Posts by FayeDunaway

23

1914.... current significance?

by NeverKnew in

it seems that when i ask witnesses questions about 1914, they really don't understand the relevance to their message today.

i am told that they preach about the coming kingdom and that they don't preach a message of 1914. if a person doesn't understand 1914 then i can clearly see how showing them the inaccuracies of the doctrine wouldn't matter.

can we compile a list of ties 1914 has to their current beliefs?.

FayeDunaway

That 2014 has passed which many witnesses thought would be 'very special ', and that years convention was probably going to be ''the last one", there is no reason to mention 1914 anymore, actually it has become an embarrassment!

Some die hards will probably keep bringing it up for a while, but it will surely fade away quietly until most witnesses don't even know it was supposed to mean something.

I think the whole overlapping generation thing will dissipate as well.

The problem for the witnesses is that their religion is founded on superficial things like rules and dates, and there isn't enough "there" there, which will lead to their demise, IMO.

83

Seeking support ... Where can a Christian go

by Sevan in

jw
friends

hey all, .

so i recently posted for the first time and introduced myself.. i have been spending time reading various posts.

some informative, some not so much.. since i've been reading on here, i've read a lot from atheists.

FayeDunaway

Sevan, I think DJS is using this opportunity to vent against all offending christians ever on this site, not you personally, so don't take it personally.

I know he can be rude but I like DJS, he's smart and witty and really really blunt and doesn't hold back. Probably decades of being stuck in witness world has that effect on a lot of us here, who won't restrain their voices any longer, for anything or anyone.

83

Seeking support ... Where can a Christian go

by Sevan in

jw
friends

hey all, .

so i recently posted for the first time and introduced myself.. i have been spending time reading various posts.

some informative, some not so much.. since i've been reading on here, i've read a lot from atheists.

FayeDunaway

Sevan, I have simply learned to avoid posts here involving atheist/theist argumentation. It does get nasty.

Also, I have remained a believer by letting go of fundamentalism. Evolution and the Bible can work together if you ease up a bit. Also realize much of the Bible was written from a human perspective and reflected the times. I believe Jesus showed us the way. Paul put his opinions in there about women etc. I still like Paul generally tho he's not my favorite. :)

20

Hello Everyone

by Mozzie in

jw
friends

hoping this is the right section..... my story so far,,,.

hello everyone, i have been reading a lot on what most jws would say apostate websites, but i have been asking myself, how much of this s true and considering a lot of these are run by ex jw elders, bethalites and one who was with the gb at one stage, overseers and the like.

i was an unbaptized publisher many years ago but never got to the point of baptism as i fell into sin, that pretty much ended my attending meetings again.

FayeDunaway

Mozzie, I am an ex JW who now goes to a liberal protestant church. Stop letting the high control group Jehovah's witnesses make you feel guilty. They don't really have anything to offer, they just always make you feel like you are not enough, and they take take take. 20 faithful years with your partner IS a marriage. I wish your mate would come around because there are financial and security benefits to being legal, but dont feel guilty if she doesn't. You are not living in sin if you have been faithful 20 years!! If I were you I would try other churches. Most will not love bomb you like a cult will but don't let that put you off. Get involved with some of their community efforts such as helping the poor and you will feel a part of their family quickly. And yes, keep reading the Bible from different perspectives, try getting a reference bible. This will help you read scriptures without the twists witnesses give to them, but with a different view. Drop the guilt and just be a happy father and husband and try to help others. You are a good man!!!

23

Guess who is getting announced as no longer being a JW

by atacrossroads in

jw
friends

not me surprisingly.

i thought i would be the one to go first.

this coming week my hubby is being announced as no longer being a jw.

FayeDunaway

Well I guess you are at a crossroads no more!!! You and your husband have made your choice, and you have chosen freedom and a full life for your daughter!! Often having a child makes a parent a fighter and protector. Your husband had chosen to be a good dad and stand up for what's right!!

I know it hurts to tell your parents the truth, but for your own family's sake what had to be done is done. Congrats, both of you.

7

Happy Independence Day!!

by Gayle in

jw
friends

"freedom is a grand thing to celebrate!

" we came from a culture that we couldn't be 'independent.

' but we made it!

FayeDunaway

Gayle, it's true, tho growing up in a 'free country' we weren't free!

Freedom feels fantastic now!!

I bought a 'Live Free' T-shirt a couple years ago. This year I got a patriotic/silly Darth Vader/Uncle Sam shirt that says 'I want YOU (to come to the dark side.' Which for an ex witness had two significant allusions..:).

Every election day I wear my 'Let your voice be heard.' T shirt.

These things mean a lot to me.

Happy INDEPENDENCE DAY, everyone!! And if you aren't free now, hopefully you are working towards it in your own way!

33

Musicians Who Died in the Last Year - or Through the Years- Who Do you Miss Most ?

by flipper in

i think for me in the last year the death of david bowie got to me the most.

not only in the way he handled his demise so classy by even making a song about it and a you tube about dying and sharing it with fans, but just his whole persona i always thought was pretty cool.

plus i enjoyed a good many of his songs.

FayeDunaway

Bowie. I agree with you flipper. I've always been a big fan and it hurts that he's gone.

62

How do you deal with depression?

by BlackWolf in

jw
friends

i'm currently going through a bout of depression and my eating disorder has gotten worse.

ever since my parents actually told me that they are going to kick me out when i turn 18 i've felt kind of hopeless about my life.

my parents won't take me to the doctor because the psychiatrists won't have my "best interests" aka jw crap in mind, because really that's the root of all my problems.. i'm wondering if any of you guys have any advice with dealing with depression?

FayeDunaway

Your parents are trying to manipulate you into obedience. Like that's going to somehow put loyalty to the religion in your heart. In their weird world they believe that's going to work. But come your 18th birthday (which, being witnesses, they won't even acknowledge), I am pretty sure they won't say anything right away. You will probably have more time than that. But be prepared if the worst happens. I know you re going to finish high school early, so get a job and save your money like mad. Work on that relationship with your aunt via Facebook. Try to think positively about your situation. You have freedom in front of you, and believe me, it's going to feel miraculous. Don't get involved in drinking and drugs or falling for the wrong kinds of partners, it would be easy to go that route. Concentrate on things you love, like Art and develop your curiosity about everything you could learn about. Enjoy your freedom fully in good ways, like getting involved in environmental activism, politics, or just celebrating holidays or going out dancing. I'm excited for you. You will have times of missing your parents in your life, but because you were never baptized, maybe they won't be out of your life. They are going to miss you too, and might find ways to make it work.

7

Cult memories extinguish good memories

by rebel8 in

jw
friends

i have this thing.

i don't know why it is or how to stop it.

every time i happen to daydream about something positive from my childhood, some related cult aspect comes to mind and extinguishes it like a candle is being blown out.. for a while, i thought this was anger and resentment causing me to want to find an excuse to be angry (not that i need one).

FayeDunaway

I think that's a pretty normal mind process, rebel8. Past memories usually bring us to more recent memories. I can't think of my favorite teddy bear and how I used to cuddle with it without remembering that it's now missing an eye and up on the shelf.

Some of us who have bad memories that outnumber the good ones work hard at making new memories that are good ones. Especially if we have kids, cuz we want to give them different lives than we had.

13

Being a Socially Inept ex-JW

by LaurenM in

jw
friends

so i'm absolutely clueless concerning relationships.

i had barely any friends at all growing up a jw kid & absolutely no interaction with "worldly" people or any guys whatsoever.

i have had a relationship of sorts with a guy for 4.5 months now, but i'm so clueless!

FayeDunaway

Lauren I'm glad you're ok! You went through a very bad time there and I'm glad you seem better and are trying to figure out how to improve your life.

I'm with rebel8. Talk openly with this boyfriend of 4.5 months, let him know you don't want to crowd him but also not be too distant, and because of your background and inexperience, you might need some clues as to how much is just right. But how much YOU want is also important too, don't feel like you're a slave to whatever this guy wants. Relationships are all about balancing needs and compromising.