Posts by erbie

5

How things have moved on

by erbie in

it is very interesting for me to read about people who are working their way through raymond franz's books.

i remember reading them about ten years ago and found them hugely helpful at what was a very difficult time for me.

i did not have free access to the internet back then so those books were the only glimpse of what went on, i mean what really went on, in the watchtower hq.

It is very interesting for me to read about people who are working their way through Raymond Franz's books. I remember reading them about ten years ago and found them hugely helpful at what was a very difficult time for me. I did not have free access to the internet back then so those books were the only glimpse of what went on, I mean what really went on, in the Watchtower HQ.

I do still have contact with some witnesses as my inlaws are still JW's. However, they have closed ranks on us as they do not like to give anything away. I sense that they perhaps feel a measure of shame or embarrassment at what they do.

In short, it fascinates me how some people on this site appear to be still active as witnesses yet quite angry, with good reason, at the Wathtower Org. It seems that some of you still go on the ministry and go through all the motions of being a witness yet not believing it in the slightest. I left a few years ago but as with many of you, there was a transitional period of struggling on regardless even after I had decided that I didn't believe it. Anyway, this site makes it much easier for everyone involved which is really good news. I was completely on my own back then and had anger and hatred vented towards me in a way that I could not believe.

So, what I really wonder is: What is it like on the inside these days? Do you think that there is a general feeling of dissillusion? Certainly the witnesses I come in to contact with seem less concientous or fanatical. More laid back perhaps.

Please forgive my frankness, but it does intrigue me even now. And when I reflect on those dark days I spent in the Watchtower as I affectionally call it, I think, what WAS that all about. It shook my world in a way that took me years to recover.

So the question is: With all the wars, trouble, earthquakes and so on, why are insecure people not flocking to the watchtower? Could it be that they have cried wolf so many times that people (we) have learned from our past mistakes and are happy to ignore their fruitless ramblings.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I would love to read of other experiences.

16

My Old KH in the News - "Vicar fury at new home for Jehovahs"

by cofty in

my old kingdom hall at berwick-on-tweed has finally been sold to an art dealer after being on the market for a couple of years.. this week they were granted planning permission for a quick build on a site in a village just outside the town.

"rev matthew knox, vicar of tweedmouth and priest in charge of st peters church in scremerston, argued the plan should be turned down because it is not a place of christian worship as stated in the application.".

the story is the front page headline today in my local paper, the berwick advertiser.. here is a couple of gems from the article... "it is not part of churches together in berwick, it has its own translation of the bible and to my knowledge discourages independent thinking with the real threat of members being shunned by all other members if they dispute their governing bodys official doctrine.".

erbie

Wow! Your old Kingdom Hall looks like it came complete with real authentic Watchtowers. Did you find this helpful in keeping on the watch?

I've been to quite a few different halls here in the UK but nothing tops this one. There is one just up the road from me at Stroud in Glos which still has an asbestos roof on it or at least it did the last time I saw it a few months ago. It doesn't have Watchtowers though. Well, only the ones at the magazine counter but they don't count.

Keep on the watch faithful brothers and sisters!

129

Credit Card Donation terminals are currently being installed in JWs Assembly Halls...

by AndersonsInfo in

jw
friends

i received the following email from a former jw that i thought to share.

note: i retyped the boe letter that was sent from the christian congregation of jehovahs witnesses to all congregations in the us.

the letter is authentic.

erbie

Well, this shouldn't surprise us really. After all the Watchtower is just a money making racket right. They live the life of Riley while they send the troops out to do the foot work. Its history repeating itself. They're no better than the pope or anyone else. What goes around comes around.

Its just aswell Christ decided not to show up in 1914 cos he would have a lot of money tables to smash up. Hopefully he would have knocked some sense into these morons who collect money at every opportunity.

Honestly, they're obsessed! Why don't they go out and get a job so as to earn an honest wage like most other people.

Morons.

23

My story .....no friends after leaving the Cult and lost wife?

by Witness 007 in

i realized today that i have no friends at all...it's me and my wife and two dogs and three goldfish, thats it's....i'm not too bothered by it but my wife wants to go back just for the friends.....i have de-programed her out of the "matrix" and she now thinks for herself, but she still feels like she needs a spritual side and friends.

i have people at work but we don't hang out.

i've become a a loner.

erbie

As with all things it does take time but you will come to see that there are some really nice, interesting people in the non Witness comunity. Besides, if people no longer want your friendship just because you do not share their vision then they were probably not very good friends in the first place.

Its not easy I know as I have been through it myself but in time I learned to see people as individuals and not as something that requires a label in order to meet with my approval.

We live in a great world with wonderful diversity and its yours. Embrace it.

19

I am proud to say I saw a WatchTower and Awake........

by paulnotsaul in

jw
friends

come out of the bottom of a totter into the hopper of my trash truck.

because that exactly where they all belong.

in the bottom of the landfill.

erbie

Actually, no, don't burn them. I'm a very bad boy. It polutes the atmosphere and as we all know, that is not gonna get sorted any time soon. Do wipe your butts on them instead though as it is the greenest option and we all love the planet.

19

I am proud to say I saw a WatchTower and Awake........

by paulnotsaul in

jw
friends

come out of the bottom of a totter into the hopper of my trash truck.

because that exactly where they all belong.

in the bottom of the landfill.

erbie

This is a great thread!

I had a huge bonfire of Watchtower publications. Four wheelbarrow loads. It was impressive. Tell you what though, they don't like to burn. I reckon the devil has put a curse on the literature so that it won't burn. Anyway, after the careful application of about three gallons of agricultural grade diesel I did manage to get the whole thing to light up. It burns with a strange kind of blue flame. Is this sorcery or witchcraft or Watchtower craft?

I'm not superstitious and I had to prove it to myself by striking that match. It was a big step and hugely enjoyable. Catharsis I guess. Or maybe just the great British sense of humour!

Don't polute the ground. Burn the rubbish.

33

DO THE MATH: The Jehovah's Witness PREMISE doesn't add up

by Terry in

jw
friends

there are approximately 216,000 babies born every day in the whole entire world.

if every woman every place on earth suddenly stopped conceiving at the same time, it would take 9 months for all the babies in wombs to be born.. .

how many babies would that be by the end of that 9 months?.

erbie

You're absolutely right of course. I was recently reading an article on the subconscious mind and how it learns by repetition whereas the conscious mind learns by taking in information and evaluating it. Makes you think about all those Watchtower articles we were told to read, then we underline it. On Sunday morning we have it read to us as we follow it through and then we have to scan through it again when we are asked questions on it. Repetition. It is a very simple method but extremely successful nevertheless.

33

DO THE MATH: The Jehovah's Witness PREMISE doesn't add up

by Terry in

jw
friends

there are approximately 216,000 babies born every day in the whole entire world.

if every woman every place on earth suddenly stopped conceiving at the same time, it would take 9 months for all the babies in wombs to be born.. .

how many babies would that be by the end of that 9 months?.

erbie

Great work Terry!

I was thinking of going back to the reindoctrination process but having carefully considered your figures and diagrams I'm gonna knock the whole idea on the head.

May I thank you for your finely formulated machinations in extricating me from such a devastating dilemma.

They're gonna have to watch it now. We're on to them and we've got data!

23

Zealous JW nails description of the governing body!

by roxanesophia in

recently stopped studying, and stopped in the street to talk to a jw i met during my time studying.

we were sorta friends (well, in the small way jw's and worldlies can be) and here's how it went:.

him: "did you have a problem with someone?

erbie

Quite right. The Governing Body do prey on peoples insecurities. Never mind, their time will come. Hopefully during this generation, or was it the next one? I'm confused.

18

How many on JWN still trapped in Org. & will it get easier with time?

by Kensho in

jw
friends

i have only been mentally out for just over a year and i find it difficult to live this double life, ( ex-elder/reg pioneer).

i'm still in for probably the same reason as most who post here=.

a wife that i cherish= who would be destroyed and kick me to the curb.

erbie

Just read the posting on staying in the Watchtower Organisation which, of course, is exactly what they are. No more and no less. And certainly not to be feared!

Its interesting that you mention losing the love and respect of your wife which has become your reason for continuing. That's not unusual. In fact it is exactly why I carried on for a number of years until I revolted, which is inevitable if you think about it. Doing something against your will is a recipe for a broken mind in my experience.

I'd like to offer you a magic bullet that would fix all but have failed to find one. The only advice I could offer, if indeed we should give advice in such matters, is DO NOT destroy the faith of you wife. I am in no way implying that this is your intention but if you did she would not thank you for it but would still resent you long after the seven headed beast has descended in the the pits of doom. Ah, I remember the Revelation book well!

Anyway, I was in a situation very similar to yourself with congregational responsibilities and a wife and young family to support. Intelectually I struggled with it for about five years or so but could not reconcile many of the Watchtower teachings with common logic. I think that I made a mistake in showing my wife where the Society is left wanting. I used to tell her that she would one day see that she had been hoodwinked from a young age and that she would abandon the religion. Well, she did but she was not good to be around. Once she realised that all she had been force fed on was a lie (or the larger part of it), she went off the rails and is now full of hatred for the Witnesses and religion in general. Although I left a number of years ago I am not disfellowshiped and have pleasant conversations with some of the brothers and sisters in the locality. I may not respect the Watchtower Org but I still treat with respect those who are genuine but have been fooled. We've all been there haven't we.

I think that in your case you will struggle on for some time but it does seem that once doubt has entered our mind it bursts the bubble and lets reality in which makes it very difficult to carry on as before. I tried to convince myself that it was the truth but failed miserably. You can not make white black and black white. Having said that, I do hope that you manage to reach some resolve, even if that means accompanying your wife in the service. You never know, she may, in her own time, reach the same conclusions as yourself and there is certainly no harm in giving her a gentle nudge in the right direction. But be careful! Lead gradually but do not push. Gosh! I sound like the serpent in the garden of Eden! Where did that come from?

With very best wishes