Best life ever is hash tagged all over instagram by JWs. I agree with nowwhat? the witnesses I know that are happy are the ones with beautiful homes, holidays, good jobs etc. For them, they have a great life with a huge circle of friends. But for those like me and my husband, who gave up the possibility of financial security to 'clean for a living' so we could pioneer...we now have nothing and no one cares that we gave up everything. and depression is rampant for those like us. I hate my parents for bringing me into this. I had no education to speak of, I was blackmailed into baptism (you're going to die if you don't) and look at me now, my entire life has been ruled and ruined by JWs. What a waste. Best live ever??I don't think so.
Phoebe
JoinedPosts by Phoebe
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23
"Best life ever" ?????
by charity7 inis this a slogan that was recently come up with for jw's?
i've seen it used as a hashtag on instagram for jw's, key chains, cakes, about me biography description... the first thing i thought was, isn't that a little pretentious?
they complain so much about this life.
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How much have things changed?
by dogisgod inm'y mother indoctrinated me from birth.
1951. from that time to the 90s things preceeded fairly repetitively.
5 meetings/week, personal study, door-to-door, participate in nothing else outside of the society, no dating.
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Phoebe
I was born in 1953 and was the same as you. Three scripture sermons on the doors, three meetings a week, no contact with the outside world except for a part time job to support my 100 hour a month pioneering. Conventions went on forever and Bro Knorr was in charge, but at least he seemed humble as he once queued for his convention meal right behind me. I can't imagine the current Gov Bod queuing with the R&F for anything! Now you walk into a Kingdom Hall and even the elderly have tablets, the kids are reading the WT off their phones, video showings are counted on the report form, half the mid week meeting is video shown on a large screen that comes down from the ceiling and we sing the songs karaoke style from the screen, too. My parents would not recognise the 'truth' today. So much has changed.
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RC 2017
by wifibandit indue to last years success, i will post everything related to the 2017 regional convention in this thread.. to start us off.... thanks to exjw reddit user ich3b we have advance notice of the theme (this is not a joke!).
the theme for the 2017 regional convention is: "don’t give up!” .
as always, if you have access to confidential materials you would like to leak but need to protect your identity, pm me or email me: wifibandit1 (at) gmail.
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Phoebe
I went to the convention last year, three weeks after I'd been taken to hospital with a suspected heart attack. Somehow I got there on the train on my own where I met my best friend who then looked after me. It was outside, boiling hot, my angina medicine had to be put in someone's picnic bag next to some ice to keep it cool. My legs swelled up and I had feet like fat sausages. It was such an ordeal for me. I enjoyed it but only because I was with my best friend who I hadn't seen in years.
It would have been nice if I could have watched it online, resting at home. But the year before when I couldn't go because my husband was diagnosed with chronic fatigue and we were penny less, when I asked if I could watch it online after the convention (because I knew there was a code to use to watch it online) they said I didn't meet 'the criteria' So I didn't bother asking last year, even though I was fresh out of hospital.
Now I'm waking up to it all and I'm not going this year. It's a real ordeal when you are older or if have little kids. How many times I've dragged my kids to conventions or been at conventions with a newborn baby.
We're commanded to go, why? Is it because it's an opportunity for WT to make money?
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Didn't G. Jackson tell the ARC that JW's don't smack their kids?
by Splash inthe wt book "family life" (1978) had something to say on this topic:.
*** fl chap.
10 pp.
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Phoebe
I've seen little kids have the living daylights thrashed out of them because they couldn't sit still during the meeting. Poor little things. I never took my kids out and hit them. It's barbaric. I would go and walk them around the block or the car park. I couldn't sit still myself for two hours never mind expect a toddler to do it!
I wasn't even allowed to go to the toilet during the meeting when I was very young. I remember once being absolutely desperate to go and my parents said I had to wait until the meeting was over, needless to say I wet myself for which I was slung in the car and told 'you wait till we get you home!'
So cruel. My parents treated me so badly.
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Wachtower study february 20 - the stress factor
by Gorbatchov inattending for family reasons, and listen in "oversee" modus to the many comments during the watchtower study.. in my opinion it was a self help article on the subject stress amongst the flock.. leave it all to jehovah and help your self with the bullet points.. what i noticed from the comments is the lot of stress mentioned.
comments after comment they told how they handle their problems.
it is a real toppic amongst them.
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Phoebe
I went to the meeting and listened intently to the WT on anxiety. I was hospitalized last year because of anxiety. I'm in counseling because of it. I know how out of control anxiety can lead to serious health problems. But I felt the person who had written that WT article didn't understand what anxiety was. I was annoyed that the whole answer to 'anxiety' was pray about it, go to the meetings, go in service. Hardly a mention of seeking medical help. The answers given in my congregation were often flippant 'Oh I was really anxious this morning because I couldn't find my meeting shoes' - seriously. Is this your idea of anxiety?? It was treated so casually, people laughing over some comments, I felt for anyone in that hall that was seriously dealing with anxiety issues. Thank goodness, I'm now fully aware and awake to it all and can see it for what it is.
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January 19, 2017 TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS IN WALES Re: Prerecorded Memorial and Special Talk 2017 - Welsh
by wifibandit injanuary 19, 2017 to all bodies of elders in wales re: prerecorded memorial and special talk 2017 - welsh.
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Phoebe
It's the first language for many people, who although they speak English too, primarily use Welsh. But I do not see why they've had to buy a luxurious water front property to do the translation.
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A question for those who still go to the meetings
by no-zombie inand it is ... why do most at the hall prefer to sit at the back and leave front rows empty?.
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Phoebe
I would, and still do at the moment, always tuck myself at the back, in front of the sound desk and right near the wall, so as not to be noticed :(
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TV commercial seen in the United States, from a Law firm "Asking if you were ever sexually abused by JEHOVAHS WITNESSES, please call".
by Dunedain inok, so i don't know if this is "old news", and if this has been seen, and or mentioned already.
if it was, i do apologize, but i feel i have to mention what has been seen on tv, within the past 24 hours.. first off, i would like to say that i did not personally see this commercial.
however, it was seen by someone that i can verify 100% is telling the truth, as it was my own father who saw it.
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Phoebe
I do know for sure, that things have changed in the UK & Ireland. I saw a new directive that is finally taking abuse seriously. It is a sin and a CRIME and that parents are advised to contact the local authorities if they wish to do so. There's lots in it and I haven't read it all but it is definitely addressing the issue at last!
I also know that known pedophiles are watched at the conventions. That brothers are assigned to keep an eye on them constantly, even follow them into the toilets.
It's a step in the right direction and probably one that has been forced on them but they are taking it seriously now thank goodness.
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baptised nearly 51 years
by Phoebe inbeen reading this site for awhile now.
i have had a long and often tragic life as a jw.
my story is so long because i'm pretty old :) i feel sad i've been locked in fear and guilt for my entire life.
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Phoebe
Hi Phizzy and Tallon,
I agree. I am so glad I sought help. I told myself there was no point in seeking help if I wasn't going to be totally honest about everything. So, despite be warned about mentioning the witnesses, I've been very open with my psychologist about everything and that most definitely included my life as a JW. The help I've received from my psychologist has been incredible. It's like a weight has been taken off my shoulders.
Finally, I am learning to live without fear. I've still a long way to go and I wish with all my heart I had gone years ago. Thank you for your lovely kind words of encouragement .
James Jack
I so agree with you!
Zombie Dub
I'd like to do all three after what he did to me and his family!
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baptised nearly 51 years
by Phoebe inbeen reading this site for awhile now.
i have had a long and often tragic life as a jw.
my story is so long because i'm pretty old :) i feel sad i've been locked in fear and guilt for my entire life.
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Phoebe
Thank you everyone for your wonderful welcome, your kind words and encouragement.
It's a huge comfort to know others have been through similar things.
One day, I'll try and write a brief history of all that's happened to me. It might be of some help to anyone who has had a similar experience. To know they are not alone.
Meanwhile, love to you all.
xx