Posts by FayeDunaway

13

Won't get fooled again .....

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

having left the witnesses i hope i won't get " fooled again".

yet life outside the organisation seems one big advertistiment telling me how useless i am.

these advertisements tell me i am physically ugly, which can only be corrected by buying the advertisers " answer to my prayers" product.

FayeDunaway

I once heard a black male speaker (not a witness) say to a group of inner city teenagers regarding name brand tennis shoes and the sports stars who make a lot of money advertising them:

'You've got to really see who the players are, and who's getting PLAYED."

It made a lasting impression on me. These corporations trying so hard to show us we are not enough, we need their product to be happy, loved and successful, a better sports player, more respected. They're playing us. Don't let them have control over you. Be stronger than that. They only care about their bottom line. The watchtower is just like them and a corporation too.

18

LifesNotOver - Part Four

by LifesNotOver in

jw
friends

so ... i don't know if any of this is even of interest any more, i know i'm getting kinda bored with it :) so many other more interesting stories out there.

anyway, limped my way through 17 years being a jw until now.

not a good jw mind you.

FayeDunaway

Best wishes for survival when he is home all the time! Hopefully he finds another job SOON! Meanwhile utilize the library to come talk to us sometimes.

My husband used to yell a lot when we were witnesses, now he is much calmer and happier. He felt a lot of pressure back then. But I feel like in your case and what he has said to you, there is definitely a lack of love and respect. Glad you've contacted counseling services, and start saving and socking sway some money in case you decide you've had enough.

18

LifesNotOver - Part Four

by LifesNotOver in

jw
friends

so ... i don't know if any of this is even of interest any more, i know i'm getting kinda bored with it :) so many other more interesting stories out there.

anyway, limped my way through 17 years being a jw until now.

not a good jw mind you.

FayeDunaway

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Life truly isn't over! Don't give up, you will find a way with time.

43

Kids continue to leave in droves - so what is the organization's grand plan? This

by sir82 in

jw
friends

jws have one of the worst, if not the worst, retention rates among their kids.

i've seen numbers from 65% to 88% who leave, never to return.. you'd think this would be a priority amongst the leadership, right?

where do tomorrow's leaders come from, if the vast majority of kids leave the organization?

FayeDunaway

Yes I totally agree with you, toes. The whole Caleb and Sophia thing might work on little kids, but when the preteen years hit this happens: exposure by media and in school to loveable gay people. Homophobia is the new racism. It's embarrassing and backwards and wrong. My raised witness (but left with me) kids are extremely ethically sensitive to this subject, even tho they are straight. I can't imagine what youths think who are sitting in the halls, listening to the vitriol towards gays that we heard when we were in.

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

Great post, JWS!

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

I'm actually surprised they don't have 'new light' and correct the 607 date. Wouldn't it buy them 18 more years? I believe the correct date is 589 b.c? Which would put the end of the gentle times at...1932...when the great depression was hitting full force. Not as exciting as wwI, but I bet you they could work with it the way they try so hard to work with whatever they want to prove. Come on, brothers, I dare you!! That gives the generation another chance,(.... the first one, not the 'overlapping' one!)

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!!!