Posts by UnshackleTheChains

35

Polish EX-JW Activism compilation video

by WTS Archive in

i'd like to show you a short video i made about exjw activism in poland.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt3qdtyxgd8.

i'm one of the people responsible for those information campaigns/protests, so you can ask me anything you like.

there's a lot i didn't show on the video because of the limited time i have for editing, i have tons of footage more.

Warwick Protest 11-5-2017 - Who's all going?

by Acluetofindtheuser in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64xhcoowr6y.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhuvmvbjk-q.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bejhmfrzl0.

UnshackleTheChains

Fair plays to the organisers. Anything that draws attention to this high control religion is a bonus. I wish them the best 👍

13

A wave of momentum!

by stuckinarut2 in

it certainly has to be one of the most exciting times to live in as an awake ex witness!.

the wave of momentum we are part of as thousands awaken from the hold of the society is a joy to be a part of.

the internet helps us to see that we are not alone.

UnshackleTheChains

Hopefully the momentum will continue 👍

https://youtu.be/2MGJY6UqG10

64

Why is there such a 'high turnover' within the Jehovahs Witnesses?

by UnshackleTheChains in

i happened to come across a time article in 2008. it was basically talking about the high turnover in american faiths.

it mentioned the jdubs and highlighted the following point.. an even more extreme example of what might be called "masked churn" is the relatively tiny jehovah's witnesses, with a turnover rate of about two-thirds.

that means that two-thirds of the people who told pew they were raised jehovah's witnesses no longer are — yet the group attracts roughly the same number of converts.

UnshackleTheChains

JP1692

Though I find your views thought provoking. Each individual's situation is different. There are so many intracacies woven into each person's life that may be a factor as to why they remain. For example. There are many who have simply faded for decades. Why didn't they write a letter of resignation? Why? We all know the answer to that!

Fear is the biggest factor as to why people don't leave the watchtower Bible and cult society ( to coin a phrase). Fear of being shunned by your own relatives. Also, what about the person's mental health. What if they have depression and are trying to avoid rocking the boat because they just know they cannot take on further stress.

There are so many factors. It is not all black and white. What has worked for you has worked for you....and amen to that. But it doesn't work for all of us. What about our family members who have been inculcated into this religion. My strategy is to fade and do as little as possible. My family clearly see my lack of care as to regards the jdubs. In time my hope is that they wake up.

Note: I have tried 'vainlessly' to wake up my wife. I have spoken to her, left letters for her. She refuses to listen. Just like the allegory of 'the cave' by plato

These are the grey areas. Some of us unfortunately are stuck in Jdub land limbo (in that grey are). We are trying to work our way out without too much collateral damage.

31

Big xJW scandal

by Charlotte in

.

UnshackleTheChains

Qué? 🤔

89

Do you believe in god?

by freakyAL in

i used to be a staunch believer in god.

maybe its technology and science advancing so much thats got me doubting idk.

do you believe in god?

UnshackleTheChains

I believe in God. I need my faith as it gives me hope.

However...I am not at all surprised how the watchtower Society has turned so many off their beliefs. This Religion just about smothered my faith to the point I almost became an atheist.

I have read the Bible through and now have my own belief system.

64

Why is there such a 'high turnover' within the Jehovahs Witnesses?

by UnshackleTheChains in

i happened to come across a time article in 2008. it was basically talking about the high turnover in american faiths.

it mentioned the jdubs and highlighted the following point.. an even more extreme example of what might be called "masked churn" is the relatively tiny jehovah's witnesses, with a turnover rate of about two-thirds.

that means that two-thirds of the people who told pew they were raised jehovah's witnesses no longer are — yet the group attracts roughly the same number of converts.

UnshackleTheChains

While I realize other people are not as free to leave as I was, I would not want to have to be faking it for the sake of family or whatever. It also makes one wonder just how many JWs in any given Hall are actually in their minds still genuine JWs? Just how many are faking it, is the question.

LongHairGal

I agree with your point LongHairGal. I admit I'm a faker. I think there are fakers in just about every hall throughout the world. That is really sad.

I believe the leadership at Watchtower are aware of this which is a reason why they keep their cruel shunning policy. Angus Stewart at the Australian Royal Commission nailed it when he discussed the shunning policy by saying that in effect the watchtower society is a captive religion. Many of us fakers are held captive in this Religion because of that very policy.

64

Why is there such a 'high turnover' within the Jehovahs Witnesses?

by UnshackleTheChains in

i happened to come across a time article in 2008. it was basically talking about the high turnover in american faiths.

it mentioned the jdubs and highlighted the following point.. an even more extreme example of what might be called "masked churn" is the relatively tiny jehovah's witnesses, with a turnover rate of about two-thirds.

that means that two-thirds of the people who told pew they were raised jehovah's witnesses no longer are — yet the group attracts roughly the same number of converts.

UnshackleTheChains

The implication of my post is that people that stay in this religion are:
Lacking in moral integrity,
Have less than even a moderate amount of courage,
and are extremely low in self-awareness

Jp1692

Though I agree with some of the above, that for many these can be factors as to why people stay, there are however other factors involved.

I found it useful to reflect on the 3 points you made from a personal angle.

In regards to moral integrity. Its not that I lack moral integrity, it's about how you view your situation. Yes the JWs have many things that are clearly wrong, but so do the other 30 or so thousand Christian based groups. As a Christian who wants to worship God, I could leave the jdubs and join another group . However, the turmoil this would cause within my family and so on would be a stress I couldn't handle at this time. So I reason that God knows my situation. It's the religious leaders of every denomination will pay the price for misleading people just as Jesus viewed the Pharisees of his day.

In regards to courage, I have on about 3 occasions over the years pointed out to the elders the many things the society have got wrong. I can't believe they didn't kick me out to be honest. On one of those occasions I wrote a five page letter outlining these issues. They clearly didn't want to rock the boat, instead saying perhaps Jehovah will in time change these things? Admittedly, I know I have been watched over the years by the elders. It's a bit like they don't step on my toes, I won't step on theirs.

Lastly, I am very self aware. I know what I believe, God knows what I believe. The GB, the elders etc cannot take this away from me.

For me the biggest factor as to why I stay is purely' for social reasons. That's it. I have faded in the past for several years, but this made things very awkward for my wife etc.

I am also hopeful that the Watchtower Society will wake up and smell the coffee. That they will reform many of their ridiculous policies. That they might just even one day be that quaint benign Christian faith group I thought I was joining all those years ago.

I can't say how things will go in the future. I may fade, I may end up df'd, I may continue to do what I do now is attend occasionally just to keep up appearences. Who knows.

Your points were very thought provoking. Thanks

UTC

64

Why is there such a 'high turnover' within the Jehovahs Witnesses?

by UnshackleTheChains in

i happened to come across a time article in 2008. it was basically talking about the high turnover in american faiths.

it mentioned the jdubs and highlighted the following point.. an even more extreme example of what might be called "masked churn" is the relatively tiny jehovah's witnesses, with a turnover rate of about two-thirds.

that means that two-thirds of the people who told pew they were raised jehovah's witnesses no longer are — yet the group attracts roughly the same number of converts.

UnshackleTheChains

I've seen others leave because no one invites them anywhere or to do anything. They'll associate at the hall with them, but thats about it. If you aren't part of the clique, then it sucks for them. Its a sad religion, and not one to go to if you want true friends

dbq407

The social aspect is a huge factor. My good lady is a very sociable outgoing person. She has quite a large circle of friends within the religion. She was a born in and new people as she grew up. On the other hand, I recall the isolation I felt when I was single. I was a convert. I was rarely invited out and it really affected me to the point I thought there must be something wrong with me. It wasn't me. It was this bat shit crazy religion! I was just about to leave when I met my wife. 20+ years later, here I am 🙄

64

Why is there such a 'high turnover' within the Jehovahs Witnesses?

by UnshackleTheChains in

i happened to come across a time article in 2008. it was basically talking about the high turnover in american faiths.

it mentioned the jdubs and highlighted the following point.. an even more extreme example of what might be called "masked churn" is the relatively tiny jehovah's witnesses, with a turnover rate of about two-thirds.

that means that two-thirds of the people who told pew they were raised jehovah's witnesses no longer are — yet the group attracts roughly the same number of converts.

UnshackleTheChains

The real story became apparent after a couple of years. It's like peeling an onion one layer at a time. Everybody is very secretive and nobody there will level with you about what is wrong. You have to find out on your own, one rude awakening after another. I was on the fringes of the religion

LongHairGal

That has most definitely been the experience many of us have had. I recall the days before the internet when I would watch elders on news reports or documentaries (eg suffer the little children) refuse to answer questions. They would walk past the journalists without saying a word. I always thought that very arrogant and bizarre. Cognitive dissonance allowed me to brush these thoughts aside by thinking 'oh ...they are not wanting to cast their pearls before swine' 🙄

I also felt I couldn't ask 'the why' questions, because of the group think culture within the organisation. Questioning the GB is tantamount to questioning God. To my shock and horror when the internet came along, I discovered that numerous individuals were disfellowshipped for questioning the teachings of the GB.

The secrecy of this organisation sickens me. The Australian royal commission truly exposed the secretive, deceptive nature of the organisation. Thank God for the age of the internet.