Posts by Dunedain

36

Coming to terms with the Watchtower experience

by Lee Elder in

it is a challenge coming to terms with your experience as a jehovah's witness.

if you were born and raised as a jw, and your parents were true believers, the impact on your life is profound, lasting, and largely negative.

in some cases quite abusive emotionally, spiritually, financially, educationally and yes, even sexually.. i recently watched "trumbo", and was quite moved by dalton trumbo's speech to the screen writers guild in 1970. here is an excerpt that i think is quite relevant to this topic:.

Dunedain

I truly believe, that none of us ever really come to complete terms with the BORG. It takes many years to come to certain realizations. All of us heal, and come to terms at different rates.

I feel we are always going to be dealing with the emotions, feelings, hurts, and scars that the WTS has caused. Many of us have had completely different experiences from each other. Yes, I believe ALL of us have a measure of unity, by being ex JW's, and even current JW's, since we all were, and or are, in the same cult.

The cult has hurt all of us in different ways, but most of us are "united", at a minimum, by at least some measure of hurt. Some were victims of horrible child abuse, others lost loved ones from lack of blood, many lives were ruined financially, or families simply broken apart from shunning, and many, many other wounds exist from this parasitic organization.

Coming to terms with this kind of stuff, is usually, a life long journey. Myself, I am still on it, and still coming to terms with being a "born in", and having a ruined childhood due to many reasons, and I have been away from the BORG for over 20 years. Then there is the "head trip" of is this the "truth", and if I am not following it, I must be doomed.

If I was asked if I came to terms with things 10 or 15 years ago, I would have said yes, I have come to terms that I will be destroyed at Armagheddon. Now if you ask me, if I have come to terms with it, I would say, yes that I have come to terms that the WTS is a bunch of liars, and THEY will be destroyed before Armagheddon, lol.

Its a constant journey, and one that we all will constantly be coming to terms with, until whatever end we all face ...

31

Who has made an unforgivable sin against the holy spirit?

by atomant in

we all sin and some sins are worse than others but blasphemy against the holy spirit is said to be unforgivable.what is considered to be an unforgivable sin?

Dunedain

If you are one of the GB's sitting on the thrones in Brooklyn/NY state, calling yourselves " the faithful and discreet slave ", and " the only channel that the Almighty God speaks to humanity ", then YOU are sinning against the spirit.

42

Another 12 yr old df in cong 13 people df in 3 yrs

by poopie in

jw
friends

wow

Dunedain

I think we can all agree, if this is a true story, that the problem here is that a 12 yr old was even baptized in the first place.

Honestly, without details, I find this hard to believe, but if it is, this is a horrible example of the abuse that the WTBS is capable of. Yet, still, due to lack of members, they push younger ones to get baptized younger and younger.

Its really criminal, at the end of the day. Expecting a CHILD to understand the meaning of a DEDICATION of ones life, is ridiculous. It would almost be comical, if it didn't hurt peoples lives.

Hypocrites, all of them at the top of this CULT.

36

Estimating future growth or decline of Watchtower

by shepherdless in

i have seen a few posts here, in various guises, in relation to whether watchtower is in decline.

plenty of people respond, but it is all fairly anecdotal, or "gut feel".

some of it has been wishful thinking.. as of late 2015, watchtower's numbers suggest it is still growing marginally, but there are various anecdotes on this site of publishers typically being older, and younger ones disappearing.

Dunedain

Honestly, the WTS has been in the decline phase, for a little over 20 years now. Like any decline, that is not a mass exodus, it starts out slow, but eventually becomes a "domino" effect of a gradually increasing , and much larger decline.

The ignorant, and back-firing, approach that the BORG implemented in the early 90's to the early 2000's, of a hard-lined, gestappo, high-controlling pressure on their OWN youths, DECIMATED their population. The eay to late 90's were RAMPANT with disfellowshippings of born in teenagers, and early 20 somethings, that the BORG has never recovered from it. Many of us here on this forum are "casualties" of the WTS's heavy handed, very strict pressure put upon their young ones, and causing them to leave, from either outright DF'ing, fading, or HATING the hypocritical acts of "slash and burning" head tripping Elders.

This was the start of the decline, and its grown exponentionally. Then once the INTERNET further PROVED and EXPOSED the failed prophecies, false writing, hypocritical acts, and evil of the BORG, iyt has now grown to a MAJOR collapse and fade of its CORE members.

You use to hear from those that were DF'd, that " I still believe its the truth, but I cant do it, or I got kicked out". Now, after the exposure of the internet, those that are kicked out, research the "roots" of the BORG, and realize its a bunch of HOGWASH.

When I use to run into old JW friend from my youth, who are out like me, we would talk about how its still the truth, but this and that. NOW, when you see someone who is out, we all realize how we know its a bunch of BULLSHIT. We compare "notes", we exchange websites, and we share info, from the child abuse scandals, to the horseshit, overlapping generation.

The domino effect is growing rapidly, and the dominos are falling quicker, and harder than ever before. The dominos have now been falling for over 20 years, and they are building up speed, strength, and are now reaching the very foundations of the BORG.

The WTS is on very shaky ground. The once "strong pillars" that held it up, are actually faultering now, and the higher ups, on top, are SHAKING IN THEIR SUITS. The GB's and "powers that be", are acting desperate, and irrational in their actions.They have EMBRACED the internet, that they once "demonized", and it is further adding to their downfall. They are embracing the "looks", and actions of main stream religions now, where in the past they use to denounce them. We find JW's singing and dancing, like old school evangelical religions. They have adopted worldly media to "blend" in better. They are trying to use "worldly" accolades, and devices to attract more youth.

AND THEY ARE FAILING MISERABLY. THEY STINK OF DESPERATION. THEY ARE FOLDING LIKE A HOUSE OF CARDS.

29

Governing Body went from anonymous secret group to T.V Stars??? How?

by Witness 007 in

when i grew up in the 1980's -90's it was rare to see a faithful slaves picture in 10 years of watchtowers.

everything was anonymous.

no one really knew there names except for the "holy oricle" fred franz.. now they are full on t.v stars with there own show.

Dunedain

It is very true, the "old school" GB 1, was very quiet, elusive, and behind the scenes. Quite frankly, I believe it added to the perceived illusion of their "mystique". The "enlightened ones" behind the scenes, and running the show, if you will.

They were good old, Bethel boys, through and through. The GB 1, for the longest time, were content in running the show, behind the scenes, and pulling the strings.

WOW, have things changed. We all must realize that this new, in your face, T.V star GB 2.0, are mostly all EX-CIRCUIT OVERSEERS. This, I feel, is the reason for their egos, and want, love, for the spotlight. They just are NOT content being behind the scenes.

It really all makes sense, if you think about it. Being that they are mostly ex CO overseers, they were used to being the "center of attention", wherever they went. The would show up each week to a knew kingdom hall, and literally be gawked at by the Rank and File. "OHH I want to work out in service with the CO and his wife". "OHH I cant wait for the CO's talk". OHH did you here what the CO said". "OHH I am gonna have the CO over for lunch". BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH, all the while the CO is taking it in, and filling his head up, like he is some GOD.

Then do not forget, the REAL power a CO has. He could make or break an Elder body, and "knock" this elder down, while lifts that Elder up, meanwhile, it is all a continued "head trip" for him.

Well, that's who these new GB 2.0's are. Power hungry, spotlight hungry, attention hungry, bathing in the illusions of their own self proclaimed "power".

They want to be up in the front and center. On the very top of their empire of bullshit. The "stars" of the Governing Body show, on JW.ORG.

Well guess what, GB 2.0, it IS YOUR DOWNFALL! You are seen for the, double talking, two tongued, serpents, that you are. Your faults, and nonsensical ramblings, are up front for all to see. The "illusion" that once existed, of your "divinity", has fallen before everyones eyes. You are foolish, poorly equipped, delusional MEN, and you are FULLY, COMPLETELY, and UTERLLY EXPOSED now, and YOU did it to yourselves, as your PRIDE drove you into your own DEMISE!

And to all of the few remaining out there, that still give these MEN any power or worship, I say to you, BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS!

28

Making friends in the "truth"

by Jordandemm in

jw
friends

what is it about making friends in the organisation am i the only one who had found it tough?

don't get me wrong there was some good people but unfortunately there was also a lot of egotism, back stabbing, jealousy and gossiping.

i could never really fit in any group, everytime i thought i had found a group it was as if i would be sidelined or ditched.

Dunedain

As many here have perfectly touched on already, it is IMMPOSSIBLE to make TRUE friends in the WTS. Now, of course, we know there are always exceptions to this rule, but, unfortunately, it is the norm.

When you have a "group" of people, who's lives are intertwined together, but in a very high control, fear driven, conditional, setting. it makes for strictly unhealthy relationships.

Most TRUE feelings are suppressed, out of "fear" of being turned in to the elders. Many are literally "acting" how they perceive, that they need to be perceived, by the others there. All relationships are not based on mutual respect, admiration, or love, but are CONDITIONAL on "standing", whims of the day, and how the elders think everyone should act.

The kingdom halls are festering grounds of gossip, and cliques, and back stabbing people. Everyone, from the minor children, to the baptized pre-teens, to the 20, 30, 40 somethings, to the older ones, are ALL JOCKEYING FOR POSITION AND PRIVILEGE.

It creates an atmosphere of, I am better, because I have this privilege, or that privilege. I was baptized first, or I gave talks younger, or I am a pioneer, or a servant, or an Elder. Its all based on BULLSHIT titles.

At the end of the day, the people there are NOT true friends, it is all based on fake, shallow, ideals.

83

if you had the slightest of doubt about leaving leaving the watchtower org. go to to jwsurvey.org NOW!

by nowwhat? in

and we are suposed to trust these guys with our lives?

!

Dunedain

If you read that article, it REALLY shows how hypocritical the WTS is.

For DECADES, they have been condemning, idolatry, and this "worldly" system. Yet they, proudly, boastfully, hypocritically, and falsely, promote themselves with a LITERAL GOLDEN IDOL, from a "worldly" organization.

How dare they. This version of the GB, is the most blatant group of power hungry, deceitful, evil bastards, ever to sit in the throne rooms of Brooklyn.

Not only does this version of the GB, tell you to eat their shit, but they also make you have to tell them it tastes good too. SCREW YOU, you crusty old bastards, you have NO hold on my life anymore.

28

What would we all do if the watchtower collapsed tomorrow ?

by stan livedeath in

jw
friends

i would probably collapse laughing.

Dunedain

It would be very FAITH strengthening to see the WTS collapse. I would probably dance in the street, singing "ding dong the witch is dead, the mean old witch, the no good witch".

Seriously though, the end of the WTS would be a wonderful thing for millions of people. There would be less LIES in this world. There would be less FEAR in this world. There would be one less mind controlling CULT in this world. There would be one less power hungry, GREEDY, organization in this world. There would be one less man made org that tears apart the very fabric of FAMILIES. There would be no more, poor, blinded people, dying from lack of taking blood.

The GOOD, that would come out of it, would be, hopefully, many families that were estranged for years, due to man made rules, could form relationships together again. Maybe, grandparents would meet some of their grandchildren for the first time. Maybe, nephews and nieces would meet Aunts or Uncles for the first time, or cousins for the first time. Children would be united with parents again, and brothers and sisters could hug and speak again.

The GOOD that would come of it, would be the self esteem of down trodden, brain washed people, being lifted up, from no longer being under the "yoke" of man made pressures. I bet, members health, and mental states would become better, if the WTS collapsed tomorrow. No longer would children be "raised" in a fear inducing, high control, youth crushing organization. No longer would people have to "act" in front of each other, and "pretend" to be something they really aren't, to people who really do not care about each other.

No longer would power hungry, self absorbed MEN, have anymore power or position over other humans in the congregations. Hopefully, these men who lauded their power over others, would become small, and insignificant, and whither away, as they finally realize that they were, and are NOTHING.

True friends, and those with true hearts, will instead rise from its ashes, and help each other, not for want of power, but for true love of each other.

The WTS, is a rotten tree, with rotten fruit. It is decaying from the top down, and inside out, and its days are numbered. Its old world, evil policies, of hate, and fear, are of a long bygone age, and it is nothing but utter and complete malice. The sooner it is cut down, torn asunder, the sooner life will flourish again, and minds and souls will be free.

56

Why Do Intelligent People Believe in God?

by cantleave in

jw
friends

one of the most common thing thrown at atheists is - lots of intelligent people believe in god.

this darkmatter 2525's video is an excellent explanation as to why very logical people possess religious belief systems.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y201qzddzbg.

Dunedain

One thing that I am 100 percent sure of, is that NOBODY in this thread TRULY knows if there is a God or if there is not one.

Many here have belittled others "opinions" on their belief in God, or no God, yet everyone here backed it up with their own "opinion".

Yes, BOTH sides will say, "BUT I have knowledge on this subject", and I have "proof of the subject", and" I have research", on this subject.

To all of you, I say, we all TRULY do not know anything, either way.

8

Bethel Family Matters

by WatchtowerReviewz in

using the hilarious song 142 i went ahead and created a sitcom intro about life at bethel.

this is what that song was really created for.

i hope watchtower likes my pitch!

Dunedain

Nice, funny stuff.