Posts by Sorry

31

Well, the Apostasy Accusations Begins...

by Sorry in

so, it finally happened.

the first time i have been called out for being an apostate.

it started out innocently enough: my family and i were watching a tv show.

Sorry

UPDATE: After thinking of my parents feelings and the advice from you lovely people, I realized I went about everything wrong and decided to swallow my pride, be the bigger person and apologize. And surprisingly, they took it well. I said "I'm sorry (say that a lot these days) I got snappy with you. I shouldn't have done that. After all, the Bible says children should honor their parents. I was childish and wrong for what I said. I just wanted to be right. I didn't mean any of it." Then my parents embraced me and my father proceeded to say "I shouldn't have called you an apostate. That's serious. I was a lot like you when I was your age, independent. We just need to do what your grandparents did to me, and keep that fault-finding attitude in check."

So, everything is peaceful at the home front again. And even though I really didn't want to, I'm glad our house isn't a war zone anymore. My father and I worked on my car, then he finished it off with "Isn't Jehovah great? Most worldly families can't get past minor conflict." All's well ends well I guess.

31

Well, the Apostasy Accusations Begins...

by Sorry in

so, it finally happened.

the first time i have been called out for being an apostate.

it started out innocently enough: my family and i were watching a tv show.

Sorry

So, it finally happened. The first time I have been called out for being an apostate.

It started out innocently enough: my family and I were watching a TV show. Next thing I notice, the family on the show were shooting fireworks for the 4th of July. My parents, on cue, started to insult the family and boost about their everlasting life. It was like something in me snapped. In the middle of their cackling, I said: "what's so wrong about July 4th? Not like it's pagan." My parents told me why I should celebrate a country that doesn't care about me. Due to JW stance on politics, I move on to Thanksgiving. "Same for Thanksgiving. Has no pagan origins." Then they said JWs ate thankful everyday and don't need a day to show that. "Still, nothing wrong with having a feast with your family and friends." Then they made it a point that we should have no part of the world. Besides, the origins of Thanksgiving is horrible: the original Thanksgiving was a celebration of getting rid of the Indians. At this point I'm annoyed, do I shoot back with: "If origin is so important, how come we don't follow nearly none of Russell's teachings anymore? Most of them are considered wrong today." My father states: "The light gets brighter. Jehovah eventually reveals the truth, so that's why things changed." "What about the issues that have gone back and forth? The Watchtower itself said new light shouldn't contradict old light. Doesn't a Scripture in Deut. say that anyone who has a wrong teaching is a false prophet?" Then came the raised voices. My father then said "you've been around too many worldly people. You've turned apostate." My mom nodded in agreement. "Even if you have questions that can't be answered, have faith Jehovah will take care of it" For the first time, I got the last word: "Yes, like he took care of the generation of 1914."

Their faces were priceless. I've been 'marked' by my parents. And it actually feels great.

25

The true sign of a Cult-Like group is:

by stuckinarut2 in

just thought we could have a concise thread listing the signs of a high control, or cult-like group:.

feel free to add to the list:.

the true sign of a cult-like group is:.

Sorry

One I've heard is that a cult will keep it's members extremely busy to keep questions from arising. Evident with undue emphasis on door-to-door ministry, meeting attendance and daily personal study and family worship evenings.

38

Blood Ban Not Going Away Anytime Soon

by baldeagle in

at the recent circuit assembly in our area (nov 19/2016) a talk was given in the afternoon entitled “jehovah will resurrect the dead” it’s clear that the prohibition on blood is not going away anytime soon.

many of us here have expressed the hope that this death dealing policy would be softened or become a complete conscience matter.

not the case, jw’s are urged to not give in and to focus on the resurrection hope.

Sorry

My family firmly believes in the blood ban too. I always hear them (and other Witnesses) talk about the BS reasons blood transfusions are bad. Such as

-doctors themselves wouldn't get a transfusion

-they're dirty and it's like sharing a needle, you'll probably catch AIDS

-taking someone else's blood is disrespecting life and the Bible

-doesn't matter if you die, because Jehovah will bring you back anyway

The ignorance is astounding. If I do decide to have children and my family is still in the troof, I don't think I'd let them be alone with them for an extended period of time. The risk of something happening and my child dying is too scary...

10

Depression, Anger and Anxiety

by Sorry in

for the last few months, i feel like i've been going through the 5 stages of grief.

lately, it's been happening simultaneously.

in my other posts, i've expressed anger at my family and congregation for their thoughtless ways.

Sorry

@Village Idiot, no he is not, lucky for him. I got with him around the time I learned TTATT. I have to keep it under wraps for obvious reasons, but it's been great so far.

9

If the light is getting brighter why are they getting dumber?

by scotoma in

jw
friends

don't they have editors?.

why can’t they get it through their heads that they aren’t under the mosaic law.. look at the “imperfect food” that was served up at the nov 14 watchtower study.. "3. what can we learn about clothing from god’s law to the israelites?.

3 for example, in god’s law to the israelites there were rules that protected them against the.

Sorry

They have always said while we are not under the Mosaic law anymore, we should look at it as a "guideline". I thought it was so stupid. Either we are under the law or not. Can't have it both ways. But the WT loves having everything both ways.

10

Depression, Anger and Anxiety

by Sorry in

for the last few months, i feel like i've been going through the 5 stages of grief.

lately, it's been happening simultaneously.

in my other posts, i've expressed anger at my family and congregation for their thoughtless ways.

Sorry

For the last few months, I feel like I've been going through the 5 stages of grief. Lately, it's been happening simultaneously. In my other posts, I've expressed anger at my family and congregation for their thoughtless ways. Yet at the same time, I get incredibly saddened with the thought that one day, my family will never contact me again and act like I don't exist. Yes, it makes me angry and somewhat hate them, but it still hurts. Before my baptism, my panic attacks were controlled, they rarely occurred anymore. Now they've been happening non stop, at least twice a week for the past two months. I've been really wanting to restart my therapy sessions, but since we're in a rough spot financially, I know it's now possible. Crying spells, panic attacks, snapping on people for little to no reason and my suicidal thoughts have been the norm for a while. My boyfriend has taken notice and has greatly helped me, even tried to get one of his friends whose a therapist to talk to me (unfortunately, due to this therapist's distant location and revolving schedule, it hasn't helped much). He has stayed by my side, listened to me vent, even understood and forgiven the times I snapped at him (which I feel incredibly guilty for). The other day, he spontaneously took me out to lunch and bowling. Doesn't sound like much, but I felt great all that day.

He has been much more supportive than my family. "Oh you're sad? Obviously you're not doing enough for Jehovah and he's not blessing you. Either do more or suffer and shut up." My sadness is a sign of my spiritual weakness, and I need to get over if I want to make it into the new system. Never have I wanted to breakdown and punch someone at the same time in my life. They keep saying I must want to be depressed because I'm not happy. It's honestly sickening and fuels my anger. I hate what the WT has done to them.

I just wanted to get my feelings out there. This forum is the only place that truly understands the struggle.

21

Canada Bethel (Georgetown) to begin renovations early 2017

by Richard_I in

jw
friends

a letter was just read at my midweek meeting that georgetown (canada bethel) will have renovations done on it beginning spring 2017. the letter asked for publishers who are electricians/plumbers/etc.

and in good standing to apply to help out.

those helping out will be considered "part-time commuters" and will only be at the property for about 3 days a week and must reside outside of bethel and pay for all their own expenses.

Sorry

Have any other J-dubs put two and two together and realized their "loving volunteer work" is just free labor and a ruse to raise the Kingdumb Hell properties' market values? Minimize the costs, maximize the profits, simple business 101. I can see why people have called it a pyramid scheme. The higher ups get rich, rank and file are encouraged to work as little "secular" hours as possible to dedicate their lives to making the org richer. Sickening.

8

Slaves and Sheeps

by Sorry in

disclaimer: while this may be a sensitive topic to some, i don't wish to offend anyone.

please don't turn this into a political discussion with name calling and yelling.

i can see why the borg hates higher education.

Sorry

DISCLAIMER: while this may be a sensitive topic to some, I don't wish to offend anyone. Please don't turn this into a political discussion with name calling and yelling. Thank you.

I can see why the Borg hates higher education. Since attending college, many things I have never thought about or previously ignored made me question things. One such thing is the Bible and slavery. If you've taken a history class, you'll know that, at least in the US, Christianity was used as a tool to keep the oppressed in line (slavery and imperialism as main examples). Scriptures such as Ephesians 6:5 "slaves, obey your Earthly masters with respect" were used as a way to prevent uprisings. The Bible was pretty much used as a tool to justify their inhumane treatment of other human beings.

Given the unsavory history of slavery and the near universal negative connotations associated with slaves, it makes me question the WT as to why they keep comparing JW's to slaves. The talk on the Broadcast about "Being a Slave to Jehovah" made me squirm. Common excuses I've heard is that "the Bible wasn't written back then, so it's not talking about that" or "Jehovah is a loving master, who wouldn't be a slave for him?" Still, given the stigma and the fact the Bible was used as a tool of manipulation, you'd think they'd avoid it and simply use words just as "followers" to describe JW's.

Another one is sheep. In any other place, sheep are used to describe a brainless person who unquestionably follows orders. Yet the WT is quick to praise people who are "sheep-like". How can we possess "free will" like they claim, but we are encouraged to act like sheep and follow orders, even "if they don't make sense from a human standpoint".

If they view being "slaves" to them and "sheep" as a good thing, that's kinda cult-ish, don't you think?

30

So, how did the 'beard article' go over yesterday at your congregation?

by neat blue dog in

at mine the conductor was somewhat awkward and minimal and there were nervous chuckles from the audience.

two people, including an elder, gave reasonable comments that it's okay as long as it's not extreme styles, etc.

but then another one of the elders commented that nothing has changed and they still aren't proper locally.

Sorry

Another prime example how the WT likes to claim that Jehovah 'lovingly' gave us free will but will micro manage the pettiest crap like facial hair. Like a previous poster said, either big J finds it acceptable or he doesn't. They should stop being so passive aggressive and just say beards aren't allowed.

As far as the "all things lawful are not advantageous" and the "stumbling" bullcrap, I highly doubt anyone is that pressed over someone else's beard. No one cares. Really.

I think the organization gets off on their special snowflake status: "Oh, we have the most clean cut and wholsomely dress people! We're just so special. God's chosen people." Give me a break. If God is so petty he will rebuke you for hair on your face, that's a God I personally don't feel comfortable serving.