I no longer pray. But when I was a good JW, I took as much comfort from prayer as anyone in any other religion, I feel. And I would most certainly have prayed for Sandy victims. Even ones that were non JWs. But maybe I didn't pray correctly.
Left in the Cold
JoinedPosts by Left in the Cold
-
7
untitled
by carla inlondo111 mentioned this in an earlier post.
"i was taught never to pray aloud about private things--because then satan and the demons, who can't read minds, would be listening in.
if i mentioned aloud some weakness i was struggling with, then they would hear of it, and exploit it.
-
-
-
18
atrapado's story parte dos
by atrapado inwe met after the meeting which i found strange i figured if i was to be named it would be before the meeting.
they read me the letter from the wt.
it basically said that they were happy about my recommendation but they couldnt accept the recommendation of a 16 year old that i should wait until i was at least 17. of course i was not 16. the problem is that in spanish you write the day first the month after.
-
-
Left in the Cold
Your story is a very sad one. As a female, I was never important enough to be an elder's friend. I've never even spoken to a CO before. 35 years in. So your story is very eye opening for me. thank you. I'm so glad you are happy now.
-
44
Would YOU Have Died For The Witness Religion?
by minimus inwould you have not taken a blood transfusion or a transplant because the gb said it was bad?.
would you have imitated the jws in concentration camps and died for your beliefs?.
-
-
Left in the Cold
No. I guess I'm selfish. I would never had died for the 'Truth'.
Once, my sister (a JW then) had to have emergency surgery from a miscarriage. Her JW husband would not shut up about her not taking blood. I went into the lobby, pulled the nurse aside, and told her to get him out of there and then she would consent. The ask him to leave and she consented, if necessary. Thankfully, it was not.
I felt, even then that to die because you would not take blood was absurd. I mean no disrespect to anyone who has or almost died or anything. I'm not judging anyone else's decisions.
-
59
Do you regret confessing your sins to the elders?
by asilentone inyes, i do!
i did it 20 years ago, but the elders still remember what i did, sometimes i wish they never knew about it.
.
-
-
Left in the Cold
I do regret it because everything I ever did wrong was fornication or adultery. Not sure what that says about me, but I feel very strongly that many elders in my 4 different JC meetings (over the years) likely enjoyed some of what they heard. Some were even close in age to me and I knew their wives and felt confident the elders I spoke with were probably not satisfied in the bedroom. And I was pretty open. They never stopped me. My ex husband at his JC meeting (when he and I first got together, I was married) was asked how often he and I 'did it'. He told them. The COBE said, "Where do you get the time?" Lol. I once hurt a friend of mine very much because I honestly felt I was helping him spiritually by ratting on him. He forgave me later. Thank god.
Today, no, I would not tell them a thing. It reminds me of how German citizens were telling on their neighbors and friends and anyone they thought was doing something against the country during Hitler's rule. Idk why. But that's what I always think of.
-
103
Greetings! From an Existent JW!
by Ethos ini'd like extend a greeting to all members of jwn.
i've been a lurking by-stander of this forum for approximately 6 months.
i think this forum's best moments can be attributed to the involvement of actual jw's in doctrinaire discussions and to heated (though not always dialectic) debates.
-
-
Left in the Cold
Hi Ethos. I had to look up in my dictionary what your name means. So I've already been educated because of you! I just bought "Combatting Cult Mind Control" this morning off Kobo's site. I had to download their app to read it, but I'm pretty new here and I've read that this book is very good. I'm still a little confused about 'cults' so I'm starting with this one. Btw, it's only $6.95. And being a digital version you can hide it much easier. I live alone but don't like stacks and stacks of books. And Believe me If someone were to 'break into' my iPad, my book collection would be the last thing on their mind. Lol! Anyway...welcome.
-
46
Quick question, did you feel lonely at the meetings even though you were part of the action?
by Theocratic Sedition injust curious, something i've noticed only lately.
i'm in the mix within the congregation, stay late after the meeting is over, converse with quite a few people afterwards, make plans for saturday and sometimes sunday service and yet i feel so awfully alone walking to my car afterwards.
i feel lonely when i'm talking and laughing with people after the meeting.
-
-
Left in the Cold
Lonely to the bone. But, of course, I'm df'd. Which is the point, I guess. I do have difficulty at the meetings. 'Faking it.' I find myself shaking my head no or uttering under my breath. I'm hoping maybe the elders will think I'm crazy and not seditious. I have a fantasy. I'm at the meeting and I just stand up in the middle of it and scream as loud as I can. Hasn't happened yet.
-
14
atrapado's story parte 1
by atrapado inso it was only my mother, two of my sisters and i that had to move.
you cant really play soccer by yourself.. i turn to the jws for friends but there were no kids my age and kids a few years older than me started to hate me.
i liked the elder saw him as my dad i didnt want to say no.
-
-
Left in the Cold
Atrapado, your story is riveting. As a female with no male family members in, I really didn't know much about how a man becomes an MS. I can't believe all that stuff (hand shaking, 15 minutes early, etc) was required of you. I can't wait to read more. Plus, it's interesting to get to look inside another culture. Honestly, at first I didn't know if I could read it all in one setting because of its length and my inability to focus for long periods of time, but I can say truthfully that I never stopped reading it once until I finished. I am very excited for part 2!
-
21
I went a little NUTS!
by irondork indid you go a little nuts as you were waking up and making your exit?
i had a few of the symptoms listed in hassan's, combatting cult mind control.
i couldn't pull my thoughts together.
-
-
Left in the Cold
I think I really need to read Combating Cut Mind Control. I've been having trouble falling asleep because my mind races. When I do get to sleep, it's a light sleep. I'm only at the beginning of this journey and I'm scared. Does anyone know where I can get a digital copy of this book. I'm not asking for it at no cost. I just need it in digital form. iBooks & Amazon don't have it. Any ideas?
Did any of you have extreme difficulty sleeping? Sorry. I'm not trying to hijack irondork's thread. You can pm me if that's better.
-
51
Any Elders comments on latest idea about Sisters
by truthlover injust finished our 2 day and one of the talks by the do indicated that single sisters in the congregation are to be subservient to all male brothers in the hall..as well a widow too is of the same "status".
is this a new thought or just now an open secret?.
personally, i dont think that is good - after all there are many elders who although, supposedly appointed by hs, can be personally involved with porn behind closed doors or nasty with his wife and family.. i personally know of two like that .... why should i listen to a "stranger" about my life?
-
-
Left in the Cold
Suddenly, it all makes sense! No wonder I've been married (and divorced) twice.
-
27
Ever just want to run away.
by LouBelle injust give up the job, the house and go somewhere where life moves at a slower pace and there are not as many electronic intrusions?
only thing to get to a place like that costs money.. if i had my way, give all of this up for a quiet life on a little small holding that can look after my needs..
-
-
Left in the Cold
I have dreamed of it. I still do.