Spot on alanv et al and a good question Minimus.I often wonder myself but unlike Jesus, I can't read minds. I do know there is always the underlying fear to be branded as disloyal, weak in the faith or having a tendency towards apostacy. I occasionally tried to detect some elders' inner thoughts, but there always was the general "trust the slave, we don't have to understand every detail", "where else to go?", "leave it to Jehovah, he will give new light at the proper time", "we as elders must be an example in the faith" etc.

I believe that once the zombification process has been completed (never blame the GB, only yourself through FOG), they force themselves to believe that the only bullshit is outside their spiritual "paradise". Few will choose to endure in a double life of mind games and fake smiles.

Having said that...

Can you imagine the balls of steel (sorry sisters but that includes you) of all those elders, bethelites, etc. who are WT moles that are keeping websites and forums like this informed??? Nothing but respect!

26

I feel like I'm losing my religion/faith

by christina1111 in

i'm a baptized jw...been baptized for 8 years...and throughout the years i've been baptized i see "hypocrisy" so to speak in the religion...when you're new and not baptized that's when the jws want to invite you to every gathering they have, they want to appear like they're your best friend...they want to help you out when needed and so forth...however, once you're baptized you go to the elders for help they don't help you....all they do is gather you around the office...have bibles in hand and so forth...they give you articles as well, instead of physically helping you out....but yet when you weren't baptized they would physically help you out and not throw scriptures and articles in your face.

also when you ask for help and so forth with the bros/sisters they want to throw the "each one must carry his/her own load" scripture at you.....but yet what happened to the scripture of taking care of widows and people who are orphans?.

it's not just one congregation...throughout the 8 years i've been baptized i've been through many kingdom halls...many towns...many states...when i was inactive for awhile i even pretended to not be baptized and just play dumb when the witnesses came to my door...they're much nicer to you when you're not baptized then when you are baptized...why is that?.

redpilltwice

Thanks Christina for sharing your story with us. After 8 years of tasting all these congregations you are discerning and concluding if JW's really practice what they preach. You even noticed what scripture says about widows and orphans compared to the daily reality in JW land. That's your personal observation, not that of someone else...GOOD! Your conscience seems to be giving the answer. It means you are stilll honest and sincere. Good luck on your journey and this forum will be there 24/7 if you need it.

23

Another Burnt Out Elder

by Spoletta in

young elder(mid-thirties) in my congregation stepped down last night.

nicest guy, with two lovely kids, a great supportive wife.. it got to be too much, as the other elders are practically useless, let him do all the hard work, while they did all the "important" stuff.

literally ran him ragged.. he's still in good standing, gave the final prayer.

redpilltwice

westiebilly11>

Even though I'm out, I will never forget the kindness shown to me by those elders years ago.

That's very kind of you to say...some really gave their soul and deserve to be remembered, but in this internet/information age it must be harder and harder for really sincere elders to remain ignorant and still spread lies in the name of YHWH.

41

Anyone read the latest Awake (on the supernatural)?

by LoveUniHateExams in

just read some of this latest awake on the org's webshite.. it begins by talking about the 'supernatural' - wizards, witches, vampires, etc.

- their popularity and why they might appeal to people.

then it goes on to state the wt belief that someone is 'behind it'.. now, i like a few horror/scary films - when i was a kid, i always actually liked being a bit scared by them, tbh.. the silence of the lambs, a nightmare on elm street (1984), the ring, the witch, the thing (1982) and a few others are all great, imo.. they are just genres and subgenres of film, that's all.

redpilltwice

Me and my wife enjoy "The Walking Dead" and we're not the only ones. Seven seasons already!

42

Happy Birthday to Me!

by Iown Mylife in

jw
friends

there's a beautiful sky this morning.

it's my birthday, today i'm 64 and look every inch of it, but i appreciate my life and feel fortunate to be cult-free.

also very fortunate to have a purposeful and entertaining existence here in gorgeous north georgia (in the usa).

redpilltwice

Congratulations from Holland dear Marina!

35

February 13, 2017 BOE Re: Memorial and Special Talk

by wifibandit in

february 13, 2017 to all bodies of elders re: memorial and special talk.

redpilltwice

"...please convey the love and concern of the Governing Body"

10

The perfect answer if you get asked to go to the memorial

by pepperheart in

i will go next year :-) .

redpilltwice

@ Schnell

LOL

23

Another Burnt Out Elder

by Spoletta in

young elder(mid-thirties) in my congregation stepped down last night.

nicest guy, with two lovely kids, a great supportive wife.. it got to be too much, as the other elders are practically useless, let him do all the hard work, while they did all the "important" stuff.

literally ran him ragged.. he's still in good standing, gave the final prayer.

redpilltwice

This could be an ongoing trend. In 2015, at the age of 48, I stepped down in order to start my fade. I was the youngest. In 2016, the long serving Secretary in his 60's stepped down as well and this year another elder died a natural death in his 80's. It's a matter of time before the rest will become too old/burnt out as well... it's inevitable! Now look at the greater picture...

What signal is given to the rank and file?

Being an elder does not seem to fit Jesus' promise from Matthew 11:30 " . . .For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.”

Hebrews 13:7 is also very telling: "Remember those who are taking the lead among you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out, imitate their faith."

Well, not much to imitate is there? Unless, with few exceptions of course, you are willing to ruin your family life and (mental) health in some way.

And what is told to elders when the load isn't light anymore? Right... delegate some work. But if the younger ones leave, what is there to delegate? If the only way to cope with the pressure is turning to zombie modus or growing a stomach ulcer, the choice is clear and therefore...

CIRCLE COMPLETED! Isn't it just a matter of time before the org will be weakened/eaten from the inside?

I pity the circuit overseers, who's asses can now be kicked by the GB if their new responsibility to appoint elders and MS turns out to be not productive enough. Besides a dying generation of loyalist elders, I think only the bullies and egomaniacs in the BOE's can survive...but is this the way the flock wants to subject themselves to the loving care of the GB?

redpilltwice

Posts by redpilltwice

Did you know that Judge Rutherford had a daughter? I sure didn't......