Posts by Spiral

25

Resolutions at Kingdom Hall

by sieborg in

anyhow i got to thinking today about my days in the borg and the resolutions that would intermittently be made in the announcements for co visit expenses, sending a donation to society www fund etc.

my point is that while i was in (almost thirty two years) i never once saw anyone put up their hand to vote against a resolution that the body of elders proposed.

on a couple of occasions i heard a few hushed murmurs but i never saw one person vote against.

We were in a congregation once years ago (this was before we knew this was to be the new pattern) and the congregation was literally forced to build a new kingdom hall. True their hall was terrible, but the only affordable property on offer by the brothers was in a terrible location. Several people vocally disagreed and asked tough questions (such as are you sure we can get new zoning after we buy the property, a very smart question) but the vote was literally forced. A lot of people voted "yes" even though they thought "no". We'd never seen anything like it.

That hall is still in a terrible location..... most of the promised improvements, etc. to the area and the road never materialized. People still grumble (when the "loving brothers" can't hear). Some still suspect someone made extra $$$ on that deal.

11

Wifely Subjection: Mental Health Issues in Jehovah’s Witness Women

by defender of truth in

what do you think of this article?.

is there anything that relates to your own experience?.

i just came across it while searching for references on the consequences of sexism in the jw organization.. www.icsahome.com/articles/wifely-subjection--mental-health-issues-in-jw-women-csj-14-1.

Spiral

This is a great article, not even just about women go through as a "submissive wife" ***blech*** but what all JWs go through. If you aren't allowed to do your own thinking and you spend your whole life parroting what "the brothers" want you to do, you will be crazy. Then add to that being poor, undereducated and struggling. *SIGH*

Vidiot, I can't agree more.....the JWs have (by far) more emotionally damaged people within their ranks than without. Partly I'm sure because they attract people who need a source of control, but even more so because they create the problems for their members.

"...i.e. I started genuinely suspecting that the Org was literally driving its more (emotionally) vulnerable members crazy." Yep, seeing that every day. Just watching their TV channel makes me crazy.

And, as frustrated as I get with my mother, I see her portrayed in this article. My dad wasn't a JW, but he was sure domineering. Then, she becomes a JW. She hardly had a chance.

19

Apathy carts in NoCal

by kaik in

i spent couple wonderful days in napa valley and sonoma with visits to san francisco.

what hits me was the number of apathy carts in the city.

they were at powell station, embarcadero, fisherman wharf, etc.

Spiral

It seems like they really pushed the one cart they have here during the "memorial season", but this trend will stick because even the most devoted see that the age of D2D witnessing is over. Problem with that where I am is they will have to let the ones they like less (vs. the "special ones" in the congregation) man the carts. It's a labor shortage here and really funny.

8

Those of us going to memorial

by All for show in

jw
friends

how are you feeling?.

we weren't going... but a confrontation with family blew things up.

we decided we are going- because we are planning on moving and this is the last jw thing.

Spiral

Ugh, have to go, not looking forward to it. It's the late one so hopefully I can leave right after!

16

My life as a fundamentalist

by joey jojo in

as a born-in jw, i never considered myself to be a fundamentalist.

i always thought we were enlightened, progressive and not 'stuck in darkness' like all the other religions.. i was totally wrong.. as far as fundamentalists go, jw's are probably right up there amongst the front-runners.

no, they do not stone people to death or go on religion-fuelled violent rampages but that's not what i'm talking about.

Spiral

It took me awhile as well to realize JWs are fundamentalists. Actually, it was when everything went online I really realized (if you look at those horrible videos) just what a fundamentalist church they are.

So much so, I have decided that if (really, when) one of my still-in friends asks me why I am no longer active, I have decided to say "I never wanted to be a fundamentalist". We'll see what happens.

28

The memorial beauty pageant

by BlackWolf in

jw
friends

since the memorial is coming up soon and its about time for me to go shopping for a new memorial ( aka easter) dress, i've realized what the memorial really is for us teenage girls, a beauty pageant!

the memorial is the day i spend painting my nails, curling my hair, and carefully applying makeup because my mother says i have to "represent jehovah" and look my best.

in reality its just to impress the newcomers and to compete with the other girls.

Spiral

When I was growing up it was never a big deal, but now it seems to be a fashion show. Which is soooo contrary to what the "Memorial" is supposed to be about it's laughable.

I'd suggest black nail polish to bridge the gap.

71

Sophie gives even more than ice cream money to the WT

by OrphanCrow in

Spiral

Orphan Crow~ Yes! When I was growing up the WT was just too righteous to cater to kids like that. (ugh) Now they are so desperate they will stoop to the level of catering to kids if they can pick up that extra dollar. It's just beyond disgusting.

11

Jehovah's Witnesses - Emotional Blackmail - Fear Obligation Guilt

by JT-LadyC in

after leaving the jehovah’s witness religion, we had the opportunity to read emotional blackmail by susan forward, ph.d. we could relate to the stories she discusses in the book and could make a direct correlation to our lives as jehovah’s witnesses.

while the experiences are somewhat different from what we encountered in our personal lives, we could readily comprehend how individuals use emotional blackmail to make others develop fear, obligation and guilt in order to manipulate them into furthering their own agenda.this podcast explains in great detail how jehovah’s witnesses live in the fog.

no one can dispute these comments as every current and former witness is most familiar with the culture of the organization!this podcast references the experience of a sister that lived in an iron lung and her experience was used as a tool to measure the faith of jehovah’s witnesses with otherwise good health that did not live up to the daily demands of the watchtower.

Spiral

I haven't had time to listen (supposed to be working) but what a great way to explain it - FOG. I already used this as a "reasoning point" with someone this morning. Hopefully that will get some mental gears moving.

When you realize that's the glue that holds the whole thing together it's just......disgusting.

92

So Proud of Pops

by brandnew in

jw
friends

ok so a car pulls up to the house and 3 eldurrs from my dads congo come up.

they come in and have thee nerve to ask me to step out so they can speak to pops!!!!

this is the good part.....pops says...and i quote " whatever needs to be said..can be said in front of my son".

Spiral

Hi Brand New ~

Since I do all the bill paying anyway, I lock up the checkbook before I go anywhere...... just a precaution against someone asking my mom for a check when I'm not around.

15

On Prayer

by kairos in

jw
friends

so many prayers.. consuming.

the obligation.. when did you realize you were talking to yourself?.

Spiral

I never felt like anyone was listening - it was all just talking to myself. How great it is not having to pretend anymore.