Posts by Trotafox

i have over the years briefly brought up my "doubts" about the teaching and she quickly dismissed what i was saying and said it was not for her to hear and that she believed in jehovah to set all things right.

so since i have made a point to "pacify" her talks when it came to the jws, recently as some of you know i found this site and in addition to what i learned my understanding of the jws and their secrets are even better known.

Trotafox

((((((kproscts))))

We're with ya. We've been there. And yes, we can relate to your anger. Getting out is difficult. Seeing others we love still in is even more difficult. All I know is that the frustriation and anger will eat you up (and make you fat ) if you let it.

You sound like a "fixer". Heck, most of us on this board are "fixers". At some point in time, you begin to realize that some things can't be fixed, at least anytime soon. Seriously fighting this God-awful Watchtower cult takes a serious plan and a fair amount of your time. Some have the capability, the time, and the strength to fight the Tower, as can be seen by all the anti-JW websites and other work that is being done to educate people about this organization. Most, however, just try to cope (after the first couple of frustrating, very angry years) and chalk it up to a very bad experience and try to mend the damage done to themselves by making new friends, developing new interests, etc. You'll find it very rewarding to speak to people now about religious subjects without having to find a way to start a Bible study.

Your mother appears to be devoted to the Tower. Sometimes trying to yank them out of it is worse than just letting them alone. Only you can know whether she would be receptive and, more importantly, when. Think seriously about that. I would like desperately to get my friend of 26 years out but I know by her attitude that I would be beating my head against a brick wall. She, therefore, would go on with her life snug as a bug in a rug and I would be frustrated, still angry, unhappy, and FAT. So tell me. Who do you think would get the better end of the deal?

Just remember....For the most part, it takes a special person with a great deal of strength, courage, and integrity to leave the Tower and their JW family and friends to start a new life in the real world. You are one of those special people.

Trot

8

Telltale Symptoms of Fanatics--Sound Familiar?

by Trotafox in

i read an interesting article today in the friday sun sentinel newspaper.

the subject matter to which they were speaking shall remain anonoymous lest this thread go in another direction then the one intended.

it simply brought to mind a very strong similarity to an organization with which we are all familiar.

Trotafox

Back to you Amicus.

that people are more productive when treated fairly.

True but this Corporate raider dosn't think that way. The only thing missing is the whip. When the market turns, the people will turn on him and leave. I feel sorry for the ones who won't or can't....I'll probably be one of them. I don't have a degree and I'm 57. It's tough to find another job to support myself and my mother and pay a mortgage.

could it be that the WTBTS believes that it's good to randomly DF people to keep the flock "on it's toes"? Nah, couldn't be.

Yep. Fear and fanatical intimidation. They do it because it works.

Trot

27

Demonizing the Watchtower

by IslandWoman in

jw
friends

our 'beloved' old faith tried to teach us to hate other religions and all things that smacked of anything that was worldly.

they demonized all things outside of their religion.. are some of us in danger of carrying that same thinking over to our new lives as former jws?

could some here at first start out as an anti-cultist but in time allow this to become a 'religion' in itself?.

Trotafox

IW: What you say is true. I sometimes wonder if I will ever be anything but an ex-JW. I hate it! I want to move on but it's like you say that only an ex-JW can understand an ex-JW. Maybe we all need to get past the "no one else can relate to what we went through and why we trust no religion and we don't want it to happen to anyone else". You can only do so much to protect others. At some point, we all need to let it go and, if possible, put it in the past. Chock it up to experience I guess. We are the wiser for it.

BTW, IW and Gizmo...."Somewhere in Time" is my favorite movie and soundtrack music. Has been ever since the movie came out years ago. Great minds think alike.

Trot

8

Telltale Symptoms of Fanatics--Sound Familiar?

by Trotafox in

i read an interesting article today in the friday sun sentinel newspaper.

the subject matter to which they were speaking shall remain anonoymous lest this thread go in another direction then the one intended.

it simply brought to mind a very strong similarity to an organization with which we are all familiar.

Trotafox

Hi, Goshawk (my Secret Santa ): Only pop into the Board now and then. Trying to get other things in my life organized.

VM44: Thanks for the link. It's downloaded for posterity.

Amicus: Yep (to your last line). Religion, politics, corporations = fanatical cults (to one extent or the other). I guess it's "supporter beware" and look beyond the surface before jumping in with both feet. I currently work for a Company that has a President with a corporate raider mentality, micromanages, and leads by fear and intimidation. It's not pleasant and I'm working on how to get out of it which is why I'm not on this board much anymore.

Simon:

Trot

8

Telltale Symptoms of Fanatics--Sound Familiar?

by Trotafox in

i read an interesting article today in the friday sun sentinel newspaper.

the subject matter to which they were speaking shall remain anonoymous lest this thread go in another direction then the one intended.

it simply brought to mind a very strong similarity to an organization with which we are all familiar.

Trotafox

I read an interesting article today in the Friday Sun Sentinel newspaper. The subject matter to which they were speaking shall remain anonoymous lest this thread go in another direction then the one intended. It simply brought to mind a very strong similarity to an organization with which we are all familiar. Do we really need three guesses to figure out what this sounds like?

"Dr. Norman Doidge, professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, has identified among the telltale symptoms of fanatics: an intolerance of dissent, a doctrine that is riddled with contradictions, the belief that one's cause has been blessed or even commanded by God, and the use of reinforcement techniques such as repetition to spread one's message." [Sound familiar?]

"According to Doidge, one of the essential features of fanatics is their certainty that not only is their cause good but that it is the only good, an absolute good." [You're either with us or against us?]

"This absolute intolerance of dissent, says Doidge, often extends beyond the fanatics' enemies--frequently leading to a "campaign of terror" against those within their own ranks."

"Another cruicial element of a fanatic's faith, according to Professor Dixon Sutherland, who teaches religion at Stetson University, is that he [we can substitute "it" here] sees himself as acting for God...You have a circular logic that is very powerful that combines God's authority, through the Bible, with a messenger who carries out that authority."

"Gustav le Bon, a social scientist known for his crowd psychology theories, has stressed the importance of repetition as a weapon in the fanatic's arsenal. Repetition breeds blind acceptance and contagion. Ideas, sentiments, emotions and beliefs possess in crowds a contagious power as intense as that of microbes. If it is said over and over enough, people will believe it..."

SOUNDS LIKE THE BORG TO ME....

Trot (from the "oh it's so good to be out" class)

18

JW's not happy people

by wannaexit in

jw
friends

i've noticed a lot of discontent among my jw friends.

i've had some express to me how stressed out they are because the meetings take up too much time and the assemblies are too long.

( a lot of complaining about this international assembly coming up).

Trotafox

bttt for good reasons.

138

Ray Franz.....LIAR?

by integ in

one of my witness family members agreed to take a look at crisis of conscience, and after.

perusing the first couple of chapters, said that she thought it could be all made up.

agreed that the documents presented could be legitimate, but as far as franz's personal.

Trotafox

Thank you, H.S. (JW thinking irritates me now that my own fog has lifted..but I understand!)

Trot

36

Fashion Fluff....Questions for the Ladies....

by teenyuck in

jw
friends

since it is friday and i am in a fluffy mood..... fingernails....long/short; painted, bare?

french manicure or nothing?

i had my nails *done* a few months ago and there was a man there getting a full set of acrylic nails.

Trotafox

I buy mine at Walgreens. I've been wearing "California Girls" and "Nailene Active Oval" (paint yourself) nails for six months. Califnornia Girls are longer and fancier and I wear them as a change. They have beautiful french tips and patterns. It's such fun. I LOVE THEM. But I like the Nailene Active Ovals the best which you paint yourself and they are more natural looking. Both are inexpensive and they last for about 2 weeks. They are fairly strong. If one happens to pop off, you glue it back on in 10 seconds. No waiting to grow a new one or having to panic because you can't get an immediate appointment at the salon . My own nails? Terrible. Been a nail biter all my life (in and out of the Borg ).

Pantyhose? Gotta wear 'em. I don't feel dressed without them. My legs are too, too white. Even though I live in Florida, I am never out in the sun. I'm fair skinned. Not good. Not wearing pantyhose is against our company's "business casual" policy (which essentially means no ties for the men and that's about as far as it goes towards dress down). In defense of the policy, if no hose were acceptable, the girls in our office would look like they're going for a day at the beach...bare legs, sandals, shorts, t shirts and all. Our President would have a fit!

Trot