Posts by panhandlegirl

70

Why did you become a Jehovah's Witness ?

by Gnosis in

why did you become a jehovah's witness ?.

initially upon entering the religion what were the positive things you experienced ?.

how did that particular way of thinking both benefit and harm you ?.

panhandlegirl

Had no choice. I was practically a born-in. I liked the woman who studied with our family. I hated going to the KH; it interfered with my play time. We had no Christmas tree, gifts, parties; couldn't participate in extra curricular

events at school.I grew up in a Phillips Petroleum Camp/Housing and could not associate with my wordy friends. I got used to studying the WT every week and became a believer, got baptized at the age of 11.

During my teens, I was always in trouble because I wanted to have fun with my friends. My older sister found out I was at a dance once and came and dragged me out of the dance in front of all my friends. I could not date

worldy boys so I married a jw. After marriage (at 17,he was 18), I became an exempary witness, my son was in the Ministry School when he was in second grade. I dragged my two children out in service every Saturday until

they were in middle school. I became disillusioned with the borg when I was in my early thirties but I stayed in for another ten years. I faded but was caught up in the 80's purge (which I knew nothing about until I came to this

site). Like others here, I wish I had never heard of this cult but it's too late now. I remain confused about what I believe, but I know the borg is a fraud. I no loger fear the end or Armageddon. I am free, free at last.

52

Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses is NOT the same as the doctrines leaving you

by Terry in

if you grow up speaking english and you move to mexico you don't automatically speak spanish, know customs, understand currency, possess skills.

for self-support or have any special insight into latino mindset.. .

why would you expect leaving jehovah's witnesses would leave you any less ill-equipped to navigate the real world?.

panhandlegirl

earthfire, your congregation was dysfunctional! The organization claims to be different from the world, having higher morals and living up to them, but they are just like the rest of the world. In fact, they are worse because they claim to be the only ones God approves of and that he will save from destruction. I have seen some of the things you described in some of the congregations I have attended, although the sins and bad deeds were not concentrated in one cong. My female cousin put me down for speaking to my df'd brother at a funeral saying: "I would never let a man come between me and Jehovah." All the while, she was having sex with another sister's elder husband.

BOTH wrote:

The reptilian brain in me still fears demons. Even when I totally am absorbed and enjoying "wordly activities," I pause and consider that I would never know such joy if I remained in the Witnesses. Everytime I see a child celebrating a birthday or Christmas, I hurt for my inner child. My profession would be condemned by them. All my volunteer work in many causes condemed/condemns me. There is a deep struggle between the child in me (which wonders if I made the right choice.

I share your feelings. I fear the same things. It is just difficult to get long-held beliefs out of your mind/brain. It is a constant struggle for many of us, especially for those of us who have never known any other belief.

38

Video from the Dublin Convention of Anthony Morris III releasing the Sparlock DVD

by cedars in

i've just uploaded a youtube video showing the moment when anthony morris iii released the sparlock dvd ("become jehovah's friend") at the special convention in dublin, ireland.. here is the video, which is part 1 of a series of videos that i intend to release entitled "getting to know anthony morris iii"... enjoy!.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ene8hbfj1pi.

anthony's remarks aren't all together that interesting in this clip, although he does relate a disturbing story of a two-year-old girl who was allowed to watch the dvd eight times in quick succession.

panhandlegirl

I was amazed that not once was Jesus mentioned on the video; It was only Jehovah God and the GB/Organization. Apparently Jesus has been replaced/demoted. I believe that if the jws were asked what they thought about the video, they would highly approve of it.They are just not able to see the folly in that way of thinking. I used to be just like Caleb's mom. I recall a day when my daughter came to my workplace on the way home from school (she was about 15 years old). I was in the breakroom having coffee and there was a birthday cake sitting on the counter. My daughter started to get a piece and I stopped her. I told her it was a "birthday" cake. She put the cake down and did not eat it. How stupid is that. We both laugh about it now, but it is really sad how brainwashed jws actually are. I have apologized to both my children for raising them as jws.

31

Good-bye, friends

by BizzyBee in

jw
friends

we bees leave for our trip this afternoon - a river cruise from budapest to the black sea.

everyone on the ship is a tandem cycling couple.

we will visit hungary, serbia, moldav, romania, austria, germany and croatia.. it will be a nice break from politics and the world news since we don't watch much tv on these trips.. hold down the fort - see you in a couple of weeks!.

panhandlegirl

Have fun, sounds like an interesting trip.

PHG

52

Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses is NOT the same as the doctrines leaving you

by Terry in

if you grow up speaking english and you move to mexico you don't automatically speak spanish, know customs, understand currency, possess skills.

for self-support or have any special insight into latino mindset.. .

why would you expect leaving jehovah's witnesses would leave you any less ill-equipped to navigate the real world?.

panhandlegirl

Terry, I read "Misquoting Jesus" a few months ago and it upset me. Before then, I believed the Bible was inerrant even though my two brothers had told me it wasn't; I didn't trust them. After reading that book, I don't see the Bible in the same way as before. He presented enough evidence for me to change my mind. I realize I have jw beliefs that I am not even aware that I have. I have made statements that have caused my non-jw friends to look at me like 'What did you just say?" That's why I like this site and jwfacts. I am reading and learning all the time. I have been out of the borg for over 25 years, but it takes a long time and patience with yourself to erase those ideas out of your mind.

127

Introducing Mrs Cedars...

by cedars in

jw
friends

i just thought you should know that mrs cedars has finally taken the plunge and joined the forum.

she was able to log on for the first time yesterday.. though we both "awakened" at different stages, mrs cedars was very supportive and non-judgmental when i first began exploring my beliefs from a critical standpoint.

she is currently in the process of reading crisis of conscience and aquainting herself with some of the facts of witness history that were hitherto unknown.

panhandlegirl

Welcome, Mrs Cedars. I am all for a recipe thread also.

135

Why get "personal" when discussing a topic?

by Terry in

jw
friends

trading insults happens among kids all the time.. intellectual development hasn't progressed to the point where they can present contrary ideas and opinions with persuasive appeal to reasons, facts and logic.. "i know you are; but what am i?".

"your momma's so fat....".

so, they fall back on childish mocking, provocation and personal attack.. as we grow older and have more education and sophistication our minds should mature---or so you'd think!.

panhandlegirl

Thank you, panhandlegirl ; what a lovely compliment. :))

talesin,

You're welcome. There are so many mean and uncalled for insults on these posts that when someone is kind or gracious, it stands out to me as though highlighted in black.

I would think that as exjws we could be more compassionate towards each other. I realize that just because we we all jws at some point in our lives, that does not mean we all share the same attitudes, political convictions, intellect, writing/spelling abilities, or social standing in the world. I have read some excellent posts on here and been impressed with some of the arguments presented. I have even changed my thoughts on some matters due to these arguments, but when posters are insulting for no reason, me mind shuts down to anything else they have to say. I am not thin skinned or sensitve, I just expect good manners from others, especially when I show good manners to them.

I also feel Terry took a lot of verbal abuse, before offering a retort. I would not have taken those insults as long as he did. I do hope that after this discussion, we can continue without so much vitriol. That does not exclude lively debate and differences of opinion. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

135

Why get "personal" when discussing a topic?

by Terry in

jw
friends

trading insults happens among kids all the time.. intellectual development hasn't progressed to the point where they can present contrary ideas and opinions with persuasive appeal to reasons, facts and logic.. "i know you are; but what am i?".

"your momma's so fat....".

so, they fall back on childish mocking, provocation and personal attack.. as we grow older and have more education and sophistication our minds should mature---or so you'd think!.

panhandlegirl

: What/who is defined as a "newbi?"

Oh, someone who cannot spell it would be a good guess.

Farkel

Okay, I will rephrase the question and ask another one.

What/who is defined as a "newbie?" and Why are you mad? I really just want to know. I don't whine, don't need a pat on the back, or anyone to whisper in my ear to tell me I'm smart. I want to associate with those who have endured what I have lived through as an exjw. They are the only ones who can understand how I feel as I continue to endure because, although I have a large family, everyone shuns me. I'm one of the ones wearing a white hat.

42

Worldwide Church of God collapse

by cog_survivor in

jw
friends

on my introduction post a few people expressed interest in how the worldwide church of god (wwcg) imploded.

i think maybe in hopes something similar will happen with the jws.

i think the jws will also eventually experience a meltdown but probably not in the same way since the power structure was a bit different.

panhandlegirl

cog, welcome to the forum. My husband and I (and his parents) used to listen to HWA and later to his son, Ted. You are right about people not understanding what it's like being raised in a cult. It is not easy to overcome the damage done to your psyche. It's difficult to reorganize/reinvent your life after this type of loss. As Frazier would say "I'm [we're] listening". Look forward to more of your posts.

135

Why get "personal" when discussing a topic?

by Terry in

jw
friends

trading insults happens among kids all the time.. intellectual development hasn't progressed to the point where they can present contrary ideas and opinions with persuasive appeal to reasons, facts and logic.. "i know you are; but what am i?".

"your momma's so fat....".

so, they fall back on childish mocking, provocation and personal attack.. as we grow older and have more education and sophistication our minds should mature---or so you'd think!.

panhandlegirl

You newbies are a joke: whining little babies who want to be patted on the back and have everyone whisper in your ear how smart you are.

There. That's an ad hominem for you.

Farkel

What/who is defined as a "newbi?" New to the forum, newly escaped from the organization, or new to certain "arguments"/discussions? Just asking.