Posts by In-Too-Deep

36

Brother & Sister-in-Law Return to Kingdom Hall After Two Decades, Quickly Get Stumbled

by TMS in

it was a mild surprise, learning that a brother and sister-in-law had began re-associating with jehovah's witnesses after at least 25 years of being away.

the couple, of hispanic ethnicity, are in their early 60's, with their five children all grown and independent.

the family had been considered nominal jws, infrequently attending meetings, rarely in field service, but using the annual convention as their family vacation.

In-Too-Deep

He showed up on Saturday ready for work, but was informed that those duties could only be performed by approved JWs "in good standing."
Some are not even fit to flush the toilet.

This reminds me of when I attended elders school. There we were, a room full of some 40 "older men" responsible for the spiritual well being of hundreds of "sheep." During the section on discipline (DF and reinstatement), someone actually asked this question: "Can a person who has recently been reinstated assist with cleaning the Kingdom Hall?"

So much for "those who through use have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong." (Hebrews 5:14)

55

Just wondering who on this board has a spouse that is fully in and your awake?

by goingthruthemotions in

i am just curious who on this board is in the same situation has i am?

a spouse that is fully brain doogled in and you are awake to ttatt.. without going into serious detail and no names are given.

i would like to possible talk with one of you all, it's just so helpful to communicate with someone in the same situation as me.. i am located in the southwest united states..

In-Too-Deep

I'm fully awake, but still serving as an elder. I woke up about 3 years ago. I've tried to wake up my wife but it has been a struggle. She's a born in, like me. In retrospect, I think that my tactics were too aggressive and it made her get defensive every time. There are glimmers of hope from time to time, but I can see that the organization has a strong grip on her.

We've had our fair share of fights about the topic. She's threatened to tell the other elders on me. She hasn't so far, so something must be clicking in her head.

I started out with the more anti-JW things like UN/NGO and failed prophecies. However, once you begin to think critically about the organization, you start to wonder about the bible itself. I try to share with my wife the amazing things I've learned through biblical criticism. But, she clings to her faith in God even despite knowing certain things about the organization are wrong. I've got a long road ahead of me, but seeing the responses of other elders, servants, and everyone on this thread and forum gives me hope. It's such a relief to know that others are in the same boat and going through the same types of struggles.

There's light at the end of the tunnel.