Posts by UnshackleTheChains

11

Hypocrisy of JW.org at this week's book study

by UnshackleTheChains in

a paragraph taken from this week's study of 'gods kingdom rules.

15 jehovah’s people remain loyal to the messianic kingdom not only by refusing military service but also by respectfully declining to join in nationalistic ceremonies.

especially since the outbreak of world war ii, a wave of nationalistic fervor has swept the globe.

UnshackleTheChains

That's the one thing that gets on my goat is hanging the flag on KH buildings in Chile. It was so outrageous that I remember at the time the story was breaking that I thought it was an apostate conspiracy. I even labeled it BS. Wt you just blow my mind.

It's fascinating how families are frowned upon or dissuaded by WT in allowing their kids to join their school sports team etc; and yet when its in WT interests, eg (WT being a member of the UN as an NGO) they bend the rules.

GB speaking with forked tongue imo.

10

This Story Says It All

by Lee Elder in

this story shows the sad reality of being a jw in a medical emergency, and how incredibly difficult it is to make an informed, free choice about medical care.

it also shows that for jw's, obeying watchtower leaders is more important than marriage or even the life of your child.

very sad indeed: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/267054/religious-husband-dumped-saving-child/ .

UnshackleTheChains

Many years ago our daughter had to undergo a serious operation. She was only a year old. I spent several sleepless nights prior to the day of her surgery as my wife was adamant about no blood policy.

I was relatively new in the 'truth' and had no idea about ward of court as it is not made clear in the publications or at meetings. Out of a despair, I phoned a HLC member explaining my concerns. He informed me about ward of court etc and that we just accept the surgeons judgement is if her life is at risk that they give a transfusion. That all we could do was ask the surgeon to avoid blood 'as much as possible'.

I was blown away by his common sense approach to the blood issue and then explained this to my wife. She 'immediately' accepted this and it was like an entire load was lifted of my shoulders.

The 2 things that struck me most about all of this was

1. Why Watchtower don't give more information about children and ward of court.

2. How easily my wife changed her thinking on the matter.

11

Hypocrisy of JW.org at this week's book study

by UnshackleTheChains in

a paragraph taken from this week's study of 'gods kingdom rules.

15 jehovah’s people remain loyal to the messianic kingdom not only by refusing military service but also by respectfully declining to join in nationalistic ceremonies.

especially since the outbreak of world war ii, a wave of nationalistic fervor has swept the globe.

UnshackleTheChains

A paragraph taken from this week's study of 'Gods Kingdom Rules

15 Jehovah’s people remain loyal to the Messianic Kingdom not only by refusing military service but also by respectfully declining to join in nationalistic ceremonies. Especially since the outbreak of World War II, a wave of nationalistic fervor has swept the globe. Citizens of many countries have been required to vow allegiance to their homeland by reciting a pledge, singing a national anthem, or saluting a country’s flag. However, we give our exclusive devotion to Jehovah. (Ex. 20:4, 5) As a result, we have experienced a flood of persecution. Even so, Jehovah has again used “the earth” to swallow up some of this opposition. Note just a few of the remarkable victories that Jehovah through Christ has granted us in this matter.—Ps. 3:8.
Ok with the above in mind, how does JW.org explain this?

105

Subliminal images - why and who are the individuals behind it?

by UnshackleTheChains in

i remember about 5 years ago reading on another site about subliminal images in wt literature.

i honestly thought it a load of bs until i checked out one glaringly obvious image of a creepy skull in clouds within the knowledge book.

i was shocked and even showed my wife at the time who thought it was creepy.. so my question is why?

UnshackleTheChains

The letter is addressed "To whom it may concern," 21 February 1992:

[...]

"At first glance the illustrations [Watch Tower 'commercial art images depicting religious scenes'] I examined appeared quite normal, but after closer examination, it became apparent that there are many images and symbols integrated into the scenes. Upon further investigation of the illustrations, I noticed a consistent motif and repeatability of these same symbols in every illustration I studied. Some of the symbols and images are so obvious they interrupt the normal flow of lines, shape, and form of the artwork. It is quite apparent the illustrators would use highlights and shadows in the scenes to conceal the symbols in such a manner that they are not clearly distinguishable. However, armed with the knowledge that the symbols may be present, it becomes quite easy to distinguish and isolate these images from the given illustration

"In conclusion, it is my professional opinion that these figures are present in the illustrations, not by coincidence, but by clear conscious efforts by the originators of the artwork."

Sincerely,

[signature]

Michael Graves

Thanks complex compound.

I think this letter sums it up. There are some very strange and consistent images in the literature that can be seen on close inspection., Such as goats heads, skull faces/ skulls, demonic looking figures etc

The one that got me was the cloud in the book ' knowledge that leads to everlasting life. I don't have the book any more otherwise I could have uploaded a picture. It is about half way through the book. If you fold the page inwards, it clearly shows a scary skull face. There is no question.

I remember the shock on my wife's face at the time. She is JW through and through and asked me not to show her things like that and walked out of the room.

I agree there are some images that are a stretch of the imagination, but there are definitely some strange obvious ones that stand out.

105

Subliminal images - why and who are the individuals behind it?

by UnshackleTheChains in

i remember about 5 years ago reading on another site about subliminal images in wt literature.

i honestly thought it a load of bs until i checked out one glaringly obvious image of a creepy skull in clouds within the knowledge book.

i was shocked and even showed my wife at the time who thought it was creepy.. so my question is why?

UnshackleTheChains

I remember about 5 years ago reading on another site about subliminal images in WT literature. I honestly thought it a load of bs until I checked out one glaringly obvious image of a creepy skull in clouds within the knowledge book. I was shocked and even showed my wife at the time who thought it was creepy.

So my question is why? What is the purpose? And by whome? Is it just some individuals playing around? Does anyone on this forum know of anyone at bethel doing it just for laughs etc?

Thoughts?

12

Looking for Scottish Ex-JW's to share their experiences (If out obviously)

by jambon1 in

jw
friends

raised in edinburgh and glasgow congregations.

lots of funny and interesting jw characters from the 90's & 2000's.

ian shanks.

UnshackleTheChains

I remember at an elders and MS meeting about 17 years ago, the CO mentioned how 2 Congs in the Scottish borders had turned apostate. Did anyone else hear about this or know which Congs they were?

19

Looking for experiences from those who are married with kids and have dissacociated

by UnshackleTheChains in

this is a question for those who officially left the organisation and are married; and your spouse and kids are still in.'.

i just wanted to find out what your experience has been when you dissacociated.the following questions go through my mind all the time.

it always comes back to the what if's!.

UnshackleTheChains

Above all - do what feels right to you. And if you have a faith, know that it'll be respected and valued by those who matter in your friend/family circle. As much as I don't personally have faith, I truly respect those who have it. Not the destructive JW version of faith. But the kind that benefits the individuals who have it and treasure it.

Hey Jambon,

Thanks for your kind words. It's funny, but my brother is an atheist and have had some lengthy discussions around religion. The point you mentioned above is exactly what I explained to him. Ie there is nothing wrong with having a Christian faith...as long as it is harming no one else. My brother is sickened by the impact this religion has had on him personally...and he isn't even a witness. Yet the reverberations of the actions of my over the top die hard jdub mother has done the damage over the years to our family. My own sister tearfully told me how isolated she felt growing up as witness, because she wasn't encouraged to mix with other children. She ended up with depression as a result. As soon as she turned 18, she left home to travel. She was so desperate to get away from the religion. I only found this out recently.

My niece who is a happy go lucky girl told me several months ago at a family gathering how she met a 'really nice handsome brother' who had been visiting her hall with a group. She arranged to meet up with him that weekend with others as he showed an interest in her. She added him to her face book. The 'very next day' she got a pm from him explaining how he had been asking questions about her spirituality and said that there was no point progressing the relationship any further. I had to control my anger and said to her that people like that make me sick. I told my wife later about it and how it completely pissed me off. If my niece was going out like any normal girl, she would be snapped up by some lucky guy. A really nice girl, with a lovely personality, yet treated like trash because she ain't jumping high enough for a literature corporation.

This religion has created such a culture and most of it's members are so deluded they can't see the impact their actions are having on the people around them.

19

Looking for experiences from those who are married with kids and have dissacociated

by UnshackleTheChains in

this is a question for those who officially left the organisation and are married; and your spouse and kids are still in.'.

i just wanted to find out what your experience has been when you dissacociated.the following questions go through my mind all the time.

it always comes back to the what if's!.

UnshackleTheChains

Thanks for replies everyone

Crazy guy.

If I were you if you can't wake up the wife and depending how old the kids are I would stay in and try to wake the kids and even the wife over time. Bible study showing problems as well as going over the history of the cult I think can help to wake someone up.

This is the strategy I am working on. I have pointed out so many things to her, she is awake, but in denial (cognitive dissonance). In fact my Mrs mentioned something to her Freind when I was there. She said she didn't initially want to mention it as 'knows what I am like'.

I can't give exact details of what had happened as might give myself away as it involved people from another hall. The upshot of what she told me highlighted just how very unchristian 'some' elders are, ie power mad, divisive, unloving, uncaring, arrogant and controling.

I mean, my wife and another sister try to do a good a really good deed and are prevented because some power mad elder says no.

What's more, the same thing happened in our own hall regarding something the sisters were trying to arrange and the COBE told them they were unable to do so explaining his reasons why. The sisters quickly found out the guy was actually lying. Unbelievable!

I told her and her friend the above, because they both knew it was true. The so called spiritual ones are so caught up in their own little bubble they don't realise they are actually stumbling people

7

Who Is An Apostate?

by NeonMadman in

maybe you've heard the story of a brother in the watchtower's writing department who was very smart, hard working and a good writer.

we'll call him charley.

charley was so good, in fact, that he advanced through the ranks and became a co-editor of the watchtower magazine.

UnshackleTheChains

The GB are never ever considered apostate regardless of whether they change long held teachings.

11

1975 EX JW Critical Thinkers video.

by WHATSGOINGON in

hi everyone.

jt and lady cee have posted an awesome video about 1975, its very interesting.. check it out, i just watched it and its great.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6nocaq0x-8 .

cheers wgo..

UnshackleTheChains

Their videos are incredibly good. Can't wait to watch this one.