Posts by Heartsafire

9

Catholic Approach to Scripture: How It Made Me Leave the Jehovah's Witnesses

by Hernandez in

indoctrinated into all things watchtower, i once believed the bible was true history, that evolution was false and evil, and that the bible could be trusted to be reliable when it touched on science issues.

then i got introduced to the official catholic bible translation of u.s. catholics, the new american bible revised edition (or nabre--not to be confused with the protestant nasv or new american standard version) and things changed.

i was shocked to learn that the nabre teaches.... the creation and flood stories of genesis are jewish adaptations of mesopotamian heathen creation-flood mythology, not history.

Heartsafire

Hernandez, I am one of those people who was helped by Catholic charities while having the JW's turn their back on me. All false views and historical murders aside (thanks oppostate) I wish the JW's would learn from the organization they hate so well known as the Catholic Church. At least the Catholics admit they are wrong about some stuff and have policies to prevent repetition of things like child abuse. Meanwhile, JW's keep blaming the victims and hiding the evidence.

Anyway, I'm not really religious. I'm just saying what I have seen and experienced.

When I was waking up I started browsing other religious websites. It was shocking to learn that I had no clue what Catholics really believed but had possessed the gall to argue with them at the doors over their own beliefs! I have some of those regrets where you think back and just want to kick yourself for being such an idiot. 😝

33

Disassociation revealed what type of man my father really is.

by Paul Mooney in

i began my exit from the jehovah’s witness organization about 5 years.

i was a 4th generation born-in, with all the baggage that comes with having the “spiritual heritage” attached to the group.

i was an elder/bethelite/pioneer/whatever other useless privilege there was, i had no family or friends outside of the organization… my entire life was that org.

Heartsafire

Crying so hard right now. Those are the words every ex JW longs to hear--that their JW parents love them and are proud of them for being true to themselves.

All the best to you and your family.

HAF

45

CO visits me today

by Chook in

i'm at home and hear knock on door , i sneak and look i see two men and recognise one voice and go back into lonunge and ask wife ( who is inactive believer) does she want to speak to elders ,she says no ,then literally 3 minutes has pasted another knock the 3 minutes seemed like an eternity.

so brave heart me think fuck it i'll answer ,i invite them in for coffee, i recognise one older man he is a unique elder who i genuinely was fond of when i was in his name is andrew ,the other guy i didn't recognise we will call harry ( not real name australia doesn't have that many cos with his same name).

so i think to myself i will tread lightly and not cause to much of a fuss for the wife's sake, but my personality is very the opposite of treading lightly ,as you read my threads you will realise i'm not timid.

Heartsafire

Score for Chook! Im not certain the CO will keep his word. We know this Borg plays dirty!

18

How to Irritate JWs: The Catholic Way

by Hernandez in

what's the greatest advantage in becoming a roman catholic after leaving the jehovah's witnesses some 17 years ago?

why, it's the way it totally irritates people and really pushes their buttons...that is, if you are one of the unfortunate jehovah's witnesses who happens across my door during field service.

i have developed several techniques to make it very frustrating to the unwary witness who hopes to make headway at my house.

Heartsafire

Sorry I meant to address the last post to Hernandez

18

How to Irritate JWs: The Catholic Way

by Hernandez in

what's the greatest advantage in becoming a roman catholic after leaving the jehovah's witnesses some 17 years ago?

why, it's the way it totally irritates people and really pushes their buttons...that is, if you are one of the unfortunate jehovah's witnesses who happens across my door during field service.

i have developed several techniques to make it very frustrating to the unwary witness who hopes to make headway at my house.

Heartsafire

John,

Hilarious post! Wish I would've gotten you at the door when I was doing fs. I think I would've laughed or at least struggled to keep a straight face. Nothing against Catholics here. Still not as whacky as JW's. Haha!

HAF

46

Anionted mom says Jehovah may ask her to kill all her family!!

by Witness 007 in

yes my holy anionted mom who has cancer is concerned that the loving god jehovah may ask her in heaven to destroy here non believer family including her 5 year old grandchild during armagedon....how messed up are these crazy people!!?

?.

Heartsafire

Wow...with such a loving God and anointed ones murdering all unbelievers who the heck needs Satan and his demons?

50

Elder asking for help

by untruth in

this is my first time posting on here so i’m not sure where to start.

i’m trying to keep it as short as possible since i could expand much more.

i’ve been in the process of waking up in the last year and a half.

Heartsafire

Untruth,

Welcome! I am currently in a similar situation as you except that I'm a sister and my husband is not awake. Every day is a challenge--especially at first. For months my husband was so upset with me he wouldn't even share a bed with me. Of course I was still an active JW, I was only coming to him with doubts and questions I had.

Since then I have wised up. I stopped doing meetings and fs, although I will occasionally attend a meeting. When my husband asks why I'm not going to meetings I tell him that there are serious problems with the org and that the gb are lying to their members. I stay calm, respectful, and matter-of-fact. If he wants more info I tell him a small amount, but he never asks.

The advice to be happy is a big one. I dote on my husband quite a bit more than when I was in. I also have made our marriage my main focus and invested in family therapy for myself. It has all been worth it.

HAF

10

Apologizing to my non-JW friends

by pale.emperor in

yesterday i bumped into an old friend from my last workplace.

he's a gay man and we were good friends along with a woman from the same office.

although i was a jw at the time, i would go for the occasional after work drinks with them, blackpool funfair every year and the occasional cinema or theater.

Heartsafire

It is so good to hear you getting on these days, Pale E!

29

dealing with religion after leaving the witnesses

by joker in

i’ve noticed many people posting on this site seem to have completely given up on religion/spirituality.. but some have attended services at another religion, or just follow their own heart regarding what to believe.. my question is how does anyone deal after leaving with all of the witness crap that we believed about babylon the great, the great harlot, spiritual prostitute, etc., etc.

i’m finding out that i seem to have built myself a pretty solid wall regarding religion.. some people can just chuck all beliefs into one basket saying that they are all basically garbage,,, and that is ok, no problem i respect that.. but for myself there is a certain part of my personality that needs a spiritual belief not like the witnesses in any way, but something to meditate on, and contemplate.. being a witness taught me how bad it is to actually think of god in any other way besides what the jw’s believe.

and now when i attend any other service, the dark jw side seems to pop out and seriously makes me believe that everything i see/do/say is wrong.

Heartsafire

The residual effects of WT brainwashing were hardest when I was first waking up. I even felt guilty reading different translations of the bible.

I think attending various churches is a great way to explore your "spiritual" side and to find people to connect with. A lot of churches have live feeds to their sermons if you're not in the mood to attend in person.

11

fading/holidays

by Drifting Away in

jw
friends

so for those that are fading, i have been fading for almost 6 months now.

havent been to a meeting, assembly, service, etc.

i no longer believe it is the truth.. how long did you wait before celebrating holidays, if in fact you are even celebrating them.

Heartsafire

I started with holidays about a year into my fade. I still do not go crazy because of my family. Anyway, just ease into it, and take your time. Actually, there are a lot of holiday things JW people do that they excuse away such as enjoying Christmas lights, eating Halloween candy, and wishing one another a happy birthday (or a congratulations).

While she may object to holiday decor in your home, like a Christmas tree, she likely will not object to it at a high-class resort or comfortable inn. Perhaps take her out to celebrate the holidays and surprise her with a gift. Don't forget her birthday either. It will make her feel special and loved. A lot of JWs I know actually enjoy having an unbelieving mate because they get the best of both worlds.