Posts by Sorry

41

Will YOU Ever Leave The Watchtower Org.?

by minimus in

jw
friends

there is usually a metamorphosis that takes place for a person to leave the jehovah's witness religion.

most people do not just up and go simply because they realize this could not be the truth.

it often takes time.. for those that go to meetings or engage in the ministry, will you forever continue doing these things, knowing that it is all bs?

Sorry

If I could afford to be out on my own, I would've left a long time ago. But, one sweet day, I'll have my freedom.

22

i remember having this feeling when i was younger that something was off when it came to meetings and the people there seemed just off.i had feelings like that when i was like 5 or 6 and i would say i was kinda dumb back then but still i had a feeling like that when i would not have that often.still to this day i dont know what got me to have that feeling i was just wanting to know if any had this feeling to and still cant remember what made your mind give you a red flag..

Sorry

When I was about 10 (when we seriously started going to the meetings), I remembered being bored out of my mind during the meetings. Whenever I told my parents this, they'd become extremely pissed off so I just kept my mouth shut. I did like the people though. They were quite fun and laid back. Then we moved to another one. I always felt kinda stressed and uneasy, because not only was it boring, but the people at my current one are very uptight and gossipy. Becomes really draining to have to constantly watch every little thing I say, do and wear because these people get offended by EVERYTHING.

Now I know better. If you feel uncomfortable, you shouldnt be there.

13

What would happen if everyone who ever lived came back? - Video on Youtube

by ILoveTTATT2 in

jw
friends

very interesting video showing what would happen if everyone who ever died came back...tldr: 90% would die (again) within two months because of famine.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-s34gz3xwgtherefore: "paradise" is just impossible..

Sorry

"Leave the matter to Jehovah."- every Dub ever.

20

Do JW's ever really grow up ?

by Phizzy in

i ask the above because of my personal experience.

as a born-in i was naive, socially inept and had never really thought deeply about anything.. i was also unable to accept arguments based upon reason and facts.. just like a child.. it was only after freeing myself from the mind-control of the jw cult that i educated myself and matured as a person to being (almost) an adult.. jw's attitudes and their inability to debate in any meaningful way, (they could start by actually listening),means they have not grown up..

Sorry

Yes. I see this in my father, mother and if I'm being completely honest, myself.

My father left the dubs when he was 18 and returned 30 years later. My mother wasn't born in and met my dad a while after he left. They went through some hardships in those days and that's why they think it's the truth, but they both fail to realize they have many more hardships now.

Starting with my dad, he has always been emotionally unstable and financially irresponsible. But he made a lot more money back then and was under less stress, so his problems weren't noticeable. Now that he's back with the dubs, he has less money and seems unable to control his emotional outbursts, which is mostly anger. This leads him to constantly scream out childish insults or the "silent treatment". He spends compulsively and pays the bills he wants, and leaves the rest to Jehovah. He flat out told me that life doesn't have shades of grey, that's a lie perpetrated by "the world". Everything is either/or. He'll never admit it, but everything he does is for the approval of the elders and to fit in with them, it's like teenage peer pressure. He never does anything without consulting them for permission, like he's their kid. In some ways he does gives valuable life lessons, but for the most part he acts bizarrely immature.

My mom is more practical than my dad having not been born in, she can see different sides in situations. She also has a great handle on her emotions, and is rational with money. However, she is very "my way or the highway" and won't debate or listen to facts if it in any way conflicts with her thoughts. When upset, she also goes into the silent treatment and throws out vicious insults towards people if she doesn't agree with them or they didn't do something she wanted. She doesn't lose control of her emotions often but when she does, it mostly consists of a tantrum involving yelling and throwing her limbs like a 3 year old.

As for me, I'm a mix of them. Like my dad, I'm extremely emotional and can be loose with money. Like my mom, I'm very stubborn and can act really cold if I don't get my way. I'm also kinda naive and way too trusting with people. However, unlike them, I love a good debate and can accept if I'm wrong or consider a new viewpoint. I acknowledge life isn't clean cut and there are grey areas. I also couldn't care less on how others view me and am not particularly star struck by people in power (elders and MS).

Like my Nana used to say, "Some people grow old, not up. Just ask your mother."

53

2017 Convention Recording: JWs Applaud 10yo Girl For Shunning Her Own Sister

by pale.emperor in

this poor girl was baptized at 9yo.

.

she isnt old enough to buy alcohol, to vote, to decide her own medical treatment, to buy a pet, to travel alone... yet she was deemed old enough to dedicate her life to a religion that will cut her off from her family if she ever leaves.. here she is applauded for shunning her own sister who tried to keep in contact with her after waking up.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yzgnfda8ki.

Sorry

It's sickening (and kinda sad) that JWs view this type of behavior as 'loving' when really, it's just manipulation at it finest. I notice that in multiple WT articles, the person coming back to says something along the lines of "If they would've given that one dose of association, that would've satisfied me, and I would've never came back to the truth." Essentially saying that didn't even want to come back, they just missed their family. That's just plain messed up.

Even if some (like my own family and some in the congregation) acknowledge the effed up dynamic, they'll just blame the one being shunned: "They should've stayed with Jehovah" "They knew what they were getting into when they got baptized, they brought this on themselves". Even if shunning their lived one brings them great distress and depression, they just can't see that. But JWs have "natural affection" and are the "happiest people", right?

26

Jehovah's Witnesses and Race/Culture

by kneehighmiah in

jw
friends

i have also attended spanish congregations.

this has helped me to understand and respect totally different perspectives and narratives on race.

please be respectful during this discussion.

Sorry

Having been to the Spanish congregation, an all black congregation and a black church (oh the horror), this post is 100% accurate. When u first went to my aunt's church, I was bewildered, yet entertained. Everyone was so lively, and so many people would about out their agreement from their seat. I like it because that told me they were genuinely believing what they heard. Not to mention, most were pretty nice,al awesome people. Sure you have the nosy gossipers and judgmental Judy's. Buy everyone was real. What you saw was what you got, and I appreciate that. Ever since, I can't stand how subdued the KH is and how the dubs talk shit about people shouting their praises in church.

I went to the Spanish congregation in my old city for a couple of weekends and went to a ton of gatherings. Beautiful music and a ton of dancing. No one complained, and the atmosphere was so relaxing. You could even dance with the opposite sex and no one raised an eyebrow. I was in love.

My current cong is mostly black, but it is cliquey and kind of snooty and uptight. My old one, was pretty fun. Many of the people were so sweet and put a lot of emphasis on family values, so I knew a few who had DF or inactive family yet still kept in contact with them. The environment was pretty relaxing, engaging and forgiving.

And this is why "I don't like the people at the hall." is a legitimate excuse for not attending. The people can make or break your experience and determine if you still want to bother.

116

What is behind your choice of forum user name?

by stuckinarut2 in

jw
friends

just curious how we all think.. what prompted or influenced your choice of username for this forum?.

there are some really amazing names, and it would be great to hear the stories behind them.... mine was nothing fancy.

i just felt "stuck in a rut too" along with so many others.

Sorry

I constantly apologize for everything.

38

How can angels be sexually attracted to women?

by Island Man in

the nephilim account in genesis is utterly ridiculous when you consider that angels are sex-less beings and would therefore lack sex-drive and romantic attraction.

think of how difficult it is for humans with a sex drive to be sexually attracted to animals.

now take away that sex drive and it becomes literally impossible.

Sorry

Weirdly enough, the public talk mentioned this today. About how the angels fell into temptation, and if they can, any of us can. I read this thread before the meeting, so I had to try my hardest not to laugh.

9

Field service even when parts of town are flooded.

by StephaneLaliberte in

yes, you heard right.

this morning, jehovah's witnesses in gatineau were preaching door to door when parts of their city are under water.1500 volunteers (not jws) showed up to help their fellow citizen in need.

meanwhile, jws were knocking on the doors in areas that were not flooded talking about how the weather is messed up and how it is a sign of the end.

Sorry

I always found it horrible how JWs (not just my family but the entire congregation it seems) don't want to voulnteer for charity or relief efforts (unless directly told to by the GB, COs or elders) because "This is the last days and doing these things won't improve world conditions. Preaching about the end of this system will." Disgusting lack of responsibility.

62

Would You EVER Go Back To Being A Jehovah's Witness?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i could never understand why some people who know the truth about the "truth" ever go back.

once you understand all the hypocrisy and negatives, i would think it's almost impossible to go back!.

Sorry

Tbh, I did try leaving once (the details are for a different post). In a nutshell, I told my family I didn't feel comfortable being a Witness anymore, and I simply left and stayed elsewhere. At first they cut off my phone so I'd have no contact with anyone else (because they were punishing me for eating with a male friend), and they made me call my ride with them listening on their home phone. I left and for a few hours I was okay.

Then my phone magically turned back on. Then came the pleading calls. How my father misses me and has barely eaten or slept. How they just don't understand why I'm throwing everything away. How I can't afford to go to college and have a roommate on a disability check. And they told me they'd contact the SSI administration so I'd have my disability check revoked due to my new status as a roommate. I was already on an emotional rollercoaster, and their calls made everything worse. They kept going on about how I'd be dead and they'd be enjoying paradise with my deceased grandparents. I know it's all bullshit, but they sounded completely depressed about it, like they genuinely believed if I was no longer a JW, I was good as dead and they couldn't stand the thought of living without me. I felt so conflicted because when I left, I tried hugging everyone. My dad gave me a big squeeze, and my mom just pushed me away and gave me the cold shoulder. I was shocked and thought they didn't love me at all. And yet here they were, pretty much begging me to come back at least until I was more stable.

And despite them showing me their true colors, I came back. I know I'm weak. But they fully buy into the whole JW life/death thing, and my leaving kinda traumatized them. It's been a few months since I tried to leave, and I somewhat regret my decision. But what can I say? I guess I love too much...