Posts by SkyGreen

65

What's Your Favorite Comfort Food?

by minimus in

jw
friends

this weekend i had the most delicious chicken pie filled with white meat, a few veggies, gravy and the chicken pie had a hard crust, not puff pastry.

yum!

that with a soft wheat roll and butter......

SkyGreen

PAVALOVA WITH SWEET WHIPPED CREAM AND PASSIONFRUIT PULP & CADBURY FLAKE CHOCOLATE ON TOP...... MMMMMMMMMMM

21

SkyGreen is no longer one of Jehovahs Witnesses... Why?

by SkyGreen in

jw
friends

wow it felt good to type that heading, if only it were officially true!.

i guess i dont want to dwell on "ttatt" too much, though i am now an inactive jw now, and will be forever, i dont want to be defined by that.

but i will certainly keep an eye on this forum, contribute where i feel i can, and i must say thankyou to those who moderate it and keep it running.

SkyGreen

Wow it felt good to type that heading, if only it were officially true!

I guess i dont want to dwell on "TTATT" too much, though I am now an inactive JW now, and will be forever, I dont want to be defined by that. I am just me. But I will certainly keep an eye on this forum, contribute where I feel I can, and I must say thankyou to those who moderate it and keep it running. What a lifeline it has been!

I know the time will come when I will have to give my Mum some sort of explanation for my being inactive, and I wanted to sort it all out in my head anyway, so I composed the following, its saved on my computer (no worries, my hubby already knows it all and he is very supportive although not at the same point himself)... and feel so much freer again!

Feedback is welcome. Its a bit rough as I only just finished... Im sure I missed plenty out!

Love from SkyGreen

(because finding out TTATT is like waking up one day and seeing that the grass is blue....and the Sky is Green)

My doubts about the organization began slowly, in my last Congregation, as I experienced the unloving, unchristian way of some elders. This led me to question that they were “appointed by holy spirit”

I agree that one cannot expect perfection from imperfect men. However, further research showed me that problems like this are so widespread, even to the point of elders being guilty of serious misconduct over a period of time. If Jesus is really “head of the congregation” as taught, why would children and other similarly vulnerable ones be continuously put at risk, as they “wait on Jehovah” to sort things out.

Reading Crisis of Conscience, by former governing body member brother Raymond Franz, opened my eyes to the inner workings of the societies leaders over time. The inconsistencies regarding Malawi and Mexico brothers caused me great pain.

Further research of the societies older publications showed me there were several outright and heavily implied prophecies about the end of this system, that were later modified or proved completely untrue. The scripture often quoted in Prov 4:18 about the “light getting brighter” doesn’t seem to really apply to this. That scripture is talking about the path of the righteous one, which could be interpreted several ways. I read somewhere recently that light might get brighter, but it shouldn’t change colour!

Interestingly, in Deut 18:22, the point is clearly made that if the prediction of a so called prophet does NOT come true, then he is not speaking the words of Jehovah.

I understand that expectations about the end of this system, did help some to intensify their share in the preaching work and put off so called worldly goals and ambitions, therefore the Word was preached more and more. So if it is the truth, then some benefit came, despite the disappointment of many, and the fact that many (for example, post 1975) fell away from the organization.

But, what about understandings regarding organ transplants? Did not the society put itself in the place of God to make these decisions for people in the past? Could they not be bloodguilty for this? Don’t they continue to put themselves in God’s place by making decisions for people? While they say it is up to our conscience, so many things are heavily implied as being wrong (eg university)

The teachings surrounding 1914 are integral to what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe. The destruction of Jerusalem needs to have been in 607 for this to be correct. Bible prophecy states that Jerusalem’s punishment (captivity) would last 70 years, and so although archealogical evidence points to it only lasting around 50 years. Because of the strong belief and faith in biblical prophecy over any human wisdom, Jehovah’s Witnesses have held fast to the 607 date as being correct.

In the bible, there have been times where Jehovah has taken back his punishment, for example, read the whole book of Jonah. Ninevah was supposed to be destroyed, yet because of their sincere repentance, Jehovah spared them.

Might he not have done the same for Jerusalem? Should the WTS hold so tightly to the 607/1914 belief? Perhaps they should admit to still really just being “Bible Students” rather than Jehovah’s earthly representatives!

Since realizing the above things, I have continued to research. I find many doctrines or teachings that do not have clear scriptural backing. This does seem like a very high control group. As witnesses, we are cautioned strongly against reading anything “apostate” or “worldly philosophies”. But shouldn’t real truth stand up to scrutiny. From what I have read, I have been able quite easily to discern between those that are simply bitter over personal experience, from those who really have chosen to follow their Christian conscience. Any doctrinal concerns or historical concerns I have thoroughly researched and not been swayed by anything I could not verify.

The recent doctrinal change regarding “overlapping generations” just boggles my mind. Wont even go there.

Despite having serious problems at some point about a year ago with serving in the ministry (when I couldn’t honestly say this was THE TRUTH,) I still firmly believed in God, and had this real spiritual need.

But now that my mind feels freer to analise things more, I find it harder and harder to believe that there is a God in heaven who still cares about us. Maybe he started us off, but he forgot about us long ago.

Looking at the bible teach book from a fresh perspective, the illustration of the teacher and rebellious student to represent Jehovah and Satan and the “universal issue” just doesn’t fly. I read somewhere someone elses thoughts: If there was a “cosmic pain meter” that God could refer to at any one time…. Just think about that.

If we are honestly created in his image (love), and if we could heal all of that pain, we would do it instantly. 1000 years to him may be just a day, but it is at least 10 lifetimes for us!!

I agree that if more people lived by Christian principles, the world would be a better place. But those principles can be taught without a religion. The love thy neighbor principle is natural to most human beings, isn’t it?

My priority is to love my family and do what I can to care for them and myself, to teach my children love and tolerance. I want them to pursue whatever dreams they have, and to use their lives in a positive way. I want to do the same for myself.

If “the truth” is THE TRUTH, and I deserve to die at Armageddon, so be it. My conscience is clear. I am not a bad person.

Think about this… if it is the truth and Armageddon came tomorrow, what about that beautiful baby girl my neighbor just gave birth to…. Does she deserve to die? Would Jehovah kill her just because her parents weren’t interested in listening to yet another religion? If that’s the case, he is not a god I would want to serve for eternity.

I would love to have some kind of faith to comfort me in later life, only time will tell...

The end. (tada! lol)

68

Being Agnostic is depressing me....

by SkyGreen in

jw
friends

for those that dont know my story, basically i "woke up the ttatt" about a year ago, started fading, then went back, now fading again because i just cant stomach it anymore.

my husband is very supportive, although he's still "in" for now, and trying to be regular with meetings and witnessing, he can see my point of view now, and often notices things in the wt or other publications that are "off".

the fading thing is hard, sometimes i want to da, but because of the upheaval it would cause my family, im waiting a little while - i guess hoping that my husband will be on the same page at some point, so that we can support eachother.

SkyGreen

Thankyou to everyone who replied, you have all helped me more than I can say. I really needed to get that off my chest.

Im sure youll all be pleased to know, thanks to you all, i didnt stay depressed for long

FlyingHighNow & EP.... do i need to seperate you two!!??

57

Anyone with Happy Memories from being a JW born in, please post here....

by SkyGreen in

first up, happy new year .

hi everyone, ok i guess this is controversial, but im doing it as therapy for me - so im not bitter about the way i was raised.

plus i want to see if i can be the op of an "epic thread"!!.

SkyGreen

THANKYOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR FEEDBACK,

you have all helped me to gain perspective, i really appreciate it xx

Love from SkyGreen

(because finding out TTATT is like waking up one day and seeing that the grass is blue....and the Sky is Green)

68

Being Agnostic is depressing me....

by SkyGreen in

jw
friends

for those that dont know my story, basically i "woke up the ttatt" about a year ago, started fading, then went back, now fading again because i just cant stomach it anymore.

my husband is very supportive, although he's still "in" for now, and trying to be regular with meetings and witnessing, he can see my point of view now, and often notices things in the wt or other publications that are "off".

the fading thing is hard, sometimes i want to da, but because of the upheaval it would cause my family, im waiting a little while - i guess hoping that my husband will be on the same page at some point, so that we can support eachother.

SkyGreen

unfortunately i dont have the option of reaching out to a christian church, im still "in" although out mentally,

being a fader is so hard!!

57

Anyone with Happy Memories from being a JW born in, please post here....

by SkyGreen in

first up, happy new year .

hi everyone, ok i guess this is controversial, but im doing it as therapy for me - so im not bitter about the way i was raised.

plus i want to see if i can be the op of an "epic thread"!!.

SkyGreen

I guess this illustrates to me that "worldy" parents can do just as good a job of raising their kids lol

My born again christian friend at highschool has gone on to have a successful career and happy marriage (from what I hear)

Another friend from high school who i still keep in touch with who was raised with no religion at all has also gone on to have a very happy family life with her husband and kids, and some success in her music career.

Sigh

dang it my thread is a dud!

57

Anyone with Happy Memories from being a JW born in, please post here....

by SkyGreen in

first up, happy new year .

hi everyone, ok i guess this is controversial, but im doing it as therapy for me - so im not bitter about the way i was raised.

plus i want to see if i can be the op of an "epic thread"!!.

SkyGreen

sorry to hear that lp. My mum is the best too, unfortunately so brainwashed though, that even though it would break her heart, if I officially left the "truth" she would absuolutely shun me.

i hope i do get some happy replies... I cant be the only one who can see the positive side...

Maybe I should edit the thread title! Can I do that?

27

Visit to Austrailia

by exwhyzee in

we're trying to rebuild our lives after leaving the org, have new experiences and create new memories for ourselves.

we're planning out our trip to hawaii, nz, austrailia and tahati in february.

i thought i'd see if anyone on here could give us some advice on places to see/stay/eat in brisbane and thereabouts, as well as places to steer clear of.

SkyGreen

ps, if you want cheaper accomodation, look for cabins in tourist parks, 3 star or more are fine, but check they can supply linens.

27

Visit to Austrailia

by exwhyzee in

we're trying to rebuild our lives after leaving the org, have new experiences and create new memories for ourselves.

we're planning out our trip to hawaii, nz, austrailia and tahati in february.

i thought i'd see if anyone on here could give us some advice on places to see/stay/eat in brisbane and thereabouts, as well as places to steer clear of.

SkyGreen

I used to live in brisbane, the Gold Coast is very touristy, theres all the theme parks to go to if you're into that sort of thing (buy tickets in advance, you can get a 3 or 4 park pass, MUCH cheaper)

On the way from Bris to Gold Coast, there are a few nice nature walks in the glasshouse mountains.

The sunshine coast is also quite touristy, but not quite so much as the GC, there are beautiful beaches and national parks.

Look up Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and of course Australia zoo - they're great places to visit.

In Brisbane city, the southbank markets are lots of fun on a FRIDAY night.\

I was born in NZ, dont go to christchurch, its still having earthquakes rather regularly, but in the south island, everything south of Dunedin is beautiful - scenery (mountains, lakes, snow) and Queenstown is the tourist destination for snow sports and adventure sports (white water rafting, bungee jumping). Google some tourist sites for info on the best seasons to go.

Im not that familiar with the North Island, except for tourist spots in Rotorua, and Waitomo caves.

Again, just google and you'll get a better idea of places and the best seasons to go.

NZ is still not the warmest down south, even in summer months.

Brisbane is "sub-tropical", so even if you go in winter, its not very cold, and quite humid.

Enjoy planning your trip and have a wonderful time!!

Sky xx

57

Anyone with Happy Memories from being a JW born in, please post here....

by SkyGreen in

first up, happy new year .

hi everyone, ok i guess this is controversial, but im doing it as therapy for me - so im not bitter about the way i was raised.

plus i want to see if i can be the op of an "epic thread"!!.

SkyGreen

FIRST UP, HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hi everyone, ok I guess this is controversial, but Im doing it as therapy for me - so Im not bitter about the way i was raised. Plus I want to see if I can be the OP of an "EPIC THREAD"!!

Before I get to the point I want to make something clear....I find it so sad reading some of the personal experiences here of people who really had it tough - abusive parents & others in the cong etc, made worse by bad WTS policies that allow elders too much power, and elders that are not acting the way they are supposed to. If only EVERY professed JW really acted like one should. It is heartbreaking that these kind of things happen and I am so sorry for those who have been put off the religion in this way. And I thought it was hard to wake up to TTATT just by growing up and researching the doctrines and history of the WTS!

I am a fader, so in no way an apologist, however as stated in the beginning of my post, this thread is like therapy, so I dont get to bitter.

My Mum and stepdad are "Uber Dubs", and I find it hard to have a conversation with them these days without wanting to scream "you sound like a bloody robot!!" Freaky stuff. Anyway, I just smile and nod because they really are genuinely lovely people, salt of the earth types. especially my mum.

So I was essentially raised by very loving, kind, proper JW parents. And although it has been so painful to wake up and realise I have been part of "just another religion/cult", there are reasons to be happy about my upbringing (which I realise as a parent myself I can do also, without the religion). For oe thing, I believe it was a protection during high school/ puberty years. I am a pretty impulsive person, but with my conscience well trained/ brainwashed, I avoided so many things that I saw hurt lots of girls around me - teen pregnancy, heartbreaks, stds, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol abuse.... etc etc. That sort of thing was commonplace... my high school was in a rough area!

My Mum did get me treatment for my depression, so I wasnt neglected in that way. Healthcare wasnt pushed to the background.

Through being a JW, I met my husband (im 3rd gen, hes 2nd gen), if either of us had "woken up" earlier, or not been raised a JW, we wouldnt have each other or our gorgeous (yes they really are, Im not just biased because Im their Mum) children.

In our marriage we have faced ups and downs like any other, with our personalities, if we hadnt had the upbringing/religion, I dont think our marriage would have survived, and again, we wouldnt have our lovely children.

I do have a genuinely nice family life and I believe a good chunk of that is due to being raised a JW.

I have to admit, the WTS sucks with the handling of child abuse/molestation cases and many other "judicial matters", the elder arrangement is crap, the 607/1914 doctrine also BIG CRAP, and so on and so forth.

But in some areas, I do believe they get it right - common sense prevails, not that they necessarily think of stuff first. For instance, does anyone else recall the dangers of practical jokes being mentioned in the mags at some point? That kind of common sense couldve prevented some recent events in the UK regarding Aussie DJs from ever happening.

And despite the prevailing attitudes amongst many JWs (yes admittedly because of the WTS articles in the past,and even some more recently that gloss over the topic) about depression/mental illness, the series on mood disorders did state the need for professional help, and that depression was not a spiritual problem.

Again Im not an apologist, and saying that the mood disorders article was enough to make up for years of treating depressed individuals like rubbish, would be like saying that the whole 1975 thing didnt count because in the 80s and more recently they made half arsed comments about disappointed hopes.

I also wish that my parents had been more focused on my education, or encouraging me in sports, it would have helped my development enormously. But now im getting way off topic....

OK, so OVER TO ALL MY FELLOW BORN INS.... what are some of YOUR HAPPY/POSITIVE THOUGHTS ON BEING RAISED A JW?.... it could be therapeutic...

Happy stuff only, pretty PLEASE... ...

Love,

Sky