Welcome!
Immerse yourself in the history / origins of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and how C.T. Russell formed the basic beliefs we hold to be 'true'. Take your time. You're in for the ride of your life!
gingerbread
JoinedPosts by gingerbread
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42
New member!!
by Viva la Vida inthis is my first post even thou ive been lurking for some time.
i was raised in as a jw, and im still in because of my family.
since waking up i found meetings, assemblies and fs stressing and thought writing in here might be therapeutic.
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27
Where has the money gone??????
by joe134cd inafter all the real estate sell offs, im confidently sure that the wts must be a flush with cash (well at least for the present time).
i cant believe how blissfully un-aware the local dubbies are about where the money has gone and what it is been used for.
so my question is where has all this money gone??
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gingerbread
I'm not a headquarters 'insider', but I have long time friends who are in position and are active in the expansion project. From what I understand the liquidation of the Brooklyn properties was being set in motion a decade ago - for multiple reasons. One was the impracticality of owning so many buildings throughout the borough. Another was the increasing costs and amount of time required to maintaining these properties/keeping them up to code.
So the reasoning was to move upstate, consolidate all the offices and residences and make something brand spanking new.
Why they chose to relocate to Warwick is something I don't have an answer to. In my mind it would have made much better economic sense to settle in the middle of the US - to be centrally located and where land is much more affordable.
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11
Higher Education
by XBEHERE inwe have co visit this week.
its official, after months and months of college bashing including but not limited to the wonderful jeremiah book the co's are hitting it hard with their talks now.
same as the jeremiah book, higher education sucks and worldy people suck.
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gingerbread
The Watchtower Society has always (since the 1920's) been negative about higher education. Now the 'policy' is that one can earn a two-year/Associates degree, certification or specialized short-term training without negative repercussions. Persons who promote higher education in the congregation risk being removed as elders, ministerial servants and pioneers (March 6, 2012 letter to all bodies of elders in the United States).
The Org. does not want its members pursuing an EDUCATION.
60% of those raised/born in 'the truth' in the United States leave the religion when they become adults (Pew Report / Forum).
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Apostate: From 279 Facebook friends to 81 overnight... thanks MOM!
by sosoconfused inthe drama continues, i log on to facebook this morning and notice that i have about 20 some odd personal messages from people calling me an apostate to they will return to me when i return to jehovah.. all of this based upon my brother informing others that i have "apostate thoughts".
my mother also encourage long-time famil friends to "unfriend" me because i have taken my stand on the side of satan... wow.
don't you just love this international brotherhood.
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gingerbread
I would suggest that you find your copy (or YouTube) of "Young People Ask - How Can I Make Real Friends?"
Unfortunatly, this is the reality of being a Jehovah's Witness. It sounds like it's time for you and your wife to make some important life decisions.
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Where has the money gone??????
by joe134cd inafter all the real estate sell offs, im confidently sure that the wts must be a flush with cash (well at least for the present time).
i cant believe how blissfully un-aware the local dubbies are about where the money has gone and what it is been used for.
so my question is where has all this money gone??
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gingerbread
Yes. History shows that low income adherents to a faith freely give most if not all of their surplus income (to the church).
This is a sustainable model for a religious organization when the membership is a growth phase. And, when the culture of the organization encourages personal growth. Wealth flows 'uphill' in religion.
Organizations (religious or otherwise) that give back to their community develop strong local support systems. Jehovah's Witnesses - as a group and often as individuals - do not 'invest' in personal development, financial growth, social programs or crisis/dependency counseling.
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Where has the money gone??????
by joe134cd inafter all the real estate sell offs, im confidently sure that the wts must be a flush with cash (well at least for the present time).
i cant believe how blissfully un-aware the local dubbies are about where the money has gone and what it is been used for.
so my question is where has all this money gone??
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gingerbread
According to the Pew Forum (Pew Report) under demographics of Jehovah's Witnesses, 42% of the membership in the US earn LESS than $30,000 per year. And 70% of members hold a high school diploma without further education or training - or failed to complete public school (drop-out) altogether.
The long term reality for the WT's donation pool is bleak.
The growth rate in the US of membership is minimal - look for baptismal numbers on JWN for this years convention. According to Pew, only 37% of people that were raised as Jehovah's Witnesses remain in the religion - 63% of children born in/raised in will leave 'the truth'.
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Post 6: My brother turns on me now - Possible Legal advice
by sosoconfused inthis is a letter i received today with my brother turning on me based on something that was told to him by my crazy mother.
he works for me, yet has not spoken a word to me in months because he is a self-righteous little dick.. .
what i would like to know from someone who knows the law, is it possible i can sue him if he pressures people to not work with me because of my religious beliefs????
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gingerbread
Your brother must have just watched the new DVD release "The Prodigal Son Returns" by the Watchtower Society.
If you haven't seen it, the 1 1/2 hour long movie is currently viewable on YouTube. It's a real 'tear-jerker'...
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Former Long Time Elder: Why I am still in
by James Jackson ina customer on my route with whom i have had some lively debates was his number 1 complaint is that "the witnesses have so many rules".
last month i agreed with on this issue.
he asked why the change, i told him that i have been doing some soul searching.
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gingerbread
The 'truth' can have a positive impact on family life - showing respect, getting along, standards for morality, honesty, working together, showing empathy, etc. But these qualities aren't the property of the WT publications. Many religions, communities...and families teach these same positive codes of conduct.
Having children grow up in this belief system makes the exit ten times more difficult. You have been very active and involved. I too once was - and raised kids in 'the truth.' It is the family's entire social circle. It takes time to reconstruct trust and faith. Leaving has repercussions. You can't avoid it. Like a divorce, when a family member exits it can turn everyone's world upside down.
Take your time. Talk a lot. Be honest. Express your feelings.
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How to act crazy enough not to have to go in FS or to meetings but not crazy enough to get committed to a mental health facility
by hoser ini was thinking if i acted a little off but not too far off the elders would tell me i'm not welcome in the door to door work.
i wonder if this would work.
there is a watchtower or awake article somewhere saying that a mentally ill person may be excused from the meetings and field service if his illness affected others.
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gingerbread
Elders love to assist those who are unstable, fragile, depressed, dispondent and lonely.
Why put a 'target' on your back? Do you really need the attention?
Find something positive to do with your time. Enroll in a college or university, spend time in a library, get physically active....do something that will help you grow as a person and benefit your life!
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My mother continues with these creepy letters
by sosoconfused inas i continue to post these letters just to let people see what they can expect through a fade, i hope they are not annoying anyone.. if so please let me know and i will no longer post them.
however i think these letters help you to see how cultish and crazy this religion causes people to become:.
evening <name removed>,.
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gingerbread
When they view the new "Prodigal Son Returns" video, your parents are going to have a meltdown. You can view it on YouTube.
Your mother is responding to your situation in the only why she knows how. Perhaps she is naturally a guilt-tripper. And her 100% devotion to the Org. magnifies her own fear and feelings of failure.