Posts by aboveusonlysky

12

Are there more ex-witnesses than current witnesses?

by stuckinarut2 in

jw
friends

for years the society has said that over 40,000 a year are disfellowshipped.

add to that the 10's of thousands who simply disassociate or fade.... so by that logic, would it be correct to assume there are actually more former witnesses on the earth than the number of current active witnesses ?

.

aboveusonlysky

Great thread by the way.

12

Are there more ex-witnesses than current witnesses?

by stuckinarut2 in

jw
friends

for years the society has said that over 40,000 a year are disfellowshipped.

add to that the 10's of thousands who simply disassociate or fade.... so by that logic, would it be correct to assume there are actually more former witnesses on the earth than the number of current active witnesses ?

.

aboveusonlysky

A while back my dad who is service overseer was putting together a list of everyone in his congregation territory that doesn't come anymore whether df'd or not to try and visit before the memorial.

My wife had lived in that town for most of her life and helped him put the list together, between them they came up with a number that was about 20 more than the current congregation.

Different places will have different statistics but I think in the more developed countries with good internet there is probably more out than in, especially if you count faders.

19

Critical Thinking-is that phrase a stigma?

by PaintedToeNail in

jw
friends

when i first heard the term 'critical thinking' it was as a teenager during a watchtower study.

the study went on to elaborate how we shouldn't be swayed by critical thinking.

there was no explanation that the term didn't mean 'to criticize' thoughts and words, but rather that it means 'to objective think and to evaluate thoughts and words'.

aboveusonlysky

The following is a quote from the June 22nd 2000 Awake article 'do not be a victim of propaganda!'

Ask questions: As we have seen, there are many today who would like to ‘delude us with persuasive arguments.’ (Colossians 2:4) Therefore, when we are presented with persuasive arguments, we should ask questions.

First, examine whether there is bias. What is the motive for the message? If the message is rife with name-calling and loaded words, why is that? Loaded language aside, what are the merits of the message itself? Also, if possible, try to check the track record of those speaking. Are they known to speak the truth? If “authorities” are used, who or what are they? Why should you regard this person—or organization or publication—as having expert knowledge or trustworthy information on the subject in question? If you sense some appeal to emotions, ask yourself, ‘When viewed dispassionately, what are the merits of the message?’

Although criticle thinking isn't specifically mentioned in the article, some critical thinking skills are discussed here.

I've used the reasoning in this article to good effect with some of my family to show that looking at the organization's real history is not 'critical' in a bad way.

4

Ideas for cult cart questions.

by aboveusonlysky in

jw
friends

feel free to drive on if this subject has been posted before.. the 'bible teach' book is usually always on the cult cart so i thought it could make for an an easy intro for some counter witnessing.. just pick one up and start reading chapter 1, if the dubs are following instructions they will approach you.

chapter 1 is all about how great it is to ask questions, par 3 then says -.

"yet, many people have given up trying to find the answers.

aboveusonlysky

Good point

I guess the latest isn't 1975 if you count the generation thoughts that are well past their expiry date.

With the adding to God's word I suppose a quick jdub would say that the publications are not inspired, but then you could ask why do the GB issue orders to df anyone that disagrees with their uninspired error?

4

Ideas for cult cart questions.

by aboveusonlysky in

jw
friends

feel free to drive on if this subject has been posted before.. the 'bible teach' book is usually always on the cult cart so i thought it could make for an an easy intro for some counter witnessing.. just pick one up and start reading chapter 1, if the dubs are following instructions they will approach you.

chapter 1 is all about how great it is to ask questions, par 3 then says -.

"yet, many people have given up trying to find the answers.

aboveusonlysky

Feel free to drive on if this subject has been posted before.

The 'Bible teach' book is usually always on the cult cart so I thought it could make for an an easy intro for some counter witnessing.

Just pick one up and start reading chapter 1, if the dubs are following instructions they will approach you. Chapter 1 is all about how great it is to ask questions, par 3 then says -

"Yet, many people have given up trying to find the answers. Why? Does the Bible have the answers? Some feel that its answers are too hard to understand. Others worry that asking questions could lead to shame or embarrassment. And some decide that such questions are best left to religious leaders and teachers. What about you?"

This could lead to a number of questions like -

'Is it okay if I ask you some questions about JW beliefs?'

'do you feel your questions are best left to your religious leaders?

'Is it true that JW's shun members who openly question the leaders or find that they can't agree with one of the practices?'

This opening chapter stinks of smelly hypocrisy and so I thought it might be a good conversation starter, I have to lay low at the moment because the thought police are onto me but I'm hoping to try some cult cart questions next time I'm in another city. Any more ideas?

12

Finding my mental condition getting worse not sure what to do?

by Crazyguy in

jw
friends

i'm pretty sure i have ptsd because of this cult.

i now experience headaches pretty much daily and find myself poping excedrin migraine pills 3-4 a day.

also i'm drinking alcohol a bit to take the edge off.

aboveusonlysky

Like Lisa said, please see a doctor, I get migraines but not nearly as common as yourself, they increased significantly when I started waking up along with some other health problems, eventually I saw my doctor and told him about my situation.

That led to me having some counselling and it really helped get rid of a lot of stress and the headaches eased off, I would recommend it to anyone providing you find the right professional.

Hope you get it sorted bud.

44

The smug arrogance of "having the truth".

by stuckinarut2 in

has anyone noticed that witnesses (from the top down) seem to have a quiet form of smug arrogance toward all non witnesses?.

perhaps it comes from being told how "special and unique" they are but they end up looking down on all normal members of the community because they are not witnesses.. so any form of "love" they show those in the territory is also limited as long as they accept the message...otherwise they are viewed contemptuously as "worldly" and therefore of little value...after all,they will be destroyed right?.

aboveusonlysky

A few years ago a c.o. gave an illustration about how worldly people hang on their walls photographs of what they consider the most important moments of their life, like their wedding or university graduation. He said really they should have a photograph of the last time a jw knocked on their door as that was the most important thing that had ever happened to them.

At the time I thought it was a brilliant illustration, now I think what a load of shit.

19

Could they make not donating a disfellowshipping offence?

by purrpurr in

jw
friends

i'm wondering at how far the borg could go in begging for money?

their halls are already resembling the"money changers in the temple".

as they get sued more and more due to their pedophilic paradise their coffers will be ever more drained.

aboveusonlysky

I could see them wanting to keep tabs on contributions more as time goes on, remember the handing out slips last year for publishers to write what they were willing to contribute? Many genuine jdubs were shocked at that one.

Contributions to have a column on field service reports? They could say it was for tax reasons and then push the publishers for bank transfers rather than cash to limit the amount of jdubs that would inevitably lie, also contributions would be taken into account when privileges were discussed at elders meetings .

They love keeping records and power hungry brothers would like it too as it would be a way to literally buy yourself a position, it would also be another way to identify faders.......I really hope they don't read this and get ideas!

1