Posts by RayoFlight2014

35

The biggest mistake.

by Half banana in

a long time ago, before television radio and films, before printing, before the invention of writing, people listened only to the spoken word—and the cry of birds, the wind whistling through the trees and the sea crashing on the sea shore.

before written text they knew about the gods because high up there in the night sky was where they lived; gods, goddesses and immortal heroes.

the constellations told of their exploits.

RayoFlight2014

Hi Half banana,

I recognize you from the exjw yuku forum.

You are an archeologist if I remember correctly?

This us such an interesting topic to me.

Your insights into the history of the gods of archaic early humans is well above my level of comprehension, but I'm trying to keep up.

I would love to explore more about this subject of the historical beginnings of the gods and their relevant timelines, how they link to or depart from the religious traditions and evolve into or become other gods.

Are there any websites or books you could recommend that provide a comprehensive but easier to navigate timeline and explanation of how we can know where it all began (say 100,000 years ago ) through to modern day?

I find El's relationship to Asherah, Baal, yahweh, Hadad, El Shaddai etc. Intriguing. But what came before the bull headed god?

The mind boggles.

Thanks in advance.

RayoFlight2014.

6

visit to the doctor.

by zeb in

jw
friends

yes this am to discuss a coming procedure.. i told him i want nothing to do with the wt out of the twistings and bullshit they put up at the carc.. 'were they (wt) involved in that?

' says he.. and i told him a very brief run down..

RayoFlight2014

Hi zeb,

I'm at a loss too.

I have no idea what that procedure is, but it sounds like it could be quite painful.

CARC: Child Abuse Royal Commission?

Hope you are doing ok and your procedure goes well.

My father had a heart issue recently and he became delirious. But with patience and understanding and competent medical care he pulled through ok and has recovered.

I hope you have a good group of supporting friends and family to rally around you while you go through whatever medical issues you have to endure.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, zeb.

With care, RayoFlight2014.

34

Seeking advice

by Mizalisa in

jw
friends

i'm not a jw, nor was i raised jw.

for the past three years i have been involved with a man who was raised jw, who at first told me he no longer believed as they did, but who, it has become clear over time, has not told his family or religious community the truth.

he has strung me along for years, never introduced me to anyone in his life.

RayoFlight2014

Hello Mizalisa,

Its amazing how a perspective can change with a bit more information.

When I read your initial post I was like: give him a chance to work through the difficulties of leaving home and finding independence away from his parents.

But 32? 32 years old!! And still living with mummy and daddy?.... well that did it for me; this guy is financially dependant, a man-child who is by the sounds of it a male chauvinist just like my brother and father.

Make no mistake, they're good at hiding their misogynistic personality but it will surface when they feel comfortable doing so.

And as you said they have no qualms about lying.

You'll find men like that from all walks of life, so this can't be solely blamed on the cult, it's part of his inherent personality.

If he truly believes the cult indoctrination and refuses to research ( togther with you ) the child rape crisis and other Jehovah's witness related issues, then he has no business being in a relationship with anyone outside of the cult.

Indeed you have dodged a bullet.

And I would advise you to stay away from anyone who refuses to have their beliefs challenged and scrutinized.

Sorry you had to go through this, but it's better than continuing such a relationship.

Best of luck for the future.

RayoFlight2014.

74

The impact and consequences of being born into the jehovahs witness cult.

by RayoFlight2014 in

hi from new south wales australia.

fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.

i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.

RayoFlight2014

To all,

Here's another REM song that impacted me greatly in the aftermath of leaving the religion I was born into.

Fortunately I never had suicidal thoughts.

And though I was literally alone, unable to share my grief, I felt surely I'm not the only one who can't reconcile with jw beliefs.

Years later I find out I was right.

https://youtu.be/5rOiW_xY-kc

74

The impact and consequences of being born into the jehovahs witness cult.

by RayoFlight2014 in

hi from new south wales australia.

fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.

i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.

RayoFlight2014

Fink,

The internet and the access to vast quantities of verifiable information that it provides has been a huge game-changer for any organization that insists on hiding and misquoting information.

The internet wasn't something I could access in any meaningful way back in the 1990's. And it wasn't until 2015 when I had more than 300mb of data allowance per month on my phone.

Once I unlocked that door it was like entering another dimension.

Just WOW.

74

The impact and consequences of being born into the jehovahs witness cult.

by RayoFlight2014 in

hi from new south wales australia.

fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.

i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.

RayoFlight2014

LongHairGal,

At 19/20 years old and losing my religion, I was working for a jw brother who identified as one of the anointed.

We had a mutual "anointed" friend.

Both these men were older than my father and they were the type of folk I liked associating with. The older of the two was not my employer and old enough to be my great grandfather, he was distressed by the watchtower's emphasis on hours spent preaching rather than looking after or tending to the flock, the orphan and the widow.

They would speak openly and with integrity to truth as they saw it, regardless of watchtower interpretation.

We would read the daily text together during meal breaks, discussing and debating how it applied to us personally, to the local congregation and to the brotherhood internationally.

When I decided I no longer wished to attend the meetings I was open and candid with my employer, I did not fear the consequences, but it was complicated and upsetting.

A few months after I stopped going to the meetings, my employer stopped going also.

I hope that gives you some insight into my experience 28 years ago.

Losing my religion was a song that played often on the radio the year I was departing.

https://youtu.be/xwtdhWltSIg

74

The impact and consequences of being born into the jehovahs witness cult.

by RayoFlight2014 in

hi from new south wales australia.

fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.

i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.

RayoFlight2014

Hi LongHairGal,

My feelings about the cult are reflected in your words and yes, there are so many variables that can determine or influence how an individual is affected.

It is indeed a "crapshoot".

I, in no way wanted to imply that you were any less impacted because you weren't raised or born-in to the cult, so I somewhat regret the wording of my topic title. I want to be inclusive and hope you feel that.

With care and love,

RayoFlight2014.

74

The impact and consequences of being born into the jehovahs witness cult.

by RayoFlight2014 in

hi from new south wales australia.

fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.

i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.

RayoFlight2014

Hi Blondie,

I, for one did not take what you have said as being oppressive or overbearing.

I take what you say as sage advice; a valuable opinion that is instructive and coming from an a wealth of experience.

Very interesting to see how similar and yet how vastly different each of us have experienced a life influenced by watchtower.

Yes we certainly need to go gently with our friends who are still in. I know how TTATT affected me after 23 years of hardly giving it a thought. It was like BOOM ...omg.

With love also, RayoFlight2014.

74

The impact and consequences of being born into the jehovahs witness cult.

by RayoFlight2014 in

hi from new south wales australia.

fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.

i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.

RayoFlight2014

Fink,

Given the variation in academic and intellectual ability of those who stay and those who leave, it is my opinion that it has nothing to do with a person's intellect.

It has more to do with circumstantial motivators, triggers and the mechanism behind it all...emotions and the appeal to emotion.

Reverse engineering the game play should show how an individual progressed and why, and I think a deeper understanding of the individual is key.

Some people after leaving still feel a need for tradition, mythology and beliief in a god, so I can't agree that coming to a realization the bibble is wrong would be the most probable cause.

74

The impact and consequences of being born into the jehovahs witness cult.

by RayoFlight2014 in

hi from new south wales australia.

fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.

i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.

RayoFlight2014

Hi there Vidiot,

Growing up, I certainly didn't feel like a whole person.

The reason for that should not be placed wholly on watchtower.

With introspection I can see that I was a misfit because of who I was then and am even now; Shy and socially awkward.

The reason why the JW community didn't embrace me as their own and the reason why not only students but teachers also bullied and mocked me was because they didn't understand me...and in my naturally introverted state, how could they?

The fact that I was born and brought up a Jehovah's witness didn't help get me out of my shell. It wasn't a good thing for my personality type.

It was my observation that other folk did well being jw's but that was on them; they knew how to play the fit in and feel whole game.