the wt articles for the past 2 weeks were the typical every-3-months-or-so attempt at justifying the sovereignty of the jw popes, the governing body.. aside from the usual specious reasoning and ridiculous assertions, i noted this:.
the articles went through great semantic pains to emphasize that, for the jws, jesus is "the leader", while the gb are merely "those taking the lead".. what, exactly, is the difference between a "leader" vs. "one who is taking the lead"?.
in what other sphere of human experience is such semantic pretzel logic even close to rational?.
Within the context if what the WT is explaining, it is as LoveUniHateExams states. A real leader is not a dictator, but for the Wt and the GB it is like that. They are attempting at presenting themselves as followers of the leader's directions, though we all know well how they really are and what they really do.
They justify whatever they tell people to do as "we're following what our leader, Jesus is saying", freeing them from responsibility and consequences of their actions and decisions.
it appears that the governing body members today are part of the great crowd and are not of the anointed.. to those with some knowledge of the subject, is it possible that the christian congregation would eventually be lead by those who are not anointed?
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Governing Body-Part ...
I though this was an obscene post.
i received a phone call, "is that (name)?".
i was working my way around a car park and answered.
"yeah hang on" at which the caller hung up.. this is a scam where they are wanting you to confirm who you are so they can move on identity theft.. the voice was male clear like a professional announcer.. i have reported this to the relevant authorities.. i have also frozen my bank account..
I received a phone call, "Is that (name)?"
I was working my way around a car park and answered
"yeah hang on" at which the caller hung up.
This is a scam where they are wanting you to confirm who you are so they can move on identity theft.
The voice was male clear like a professional announcer.
I have reported this to the relevant authorities.
I have also frozen my bank account.
Even when I recognize the caller, when they ask my name first my reply is always "Who's this?". I never answer with my name. Normally, unless I am expecting a call from a doctor, a store, or something I know will call me, i never answer the phone when I don't recognize the number. So far I've never had a problem.
i'm going through an extremely hard and dark time right now and really yearned for the support of people i know in the flesh, and i really thought revealing my serious doubts and frustrations to a few close friends who became inactive several years ago would help.
they attend the memorial and no more than 2 sunday meetings each year, and haven't preached for several years, so are still technically baptised-but-inactive.. it broke my heart or at least left me feeling very alone when they all (they don't know each other and live in separate areas) told me that they can sympathise but reckon i should stay with "the truth" (their words, still) as it's the best thing there is.
it's like i'd discovered a new group of people, not pimo (physically in, mentally out, like me) but pomi (physically out, mentally in).
It broke my heart or at least left me feeling very alone when they all (they don't know each other and live in separate areas) told me that they can sympathise but reckon I should stay with "the truth" (their words, still) as it's the best thing there is. It's like I'd discovered a new group of people, not PIMO (physically in, mentally out, like me) but POMI (physically out, mentally in). It's ridiculous. The "truth" still has such a hold over some people, but clearly not enough to motivate them to actually attend meetings and all the other stuff.
I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get the support from people that you expected it. I experienced the exact same thing many times. Just because a person is not active or not attending, it doesn't mean that the person doesn't believe in the WT teachings.
I for once was both surprised and baffled when a gay roommate I had, who attended meeting with his mom as a child until he was 10, never baptized, and did all kinds of things that gay single men do, didn't accept my happy birthday card because of the WT nonsense. Some people still keep those believes as true, and they just don't attend. I've experienced similar reactions from ex-JWs when they find that i was a JW and stop talking to me or treat me differently.
If that's the case, I know that it feels like hurt right now, but you really don't need that nonsense in your life. There are plenty more ex-JWs who can understand and give you true support. The POMI's are everywhere. It is their process, their decision and their dysfunction. My suggestion is to just keep looking for support in other ex-JWs who are more functional that way.
the congregation i attend had it's watchtower study on thursday night because of l.d.c work this week-end, and another congregation i have some not very spiritual friends in had their watchtower study on wednesday.
from what i have delicately prised out of people, the congregations loved the watchtower study this week, saying it was so encouraging and all the usual stuff, with no-one seeming to realise the g.b.
said they're not inspired, so the spirit int he past has moved them to teach wrong things, and all the other ideas excellently summed up on reddit.. today's watchtower will wash over the heads of most j.w's like it never even happened, the all remaining as loyal as ever, and it makes me so, so sad..
Today's Watchtower will wash over the heads of most J.W's like it never even happened, the all remaining as loyal as ever, and it makes me so, so sad.
They are brainwashed and conditioned to believe anything and everything that they are told. It's not possible to expect any other reaction (or lack thereof).
i know this is sad but last night was the first time we have had a non-witness affiliated visitor to my home.
we have had workmen and the such but never someone over for a meal and just visit.
it was very impromptu.
I don't think that's a sad thing. Some JWs never ever ever get to experience that in their entire lifetimes. I'm happy for you.
my oldest daughter once worked at a convenience store/gas station for a muslim gentleman.. he had two sons - the older one @ university, and the younger worked with my daughter.. well, my daughter said the younger was blackmailing the older because the older was in possession of a bible!.
she also said the young man confessed to her that he often times went to a soul food joint way out in the country and ordered pork chops.
she said he told her they tasted soooo good.. lol.. sylvia.
She also said the young man confessed to her that he often times went to a soul food joint way out in the country and ordered pork chops. She said he told her they tasted soooo good.
That reminds me of the JWs I'd see in gay clubs two towns over.
as the title says, i spoke to two sisters at a witnessing cart today.
i didnt approach them, as circumstances would have it i was out in liverpool city center with my 3yo and she was carrying a teddy and a balloon.
she caught the balloon on something sharp and it popped and so she started crying.
... I dunno, maybe i'll change again and be militant anti JW.
Please don't.
i am interested in finding out how you view yourself.
are really you when it comes to every day interactions....ie when at work, with family or friends, or if attending meetings?.
if still attending, do you feel you are not the real you at meetings?
Are really YOU when it comes to every day interactions....ie when at work, with family or friends, or if attending meetings?
I don't attend JW meetings, but at work and everywhere I go I am definitely me. I'm sure that if I create a different account and start posting, many people here will know that it's still me.
In regards to faders and ex witnesses, do you feel you are still not really you when in company with relatives or friends who are witnesses?
Not at all. One of the main reasons I was able to send the WT and the idiots at my last congregation to the carajo was precisely that I had to choose between making them feel comfortable or being myself. With my JW family, they all know well who/how I am. That's part of the reason some members of my family don't bother talking to me.
Do you feel you are holding back all the time?
No, but that doesn't mean that I am insensitive, or that I'm not tactful. You can be yourself and still be considerate to what your JW family believes and feels, even if that's not reciprocated, especially if you are aware that it will not be reciprocated. That will be great, but being a respectful human being (if you are in fact a respectful person) doesn't mean that their brainwashing and the behavior they are conditioned to reflect will change. It only means that you are you, a respectful person.
Now, please keep in mind that i have been out for decades and have taken plenty of time to mature and know myself really well. It's important to know yourself first before, well, being yourself.
Interesting post.
my spouse and i have faded 4+ years ago.
we know the jw rumor mill has gotten back to our family that we no longer attend.
most of our family is out of state.
We are not complaining about it (actually it is a great thing), just perplexed. Has anyone else had this happen? If so, what do you think their thought process is? Are they burying their heads in the sand, do they have doubts to but can't discuss them? They don't want to know and don't want to have to choose to not associate with us? Are they just trying to keep us close because they are getting older? We are just curious if any of you have experienced this same thing? If so, what are your thoughts?
Heck, yes! My thoughts and experience are that they will not ask any questions, they will not inquire anything about you around the JWs, and they will never ever directly tell you anything.
A few things can be the reasons.
Possibility 1 - The elders instructed them to do that. Some elders (duh, they are just people with nothing better to do) use their position to screen out people that they don't like. If you rubbed some elder the wrong way, chances are that elder is very happy with recommending that course of action to your JW family.
Possibility 2 - They are very afraid of opening a can of worms. Like some members of my JW family, they love to know about me, they claim that they "don't know why I don't contact them", and "they want me in their lives",but they don't want to know anything that I can say that challenges them, their lives or their believes. That's out of fear of realizing that they have been wrong all their lives. That's no small thing. The implications of that means that so many decisions they have made have been made for the wrong reasons and with the wrong information, and based on the wrong premises.
Possibility 3 - Pride, dysfunction, envy, control, and similar harmful-to-relationships negativity. They just want the fun part of you; they have no interest in having a relationship with you or learning anything about you as a person. So they are nice and polite and attempt to get what they want from you, but can't care less about you. Being in contact with you is a way of keeping tabs, so they can continue with gossiping and rumors.
Possibility 4 - Good old fashion brainwashing. They may believe that doing that is the right things to do as per their Jehovah.
Even if they call you, they want you to ask things, so they feel at a psychological advantage over you. They have no interest in what you have to say, but they want you to ask so they can tell you what they want to say. Don't expect any reasonable, normal dialog. That doesn't happen with active, devoted JWs.
I keep close to my father, my mother passed away last year. I cater their need the best I can. As for my siblings, I have different degrees of contact with them and no contact with some.
