Posts by Heartsafire

24

Helping my family see the truth about 'the truth'

by Stella3 in

this is my first time joining a forum like this.

i grew up in the jw religion.

i was baptized when i was 13 and started to fade out at 16 at least mentally.

Heartsafire

Stella, welcome! I understand what it is like to have family you wish to wake up. My entire family are dubs, and that includes my husband. Confronting them with facts has done nothing for me. So, I've been trying something new, and it seems to be working: I've been happy. I've made some genuine non-JW friends, gotten involved in some awesome do-gooder stuff that I enjoy, and I'm taking better care of myself overall. I feel sincerely happier than I have felt in years, and I try to share it with my family. JW's are programmed to think that worldly people are miserable and always doing bad things. When they experience something contrary to this, it helps stimulate skepticism towards the teachings. Also, when confronted, I try to let my family know that I am on their side, but I just don't agree with the direction the Borg is going. It is still a work in progress, and they may never change. I have had to come to terms with this possibility and just get on with my life. Good luck to you, and please keep us posted.

HAF

91

My brother died last night

by LisaRose in

jw
friends

i found out this morning that my brother died last night, he was also an ex jw, 73 years old and died of heart disease and kidney failure.

it was not totally unexpected, as he had been in poor health, but it's a blow, especially as i just lost another brother two years ago.

there were six of us, now only four.

Heartsafire

Lisa Rose,

You are one of the most thoughtful people on this forum, and I am sorry to hear you lost your brother. We are always here for you when you need a listening ear. Take care, and hugs to you.

HAF

160

Beliefs About What Caused the Universe

by Perry in

the universe can be observed to be expanding.. an expanding universe must have had a beginning.

whatever begins to exist had a cause.

therefore the universe had a cause.

Heartsafire

Perry, your posts always ruffle feathers. Just so you know, I do respect your views as much as anyone else's. I'm not here to delve into the creator/non-creator discussion. Just wanted to state that the universe is expanding, and it is no small discovery. I really enjoyed a recent episode of NOVA that documented the two teams of scientists who discovered this fact and won the Nobel. I think it's the episode about Hubble for those curious. The great thing about science is that there is always more to discover.

9

Today's Text - Be Humble & Don't Judge (The Exact OPPOSITE Of What JW's Do!)

by Divergent in

jw
friends

another nauseating text which proves conclusively that jw's do not practise what they preach!.

monday, may 9. who are you to be judging your neighbor?—jas.

4:12.. humility restrains us from overstepping our authority.

Heartsafire

Valued and appreciated as a JW? Ha! Never! I never felt that way even when I was going at it 110 percent.

Actually, most Dubs I see are very depressed and barely hanging on. Or, they are flourishing as over-achievers and looking down their noses at the ones who "don't have their priorities straight".

16

April 26 2016 God’s Kingdom Rules! to Be Considered at Congregation Bible Study

by wifibandit in

april 26, 2016 to all congregations re: god’s kingdom rules!

to be considered at congregation bible study.

Heartsafire

Shouldn't it be gods kingdom reigns instead of rules? This must be another rule book to be tossed out with old info in a year or two.

12

The Freedom to Learn

by TheLiberator in

since i have left the watchtower's dung behind, reading and learning has accelerated at an unbelievable pace for me.

i am sure that is true for most here.

i have always been a big time reader.

Heartsafire

Congrats on digging deep. Keep it up and do spill what you find here. The JWs only teach faith to the Borg when you get right down to it. It gets easier and easier to point out the liberties they take in interpreting and adding to scripture. This WT study was a great example with false scenarios set up through "must have" and "would have" to explain certain biblical passages.

76

Socialism

by Perry in

socialists think that money will solve all man's problems.

everything is obsessively related to money in the socialist ideology.. they have an almost supernatural ability to blame others with more money.

god calls this greed and envy.

Heartsafire

Hi guys! All I know is that my economics professor detests socialism and communism for America. No offense to you socialists and commies out there. Also, an economy that embraces capitalism promotes the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs. I like that newbies who may get crushed by govt tax and red tape would get a chance to start their own businesses. When it comes to money, well, I think capitalism's focus is on growth business wise while socialism is more about spreading wealth around. Generalities, of course.

84

I COLLECT QUOTES. . . Here are some of my favorites

by Terry in

jw
friends

please post your favorites too.

my favorite quotations:.

you cannot change what you refuse to confront.. sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.. don’t think of cost.

Heartsafire

Great thread, Terry. Thanks for the quotes everyone. Ive smiled a lot today, and it's only morning, so I'm off to a good start. Here's a couple:

Good Morning, I see the assassins have failed.

-the Internet

I have seen all, I have heard all, I have forgotten all.

-Marie Antoinette

60

I would rather be in the JW cult than the ex-jw cult

by questioningmyfaith in

jw
friends

i have posted one other time on this website.

just for the mere fact that i wasn't anger and bitter and ready to declare the gb the sociopathic criminals that so many here ascribe to, my initial question digressed to bickering over ad hominem attacks against the gb and not my beliefs that i'm questioning.

some did give me some help on my questions.

Heartsafire

Questioning,

Sorry to hear you're feeling down about the site. There are days when I get the dreaded down votes too. I'm pretty sure everyone has. When I browse the website I try to take the helpful stuff and scrap the rest. This is the Internet after all, and it is full of all types.

29

Is this a site controlled by atheists?

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

under the exterior of being an ex- witness site, is this site simply converting atheism?.

i pose the question, because many come here in distress and insecurity with the realization that the w.t is wrong but still retain a belief in god.

my personal opinion is the threads on god are not challenged by an atheists personal animosity to believers, they are challenged and become confrontational because the atheist wants an elaboration and factual proof to a believers faith.. is this unreasonable?

Heartsafire

Rebel, good point. I agree that people are often looking for support and understanding more than anything. Whenever I post a comment I try to be as respectful and understanding as possible. If I find I can't comment on a debate without getting all worked up, than I simply won't post or I wait until Ive chilled out and can post a comment without biting off someone's head.