Hi Jayk, welcome to the forum. Social anxiety is common after leaving that cult because we weren't allowed to talk about anything much except da troof. We were never properly socialised from childhood, never taught how to mix with other kids so we knew how to do it as adults. Hang in there, it gets better.
Xanthippe
JoinedPosts by Xanthippe
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15
Im new to the site. 28 years old, over 10 in exile. This is my story
by Jayk init's bitter sweet to find a site like this..i was born in the truth.
when i was 16 i given the option to stop going.
father and mothers family are both witnesses.
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83
True or False did the Watchtower Corporation create false doctrines intentionally to enhance the proliferation of their own publications ?
by Finkelstein inmuch as been revealed over the years to the date setting doctrines made by the wts.
such as ( 1874, 1914, 1925 , 1975 this generation, the last days, the end times etc.... which were not created by other christian based faiths.. as to critically examine why might reveal a hidden agenda to all these date setting proclamations.. the point in question is did the wts and its leaders intentionally manipulate or exploit the preaching of the gospel to enhance the proliferation of their own printed publications ?.
i would say convincingly yes, no question.
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Xanthippe
Did the Watchtower Corporation create false doctrines intentionally to enhance the proliferation of their own printed publications ?
No I think the WTS created false doctrines different to mainstream Christianity to give the impression they have a hotline to God.
The paradise earth hope, no cross, no holidays, no blood transfusions were all designed to create the idea that they'd ditched false Christianity and by searching the scriptures and asking for Holy Spirit that were now the chosen of God, the true religion.
The end of the system and the dates were all part of that because the mainstream churches weren't doing it. They were waiting to go to heaven.
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My unbelieving husband was offended by the WatchTower just studied
by Isambard Crater init was the paragraph talking about people who don't want to be j.w's being executed, and it being an act of compassion from jehovah towards his witnesses..
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Xanthippe
That will not be the time for him to show compassion for those whom he has judged to be wicked
So how does this sit with congregation members now that they have almost no literature to preach with and the baptism numbers have dropped so drastically? If the preaching work has wound down and the end is imminent that's nearly everyone on earth that's going to die!
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What would you do for next November 5?
by Faded ini think everything has to start somewhere, and you can see the passion and commitment from those loyal 50 that showed up in warwick yesterday.
the event was not very well organized but you could see the passion & dedication from most of them.
and i think they at least touched a couple of people at the kh yesterday.. having an annual day of action actually inspires me.
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Xanthippe
if there was a way to unite the ex JW factions and create a universal front, there could be hundreds of activists working in cities all over the world.
There are no JW factions. There are just individuals, some who do protests at KHs and some who do YouTubes or blogs. We don't want to unite or become activists.
Most of us just want to live a normal life after spending years in a crazy religious cult. It's destroying itself with its stubborn refusal to comply with governmental and legal regulations all over the world. Already it's a shrunken remnant of its former self with continual demands for money.
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Why I like movies ...
by LoveUniHateExams ini think i've sussed out why i'm getting so into movies.. they make me feel emotions.
i think i'm a bit of a cold fish - i find it hard to properly feel emotions.
i'm not sure if i was born that way or if it's a result of my experience with the wts.
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Xanthippe
Went to see Thor Ragnarok with my daughter on the weekend. Really enjoyed the escapism, fantasy landscapes, cgi and the humour.
The jw religion does rob you of normal human emotions. You're not supposed to feel sorry for all the people who are going to be destroyed soon, not supposed to give to charity, ignore those starving kids with pot bellies on tv, not supposed to join in the holidays even to make your relatives happy. Got to freeze those feelings, it's all going to be worth it when the new system comes, any day now.
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October 31, 2017 TO ALL CONGREGATIONS Re: New Visitor Exhibit at Bethel (UK)
by wifibandit inoctober 31, 2017 to all congregations re: new visitor exhibit at bethel.
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Xanthippe
So are they shipping Watchtowers and Awakes from the US, Europe or what?
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I cry during the National Anthem now
by kairos inafter being a jw for 25 years and finding every weasel way to 'maintain christian neutrality', i now find myself in a completely 'new light'.. i quit abruptly, four years ago and have lived a jw free life with the exception of my born-in wife.when i see the ceremony of the national anthem, it not only reaffirms the absolute beauty of personal freedom, but it also allows me to see that most people are good and loyal to one another.
i treasure my life and have become a patriot.
now i feel ashamed that i was a government/authority rejecting, isolationist that benefited from living in the greatest country in the world.
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Xanthippe
living in the greatest country in the world.
You live in England, I had no idea!
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Updated Recommended Reading List
by doubtfull1799 innot long after i joined here i posted a reading list of books that helped me wake up, but since then i've read so many more that i've found invaluable in furthering and refining my new worldview, plus giving me a more in-depth well read perspective on theological and scientific issues.
so i thought i'd post an updated comprehensive list for other voracious readers like me who are always looking for good books to read.
how jesus became god - bart d. ehrman.
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Xanthippe
Thanks doubtful, that's a great list. I read the Dawkins' books and thought they were brilliant. Also some of God is not Great and The Better Angels of our Nature. Oh and CoC of course.
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Irish Elders deleted by Watchtower for reporting child sex abuse allegation to police
by Diogenesister intwo elders have been deleted by watchtower for reporting an allegation of child sexual abuse to the police, contrary to watchtower orders (a jw paedophile with a history, apparently).
when the british branch discovered what the elders had done they arranged for 3 elders to fly over to ireland, at the congregations expense no less, to hold a special jc for the ' rogue' congregation elders.
one elder and the cobe were deleted, two were allowed to continue.
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Xanthippe
Well Drearyweather perhaps some people in your religion actually have a conscience and think it's wrong to sexually abuse children. Perhaps they believe they should inform the authorities when a crime has been committed, which is what your Bible says, you should be obedient to the governments because they are placed in their positions by God. Remember the Bible? Or do you just obey those seven men in America?
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Irish Elders deleted by Watchtower for reporting child sex abuse allegation to police
by Diogenesister intwo elders have been deleted by watchtower for reporting an allegation of child sexual abuse to the police, contrary to watchtower orders (a jw paedophile with a history, apparently).
when the british branch discovered what the elders had done they arranged for 3 elders to fly over to ireland, at the congregations expense no less, to hold a special jc for the ' rogue' congregation elders.
one elder and the cobe were deleted, two were allowed to continue.
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Xanthippe
Drearyweather elders are required to inform the branch first about allegations of child abuse before going to the police even though sexual assault is a crime.