he visited to help me i told him that i have a problem with the 1914 date.

now obviously every single aspect of this date is wrong, but i started off by asking how come they end it in 537 instead of 539, when the king of babylon obviously received his punishment in 539, as foretold by jeremiah.

outsmartthesystem

It does amaze me that witnesses will say "does 2 years really matter?" or "I don't get caught up in all the chronology stuff". It is like they don't even realize that the entire reason their religion exists is BECAUSE of their unique chronology.

11

Higher Education and Career

by Ding in

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outsmartthesystem

It comes down to how much kool aid the elder drinks. I know of one that intends to encourage his kids to go to college. But I know of others that condemn college as well. These one reason "yes...I am aware of that 1969 Awake....but look! It is 2012! The light has gotten brighter in so many areas and we are now THAT MUCH closer to the end. It HAS to be right around the corner now. If I don't show how imminent the end is to these kids....they may not take it seriously and my lose out on everlasting life!"