30 years out

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Posts by 30 years out

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  Abusive Families Drawn Like Moths to a Flame or Does WTS Help Develop Abusive Attitude?

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  so many ex-jw's are stepping forward here and other places and relaying information about their upbringing in the jw's being an abusive one.. we have the two types of abuse- physical and sexual.

  i thought i would give a chance to everyone to ponder on what's up with the high levels within watchtower congregations.

  i know the subject has been covered before, but some fresh voices and some new readers might want to know that they are not the freak, not the problem in their family, not alone, able to relate to others.. as far as physical abuse goes, i consider the attitude of wts that is passed on- beat the littlest of children in order to keep them quiet during meetings.

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  30 years out

  I have posted on earlier threads about the physically abussive upbringing I had, but there were others who were far worse and they would compare notes on the punishment they had meted out to their children. I remember my mother pulling down my 3 year old brother's pants to show another "sister" the welts she had left on his behind hours earlier.

  I am convinced that every society in history has imitated the gods they worshipped. Since their god is an angry, jealous, bloodthirsty god you cannot expect any other behavior from his worshipers.

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  I'm scared sometimes that the WTBTS might be right about everything.

  by Chemical Emotions in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i wake up thinking: what if my boyfriend and i die a terrifying death during armageddon?

  with no hope of any life afterwards?.

  do any of you ever feel that way?.

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  30 years out

  Hi Chemical: I think we all have had those thoughts as we distance ourselves from the confinement of the church, I know I did. Then I remember the DA I attended in 1973 where the speaker said that "this old system can no longer be measured in years, months, or days, we are down to hours". Then I recognize the horrible crime this organization commits every time it spits out a new prophecy.

  As you gain experience in making decisions and thinking for yourself, you will become more and more confidant in your own spirituality. This cult has done a number on so many and their only power is the power we choose to give them.

  Blessings:

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  How do you reason with them?

  by Walk On in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  so let me set this question up.

  sorry if its long!.

  recently my brother-in-law posted a link to a story on facebook: "we're seeing rev 17:12,13 starting to be fulfilled!!

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  30 years out

  I agree with most of those who have posted earlier. There is no way to reason with a JW who is still a believer. The only ones you can hope to help are those who may still be seeking answers and have not yet submitted their reasoning capacities to the organization.

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  My 1st post -- after being out for 10 years...

  by gonzo2k in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so, i'm new to the site lurked around for a week or so now before signing up.

  i'll try to keep this first post short.

  just looking to make some connections with others that have been thru similar life experiences and help out anyone that feels empty and alone after leaving the "organization".

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  30 years out

  Welcome Gonzo. This can be a very healing place. It is the one place everyone understands what you are saying and can offer real advice that helps.

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  What was something that you loved but were denied as a JW?

  by Chemical Emotions in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i could go on and on about all the things i loved, but i'll keep it brief and just mention one, rather trivial thing: music.

  i love grunge and punk, and occasionally heavy metal, and can't listen to a lot of it as a witness..

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  30 years out

  Mine was making music. I was a natural with the timing and was able to play by ear, but because I might be called upon to perform some patriotic or religious music I could not go on to play in the school band. I recall my music teacher being very upset with me and my situation as I turned down the opportunity to move forward. My father felt that music education was a waste of time that should be spent in the field service.

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  106

  My Letter to the Elders in My Late Father's Congregation

  by cruzanheart in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  well, guys, here it is.

  it's going in the mail tomorrow.

  it's for me but, dad, it's also for you.

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  30 years out

  Cruzanheart:

  My sincerest condolences for what you, your father, and your family have been through. It is truly disgusting that this passes for agape.

  Your letter is a heartfelt and eloquent indictment of the corrupt, vile, and evil system devised and perpetuated by these soulless and heartless men. Unfortunately it will not reach them in any meaningful way, because they have no capacity for compassion or any other quality commonly ascribed to their god.

  The only positive you can hope for here is that someone who may be on the way to becoming a victim of this organization will be saved the trouble. Make sure everyone who can possibly see it doe so.

  Take Good Care of Yourself:

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  125

  Once again I say goodbye

  by mouthy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i find the board is getting very unfriendly of late.

  used to be great to be aboard.

  but the snipping that so many.

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  30 years out

  Mouthy:

  I am very newly admitted to this board after watching the discourse as a visitor for some time. I have enjoyed your advice to many lost souls along the way, and to see your post here now is disturbing. I do however understand your position and question the effectiveness of a forum which is often hijacked by those who simply seek to replace one form of repression with a flavor of their own choosing.

  We are individuals with free will and free minds so we will never enjoy the blind allegiance and conformity we experienced while in the clutches of the church. Hatred, bigotry, and intolerance are the same whether based on a bible passage, a verse from the koran, or the misguided directive of another source and have to be left behind.

  I am sorry to see this forum lose the valuable insight and compassion of a member like you Mouthy, and I join others here hoping you will still be around.

  Blessings:

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  46

  what religion are you now?

  by deservingone26 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  its been a while since ive been on how is everyone doing?

  but just curious after you left jehovahs witnesses did you look into other religions?

  or are any of you currently involved in any other religions now?.

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  30 years out

  I have attended a Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, but found my local group to be a little uninspired though friendly, affirming, and welcoming.

  I have, for the last 15 years practiced Wicca as a solitary practitioner. Over the last few years my partner has joined me in this practice. We have also studied Buddhism and Hindu thought so our spirituality tends to be rather eclectic. We have found a huge spiritual community where religion is not required.

  Freedom is sweet!

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  To be a good Jehovah's Witness you must......

  by Sour Grapes in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  to be a good jehovah's witness you must:.

  have a fear of growing old and be vain about how you look.. struggle to make decisions.. be a nobody who can have power over others.. have a mental disabliity.. have a physical disabilty who wants a cure.. be normal, but have parents who are j.w.'s..

  have had bouts of depression.. have a fear of being wrong.. the above are based upon people in the kh.

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  30 years out

  Be extremely judgmental and find flaws and faults in all those around you.

  Consider yourself more righteous than your peers so that when they don't seek your advice you can feel even more superior.

  Question the motives and faithfulness of all your peers even those you call "friend".

  Vehemently defend and/or deny your own hypocrisy.

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  Growing up a Jehovah's Witness - New Video

  by jwfacts in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have put together a video - growing up a jehovah's witness 1960 -2010. it aims to show the things a witnesses would be taught as they age over those decades.

  it is 15 minutes long.

  this is my first attempt at a video and it took a while to work out how to use final cut, so please feel free to make suggestions if anything should be changed.

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  30 years out

  Jwfacts:

  I enjoyed it this very much. It is very well put together and presented with dignity and style. If it helps even one person it is worth your effort.

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