MrDarkKnight

Joined

• started 6 topics
• posted 224 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by MrDarkKnight

• 
  22

  What is Your Experience with Non-Christian Religions and Philosophy ONLY?

  by MrDarkKnight in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have been slow to start a thread because i wanted to see what topics were already being discussed.

  having left wt i have a disdain for organized christian religion at the moment.

  i am interested in your experience, research or observations about non-christian religions and philosophy only.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MrDarkKnight

  Shamus100 - Thanks. I will PM you. I have gotten some really good info off the board. I look forward to talking with you.

  Jay88 - It brings me great pleasure to help my Dad out and he is the only family member that will talk to me. I have a sister who I just visited a few days ago and she surprised me with a meal. We talked for two hours. She doesn't agree but she "gets it" and said she will always be my sister.

  Sinis - I have made a list of things I want to do and started on it. I love organized sports and was recently certified to coach football and basketball. I am really looking forward to that. Going to pursue the martial arts once I choose which one. I already drink (I was at Bethel after all). Thanks for the suggestion. Starting this thread has been a breakthrough event. Lot's of good advice and suggestions!

  I want to do all I can lead a happy and productive life....
• 
  22

  What is Your Experience with Non-Christian Religions and Philosophy ONLY?

  by MrDarkKnight in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have been slow to start a thread because i wanted to see what topics were already being discussed.

  having left wt i have a disdain for organized christian religion at the moment.

  i am interested in your experience, research or observations about non-christian religions and philosophy only.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MrDarkKnight

  Sinis - Let me give ypu some insight as to why this thread is important to me at this moment.

  I have been feeling somewhat lost since I left WT in January 2011 but was not sure why until I read some to the links I was sent privately.
  
  For years I was so sure I had the "truth" because I spent a lot of time researching it before I committed. I am a 100% guy. If I am not going to do something 100% I won't do it at all. That's just the way I am. Once I committed to the WTS I was one of their leading zealots which is why I got so much responsibility at a relatively young age.
  
  Even so, I stuggled internally with the altruistic approach to life. I just didn't buy sacrificing everything and leaving it to outside forces to take care of me. My father is 65 years old. He is an elder and is pioneering with his second wife. He is one of the unhappiest people in the world. He is poor, can barely afford his rent or food but refuses to get a job because he really believes that Jehovah will care for him. It drives me crazy to see him wasting away. I did want to turn out like him and that is one reason I left.
  
  What I soon discovered though is without the Witness teachings as my foundation I did not know who I was, or even what I really believed. I no longer had any basis for making decisions, plans or goals. I have been struggling because I have been trying to start over, but subconsciously still clinging to my old values and principles which invariably make me feel guilty. I feel alone in a society that I have spent my whole life avoiding and cut off from one that had been my support system.
  
  I am not necessarily looking for a religion as much as a way of life, a path, a basis for which to make decisions, set goals, dream dreams and work to accomplish them. I don't do random. While I do not want to be told what do any longer, I do need a center and that is why I have started this thread. I don't know if this makes sense or not.

  BTW, I have received some really good information and I believe a path has manifested itself.

  The journey continues...with a little more direction..
• 
  81

  Samuel Herd a Murderer?

  by Damn The Watchtower in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello folks,.

  i feel like a fish who has been struggling for oxygen so long he's almost dead.

  time to grow some legs and get the hell out of hell.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MrDarkKnight

  DTW - Welcome! It sounds like you have observed a lot over the years and just could not take it anymore. Your experience will add much to this board. I look forward to your observations about the WT. If folks like you are seeing the light the WTSBS in SERIOUS trouble.

  I agree with you regarding the current GB. I was at Bethel when the Old Skool GB was around. While I don't agree with everything the Old GB did they were visionary and they did LEAD. There was clear LEADERSHIP, even if you did not like it. There is NO LEADERSHIP today at the top or in the congregations. Most elders are too afraid to act lest they do something wrong and get reprimanded.

  The publications have been dumbed down to the point that it became painful to even read them. When was the last time anyone attempted to write a verse by verse book explaing bible prophecy? Its been at least 10 years or more. If they print a NWT in Simplified English that will say it all.

  Again welcome! I will be looking for your threads!
• 
  193

  Songs that touch ...

  by talesin in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  can be mushy ... .

  or can be craaazyyy ... .

  okay, i'll start :).

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MrDarkKnight

  I am smiling a lot more since I started thinking for myself....

  http://youtu.be/Z8SPwT3nQZ8
• 
  90

  Best way to step down from being a servant

  by RayPublisher in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  hey i'm wondering if anyone can give some good advice on how to step down in the safest way.. i have served as an ms for a number of years, but can't do it anymore.

  i know too much i want to fade in the future when i get some family things straightened out.

  i can't move right now so that's out unfortunately.. what should i tell the body?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MrDarkKnight

  Raypublisher - You will be all right. Just do YOUR thing baby.
• 
  61

  What made you leave "The Truth"?

  by Chemical Emotions in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  for me it was many things.

  most concerned certain teachings that invloved genders, children, sex, sexuality and sexual orientations, disfellowshipping, apostates, blood, rape, and few other things, as well as the jw's unloving attitude toward so many people..

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MrDarkKnight

  Chemical Emotions - As an Elder I got "see behind the curtain". Very disturbing.
• 
  22

  What is Your Experience with Non-Christian Religions and Philosophy ONLY?

  by MrDarkKnight in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have been slow to start a thread because i wanted to see what topics were already being discussed.

  having left wt i have a disdain for organized christian religion at the moment.

  i am interested in your experience, research or observations about non-christian religions and philosophy only.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MrDarkKnight

  Thanks everyone who posted and thanks to those who sent private messages with interesting links!

  Let the journey continue......
• 
  22

  What is Your Experience with Non-Christian Religions and Philosophy ONLY?

  by MrDarkKnight in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have been slow to start a thread because i wanted to see what topics were already being discussed.

  having left wt i have a disdain for organized christian religion at the moment.

  i am interested in your experience, research or observations about non-christian religions and philosophy only.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MrDarkKnight

  jay88 - Frankly after 38 years of going to meetings three days a week I have not pursued anything. I have avoided the supernatural aspects of religious writings in general and focused on the message of Buddah, Tao and Confucious. I have had to adjust to not having any friends or family who will talk with me and it takes some time to drop the thinking that outside forces are constantly meddling in your life. It was only about a month ago that I realized, "life happens". That realization has made me even happier and now I feel ready to connect with other people in a real way not in the superficial way I have in the past.

  Rocky_Girl - At this point I honestly am trying to avoid groups. I am more interested in reading literature that is spiritual or inspriational in nature and seeing what if anything I can use in my life.

  Sinis - I don't know I really like it here on earth, I like the area where I have moved and I love my career in Engineering. My company is paying for me get certified as an Engineer. I have enough practical experience I can do it without a Engineering degree (I was one of the lucky guys who actually learned a skill at Bethel that allowed me to have a succesful career and make money when I left. For that I thank the WTS.)

  As long as I have breath in my body I want continue to be happy, be a good citizen of the world and help my fellowman. Anything that will help me do that is what I am seeking.
• 
  22

  What is Your Experience with Non-Christian Religions and Philosophy ONLY?

  by MrDarkKnight in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have been slow to start a thread because i wanted to see what topics were already being discussed.

  having left wt i have a disdain for organized christian religion at the moment.

  i am interested in your experience, research or observations about non-christian religions and philosophy only.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MrDarkKnight

  I have been slow to start a thread because I wanted to see what topics were already being discussed. Having left WT I have a disdain for organized Christian religion at the moment. I am interested in your experience, research or observations about Non-Christian religions and Philosophy ONLY. I respect atheists but I am not ready to consider that route at this moment. Thoughts?
• 
  15

  Patterson Bethelites and Reassignment

  by Patty Cake in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  hi eveyone,.

  i grew up in a family of jw's, i was never baptized.

  i have two brothers who are elders, one is a bethelite in patterson.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  MrDarkKnight

  When I left Bethel 16 years ago I went right into full time work which was frowned upon of course. I didn't care. I knew that I needed to make as much money as possible to make it. Fifteen years later I am glad I did. Having left the WT I have a newtork of business associates and friends all over the country that I would not have had if I had lived as miser and suffered.

  When they would talk to me I used to tell all those leaving Bethel who ask me what they should do: "Get a job and work hard. Learn to take care of yourself, because no one else will."

  Happy is the an who finds refuge in himself.