Posts by scratchme1010

55

Let's Be Honest - You or One of Your Ancestors Was an Idiot

by Simon in

why were we ever a jw?

were we mad?

we must have been .... well, my excuse is that i knew nothing else.

scratchme1010

I find myself looking back more with pity than anger. I feel sorry for whoever brought the WTS into our families life. It's unlikely they did it maliciously and they were seeking to do the best thing for their family and their children. They failed, but then how many people really succeed at that. Many manage to do the worst for their offspring so there is something to be thankful for that we are not born elsewhere.

Why do you take it on the people who joined? I think that's blaming the victim of a scam for getting scammed. What's more, intelligence has absolutely nothing to do with the negative influence, the indoctrination and brainwashing that people get submitted to.

I am a born in, and during my time there in that organization I met and still now people who are quite intelligent and decided to join. Remember, one thing is the capacity for people to think and process information, another completely different thing is how a person feels and what their needs are.

The Wt and other cults capitalize on people's needs and feelings, not on reasoning or critical thinking. When you look at why people decide to join, their reasons have not a thing to do with knowing or being able to analyze a piece of information.

22

Summer Regional Convention

by miss.ives01 in

has anyone attended the sunday program of the summer regional convention, remain loyal to jehovah?.

i have been very concerned about the tone of discussion surrounding sundays program.

i went to friday and sat., not sunday.

scratchme1010

Scratchme1010 I do have many concerns but I know they will pass. I will pursue what I pursued my entire life only in secret. The arts, science and mysteries... the unknown. I love our big world of info. I never could do anything witlhout guilt. I cant tell you how many time I got caught up on a painting and didnt study for the meeting. There I would sit with small remnants of paint on a nail and think I hope no one sees my unstudied lesson.
No, life goes on. But pain does remain. I will fake it with my daughter and act as normal as possible. Try to act like nothing is wrong. As a witness, I have gotten good at faking. lol
I'm really not good at it and I know I do it all in vain..

I've been there. You'll get good at it

13

REAL Community service now allowed?

by ab.ortega in

at watchtowers website there is an undated article under "helping the community" relating how in 2015, jw's from russia participated in the 'springtime beautification of the city'.

it is not stated but more than likely this had to do with preparations for some assembly or something.

a group of witness going out to clean the community just for goodwill - i don't see it happening.

scratchme1010

I agree that there has to be something in it for them, either publicity or some kind of legal thing.They have no interest whatsoever in anything but themselves. Their core believes are around this entire planet not being worth saving and needing a "new order", so no, I cannot imagine them doing anything nice that doesn't have anything in it for them.

12

Do you feel regret?

by HereIgo in

to help me move on after leaving the org and to maintain my sanity, i have worked on not regretting the time i spent in it.

granted, i have only been out 6 years and was 22 when i left, i still was an active jw from age 16-22. those were prime times of my youth that i will never get back.

i wanted to play high school football and basketball but couldn't.

scratchme1010

To help me move on after leaving the Org and to maintain my sanity, I have worked on not regretting the time I spent in it. Granted, I have only been out 6 years and was 22 when I left, I still was an active JW from age 16-22. Those were prime times of my youth that I will never get back. I wanted to play high school football and basketball but couldn't. I wanted to go to college after HS but felt the pressure to pioneer. I am still in my twenties but I still wish I could go back to those years and do them over. Oh well. I have just tried to view it all as a learning experience and helped me be who I am now. Does anyone else regret joining the Org or do you think it helped you become the person you are today?

I was born in, so in my case I find comfort in the fact that I didn't choose to join that filthy organization. However, at one point I did have to deal with the anger. For years after I left I felt happy to catch up with all I was missing, but at some point I did have to properly deal with the anger caused by the damage that the WT inflicted in me.

I realized that there are healthy, proper ways of acknowledging the anger and that I owe no loyalty, not even respect to that organization. Then, and only then was when I really started feeling detached from that organization. I mourned the losses in my life that the WT purposely and ill-ntendedly created, and understood the fact they they have absolutely no authority and no saying in my life.

Today I already have a life and a history and the WT is a small part of my life. It's never going to be eliminated from my history, but it's the most irrelevant thing in my life.

22

Summer Regional Convention

by miss.ives01 in

has anyone attended the sunday program of the summer regional convention, remain loyal to jehovah?.

i have been very concerned about the tone of discussion surrounding sundays program.

i went to friday and sat., not sunday.

scratchme1010

Question, miss.ives01: How do you feel about it? Do you have concerns?

14

Question for Christians: What Religion are You Now?

by LaurenM in

i know many on here are atheist.

but for the christians on here...what religion are you now that you are no longer a jw?

i'm still undecided as to whether i believe in god.

scratchme1010

Does any christian-based religion teach this? What are the base principles of whatever religion you are involved in?

There are some organized christian groups that offer more liberal views on certain things, but I really doubt that you will find them all in one place. Some who are open to gay people may not be open to believe that Muslims are to be welcome. Some who are open to other people's believes may be homophobic.

So, good luck.

Actually, I can't leave it alone to that. I wonder, what is your spiritual need? What exactly makes you want to join a religious organization? What are you looking for?

6

A Message to the Governing Body of J.W.'s - from Christ Himself!

by The Searcher in

(john 7:34) you will look for me, but you will not find me, and where i am you cannot come.

(john 8:21) "so he said to them again: "i am going away, and you will look for me, and yet you will die in your sin.

(john 13:33) "little children, i am with you a little longer.

scratchme1010

So does Jesus speak directly from heaven to them as individuals or when they gather as a group?
Or does he speak to them from his recorded words in the bible, or the interpretation of that by the 12, or older men, or traveling Christians like Paul?
Does the holy spirit fall on them to speak at meetings etc?
If so why do they have to adjust and clarify Christian teachings, was Jesus talking to indistinctly or they weren't listening?

This is 2016; it's all done now on Twitter.

6

Apostacy the same as blasphemy?

by QuestioningEverything in

jw
friends

when i was growing up, the worst thing a jw could do was be 'blasphemous against the holy spirit'.

that was certain to be instant death in the eyes of the wt.

now, as i understand it, apostacy is the worst thing you can do.

scratchme1010

They aren't the same thing but they are very close to each other. Typically something said that is apostatic, is also blasphemous.

12

Consolidations of congregations

by TheWonderofYou in

http://www.simcoereformer.ca/2016/10/21/jehovahs-witnesses-fold-in-port-dover.

where have the witnesses gone?

the remaining 20 witnesses will travel to the neighbour churches now.

scratchme1010

They are in the real estate business now. Their decision have never been to favor their people. It's all about them making money.

21

JW's know how to guilt trip....

by HereIgo in

when i left the org, the jw's tried their best to guilt trip me.

some of the questions i was asked and things i was told:.

"how could you possibly be happy outside of jehovah's organization?

scratchme1010

When I left the org, the JW's tried their best to guilt trip me. Some of the questions I was asked and things I was told:
"How could you POSSIBLY be happy outside of Jehovah's Organization?" (watch me!)
"The world will eat you alive and spit you back out!"
"Why don't you just humble yourself and talk to the elders?" (because they are men maybe?)
"The elders might DF you, but they might not, just talk to them"
"Do you really want to see your 3 year old daughter destroyed?"
"I know you are not responsible for them, but what do you think all of the young bros will think when they see you leaving?" (reminded me of Charles Barkley, I am NOT a role model for your kids )
"What does the world really have to offer you?" (idk, sanity and freedom from cults?)
Did anyone else experience guilt trips and shaming?

Sounds like my parents raising me. In fact, in my experience most organized religions act this way. Trying to guilt and/or scare people into staying "in line" with them and their purpose goes to the core of most religious organizations I know. Christianity is a very guilt- and shame-based religious philosophy.

And yes, there's absolutely no mercy. They are more than happy to shun their own loved ones over their Jehovah. That right there tells you how "loving" they are.