scratchme1010

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Posts by scratchme1010

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  23

  I started a new podcast about my life as a JW today

  by dubstepped in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  so, i did a thing today.

  i officially launched a podcast called "this jw life".

  people keep saying that i should write a book, but i don't even read books, unless in audio format.

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  scratchme1010

  Thank you, Dubstepped. I just listened to it. Great job!
  
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  70

  What made you stay "in" even when you knew it wasn't the "truth"?

  by mentalclarity in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  so i've been thinking a lot about why i stayed a jw for so long even though i had always had doubts about the doctrines.

  i was born into the religion, left and came back as an adult for another decade.

  some of the things that come to mind (besides the threat of shunning-and this isn't to minimize that very real threat) was:.

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  scratchme1010

  I was born in, so I was "in" against my choice for quite some time. I never bought that Jehovah nonsense. However, at some point I decided to give it a try and learn a good life lesson about trusting my own instincts. When I decided that I wanted to leave, I figured that I cannot just walk away from the first 23 years of my life. I needed to prepare. My departure was gradual, especially since it was important to me to leave in my terms and because I said so, not because of their stupid shunning practices. That took planning and patience, so that's why I stayed "in".

  I am aware of research that has been conducted in cults and other oppressive groups and relationships, and what they show is that the main reasons people stay are:

  They continue to believe in the cult teachings or leadership
  To protect their investment
  To hold onto family
  Some other relationships can be real and solid
  Pride / embarrassment
  Fear

  I had none of those reasons for me to stay, I grew up in a rather bad family environment, one that I needed to protect myself from. I never bought that paradise on Earth crap. Actually, the belief that I have the most problem with is one that it's not unique of the WT. I never cared about the concept of Satan, always found it too contrived and convenient.

  I never had any friends or strong relationships with anyone, reflecting and looking back, I think that there were so many people pushing so hard to deny their realities of their sad pathetic lives, that I can see how a person like me would make them feel uneasy.

  I was more embarrassed for being seen preaching, even though I was raised doing that and I was quite good at it, than anything else. Also since I was born in, I felt that it wasn't my decision to join them, so leaving them felt quite an easy decision in that sense, that is, that wasn't my choice, I'm out.

  I was never afraid of "the world". I felt that my life started the moment I decided to leave the JWs. And I was quite right.
  
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  116

  What is behind your choice of forum user name?

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just curious how we all think.. what prompted or influenced your choice of username for this forum?.

  there are some really amazing names, and it would be great to hear the stories behind them.... mine was nothing fancy.

  i just felt "stuck in a rut too" along with so many others.

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  scratchme1010

  Not a lot to say about mine; I just came up with it within a second of signing up. No deep meaning.
  
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  5

  JWs Gullible & Delusional

  by TTaTT4U in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

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  scratchme1010

  Very bad. Quite misleading, in fact. The reality is that being under the negative influence of the WT or any other group or person for that matter, is not a reflection of any quality on people (like being gullible).

  There's not a thing that one can tell about the qualities of cult followers. In fact, I know of quite a few current and former JWs who are quite intelligent, aware and clear about themselves and the WT. One thing is what they know, another different one is what they feel. They are not there for what the know.
  
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  22

  Who holds the Burden Of Proof?

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  when we as former witnesses wake up and choose to leave the society, it is mainly because we value truth and honesty.. the society tries to make out that we are in the wrong.

  that we have "left the truth".. but, who really holds the burden of proof?

  do we (who leave) need to prove that the society is not the "truth", or does the society need to prove that it is the "truth".. thoughts?.

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  scratchme1010

  But, who really holds the burden of proof?
  

  Interesting question. My stance when I left was that I chose to leave, that I have no interest in them, that they are full of --it, and that they have no authority over me. I am not a person who likes to give a lot of explaining, and I couldn't care less about being right or wrong. In fact, I was not interested in discussing anything with them, period, leave alone proving anything from either side.
  

  I left, I chose to send them to the carajo and there's nothing they can do about it. That was that.
  
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  22

  Jehovah's Witnesses act like 'Flirts' with people!

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  we were just musing that jws act in a "flirtatious" manner with people in the community.. they show such "sincere" interest in people when they call.

  they seem like such kind, caring and thoughtful people - really interested in their lives and welfare.. people are often quite impressed with the jws manner, and their well dressed presentation.

  people (especially vulnerable ones who are going through difficult pressures in life), are drawn in and made to feel special by the witnesses as they call back.. return visits take place.

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  scratchme1010

  People are often quite impressed with the JWs manner, and their well dressed presentation...
  

  Well, I guess that such show may impress some people. However, some people can easily see through the glazed happy faces and rehearsed manners and script. People like me, cynical and skeptical, immediately pull down their invisible mask of sweetness. Sometimes I don't even have to say anything, my body language alone makes them back off and go somewhere else with their ridiculous passive aggressive act.
  
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  32

  What was Jesus last name???

  by James Mixon in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  jesus in hebrew means "savior' and christ in greek means "messiah".

  these are identifiers --not names in jesus case.. where did the name christ come from, his parents???

  ?i can see the name jesus (first name) but christ.

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  scratchme1010

  What was Jesus last name???
  

  Rodriguez.

  Actually, you'll be surprised, but I actually know Jesus' last name. He was known as "Jesus of Nazareth". I guess that "of Nazareth" was his last name. That's how last names started anyway.
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  19

  If you were a J.W. before July 2013..................

  by The Searcher in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  ....................then you couldn't have been "in the truth" nor was "the truth in you" until july 2013, because that month's watchtower was dedicated to reversing the following 8 "truths" and replacing them with opposing "truths".

  you'd been believing and teaching falsehoods.. these are for any new members and those j.w.

  's who visit here who have not seen this list before.

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  scratchme1010

  "Alternative realities" is the hip way of calling their new truth.

  I'd have slightly more respect for them if they admit that they were wrong. Instead they keep that ridiculous arrogance. They want to be right in everything and every time. That's what makes them look really stupid (aside form all that nonsense they preach).
  
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  9

  JW hospitality toward those not in the org.

  by Chook in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  let's here some stories of good samaritan conduct , i asked an elder so called friend once could my son sleep on garage floor for a couple of days due to work , the answer was no due to son not believing..

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  scratchme1010

  Well, though I agree that I have seen and experience the same disgusting attitude, there's also the fact that sometimes they show some kindness and hospitality to non-JWs and ex-JWs. However, it's mostly to seize an opportunity to push their agenda. If it's to a non-JW, it's with the purpose of preaching to them. To an ex-JW it's with the purpose of trying to entice them to go back, or to get information that they need, or because they themselves need something from the ex-JW person.
  
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  36

  What is the biggest sexual scandal to hit the top of JW tree ?

  by Chook in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  elders ,co ,do ,branch overseers ,gb ,missionaries has "sinful" lust got the better of them..

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  scratchme1010

  Elders ,CO ,DO ,branch overseers ,GB ,missionaries has "sinful" lust got the better of them.
  

  I'm afraid that most of the worst in that respect doesn't come to light because it involves lawyers and gag orders.