Posts by wheelwithinwheel

65

I walked out of an Elder's Meeting

by AlmightyDog in

well here goes... i apologize in advance if this turns into a long and disjointed rant, but i just have to begin typing in order to keep from exploding.

i realize that what im about to say could seriously jeopardize my anonymity, but i think ive reached the point that i just dont care.

i want this to be over.. let me explain what caused me to rip up a letter and get up and walk out in the middle of an elders meeting two weekends ago.. our boe has been embroiled in a nasty fight for the past 2 years over a certain brothers business dealings.

wheelwithinwheel

Congrads Almighty - tearing up the letter and walking out - a totally awesome moment

What's even more hilarious is their perception of your actions

I just love it

Take some time to decide your next move.

Without getting into a long story, I can tell you that if you hold your ground and insist that you just "don't feel comfortable" talking about it (your views or situation), they don't seem to go further. In my case I even went as far as telling quite a few elders from different congregations I disagreed, and "had issues" with the society, but that I just "didn't feel comfortable" discussing them. I'm sure that there was debat on what to do, but nothing was done, time has gone by, and I disappeared. I recently went to a JW funeral dressed in sports jacket - no tie (just so there would be no illusions I was coming back). I was ignored by many in the congregation but actually well-treated by the long-time elders and Bethel visitors, who have no illusions about my state of mind (A), I'm sure.

Perhaps in your case you feel more comfortable DAing. That's your decision. You know the drill

All the best to you. Keep us posted.

Wheels

132

Hello

by Chariklo in

i am new to this site, just finding my way around.. i've been studying with jw's for about 15 months.

i'm an unbaptised publisher, and until recently never missed a meeting, have been out "on the service" quite a lot.

i've been having difficulties with one of the jw's studying with me and something happened which was just unacceptable.

wheelwithinwheel

Hi Chariklo

It's a sad reality that JW's clergy treats pedo's and abuse a lot like your former Church has. They are guided by the directives of the Watchtower Corps. Legal Dept. Check out this recent thread in which the elders hide behind the robe.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/scandals/210230/1/Elders-refuse-to-give-evidence-of-a-molester-and-the-molester-gets-away-with-it

The elders refusal to testify was directed by Watchtower Legal, I can assure you. In all congregational legal matters, WL must be involved. The involvement will be denied if the elders are questionned about it. And yes, it is OK for the elders to lie to "Satan" about WL's involvement.

So if you're looking for a better church in this area. JW's aren't any better that the Catholic Church. The Church, at least, appears to be on a learning curve.

JW have, over the years, managed to keep their members in tight control, away from "worldly" and "non-believing family" influences. No holidays are to be celebrated (now frankly, what's wrong with Mother's Day. Is your mother really going to begin believing she is superior to God and think you should begin worshipping her L.O.L). Young kids can't join sports teams (reason given: competition...BAD!!! although it's OK for dad to watch competition sports on T.V. ...strange paradox!) Time 'in service' must be reported ( does it make sense to keep account of time you spend serving God?) University is a real no-no (but if someone is U-educated JW's are extremely happy to welcome them in and use their talents). And disfellowshipping...the ultimate controlling tool (when you can control people to the point of disowning their own kids for not believing in and following a faith, something is definitely very wrong).

The Watchtower's goal is isolation from all influences subject to free Rapunzal.

Without even getting into false dates, failed prophecies or the fact that they have been telling everyone for over 100 years they were not going to die, but cruise into everlasting life.....just think about the above and break into a run.

And those nice people you met.... Although they've done their very best to be extremely nice to you, keep in mind they've seen many people just like you get interested and not join them. They've come to understand and accept that Satan is strong and many (like you) just don't have the right heart condition. It's sad that you're missing out on being in paradise with them but you would be shocked to see how quickly they will get over your loss.

Welcome. Be glad you weren't assimilated!

Wheels

23

I celebrated my birthday today for the first time!

by doublelife in

jw
friends

i didn't really have a party or anything, but people at work know that i'm no longer a jw and they got me a birthday cake.

my birthday is not until the 28th, but my co-workers always celebrate anyone's b-day on the 3rd wednesday of every month.

i've been giddy all day over it, though every once in a while, i'll remember how disappointed in me my parents would be.

wheelwithinwheel

Happy birthday DL

9

Anyone planning on wearing a wire to their secret elders course?

by wheelwithinwheel in

jw
friends

it would be great to preserve: .

- the grade 3 level dictation of unwritten wt rules like the 6 supreme directives to keep mother shameless and blameless.

- the true-to-life how to handle skits.

wheelwithinwheel

It would be great to preserve:

- the grade 3 level dictation of unwritten WT rules like the ‘6 supreme directives to keep “Mother” shameless and blameless’

- the true-to-life ‘how to handle’ skits

- the “Old Boys Club” jokes and comments

I’m convinced all the ‘friends’ would be thrilled to share this convention er..assembly of the upper echelon.

No need to confirm until the deed is done or for that matter release the contents until you feel comfortable.

Just wondering if there are any brave ‘moles’ out there

51

Tomorrow will be one of the PROUDEST days of my life.

by nicolaou in

iv'e been posting here a long time but here's something i never shared before .

i'm still a window cleaner.

i'm not going to rant at the 'society' because they don't own my anger anymore but my work is certainly a legacy of my cult past.

wheelwithinwheel

congrads to your family!!!

33

Jehovahs Witnesses taught that Armageddon would occur in 1914,1915,1918,1921,1925,1932,1941 and 1975. Who is the father

by Little Imp in

jw
friends

i saw a very long thread on answerbag answering the above question in which there are several jws responding and denyng vehemently what is said in the question.

in some places being quite rude to people.

the dialogue highlighted yellow is me, the text highlighted blue is someone who is agreeing that the jws did preach this.

wheelwithinwheel

My dad cashed in his pension, quit his job, wrote to the society asking where the need was great and moved to the boonies. He bought a book called "Famine 1975", which the WT had quoted. He would bring it up on the podium, hold it up for all to see, and refer to it in his talks. He loved the book because he felt even worldly persons were comfirming the WT was right. We would also often hear a quote from some other nutcase specialist that said something like "In 1975 the world would be too dangerous to live in". As you may guess the book disappeared from our library soon after 1975 slipped by, the family moved back to civilization and the whole incident was quickly erased from his memory. 1975, never happened. Typical case of JW's being in denial.

36

Please post all the little things that make no sense about the JWs

by Aussie Oz in

jw
friends

i want to collect a bunch of things that i can use to help my son see that the wbts and being a jw makes no sense.. i have a few in mind already.

they have to be things that might matter to a teenager, so doctrine will probably be out!.

(if you have read my last post you will see why).

wheelwithinwheel

Does it make sense to report and be judged by the time you talk about God?

Shouldn't the kind of person you are be more important?

36

Please post all the little things that make no sense about the JWs

by Aussie Oz in

jw
friends

i want to collect a bunch of things that i can use to help my son see that the wbts and being a jw makes no sense.. i have a few in mind already.

they have to be things that might matter to a teenager, so doctrine will probably be out!.

(if you have read my last post you will see why).

wheelwithinwheel

Sorry OZ posted on your other thread...instead of here

sports / teams - a no-no for JW children

sinful competition as they say- or the team spirit that they really fear

contradiction - JW dads spend hours watching competitive sports on TV - most will attend events - they all have their favourite team - our D.O used to make unabashed allusion to his favourite in Ass talks.......but the WT forbids kids participation

I would point out the real reason is evidently not the competition that the WT wants to avoid. If so it would be deemed a sin to be a spectator or to root for a particular team. What they really want to avoid is a JW kid becoming tight with worldlies (and discovering great friendships outside of the cult)

7

Working on the kids...not at ease.

by Aussie Oz in

jw
friends

sometimes i feel like i am going to lose the 'battle' for my kids.

it's hard when you only get to see them every second weekend and my boy even less now that he has his drivers licence...mates are more important than seeing dad you know.. daughter is the deeper thinking one i think.

i asked her who's message is this to which she made a guess at the witnesses.

wheelwithinwheel

sports / teams - a no-no for JW children

sinful competition as they say- or the team spirit that they really fear

contradiction - JW dads spend hours watching competitive sports on TV - most will attend events - they all have their favourite team - our D.O used to make unabashed allusion to his favourite in Ass talks.......but the WT forbids kids participation

I would point out the real reason is evidently not the competition that the WT wants to avoid. If so it would be deemed a sin to be a spectator or to root for a particular team. What they really want to avoid is a JW kid becoming tight with worldlies (and discovering great friendships outside of the cult)

21

Now why would the WT not ask former elders the 3rd question?

by wheelwithinwheel in

jw
friends

in chapter 3 of ks-10, paragraph 13 (page 35), the wt corp provides the precise questions that are to be asked aspiring elders before announcing their appointment.

there are only 2 for qualifying brothers who have served previously.

brothers not having served before must be asked a 3rd.. .

wheelwithinwheel

I don't believe they're worried about the victims

They're worried about the perpetrators wearing their 'elder's badge.

I believe they need to ask the question to newbies for the following reason:

If the brother answers "Yes I've molested someone." He doesn't become a legal liability for the WT because they will certainly not give him the 'clergy privilege'. If they are in a state that requires reporting all they will say is "Go to the authorities so we won't be obligated to be the ones to report you"

If the newby answers "No" and there is abuse later on when he has the WT's 'clergy privilege' they will be able to say, " We are very concerned about this growing problem in today's society. Before this person received his elder's status he was questionned on the subject and he assured us he had never been involved in abuse. We are as shocked and dismayed as you all are by the recent allegations against this individual. "

I believe the question is not to be asked of former elders in case they answer "Yes, I was". Let's just call it opening up a serious "can of worms". The WT immediately puts itself in a position like the Catholic Church knowing one of it's members was a molester while he served on their 'clergy class' It is now a major problem because they KNOW.