Posts by openmindnow

69

What was the last meeting you ever went to?

by lilbluekitty in

i figured out it's been 4 months and 5 days since my last meeting ever.

july 10th, it was a sunday.

i hadn't been there in 2 months or so and decided to see if anyone noticed i'd been gone.

openmindnow

Last Sunday, I make maybe a meeting a month to keep the elders off my wifes back.

156

Victoria, Australia: Report on Oct. 11th hearing involving Steven Unthank

by AndersonsInfo in

victoria, australia: report on oct. 11th hearing involving steven unthank.

(this report is from an anonymous xjw who attended the hearing.

i had no plans to turn up to the court hearing as an observer, as in my experience, it can take several hearings and a number of months before any court case gets rolling.

openmindnow

The lawyers name is Rachel van Witsen

The law firm is Vincent Toole solicators

And yes I agree with so many others here my jaw dropped as well, but this will make no impact on the vast heard of the faithful.

11

Fading: Slow-Torture Approach to Exit Strategy

by DarioKehl in

jw
friends

i posted earlier on here today about the gut-wrenching physical ailments that come from living a double life as a fader.

it's effort.

it's work!

First off your experiences are SO powerful, I worry I may soon enter this faze. My wife who I told I don't want to be a JW anymore has even brought this "anger" aspect to my attention, she says I'm already acting like this and she came live with me but is scared to death that my anger with to come out at some random moment and cause a serious problem, or that I will start to try and get her to turn apostate which also scares her.

With that said I think you have the perfect out! I may be way off base here, but see if what I say has some relevance. Tell your parents you love them, that you have always followed the rules but that your gay (my words, not yours, but I'm reading between the lines) and that you can no longer live with the hateful teaching of the WTBTS, that you intend to fade out and will no longer attend anymore meeting. Explain that you have not had a relationship with a man, and that you would appreciate there love and understanding patience in not attending any longer. My guess is that they would be as relived as you to just let you fade.

Now if what I said is totally wrong remember it's simply one opinion.

85

BREAKING MY SILENCE EVERYONE READ!!!

by D8TA in

jw
friends

as ive made it known on this board, my current status with the watchtower bible and tract society is that of inactive.

this is a loophole i have utilized, to keep an open channel of communication with family members in the organization.. i want to clarify with everyone: i do not hold any doctrinal ideas, theology, ideology, opinions expressed in any form by the wtbts.

therefore, to simply put, i do not believe in the wtbts in any way, shape, or form.

openmindnow

Great story, I will most assuredly be using this method when I say goodbye at my last 3 man sit down with the cowards who seek to control my family life with there absurd rules and High Control Cult BS!

32

Is there really any difference between disfellowshipping and disassociation?

by iamwhoiam in

you would think being disfellowshipped is like being fired from a job and being dissassociated is like quitting a job...is this the correct understanding?.

as much as i have been searching for the answer to this question in the later articles, i can't really find a concrete answer.

but being an ms and raised in "the truth", i was always brought up to feel like if someone disassociates themself, they are automatically labeled an apostate.

openmindnow

Wow Thanks! I apologize for not making an introduction here at JWN before posting my 2 cents worth just had to jump in on that thread. I have posted a brief history of my life and fade over at JWR but I owe you all the same courtesy. If someone wants to inbox me on where I go about doing that I get on it right away.

32

Is there really any difference between disfellowshipping and disassociation?

by iamwhoiam in

you would think being disfellowshipped is like being fired from a job and being dissassociated is like quitting a job...is this the correct understanding?.

as much as i have been searching for the answer to this question in the later articles, i can't really find a concrete answer.

but being an ms and raised in "the truth", i was always brought up to feel like if someone disassociates themself, they are automatically labeled an apostate.

openmindnow

Never mind willful nonsupport is very clearly stated here as materail

***g022/8p.10MarriageShouldBeaPermanentBond***

[Boxonpage10]

DIVORCEANDSEPARATION

God, the Originator of marriage, designed it to be a permanent union. But is there any Scriptural reason for a person to divorce his or her mate-and one that would allow for the possibility of remarrying? Jesus addressed this matter by declaring: "I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, exceptonthegroundoffornication, and marries another commits adultery." (Matthew 19:9) Sexual infidelity by a mate is the only ground for a divorce that will allow the innocent mate to remarry.

In addition, the Bible's words at 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, while encouraging marriage mates to stay together, allow for separation. Some, after trying very hard to preserve their marriage, feel they have no choice but to separate. What can be acceptable Scriptural grounds for such a step?

One is willfulnonsupport. When getting married, a husband assumes the responsibility of providing for his wife and children. The man who willfully fails to provide the material necessities of life "has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith." (1 Timothy 5:8) So separation is possible.

32

Is there really any difference between disfellowshipping and disassociation?

by iamwhoiam in

you would think being disfellowshipped is like being fired from a job and being dissassociated is like quitting a job...is this the correct understanding?.

as much as i have been searching for the answer to this question in the later articles, i can't really find a concrete answer.

but being an ms and raised in "the truth", i was always brought up to feel like if someone disassociates themself, they are automatically labeled an apostate.

openmindnow

There may be enough wiggle room here for anyone who wants to leave and get the support of a body of elders for there action

**WT 88 11/1 pages 20-25

10 Willfulnonsupport is one basis for separation. When entering wedlock, a husband assumes the responsibility of providing for his wife and any children they may have. The man who does not provide for members of his household "has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith." (1 Timothy 5:8) So separation is possible if there is willful nonsupport. Of course, appointed elders should give careful consideration to an accusation that a Christian is refusing to support his wife and family. Stubborn refusal to support one's family may result in disfellowshipping.

12 Absoluteendangermentof spirituality also provides a basis for separation. The believer in a religiously divided home should do everything possible to take advantage of God's spiritual provisions. But separation is allowable if an unbelieving mate's opposition (perhaps including physical restraint) makes it genuinely impossible to pursue true worship and actually imperils the believer's spirituality. Yet, what if a very unhealthy spiritual state exists where both mates are believers? The elders should render assistance, but especially should the baptized husband work diligently to remedy the situation. Of course, if a baptized marriage partner acts like an apostate and tries to prevent his mate from serving Jehovah, the elders should handle matters according to the Scriptures. If disfellowshipping takes place in a case involving absolute endangerment of spirituality, willful nonsupport, or extreme physical abuse, the faithful Christian who seeks a legal separation would not be going against Paul's counsel about taking a believer to court.-1 Corinthians 6:1-8.

My thought is that if she going to leave me it will hurt but I can not continue to live this lie that I think its the "Truth" when I know its not.

32

Is there really any difference between disfellowshipping and disassociation?

by iamwhoiam in

you would think being disfellowshipped is like being fired from a job and being dissassociated is like quitting a job...is this the correct understanding?.

as much as i have been searching for the answer to this question in the later articles, i can't really find a concrete answer.

but being an ms and raised in "the truth", i was always brought up to feel like if someone disassociates themself, they are automatically labeled an apostate.

openmindnow

I do not want a divorce from my wife I love her very much and except for her religion I have nothing to fault her for she is a superb woman!

32

Is there really any difference between disfellowshipping and disassociation?

by iamwhoiam in

you would think being disfellowshipped is like being fired from a job and being dissassociated is like quitting a job...is this the correct understanding?.

as much as i have been searching for the answer to this question in the later articles, i can't really find a concrete answer.

but being an ms and raised in "the truth", i was always brought up to feel like if someone disassociates themself, they are automatically labeled an apostate.

openmindnow

Thanks bunch's Blondie for doing my leg work for me on this matter! I would have had to dig out my WTCD and find those references at some point, so thanks. I knew of course she could not scriptural divorce me or leave me for that matter as I already told her I would in NO, NO, NO way oppose her going to meeting or taking part in theocratic activities, that I would continue to provide gas money and recreational funds to her that she could use however she choose. That she could use our home to host hospitality, and gatherings (I wasn't going to be around, but she could) that she could bring home literature with no fear of it being molested of lost within our residence. Simply put I didn't care what she did JUST LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE ABOUT JEHOVAH OR HIS WITNESS'S!

32

Is there really any difference between disfellowshipping and disassociation?

by iamwhoiam in

you would think being disfellowshipped is like being fired from a job and being dissassociated is like quitting a job...is this the correct understanding?.

as much as i have been searching for the answer to this question in the later articles, i can't really find a concrete answer.

but being an ms and raised in "the truth", i was always brought up to feel like if someone disassociates themself, they are automatically labeled an apostate.

openmindnow

I have given this allot of thought, I'm trying to fade out and told my wife I am no longer one of Jehovahs Witness's. I won't go into the current battles I'm facing within my own household, one day my wife says its fine with her, the next she's telling me I'm Apostate, and if I am she can't live with me and would seek a divorce on the grounds that I'm a spritual danger to her. I have never cheated on her, I don't drink, I make a very good living and provide well for her, I told her I would keep the fade to myself and would not attempt to teach our borg friends or family the honest truths I've learned about the cult we belonged to. Theres more but I promised I wouldn't bore you with all the detailes.

Here's what I am thinking of doing!

I'm thinking about asking my lawyer to file a premptive restraining order agianst my body of elders from discussing any part of my life or my private choices about my religious belifes with anybody including fellow members of the congragation, other JW's or any outside body or organization and or corporation. I got the idea from the letter sent I saw on www.watchtowerletters.com . What does everyone think about that stradigy?