Posts by FayeDunaway

44

Where to go from here...

by Patrickday in

i'm new around here, but i've been browsing the site the last few days in hopes of finding the answer to the situation i've been going through, so hopefully you can help me.

i met this girl in highschool, but never really spoke with her until about a year after i graduated.

she's three years younger (however it's legal where i'm from, don't fret) and still a teenager.

FayeDunaway

I almost left when I was 19, but couldn't disappoint my parents. Decided to stay and do it their way. I hung on for 2 more decades. Then FINALLY decided to live my own life.

What im saying is, move on. Your paths may cross again some time in the distant future, and circumstances might be open for you being together. Who knows. But for now, emotionally move on from this girl. She sounds really messed up, more messed up than she was in the first years you knew her. I'm sorry your life too was affected by this cult. She needs to get out of it, but that is only going to happen when she's ready, and she's not moving in that direction right now. let her go.

64

What triggered your doubts / awakening?

by Tornintwo in

i am sort of new here, used a different username for a while but things got 'difficult' at home so i've since been lurking.... what i would be really interested to know, if you don't mind sharing, is what it was that triggered your doubts and initial research which led to awakening, was it a bad experience, injustice, changed doctrine?

for me, it was seeing mistreatment of young ones in the congregation, they're under so much pressure and as soon as they go even slightly astray they are shunned, either informally (as bad associations which pushes them further into the 'world') or formally - with elders dying to throw the book at them so they even lose their family.... ...then reading about child abuse issues in the press.... ...which led me to silentlambs.

...then jw facts, this forum and coc, wham!

FayeDunaway

Sasha I enjoyed your story! I remember searching on the Internet years ago too for 'how to leave jw's'...at the time this fading approach was new. It took me a long time to find that suggestion from someone. But whoever it was, described it so well, I was like 'yeah! That's what i'll do.' And it suggested a move to aid the situation. It wasn't on a forum, I think it might have been on ask.com. Whoever it was, if you are here, thank you!!

Sasha, welcome. It sounds like your parents have sort of accepted that you are mentally out.

35

What are Some of your best JW Questions they can't answer?

by 1tMakesNoSence in

i made a thread on reddit regarding questions jw's can't answer.

was wondering what you guys can add to it..

FayeDunaway

My question is this: why have you neglected Jesus for most of your history? Suddenly you say you are trying to bring him up more often. But how could you have EVER been God's one true organization if you have neglected him?

35

What are Some of your best JW Questions they can't answer?

by 1tMakesNoSence in

i made a thread on reddit regarding questions jw's can't answer.

was wondering what you guys can add to it..

FayeDunaway

Somehow, Kaik, old light is always from 'imperfect humans' while new light is always 'from Jehovah.' When the new light becomes old light, it is also from 'imperfect humans.'

44

Is it possible to use this thread to compile watchtowers Armageddon illustrations

by jambon1 in

jw
friends

i was informed today by a jw that the watchtower doesn't use images and propaganda to instil fear.

i would really like to see a compilation of all their armageddon illustrations.

maybe a thread or web page already exists that had this content.. the one i am really wanting is the most recent picture of the witnesses in the basement during the tribulation.. this will be a massive help so thank you..

FayeDunaway

Wait a minute, where is the mom with the blonde baby on the rock?? It was edited out???

29

Getting married when you are spiritually out

by 1tMakesNoSence in

i met this amazing girl about 6years ago at my local congregation.

i was 100% in back then.

about 3years ago i woke up spiritually and kept it undercover till a few months ago.. this girl is still very in (but she doesnt really do the things a reaaal jw should do.

FayeDunaway

Have her read the entire jwfacts site. Let her think about it for a week or two. Then ask her what she wants to do for the rest of her life. If she is still mentally in, move on, baby. You don't want to raise your kids in this.

41

A Tug on the Leash (The Authority Which the GB Wields Over the R&F)

by Oubliette in

recently, several comments have been made in various threads in reference to some of the recent changes to a few of the rules by which jehovah's witnesses must live their lives in unquestioning compliance.

the assertion has been made that these rules are a "relaxing" of previous restrictions.

the suggestion has been made that this somehow indicates a corresponding relaxing or loosening or lessening of the authority which the governing body (gb) holds over the rank and file (r&f) members of the religion.

FayeDunaway

FT, when the watchtower says that, isn't it talking about people examining OTHER religions and their beliefs? Do you think they mean examine everything about THE JW religion, its history, what ALL their publications have said, making sure that everything they have said 'is really so', using outside sources for research? I think there is a double standard here. Just like when they say 'how can you be sure you were born in the right religion?', it is a question only directed to householders.

44

Is it possible to use this thread to compile watchtowers Armageddon illustrations

by jambon1 in

jw
friends

i was informed today by a jw that the watchtower doesn't use images and propaganda to instil fear.

i would really like to see a compilation of all their armageddon illustrations.

maybe a thread or web page already exists that had this content.. the one i am really wanting is the most recent picture of the witnesses in the basement during the tribulation.. this will be a massive help so thank you..

FayeDunaway

INTERESTING. A lot of these are new to me, published since we left. I am so happy my children have been spared these pictures. I remember we had a copy of that orange colored paradise book in my room growing up, before the bible stories book came out. I Used to stay on that picture of those people falling down that chasm.

They don't promote fear? Fear is their only constant. Cars and clothing and hair styles changed with the times, so that their 'the world is ending!! You better join us, or else!!' cry doesn't look as outdated as it is. But the fear is always there.

9

The visit with elder and wife outcome

by umbertoecho in

where to start in regard to my visit with the elder and his wife; a wife who sat mute throughout the discussion.

they arrived on the dot and we engaged in talk about the weather.

this could have gone on for some time but i brought it around to the reason for this particular visit.

FayeDunaway

Maybe he focused on his abuse story and resulting lack of memory to explain why he couldn't study with you using just the bible alone?

88

Damned if they do, Damned if they don't

by FusionTheism in

jw
friends

i see an attitude among some people here which is not very helpful.

i can understand it, but still, it's not constructive or helpful.. if you condemn the society for not changing, but then you also condemn them when they do change in a positive way, what incentive or motive does that provide for the people at the society to ever want to change for the better?.

also, what does that attitude look like to current witnesses who are having doubts?.

FayeDunaway

Ft, I agree with most of your points above. It seems you are becoming happier the more they become like mainstream Christianity. So why not just take the plunge and join another church? Unless you have family in. In which case, i understand, and sympathize, with the exasperation of waiting for change...which feels like being famished and waiting for crumbs to fall from a table.

But these changes are still hypocritical, and they make them without acknowledging all the people they have hurt meanwhile, since their past interpretation of scripture was WRONG, and HURTFUL, LEGALISTIC--going far beyond the spirit of the law, and even CAUSED DEATH. In fact they are still causing death by not changing enough, but they are too proud to say 'we were wrong about blood in medicine.' So they have to skirt the issue, still making it difficult to survive loss of blood, especially if you happen to live in a third world country with less medical options available to you.