Posts by Phoebe

38

Question...

by ironsnake656 in

when you were an active member in the jwland, did you expect to receive any kind of help from a brother/sister, but they did not help you?

when i was in the jwland, i expected and was my belief that any brother/sister will help you in time of need, distress or trouble, because we were part of a "lovely organization".

but countless of times when i needed and asked for help, nobody from the org helped me.

When we were without an income (husband sick/no work) they kept telling me 'Jehovah has a duty to provide for his servants' and even if you are down to your last tin of beans, he will provide. He provides for the birds and the flowers, doesn't he? But on the other hand I was also told 'Jehovah allows you to suffer' because it's not all about you, you know!...you have to see the bigger picture. They said the bros in concentration camps suffered, he let that happen.

Talk about confusing me!

It was the beginning of the end for me. Not because I wanted food parcels or charity because I suddenly realised that no one actually cared what happened to us. It really hurt me, especially after we had been so caring to other people. I realised we had absolutely no real friends in the congregation. Had we been connected to one of the 'cliques' they would have cared. But because we weren't in with the 'in crowd' all the help I ever got was - we'll pray for you. Thanks for nothing.

It was obvious that they were happy to take off us but once we need some kind of support, if only moral support, you couldn't see them for dust!

38

Question...

by ironsnake656 in

when you were an active member in the jwland, did you expect to receive any kind of help from a brother/sister, but they did not help you?

when i was in the jwland, i expected and was my belief that any brother/sister will help you in time of need, distress or trouble, because we were part of a "lovely organization".

but countless of times when i needed and asked for help, nobody from the org helped me.

Phoebe

The same as ToesUp and Tijkmo

We helped the brothers in our congregation. My husband was the most giving person when he was in and out of the truth. When he was studying he gave all his savings to a brother in need (it was only hundreds but still, it was ALL his savings!) He thought that was what Christians were supposed to do.

He worked for brothers for free, gave them lifts to hospital appointments, gifts, gas money etc.

But when he got sick and had to give up work and we were living on soup, did anyone help us? NOPE.

All we got was 'I'll pray for you'

A sister 250 miles away heard of our troubles and gave us money to fill up our larder. That was so kind of her.

But she was the only one. They don't give out help and the ones that do give get taken advantage of.

The people we had supported and helped through their bad times were nowhere to be seen when we were desperate for help ourselves.

18

I love heavy metal!!!

by ironsnake656 in

probably you noticed that my avatar is a photo of steve harris, bassist of iron maiden.

i have quite a few years that i started to listen this kind of music, even when i was in the jwland.

although it was a "no-no" in the borders of jwland, i knew a lot of brothers and sisters that listened and loved this kind of music.

Phoebe

Actually I do, too (and I'm in my 60s!) I've been to lots of gigs with my kids. Of course, I wouldn't tell anyone at the hall that I went. But my favourite band is Avenged Sevenfold. Dream come true when I saw them.

The last gig I went to was Rammstein, I love Richard. Z.Kruspe...he's so cool. That was the best gig - ever.

I also love WWE and have been to see them recently. I love wrestling!

See, this is why I was never good enough to be a JW!!!

20

Have you noticed this trend on social media amongst witnesses...?

by stuckinarut2 in

it seems that every 2nd witness often posts pictures of themselves at conventions, or out in 'service'.

but i have noticed that they never seem to post anything about the actual "spiritual content" of their activity!

instead, it is pictures of them with their witness "friends", along with some contrite comment like #bestlifeever (arrghhh).

Phoebe

jookbeard

Instagram seems to be the one. I hardly know any JWs that are on Facebook unless it is for business. But they post endless IG photos -- protecting their privacy, of course. So not everyone can see.

68

Over 300 DFed apparently went to a northern U.K R.C!

by Isambard Crater in

that's what i've been told by a family member (elder) who went to one of the regional conventions in the north of the u.k lately, who told me the 300 or more disfellowshipped who returned to jehovah by attending show that the end is so close, just like the final talk says..

Phoebe

darkspliver

It was Liverpool!

Security, I'm told, was tight, with big bully brothers in different coloured jackets.

One higher up brother from the branch apparently did a 'do you know who I am?' when a security brother asked him for his convention badge.

I can't see a DF person being able to just show up alone and get in. Unless pale.emperor did manage it.

68

Over 300 DFed apparently went to a northern U.K R.C!

by Isambard Crater in

that's what i've been told by a family member (elder) who went to one of the regional conventions in the north of the u.k lately, who told me the 300 or more disfellowshipped who returned to jehovah by attending show that the end is so close, just like the final talk says..

Phoebe

My friend went to one of the conventions in the N/W of England. He said the society had 'lovingly allowed' the DF to sit with everyone else and with their families if they had them. He said wasn't that wonderful? Allowing the DF to sit with the masses.

He also said you couldn't get in without a badge and a bag search, so maybe that's how they knew the number? By checking badges. (Would the DF have a badge even???)

I can't think of any other way they would know if they were allowed to sit with everyone.

61

Set the record straight!

by Colinconfused in

i would like to state publicly, on this forum, i no longer hold the views i had a year ago.. with much thought, research, study and logical examination i have come to a better understanding of my beliefs and where i stand on all these issues.. i'm very happy to announce i have returned to healthful teaching of the holy scriptures and i firmly believe that the governing body of jehovah's witnesses is the faithful slave.. sorry if i have contibuted to any kind of stumbling and know that if i can turn things around then there's hope for all who come to there sence.. phill4:6,7.

Phoebe

cobweb

I'm retirement age and I've just left. I hated finding out TTATT. I was distraught. Some people will just want to return to their comfort zone even if it means returning to something that isn't the truth. You can reason with yourself so many ways. Perhaps it really is God's organization and all these terrible things are just Satan infiltrating it? Perhaps this is a real test of faith? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. You can see how people justify going back.

As Deegee says people are frightened. Heck, I'm frightened. I'm frightened every day.

Hopefully your relatives won't go back. You are perfectly right - research is the key.

But it's always going to be a battle and people can get talked back into it so easily because we want it all to be true, don't we?

61

Set the record straight!

by Colinconfused in

i would like to state publicly, on this forum, i no longer hold the views i had a year ago.. with much thought, research, study and logical examination i have come to a better understanding of my beliefs and where i stand on all these issues.. i'm very happy to announce i have returned to healthful teaching of the holy scriptures and i firmly believe that the governing body of jehovah's witnesses is the faithful slave.. sorry if i have contibuted to any kind of stumbling and know that if i can turn things around then there's hope for all who come to there sence.. phill4:6,7.

Phoebe

Wow, two going back! But if they are happy in what they wish to do and it gives them peace of mind, then be happy for them - I guess. Maybe they are fortunate enough to have nice JW friends/family and a warm and loving congregation to cosset them.

To me the very thought of going back to a cold congregation full of cliques and an over-bearing, pedantic COBE and his yes men, is the last place I'd want to return to.

I honestly don't see how you can 'unring the bell' once you know what this organization is really all about. I really don't. You have to be honest with yourself.

Just the handling of child abuse alone should make someone realise God isn't behind this organization.

28

"Only Witnesses demonstrate Christian Love"

by Jules Saturn in

so a couple of nights ago i was speaking with a relative and we began talking about the organization.

i had to asked her "why do you believe that this religion is the correct one?

" they stood quiet for a second but then said that they view and feel genuine christian love, a type of love that is spoken about in the bible.

Phoebe

Hi Diogenesister,

Sure. I saw it under a video the other night. I can't remember which one but it really stayed with me.

28

"Only Witnesses demonstrate Christian Love"

by Jules Saturn in

so a couple of nights ago i was speaking with a relative and we began talking about the organization.

i had to asked her "why do you believe that this religion is the correct one?

" they stood quiet for a second but then said that they view and feel genuine christian love, a type of love that is spoken about in the bible.

Phoebe

I saw a comment under a YouTube video. It has really stayed with me.

It's about an unbaptized mum with two little ones, JW husband had died. She had stood up to an elder because he was doing something she disagreed with and so she got 'marked' and became the victim of elders wives gossip.

Convention timed rolled around. She bought an old car. No one would go with her. No one. Guess they thought she was bad association. So she travels 3 hrs with her babies. One of her little ones traps his finger in a seat. First Aid said it was fine. She nurses this crying baby all through the day. Can you imagine her stress?

On the way home someone stops her to say she has a problem with her brake lights. She stops in a service station. Smells burning. Goes to get out the baby's buggy to take them to the toilet. Her bag has melted into a brake light cable (previous owner had added extra brake lights)

Gang of Hells Angels see her. Long beards/tattoos. They come over. One is a mechanic. He fixes her brake lights and checks her car all over to make sure it's safe. They offer to escort her home. She declines but asks if they can take her to the right road. They do and see her safely on her way.

Next day takes baby to the doctor, he'd broken his finger. (so much for the First Aid in the convention)

Where was the love shown for this young woman?? No one in the congregation cared. Travelling all alone with two babies.

But the Hell's Angels helped her. They cared.

A Good Samaritan story.