we all know that education is severely demonized in this religion.
and that the elders are appointed based on how many meetings they attend, hours they put in on the ministry and general attitude to other elders (as apposed to, you know, actual theological training and counseling) - so my question is, what were your elders occupations outside the kingdom hall?.
in my old congregation our elders consisted of:.
Early and mid 2000's
COBE - Retired Salesman, and struggling might I add
Service Overseer - Self employed architect
Secretary - Retired landscaper
WT Conductor - Bank Executive, college educated
Elder 5 - Elderly, retired
Elder 6 - IT Professional
Elder 7 - Salesman
most witnesses i knew were exteeemly reluctant to go out in the ministry.
but when they did, they were simply scraping by, eager to avoid conflict and just do their hour or so speaking to lonely old ladies or widowed old men.
placing magazines in a car group, doing route calls, plodding along in the utter boredom of their responsibility to get some time on a report by the last day of the month.. this was never a warning work.
It was never a warning work. When I was in, I was pioneering, but looking back I was extremely unproductive. I spent 90 hours a month basically bullshitting, excuse my language. I had one failed bible study and spent my mornings handing out magazines at gas stations and knocking on doors hoping no one would answer. I never truly felt that urgency, I just was trying to look good so I could climb the ladder. That was the case with most dubs I knew. I personally didn't know anyone that was truly zealous and sincere.
when i left the org, the jw's tried their best to guilt trip me.
some of the questions i was asked and things i was told:.
"how could you possibly be happy outside of jehovah's organization?
Nevuela, very good point. I imagine it would be the same the other way around. What if a child leaves the "truth" and is not resurrected? But perhaps he/she has siblings that are. Will the Parents just not remember that child(ren)??
i remember a few years back at a circuit assembly, a few bros were introducing themselves to the co, they made sure to mention that they were an ms or an elder from such and such cong.
i was also an ms, but was the only one that introduced themselves by just my first name.
i was so irritated and blown away at the arrogance by these bros, trying to impress men with titles!
I remember a few years back at a circuit assembly, a few bros were introducing themselves to the CO, they made sure to mention that they were an MS or an Elder from such and such cong. I was also an MS, but was the only one that introduced themselves by just my first name. I was so irritated and blown away at the arrogance by these Bros, trying to impress MEN with titles! At the same time, the elders from my cong were in the back room laughing and talking for the ENTIRE program. I guess it pays to pursue "privileges" since you are so much better than everybody else.
i can't tell you how many times i have heard this while growing up as a witness.
every time i questioned hypocrisy in the org i was told " well we are imperfect" and its was beyond annoying.
at what point does "imperfect" turn into just not christian?
To me, its clearly just an excuse to escape accountability. JW's can do whatever they want and throw that excuse out there and you're wrong if you question it! smh
conventions always just seemed like more of a vacation to me than anything else, especially if you had to travel out of town for it, but definitely were exhausting especially toward the end of each day.
for some reason i didn't mind the special and circuit assemblies too much, probably because they seemed like more of a social event than anything else and only 1-2 days.
the memorial always was kind of boring to me.
Conventions always just seemed like more of a vacation to me than anything else, especially if you had to travel out of town for it, but definitely were exhausting especially toward the end of each day. For some reason I didn't mind the special and circuit assemblies too much, probably because they seemed like more of a social event than anything else and only 1-2 days. The memorial always was kind of boring to me. The same dry talk with the same dry speaker, nobody ever partook, then again I was young while I was in. Maybe that generation did indeed pass away?
when i was growing up, the worst thing a jw could do was be 'blasphemous against the holy spirit'.
that was certain to be instant death in the eyes of the wt.
now, as i understand it, apostacy is the worst thing you can do.
In the JW world, the 2 terms really go hand in hand. To be an apostate, in their eyes, is the worst kind of blasphemy,
when i left the org, the jw's tried their best to guilt trip me.
some of the questions i was asked and things i was told:.
"how could you possibly be happy outside of jehovah's organization?
Scatchme, you are spot on. it is very shame based and there is hardly any love shown!
i grew up in this religion, i was baptized at 14, married at 27, and now i'm 31. i'm also evolutionist and atheist.
i wanted this to be the truth.
i spent years as an apologist trying to reconcile everything.
I agree with Dub, they will likely not read the entire letter, they will probably just read it enough to understand what it is that you are trying to do and move on with it. No doubt though, that YOU will feel better after and that's all that matters.
Good luck!
i know many on here are atheist.
but for the christians on here...what religion are you now that you are no longer a jw?
i'm still undecided as to whether i believe in god.
Personally, I can't see myself involved in another religion. To me, it is all just a business using Christ or some other God's name. However, I do believe in God and creationism. The universe is too beautiful and has too much order to believe that a random explosion created it. I just don't believe that God is behind the WT. As far as core principles, at this point I just believe we are supposed to love and help one another. Just my 2 cents.
