Posts by scratchme1010

The professional cult interventionists that I know say that an important part of their assessment when/if they decide to approach a person in a cult, is to evaluate the lives that they had before (family, friends, relationships, etc), as well as what awaits them outside if they leave.

I was surprised to find out that there have been cases when after having a session with relatives and the family of the person "lost to a cult", the psychologist's recommendation has been to keep the person in the cult. There are instances where the lives that people run from that makes them fall into the hands of a high demand, controlling group, are not that great. There are other instances when the person's mental health or state is not appropriate for intervening in their lives about what they believe, and without asking their permission (at the end of the day, that's what we are doing if we attempt to wake up another person).

People join organizations for a number of reasons, and sometimes those reasons have to do with sheltering themselves from difficult families or other elements in their lives. They feel safe, physically and mentally, in the cult.

Another aspect is mental health. I am not a psychologist, and I cannot assess when/if a person is in the right mental health condition to handle TTATT, especially if I myself have nothing to offer that person to replace what the cult gives them.

Personally, I don't attempt to help people out because (a) I cannot be responsible of messing with whatever happens after that person leave, and most importantly (b) I'm quite done with convincing people to change what they believe; that was kind of the point of me leaving the JWs.

11

question of the day does a religious org have the right to hold confidential info on one of its members

by poopie in

jw
friends

without there permission ?.

scratchme1010

...does a religious org have the right to hold confidential info on one of its members

Yes, especially if the members consent to it. Remember the big YES! that JWs yell when they get baptized? That's consent.

Aside from the political debate over religion's phony, faulty argument wanting to be an exception to do whatever they want, the problem with religious organizations getting away with violating the rights regarding information about their members (and many others) is not the legality of it, nor is it whether they have the right (legal or moral) to do so. It's that they convince people to accept and submit themselves to that voluntarily. People abide what the religious organization (or rather, their leadership) tell them without questioning.

6

good article on how the Bible could have easily proven it's from God

by defender of truth in

www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/02/13/six-and-a-half-reasons-why-the-bible-is-not-divinely-inspired/.

scratchme1010

Interesting thoughts. Nothing new to me. I've always attacked those flaws that the bible have.

Thanks for the article. It's well written, easy read.

9

Leaving the ex-jw

by The Real Edward Gentry in

jw
friends

james askd to be dissociate , from all the ex -jws groups in the world.we know we cannot talk to him, or eat with him.

or have any spiritual connection with him.please report this to all ex jws, groups, congregations.. what is actually the difference of james choosing to dissociate or desfellowship.

?nothing he did cut his connection with ex jesus christ, so we cannot talk to him.. your brother -- edward.

scratchme1010

We know we cannot talk to him, or eat with him. or have any spiritual connection with him.

Is that supposed to be a bad thing?

9

How to help indoctrinated cult victims break free

by Faith after Deception in

cults are fuelled by fear, shame and secrecy.

members are taught to set their sights on a future existence on a paradise earth or in heaven, and forced to give up all hopes of true joy or fulfilment in this life.

they must resign themselves to boredom, drudgery and self-discipline, which is often accompanied by feelings of emptiness and dread.

scratchme1010

Great information. Right on point. Thanks for sharing.

24

How many faithful old JW`s are now living in Christendoms retirement homes not being cared for by the religion they gave their life for.

by smiddy3 in

jw
friends

it must be pointed out in favour of christendoms religions that they do not discriminate against people regarding their religious beliefs.

many old age jehovah`s witnesses are residents of christendoms age care homes.. isn`t this a conunudrum ?

they, jw`s condemn christendom as part of the world empire of false religion and they cast off their old faithful members to their enemy christendom , to look after them without lifting a finger themselves.. in the meantime they are raking in millions of dollars $$$$ in selling off real estate properties in new york and elsewhere around the world.

scratchme1010

Jehovah`s Witnesses / Watch.Tower Society does nothing to look after rank and file members who have spent the best part of their life giving up their free time in spreading the message of the Watchtower into their old age.

That's the sad true. My own father is experiencing the consequences of that. No retirement money, no support, not even a visit from people in the congregation. Just sad.

27

People Asking Me To Help Them Leave

by pale.emperor in

i dont know if it's due to the last convention, the recent broadcasts, the internet or just plain fatigue - but since the convention i've had a few people contact me via facebook messenger asking how i am then cutting to the chase asking me what it's like "on the outside" or "how did you adjust after leaving?

" and asking me how they can leave the wt but keep their families.. my reply is always the same, i show real genuine interest and concern and listen to their situation.

then i suggest a fade, how to fade, to ignore or reject elders visits, to not talk about their doubts to active jws under any circumstances and finally point them to this site.

scratchme1010

How sad that simply leaving a group that he doesn't agree with means his life would be destroyed.

That is some messed up organization! Thanks for sharing this. I think that there is a lot more awareness of people who have left, and those in doubt are seeing us as a resource.

Thanks again.

22

Do they even realise how disgustingly immoral this is and how badly it reflects on the God they worship?

by doubtfull1799 in

found this little gem when going through the daily texts.... so let me get this straight.... god knows your suffering really badly and wants to help.

he knows you feel like you're at your limit, but he also knows that you are not really - that you can handle some more suffering.

so instead of helping, he "patiently" waits till you are at your absolute limit, and only then does he help!?.

scratchme1010

So the point of his "patience?" To make sure you don't get out of your suffering too early? To make sure you experience the maximum suffering you can endure?

No. The point is a very simple one. That crap gives people who are suffering and don't/can't know better comfort. That is the lame explanation that some people buy to be able to copw with whatever --it life throws at them. It's that simple, that's how some people cope.

54

Fasten Your Seatbelts - The Crazy Has Started (Also, bring the Koolaid)

by berrygerry in

from facebook:just saw my jw mother after not seeing her for more than 2 years.

when i do see her, it is brief, she never asks about my life, doesn't ask about my 4 children her grandchildren, doesn't ask about my grandchildren...her great grandchildren, she doesn't ask about my other 2 brothers that she is also alienated from, she doesn't ask about my brothers family.

she doesn't talk about the jw/org either.

scratchme1010

berrygerry, your post makes me sad. So much that she's missed over that Jehovah crap, a pure fantasy. Sad, just sad.