i’ve been reading it for a few of years off and on, but have been a little too ... maybe ... timid to join.
i left the watchtower organization almost 20 years ago but never abandoned my faith and belief in god.
i knew the gb/organization didn’t represent god, so when i lost my faith in them, i managed to keep my faith in an all wise benevolent creator.
Lol....I watched a program last night about what scientists believe came before the big bang. Horizon program I think. New theories dismiss the big bang ever happening.
Anyway by the time it finished I found that I agreed and believed each theory in turn only to be replaced by the next one viewed.
I believe in something but its fluid and always changing.
i'm wondering why believers remain members of this forum which is clearly hostile to believers.
as one member said, nonbelievers pounce on any semblance of belief like piranhas on prey.
as former jws we should have had our fill of judgmental know-it-alls, but here we are.
It reminds me of the saying 'never talk about politics and religion'. Many wars are based on differences in religious belief.
I find it irritating when people want to 'pray' for me or insist dogmatically that there is a god etc, etc. I bet my non belief in any religion must make believers feel 'how could you' etc.
Is it a good thing to talk about the specifics about what and why we believe in or not about religion? I don't know, on both parts may it incite arguements?
I imagine the nitty gritty about many topics are not and should not be explicity disccussed. I remember on JWR a person describing explicitly childhood sexual abuse and it was very uncomfortable reading and unwarranted for many reasons.
Maybe I am wrong?
message from designer stubble to the former jwr members.
first of all i am glad to see that many of you have found your way to this great forum, facilitated by simon.
i am sure that after the dust of the jwr shutdown has settled, you will find this to be a good new home.. i would like to apologize for the sudden closure of jwr.
I don't mind helping in some way either....I can offer my social work skills, my personal experience of dealing with serious mental illness due to abusive childhood. However, totally and utterly pants at understanding and empathising very pushy religious types.
jws very much believe that there is an absolute truth and of course, they are the only ones who have it lol.
how about now though do you still believe that absolute truths exist?
or is everything subjective?
I think there is an absolute truth about everything, its just on some things we know what it is and on others we have not discovered it yet.
message from designer stubble to the former jwr members.
first of all i am glad to see that many of you have found your way to this great forum, facilitated by simon.
i am sure that after the dust of the jwr shutdown has settled, you will find this to be a good new home.. i would like to apologize for the sudden closure of jwr.
Meaning of 'recovery'
noun [S or U] UK /rɪˈkʌv.ər.i/ US /rɪˈkʌv.ɚ.i/
› the process of becoming well again after an illness or injury:
Mira made a full recovery from the operation.
We're sorry to hear you're ill, and wish you a speedy recovery.
› the process of becoming successful or normal again after problems:
At last the economy is showing signs of recovery.
B2 the process of getting something back:
The police arranged the recovery of the body from the river.
Ok I am bored with this now. Offering a place to enable 'recovery' invites and instills a sense of hope and trust for many 'vulnerable' and 'traumatised' people.
The ending of JWR betrayed peoples 'trust' and telling people that they can just go elsewhere is very insulting and dangerous and shows arrogance and ignorance. You cannot offer 'support' and help with 'recovery' and then say 'I am not qualified' go and find somewhere else. Many people don't frequent 'other' sites, why should they if one site meets their needs.
The 'RECOVERY' part in JWR was misleading in itself and maybe people should have more often held up their hands and said 'you know, I can't help you with that but I can suggest you contact.....' and signpost them to other sites and organisations that could give specific support.
Its about responsibility, a doctors hypocratic oath is to 'do no harm' JWR was not a doctor but offering a place for support and help for vulnerable people towards 'recovery'. I believe 'the do no harm' somewhat applies and the ending of JWR was very unprofessional and has done harm. End of.
i created this thread so that jwr members can list their old jwr username with their username for whatever site they've moved to.
i apologize if this has already been created somewhere else.. jwr = starrynight.
jwd = starrynight9.
Sweetgrass = only on JWR
Not that sweet though :)
i just wanted to take a minute to say "hi" and welcome to the site for anyone who's come here from jwr.
i can imagine the site being shut down suddenly was shocking and unsettling for many who relied on it and sometimes you don't realize how much you do rely on something until it is gone.. hopefully you'll see some of the same familiar names appearing and be able to reconnect with people you knew via this site and continue your journey together.
i don't know what the posting policies on jwr were but know it as a moderated site so can't imagine them being hugely different to the ones here.
Hi Simon,
Thank you for the warm welcome, its good to see old names from JWR. Occassionaly on JWR a newbie or an ex JWR in 'disguise'would become all preachy with the 'I will pray for you' rubbish but it did not go on for long.
Maybe the whole JW experience was enough to put off people from religion for ever! it did me, lol.
message from designer stubble to the former jwr members.
first of all i am glad to see that many of you have found your way to this great forum, facilitated by simon.
i am sure that after the dust of the jwr shutdown has settled, you will find this to be a good new home.. i would like to apologize for the sudden closure of jwr.
I wonder what the problem was? internal fighting? disagreements about money donations?
Sounds like rifter had a tantrum and shut it down, you know like 'I created it, its mine, no one else is having it so I will shut it down'.
I suppose anyone can set up a 'recovery' site without any relevant skills , qualifications, people skills needed to support people through trauma, loss, grief, anger, despair, hopelesness, etc.
The moderators, admin etc did a fantastic job and the sole responsibility for the hurt caused falls on riffters shoulders. He is accountable. No excuses can make up for what he has done.
Lesson learn't everyone, do not put your whole faith, mind, body and soul into any kind of organisation.
Take care everyone from former JWR. xx
message from designer stubble to the former jwr members.
first of all i am glad to see that many of you have found your way to this great forum, facilitated by simon.
i am sure that after the dust of the jwr shutdown has settled, you will find this to be a good new home.. i would like to apologize for the sudden closure of jwr.
jwundubbed,
I totally agree with everything you said and very well put. Thanks
message from designer stubble to the former jwr members.
first of all i am glad to see that many of you have found your way to this great forum, facilitated by simon.
i am sure that after the dust of the jwr shutdown has settled, you will find this to be a good new home.. i would like to apologize for the sudden closure of jwr.
Sorry DS, I hope you can pass this on to the owner of JWR. I realised after eating my dinner how angry I am. I am 'recovered' so the closure is sad but ok, but what about those in the middle of their recovery? What kind of therapist guides you through some of the most important decisions or difficult times in your life only to find when you next check in to read a note on the door telling you they have moved on and go and seek help elsewhere????
What about responsibility, decency and understanding how this could cause damage to fragile people. A therapist takes weeks to bring therapy to an end. Shame on the owner!!!
