Posts by pandora

It happened to me, but I was only a child. My best friend and I would raise hell together. Next thing I know, she has an attack of 'conscience' and I'm in trouble. Goes to show, it is instilled early on where your loyalty should lie. Friendships within the org are NEVER 'true' friendships.

(((Dutchie)))
I understand how you feel. I used to get SOOO angry. And the excuse was always, "My conscience was bothering me." AACK!!!!!BARF!!!!

"True" friendships can only be found in "True" people. People with personalities that belong to themselves and not an orginization. People who can think independently.
-P(J)

18

"J W Church Accused of Hiding Sexual Abuse...

by Smoldering Wick in

jehovah's witness church accused of hiding sexual abusers .

by matt pyeatt.

cns staff writer.

pandora

What charitable work?

28

What Should People Know About Jehovah's Witnesses

by expatbrit in

jw
friends

a couple of very basic questions for you good folks.. 1)imagine that you are joe public who has never had any real contact with jehovah's witnesses.

none of your family are, or your friends.

you occasionally say "not interested" to them on saturday mornings.

pandora

The article about the man who saved his daughter's life and is now being shunned by his family would prove the point about shunning and the no blood policy. And no one could claim that it is made up or biased. It was a news article.
Just a thought.
-P(J)

28

What Should People Know About Jehovah's Witnesses

by expatbrit in

jw
friends

a couple of very basic questions for you good folks.. 1)imagine that you are joe public who has never had any real contact with jehovah's witnesses.

none of your family are, or your friends.

you occasionally say "not interested" to them on saturday mornings.

pandora

I have to agree with terafera. Of everyone I've ever talked to about it, the shunning is the most widely gasped at. I think if people knew how exclusive the religion is, they might be pre-conditioned to say no. And these people should be told the bare bones of it before the religion sugar coats it. Let's face it, by the time you are told you can't talk to your family, you completely agree.
And the "No blood" issue sounds radical to those who have never had an experience with JW's. It is likened to the religion that doesn't allow medical treatment at all.
So for the person who doesn't have any experience with JW's, The most radical views are the best to tell them about.
Shunning and no blood. Definately the best points to push.
-P(J)

30

Alternatives to JWs

by Xander in

jw
friends

since there are new people coming to this board on fairly regular basis with questions about the jw religion, i thought i'd pose this topic.. many, upon leaving the organization, don't really know where to turn for guidance.

"look to yourself" doesn't really cut it when you've been told how to think your whole life.. many choose atheism, which is fine.

however, for those still looking for a religion, here is a site that lists many of the worlds major religious movements.

pandora

100% Secular Humanism.
Thanks That was fun.

72

Question for Atheists

by RWC in

christians who believe in the bible and the teachings of christ use that as a moral core and code of conduct.

for those who don't believe in god, where do you get your sense of moral right and wrong?

what is your moral foundation?

pandora

I want to know why this question is legitamate(I know. I can't spell). It has got to be one of the rudest questions I have ever heard. Not that you mean to be rude, RWC, but lets face it, it is. I mean, how would you feel if for some reason you made the decision not to believe in god. (I know this is far-fetched, but try to imagine) Would you change THAT drastically that now you would think something like Murder was right? Could you change your morals to something like that? NO Why would you?
We ALL grew up in the same world. We were all taught our morals from childhood. Just because you have done research and found out that there is a possibility that god doesn't exist, doesn't change your childhood and all the morals you were taught and believed in. Nothing has changed in that respect. Except now there is NO excuse for killing. We who don't believe in god can't blame him for killing someone.
Too many have died because of GOD.
If anything we may have higher morals than those with religion. Only because those with religion can blame god. We can't. We know better.
Just my thoughts. I don't mean to offend, but I feel slightly offended by the question.
-P(J)

37

For those who've left - any regrets?

by starfish422 in

jw
friends

i left almost nine years ago at age 18; my only real regret was that i was good friends with a young brother and i never said goodbye to him, or even let him know that i was planning to leave (had to leave my parents' home secretly while they were at the meeting one sunday; they had such a hold over me that i could never have stood up to them and told them beforehand).

.

i have no other regrets about leaving; i'm am now happily agnostic and so thankful that i found the strength to break free.. anyone have any similar regrets?

pandora

I was booted when I was 16 or 17. (Don't even remember any more) I remember that my parents moved about 60 miles away and left me behind to finish high school on my own and find a place to live. I did it. I found a place to live with some "worldly" girl and her family. My parents never even met the family I was moving in with.
My regret? I'm 32 now. And I JUST found out(within the past two years) that it was all a load of sh**. That is what I regret. Going thru all those years believing that I was doomed. I would have done some things differently I think. I'd have been over the anger by now too.
-P(J)

22

Do you celebrate Holidays after you leave?

by Lalis in

hi everyone im new in here i was just curios does anyone here after leaving the j.w.

organization celebrate any holidays without a problem?

or attend birthday parties and stuff like that without it bothering you?i know i dont have a problem with it.i dont celebrate any major holidays but thats because after so many years not doing it i would feel weird doing it now but i dont have a problem being invited to a gathering that has to do with any of the above.

pandora

Lalis-
I have been out since 86/87. I definately celebrated as much as I could. But I was 17 and thrilled to be free of the rules. Anything to be rebelous.
By the time I had the option to get my own tree, there was no question about it. I absolutely LOVE Christmas. I love everything about it. I have done my tree in theme colors and such. It must be special.
It's the same way today. Now, I just also have the piece of mind to know that should my mother come to my door, I will not feel ashamed. I can be proud. I am not doing anything wrong.
-P(J)