Main reason for me posting this morning was to welcome Sanchy and I went off on a tangent. Big Welcome to you Sanchy and all the newbies here.
MarkofCane
JoinedPosts by MarkofCane
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106
Walking a thin line - Resigning Elder
by Sanchy inwarning of a long boring post ahead.
i feel like i need to vent my story out, as i feel quite helpless at the moment.. i'm 31 year old, married, father of toddler with another one on the way, due later this month.
i've been serving as elder for about 4 years now in a south florida congregation.
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106
Walking a thin line - Resigning Elder
by Sanchy inwarning of a long boring post ahead.
i feel like i need to vent my story out, as i feel quite helpless at the moment.. i'm 31 year old, married, father of toddler with another one on the way, due later this month.
i've been serving as elder for about 4 years now in a south florida congregation.
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MarkofCane
She kept defending the org claiming that it's "not perfect, but closer than any other religion" so there's that, ... but, at least she's listening.
Sounds like my wife, when we get to this point my only option is to dismantle Jw's doctrine then I come off as an apostate and then she shuts down completely. So I know when to stop but leave her with plenty to think about. She know I'm not buying that argument but the only way to expose that fallacy is to unravel it form the inside out. Wont work, slow down and win her over with integrity, the man she knows you are.She will see you haven't been deceived by apostate propaganda against the/her "truth", but that you have uncovered deceit and dishonesty buy and man made origination.
Remember this is all she knows, all the people she trust and feel affection for, was raised in the truth parents zealous in the truth. ( I use the word "truth" for the purpose of this discussion only) The Watchtower are masters at building walls to protect us from the world, remember the roaring lion, well perhaps in her mind you have become it prey. This is my situation, with my wife. There are thing she agrees with but she cant phantom that its all a lie, "Why would they lie? What would they gain from it? God will punish them, so why would they do it?" I look at things from a purely analytical mindset she see's things from a emotional mindset, its just how we are wired. Taking this into consideration, I don't expect her to arrive at the same conclusion with the same evidence. So I backed off from the doctrine discussions when the pedophile ARC stuff came out it floored her, absolutely devastated her, without me saying anything. She couldn't believe that Gods organization would side with the abuser and silence the (lamb) victim, so she said to me with tears in her eyes "where is god in all of this". Its was rhetorical so I offered nothing but she answered her own question. Just wanted to share a slice of my experience in all this, it really is a crazy cult.
Iceman indeed, " you will be measured by the same standard you measured with". Bonsai said it better then I will, so I will leave it at that.
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32
Do You Remember The First Time You Looked At "Apostate" Material?
by minimus ini was always fascinated by it.
as a kid, i used to go to the local library and secretly read books by so called apostates.
later, i would sneak into christian book stores and quickly buy a book or two.
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MarkofCane
The first time was about 5 yrs ago accidentally stumbled on this site, I thought it was a legitimate pro-witness forum I just looked around and saw "Punkofnice" avatar and freaked out, I thought I just seen my first demon. I quickly exited out and prayed to God for forgiveness. I thought "the brothers warned me about this stuff, their so tricky, trying to make it look like a JW site".
Didn't return until much later, with a different mind set, looking for answers. Now here I am, part of what I feared. If you would of told me I would be part of this apostate community. I would of said "your absolutely crazy and offensive to even think that". Things are never what they seam are they. What we live are lives for, breath for and are ready to die for is so fleeting.
MC
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46
The slow trickle has become a steady stream!
by freddo inin the last few weeks it seems that instead of one or two new posters a week we seem to be getting several every day.
many seem to be long time jw's who are troubled by the path of the organisation.
this is really encouraging to those of us who have been here sometime.. welcome!
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MarkofCane
2 Halls locally are packed every time I drive by.
Steady stream goes in and a steady stream goes out. Nothing new.
There is some truth to that, but misleading. The halls might be packed but I wonder how many are there in dissent and out of obligation. There parking lots may seam full but there coffers are drying up. Not a cent from me, that's how I vote...."Nada"
MC
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46
The slow trickle has become a steady stream!
by freddo inin the last few weeks it seems that instead of one or two new posters a week we seem to be getting several every day.
many seem to be long time jw's who are troubled by the path of the organisation.
this is really encouraging to those of us who have been here sometime.. welcome!
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MarkofCane
The Watchtower might be sowing seeds of mistrust but what's new, they have been instilling Fear, Guilt and Suspicion of others for as long as i can remember. We just had our CO visit and wow, I will just say extreme, everything is geared towards end time paranoia, don't trust the strangers voice(apostates) also the New's outlets are controlled by Satan don't believe what you hear on TV or the internet, only listen to the shepherds voice, be submissive to God arrangement. Blah, blah, blah.
He said "anyone who says the end hasn't come, it wont come in my lifetime is apostasy". To even think it is "enemy of truth". Oh Brother talk about mind control, a few years ago I would of been squeezing my wife's hand and nodding in agreement looking for the stranger among us.What a delusional bunch we were, now I see it for what it is complete bullshit.
As far as the Watchtower sending spy's here or to other websites to out Elder's or others that have escaped their mental bonds, I say let them. They will have to send mature Brothers; MS or Elders to come take a look and If there honest they will have to deal with the conundrum or as we refer to it TTATT.
Last I would like to welcome all the new posters, there are to many to name, and a lot of Elders & MS. If your honest the road ahead is clear your journey is long but the destination is mental freedom, freedom does not come cheap.
If your married, as I am, know I feel your struggle and the anguish and helplessness of not being able to reach the person you love, the only person who really new you, the person you have shared everything with, tears and pain with. The person you choose as well because they where sincere Christian of Jehovah's witnesses, the future you would share in a perfect world, perfect children, rebuilding a earth paradise. Now you are the stranger, they look at you with disappointment their life shattered, ruined there dream gone because of you. You cant replace there utopia all you have is reason and truth. So I share this, with pain in my heart but I know I am not alone and I'm not the cause of so much disappointment that I have brought into my life and marriage, knowing the "truth about the truth" has been difficult but necessary, liberating. I look forward to the next five years when we will be over the hump, kids will be out and my wife, well we will see. I just spend as much time with the family and try to teach them about the beauty of life.
MC
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Hey Everyone! Recently "DA'd!"
by jacobm ini just "da'd" friday.
i've been posting on here for years but do to anonymity, i had to start with a new account.
would love to connect with anyone that i may know.
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MarkofCane
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The wonderful things you hear AFTER you step down as an elder!
by redpilltwice inwell, well, that was quite a heartfelt welcome on this site four days ago.
thank you all for the encouraging replies.
one of them was this one from magnum: "hey now, don't just pop your head in and disappear.
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MarkofCane
Welcome to all the newbies, as you can see we keep a tidy home. Make yourselves comfortable.
MC
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37
Stepping out of the shadows
by contramundum ini have been lurking on the site for a few months and thought it about time i plucked up the courage to step out of the shadows and say hello.. i am in the process of fading after realizing all is not right with the organization i had trusted implicitly for over 40 years.
there have always been 'truths' i have struggled to accept entirely, even as a child, but was confident that trusting in jehovah, building my faith and remaining patient would be enough to settle any nagging doubts that remained, so i pushed any inconsistencies to the back of my mind and concentrated on being the best witness that i could be.. over the last few years, however, i have been preoccupied with a number of crises in my family and stepping back slightly from 'theocratic' activity has allowed me to re evaluate a number of concerns and research sources other than the sanitized wt publications.. my eyes are now wide open - i found things which have appalled me and left me feeling extremely let down and disappointed by people i had really trusted.. i tried gently raising a few subjects with my mum (who was baptized early '70s and still remains a staunch wt supporter) but she will hear no criticism of the organization.
i understand this because the best part of her life has been invested in the religion and to acknowledge it may have got things wrong would be to recognize the last 40 years have been a vain waste.
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MarkofCane
Work and family situations are going well so I tend to speak about that rather than spiritual matters. I want my friends to realise that true happiness and success isn't dependent on abject devotion to WT.
This is in fact how I feel as well. I woke up around 3 yrs ago and it has been a very difficult process up until last year, Ive realized, Ive been deceive by a movement that is larger then my immediate circle of friends and congregation, so I hold no animosity towards them. I gave them my life and offered them my family's life for a utopian fantasy. Because of obligation and guilt I'm complicit in spreading their deception.
I stops here, its stops now. I don't answer their calls, I don't return texts and I don't let them interrogate me in any way shape or form. I stand my ground as graciously as possible and respond with everything is fantastic even if its not. I now devote my time and energy to my family and my business and making this world a better place than I found it. I enjoy every day for the miracle it is and take nothing for granted.
Welcome to the forum take your shoes off and relax
MC
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Good news to report: Congregations merged because lack of attendance, publishers & field service
by Khaleesi inso it's official, i am happy to report that we merged with another congregation having the same problem.
why is it good news???
because people are either waking up, fading or just not buying into this organization any longer or walking away.... i think many young ones are just not buying into it as much, i see many in the congregation i go to very depressed and some i know personally going thru major depression especially the young "sisters" in their early 20s.... .
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MarkofCane
I've seen this as well, In my sisters congregation (english) they dissolved her congregation and made them merge with another congregation in another hall about 20 min away. This was because of lack of attendance. I also know of kids from the spanish congregations that are leaving in droves in my area, I think the younger spanish generation is more educated and are not easily manipulated as their predecessors.
Its a matter of time, the elderly will pass away and the young leave, this will leave them with a dilemma. Their biggest growth is in third world country's with limited incomes and minimal education, so how do you protect your assets? Mandatory contributions, liquidation of some assets and re branding yourself (jw.org). I believe all the changes we have seen is directly connected to their shrinking numbers in more affluent country's and all the lawsuits you can see the desperation in there eyes. That's why we are seeing new ones come here on a daily basis, we need to be mindful of there presence they might come off as apologetics but are battered and lost and are looking for answers.
MC
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143
Fidel Castro and the WT
by Hecce ini am going to engage on a trip to the past and share with you some of the matters that marked the beginning of the jws persecution in cuba.
you will be surprised that the pattern that was followed is very similar to what happened in other dictatorial countries.. in the cuban case, i am going to surprise you and tell you that like what happened with hitler; the wt was partially responsible for their clash and confrontation with the cuban government.
during the early 60s the revolution was fighting for survival and they were willing and ready to demolish any perceived enemy to their cause.. a prime example was their war against the catholic church that was the most influential religious entity in the country; it took the supreme leader only a few public discourses to send the vast majority of clergy packing and back to their country, in this case spain.. the jehovah’s witnesses were an insignificant minority but they over estimated their importance and displayed a belligerent attitude, it was known that this was a us based religion and an easy target to connect them with the cia.
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MarkofCane
Thanks for posting this, I love history especially Watchtower History it feeds my current resolution for being here.
I once asked a brother why God would allow deception or misrepresentation from his earthly organization? The most powerful force of the universe would really seem unnecessary? He said "Jehovah has allowed any means necessary for the survival of his organization even if that means deception". At the time i was fully engaged in the kool aid supplementation, now in retrospect I would of said "But wasn't Satan the Father of the lie, the one called deceiver. God vilified him because of the original LIE." We profess to have the TRUTH, yet defended by lies. Now I know there was no original lie, and there is no current truth. Its all just a billion dollar corporation trying to protect their assets. Its all quite simple really.