Posts by FormerlySandL

8

Are we using too many acronyms?

by Coded Logic in

ever wondered how your post might read to someone who's new to this site?.

(may take you a sec to get the real acronyms that are being used).

well i've noticed a pattern where a lot of ostentatious peoples that talk about their tough ass tax troubles only relate it to it as a problem that's being perpetrated by the federal & democratic states.

FormerlySandL

Ha ha that made me laugh. :)

I was struggling with one of them . It took me ages to find out what TTATT meant.

Im not sure if there is some kind of glossary for new members but it would be a good idea.

Clever post. Thanks

162

Do you still believe in God?

by FormerlySandL in

i never thought i would admit it, but i don't.

i might superstitiously have some kind of doubt but digging a bit deeper in my heart i really don't believe in god.

as a human i could never just sit and watch people be tortured, live years of abuse, suffer from illness and disabilities and all the other awful things people have to endure day after day without doing something about it.

FormerlySandL

Then there's the question of spirit entities residing and interacting among humans. If there is no God, then who or what are these entities?

Figments of your imagination.

This is actually a really interesting point and may be the only thing that could make me reconsider my argument.

I don't know if spirit creatures are a figment of our imaginations and I wouldn't want to find out. I would never ever get involved with spritism, witchcraft or quija boards.

Would you Cofty?

161

I am leaving the JW's . I am alone and scared. Advice and help needed please

by scared and lonely in

i am sorry that on my first post i am asking for help and advice but i am at my wits end.

i have been brought up a witness all my life and it is all i know.

i am an ex-elder and pioneer and i don't know anybody outside of the congregation.. i have been unhappy for so long and wanted to leave.

FormerlySandL

Where has S & L gone? I've enjoyed reading this tread...

why did you enjoy reading it?

162

Do you still believe in God?

by FormerlySandL in

i never thought i would admit it, but i don't.

i might superstitiously have some kind of doubt but digging a bit deeper in my heart i really don't believe in god.

as a human i could never just sit and watch people be tortured, live years of abuse, suffer from illness and disabilities and all the other awful things people have to endure day after day without doing something about it.

FormerlySandL

Xanthippe

i read them too and they had the same sort of hollow unsatisfying sound as some of the arguments given at the kh. It's like swapping one brainwashed delusionment for another.

I never want to be part of religion or be brainwashed ever again.

162

Do you still believe in God?

by FormerlySandL in

i never thought i would admit it, but i don't.

i might superstitiously have some kind of doubt but digging a bit deeper in my heart i really don't believe in god.

as a human i could never just sit and watch people be tortured, live years of abuse, suffer from illness and disabilities and all the other awful things people have to endure day after day without doing something about it.

FormerlySandL

Hi Nicolaou

Nope. I deserved the criticism I received initially, although despite my holding my hands up and admitting and rectifying my mistake, it still went on.

Im not sure some of the comments are just 'blunt and straightforward' honesty as they border on the abusive. It's quite unsettling to be on the receiving end of them.

on the whole my experience here has had a more positive impact on me than a negative one and people like you and many others are supportive. I'll be sticking around and hopefully in time can help people who were just as bewildered with their new life choice as I was :)

162

Do you still believe in God?

by FormerlySandL in

i never thought i would admit it, but i don't.

i might superstitiously have some kind of doubt but digging a bit deeper in my heart i really don't believe in god.

as a human i could never just sit and watch people be tortured, live years of abuse, suffer from illness and disabilities and all the other awful things people have to endure day after day without doing something about it.

FormerlySandL

While Acts25v9 has not put up a covincing and satisfactory reason for me personally to believe in God, I have to say that despite the abuse and name calling, they have given courteous, respectful replies and not stooped to retaliating angrily.

It seems that if you have a different opinion or you make a mistake on this forum some members here are so intolerant and try to bully you out of town.

I agree in principle with most of the replies against Acts25v9 but not the way it's given.

There is a lot of anger and bitterness on this site by a small but noisy minority who quickly resort to swearing and name calling rather than have a grown up debate.

To any new visitors it just reinforces all the things that we are warned about at the kh about sites like this which is a shame for those of us looking for answers and coming to terms with leaving the organisation.

162

Do you still believe in God?

by FormerlySandL in

i never thought i would admit it, but i don't.

i might superstitiously have some kind of doubt but digging a bit deeper in my heart i really don't believe in god.

as a human i could never just sit and watch people be tortured, live years of abuse, suffer from illness and disabilities and all the other awful things people have to endure day after day without doing something about it.

FormerlySandL

I never thought I would admit it, but I don't.

I might superstitiously have some kind of doubt but digging a bit deeper in my heart I really don't believe in God.

As a human I could never just sit and watch people be tortured, live years of abuse, suffer from illness and disabilities and all the other awful things people have to endure day after day without doing something about it.

The idea of him watching this but not doing anything about it until an appointed time or because it would prove satan right is cruel beyond measure. Especially because if anybody is ill in the congregation they pray for that person so expect God to answer this prayers but not some innocent child being beaten or sexually abused.

A few months ago I never thought I'd say anything like that.

27

What's the purpose of being a JW now?

by MrTheocratic in

with all the recent changes to this religion, what really is the purpose of being a jw?

especially for those who have been in and witnessed all the changes and still no sight of the end.

for these ones in particular (35-55 year olds) they must be in a state of confusion.

FormerlySandL

It sells a dream just as it does for the millions of people who buy lottery tickets despite the chances of winning being very slim (admittedly some DO win the lottery though ).

They are told repeatedly what an awful world it is and how close we are to the end. It takes a brave person to give up at this stage.

It also provides a protective network and shield that they can retreat behind so when they see the bad things on the news they can get comfort by thinking it will all end soon.

For most, it is all they have ever known. Any changes made are made to seem plausible and the congregations are conditioned to feel grateful for such changes as its evidence of the light getting brighter and jehovahs spirit directing the congregation.

35

Do todays Jw's care at all about Russell and the pyramid?

by olongapo joe in

just wondering, as i will be visiting active jw family in ohio in a few weeks, do you think it will be worthwhile dropping it into a conversation, about the wtbts pyramid near his grave, or try some other topic to try and wake them up.

i was never baptized and don't really care if they get upset or not, but it is only a day trip from ohio to pittsburgh, and thought it would be fun if they denied it, and then drove their to see it for ourselves.

FormerlySandL

Asking how they feel about the way the organisation deals with child abuse would be more provacative .....especially if you told them that was a stumbling block for you studying. that's the only way they would engage in coversation about it.

56

A fresh start

by FormerlySandL in

after the worst introduction i could ever make on the forum i would like to reintroduce myself and make a fresh start on the forum and hopefully over time i will be able to redeem myself.

i have changed my user name which was over dramatic and ridiculous in the cold light of day but for transparency and to show i am not trying to hide anything i have adapted the original name and it now has a more positive feel.

after reading a lot of posts on this forum i am feeling more optimistic about my future.

FormerlySandL

Thank you so much the incredibly kind and supportive messages. I can't tell you how much it means to me.

Im learning so much but its with mixed emotions. Glad that I'm finally seeing things for what they are but angry that I wasted my best years and didn't go on to university or do all the things I wanted to do.

As much as I hate to say it, it has damaged me.

At the moment I don't seem to fit anywhere ....too naive for 'the world' and too disillusioned for the JW's

I feel robbed and wish I hadnt known about 'the truth'