Posts by jp1692

19

J.W's Brain LOCKDOWN

by Phizzy in

i know we often talk of the mind control and how jw's believe what they are taught because they are controlled as to the information they receive, but i think the mind control goes frighteningly beyond simply keeping information away from them.. the jw mind is in lockdown.

it simply cannot accept facts, evidence, reasoning or whatever that goes against what they believe.

they cannot assimilate and consider an argument, it is not that they are being awkward, or willfully blind, their minds are so shut down they are incapable of taking in what is being presented.. i am aware of how, in common with other cults and high control groups the j.w org achieves this state among its members, but how on earth do we open such a solidly closed mind ?.

jp1692

Here are a couple of other ideas on this subject:

The best chance of reaching a loved one that is in a cult is simply respectful, heartfelt communication. Unfortunately there is no “magic-bullet” or one approach that always works.

As counseling psychologist Michael D. Langone, PhD, the Executive Director of the ICSA, explains, the best approach is the “patient, persistent communication of that which ultimately shatters all walls: truth, honesty, respect and love” (Giambalvo, 5).

Here also is an anecdotal account of what worked for one former JW cult member and how her husband helped her learn TTATT:

Do not use or share any “apostate” material (study it before for topics and ideas, but do not directly mention or reference)
Never criticized or put down the organization, GB, elders, etc. Very important since one is so sensitive to that subject when you believe they are directed by Jehovah.
Never, ever discuss doctrine
Never disrespected the JW’s beliefs.
Share doubts, but do so in a humble, non-confrontation manner. Don’t assert definite answers or proof: “I researched this and found out it's not the truth because ... blah blah blah. …”
Use lots of questions and try to let your relative/loved one think for themselves.

22

Older Watchtowers and Awakes added on jw.org Online library

by AuntBee in

wt back to 1950, aw back to 1970, like the cd rom library... .

why?

lol.

jp1692

JWGoneBad,

I joined the cult in 1984 (ironic, no?).

I was completely unaware of past statements like the above from WT leadership.

My "born-in" and still-in, ex-wife showed me this quote back in 2002 or 2003 when we were still married. I'm sure she doesn't know it, but that quote was what actually got me to begin seriously doubting our religion.

I began tugging on a few of the threads that had been giving me more or less minor, but still nagging, doubts. Once you pull of a couple of loose threads of the WT/JW "theology" the whole thing quickly falls apart.

I tried to leave with my family intact, but alas I was unsuccessful. This is how I learned--the hard way--that doctrine actually doesn't matter to most JWs. The mind control is too strong.

Let's review: It's a cult!

19

J.W's Brain LOCKDOWN

by Phizzy in

i know we often talk of the mind control and how jw's believe what they are taught because they are controlled as to the information they receive, but i think the mind control goes frighteningly beyond simply keeping information away from them.. the jw mind is in lockdown.

it simply cannot accept facts, evidence, reasoning or whatever that goes against what they believe.

they cannot assimilate and consider an argument, it is not that they are being awkward, or willfully blind, their minds are so shut down they are incapable of taking in what is being presented.. i am aware of how, in common with other cults and high control groups the j.w org achieves this state among its members, but how on earth do we open such a solidly closed mind ?.

jp1692

To paraphrase Steven Hassan: "Never discuss doctrine!"

22

Older Watchtowers and Awakes added on jw.org Online library

by AuntBee in

wt back to 1950, aw back to 1970, like the cd rom library... .

why?

lol.

jp1692

The Awake! magazine only goes back to 1970, so you can't read this little gem:

“If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. Of the generation that observed the beginning of the “last days” in 1914, Jesus foretold: “This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.”-Matt. 24:34. Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in high school and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone!” Awake! 1969, May 22, p.15

12

JDub with pink hair at a cart - Video from SW England

by Wakanda in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maenrmttb-u&list=plj1cxa6hnc11blsv8iz9lzlux_zz6onyd&index=109.

go to minute nine for the third clip.

what is up with that hair???

jp1692

Ah, how cute. She's camera shy, that one!

But we did learn the way of happiness: run away when people ask you uncomfortable questions.

Let's review: It's a cult!

49

"You owe Jehovah humility and HONESTY" - an email from a JW

by Wake Me Up Before You Jo-Ho in

hey forum goers.

i'd like your opinions on constructing an email reply to this shocker below.

bit of background about the sender: she is a middle-aged, cheery uberdub whose siblings left when a schism occured in her congregation in canada way back when.

jp1692

LHG: self-righteous JWs

I had to laugh because it's so redundant!

49

"You owe Jehovah humility and HONESTY" - an email from a JW

by Wake Me Up Before You Jo-Ho in

hey forum goers.

i'd like your opinions on constructing an email reply to this shocker below.

bit of background about the sender: she is a middle-aged, cheery uberdub whose siblings left when a schism occured in her congregation in canada way back when.

jp1692

Frankly, you're probably better off just ignoring her. As the saying goes, "You can't argue with a sick mind!"

That being said, you might consider a carefully crafted response to Sister Blind Faith's absurd, but common JW assertion: "Jehovah ... doesn't favour the intellectual ones who are proud and showy with their academic knowledge"

One play might be something along the lines of: "Why would Jehovah give us intelligence and then not want us to use it? Does that make any sense to you, any sense at all?"

You're better off not engaging. It's not about doctrine or any alleged "truth" after all. It's just about control and blind obedience.

Let's review: It's cult!

20

I want to be all my dog believes me to be ...

by compound complex in

jw
friends

greetings, pet owners and lovers:.

while i have no pets of my own, i do care for dogs and cats and have cared for bunnies and guinea pigs in the past.

i'm working on an essay with an 11-year-old student, and the subject is symbiotic relationships and how humans learn from their close interaction with animals.. here is a portion of the reference material under study:.

jp1692

Beautiful!

Before I even read the excerpt I was thinking: unconditional love!

Dogs and other pets give it so freely. So many humans have lost this seemingly natural trait. Cults sure know how to indoctrinate it out many.

39

My impressions of the cart witnessing

by Sour Grapes in

i have watched tons of youtube videos of our exjdub friends approaching and talking to the jdub manikins at their carts as they give a great witness to the world by sipping their hot lattes, updating their social media, chit chatting to each other, and the most important thing of getting their time in, counting their hours.. when the jw's see someone approach with a camera they do several things, they will turn their backs on the person, or look at the person with a frown and act like the person isn't even there.

the witlesses refuse to answer simple, clear, and precise questions.

when i was an elder i loved to get into discussions and debates with trinitarians, priest, clergymen and those who were born again.

jp1692

Drearyweather: From what I see in the photo, the old guy is putting away a bottle of water back on the cart holder after a sip. Could have been my old mom doing the same. I don't think he should be called pathetic for that.

You're right. I wasn't calling him pathetic for drinking water. It's the whole context that makes it thus.

Check out this other picture I took a few moments later, and you'll see that this poor, pathetic guy was sitting with the same body language for the few minutes my wife and I observed him.

There's a lot that you can't get from the picture alone. You can't smell the smoke from the cigarettes that choke the already stale subway air, or the stench of urine from the homeless people that hang out there at night, or the reek of the sweaty bodies of the thousands of busy commuters noisily walking quickly by on a hot and muggy Budapest afternoon—ignoring him as if he were part of the furniture.

And there he sits: alone, staring at the floor or the back of the JW literature cart, counting time, ignored by endless waves of humanity that pass him by as he sits in front of a poster advertising a rock band with the ironic name of "Queen" and another for a rock version of an opera commercializing Jesus Christ as a "Szupersztar."

No one stops to talk to him or take his literature. My wife and I were the only ones that even seemed to notice him (for obvious reasons). Everyone is too occupied with their own mundane concerns to give him the time of day. They are busy trying to get home—exhausted from their day at work—or going to meet friends or family or wherever they are off to. Wherever it is they are coming from or going to, once thing is certain: they do not care about him or his irrelevant little cult or its irrelevant little message.

That's why I said he is pathetic. The whole thing is pathetic. Very pathetic. Very.

21

Why NO bibles??

by stuckinarut2 in

i know we have all said it before, but it simply blows my mind that the jws doing cart work do not have bibles on the cart to give out to interested ones!.

how can they say they are "bible students" trying to share the "bibles message" and not give out bibles!?.

other christian groups take the commission to share the bible seriously!

jp1692

As has been pointed out, Bibles simply cost a lot, but another—and possibly more important—reason is that Bibles do not explicitly contain JW’s unique brand of propanganda.

A person has to be duly indoctrinated before they will “believe” the Bible teaches ridiculous nonsense like “overlapping generations” or that Jehovah would let a fool like Stephen Lett represent him.

Let’s review: It’s a cult!