Posts by jp1692

33

Why do so many that leave wind up coming back?!

by nowwhat? in

i have seen so many that have left.

and their life turned into a dumpster fire.

most do not live the average life of living in suburbs, raising a family.

jp1692

Define “so many”!

its a well-known fact that JWs have the highest attrition rate of any religion in the U.S.

I suspect it’s similar in most, if not all, industrialized nations.

27

The right to record your judicial committee meeting

by UnshackleTheChains in

ok.. we have often heard secret recordings online of jc hearings.

but, what i would like to know is if individuals are entitled to the right of officially recording their judicial hearings?.

supposing i was to attend a judicial committee and i explained up front that i would like to record the proceedings and then place a dictaphone on the table.

jp1692

Follow-up to my previous post: Why not "Just say no!" to the meeting, refuse to go and be done with the whole mess?

27

The right to record your judicial committee meeting

by UnshackleTheChains in

ok.. we have often heard secret recordings online of jc hearings.

but, what i would like to know is if individuals are entitled to the right of officially recording their judicial hearings?.

supposing i was to attend a judicial committee and i explained up front that i would like to record the proceedings and then place a dictaphone on the table.

jp1692

UTC, there is a significant difference between whether or not someone has the "right" to do something and whether or not it is legal, which is not the question you asked.

I would assert that we all have the right to record a JW judicial meeting even if it is illegal in your particular jurisdiction. In many locales, recordings must be explicitly approved and agreed to by all parties, so you better check before you plan to record a judicial committee meeting. Since JW elders will never agree to it, any recording would have to be done surreptitiously and without the permission of the elders. Therefore, if one were to secretly record a judicial meeting, they would be breaking the law in many jurisdictions. That, however, does NOT mean it is wrong.

But whenever an individual commits a deliberate, intentional act of civil disobedience and breaks a law because they think it is wrong, they also better be prepared to accept the possible consequences. This could possibly mean fines and or jail time. But frankly I think that's a pretty remote possibility given the circumstances. (But this is must my opinion and is explicitly NOT meant to be legal advice!)

Here, for your reading pleasure and edification, is an older thread that explores both HOW to record a judicial meeting as well as various reasons WHY and/or why you may not want to do that.

How to Record a Judicial Meeting

Enjoy!

24

Are you better off as a worldly person or a JW?

by Jules Saturn in

i was having a conversation with a relative who has been inactive for several decades (part of the ‘75 generation) and he argued that a person that is a born in is better off staying in the organization rather than someone like him who lived as a “worldly” person but then became a witness later in life.

he argues that when you’re born in, all you know nothing outside of the organization, so you’re better off in than out, that’s why when born ins leave the org, they always come back.

i agree that as a born in, your social circle is composed of witnesses but i do feel that even born ins would be happier outside of the org than being in.

jp1692

The use of the term “worldly” in the OP reveals Jules’ relative is thinking within the JW mindset and seeing with a JW worldview.

Hence the question.

Once a person abandons the cult mentality and beliefs, such a question would no longer be asked because the answer is obvious. But doing so takes time and much deliberate and thoughtful effort.

24

Are you better off as a worldly person or a JW?

by Jules Saturn in

i was having a conversation with a relative who has been inactive for several decades (part of the ‘75 generation) and he argued that a person that is a born in is better off staying in the organization rather than someone like him who lived as a “worldly” person but then became a witness later in life.

he argues that when you’re born in, all you know nothing outside of the organization, so you’re better off in than out, that’s why when born ins leave the org, they always come back.

i agree that as a born in, your social circle is composed of witnesses but i do feel that even born ins would be happier outside of the org than being in.

jp1692

No matter what, it's always better to be yourself and to live an authentic life.

There is no question that people born into a cult have unique challenges upon leaving, but we all have challenges to overcome.

It isn't easy, but it's definitely better than remaining in a high-control, authoritarian cult.

19

How do you deal with the loneliness after leaving?

by Whynot in

jw
friends

i'm having one of those days where i feel lonely and wish i had someone to just hang out with.

my husband got disfellowshipped 3 years ago and even though i didn't do anything wrong i was pushed away.

my so called "friends" decided to avoid me.

jp1692

Making friends outside of the religion is difficult, but not because of others. It’s all in us.

Our indoctrination is a challenge to overcome, but it can be done.

In the long run, we want to find people that love us for WHO we are, not WHAT (we pretended) WE PRETENDED TO BELIEVE.

This takes time. Go. Hang out with your co-worker. Keep it light and fun. As Xanthippe said, no need to tell you life story, at least not right away.

You’ll know. Just try to be yourself, as hard as that is.

You’ve gotten some great advice. Take it slow.

jp

133

What Is The Most Ridiculous Thing You Have Heard From A Witness?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i remember an elder questioning a woman who had admitted to giving and receiving oral sex from her unbelieving mate.

he asked her the most intimate questions which clearly flustered her.

interestingly, she “confessed “ to the elders because her conscience bothered her.

jp1692

Minimus: They can never lose.

It's a rigged game.

If anything good happens, that was Jehovah. If anything bad happens, that was either Satan or "time and unforeseen circumstance."

So earlier the Dow was rising and Trump followers all said it was because of him. (Hint: it wasn't.) Now it's falling. Will they blame him? Of course not.

They're all in a cult just like JWs.

38

Your Favorite Plays on Words

by compound complex in

greetings, fellow word lovers:.

please add your favorite, clever smithing of words.. ****************************.

time flies like an arrow and fruit flies like a banana..

jp1692

For your pleasure:

Not Jest For Pun: A Surprising History Of Wordplay (NPR)

25

My JW niece is getting married ... typical JW drama

by wannabefree in

we received an invitation in the mail yesterday for my jw niece's wedding.. i am posting this just to add for any lurkers to see typical jw practices.. 1st - and perfectly understandable for anybody who is or was a jw.

i'm not invited.

:) hey, i'm really not complaining about that.

jp1692

WBF, understood.

I feel your pain, brother!

25

My JW niece is getting married ... typical JW drama

by wannabefree in

we received an invitation in the mail yesterday for my jw niece's wedding.. i am posting this just to add for any lurkers to see typical jw practices.. 1st - and perfectly understandable for anybody who is or was a jw.

i'm not invited.

:) hey, i'm really not complaining about that.

jp1692

Have you considered telling your wife that you're really disappointed in her lack of support for you or your daughter?