john.prestor

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Posts by john.prestor

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  85

  Newspaper reports: Dutch government will initiate inquiry into child abuse within JW community

  by Anders Andersen in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  today a dutch newspaper published an in-depth follow-up item on jw abuse issues.. the most interesting part of the article is this:.

  the politicians also let themselves be heard.

  a month ago the house of representatives voted unanimously in favor of a motion to enforce an independent inquiry into abuse within the jehovah's witnesses, as the organization refuses to initiate it.

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  john.prestor

  You're a child abuse apologist, Doubter, and we don't look kindly upon you.
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  51

  Don't even try it!

  by JTrottigy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  there are many here who think they can infiltrate my web-site.

  be warned that we administrators of jwtalk call the listed congregation on your application for membership in our site to verify if they know you!.

  some of you have slipped through the cracks and got into our site, but rest assured, we will find you out and ban you!.

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  john.prestor

  I'll give the OP this, they really did commit to this...
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  39

  Hatred From My Children for Not Leaving the Organization Earlier

  by new boy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm not proud of the fact that it took me over 50 years to realized what the organization really was and to finally leave it.

  not proud at all, i feel pretty stupid.

  however i didn't lose my children.

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  john.prestor

  New boy, you and your son are going to be okay in the long-run. You'll talk to him, you'll apologize, you'll hear him out, and you guys will move past this.
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  39

  Hatred From My Children for Not Leaving the Organization Earlier

  by new boy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm not proud of the fact that it took me over 50 years to realized what the organization really was and to finally leave it.

  not proud at all, i feel pretty stupid.

  however i didn't lose my children.

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  john.prestor

  I would strongly encourage you to apologize to your son, to the degree that you feel comfortable. By acknowledging his anger you'll help him move past that. If you don't acknowledge his anger, he's going to stay angry most likely, and that will impede your ability to have a relationship with him. You did play a part in raising him, and it's clear that you feel regret and some responsibility. Just tell him that.
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  Western MA Regional Convention: anyone attending?

  by john.prestor in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i'm considering attending the regional convention in western ma at umass amherst's mullins center in two weeks, both out of my typical curiosity and to see the degree to which they've increased security.

  the convention is going on from friday to sunday, that being august 3rd to august 5th.

  is anyone on here planning to attend and/or protest?

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  john.prestor

  I'm considering attending the Regional Convention in Western MA at Umass Amherst's Mullins Center in two weeks, both out of my typical curiosity and to see the degree to which they've increased security. The convention is going on from Friday to Sunday, that being August 3rd to August 5th. Is anyone on here planning to attend and/or protest? I would be interested in connecting.
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  40

  Why are JDubs scared to death of apostate websites?

  by Sour Grapes in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  when i was an elder back in the 1970's i loved to debate and challenge ministers, preachers, and holy rollers.

  now you can be a loyal jdub fully indoctrinated for 30 years but just take a peek at an apostate website and you are doomed.

  yes, satan now has you by the gonads and all of the years of being at the meetings, all of the family worship nights, all of the conventions, and all of the personal study just go up in a cloud of smoke.

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  john.prestor

  Jehovah's Witnesses make many, many sacrifices in their efforts to obtain paradise, and in the process thereof can see themselves as special, as superior to non-Witnesses, as belonging to 'the greatest organization in the universe.'

  Apostates call this into question and can bring this entire house of cards tumbling down given their knowledge of the movement's history and foibles. Beyond the Governing Body's warnings to avoid such sites, which leads Jehovah's Witnesses to fear detection and discipline, there is also, I suspect, a natural fear of having their faith undermined and called into question, which inevitably affects Jehovah's Witnesses confidence and self-respect, if not pride. Apostasy is not just an intellectual issue for Jehovah's Witnesses: it's deeply personal.
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  18

  The Repression and Expression of Anger Among Jehovah's Witnesses

  by john.prestor in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  something which i always found surprising when i attended the kingdom halls i studied was how angry, even vicious, many jehovah's witnesses could become when a watchtower study featured some persons and/or institutions the organization disapproved of, say, higher education and educators, christendom and its clergy, apostates, etc.

  many seemed to sadistically enjoy denigrating these persons or institutions when the watchtower study conductor called on them and they were handed a microphone.

  i wondered for a long time where this anger came from, and i've developed a hypothesis for explaining this.. according to a book i'm reading by alice miller called "for your own good: hidden cruelty in child-rearing and the roots of violence," children who are strictly controlled and abused (whether emotionally or physically) typically go on to unleash the anger they inevitably felt at their parents, but were never allowed to express, at their children or those around them.

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  john.prestor

  Spiral: that's great! I've found it fascinating for understanding my own childhood. I hope that Sister came to see it applied to her own religion too, not just the national religion of Nazi Germany (to which it certainly applies).
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  18

  The Repression and Expression of Anger Among Jehovah's Witnesses

  by john.prestor in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  something which i always found surprising when i attended the kingdom halls i studied was how angry, even vicious, many jehovah's witnesses could become when a watchtower study featured some persons and/or institutions the organization disapproved of, say, higher education and educators, christendom and its clergy, apostates, etc.

  many seemed to sadistically enjoy denigrating these persons or institutions when the watchtower study conductor called on them and they were handed a microphone.

  i wondered for a long time where this anger came from, and i've developed a hypothesis for explaining this.. according to a book i'm reading by alice miller called "for your own good: hidden cruelty in child-rearing and the roots of violence," children who are strictly controlled and abused (whether emotionally or physically) typically go on to unleash the anger they inevitably felt at their parents, but were never allowed to express, at their children or those around them.

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  john.prestor

  I'm glad to hear my conclusions resonate with the experience of other posters. I find that encouraging.

  I suspect also that this anger and animosity may, may come from the unacknowledged shame of field service. Does this sound accurate to anyone? Did you find field service shameful?
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  18

  The Repression and Expression of Anger Among Jehovah's Witnesses

  by john.prestor in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  something which i always found surprising when i attended the kingdom halls i studied was how angry, even vicious, many jehovah's witnesses could become when a watchtower study featured some persons and/or institutions the organization disapproved of, say, higher education and educators, christendom and its clergy, apostates, etc.

  many seemed to sadistically enjoy denigrating these persons or institutions when the watchtower study conductor called on them and they were handed a microphone.

  i wondered for a long time where this anger came from, and i've developed a hypothesis for explaining this.. according to a book i'm reading by alice miller called "for your own good: hidden cruelty in child-rearing and the roots of violence," children who are strictly controlled and abused (whether emotionally or physically) typically go on to unleash the anger they inevitably felt at their parents, but were never allowed to express, at their children or those around them.

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  john.prestor

  That thought certainly came to mind, Vidiot. Two Minutes Hate, anyone?
• 
  18

  The Repression and Expression of Anger Among Jehovah's Witnesses

  by john.prestor in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  something which i always found surprising when i attended the kingdom halls i studied was how angry, even vicious, many jehovah's witnesses could become when a watchtower study featured some persons and/or institutions the organization disapproved of, say, higher education and educators, christendom and its clergy, apostates, etc.

  many seemed to sadistically enjoy denigrating these persons or institutions when the watchtower study conductor called on them and they were handed a microphone.

  i wondered for a long time where this anger came from, and i've developed a hypothesis for explaining this.. according to a book i'm reading by alice miller called "for your own good: hidden cruelty in child-rearing and the roots of violence," children who are strictly controlled and abused (whether emotionally or physically) typically go on to unleash the anger they inevitably felt at their parents, but were never allowed to express, at their children or those around them.

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  john.prestor

  Something which I always found surprising when I attended the Kingdom Halls I studied was how angry, even vicious, many Jehovah's Witnesses could become when a Watchtower Study featured some persons and/or institutions the organization disapproved of, say, higher education and educators, Christendom and its clergy, apostates, etc. Many seemed to sadistically enjoy denigrating these persons or institutions when the Watchtower Study Conductor called on them and they were handed a microphone. I wondered for a long time where this anger came from, and I've developed a hypothesis for explaining this.

  According to a book I'm reading by Alice Miller called "For Your Own Good: Hidden Cruelty in Child-Rearing and the Roots of Violence," children who are strictly controlled and abused (whether emotionally or physically) typically go on to unleash the anger they inevitably felt at their parents, but were never allowed to express, at their children or those around them. In part children cannot express this anger and it remains unconscious because they were taught to perceive their parents as "loving" and as such it was unthinkable to become angry at their parents no matter what cruelty they inflicted upon them. Adults, she argues, have a greater capacity to feel and/or express anger at those who abuse them because, being adults, they can more easily resist or process what's being done to them and deem it or the persons responsible wrong, evil, unethical, etc.

  Consider this: although many Jehovah's Witnesses are in fact adults, like children, Jehovah's Witnesses are not permitted to question the Governing Body and its pervasive attempts to micro-manage their lives and deny them natural pleasures (sex, relaxation, interpersonal connection, love, acceptance, respect, community). Instead, the organization tells Jehovah's Witnesses that the Governing Body is composed of "loving," well-intentioned men who want nothing but the best for them. Jehovah's Witnesses are certainly not allowed to criticize the Governing Body and, if such criticism is detected whether in the public or private sphere, the organization instructs Jehovah's Witnesses to shun and shame them. As such, I propose that many Jehovah's Witnesses will unconsciously experience anger at the Governing Body's micro-management and rather disturbing efforts to control and corral them but will not be able to experience their anger and direct it at the true source of their pain and suffering: the Governing Body, not Christendom, not educators, not apostates. But, of course, these entities make excellent scapegoats upon which Jehovah's Witnesses heap the anger they should feel towards the Governing Body. My conclusions seem confirmed by the fact that many ex-Witnesses on this site express or have expressed, quite naturally and understandably, anger at the Governing Body.
  

  My hypothesis, then, is this: I believe the anger and viciousness I saw Jehovah's Witnesses express in many Watchtower Studies were expressions of the unconscious anger many inevitably felt and doubtlessly still feel about being denied what they naturally want by the Governing Body, what they ought and deserve to have: love, respect, acceptance, sexual pleasure, community, and so much more.